Bile Acids in Autoimmune Liver Disease: Unveiling the Nexus of Inflammation, Inflammatory Cells, and Treatment Strategies

Abstract

As bile acids not solely play an essential role in nutrition absorption, but also in regulating metabolic functions as well as immune response, bile acids and their signaling pathways are increasingly acknowledged as potential therapeutic targets in the context of chronic liver diseases. Bile acid receptors such as G protein bile acid-activated receptor 1 and farnesoid X receptor are expressed in different immune cells engaged in innate immunity. Recently, a series of studies have revealed distinct functions of bile acids and bile acid receptors within the adaptive immune system. In addition, a variety of molecules targeting bile acid receptors and transporters are currently in advanced stages of clinical development. Autoimmune liver diseases including conditions like primary biliary cholangitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and autoimmune hepatitis can lead to chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and even cirrhosis and liver failure. In this review, we focus on the role of bile acids in the inflammatory aspects of autoimmune liver diseases.

Multi-omics approaches for drug-response characterization in primary biliary cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis variant syndrome

“…However, integrating this knowledge with other "omic" studies may provide a more profound understanding of disease processes [ 30 , 31 ]. Metabolic profiling, or metabolomics, provides information-rich insights into metabolic alterations reflective of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental influences on cellular physiology [ 32 , 33 ]. Cytokines, contributing to disease development and progression, exhibit deregulated serum levels in various liver diseases, correlating with patient outcomes [ 34 , 35 ].…”