From the Editor's Desk

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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