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Association between gut microbiota dysbiosis and age-related macular degeneration progression: A bioinformatics

Jianxiong Yu1, Jing Yuan2

  • 1Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, 430060, China.

Experimental Eye Research
|August 25, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Gut dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut microbes, is linked to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study identifies key gut genes and biomarkers, revealing inflammatory and metabolic pathway involvement in AMD progression.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Gut microbiota dysbiosis is implicated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) pathogenesis.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms linking gut microbes to AMD remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically identify gut microbiota-related genes associated with AMD.
  • To elucidate the molecular pathways involved in AMD pathogenesis influenced by gut dysbiosis.
  • To develop a predictive model for AMD risk based on identified biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the gutMGene database to identify relevant genes.
  • Analyzed differential gene expression in the GSE29801 dataset.
  • Employed machine learning algorithms (LASSO, Random Forest, XGBoost) for biomarker identification.
  • Performed enrichment analyses (Gene Set Variation Analysis, Single-Gene Set Enrichment Analysis) and developed a predictive nomogram.

Main Results:

  • Identified five consistent biomarker genes: CXCL10, FADS3, GHRL, APOE, and VEGFA.
  • Developed a nomogram with predictive accuracy (AUC 0.719 for GSE29801, 0.933 for GSE99248).
  • Revealed significant roles of gut microbiota genes in inflammatory, immune response, and metabolic pathways (including lipid metabolism) in AMD.

Conclusions:

  • Gut microbiota dysbiosis influences AMD progression via systemic inflammatory and metabolic alterations.
  • The identified biomarkers and pathways offer potential therapeutic targets for AMD.
  • This study provides novel insights into the gut-eye axis in AMD pathogenesis.
Keywords:
Age-related macular degenerationBioinformaticsGSVAGut microbiota dysbiosisMachine learningNomogram

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