Metagenome AS and Gut microbiota
Utilizing multi-omics data, our study has provided evidence that HLA-B27 may influence the gut ecosystem by altering the composition of the microbiome and its metabolic functions. We identified disturbances in three amino acid metabolism pathways, including tryptophan metabolism, cysteine metabolism, and biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acid, ornithine, and lysine, as hallmark features in the gut ecosystem of AS. Moreover, our correlation analysis led to the discovery of several novel AS-related species and metabolites. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential role of HLA-B27 in the pathogenesis of AS, as seen through the lens of gut microbiome changes. The further disruption of microbiota-derived metabolism in the context of HLA-B27 may be partially responsible for the eventual development of AS among HLA-B27-positive individuals. Our study also opens up new directions to develop novel therapeutic strategies for AS; however, these findings will require further investigation and verification.