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Updated: Jun 20, 2025
Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
Gut microbiota, skin microbiota, and alopecia areata: A Mendelian randomization study
Zishun Li1, Changpu Zhao1,2, Renwu Chen1
1Second Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, China.
Background:
Observational studies have shown an association between skin microbiota and alopecia areata (AA), but the causal connection remains ambiguous.
Methods:
We obtained data on skin microbiota and AA from summary statistics of Genome-Wide Association Studies and applied statistical methods from Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess causal relationships. Additionally, we investigated whether the skin microbiota acts as a mediator in the pathway from gut microbiota to AA.
Results:
In the MR analysis of KORA FF4 and AA, the inverse-variance weighting method indicated that Corynebacterium (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70-0.96, p = 0.02) and asv037 (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.76-0.99, p = 0.05) exerted protective effects, while Betaproteobacteria (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01-1.44, p = 0.03), asv015 (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05-1.54, p = 0.02), and Burkholderiales (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04-1.38, p = 0.01) were identified as risk factors in AA. In the MR analysis of PopGen and AA, asv001 (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01-1.24, p = 0.04), asv054 (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01-1.25, p = 0.03), and asv059 (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02-1.27, p = 0.02) were found to potentially increase the risk in AA. Furthermore, in the influence of gut microbiota on AA, the skin microbiota did not act as a mediator.
Conclusion:
Our analysis suggests potential causal relationships between certain skin microbiota and AA, revealing insights into its pathogenesis and potential intervention strategies.
