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Simbrunner B, Hofer BS, Schwabl P, Zinober K, Petrenko O, Fuchs C, Semmler G, Marculescu R, Mandorfer M, Datz C, Trauner M, Reiberger T. FXR-FGF19 signaling in the gut-liver axis is dysregulated in patients with cirrhosis and correlates with impaired intestinal defence. Hepatol Int 2024; 18:929-942. [PMID: 38332428 PMCID: PMC11126514 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10636-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Experimental studies linked dysfunctional Farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) signaling to liver disease. This study investigated key intersections of the FXR-FGF19 pathway along the gut-liver axis and their link to disease severity in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS Patients with cirrhosis undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement (cohort-I n = 107, including n = 53 with concomitant liver biopsy; n = 5 healthy controls) or colonoscopy with ileum biopsy (cohort-II n = 37; n = 6 controls) were included. Hepatic and intestinal gene expression reflecting FXR activation and intestinal barrier integrity was assessed. Systemic bile acid (BA) and FGF19 levels were measured. RESULTS Systemic BA and FGF19 levels correlated significantly (r = 0.461; p < 0.001) and increased with cirrhosis severity. Hepatic SHP expression decreased in patients with cirrhosis (vs. controls; p < 0.001), indicating reduced FXR activation in the liver. Systemic FGF19 (r = -0.512, p < 0.001) and BA (r = -0.487, p < 0.001) levels correlated negatively with hepatic CYP7A1, but not SHP or CYP8B1 expression, suggesting impaired feedback signaling in the liver. In the ileum, expression of FXR, SHP and FGF19 decreased in patients with cirrhosis, and interestingly, intestinal FGF19 expression was not linked to systemic FGF19 levels. Intestinal zonula occludens-1, occludin, and alpha-5-defensin expression in the ileum correlated with SHP and decreased in patients with decompensated cirrhosis as compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS FXR-FGF19 signaling is dysregulated at essential molecular intersections along the gut-liver axis in patients with cirrhosis. Decreased FXR activation in the ileum mucosa was linked to reduced expression of intestinal barrier proteins. These human data call for further mechanistic research on interventions targeting the FXR-FGF19 pathway in patients with cirrhosis. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER NCT03267615.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt S Hofer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Schwabl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kerstin Zinober
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oleksandr Petrenko
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Fuchs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rodrig Marculescu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Datz
- Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Oberndorf, Teaching Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
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Tavabie OD, Salehi S, Aluvihare VR. The challenges and potential in developing microRNA associated with regeneration as biomarkers to improve prognostication for liver failure syndromes and hepatocellular carcinoma. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2024; 24:5-22. [PMID: 38059597 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2292642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Determining the need for liver transplantation remains critical in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver failure syndromes (including acute liver failure and decompensated cirrhosis states). Conventional prognostic models utilize biomarkers of liver and non-liver failure and have limitations in their application. Novel biomarkers which predict regeneration may fulfil this niche. microRNA are implicated in health and disease and are present in abundance in the circulation. Despite this, they have not translated into mainstream clinical biomarkers. AREAS COVERED We will discuss current challenges in the prognostication of patients with liver failure syndromes as well as for patients with HCC. We will discuss biomarkers implicated with liver regeneration. We then provide an overview of the challenges in developing microRNA into clinically tractable biomarkers. Finally, we will provide a scoping review of microRNA which may have potential as prognostic biomarkers in liver failure syndromes and HCC. EXPERT OPINION Novel biomarkers are needed to improve prognostic models in liver failure syndromes and HCC. Biomarkers associated with liver regeneration are currently lacking and may fulfil this niche. microRNA have the potential to be developed into clinically tractable biomarkers but a consensus on standardizing methodology and reporting is required prior to large-scale studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Siamak Salehi
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK
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Wittkop L, Boettler T. More than shots in the dark: driving vaccine efficacy in cirrhosis. Gut 2023; 73:8-9. [PMID: 37286228 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2023-329867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Wittkop
- Institut Bergonié, BPH, U1219, CIC-EC 1401, Univ. Bordeaux, INSERM, Bordeaux, France
- INRIA SISTM team, Talence, France
- Institut Bergonié, CIC-EC 1401, CHU de Bordeaux, Service d'information médicale, INSERM, Bordeaux, France
| | - Tobias Boettler
- Department of Medicine II, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
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Simbrunner B, Villesen IF, Scheiner B, Paternostro R, Schwabl P, Stättermayer AF, Marculescu R, Pinter M, Quehenberger P, Trauner M, Karsdal M, Lisman T, Reiberger T, Leeming DJ, Mandorfer M. Von Willebrand factor processing in patients with advanced chronic liver disease and its relation to portal hypertension and clinical outcome. Hepatol Int 2023; 17:1532-1544. [PMID: 37605068 PMCID: PMC10661794 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-023-10577-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Endothelial dysfunction and portal hypertension (PH) are reflected by increased von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF-Ag) levels in advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). This study investigated VWF release and cleavage and their association with PH and clinical outcomes. METHODS Levels of VWF-Ag, VWF-N (VWF-propeptide), and VWF-A (VWF processed by the main VWF-cleaving protease ADAMTS13) were assessed in 229 patients with clinically stable ACLD (hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG] ≥ 6 mmHg; absence of bacterial infections or acute decompensation) undergoing HVPG-measurement. Liver-healthy individuals served as controls (n = 24). RESULTS VWF-Ag and VWF-N were similarly accurate for the identification of clinically significant PH (CSPH; HVPG ≥ 10 mmHg) in compensated ACLD (AUROC: VWF-Ag 0.748; VWF-N 0.728). ADAMTS13 activity was similar between patients with ACLD and controls and did not correlate with PH and disease severity, whereas VWF cleavage decreased in patients with CSPH (i.e., VWF-Ag/-A-ratio increased). In vitro VWF activity strongly reflected VWF-Ag levels (Spearman's r = 0.874, p < 0.001), but decreased (vs. controls) in patients with CSPH when normalized to VWF-Ag levels (VWF-activity/-Ag-ratio). VWF-Act/-Ag ratio correlated negatively with ADAMTS13 activity (r =- 0.256, p < 0.001). ADAMTS13 activity was independently predictive for (i) portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and (ii) hepatic decompensation or liver-related death. CONCLUSIONS VWF-Ag levels and its propeptide are similarly suitable surrogates of PH in patients with compensated ACLD. ADAMTS13-Act was not linked to disease and PH severity, however, when normalized to VWF-Ag, both VWF cleavage and VWF activity were decreased in patients with CSPH, as compared to liver-healthy individuals. Low ADAMTS13-Act was associated with presumably more procoagulant VWF and adverse outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER NCT03267615.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases (LBI-RUD), Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ida Falk Villesen
- Nordic Bioscience, Herlev, Denmark
- University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rafael Paternostro
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Schwabl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases (LBI-RUD), Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Albert Friedrich Stättermayer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rodrig Marculescu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Pinter
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Quehenberger
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Ton Lisman
- Surgical Research Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases (LBI-RUD), Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Inayat F, Ali H, Patel P, Dhillon R, Afzal A, Rehman AU, Afzal MS, Zulfiqar L, Nawaz G, Goraya MHN, Subramanium S, Agrawal S, Satapathy SK. Association between alcohol-associated cirrhosis and inpatient complications among COVID-19 patients: A propensity-matched analysis from the United States. World J Virol 2023; 12:221-232. [PMID: 37970569 PMCID: PMC10642379 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v12.i4.221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol-associated cirrhosis (AC) contributes to significant liver-related mortality in the United States. It is known to cause immune dysfunction and coagulation abnormalities. Patients with comorbid conditions like AC are at risk of worse clinical outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The specific association between AC and COVID-19 mortality remains inconclusive, given the lack of robust clinical evidence from prior studies. AIM To study the predictors of mortality and the outcomes of AC in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database 2020. Patients were identified with primary COVID-19 hospitalizations based on an underlying diagnosis of AC. A matched comparison cohort of COVID-19 patients without AC was identified after 1:N propensity score matching based on baseline sociodemographic characteristics and Elixhauser comorbidities. Primary outcomes included median length of stay, median inpatient charges, and in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included a prevalence of systemic complications. RESULTS A total of 1325 COVID-19 patients with AC were matched to 1135 patients without AC. There was no difference in median length of stay and hospital charges in COVID-19 patients with AC compared to non-AC (P > 0.05). There was an increased prevalence of septic shock (5.7% vs 4.1%), ventricular fibrillation/ventricular flutter (0.4% vs 0%), atrial fibrillation (13.2% vs 8.8%), atrial flutter (8.7% vs 4.4%), first-degree atrioventricular nodal block (0.8% vs 0%), upper extremity venous thromboembolism (1.5% vs 0%), and variceal bleeding (3.8% vs 0%) in the AC cohort compared to the non-AC cohort (P < 0.05). There was no difference in inpatient mortality in COVID-19 patients with non-AC compared to AC, with an odds ratio of 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.78-1.22, P = 0.85). Predictors of mortality included advanced age, cardiac arrhythmias, coagulopathy, protein-calorie malnutrition, fluid and electrolyte disorders, septic shock, and upper extremity venous thromboembolism. CONCLUSION AC does not increase mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. There is an increased association between inpatient complications among COVID-19 patients with AC compared to non-AC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Inayat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore 54550, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Hassam Ali
- Department of Internal Medicine, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27834, United States
| | - Pratik Patel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Mather Hospital and Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, United States
| | - Rubaid Dhillon
- Department of Gastroenterology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States
| | - Arslan Afzal
- Department of Internal Medicine, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27834, United States
| | - Attiq Ur Rehman
- Department of Hepatology, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21202, United States
| | - Muhammad Sohaib Afzal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health, Shreveport, LA 71103, United States
| | - Laraib Zulfiqar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur 63100, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Gul Nawaz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore 54550, Punjab, Pakistan
| | | | - Subanandhini Subramanium
- Department of Internal Medicine, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27834, United States
| | - Saurabh Agrawal
- Department of Hepatology, Tampa General Medical Group and University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33606, United States
| | - Sanjaya K Satapathy
- Department of Hepatology, North Shore University Hospital and Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University, Manhasset, NY 11030, United States
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