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Updated: Jun 14, 2025
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Genetically predicted the causal relationship between gut microbiota and the risk of polymyositis/dermatomyositis: a
Yanna Niu1,2,3, Yaochen Zhang2,3, Keyi Fan2,3
1Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
Introduction:
Observational studies suggest associations between gut microbiota and polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM), but causal relationships are unclear. We investigate the causal effects of gut microbiota on PM and DM, providing insights hoping to provide insights for future treatment and prevention.
Methods:
Summary statistics of gut microbiota were obtained from a multi-ethnic Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) meta-analysis, including 119 taxa from 18,340 Europeans. PM/DM statistics were extracted from GWAS analyses. Mendelian randomization (MR) with IVW, MR-Egger, and weighted median methods was performed. Sensitivity analyses addressed heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Of the 119 bacterial genera studied, six showed causal links.
Results:
Alloprevotella (OR: 3.075, 95% CI: 1.127-8.386, p = 0.028), Ruminococcaceae UCG003 (OR: 4.219, 95% CI: 1.227-14.511, p = 0.022), Dialister (OR: 0.273, 95% CI: 0.077-0.974, p = 0.045) were associated with PM. Anaerotruncus (OR: 0.314, 95% CI: 0.112-0.882, p = 0.028), Ruminococcaceae UCG002 (OR: 2.439, 95% CI: 1.173-5.071, p = 0.017), Sutterella (OR: 3.392, 95% CI: 1.302-8.839, p = 0.012) were related to DM. Sensitivity analyses validated these associations.
Discussion:
We establish causal relationships between Ruminococcaceae, Sutterella, Anaerotruncus with DM, Alloprevotella, Ruminococcaceae UCG003, and Dialister with PM. Common microbiota, like Ruminococcaceae, have significant clinical implications. These findings open up greater possibilities for the gut microbiota to contribute to the development of PM/DM and for future monitoring of the gut microbiota in patients with PM/DM.
Insights
This study used Mendelian randomization to explore causal links between gut bacteria and polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). Specific gut microbes like Ruminococcaceae were causally associated with these inflammatory muscle diseases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Observational studies suggest a link between gut microbiota and polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM).
- Causal relationships between gut bacteria and these autoimmune conditions remain unclear.
- Understanding these links is crucial for developing new treatments and prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal effects of gut microbiota on the development of polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM).
- To identify specific bacterial taxa causally associated with PM and DM.
- To provide insights for future therapeutic and preventative interventions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized summary statistics from a large-scale Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) meta-analysis of gut microbiota (119 taxa, 18,340 Europeans).
- Employed Mendelian randomization (MR) with inverse-variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median methods.
- Conducted sensitivity analyses to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy.
Main Results:
- Identified causal associations between specific gut bacteria and PM/DM.
- For PM: *Alloprevotella*, *Ruminococcaceae* UCG003, and *Dialister*.
- For DM: *Anaerotruncus*, *Ruminococcaceae* UCG002, and *Sutterella*.
Conclusions:
- Established causal relationships between several gut bacteria and DM (*Ruminococcaceae*, *Sutterella*, *Anaerotruncus*) and PM (*Alloprevotella*, *Ruminococcaceae* UCG003, *Dialister*).
- Highlighted the clinical significance of common microbiota like *Ruminococcaceae*.
- Suggests gut microbiota plays a role in PM/DM pathogenesis and warrants future monitoring in patients.
