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Assessing causal relationships between oral microbiota and asthma: evidence from two-sample mendelian randomization
Zi-Feng Wei1, Jia-Pei Wuzhang1, Yi-Ting Huang1
1Department of Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Summary
This study used genetic data to investigate the causal link between oral bacteria and asthma. Certain oral microbes, like Streptococcus and Parvimonas, show a causal relationship with asthma development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome Research
- Genetics
- Respiratory Health
Background:
- Growing evidence links oral microbiota alterations to asthma.
- The causal nature of these associations remains unclear.
- Investigating genetic links is crucial for understanding asthma etiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the causal relationship between oral microbiota and asthma.
- Utilizing genetic data for a robust investigation.
- Focusing on the East Asian population.
Main Methods:
- Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
- Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data for oral microbiota and asthma.
- Employing IVW, MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode methods.
Main Results:
- Identified 18 oral bacteria across nine genera with causal effects on asthma.
- Found 12 oral bacteria, including Streptococcus and Campylobacter, positively associated with asthma.
- Observed negative associations for six oral bacteria, notably Parvimonas, with asthma.
Conclusions:
- Established a genetic causal link between specific oral microbiota and asthma.
- Highlighted the role of genera like Parvimonas, Streptococcus, and TM7x in asthma.
- Confirmed the robustness of findings with no detected pleiotropy or heterogeneity.
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