Gut bacteria could play role in kidney autoimmune disease, study shows
Right now, inside your digestive tract, there are trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that form a tiny universe known as the gut microbiome. New research shows that certain bacteria can alter antibodies so much that they’re unrecognizable to the body’s defenses — potentially leading to immune friendly fire.
The bacteria, called Akkermansia muciniphila, can strip the sugar coating from IgA antibodies, immune proteins abundant in the gut. This transformation may play a key role in the development of IgA nephropathy, an autoimmune disease of the kidneys, according to a study published Wednesday in Science Translational Medicine.
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