| Title: |
Gut microbiome composition and function reflect socioeconomic deprivation |
| Authors: |
Yu Lin; Afroditi Kouraki; Nathan J. Cheetham; Panayiotis Louca; Ruth CE Bowyer; Robert Pope; Francesco Asnicar; Xinyuan Zhang; Alessia Visconti; Mario Falchi; Tim D. Spector; Nicola Segata; Ana M. Valdes; Cristina Menni |
| Source: |
npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, Vol 12, Iss 1 (2026) |
| Publisher Information: |
Nature Portfolio, 2026. |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
LCC:Microbial ecology |
| Subject Terms: |
Microbial ecology; QR100-130 |
| Description: |
Abstract Socioeconomic status (SES) correlates with adverse health outcomes, but the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. We examined how area-level deprivation (Townsend Deprivation Index) influences gut microbiome composition and function and whether the gut microbiome mediates the effects of deprivation on metabolic and mental health. A total of 1390 females from TwinsUK with shotgun metagenomes were included in this study. We found that higher Townsend deprivation was associated with reduced alpha diversity (Beta [95% CI] = −1.60 [−3.00, −0.21]) and distinct microbial composition shifts (PERMANOVA P = 0.001). Twelve species and 22 functional pathways were linked to deprivation, distinguishing between deprivation groups (AUC = 0.725–0.744), with altered energy metabolism in deprived individuals. Townsend deprivation was associated with anxiety (OR [95%CI] = 1.09 [1.01, 1.18]) and diabetes (OR [95% CI] = 1.16 [1.03, 1.30]). Importantly, Intestinimonas massiliensis and Lawsonibacter sp_NSJ_51 partially mediate the effect of anxiety. Lawsonibacter sp_NSJ_51 also mediated the deprivation-diabetes association. These findings suggest that socioeconomic deprivation influences microbiome composition and function, mediating disparities in metabolic and mental health. |
| Document Type: |
article |
| File Description: |
electronic resource |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
2055-5008 |
| Relation: |
https://doaj.org/toc/2055-5008 |
| DOI: |
10.1038/s41522-026-00917-9 |
| Access URL: |
https://doaj.org/article/8e537a67dc074ccc8998bbb3f36cd13e |
| Accession Number: |
edsdoj.8e537a67dc074ccc8998bbb3f36cd13e |
| Database: |
Directory of Open Access Journals |