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Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) form the wall of the hepatic sinusoids and have essential roles in hepatic homeostasis. This Review describes the phenotypic dysregulations of LSECs in the context of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, and provides an update of the role of LSECs as therapeutic targets.
The therapeutic pipeline for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is expanding as insights into disease pathophysiology are gained. This Review summarizes progress in the development of NASH therapies, current and ongoing clinical trials, and potential challenges with emerging therapies.
Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is involved in the control of bile acid synthesis and enterohepatic circulation. This Review discusses the role of FXR in metabolic diseases and gastrointestinal and liver cancers, highlighting underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has emerged as a global disease, yet identifying those at higher risk of developing IBD remains challenging. A new study highlights the use of a multi-ethnic polygenic risk score to determine risk of inflammatory bowel disease in a large primary care population.
Many molecular, physiological and behavioural processes display distinct daily rhythms that are directed by the circadian system. This Review summarizes knowledge about the diurnal regulation of gastrointestinal processes by circadian clocks present in the digestive tract and its accessory organs, including circadian control of digestion, motility, hormones, barrier function and the gut microbiota.
Although the role of the enteric nervous system in congenital enteric neuropathic disorders is well acknowledged, its role in systemic diseases is less understood. Here, the authors focus on diseases in which the enteric nervous system has so far not been considered to have a major role and on its emerging role in neurodegeneration, cancer and diabetes.
A new study elevates our understanding of how the immune system regulates the pathogenesis of biliary atresia through a powerful single-cell approach. Cell-specific transcriptome analyses indicate key roles for macrophages, T cells and B cells in hepatobiliary injury of affected infants.
In this Review, Motta, Vergnolle and colleagues describe the organization of microorganisms into planktonic, biofilm and biofilm-dispersed forms in the gastrointestinal tract. The role of the host–biofilm relationship in gut homeostasis and disease is discussed.
Locoregional therapies, defined as imaging-guided liver tumour-directed procedures, play a leading part in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. This Review analyses data from randomized and uncontrolled studies reported with ablative and locoregional techniques and examines the expected effects of combinations with systemic treatments, exploring their distinct mechanisms of action.
In 2020, there have been substantial advances in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease mechanisms, diagnostics and treatment. Key developments include the identification of a cellular and tissue signature to provide new insights into pathophysiology, advancements in non-invasive diagnostics and publication of interim results of the first phase III trial to demonstrate improvement in hepatic fibrosis.
In 2020, important advances were made across three major frontiers of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) research: risk factors, therapeutic resistance and tumour recurrence. Pathophysiology of obesity-mediated PDAC initiation was elucidated, novel stromal mechanisms of therapeutic resistance were unveiled and the genetic evolution of recurrent PDAC under therapeutic pressures was tracked in human samples.
In 2020, combination treatments have pushed the efficacy of systemic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to an unprecedented high, providing a solid base for the future pursuit of further improved, highly efficacious systemic therapies for HCC.
Although fermented foods have been consumed for thousands of years, a clear definition has been lacking. This Consensus Statement outlines a definition for the term ‘fermented foods’ as determined by an expert panel convened by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics in September 2019.
