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Dissecting Causal Relationships Between Immune Cells, Plasma Metabolites, and PCOS: Evidence From Mediating Mendelian Randomization Analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: The relationship between Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and immune dysregulation, along with metabolic disturbances, remains unclear. This study used Mendelian Randomization (MR) to investigate causal relationships between immune cells, PCOS, and possible metabolite mediators. Methods: We explored the genetic-level relationship between immune cells and PCOS, focusing on metabolites as potential mediators. Data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) included 731 immune cell types (n=3757), 1400 plasma metabolites (n=8299), and PCOS cases (n=797) versus controls (n=140,558). Bidirectional MR analysis examined immune-PCOS relationships, while two-step MR and mediation analysis identified metabolites as potential mediators. The inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method was used for primary causal assessment, with sensitivity analysis validating results. Results: < 0.05). Among them, 12 immune cells were found to influence the occurrence of PCOS through the mediation of 17 metabolites. Notably, the effects of Myeloid DC %DC, NKT AC, CD20 on CD20- CD38-, CD25 on memory B cell, and HLA DR on CD33dim HLA DR+ CD11b+ were mediated by multiple metabolites on PCOS development. Similarly, histidine betaine (hercynine) levels and alpha-ketoglutarate to ornithine ratio mediated the association of more than one immune cell with PCOS. Conclusion: This study highlights 12 immune cells impacting PCOS through 17 metabolites, advancing the understanding of immune mechanisms in PCOS risk and suggesting potential therapeutic approaches targeting immune modulation.

Source: International Journal of Women s Health

DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s508352

Authors: Xia-li Wang, Yi-fang He, Shi-kun Chen, Jing Cheng, Xiu-ming Wu

Institutions: Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou Medical College, Fujian Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Ovarian function and disorders

Subfield: Reproductive Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,836