Intestinal microbiota and immunomodulation: The role of fecal microbiota transplantation in autoimmune diseases
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i5.51090Keywords:
Fecal microbiota transplantation, Gastrointestinal microbiome, Autoimmune diseases, Immune system, Inflammation.Abstract
The present study aimed to critically analyze the scientific evidence regarding the role of fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) in the immunomodulation of autoimmune diseases. This is a systematic literature review conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 recommendations. The bibliographic search was performed in the PubMed, SciELO, and Web of Science databases using descriptors related to gut microbiota, fecal microbiota transplantation, immunomodulation, and autoimmune diseases. Studies published between 2015 and 2026 in Portuguese and English were included, encompassing clinical trials, observational studies, systematic reviews, and experimental research. At the end of the selection process, 25 studies composed the research corpus. The findings demonstrated that FMT promotes significant changes in gut microbiota composition, impacting immune mechanisms involved in autoimmunity, including modulation of inflammatory cytokines, restoration of intestinal barrier integrity, and increased regulatory T-cell activity. Clinical improvement was also reported in certain autoimmune diseases, particularly inflammatory bowel diseases, although important limitations related to methodological heterogeneity and lack of protocol standardization were identified. It is concluded that fecal microbiota transplantation presents relevant potential as an immunomodulatory strategy in autoimmune diseases; however, further robust clinical studies are required to establish its safety, efficacy, and therapeutic applicability.
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