The Role of Gut Microbiome in Autoimmune Uveitis

The gut microbiome has important physiological functions and plays an indispensable role in the human body. Currently, there are an increasing number of studies revealing the close correlation between dysbiosis of the gut microbiome and a variety of autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune uveitis. This brief review summarizes recent literature regarding the relationship between dysbiosis and the occurrence and development of autoimmune uveitis. Dysbiosis participates in the pathogenesis of autoimmune uveitis largely by 4 mechanisms: antigenic mimicry, disturbance of intestinal immune homeostasis, destruction of the intestinal barrier, and reduction of beneficial anti-inflammatory metabolites. Further elucidation of these mechanisms will facilitate the treatment of the gut-microbiome-relevant autoimmune diseases by potential therapeutic strategies, such as antibiotics, probiotics, diet modifications, and fecal microbial transplantation.