The Potential Causality of the Microbiome and Infectious Pathogens in Primary Vasculitis

Abstract

Aberrant and dysregulated inflammation of human blood vessels, or vasculitis, results in narrowing of the vessel's lumen (i.e., stenosis) or aneurysmal wall damage (i.e., sac-like deformity of the vessel wall). This heterogenous group of autoimmune conditions is very rare. The understanding of the potential role of microbiome and infectious pathogens in eliciting immunologic responses and disease pathogenesis is rapidly expanding in many disease states. The precise role of microbiota in vasculitis is yet to be determined, but poses an interesting field of research. Our focus is on the potential role that infections and the microbiome may play in blood vessel inflammation, i.e., vasculitis.

Biomolecular Mechanisms of Autoimmune Diseases and Their Relationship with the Resident Microbiota: Friend or Foe?

“…Thus, the loss of immune tolerance to autoantigens may be the result of dysbiosis, and vice versa [80]. The microbial populations participate, to some extent, in the development and perpetuation of self-reactive immune responses which lead to tissue destruction and the onset of autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune arthritis-a reactive arthritis (also called Reiter's syndrome or Fiessinger-Leroy syndrome) caused by bacteria (which are also present in asymptomatic people) that can lead to infections [70,81] by bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori, E. coli, Salmonella, Clostridioides difficile, Shigella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Ureaplasma ueralyticum [82]. Genitourinary infections are favored by dysbiosis of the local microbiota, such as that of the vagina, which can lead to an increase in the population of common opportunistic pathogens, such as those of the genera Ureaplasma (e.g., U. urealyticum and U. parvum) and Mycoplasma hominis, leading to bacterial vaginosis, infertility, and adverse pregnancy outcomes [83].…”

Aortitis – An Interdisciplinary Challenge

“…However, over the past decade, it has been increasingly recognized that the relationship between infection and autoimmunity is complex and multifactorial and cannot be readily classified within these two categories. In vasculitis, for example, an infection can induce an NIA by generating immune complexes or cross-reactivity (13,14). Moreover, primary infectious in vivo 35: 41-52 (2021) 42 genesis is also discussed in many immunological diseases, in addition to the disposition to autoimmunity (13,15).…”

“…In vasculitis, for example, an infection can induce an NIA by generating immune complexes or cross-reactivity (13,14). Moreover, primary infectious in vivo 35: 41-52 (2021) 42 genesis is also discussed in many immunological diseases, in addition to the disposition to autoimmunity (13,15). On the other hand, the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs in patients with NIA may increase their susceptibility to secondary infections.…”