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The HUNT study identifies host genetic factors reproducibly associated with human gut microbiota composition

Moksnes, Marta Riise ; Coward, Eivind ; Nethander, Maria ; Dekkers, Koen ; Grahnemo, Louise ; Törnqvist, Anna E. ; Li, Lei ; Lundmark, Per ; Pertiwi, Kamalita and Baldanzi, Gabriel , et al. (2026) In Nature Genetics
Abstract

The gut microbiota is associated with human health and disease. Here we conducted a genome-wide association study of host genetic factors influencing gut microbiota composition in 12,652 individuals from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), with replication in Nordic cohorts (n = 16,017–21,976). We identified 12 reproducible SNP–species associations across six genomic loci, including known (LCT, ABO) and novel (HLA-DQB1, MUC12, SLC37A2, FUT2) regions. Additionally, we detected genetic signals associated with gut microbiota functional modules at three loci (LCT, ABO, FUT2). Follow-up analyses suggest that these host–microbiota associations are linked to the pathogenesis of celiac disease and hemorrhoidal disease. Mendelian randomization... (More)

The gut microbiota is associated with human health and disease. Here we conducted a genome-wide association study of host genetic factors influencing gut microbiota composition in 12,652 individuals from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), with replication in Nordic cohorts (n = 16,017–21,976). We identified 12 reproducible SNP–species associations across six genomic loci, including known (LCT, ABO) and novel (HLA-DQB1, MUC12, SLC37A2, FUT2) regions. Additionally, we detected genetic signals associated with gut microbiota functional modules at three loci (LCT, ABO, FUT2). Follow-up analyses suggest that these host–microbiota associations are linked to the pathogenesis of celiac disease and hemorrhoidal disease. Mendelian randomization analyses provided evidence supporting a causal effect of body mass index on gut microbiota composition. These findings highlight the interplay between host genetics and gut microbiota for human health and disease.

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organization
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type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
in
Nature Genetics
publisher
Nature Publishing Group
external identifiers
  • pmid:41688637
  • scopus:105030145411
ISSN
1061-4036
DOI
10.1038/s41588-026-02502-4
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
7f4ef5e7-c7b5-4cc3-87ce-6ec150b75beb
date added to LUP
2026-03-02 13:18:32
date last changed
2026-03-02 13:19:39
@article{7f4ef5e7-c7b5-4cc3-87ce-6ec150b75beb,
  abstract     = {{<p>The gut microbiota is associated with human health and disease. Here we conducted a genome-wide association study of host genetic factors influencing gut microbiota composition in 12,652 individuals from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), with replication in Nordic cohorts (n = 16,017–21,976). We identified 12 reproducible SNP–species associations across six genomic loci, including known (LCT, ABO) and novel (HLA-DQB1, MUC12, SLC37A2, FUT2) regions. Additionally, we detected genetic signals associated with gut microbiota functional modules at three loci (LCT, ABO, FUT2). Follow-up analyses suggest that these host–microbiota associations are linked to the pathogenesis of celiac disease and hemorrhoidal disease. Mendelian randomization analyses provided evidence supporting a causal effect of body mass index on gut microbiota composition. These findings highlight the interplay between host genetics and gut microbiota for human health and disease.</p>}},
  author       = {{Moksnes, Marta Riise and Coward, Eivind and Nethander, Maria and Dekkers, Koen and Grahnemo, Louise and Törnqvist, Anna E. and Li, Lei and Lundmark, Per and Pertiwi, Kamalita and Baldanzi, Gabriel and Mjelle, Robin and Moll, Janne Marie and Eklund, Aron Charles and Nielsen, Henrik Bjørn and Svensson, Johan and Langhammer, Arnulf and Giskeødegård, Guro F. and Brumpton, Ben and Hjort, Rebecka and Ness-Jensen, Eivind and Engström, Gunnar and Pelaseyed, Thaher and Michaëlsson, Karl and Orho-Melander, Marju and Fall, Tove and Hveem, Kristian and Ohlsson, Claes}},
  issn         = {{1061-4036}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Nature Publishing Group}},
  series       = {{Nature Genetics}},
  title        = {{The HUNT study identifies host genetic factors reproducibly associated with human gut microbiota composition}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41588-026-02502-4}},
  doi          = {{10.1038/s41588-026-02502-4}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}