Cited by 466Gut microbiota and healthLiver Diseases and ImmunityAlcohol Consumption and Health Effects

Gut microbiome, liver immunology, and liver diseases

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Wang, Rui, Tang, Ruqi, Li, Bo, Ma, Xiong, Schnabl, Bernd, Tilg, Herbert·2021·Cellular & Molecular Immunology

Abstract

The gut microbiota is a complex and plastic consortium of microorganisms that are intricately connected with human physiology. The liver is a central immunological organ that is particularly enriched in innate immune cells and constantly exposed to circulating nutrients and endotoxins derived from the gut microbiota. The delicate interaction between the gut and liver prevents accidental immune activation against otherwise harmless antigens. Work on the interplay between the gut microbiota and liver has assisted in understanding the pathophysiology of various liver diseases. Of immense importance is the step from high-throughput sequencing (correlation) to mechanistic studies (causality) and therapeutic intervention. Here, we review the gut microbiota, liver immunology, and the interaction between the gut and liver. In addition, the impairment in the gut-liver axis found in various liver diseases is reviewed here, with an emphasis on alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and autoimmune liver disease (AILD). On the basis of growing evidence from these preclinical studies, we propose that the gut-liver axis paves the way for targeted therapeutic modalities for liver diseases.

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Authors
Wang, R., Tang, R., Li, B., Ma, X., Schnabl, B., & Tilg, H.
Affiliations
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN)
  • University of California San Diego (US)
  • Innsbruck Medical University (AT)
Corresponding author
  • Ma, Xiong
  • Schnabl, Bernd
  • Tilg, Herbert
Venue
Cellular & Molecular Immunology
Published
2020-12-14
Volume
18
Issue
1
Pages
4-17
ISSN
  • 1672-7681 (ISSN-L)
  • 2042-0226
OpenAlex
W3111795541
Cited by
466
References
227
Citations by year
2026: 82 · 2025: 109 · 2024: 102 · 2023: 83 · 2022: 65 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 2
FWCI
4.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cellular and Molecular Immunology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (81830016, 81771732, 81620108002, 81922010, 81873561)
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | Center for Scientific Review (P30 DK120515, P50 AA011999)
  • Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie (the excellence initiative VASCage (Centre for Promoting Vascular Health in the Ageing Community), an R&D K-Centre (COMET program - Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies))
  • the Austrian Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs and the federal states Tyrol, Salzburg and Vienna.
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hepatology › Liver Diseases and Immunity
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects
Keywords
gut microbiota, gut-liver axis, liver immunology, liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune liver disease, innate immunity, endotoxin, microbiota-targeted therapy
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Animals, Humans, Liver, Liver Diseases

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