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Review

Long Covid, the Gut, and Autoimmune Skin Diseases: A Novel Therapeutic Approach

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Preprints on COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2

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27 December 2023

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28 December 2023

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Abstract

The dermatological manifestations of Long Covid (LC) have languished in the shadows of chronic fatigue and brain fog. Yet they are all linked by gut dysbiosis and the cytokine triad of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. The gut microbiome common not only to LC, psoriasis, AA, and vitiligo but also to neurodegenerative disease has been recently described. This gut microbiome induces an altered tryptophan metabolism linked to autoimmune disease. SARS CoV2 invades enterochromaffin cells rich in ACE2 receptors and curtails absorption of the essential amino acid tryptophan and subsequent synthesis of serotonin and melatonin. This review suggests that an etiologic prebiotic (d-mannose)/probiotic (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria)/postbiotic (butyrate) approach to autoimmune skin disease that improves intestinal barrier integrity and that suppresses the triad of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β may enhance or even eliminate the traditional immunotherapy of targeted monoclonal antibodies, Janus kinase inhibitors, and steroids. Health benefits of this approach extend well beyond suppression of autoimmune skin disease.

Keywords:

Subject: Biology and Life Sciences - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Introduction

LC is considered by many to be primarily an autoimmune disease¹. A German study that followed over half a million patients post Covid-19 reported new onset autoimmune disease in almost 50%². According to the NIH, there are more than 80 different autoimmune diseases. Three of the top ten involve skin disorders - psoriasis (3%), AA (2%), and vitiligo (1%). Two others, pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid, have also been reported in those with LC^3,4,5,6.

Autoimmune disease risk has traditionally been ascribed to genetic and environmental factors. However, the contributory role of the gut microbiome is rapidly establishing a legitimate challenge to this paradigm. The realm of therapeutic approaches to preventing and treating autoimmune disease has expanded with this recognition. Yet many practicing dermatologists are either unaware of recent therapeutic breakthroughs or fearful of deviating from the designated menu of tailored immunotherapies, e.g., steroids, cytokine monoclonal antibodies, Janus kinase inhibitors. These are not without significant side effects. A gut microbiome approach not only skirts this downside issue but is also much more comprehensive, offering benefits well beyond the integumentary system, e.g., improves diabetes, obesity, lung disease, and some tumors⁷, not to mention Alzheimer’s disease(AD)^8,9. Furthermore, this approach to healthcare puts control back into the hands of the highly motivated patient at less expense and greater convenience.

1. LC, Gut Dysbiosis, and Autoimmune Disease

A decreased CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio, as seen in AIDS, indicates impaired immune function. An increased ratio, as seen in Covid-19, indicates an overactive immune system. Although impaired CD4+ T cell function in autoimmune disease has been known for decades, CD8+ T cells have recently been identified as key epigenetic contributors, e.g., DNA methylation, in maintaining self recognition¹⁰. The loss of CD8+ T cells in LC appears integral to its autoimmune categorization. Autoimmune risk is directly proportional to both Covid 19 severity and age¹¹. Leaky gut syndrome aka dysbiosis is associated with autoimmune disease^12,13,14 and is linked to LC^15,16. Gut dysbiosis has been associated with other viral infections linked to subsequent autoimmune disease, e.g., EBV¹⁷. Leaky gut syndrome stimulates autoimmune pathogenesis. Probiotics containing lactobacilli and bifidobacteria suppress autoimmune risk¹⁸.

2. Gut Microbiome of LC, AA, Psoriasis, Vitiligo

Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are two dominant phyla that together comprise 90% of the total gut microbiota. The F/B ratio is recognized as an important index of gut microbiota health¹⁹ and is widely accepted as having an important influence in maintaining normal intestinal homeostasis. Increased or decreased F/B ratio is regarded as dysbiotic. The former is usually observed with obesity and the latter with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)²⁰. But the real measure of a healthy gut microbiome is an abundance of butyrate producing bacteria²¹.

The gut microbiome in LC features increased F/B, decreased butyrate producing bacteria, and low biodiversity^22,23. In AA the F/B ratio is increased²⁴ and butyrate decreased²⁵. The F/B in the gut microbiome of psoriasis is also increased²⁶ with less biodiversity²⁷ and decreased butyrate producing bacteria^28. The gut microbiome of vitiligo also features an increased F/B ratio (twice that of healthy controls)²⁹ and decreased butyrate³⁰.

Decreased butyrate producing bacteria have also been reported in pemphigus vulgaris³¹ and bullous pemphigoid³².

The increased F/B ratio in the gut microbiome of these three autoimmune skin disorders may be due in part to obesity, which is a risk factor for AA³³, psoriasis³⁴, and vitiligo³⁵.

Obesity is also a risk factor for LC³⁶. The adipokines associated with obesity reflect the same cytokine triad signature (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) seen in autoimmune skin disease³⁷. This links the high F/B ratio, low butyrate, low biodiversity in the gut microbiomes that characterize these autoimmune skin disorders and obesity with the cytokine triad they frequently exhibit^38,39.

3. The triad of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in Covid-19, LC, AA, psoriasis, vitiligo, autoimmune disease, cancer, and dementia.

TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 are premiere cytokines linked to autoimmune disease⁴⁰. TNF-α upregulates IL-1β⁴¹ and IL-6⁴². Two other cytokines frequently accompany the triad - IL-17 and IFN-γ. IL-17 can induce the triad (TNFα, IL-6, and IL-1β)⁴³ and in turn can be induced by the triad⁴⁴. Viruses and fungi, especially Candida, are potent inducers of IFN-γ^45,46,47. IFN-γ is especially effective against fungi⁴⁸ and viruses⁴⁹. Intermediate levels of IFN-γ(20-150 pg/mL) appear to be beneficial⁵⁰ and may reflect a healthy gut microbiome^51,52, while exhausted levels (<20 pg/mL)⁴⁹ (LC) and elevated levels (>150 pg/mL) (hospitalization) appear to be unfavorable⁵³.

Females exhibit more robust T cell activation than males⁵⁴

and produce higher levels of interferon⁵⁵. Furthermore, estrogen promotes Candida overgrowth⁵⁶, which fosters gut dysbiosis⁵⁷. This may explain why 80% of autoimmune disease is seen in females and why LC is encountered more frequently in females. The triad of TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 is central to Covid-19⁵⁸ and LC^59,60. This triad of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β is a hallmark of autoimmune disease^61,62, cancer^63,64 and dementia⁶⁵. Furthermore, an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease is linked with psoriasis66, AA⁶⁷, and vitiligo⁶⁸.

AD is also tightly linked to the triad of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β⁶⁹.

4. Prevention and Therapy

A. D-mannose

D-mannose preserves intestinal barrier integrity by blocking TNF-α⁷⁰. D-mannose can also suppress IL-1β⁷¹, IL-6⁷², and IL-17⁷³.

The presence of CD147 (the falciparum antigen) on the spike protein S of SARS CoV2 was initially reported in late 2020⁷⁴. Several articles challenging their report have been discredited⁷⁵. The immune dysfunction in Covid-19 cannot be explained in the absence of CD147 on the spike protein S. The surface expression of CD147 v ACE2 on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells is overwhelming. This is important, as the immune dysfunction subsequent to the SARS CoV2 induced loss of CD 147+ CD8+ T cells (increased CD4+/CD8+) impacts cytokines prominent in LC.

There are two kinds of T cells - αβ T cells and γδ T cells. The majority are αβ (95% of circulating T cells and 80% of tissue T cells). All αβ T cells express surface CD147. γδ T cells do not⁷⁶. When CD147+ T cells decrease (AIDS, Covid-19), absolute numbers of CD147- γδ T cells increase⁷⁷. This means secretion of more TNF-α, IL-17, and especially IFN-γ^77,78. Persistent spike protein S (LC) triggers consumption of CD147+ CD8+ T cells with a consequent increase in IFN-γ producing γδ T cells.

TNF-α inhibits mannosidase⁷⁹, thereby limiting mannose trimming of glycans in the Golgi and increasing oligomannose glycans. Oligomannose glycan shields induced by TNF-α also activate pathogenic γδ T cells to secrete IL-17⁸⁰. Epidermal γδ T cells are upregulated in AA⁸¹, psoriasis⁷³, and vitiligo^82,83.

The estrogen driven⁵⁵ increase in type I interferons (α and β) induces additional STAT dependent IFN-γ secretion that drives the altered tryptophan metabolism until IFN-γ production in the face of persistent spike protein S⁸⁴ is exhausted (see figure 1). The TNF-α and γδ T cell⁸⁰ driven IL-17 completes a vicious loop with TNF-α and the triad. By suppressing TNF-α producing T cells and IL-17 producing epidermal γδ T cells d-mannose does double duty in suppressing autoimmune skin disease risk.

D-mannose is considered a prebiotic, because consuming it stimulates the growth of good microbiota. Probiotic capsules contain “good” microbiota, e.g., bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. D-mannose may be especially helpful in preventing gut dysbiosis^85,86, tightly linked to autoimmune disease. D-mannose has proven efficacy against autoimmune disease, e.g., T1DM⁸⁷, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus⁸⁸. This prebiotic/probiotic approach is complemented by the postbiotic butyrate.

B. Butyrate

Butyrate is considered a postbiotic because it is produced by gut microbiota. Short chain fatty acids, especially butyrate, suppress IDO and increase serotonin (see figure 1)^89,90

The altered tryptophan metabolism seen in Covid-19 and LC⁹¹ is due to the shift of tryptophan metabolism from serotonin synthesis to the kynurenine pathway⁹² (see Figure 1).

This shift is also linked to intestinal dysbiosis and increased risk of autoimmune disease⁹³. The magnitude of the shift is inversely proportional to the CD8+ T cell count (T cell lymphopenia=>increased dysbiosis) and autoimmune risk⁹⁴.

The kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio is also directly predictive of Covid severity⁹⁵, AD⁹⁶, and cancer risk⁹⁷.

Butyrate has been directly linked to decreased CRC⁹⁸ and down regulation of estrogen receptor positive breast cancers⁹⁹. The butyrate induced increase in serotonin is manifest in the hippocampus, forestalling dementia and AD¹⁰⁰. Fungi, especially Candida, have been implicated in AD¹⁰¹ and serotonin actively attenuates pathogenic yeast¹⁰², as does butyrate¹⁰³. AD related amyloid beta bodies are well described in the hippocampus and amyloid beta bodies are linked to Candida^104,105. Butyrate also increases transcription of the vitamin D receptor gene¹⁰⁶ and vitamin D promotes butyrate producing gut bacteria¹⁰⁷.

C. Vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency is linked with LC¹⁰⁸ and is prevalent in autoimmune disease^109,110. Vitamin D downregulates NF-κB¹¹¹, a pro inflammatory cytokine linked to overproduction of the triad. It also suppresses almost all cytokines associated with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (see Figure 2 and Figure 3).

D. Magnesium and B Vitamins

Magnesium is a vital cofactor required for the synthesis of both the storage and active forms of vitamin D. Many of the symptoms of LC are associated with hypomagnesemia¹¹⁴.

Deficiency is linked with immune dysfunction and risk of autoimmune disease¹¹⁵.

The growing recognition of differential methylation of DNA in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease^116,117,118 and the linkage between autoimmune disease and elevated Hcy^119,120 raises the specter of increased autoimmune disease in those with MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) variants afflicted with LC. Indeed a recent meta analysis demonstrated a direct connection between MTHFR 677 C/T and 1298 A/C polymorphisms and increased risk of autoimmune disease¹²¹. According to the CDC, more than half of Americans have at least one MTHFR polymorphism. MTHFR polymorphisms are associated with AA¹²², psoriasis¹²³, and vitiligo¹²⁴. Elevated Hcy is also associated with psoriasis¹²⁵ and vitiligo^126,127. The vital role of magnesium and B vitamin sufficiency in minimizing the deleterious effects of MTHFR polymorphisms is seen in Figure 4. They enhance both the recycling and the degradation of homocysteine. Glutathione is the “master“ antioxidant.

Conclusions

In the most recent reviews on treatment for AA¹²⁸, psoriasis¹²⁹, and vitiligo¹³⁰ TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IFN-γ have been targets of immunotherapy. These targets may be more comprehensively addressed without toxic side effects by addressing the gut dysbiosis associated with these autoimmune diseases. A regimen of prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, vitamin D, and magnesium is at the top of this approach (see Figure 5). This novel therapeutic approach to autoimmune skin diseases outlined in this review is in part theoretical and awaits an appropriately structured randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of d-mannose and butyrate in this regard. It may enhance or possibly replace immunotherapy in some who are so afflicted. Relief would flow to women (LC/autoimmune diseases), especially those of color (AA¹³¹, psoriasis¹³², vitiligo¹³³).

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COVID-19 Added to the list of Autoimmune Diseases https://www.autoimmuneregistry.org/long-covid-announcement.
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Figure 1. Roles and relationships of the major players in the altered metabolism of tryptophan, essential to gut dysbiosis, COVID-19, LC, autoimmune disease, AD, and cancer risks. As mitochondrial dysfunction mounts, tryptophan metabolism pivots from serotonin synthesis to the kynurenine pathway and NAD+ synthesis to counter the loss of ATP production.

Figure 2. Figure discloses a wide range of commercial products targeting cytokines and receptors that promote psoriasis, Crohn’s, RA, MS¹¹².

Figure 3. Figure discloses that all the immunotherapies involving psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases in figure 2 and more are covered by vitamin D¹¹³.

Figure 4. MTHFR is the rate limiting step. Magnesium is a required cofactor or ATP conjugate and B2,3,6,9,12 are required cofactors for many involved enzymes.

Figure 5. Figure discloses the healthful benefits (green) of a prebiotic, probiotic, postbiotic, vitamin D, and magnesium approach. Triad=TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, CRC=colorectal cancer, NF-kB=nuclear factor kappa B. Estrogen promotes Candida overgrowth⁵⁶.

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