Fused Omics Data Models Reveal Gut Microbiome Signatures Specific of Inactive Stage of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis...

Area of Science:

• Microbiome Research
• Pediatric Rheumatology
• Metabolomics

Background:

• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most prevalent rheumatic condition in children.
• Understanding the gut microbiome's role in JIA pathogenesis and phenotype is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between the gut microbiome (GM) and JIA disease phenotypes.
• To identify specific GM signatures, including microbial metabolites and taxa, that characterize JIA patients.

Main Methods:

• An integrated omics approach combining 16S rRNA targeted-metagenomics and metabolomics (volatile and non-volatile organic compounds - VOCs).
• Analysis of stool samples from Italian JIA patients (baseline, active, inactive disease) and healthy controls (CTRLs).
• Chemometric models were used to classify and fuse data from operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and VOCs.

Main Results:

• Specific VOCs (Ethanol, Methyl-isobutyl-ketone, 2,6-Dimethyl-4-heptanone, Phenol) characterized JIA patients at baseline and inactive stages.
• Bacterial taxa Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Clostridiacea discriminated between JIA inactive stage and CTRLs.
• Fused omics data successfully differentiated inactive and baseline JIA stages from CTRLs, with VOCs and Ruminococcaceae being key contributors.

Conclusions:

• Gut microbiome signatures, particularly specific VOCs and Ruminococcaceae, can distinguish the inactive JIA disease stage from healthy controls.
• The study highlights the potential of GM analysis for non-invasive JIA diagnosis and monitoring.