Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026
The MPLEx Protocol for Multi-omic Analyses of Soil Samples
Published on: May 30, 2018
Multi-omics identifies severe asthma endotypes linked to Streptococcus dysbiosis and lipid metabolic dysregulation
Shuang Liu1,2, Zhiwei Lin1,3, Liuyong You1
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
Background:
Bronchial asthma is a heterogeneous inflammatory airway disease with complex etiology. While the respiratory microbiome and host metabolism are implicated, their integrated roles in defining asthma subtypes remain underexplored.
Methods:
This multi-omics study utilized 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics on sputum samples from asthma patients and healthy controls. We characterized airway microbial and metabolic profiles, identified asthma subgroups through unsupervised clustering, and investigated microbe-metabolite interactions.
Results:
Asthma patients exhibited typical clinical hallmarks including elevated IgE and impaired lung function. Microbiome analysis revealed significant enrichment of Streptococcus, Veillonella, and Prevotella as key asthma-associated taxa, alongside dysregulation of crucial lipid metabolic pathways (eg, alpha-linolenic and arachidonic acid). Four highly discriminative diagnostic biomarkers (AUC >0.9), including cis-aconitic acid and LPE 20:1, were identified, indicating specific metabolic perturbations. Unsupervised clustering stratified asthma patients into 2 distinct endotypes: a severe Streptococcus-dominant cluster (Cluster 1) with profound systemic and local metabolic disturbances, and a milder cluster (Cluster 2) with microbial and metabolic profiles resembling healthy controls. These endotypes displayed differential lipid and amino acid metabolism, suggesting unique underlying mechanisms.
Conclusion:
Our findings precisely delineate asthma endotypes driven by distinct microbiome-metabolome interactions, providing novel diagnostic biomarkers and pathway-specific therapeutic targets. This study critically advances our understanding of asthma heterogeneity, highlighting the importance of integrated multi-omics for personalized precision medicine strategies.
Clinical Trial Number:
Not applicable.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...