Gut microbiota transfer from autoimmune dry eye mice imprints stereotypic B cell receptor repertoires in the lacrimal gland and induces disease - Summary - MDSpire

Gut microbiota transfer from autoimmune dry eye mice imprints stereotypic B cell receptor repertoires in the lacrimal gland and induces disease

  • By

  • Seonghwan Kim

  • Soobin Lee

  • Soyeon Ju

  • Jaewoong Bae

  • Jin Suk Ryu

  • Yerim Heo

  • Wan Jae Choi

  • Kum-Joo Shin

  • Seok-Jin Kim

  • Namphil Kim

  • Hansol Choi

  • Jiyun Park

  • Eunjae Lee

  • Chang Ho Yoon

  • Sunghoon Kwon

  • Junho Chung

  • Mee Kum Kim

  • June 16, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To investigate the relationship between gut dysbiosis and ocular inflammation in Sjögren disease (SjD) and examine associated changes in the B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire using a mouse model.

Approach:
    Key Findings:
    • NOD-FMT mice exhibited SjD-like clinical features, including elevated corneal fluorescein staining scores and reduced tear production.
    • Increased IL-6 mRNA levels and decreased MUC5AC mRNA levels were observed in NOD-FMT mice.
    • Stereotypic B cell receptor (BCR) clonotypes were shared at significantly higher frequencies in NOD-FMT mice compared to controls.
    • Majority of B cell clones with stereotypic clonotypes developed and expanded locally in the lacrimal gland.
    Interpretation:

    The study uncovers a gut–ocular immune axis where microbiota transfer induces stereotyped BCR clonotypes that may contribute to the immunopathogenesis of autoimmune dry eye disease.

    Limitations:
    • The study is limited to a mouse model, which may not fully replicate human Sjögren disease.
    • The specific microbial taxa responsible for the observed effects were not identified.
    Conclusion:

    The findings suggest a potential link between gut microbiota and the development of autoimmune dry eye disease through alterations in BCR profiles.

Original Source(s)

Gut microbiota transfer from autoimmune dry eye mice imprints stereotypic B cell receptor repertoires in the lacrimal gland and induces disease

  • by Seonghwan Kim, Soobin Lee, Soyeon Ju, Jaewoong Bae, Jin Suk Ryu, Yerim Heo, Wan Jae Choi, Kum-Joo Shin, Seok-Jin Kim, Namphil Kim, Hansol Choi, Jiyun Park, Eunjae Lee, Chang Ho Yoon, Sunghoon Kwon, Junho Chung, Mee Kum Kim

  • June 16, 2026

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