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Zhou YJ, Ying GX, Dong SL, Xiang B, Jin QF. Gut microbial profile of treatment-naive patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1126117. [PMID: 37223092 PMCID: PMC10200865 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1126117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and aims The pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is associated with alterations of gut microbiota. We compared the gut microbiota of PBC patients and healthy controls from Zhejiang Province and assessed the use of these data for the diagnosis of PBC. Methods First, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to characterize the gut microbiota of treatment-naive PBC patients (n=25) and matched healthy controls (n=25). Then, the value of gut microbiota composition for the diagnosis of PBC and assessment of PBC severity was determined. Results The gut microbiota of PBC patients had lower diversity based on three different metrics of alpha-diversity (ace, Chao1, and observed features) and fewer overall genera (all p<0.01). PBC patients had significant enrichment of four genera and significant depletion of eight genera. We identified six amplicon sequence variants (Serratia, Oscillospirales, Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium, Sutterellaceae, and Coprococcus) as optimal biomarkers to distinguish PBC patients from controls based on receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.824). PBC patients who were anti-gp210-positive had lower levels of Oscillospiraceae than those who were anti-gp210-negative. KEGG functional annotation suggested the major changes in the gut microbiota of PBC patients were related to lipid metabolism and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Conclusion We characterized the gut microbiota of treatment-naive PBC patients and healthy controls from Zhejiang Province. The PBC patients had significant alterations in their gut microbiota, suggesting that gut microbiota composition could be useful as a non-invasive tool for the diagnosis of PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-jun Zhou
- Department of Hepatology, Affiliated Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gao-xiang Ying
- Department of Hepatology, Affiliated Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shi-lei Dong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhejiang Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bo Xiang
- Department of Hepatology, Affiliated Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiao-fei Jin
- Department of Hepatology, Affiliated Hangzhou Xixi Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Ding D, Xuan G, Hu Y, Yu J, Liu Y, Guo G, Ma S, Yang F, Tian S, Ma G, Chen L, Zhou X, Shang Y, Han Y. Immunoglobulin M: A Neglected Serum Biomarker in Treatment-Naive Primary Biliary Cholangitis With Normal Alkaline Phosphatase. Hepatol Commun 2022; 6:1403-1412. [PMID: 35182047 PMCID: PMC9134806 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in patients with seropositive anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) but normal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) depends on a liver biopsy. We aimed to reveal potential serum biomarkers that could suggest the necessity of a liver biopsy in such patients. Retrospective analysis was performed. Subjects who were treatment naive with seropositive AMA but normal ALP and who underwent at least one liver biopsy between 2008 and 2020 were included in this study. Histologic biopsies were evaluated by two experienced pathologists blinded to the serum tests. A total of 115 patients who were treatment naive were included in this study. Of these, 77 patients (67%) exhibited histologic PBC features and nonspecific histologic features were found in the remaining 38 (33%) patients. Multivariate analysis suggested that baseline serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) >0.773 × upper limit of normal (ULN) (P < 0.001) and age >42 years (P = 0.002) were associated with the diagnosis of PBC through liver biopsies. A significant decrease in the median levels of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and IgM was found in 54 patients with PBC who received ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Conclusion: For patients who were treatment naive with seropositive AMA but normal ALP, baseline serum IgM >0.773 × ULN and age >42 years were the factors that strongly suggested a diagnosis of PBC. In these patients receiving UDCA, a dynamic monitoring of GGT and IgM might be helpful in evaluating therapeutic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer BiologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Guoyun Xuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer BiologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Yinan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer BiologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Jiahao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer BiologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Yansheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer BiologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Guanya Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer BiologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Shuoyi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer BiologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Fangfang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer BiologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Siyuan Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer BiologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Gang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer BiologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Ling Chen
- Division of PathologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Xinmin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer BiologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Yulong Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer BiologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
| | - Ying Han
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer BiologyXijing Hospital of Digestive DiseasesFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anChina
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Li H, Zhan H, Cheng L, Yan S, Wang L, Li Y. Imbalanced distribution of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and ILC precursors in peripheral blood of patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Scand J Immunol 2022; 96:e13166. [PMID: 35315090 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), a novel group of innate immune cells, play a key role in the early immune response via rapidly reacting to signals expressed by tissue-resident cells. ILCs contribute to some autoimmune diseases. We aim to investigate the proportions of circulating ILC subgroups in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Overall, 48 patients with PBC and 24 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Circulating ILCs and cytokine production were detected by flow cytometry. The proportions of total ILCs, ILC precursors (ILCPs), and ILCP/ILC2 ratio increased and that of ILC2s decreased in patients with PBC. ILC2 proportion was negatively correlated with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The proportion of ILCPs and ILCP/ILC2 ratio were positively correlated with alkaline phosphatase, GGT, ALT, and AST. ILC2 proportion was significantly decreased in the ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) -non-responder group compared with the UDCA-responder group, whereas the proportion of ILCPs and ILCP/ILC2 were ratio significantly increased. The proportions of CD38+ ILC2s, CD38+ ILCPs, CD45RO+ ILC2s, and CD45RO+ ILCPs were significantly higher in patients with PBC than in HCs. Levels of IL-17A producing ILCs were higher in patients with PBC than in HCs. PBC is accompanied by alterations in circulating ILCs. The proportions of ILC2s, ILCPs, and ILCP/ILC2 ratio were associated with the PBC disease activity. The proportions of ILCPs and ILCP/ILC2 ratio may reflect the UDCA treatment failure in patients with PBC. ILC2s and ILCPs from patients with PBC get activated, these cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haolong Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haoting Zhan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Linlin Cheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Songxin Yan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yongzhe Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Yu K, Li P, Xu T, Xu J, Wang K, Chai J, Zhao D, Liu Y, Wang Y, Ma J, Fan L, Guo S, Li Z, Li M, Wang Z. Decreased infiltration of CD4 + Th1 cells indicates a good response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in primary biliary cholangitis. Pathol Res Pract 2020; 217:153291. [PMID: 33249399 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2020.153291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is characterized by nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis and is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. Currently, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the only FDA approved first-line therapy for PBC, but up to nearly one-third of patients do not achieve a complete response to this treatment. Adaptive immune cells, including T cells and B cells, have been found in the portal tracts and the bile duct epithelium and play a role in the pathogenesis of PBC, but the importance of these cells for evaluating the therapeutic response to UDCA in PBC has not yet been studied. METHODS In this study, we collected liver puncture biopsy specimens from 34 matched patients with PBC before and after UDCA treatment and investigated the relationship between the infiltration of adaptive immune cells and the treatment response to UDCA. The extent of immune cell infiltration was determined by immunohistochemical analysis. Responses were defined based on Paris-I criteria. RESULTS After 1 year of treatment, 25/34 patients responded to UDCA treatment according to Paris-I criteria (responders), and 9/34 patients were nonresponders. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that UDCA responders exhibited significantly less CD4+ T cell infiltration after UDCA treatment than before (50.4 ± 7.5/HPF vs 30.0 ± 7.9/HPF, P = 0.002). In contrast, UDCA nonresponders exhibited significantly more CD4+ T cell infiltration after UDCA treatment than before (32.2 ± 8.0/HPF vs 75.0 ± 13.9/HPF, P = 0.045). Moreover, patients who exhibited a reduction in CD4+ T cell infiltration after UDCA treatment had a higher response rate than those that exhibited an increase in CD4+ T cell infiltration (85.7 % vs 53.8 %, P = 0.041). However, CD3+ T cell, CD8+ T cell, and CD20+ B cell infiltration was not significantly different before and after treatment in either UDCA responders or nonresponders. Furthermore, we found that the number of infiltrating T-bet+ Th1 cells was much lower after UDCA treatment than before in responders (10.5 ± 5.7/HPF vs. 5.16 ± 4.0/HPF, P = 0.0214) but much higher in nonresponders after treatment than before (1.89±1.2/HPF vs. 12.3±5.4/HPF, P = 0.043). However, there was no difference in the extent of GATA3+ Th2 or FOXP3+ Treg infiltration before and after treatment in either UDCA responders or nonresponders. CONCLUSION Collectively, our results suggest that a decrease in the number of liver-infiltrating CD4+ Th1 cells is associated with a good response of PBC patients to UDCA treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis of CD4 and T-bet in PBC liver specimens may be a potential approach for evaluating the therapeutic response to UDCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangjie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Peifeng Li
- Department of Pathology, The 960th Hospital of PLA, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Tianqi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Junpeng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Kaijing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Jia Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Danhui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yixiong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yingmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Jing Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Linni Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Shuangping Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Zengshan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Mingyang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Zhe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Pathology, Xijing Hospital and School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
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Leung KK, Deeb M, Hirschfield GM. Review article: pathophysiology and management of primary biliary cholangitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2020; 52:1150-1164. [PMID: 32813299 DOI: 10.1111/apt.16023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), an immune-mediated disease characterised by destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts, results in progressive damage to the biliary tree, cholestasis and ultimately advanced liver disease. In the last decade, advances in practice have improved clinical care, driven novel therapeutic options and improved risk stratification tools. AIMS To provide an overview of the disease characteristics of PBC and review a patient-centred management approach for the clinical team caring for those with PBC. METHODS We reviewed the current literature and guidelines on PBC with a focus on management and therapies. RESULTS A confident diagnosis of PBC is usually made based on serum liver tests and immune serology. Management of PBC should focus on three main 'process' pillars: (a) treat and risk-stratify through use of biochemical and prognostic criteria; (b) manage concurrent symptoms and other associated diseases; and (c) stage disease, monitor progression and prevent complications. With ongoing complexities in management, including a newly licensed therapy (obeticholic acid) and alternative non-licensed treatments and ongoing clinical trials, discussion with PBC expert centres is encouraged. CONCLUSIONS PBC is a dynamic disease wherein current treatment goals have become appropriately ambitious. Goals of care should prioritise prevention of end-stage liver disease and amelioration of patient symptom burden for all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristel K Leung
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Maya Deeb
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gideon M Hirschfield
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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