Transition from an autoimmune-prone state to fatal autoimmune disease in CCR7 and RORγt double-deficient mice is dependent on gut microbiota.

Autoimmunity is associated with a strong genetic component, but onset and persistence of clinically apparent autoimmune diseases often require an additional environmental trigger. The balance between immunity and tolerance is regulated by numerous molecular factors including nuclear hormone and homeostatic chemokine receptors. The nuclear hormone receptor RORγt and the chemokine receptor CCR7 are both essentially involved in functional lymphoid organogenesis and maintenance of lymphocyte homeostasis.