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Two-sample Mendelian randomization to study the causal association between gut microbiota and atherosclerosis
Shijiu Jiang1,2,3,4, Cheng Yu5, Bingjie Lv1,2,3
1Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Frontiers in Immunology
|January 29, 2024
Summary
This study used Mendelian randomization to investigate the causal link between gut microbiota and atherosclerosis. Specific gut bacteria were found to be causally associated with atherosclerosis, offering potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- Observational studies suggest a gut microbiota-artery axis influencing atherosclerosis.
- The causal role of gut microbiota in atherosclerosis requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and atherosclerosis using a Mendelian randomization (MR) strategy.
- To identify specific gut microbial taxa causally linked to different types of atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.
- Employed genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for gut microbiota (MiBioGen) and atherosclerosis (FinnGen consortium).
- Applied multiple MR methods including inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median.
Main Results:
- Identified specific gut bacteria with protective or pathogenic effects on cerebral, coronary, and peripheral atherosclerosis.
- Genus *Ruminiclostridium 9* showed a protective effect on cerebral atherosclerosis.
- Families *Rikenellaceae* and *Streptococcaceae*, and genera *Paraprevotella* and *Streptococcus* were pathogenic for cerebral atherosclerosis.
- Several taxa including *Acidaminococcaceae*, *Desulfovibrio*, *RuminococcaceaeUCG010*, and *Firmicutes* were protective against coronary atherosclerosis.
- *Actinobacteria*, *Acidaminococcaceae*, *Coprococcus2*, and *RuminococcaceaeUCG010* were protective against peripheral atherosclerosis.
- *Catenibacterium*, *Lachnoclostridium*, and *LachnospiraceaeUCG001* showed pathogenic roles in coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis.
- No significant heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy was detected.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota, including probiotics and pathogens, is causally linked to atherosclerosis.
- Specific gut microbial profiles are associated with atherosclerosis at different anatomical sites.
- These findings provide precise clinical targets for atherosclerosis treatment and suggest future research into the therapeutic potential of gut microbiota.
