Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune-mediated diffuse connective tissue disease characterized by immune inflammation with an unclear aetiology and pathogenesis. This work profiled the intestinal flora and faecal metabolome of patients with SLE using 16S RNA sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We identified unchanged alpha diversity and partially altered beta diversity of the intestinal flora. Another important finding was the increase in Proteobacteria and Enterobacteriales and the decrease in Ruminococcaceae among SLE patients. For metabolites, amino acids and short-chain fatty acids were enriched when long-chain fatty acids were downregulated in SLE faecal samples. KEGG analysis showed the significance of the protein digestion and absorption pathway, and association analysis revealed the key role of 3-phenylpropanoic acid and Sphingomonas. Sphingomonas were reported to be less abundant in healthy periodontal sites of SLE patients than in those of HCs, indicating transmission of oral species to the gut. This study contributes to the understanding of the pathogenesis of SLE disease from the perspective of intestinal microorganisms, explains the pathogenesis of SLE, and serves as a basis for exploring potential treatments for the disease.

中文翻译：

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系统性红斑狼疮患儿肠道菌群与代谢物的相关性分析

系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）是一种自身免疫介导的弥漫性结缔组织病，以免疫炎症为特征，病因和发病机制尚不清楚。这项工作使用 16S RNA 测序和气相色谱-质谱 (GC-MS) 分析了 SLE 患者的肠道菌群和粪便代谢组。我们确定了肠道菌群的α多样性不变和部分改变的β多样性。另一个重要发现是 SLE 患者中变形杆菌和肠杆菌门的增加以及瘤胃球菌科的减少。对于代谢物，当 SLE 粪便样品中的长链脂肪酸下调时，氨基酸和短链脂肪酸得到富集。KEGG分析显示蛋白质消化吸收途径的重要性，鞘氨醇单胞菌。据报道，SLE 患者健康牙周部位的鞘氨醇单胞菌数量低于 HC 患者，表明口腔物种向肠道的传播。本研究有助于从肠道微生物的角度理解 SLE 疾病的发病机制，解释 SLE 的发病机制，并为探索该疾病的潜在治疗方法奠定基础。