# Microbiome Differences in Preeclampsia Versus Lupus Nephritis

## TL;DR

This paper compares the microbiomes of preeclampsia and lupus nephritis, highlighting similarities and differences that could aid diagnosis and treatment.

## Contribution

The study identifies disease-specific microbiome patterns in preeclampsia and lupus nephritis that could be used for differentiation and targeted therapies.

## Key findings

- Both preeclampsia and lupus nephritis show reduced microbiome diversity and pro-inflammatory microbes.
- Preeclampsia is linked to microbes causing endothelial dysfunction, while lupus nephritis involves gut dysbiosis promoting renal inflammation.
- Shared microbiome features suggest potential for microbiome-based diagnostics and therapies.

## Abstract

Preeclampsia (PE) and lupus nephritis (LN) share clinical features of hypertension, proteinuria, and systemic inflammation, reflecting overlapping immune dysregulation. Both conditions involve activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and endothelial dysfunction, which contribute to organ damage. They also exhibit similarities in their microbiomes, including reduced diversity and loss of beneficial immunoregulatory taxa, which may exacerbate systemic inflammation. Despite similarities, they differ in etiology. PE results from placental dysfunction, whereas LN arises from autoimmune-driven renal injury. PE is associated with enrichment of pro-inflammatory microbes, which contribute to endothelial dysfunction and impaired trophoblast invasion. In contrast, LN exhibits gut dysbiosis involving expansion of pro-inflammatory species and depletion of protective immunoregulatory taxa, promoting intestinal permeability and renal inflammation. These shared, disease-specific microbiome features suggest potential for diagnostic differentiation and help guide future microbiome-targeted therapies.