Review Articles in 2017

The intestinal lymphatic vasculature has a range of functions, from maintenance of interstitial fluid balance to transport of antigens, cells, dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins. In this Review, Petrova and Bernier-Latmani provide an in-depth overview of intestinal lymphatics, including their roles in human diseases.

Extracellular vesicles have emerged as having key roles in liver disease. In this Review, Szabo and Momen-Heravi discuss the functions of extracellular vesicles in liver disease pathogenesis and progression, and explore their potential use as biomarkers, therapeutic targets and tools for therapy delivery.

Imaging and endoscopy remains key to the diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignancies, especially for early disease detection. Here, the authors describe multimodal imaging techniques and how they can be applied along the gastrointestinal tract, in particular for the identification of pre-malignant lesions in the oesophagus, stomach and colon.

The clinical management of refractory eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is challenging, owing to the limited data available to guide decision-making. In this Review, Dellon discusses the clinical definition of refractory EoE, examines the causes and predictors of non-response, and highlights both current and emerging treatment modalities for non-responders.

Gastric cancer is a deadly malignancy and accumulating evidence suggests that epigenetic abnormalities promote carcinogenesis. Here, the authors summarize the gastric cancer epigenome, highlighting key advances from studies of DNA methylation and histone modifications, and how these findings might lead to therapeutic opportunities.

Serotonin is a key intercellular signalling molecule with well-known functions in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly for motility. This Review explores the non-conventional roles of gut-derived serotonin in the gut and other peripheral tissues, including during gastrointestinal inflammation, haematopoiesis, metabolic homeostasis and bone remodelling.

Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in liver injury is the primary driver of hepatic fibrosis. In this Review, Tsuchida and Friedman detail the varied intracellular and extracellular signalling pathways leading to HSC activation, as well as the role of HSCs in liver fibrosis resolution and as therapeutic targets.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles and many metabolic disorders results in abnormal lipid accumulation in the liver. This Review provides insights into LD biology and lipid homeostasis in the liver, as well as the role of LDs in liver diseases, including NAFLD, NASH and hepatitis C.

Gastrointestinal malignancies are among the most common human cancers. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses have identified recurring molecular subtypes that suggest important biological differences. Here, the authors review the common themes of gastrointestinal cancer subtypes, as well as how they could be implemented into clinical practice.

Various technologies and systems have been developed to improve adenoma detection rate during colonoscopy and thereby reduce colorectal cancer incidence. Here, Matsuda and colleagues discuss how add-on devices, colonoscope advances and image-enhanced endoscopy might assist in the detection of polyps and adenomas.

Results from genetic studies of primary sclerosing cholangitis have identified a number of risk loci associated with the disease. Here, Jiang and Karlsen comprehensively discuss the identity and function of risk genes, the potential roles they have in pathogenesis and future research efforts.

In this Review, Husain and Srinath discuss the risk factors, diagnosis and management of acute pancreatitis in children. Aetiological differences between acute pancreatitis and acute recurrent pancreatitis are also explored, as well as strategies to prevent disease recurrence.

Pancreatic acinar cells show high plasticity and can undergo acinar-to-ductal metaplasia, which might be an initiating event for pancreatic cancer. Here, the determinants of acinar cell plasticity are discussed, as well as signalling events that drive acinar-to-ductal metaplasia and their contribution to oncogenesis.

Evidence is growing that the gut microbiota can modulate the actions of chemotherapy. Here, the authors discuss the available data from human, animal andin vitrostudies and describe the implications of pharmacomicrobiomics in cancer therapeutics.

Clonal evolution begins before the development of neoplasia in IBD, accelerated by repeated cycles of epithelial wounding and repair. Here, the authors summarize the biological drivers of mutant clone selection in IBD and discuss how an evolutionary perspective can improve cancer surveillance programmes and dysplasia management.

The management of IBD has undergone major advances with the development of biologic agents. Here, Markus Neurath provides an overview of current and future therapeutic targets for IBD, including insights into the mechanisms and rationale behind such approaches.

Bidirectional gut–brain communications are proving key to both gastrointestinal and neurological diseases. This Review explores the role of the mucosal immune system as gatekeeper and master regulator of these brain–gut and gut–brain communications.

Autophagy is a conserved process critically involved in many cellular functions. In this Review, Ueno and Komatsu discuss the role and regulation of autophagy in healthy liver and in hepatic disease states, including NAFLD, α1-antitrypsin deficiency and viral hepatitis.

Liver transplantation is the best option for patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, the authors summarize the outcomes of liver transplantation, novel surgical techniques to increase the pool of donor livers for transplantation and the limitations of current priority policies.

Helicobacter pyloriremains an important human pathogen with links to both malignant (gastric cancer) and non-malignant diseases (such as peptic ulcer). Here, the authors discuss issues related to implementation of population screening and eradication ofH. pyloriinfection.