Genes, gut microbiome, and lungs: Untangling the web of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease with limited treatment options and poor survival. The airway microbiome plays a critical role in IPF, and there is emerging interest in the potential involvement of the gut microbiome through the gut-lung axis. Previous studies have reported genetic associations with IPF, and there is increasing evidence that microbiome composition also has a genetic basis. Previous studies have identified genetic signals involved in lung defence and cell proliferation to IPF risk and progression, but their effects on microbiome composition remain unclear. To uncover potential causal mechanisms linking the microbiome and lung fibrosis, we explored previously reported genetic association signals and their relationship with gut microbiome composition and IPF risk and outcomes. This revealed shared signals between gut microbiome variation and IPF that warrant further investigation. Our findings emphasise the value of further research leveraging genetic associations to improve our understanding of causal disease mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic opportunities.