Insights in Host Genetics and Microbial Interaction of Gastrointestinal Diseases

In the era following the Human Genome Project, there has been a growing acknowledgment of the pivotal role that genetics plays in the development of gastrointestinal diseases. Recent Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have achieved significant success in identifying numerous genetic loci linked to these diseases. While some GWAS loci have successfully led to the identification of causal genes and coding variants, shedding light on pathways like autophagy and the immune response, there remains a substantial challenge in deciphering the relationships between genotypes and phenotypes of these causal genes and variants. It is generally appreciated the significance of genetic variants on different cell types, including epithelial cells, immune cells, and stromal cells, at various stages of disease development. In addition, a unique nature of the human gut is that it harbors over 100 trillion diverse microbial organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, collectively known as the microbiota. Emerging clinical and experimental findings have illuminated a connection between gut microbiota dysbiosis and host genetics involved in a range of human diseases, including Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome. Among them, numerous studies have observed discernible differences in the composition of gut microbiota between IBD patients and their healthy counterparts, particularly in terms of microbial diversity and the relative prevalence of specific bacterial taxa.

Our goal is to introduce this special research topic to ask the scientific community to collectively contribute to investigating the functions, pathways, and molecular mechanisms of genes or variants associated with gastrointestinal diseases, and their effects on gut microbiota. How do GWAS led genetic variants contribute to gastrointestinal diseases? How does altered microbial composition affect progression and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases? How does host genetics perturb the crosstalk between host cells and gut microbe? How can current knowledge be leveraged for more effective therapeutic interventions? All of those questions will warrant further investigation. Enhancing our understanding of the genetic foundations on host and gut microbiota can significantly benefit patients by improving diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, while expediting the discovery of novel therapeutic targets.

This research topic aims to encompass a wide spectrum of genetic research related to gastrointestinal diseases, including but not limited to: 1. Exploring the correlation between human genetics and clinical symptoms, treatment responses, and disease stratification in gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, digestive tract cancers, and food allergies. 2. Annotating or providing insights into the function of genes or their variants associated with various gastrointestinal conditions from multiple perspectives, including population genetics, transcriptional, and protein levels. 3. Developing treatment interventions that target dysregulated pathways implicated in these diseases. 4. Advancing methods and technologies aimed at enhancing our understanding of the genetics of gastrointestinal diseases, which may involve the use of animal models, in vitro systems, and advancements in clinical management. 5. Investigating the effects of microbiota on the onset of gastrointestinal diseases, and developing microorganism-based therapies for gut disease. 6. Providing comprehensive reviews of recent advances in our understanding of the genetics of gastrointestinal diseases and their underlying molecular mechanisms.