Short-chain fatty acids regulate T cell heterogeneity to alleviate recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Background and purpose: The aetiology of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is multifactorial, with immune factors playing a critical role. Gut microbiota and its metabolites have been found to participate in host immune regulation. This study explores the role of gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in immune tolerance in RSA.

Experimental approach: Single-cell sequencing was used to analyse the cell profile of RSA patients. 16S rDNA sequencing was used to analyse the gut microbiota structure. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was used to explore the role of the gut microbiota in immune-related RSA in mice. SCFAs supplementation was used to explore the role of SCFAs in immune-related RSA mice. Conventional molecular biology methods were used to explore molecular mechanisms.

Key results: The peripheral immune cell profile of RSA patients was altered. The gut microbiota structure of RSA patients was also altered, with a decrease in their SCFA levels. FMT significantly improved pregnancy outcomes in immune-related RSA in mice. SCFAs affected the differentiation of peripheral CD4⁺ T cells and the expression of marker genes. SCFA supplementation altered the gut microbiota structure in immune-related RSA mice and improved colonic barrier function. SCFAs regulate CD4⁺ T cell differentiation by targeting GPR43. Finally, the colon-targeted SCFA delivery nanoparticle system that we designed optimised the therapeutic effects of SCFAs.

Conclusion and implications: Gut microbiota-derived SCFAs regulate T cell heterogeneity to alleviate RSA. The findings of this study increase the understanding of maternal-fetal immune tolerance mechanisms and provide new insights for future therapeutic strategies for RSA.