Autoimmune uveitis (AU) lacks targeted therapies beyond immunosuppression. We identified hyodeoxycholate (HDCA), a gut-derived secondary bile acid, as a key immunometabolic regulator in AU. Metabolomics revealed systemic depletion of HDCA and oleic acid (C18:1n9) in AU patients and experimental AU (EAU) mice, correlating with disease severity. HDCA administration effectively attenuated EAU by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and elevating IL-10. Mechanistically, HDCA inhibits Farnesoid X Receptor in splenic red pulp macrophages, activating SREBP1c-dependent fatty acid synthase, which enhances oleic acid production. Systemic oleic acid suppresses ocular Th17 responses and promotes M2 macrophage polarization, enhancing anti-inflammatory immunity. These findings define a spleen-to-eye immunometabolic axis driven by HDCA-mediated macrophage reprogramming, positioning HDCA as a promising therapeutic for AU.
Li et al. (Wed,) studied this question.