Colonisation of the gut of young mice by certain types of bacteria can lead to immune responses later in life that are linked to autoimmune diseases, Belgian scientists report.

The mice, who had no secondary lymphoid organs, were produced by interfering with lymphotoxin and Hox11, two essential proteins involved in the autoimmune response of animals. The scientists showed that approximately one quarter of mice modified in this way spontaneously developed antibodies that attacked components of the cell nucleus.

“We have demonstrated a link between the microbiome of young mice and the later onset of autoimmune disease,” the researchers said.

“Further work is needed to establish the precise molecular mechanisms that leads to the onset of diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis in humans but we now have a new path of enquiry that we can pursue and look for potential interventions.”