Intestinal fungi and systemic autoimmune diseases

• Published in: Autoimmunity reviews 2023-02, Vol.22 (2), p.103234, Article 103234
• Main Authors: Wang, Hua, Wu, Hong, Li, Kai-Di, Wang, Yi-Yu, Huang, Rong-Gui, Du, Yu-Jie, Jin, Xue, Zhang, Qian-Ru, Li, Xian-Bao, Li, Bao-Zhu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ankylosing spondylitis; Diabetes mellitus type 1; Immune system; Inflammatory bowel disease; Intestinal fungi; System lupus erythematosus
• ISSN: 1568-9972; 1568-9972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2022.103234

Nearly 20 years of studies have shown that fungi and the human immune system (non-specific immunity and specific immunity) and bacterial––fungal interactions maintain a balance that can't lead to diseases. Fungi––microorganism that lives in human intestine––may play an important role in human health and disease. Population studies and animal models in some diseases have found the changes in the diversity and composition of fungi. The dysregulation of the fungi can disrupt the normal “running” of the immune system and bacteria, which triggers the development of inflammatory diseases. The latest studies of fungi in inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis and type 1 diabetes mellitus were summarized. This review considers how the healthy host protect against the potential harm of intestinal fungi through the immune system and how fungal dysregulation alters host immunity. •In this literature review, we have summarized the latest studies of intestinal fungi in inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis and type 1 diabetes mellitus.•Intestinal fungi dysregulation might be of potential risk factor in the development patients with systemic autoimmune diseases.•Researchers should pay attention to Candida, Saccharomyces and Malassezia genera functions in the development of systemic autoimmune diseases and conduct more in-depth exploration.