Association between the ABO blood group and the human intestinal microbiota composition.
BACKGROUND
The mucus layer covering the human intestinal epithelium forms a dynamic surface for host-microbial interactions. In addition to the environmental factors affecting the intestinal equilibrium, such as diet, it is well established that the microbiota composition is individually driven, but the host factors determining the composition have remained unresolved.


RESULTS
In this study, we show that ABO blood group is involved in differences in relative proportion and overall profiles of intestinal microbiota. Specifically, the microbiota from the individuals harbouring the B antigen (secretor B and AB) differed from the non-B antigen groups and also showed higher diversity of the Eubacterium rectale-Clostridium coccoides (EREC) and Clostridium leptum (CLEPT) -groups in comparison with other blood groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Our novel finding indicates that the ABO blood group is one of the genetically determined host factors modulating the composition of the human intestinal microbiota, thus enabling new applications in the field of personalized nutrition and medicine.
The Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Helsinki, 00310, Finland. harri.makivuokko@bts.redcross.fi
Harri
H
Mäkivuokko
Sampo J
SJ
Lahtinen
Pirjo
P
Wacklin
Elina
E
Tuovinen
Heli
H
Tenkanen
Janne
J
Nikkilä
Marika
M
Björklund
Kari
K
Aranko
Arthur C
AC
Ouwehand
Jaana
J
Mättö
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000328:Adult; D058448:Biota; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054892:Metagenome; D008875:Middle Aged
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System