Microbiota dysbiosis in primary Sjögren's syndrome and the ameliorative effect of hydroxychloroquine

Cell Rep. 2022 Sep 13;40(11):111352. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111352.

Abstract

The human microbiome plays an important role in autoimmune diseases. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the microbiota in individuals with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Here, we perform 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of fecal, oral, and vaginal samples from a cohort of 133 individuals with pSS, 56 with non-pSS, and 40 healthy control (HC) individuals. Dysbiosis in the gut, oral, and vaginal microbiome is evident in patients with pSS, and oral samples demonstrate the greatest extent of microbial variation. Multiple key indicator bacteria and clinical characteristics are identified across different body sites, implying that microbial dysbiosis has important roles in the pathogenesis of pSS. Furthermore, we observe pSS-like dysbiosis in individuals with pre-clinical pSS or non-pSS-related disease, revealing that microbial shifts could appear prior to pSS. After hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) treatment, microbial dysbiosis in individuals with pSS is partially resolved, although the microbiota composition remain disordered. These results contribute to the overall understanding of the relationship between the microbiome and pSS.

Keywords: CP: Microbiology; etiopathogenesis; human microbiome; hydroxychloroquine treatment; primary Sjögren’s syndrome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dysbiosis / complications
  • Dysbiosis / drug therapy
  • Dysbiosis / microbiology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine / pharmacology
  • Hydroxychloroquine / therapeutic use
  • Microbiota*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Sjogren's Syndrome* / complications
  • Sjogren's Syndrome* / drug therapy

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Hydroxychloroquine