Autoimmune liver disease, autoimmunity and liver transplantation

Incidence and risk factors for chronic rejection in pediatric liver transplantation

Chronic rejection (CR) is a progressive immunological injury that frequently leads to long-term liver allograft dysfunction and loss. Although CR remains an important indication for retransplantation, as transplant immunosuppression has evolved, its prevalence in adults undergoing liver transplantation (LT) has declined. However, the incidence and factors that lead to CR in pediatric LT are poorly defined. Therefore, we sought to systematically measure CR's incidence and assess both the risk factors for developing CR and outcomes in a large cohort of pediatric recipients of LT. In this single-center study, we retrospectively analyzed and compared relevant recipient characteristics, surgical details, immunosuppression, graft, and patient survival in the CR and control groups over a 17-year period. After a median time of 1.9 years after LT, 19/356 recipients of LT (5.3%) developed CR in our cohort. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder ( p = 0.01), infections ( p = 0.02), autoimmune liver diseases (HR = 7.3, p = <0.01), Black race (HR = 11.5, p = 0.01), and 2 or more episodes of T cell mediated rejection (HR = 5.1, p = <0.01) were associated with CR development. The retransplantation rate among CR cases was 15.8% at a median follow-up time of 4.1 years. Overall, patient survival was lower in the CR group (78.9%) versus controls (91.1%). While CR incidence in our pediatric cohort was lower than previously reported rates of >12%, the CR group had a higher graft failure rate that required retransplantation and lower overall patient survival. Thus, identifying risk factors may warrant specialized immunosuppression protocols and closer posttransplantation monitoring to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality from CR.

Recurrence of autoimmune hepatitis cholestatic variant syndromes after liver transplantation affects graft and patient survival

Background & Aims

A significant proportion of patients with variant syndromes (VSs), namely autoimmune hepatitis/primary biliary cholangitis or autoimmune hepatitis/primary sclerosing cholangitis, require liver transplantation (LT) despite treatment. The frequency of disease recurrence and the effect on graft survival are yet to be clarified. The aim of this international, multicentric, retrospective study is to evaluate the risk factors associated with recurrence and the impact of the disease recurrence after LT on graft and patient survival.

Methods

We evaluated 166 patients undergoing LT for VS in 33 centers in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Clinical data before and after LT, biochemical data within the first 12 months after LT, and immunosuppression after LT were analyzed to identify patients with a higher risk of recurrence of autoimmune disease based on a histological and radiological diagnosis. Cumulative probabilities of graft and overall survival after LT were calculated using a semi-Markov model.

Results

The autoimmune pattern of recurrence resembled the original VS in 19 cases (61%). Recurrence of autoimmune liver disease (rALD) after LT was observed in 23% and 33% of patients after 5 and 10 years, respectively. Increased alkaline phosphatase (hazard ratio [HR] 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-2.25, p <0.01) and alanine aminotransferase (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01-1.53, p = 0.03) at 12 months after LT and acute rejection (HR 3.58, 95% CI 1.60-7.73, p <0.01) were associated with a higher risk of VS recurrence, whereas the use of predniso(lo)ne was associated with a reduced risk (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.14-0.64, p <0.01). After adjusting for alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase at 12 months, the use of predniso(lo)ne was found to be independently and negatively associated with recurrent disease. The rALD was found to be significantly associated with graft loss and patient survival in the multivariate Cox regression analysis with a time-dependent covariate. The 5- and 10-year probabilities of graft survival were 68% and 41% in patients with recurrent VS compared with 83% and 60% in patients without recurrent disease, respectively (p = 0.01). The overall survival was significantly reduced in patients with recurrent disease (p = 0.01), with event probability at 5 and 10 years of 75% and 49% vs. 84% and 60% in patients without recurrence, respectively.

Conclusions

rALD after LT is frequent and is associated with elevation in liver enzymes within the first year after LT and rejection episodes. According to our data, VS recurrence appears to be associated with poorer graft and patient survival. Further studies are needed to explore strategies that can prevent VS recurrence or mitigate its potential impact.

Impact and implications

This study investigated the recurrence of autoimmune liver diseases (rALD) in patients transplanted for variant syndromes (VSs) and its effect on graft and patient survival. The findings reveal a significant association between rALD and poorer graft and overall survival, highlighting the need for preventive strategies. This research is crucial for transplant physicians and healthcare providers, as it underscores the impact of early liver enzyme monitoring and tailored immunosuppressive therapy on long-term outcomes. These insights can inform more effective post-LT management protocols, potentially improving patient prognosis.

Chitinase 3-like protein 1: a diagnostic biomarker for early liver fibrosis in autoimmune liver diseases

Background and Aims

Chitinase 3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) is a marker of liver fibrosis produced mainly by hepatic macrophages. However, few studies have assessed the relationship between CHI3L1 and liver fibrosis in autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs). We aimed to explore the diagnostic value of CHI3L1 for liver fibrosis in AILDs and to compare its application differences between AILDs and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

Methods

The fibrotic group was defined as liver stiffness measurement (LSM) > 9.70kPa. Serum CHI3L1 levels were measured by ELISA in 78 AILDs patients, 65 chronic hepatitis B patients. The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).

Results

Serum CHI3L1 levels in AILDs patients were positively correlated with LSM (r=0.750, p <0.001). The AUROC for serum CHI3L1 in identifying significant liver fibrosis was 0.939 (95% CI: 0.891 - 0.988), which was higher than that of other non - invasive fibrosis scores (APRI, FIB - 4, GPR, AAR, NLP, and PLR). At the optimal cutoff value of 86.84 ng/mL, the sensitivity and specificity were 92.9% and 83.3%, respectively. Furthermore, in patients with no significant difference in LSM, serum CHI3L1 levels were higher in the autoimmune liver disease group than in the CHB group.

Conclusion

Serum CHI3L1 is an effective non-invasive indicator for assessing liver fibrosis in AILDs patients and may vary in different etiologies.

Antinuclear Positivity and Malignant Transformation Potential of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorder

OBJECTIVE

This multicenter cohort study aimed to investigate the impact of antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity on the malignant transformation potential of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) using the Observational Health Sciences and Informatics network tools for the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model (CDM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective cohort data from five medical centers were analyzed. Cox regression and 1:4 propensity score matching followed by aggregated meta-analysis were used to evaluate association between ANA positivity and the risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The index date was defined as the first day of diagnosis of OPMD. The target and comparator cohorts comprised patients who tested positive and negative for ANA within 180 days before or after the index date, respectively.

RESULTS

Among 27,984 OPMD patients, 1302 patients (4.65%) confirmed malignant transformation. Among these, 3035 patients had ANA laboratory data. After 1:4 PS matching, 523 and 1598 patients with positive and negative for ANA were analyzed. Meta-analysis of the hazard ratios demonstrated that ANA positivity significantly increased the risk of malignant transformation compared to ANA negativity.

CONCLUSIONS

ANA positivity is a significant prognostic marker for predicting malignant transformation in patients with OPMD.

British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines for diagnosis and management of autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease which, if untreated, often leads to cirrhosis, liver failure and death. The last British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guideline for the management of AIH was published in 2011. Since then, our understanding of AIH has advanced in many areas. This update to the previous guideline was commissioned by the BSG and developed by a multidisciplinary group. The aim of this guideline is to review and summarise the current evidence, in order to inform and guide diagnosis and management of patients with AIH and its variant syndromes. The main focus is on AIH in adults, but the guidelines should also be relevant to older children and adolescents.

Clinical Performance of the Line Immunoassay and Digital Liquid Chip Method for Detecting Autoimmune Liver Disease Autoantibodies

CONTEXT.—

The identification of autoantibodies associated with autoimmune liver disease (ALD) is crucial for diagnosis and management. Various laboratory methods have been introduced to detect autoantibody profiles. However, the variable performance of these assays may create challenges for clinicians and patients.

OBJECTIVE.—

To investigate the concordance rates and diagnostic performance of 2 commercially available assays, line immunoassay (LIA) and digital liquid chip method (DLCM), in patients with ALD.

DESIGN.—

A total of 291 serum samples were collected, consisting of 180 sera from patients with ALD and 111 sera from controls. The samples were detected through LIA and DLCM. The agreement and diagnostic performance of each assay were analyzed.

RESULTS.—

There was substantial to almost perfect agreement among prevalent autoantibodies (anti-mitochondrial antibody M2; antibodies against gp210, Sp100, and Ro52). Nevertheless, the Cohen κ coefficient of some uncommon autoantibodies (anti-LKM-1, anti-LC-1, and anti-SLA/LP) between the 2 methods was not ideal. LIA showed slightly better sensitivity, accuracy, and negative predictive value, while DLCM exhibited slightly higher specificity and positive predictive value.

CONCLUSIONS.—

LIA and DLCM demonstrated comparable performance for the detection of common ALD-related autoantibodies. LIA seemed to be more sensitive, while DLCM displayed more specificity. However, standardization of ALD autoantibody detection still faces challenges between these diverse detection systems. Comprehensive interlaboratory validation is essential to mitigate potential misunderstanding and confusion among patients and clinicians.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Based Therapy: A Promising Approach for Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by immune dysregulation, resulting in aberrant reactivity of T cells and antibodies to self-antigens, leading to various patterns of inflammation and organ dysfunction. However, current therapeutic agents exhibit broad-spectrum activity and lack disease-specific selectivity, leading to enduring adverse effects, notably severe infections, and malignancies, and patients often fail to achieve the intended clinical goals. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells that can be easily derived from various tissues, such as adipose tissue, umbilical cords, Wharton's jelly, placenta, and dental tissues. MSCs offer advantages due to their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory abilities, low immunogenicity, and a high capacity for proliferation and multipotent differentiation, making them excellent candidates for cell-based treatment in autoimmune disorders. This review will cover preclinical studies and clinical trials involving MSCs in autoimmune diseases, as well as the primary challenges associated with the clinical application of MSC therapies and strategies for maximizing their therapeutic potential.

A Closer Look into Autoimmune Liver Diseases

Autoimmune liver diseases involve a heterogeneous group of chronic inflammatory disorders, including autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Sometimes presented consistently as an overlapping syndrome, their pathogenesis is rather complex and has yet to be fully elucidated, despite extensive research efforts. This review article corroborates the molecular mechanisms of autoimmune liver diseases, as well as existing and potential therapeutic modalities.

The Impact of Human Liver Transplantation on the Concentration of Fibroblast Growth Factors: FGF19 and FGF21

The multitude of processes in which the liver participates makes it vulnerable to many serious diseases, which can lead to chronic organ failure. Modern medicine bases the treatment of end-stage liver failure on liver transplantation. To ensure the proper functioning of the transplanted liver, a balance of cellular and immunological processes and appropriate concentrations of many different factors are necessary, including, among others, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs). Over the last several years, studies have focused on some FGF growth factors, i.e., FGF19 and FGF21. These two growth factors belong to the FGF19 subfamily, and we concentrate on these two factors in our work. These factors diffuse away from the site of secretion into the blood, acting as hormones. FGF19 is a growth factor with a high therapeutic potential, involved in the homeostasis of bile acids necessary to maintain the proper function of the transplanted liver. FGF21, in turn, plays an important role in regulating lipid and glucose homeostasis. This study aimed to evaluate changes in the concentration of growth factors FGF19 and FGF21 in the plasma of 84 patients before, 24 h, and 2 weeks after liver transplantation (ELISA test was used). Additionally, the correlations of the basic laboratory parameters-alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin and hemoglobin (Hb)-with FGF19 and FGF21 were determined. Our studies noted statistically significant changes in FGF19 and FGF21 concentrations before, 24 h, and 2 weeks after liver transplantation. The highest values for FGF19 before liver transplantation and the lowest values 24 h after this surgery were observed for FGF21; the highest concentrations were observed the day after liver transplantation, and the lowest were observed immediately before surgery. Observations of increases and decreases in the concentration of the examined factors at individual time points (before and after transplantation) allow us to suspect that FGF19 has an adaptive and protective function toward the transplanted liver. At the same time, FGF21 may affect the regenerative mechanisms of the damaged organ.

Mortality in Autoimmune Liver Disease in Sweden: A Population-Based Cohort Study of 9,654 Patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Epidemiological data on mortality in autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) are scarce. We examined all-cause and cancer-related mortality in individuals with AILD from Sweden.

METHODS

We identified 9654 individuals with AILD (3342 with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), 3751 with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and 2561 with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)) using national Swedish registries between 2001 and 2020. These were matched with 80 685 comparators from the general population at a ratio of 1:10 on age, sex, year of diagnosis and municipality. Rates of outcomes were estimated using Cox regression models, adjusted for matching factors and cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and education.

RESULTS

Individuals with AILD had higher mortality than comparators (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 2.3, 95% CI = 2.2-2.4) and higher rates of cancer-related death (aHR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.9-2.3). The presence of liver cirrhosis in AILD was related to even higher mortality, with aHR 5.8 (95% CI = 5.1-6.6). Both males and females with AILD had increased mortality (males aHR = 2.6, 95% CI = 2.4-3.0, and females aHR = 2.2, 95% CI = 2.1-2.3). The mortality was higher in individuals aged 18-50 years (aHR = 4.6, 95% CI = 3.6-5.8), than in individuals above 50 years (aHR = 2.2, 95% CI = 2.1-2.3). Overall mortality rates and cancer-related death were particularly high in individuals with PSC compared to their matched comparators, with aHR = 4.1 (95% CI = 3.2-5.2) and aHR = 6.4 (95% CI = 4.0-10.3), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with AILDs have increased rates of overall and cancer-related mortality compared to matched comparators, and relative risks are highest in cirrhosis, younger age and PSC.

A phase I/II study of adoptive immunotherapy using donor liver graft-derived NK cell-enriched immune cells to prevent severe infection after liver transplantation

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are significant postoperative complications associated with high mortality rates after liver transplantation (LT). Natural killer (NK) cells, which are key components of the innate immune system, have demonstrated potential to combat both infections and cancer. The use of activated NK cells to mitigate post-LT infections, particularly BSIs, has attracted considerable interest. We conducted a single-arm Phase I/II clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transfusing donor liver-derived NK cells into LT recipients. Patients were administered a single infusion of these NK cells three days post-LT. The primary endpoint was BSI incidence. This study was terminated in 19 patients because of the high incidence of BSIs. Of the 19 patients receiving immunotherapy, six (31.5%) developed BSIs within one month of LT. No adverse events were directly related to NK cell infusion. Acute rejection was noted in seven patients (36.8%). After infusion, NK cell activity in the recipient's peripheral blood remained stable. In conclusion, this clinical trial did not reach the primary endpoint. This could be attributed to a significant percentage of patients presenting with high immunological risk. Nonetheless, the infusion procedure demonstrated a favorable safety profile without serious adverse events.

Immune traits in combination with inflammatory proteins revealing the pathogenesis of autoimmune liver diseases: A Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Prior observational research has shown relationships between immune cells, inflammatory proteins, and autoimmune liver diseases (AILD), but their causal associations remain controversial. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the causal association between them.

METHODS

We carried out a comprehensive Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to clarify causal associations between 731 immune traits, 91 circulating inflammatory proteins, and AILD, including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). A two-step MR analysis was used to explore the mediating role of circulating inflammatory proteins. Additionally, we performed sensitivity analyses to evaluate the robustness of the results.

RESULTS

CD27 on IgD+CD24+B cell, CD27 on IgD-CD38dimB cell, CD27 on unswitched memory B cell, CD27 on switched memory B cell, and CD27 on CD24+CD27+B cell were risk factors for PBC. However, we detected protective effects of CD25 on IgD-CD27-B cell against PBC and CD28 on resting CD4+Treg cell against PSC. Circulating CD40, Interleukin-33, and Delta and Notch-like epidermal growth factor-related receptor were protective factors for PBC. Furthermore, CD40 mediated the association between immune traits and PBC, with the mediated proportions ranging from 18.3 % to 35.4 %. Tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 12 was identified as a risk factor for PSC, and monocyte chemotactic protein 3 was identified as a protective factor for PSC. Additionally, PBC and PSC had effects on eleven immune traits, which are suggested to be the consequences of them. We found no causal association between immune traits, circulating inflammatory proteins, and AIH. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated our results were robust.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate the causal roles of immune traits and inflammatory proteins in PBC and PSC, which reveals their pathogenesis. It is necessary to investigate the specific mechanism by which immune cells and inflammatory proteins affecting the occurrence of AILD.

Comprehensive analysis of immune signatures in primary biliary cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are autoimmune diseases that target hepatocytes and bile duct cells, respectively. Despite their shared autoimmune nature, the differences in immunologic characteristics between them remain largely unexplored. This study seeks to elucidate the unique immunological profiles of PBC and AIH and to identify key differences. We comprehensively analyzed various T cell subsets and their receptor expression in a cohort of 45 patients, including 27 PBC and 18 AIH cases. Both diseases exhibited T cell exhaustion and senescence along with a surge in inflammatory cytokines. Significantly increased CD38+HLA-DR+CD8+ T cell populations were observed in both diseases. AIH was characterized by an upregulation of CD8+ terminally differentiated T, CD4+ effector memory T, and CD4+ terminally differentiated T cells, and a concurrent reduction in regulatory T cells. In contrast, PBC displayed a pronounced presence of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and a contraction of CD4-CD8- T cell populations. Correlation analysis revealed that NKP46+ natural killer frequency was closely tied to alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and TIGIT expression on T cells was associated with globulin level in AIH. In PBC, there is a significant correlation between Tfh cells and ALP levels. Moreover, the identified immune landscapes in both diseases strongly related to disease severity. Through logistic regression analysis, γδ T, TIGIT+Vδ2 T, and Tfh1 cell frequencies emerged as distinct markers capable of differentiating PBC from AIH. In conclusion, our analyses reveal that PBC and AIH share similarities and differences regarding to immune profiles. γδ T, TIGIT+Vδ2 T, and Tfh1 cell frequencies are potential noninvasive immunological markers that can differentiate PBC from AIH.

Dysregulation and impaired anti-bacterial potential of mucosal-associated invariant T cells in autoimmune liver diseases

Autoimmune liver diseases (AILD) encompass a group of conditions in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the liver tissue. Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are enriched in the liver, where they play crucial roles in antibacterial defense and inflammation regulation. Compared to other autoimmune conditions affecting the synovium of the joints, MAIT cells from AILD exhibited a greater deficiency in ratio, elevated activation markers, increased apoptosis, and higher pro-inflammatory cytokines production. However, the frequency of MAIT cells in AILD was negatively correlated with anti-bacterial indexes, and their impaired responsiveness and weakened anti-bacterial potential were evidenced by reduced expansion ability, lower maximal IFN-γ production, and diminished E. coli-induced cytotoxic mediators release. Similar shifts in MAIT cell ratios and phenotypes were observed in both primary biliary cirrhosis and autoimmune hepatitis, linked to upregulation of bile acid components in the affected tissue. Specifically, ursodeoxycholic acid, a metabolic intermediate and traditional anti-primary biliary cirrhosis drug, inhibited TCR-mediated expansion and downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-bacterial-related mediators in MAIT cells. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between hepatic pathology and MAIT cells, and highlight the importance of antibacterial monitoring during ursodeoxycholic acid treatment in AILD.

Is autoimmunity associated with the development of premalignant oral conditions and the progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma?: A literature review

OBJECTIVE

Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) are oral mucosal conditions that may progress to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Although autoimmunity has linked to the malignant transformation potential of various precancerous conditions, its role in OPMD remains unclear. This review aimed to identify the role of systemic autoimmunity on OPMD development and their progression to OSCC.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and SCOPUS database for articles published up to January 2024. The key questions addressed by this review were "Is autoimmunity associated with the development of OPMD" and "How does systemic autoimmunity influence the potential for malignant transformation of OPMD?". This review followed the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

RESULTS

Of the 1265 articles initially identified, 21 fulfilled the search criteria. Three themes were emerged; 1) the prevalence and prognosis of oral cancers in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases, 2) circulating autoantibodies in OPMD patients, and 3) autoimmune-related markers linked to malignant transformation in OPMD patients. This review indicated that systemic autoimmunity may contribute to chronic inflammatory conditions, disruption of oral mucosal integrity, and interference with the DNA damage repair process, thus influencing malignant transformation in the oral epithelium of patients with OPMD.

CONCLUSION

The co-occurrence of OPMD with circulating autoantibodies or systemic autoimmune diseases underscores the importance of understanding these interactions for improved management of OPMD and early detection of OSCC.

Autoimmunity and epithelial dysplasia in patients with oral lichenoid diseases

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this study was to explore relationship between autoimmunity and epithelial dysplasia in patients with oral lichenoid diseases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 66 patients with oral lichen planus (OLP), 35 with oral lichenoid lesion (OLL), and 85 with oral lichenoid drug reaction (OLDR) were enrolled. OLP, OLL, and OLDR were diagnosed following the definitions of the modified World Health Organization criteria, except for the absence of epithelial dysplasia. All patients underwent diagnostic incisional biopsy and adjunctive direct immunofluorescence assays. An indirect immunofluorescence assay was conducted to determine the antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity.

RESULTS

OLP and OLDR patients with epithelial dysplasia demonstrated higher prevalence of serum ANA positivity compared to those without epithelial dysplasia. Elevated serum levels of high sensitivity-C reactive proteins were observed in the OLP, OLL, and OLDR patients with epithelial dysplasia. In the DIF analysis, patients with epithelial dysplasia in the OLP exhibited a higher prevalence of C3 deposition in the basement membrane zone.

CONCLUSIONS

This study proposed that autoimmunity may contribute to elevating levels of focal and chronic systemic inflammation, potentially influencing abnormal wound healing and development of dysplastic changes in the oral epithelium among patients with oral lichenoid disease.

Factors associated with progression and outcomes of primary biliary cholangitis: A cohort study, 2010-2019

Background

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) can impact both the quality of life and the survival of patients. The study aimed to determine the survival rate and associated variables in patients with PBC.

Materials and Methods

This cohort research comprised 65 patients diagnosed with PBC who were admitted to the pathology section between January 2010 and December 2019. Survival was determined by reviewing hospital medical data and following up with the patients. The impact of demographic factors, clinical, laboratory, and histopathological aspects on patient survival time was investigated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression.

Results

The average period of follow-up was 6.25 years with a standard deviation of 3.2 years. In surviving patients, the baseline bilirubin level was 2.83, but in deceased or transplanted patients, it was 8.95 (P = 0.002). The baseline albumin level was 3.99 in surviving patients and 3.66 in deceased or transplanted patients (P = 0.024). The incidence of cirrhosis in those who survived was 1.8%, but in patients who died or underwent a transplant, it was 40%. Out of 65 cases, 3 patients (4.7%) died and 7 (10%) had liver transplants. Survival rates of patients vary based on factors such as jaundice (P = 0.002), weariness (P = 0.03), cirrhosis (P < 0.001), and vitiligo (P = 0.033). There were notable variations in the average Mayo score between the two groups of patients who had liver transplantation and survived, with scores of 7.21 and 5.61, respectively.

Conclusion

The study found that aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, baseline and final bilirubin, albumin, antinuclear antibody, the presence of cirrhosis, and jaundice significantly influenced patient survival with PBC.

Causal links between 13 autoimmune diseases and graft dysfunction: A Mendelian randomization study

Previous studies have suggested a possible link between autoimmune diseases and graft dysfunction; however, a causal link remains unclear. Exposure factors were set as 13 autoimmune diseases, and outcomes were set as graft dysfunction. Mendelian randomization was used to analyze the causal link between exposure and outcome. Alopecia areata and asthma were linked to graft dysfunction (odds ratio 0.828; 95% confidence interval 0.699-0.980; P = .029; odds ratio 1.79; 95% confidence interval 1.069-2.996; P = .027). At the same time, primary sclerosing cholangitis was found to be heterogeneous as an exposure factor (P = .009), but no heterogeneity or pleiotropy was found in other exposure factors. Our preliminary findings show 2 autoimmune diseases as risk factors for graft dysfunction, 1 autoimmune disease as a protective factor for graft dysfunction and the mechanisms remain to be understood.

Neuroimmune modulation in liver pathophysiology

The liver, the largest organ in the human body, plays a multifaceted role in digestion, coagulation, synthesis, metabolism, detoxification, and immune defense. Changes in liver function often coincide with disruptions in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The intricate interplay between the nervous and immune systems is vital for maintaining tissue balance and combating diseases. Signaling molecules and pathways, including cytokines, inflammatory mediators, neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, chemoreceptors, and neural pathways, facilitate this complex communication. They establish feedback loops among diverse immune cell populations and the central, peripheral, sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric nervous systems within the liver. In this concise review, we provide an overview of the structural and compositional aspects of the hepatic neural and immune systems. We further explore the molecular mechanisms and pathways that govern neuroimmune communication, highlighting their significance in liver pathology. Finally, we summarize the current clinical implications of therapeutic approaches targeting neuroimmune interactions and present prospects for future research in this area.

Trends of autoimmune liver disease inpatient hospitalization and mortality from 2011 to 2017: A United States nationwide analysis

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune liver diseases (AiLD) encompass a variety of disorders that target either the liver cells (autoimmune hepatitis, AIH) or the bile ducts [(primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)]. These conditions can progress to chronic liver disease (CLD), which is characterized by fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent studies have indicated a rise in hospitalizations and associated costs for CLD in the US, but information regarding inpatient admissions specifically for AiLD remains limited.

AIM

To examine the trends and mortality of inpatient hospitalization of AiLD from 2011 to 2017.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective analysis utilizing the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) databases. All subjects admitted between 2011 and 2017 with a diagnosis of AiLD (AIH, PBC, PSC) were identified using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) and ICD-10 codes. primary AiLD admission was defined if the first admission code was one of the AiLD codes. secondary AiLD admission was defined as having the AiLD diagnosis anywhere in the admission diagnosis (25 diagnoses). Subjects aged 21 years and older were included. The national estimates of hospitalization were derived using sample weights provided by NIS. χ 2 tests for categorical data were used. The primary trend characteristics were in-hospital mortality, hospital charges, and length of stay.

RESULTS

From 2011 to 2017, hospitalization rates witnessed a significant decline, dropping from 83263 admissions to 74850 admissions (P < 0.05). The patients hospitalized were predominantly elderly (median 53% for age > 65), mostly female (median 59%) (P < 0.05), and primarily Caucasians (median 68%) (P < 0.05). Medicare was the major insurance (median 56%), followed by private payer (median 27%) (P < 0.05). The South was the top geographical distribution for these admissions (median 33%) (P < 0.05), with most admissions taking place in big teaching institutions (median 63%) (P < 0.05). Total charges for admissions rose from 66031 in 2011 to 78987 in 2017 (P < 0.05), while the inpatient mortality rate had a median of 4.9% (P < 0.05), rising from 4.67% in 2011 to 5.43% in 2017. The median length of stay remained relatively stable, changing from 6.94 days (SD = 0.07) in 2011 to 6.51 days (SD = 0.06) in 2017 (P < 0.05). Acute renal failure emerged as the most common risk factor associated with an increased death rate, affecting nearly 68% of patients (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

AiLD-inpatient hospitalization showed a decrease in overall trends over the studied years, however there is a significant increase in financial burden on healthcare with increasing in-hospital costs along with increase in mortality of hospitalized patient with AiLD.

Association between autoimmune liver diseases and chronic hepatitis B: A multivariable Mendelian randomization study in European population

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have indicated a link between autoimmune liver diseases (AILD) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) through observational studies. The association between AILD and CHB remains indeterminate.

METHODS

A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to scrutinize the causal nexus between AILD and CHB utilizing summary statistics derived from extensive genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in European populations. The primary statistical methodology employed was the inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method to deduce the causal connection of AILD on CHB. This study incorporated primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) as subtypes of AILD. Additionally, we conducted a multivariable MR (MVMR) analysis to account for the potential confounding effects of smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), and some autoimmune diseases.

RESULTS

Our MR investigation encompassed a cohort of 725,816 individuals. The MR analysis revealed that genetically predicted PSC significantly correlated with a reduced risk of CHB (IVW OR = 0.857; 95%CI: 0.770-0.953, P = 0.005). Conversely, the reverse MR analysis suggested that genetic susceptibility to PSC might not modify the risk of CHB (IVW OR = 1.004; 95% CI: 0.958-1.053, P = 0.866). Genetically proxied PBC and AIH exhibited no discernible causal association with CHB in the MR analysis using the IVW method (P = 0.583; P = 0.425). The MVMR analysis still indicated a decreased risk of CHB associated with PSC (OR = 0.853, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Our study elucidates a causal relationship between PSC and a diminished risk of CHB.

Serum vitamins and homocysteine levels in autoimmune liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Vitamins and homocysteine (Hcy) are involved in liver metabolism and related to the pathogenesis of autoimmune liver disease (AILD), but consensus is lacking. This study aims to systematically summarize relevant evidence to clarify the association of serum vitamins and Hcy levels with AILD.

METHODS

The English and Chinese literature was searched until August 29, 2023. Studies were included if they were observational studies of investigating serum vitamins and Hcy levels in patients with AILD and their healthy comparisons. Quality assessment was performed by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and a meta-analysis was conducted using ReviewManager 5.3. The protocol was registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO), with registration number CRD42023455367.

RESULTS

A total of 25 case-control studies comprising 3487 patients (1673 patients and 1814 healthy controls) were included for analysis. There were 548 autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) cases, 1106 primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) cases, and 19 primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) cases. We found that serum A and E were decreased in both AIH and PBC/PSC; but vitamin C was reduced only in patients with PBC, not AIH. In addition, decreased content of 25(OH)D3 was found in both AIH and PBC. However, levels of 25(OH)D did not differ between the patients and controls, and were independent of disease types and the country. Only one study that met the inclusion criteria reported vitamin B6, B9, B12, and Hcy changes, and found that vitamin B6 and B9 were significantly decreased in patients with PBC, while serum vitamin B12 and Hcy levels were significantly elevated in them. One eligible study each confirmed a reduction in plasma vitamin K1 and 1,25(OH)2D3 in patients with PBC.

CONCLUSION

Most vitamins are deficient in AILD, so appropriate vitamin supplementation should be necessary. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

The ST2+ Treg/amphiregulin axis protects from immune-mediated hepatitis

Introduction

The alarmin IL-33 has been implicated in the pathology of immune-mediated liver diseases. IL-33 activates regulatory T cells (Tregs) and type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) expressing the IL-33 receptor ST2. We have previously shown that endogenous IL-33/ST2 signaling activates ILC2s that aggravate liver injury in murine immune-mediated hepatitis. However, treatment of mice with exogenous IL-33 before induction of hepatitis ameliorated disease severity. Since IL-33 induces expression of amphiregulin (AREG) crucial for Treg function, we investigated the immunoregulatory role of the ST2+ Treg/AREG axis in immune-mediated hepatitis.

Methods

C57BL/6, ST2-deficient (Il1rl1-/-) and Areg-/- mice received concanavalin A to induce immune-mediated hepatitis. Foxp3Cre+ x ST2fl/fl mice were pre-treated with IL-33 before induction of immune-mediated hepatitis. Treg function was assessed by adoptive transfer experiments and suppression assays. The effects of AREG and IL-33 on ST2+ Tregs and ILC2s were investigated in vitro. Immune cell phenotype was analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results and discussion

We identified IL-33-responsive ST2+ Tregs as an effector Treg subset in the murine liver, which was highly activated in immune-mediated hepatitis. Lack of endogenous IL-33 signaling in Il1rl1-/- mice aggravated disease pathology. This was associated with reduced Treg activation. Adoptive transfer of exogenous IL-33-activated ST2+ Tregs before induction of hepatitis suppressed inflammatory T-cell responses and ameliorated disease pathology. We further showed increased expression of AREG by hepatic ST2+ Tregs and ILC2s in immune-mediated hepatitis. Areg-/- mice developed more severe liver injury, which was associated with enhanced ILC2 activation and less ST2+ Tregs in the inflamed liver. Exogenous AREG suppressed ILC2 cytokine expression and enhanced ST2+ Treg activation in vitro. In addition, Tregs from Areg-/- mice were impaired in their capacity to suppress CD4+ T-cell activation in vitro. Moreover, application of exogenous IL-33 before disease induction did not protect Foxp3Cre+ x ST2fl/fl mice lacking ST2+ Tregs from immune-mediated hepatitis. In summary, we describe an immunoregulatory role of the ST2+ Treg/AREG axis in immune-mediated hepatitis, in which AREG suppresses the activation of hepatic ILC2s while maintaining ST2+ Tregs and reinforcing their immunosuppressive capacity in liver inflammation.

Hepatic granulomas following liver transplantation: A retrospective survey, and analysis of possible microbiological etiology

BACKGROUND

Liver granulomas have always been a diagnostic challenge for pathologists. They have been described in up to 15% of liver biopsies and can also be seen in liver allograft biopsy specimens, but there is a paucity of information regarding the prevalence and associated etiologic factors of granulomas in liver transplanted patients. The aim of this study is to shed light on the etiology of liver granulomas.

METHODS

Liver biopsies from liver transplanted patients, in the period from 01.01.2011 - 01.05.2017, were examined. We registered the histo-morphological characteristics and clinicopathological data of all biopsies and performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) to detect possible pathogens (bacteria, fungi, and parasites) in the biopsies containing granulomas.

RESULTS

We reviewed a total of 400 liver biopsies from 217 liver transplant patients. Of these, 131 liver biopsies (32.8%) from 98 patients (45.2%) revealed granulomas. Most were epithelioid granulomas located parenchymal and were detected in 115 (87.7%) biopsies. We also identified 10 cases (7.6%) with both lobular and portal granulomas and six biopsies (4.5%) with portal granulomas alone. In 54 biopsies (41.2%), granulomas were found in biopsies with acute cellular rejection (ACR). Fifty (51%) patients with granulomas underwent liver transplantation for autoimmune-related end-stage liver disease (AILD). The granulomas were found most frequently in the first six months after transplantation, where patients also more often were biopsied. NGS analysis did not reveal any potential infectious agent, and no significant differences were observed in the microbiological diversity (microbiome) between clinical- and granuloma characteristics concerning bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirmed that granulomas are frequently seen in liver allograft biopsy specimens, and most often localized in the parenchyma, occurring in the first post-transplant period in patients with AILD, and often seen simultaneously with episodes of ACR. Neither a specific microbiological etiological agent nor a consistent microbiome was detected in any case.

Autoimmune Hepatitis: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Overview

Autoimmune hepatitis is an immune-mediated inflammatory condition of the liver of undetermined cause that affects both sexes, all ages, races, and ethnicities. Its clinical presentation can be very broad, from having an asymptomatic and silent course to presenting as acute hepatitis, cirrhosis, and acute liver failure potentially requiring liver transplantation. The diagnosis is based on histological abnormalities (interface hepatitis), characteristic clinical and laboratory findings (increased aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and serum IgG concentration), and the presence of one or more characteristic autoantibodies. The large heterogeneity of these clinical, biochemical, and histological findings can sometimes make a timely and proper diagnosis a difficult task. Treatment seeks to achieve remission of the disease and prevent further progression of liver disease. First-line therapy includes high-dose corticosteroids, which are later tapered to decrease side effects, and azathioprine. In the presence of azathioprine intolerance or a poor response to the standard of care, second-line therapy needs to be considered, including mycophenolate mofetil. AIH remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, and a further understanding of the pathophysiological pathways of the disease and the implementation of randomized controlled trials are needed.

Biliary disease progression in childhood onset autoimmune liver disease: A 30-year follow-up into adulthood

Background & Aims

Long-term follow-up studies of paediatric onset autoimmune liver disease (AILD) are invaluable in helping better understand the clinical course of disease. In day-to-day practice clinicians struggle with disease definitions whilst patients and parents lack clear prognostic information.

Methods

The clinical progression of 159 patients with childhood onset AILD between June 1990 and December 2013 was reviewed, capturing data up to adulthood (ending May 2021).

Results

Presentation with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) was dominant (n = 119); biliary presentations accounted for 25%. During follow up, biliary disease progression confirmed by cholangiography and/or liver histology was observed frequently: 19.8% (20/101) patients with childhood onset AIH type 1 (AIH-1) developed biliary features by adulthood and of these 50% phenotypically transitioned to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC); the remaining transitioned to an overlap disease phenotype. No patients with AIH type 2 developed biliary progression. Two-thirds of patients with overlap features (14/21) in childhood had phenotypically progressed to PSC by adulthood. Approximately 43% (6/14) of AIH-1 patients requiring a liver transplant in adulthood had explant evidence of biliary disease compared with 11% (1/9) in childhood, whereas 35.7% (5/14) of patients had histology diagnostic of PSC in their explant liver and 7.1% (1/14) had overlap features. All patients with biliary phenotypes (PSC, autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis, overlap) who required a transplant (n = 18) were found to have explant histology consistent with PSC. Twelve of 14 patients with biliary progression developed ulcerative colitis during follow-up with 92% progressing to PSC.

Conclusions

Three decades of follow-up demonstrated how children presenting with AILD had a significant risk of clinical transformation to PSC. Biliary progression was significantly associated with the development of inflammatory bowel disease.

Impact and implications

Childhood onset autoimmune liver disease remains very impactful for patients and families. Disease nomenclature can however be confusing. Long-term follow up studies as children become adults is important to help understand how and why disease behaves over time. Understanding more about the long-term course of childhood autoimmune liver disease will help patients, families and doctors striving to improve care and reduce poor clinical outcomes. We followed over 150 patients with childhood onset autoimmune liver diseases into adulthood. We found that amongst patients with classical autoimmune hepatitis, 1 in 5 developed biliary disease over time, mostly consisting of primary sclerosing cholangitis. This was associated with developing inflammatory bowel disease. Our study design was retrospective and has relevant limitations. Defining phenotypes of autoimmune liver diseases is difficult and there is insufficient consensus, especially between adult and childhood physicians. Our data confirms the critical importance of careful long-term follow-up of patients, including safe transition to adult care, as well as robustly demonstrates, using real-world data, how disease nature can change over time. Our study affirms the need for investment in prospective cohort studies.

Evaluation of autoimmune liver disease natural history in patients referred to Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) center

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune liver diseases (AILD) are increasing and common forms of chronic liver disease (CLD) with different clinical responses and characteristics which can result in cirrhosis. This study aimed to investigate the natural history and characteristics of AILD in an Iranian population.

METHODS

Patients with AILD [Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH), Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and Overlap Syndrome (OS)] referred to Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) center, Tehran, Iran, between January 2002 and December 2022 were included in this retrospective cohort study. The main features of natural history (the trends of liver functional tests (LFT), Auto-Antibodies, response to treatment and cirrhotic status) along with demographic data were studied.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixty-five patients (160 (60.4%) AIH, 37 (14.0%) PBC, 20 (7.5%) PSC, 48 (18.1%) overlap syndrome) with a median follow-up time of 5 years (IQR 4 to 8 years) were included. Baseline laboratory tests revealed that patients with AIH exhibit elevated transaminase levels. However, patients suffering from PBC and PSC displayed increased alkaline phosphatase levels. Conversely, in overlap syndrome patients, both transaminases and alkaline phosphatase were observed at high levels. Autoantibodies represented themselves as important diagnostic markers for the AIH and PBC but not for PSC. The complete response occurred in 112 (70%) of and 28 (58.4%) patients with AIH and overlap syndrome respectively and 21 patients 11 (6.9%) of AIH and 10 (20.8%) of overlap syndrome) were non-responders. Other patients in these two categories were considered as insufficient responders. On the other side, 32 (91.9%) and 8 (40%) of patients with PBC and PSC biochemically responded to Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA). Unpredictably, cirrhosis regression was observed in some AIH and PBC patients.

CONCLUSION

Appropriate medication management for AILD patients may leads to regression from cirrhosis and improvement of manifestations; while discontinuation of medication may cause relapses. However, patient suffering from PSC showed limited response to treatment.

Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of Resolvins in Cancer - Current Status and Perspectives

Resolvins are specialized pro-resolving mediators derived from omega-3 fatty acids that can suppress several cancer-related molecular pathways, including important activation of transcription parameters in the tumor cells and their microenvironment, inflammatory cell infiltration, cytokines as well as chemokines. Recently, an association between resolvins and an important anti-inflammatory process in apoptotic tumor cell clearance (efferocytosis) was shown. The inflammation status or the oncogene activation increases the risk of cancer development via triggering the transcriptional agents, including nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells by generating the pro-inflammatory lipid molecules and infiltrating the tumor cells along with the high level of pro-inflammatory signaling. These events can cause an inflammatory microenvironment. Resolvins might decrease the leukocyte influx into the inflamed tissues. It is widely accepted that resolvins prohibit the development of debris-triggered cancer via increasing the clearance of debris, especially by macrophage phagocytosis in tumors without any side effects. Resolvins D2, D1, and E1 might suppress tumor-growing inflammation by activation of macrophages clearance of cell debris in the tumor. Resolvin D5 can assist patients with pain during treatment. However, the effects of resolvins as anti-inflammatory mediators in cancers are not completely explained. Thus, based on the most recent studies, we tried to summarize the most recent knowledge on resolvins in cancers.

Detrimental impact of early biopsy-proven rejection in liver transplantation

Existing literature offers conflicting conclusions about whether early acute cellular rejection influences long-term outcomes in liver transplantation. We retrospectively collected donor and recipient data on all adult, first-time liver transplants performed at a single center between 2008 and 2020. We divided this population into two cohorts based on the presence of early biopsy-proven acute cellular rejection (EBPR) within the first 90 days post-transplant and compared outcomes between the groups. There were 896 liver transplants that met inclusion criteria with 112 cases (12.5%) of EBPR. Recipients who developed EBPR had higher biochemical Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores (28 vs. 24, p < .01), but other donor and recipient characteristics were similar. Recipients with EBPR had similar overall survival compared to patients without EBPR (p = .09) but had decreased graft survival (p < .05). EBPR was also associated with decreased time to first episode of late (> 90 days post-transplant) rejection (p < .0001) and increased vulnerability to bacterial and viral infection (p < .05). In subgroup analysis of recipients with autoimmune indications for liver transplantation, EBPR had a more pronounced association with patient death (hazard ratio [HR] 3.9, p < .05) and graft loss (HR 4.0, p < .01). EBPR after liver transplant is associated with inferior graft survival, increased susceptibility to late rejections, and increased vulnerability to infection.

Prognostic models and autoimmune liver diseases

Autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) are complex diseases with unknown causes and immune-mediated pathophysiology. In primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) disease modifying drugs are available which improve patient quality and quantity of life. In primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) no medical therapy is available and the only accepted treatment is liver transplantation (LT). PBC, PSC and AIH possess features that describe the archetype of patients within each disorder. On the other hand, the classical disorders are not homogeneous, and patients within each diagnosis may present with a range of clinical, biochemical, serological, and histological findings. Singularly, they are considered rare diseases, but together, they account for approximately 20% of LTs in Europe and USA. Management of these patients is complex, as AILDs are relatively uncommon in clinical practice with challenges in developing expertise, disease presentation can be sneaky, clinical phenotypes and disease course are heterogeneous. Prognostic models are key tools for clinicians to assess patients' risk and to provide personalized care to patients. Aim of this review is to discuss challenges of the management of AILDs and how the available prognostic models can help. We will discuss the prognostic models developed in AILDs, with a special focus on the prognostic models that can support the clinical management of patients with AILDs: in PBC models based on ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) response and markers of liver fibrosis; in PSC several markers including biochemistry, disease stage and radiological semiquantitative markers; and finally in AIH, markers of disease stage and disease activity.

Correlation between hepatic venous pressure gradient and portal pressure gradient in patients with autoimmune cirrhotic portal hypertension and collateral branches of the hepatic vein

AIM

To assess the correlation and agreement between hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and portal pressure gradient (PPG) in patients with autoimmune liver diseases (ALD) and portal hypertension, and to investigate the extent to which hepatic vein collateralization affects the accuracy of this assessment.

METHODS

Ninety-eight patients with ALD between 2017 and 2021 who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt with conventional and innovative 15 mL pressurized contrast were selected to measure wedged hepatic venous pressure (WHVP) and portal venous pressure and to calculate the HVPG and PPG. Pearson's correlation was used for correlation analysis between the two groups. Bland-Altman plots were plotted to estimate the agreement between paired pressures.

RESULTS

The r values of PPG and HVPG in the early, middle, late, and portal venous visualization were 0.404, 0.789, 0.807, and 0.830, respectively, and the R2 values were 0.163, 0.622, 0.651, and 0.690, respectively. The p value for the r and R2 values in the early group was 0.015, and the p values in the remaining groups were less than 0.001. Bland-Altman plots showed that patients in the portal venous visualization group had the narrowest 95% limits of agreement. The mean value of the difference was close to the zero-scale line.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with ALD, the correlation between the HVPG and PPG was good, and the later the collateral development, the better the correlation. Hepatic vein collateral was an essential factor in underestimating WHVP and HVPG, and the earlier the collateral appeared, the more obvious the underestimation.

Autoimmune liver disease and multiple sclerosis: state of the art and future perspectives

Clinical observations suggest that the prevalence of autoimmune diseases is changing over time. Both autoimmune liver diseases and multiple sclerosis have shown a significant increase in the last decades. Although the coexistence of autoimmune diseases within individuals and families is a common phenomenon, the extent to which liver disease and multiple sclerosis co-occur is not clear. Case reports and few studies have reported the possible coexistence of multiple sclerosis with thyroid diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is unknown whether there is a definite association between multiple sclerosis and autoimmune liver diseases. We reviewed the literature to summarize the available studies on the association between different autoimmune liver diseases (autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis) and treated or untreated multiple sclerosis.

Diagnostic role of transient elastography in patients with autoimmune liver diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Noninvasive methods have been developed to detect fibrosis in many liver diseases due to the limits of liver biopsy. However, previous studies have focused primarily on chronic viral hepatitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The diagnostic value of transient elastography for autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) is worth studying.

AIM

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of imaging techniques with serum biomarkers of fibrosis in AILD.

METHODS

The PubMed, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases were searched. Studies evaluating the efficacy of noninvasive methods in the diagnosis of AILDs [autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)] were included. The summary area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), diagnostic odds ratio, sensitivity and specificity were used to assess the accuracy of these noninvasive methods for staging fibrosis.

RESULTS

A total of 60 articles were included in this study, and the number of patients with AIH, PBC and PSC was 1594, 3126 and 501, respectively. The summary AUROC of transient elastography in the diagnosis of significant fibrosis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with AIH were 0.84, 0.88 and 0.90, respectively, while those in patients with PBC were 0.93, 0.93 and 0.91, respectively. The AUROC of cirrhosis for patients with PSC was 0.95. However, other noninvasive indices (aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index, aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio, fibrosis-4 index) had corresponding AUROCs less than 0.80.

CONCLUSION

Transient elastography exerts better diagnostic accuracy in AILD patients, especially in PBC patients. The appropriate cutoff values for staging advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis ranged from 9.6 to 10.7 and 14.4 to 16.9 KPa for PBC patients.

Causal effects of gut microbiome on autoimmune liver disease: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies have indicated a potential link between the gut microbiome and autoimmune liver disease (AILD) such as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The relationship between the gut microbiome and autoimmune liver disease is still uncertain due to confounding variables. In our study, we aim to shed light on this relationship by employing a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach.

METHODS

We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study using the R package "TwoSampleMR". The exposure data consisted of genetic variants associated with 194 bacterial traits obtained from the MiBioGen consortium. Summary statistics for AILD were obtained from the GWAS Catalog website. Furthermore, a series of sensitivity analyses were performed to validate the initial MR results.

RESULTS

There were two, four and three bacteria traits associated with an increased risk of AIH. PBC, and PSC respectively. In contrast, there were five, two and five bacteria traits associated with a decreased risk for AIH, PBC and PSC. Notably, the genus_Clostridium_innocuum_group showed a negative association with AIH (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.49-0.93), and the genus_Actinomyces was found to be genetically associated with a decreased risk of PSC (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.42-0.90).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified the causal impact of specific bacterial features on the risk of AILD subtypes. Particularly, the genus_Clostridium_innocuum_group and the genus_Actinomyces demonstrated significant protective effects against AIH and PSC respectively. These findings provide further support for the potential use of targeted probiotics in the management of AILD.

Liver Transplantation for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) With or Without Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)-A European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT) Consensus Statement

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is the classical hepatobiliary manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a lead indication for liver transplantation (LT) in the western world. In this article, we present a Consensus Statement on LT practice, developed by a dedicated Guidelines' Taskforce of the European Society of Organ Transplantation (ESOT). The overarching goal is to provide practical guidance on commonly debated topics, including indications and timing of LT, management of bile duct stenosis in patients on the transplant waiting list, technical aspects of transplantation, immunosuppressive strategies post-transplant, timing and extension of intestinal resection and futility criteria for re-transplantation.

Efficacy of Serum Ferritin-Zinc Ratio for Predicting Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis

Background/Aims: The search for noninvasive biomarkers that can efficiently estimate the extent of liver fibrosis progression is ongoing. Although Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), the aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and the Forns index have been reported as useful biomarkers, their investigation in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is limited. This study aimed to examine the usefulness of these serological indices and a newly developed index in predicting liver fibrosis progression in AIH. Methods: The study analyzed data from 190 patients diagnosed with AIH at our institution between 1990 and 2015. Their histological liver fibrosis progression and clinical long-term prognosis were evaluated retrospectively (cohort 1). In 90 patients, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were compared to choose severe fibrosis cases with respect to existing indices (FIB-4, APRI, and Forns index) and the ferritin-zinc ratio (cohort 2). Results: In cohort 1, liver-related death and hepatocellular carcinoma rates were significantly higher in the severe (n = 27) than in the mild (n = 63) fibrosis group (p = 0.0001 and 0.0191, respectively). In cohort 2, liver-related death in the severe fibrosis group was significantly frequent (p = 0.0071), and their ferritin-zinc ratio was higher (median 2.41 vs. 0.62, p = 0.0011). ROC analyses were performed to compare the ability of the ferritin-zinc ratio, FIB-4, APRI, and the Forns index to predict severe and mild fibrosis. Accordingly, areas under the ROC were 0.732, 0.740, 0.721, and 0.729, respectively. Conclusions: The serum ferritin-zinc ratio can noninvasively predict liver fibrosis progression in AIH and be applied to predict long-term prognosis.

The Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A in Patients with Positive Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) can have severe manifestations in adult patients with other liver diseases, particularly in those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study aimed to measure immunity against HAV in HIV-positive individuals to determine the necessity of vaccination against HAV in this population. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated 171 HIV-positive patients aged 18 years or older who were tested for serum IgG anti-viral hepatitis A antibody. The prevalence and its determinants were analyzed based on patient data. Results: The average age of the patients was 44.2 years old. The prevalence of HAV antibody positivity was 97.7%. The prevalence was higher in patients older than 30 years. There was a close association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (P=0.002). There were no significant correlations between antibody levels and sex, marital status, employment status, education level, economic status, smoking status, drug use status, and physical activity level. The mean and median CD4+ counts in patients with positive (reactive) antibody (Ab) levels were 458 and 404±294, respectively, while the mean and median CD4+ counts in patients with non-reactive antibody levels were 806 and 737±137, respectively, in those who tested negative for anti-HAV Ab (P=0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of anti-hepatitis A IgG antibodies in people with HIV was very high in Shiraz. There is an increasing trend in the number of older patients and those with HCV infections. The negative association with CD4 was borderline in this study, which needs to be confirmed in larger groups.

Liver transplantation immunology: Immunosuppression, rejection, and immunomodulation

Outcomes after liver transplantation have continuously improved over the past decades, but long-term survival rates are still lower than in the general population. The liver has distinct immunological functions linked to its unique anatomical configuration and to its harbouring of a large number of cells with fundamental immunological roles. The transplanted liver can modulate the immunological system of the recipient to promote tolerance, thus offering the potential for less aggressive immunosuppression. The selection and adjustment of immunosuppressive drugs should be individualised to optimally control alloreactivity while mitigating toxicities. Routine laboratory tests are not accurate enough to make a confident diagnosis of allograft rejection. Although several promising biomarkers are being investigated, none of them is sufficiently validated for routine use; hence, liver biopsy remains necessary to guide clinical decisions. Recently, there has been an exponential increase in the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors due to the unquestionable oncological benefits they provide for many patients with advanced-stage tumours. It is expected that their use will also increase in liver transplant recipients and that this might affect the incidence of allograft rejection. Currently, the evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors in liver transplant recipients is limited and cases of severe allograft rejection have been reported. In this review, we discuss the clinical relevance of alloimmune disease, the role of minimisation/withdrawal of immunosuppression, and provide practical guidance for using checkpoint inhibitors in liver transplant recipients.

Systematic review: efficacy of therapies for cholestatic pruritus

Background

Pruritus is a symptom of several cholestatic liver diseases (CLDs) that can impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Despite evidence-based guideline therapy, managing cholestatic pruritus (CP) remains challenging, thus making the need for newer, more effective therapeutic agents more evident.

Objective

Our study evaluated the efficacy of existing CP therapies.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

From inception until March 2023, we conducted a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, Scopus, ClinicalTrial.gov, and other sources, including pharmaceutical webpages and conference proceedings published in English that reported on CP interventions.

Methods

Two reviewers independently conducted screening and full-text review of articles with extraction conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The methodological quality of studies included in our qualitative synthesis was assessed by using the Cochrane ROBINS-I and ROBINS-II tools for interventional studies and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. The primary outcome assessed in our systematic review was the severity of CP after therapy.

Results

Of 3293 screened articles, 92 studies were eligible for inclusion in the qualitative synthesis. Some patients' HRQoL improved with evidence-based standard therapy. Others, particularly those with severe and refractory CP, often required conversion to or addition of experimental noninvasive (e.g., ondansetron) or extracorporeal liver support to alleviate CP. In addition, studies investigating a newer class drug, the ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor (IBATi), demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing serum bile acid and alleviating CP with sustained improvement noted in patients with the inherited childhood cholestatic disorders - progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and Alagille syndrome.

Conclusion

Our findings consolidate data on the efficacy of guideline-based approaches and newer therapies for CP. While the initial findings are promising, additional clinical trials will be needed to determine the full extent of IBATi's efficacy and potential use in treating other common CLDs. These results provide a foundation for future research and highlight the need for continued investigation into the management and treatment of CLDs.

Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Liver Diseases

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membrane structures that are formed by budding from the plasma membrane or originate from the endosomal system. These microparticles (100 nm-100 µm) or nanoparticles (>100 nm) can transport complex cargos to other cells and, thus, provide communication and intercellular regulation. Various cells, such as hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) or hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), secrete and take up EVs in the healthy liver, and the amount, size and content of these vesicles are markedly altered under pathophysiological conditions. A comprehensive knowledge of the modified EV-related processes is very important, as they are of great value as biomarkers or therapeutic targets. In this review, we summarize the latest knowledge on hepatic EVs and the role they play in the homeostatic processes in the healthy liver. In addition, we discuss the characteristic changes of EVs and their potential exacerbating or ameliorating effects in certain liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), drug induced liver injury (DILI), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), hepatocarcinoma (HCC) and viral hepatitis.

Post-Transplant Immunosuppression in Autoimmune Liver Disease

Autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) are a group of conditions where immune-mediated liver damage can lead to the need for transplantation. Collectively, they account for almost a quarter of all liver transplants. Outcomes in terms of graft and patient survival for all liver transplants have improved markedly over decades with improvements in patient selection, surgical techniques and longer-term care and this is also seen in patients with AILDs. The current five- and ten-year survival rates post-transplant in autoimmune disease are excellent, at 88% and 78%, respectively. A key factor in maintaining good outcomes post liver transplant for these autoimmune conditions is the immunosuppression strategy. These patients have increased the rates of rejection, and autoimmune conditions can all recur in the graft ranging from 12 to 60% depending on the population studied. Immunosuppressive regimens are centred on calcineurin inhibitors, often combined with low dose corticosteroids, with or without the addition of antimetabolite therapy. There is no clear evidence-based immunosuppressive regimen for these conditions, and a tailored approach balancing the individuals' immunological profile against the risks of immunosuppression is often used. There are disease-specific considerations to optimised graft function including the role of ursodeoxycholic acid in both primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis and the role and timing of colectomy in primary sclerosing cholangitis in inflammatory bowel disease patients. However, unmet needs still exist in the management of AILDs post liver transplantation particularly in building the evidence base for optimal immunosuppression as well as mitigating the risk of recurrent disease.

Diagnosis and management of autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of the liver of unknown cause that may progress to liver cirrhosis and end stage liver failure if diagnosis is overlooked and treatment delayed. The clinical presentation is often that of acute hepatitis, sometimes very severe; less frequently, it can be insidious or completely asymptomatic. The disease can affect people of any age and is more common in women; its incidence and prevalence seem to be on the rise worldwide. An abnormal immune response targeting liver autoantigens and inducing persistent and self-perpetuating liver inflammation is the pathogenic mechanism of the disease. A specific set of autoantibodies, increased IgG concentrations, and histological demonstration of interface hepatitis and periportal necrosis are the diagnostic hallmarks of autoimmune hepatitis. Prompt response to treatment with corticosteroids and other immunomodulatory drugs is almost universal and supports the diagnosis. The aims of treatment are to induce and maintain long term remission of liver inflammation. Treatment can often even reverse liver fibrosis, thus preventing progression to advanced cirrhosis and its complications. Most patients need lifelong maintenance therapy, and repeated follow-up in experienced hands improves the quality of care and quality of life for affected patients.

Comparative analysis and trends in liver transplant hospitalizations with Clostridium difficile infections: A 10-year national cross-sectional study

GOALS AND BACKGROUND

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the United States. We aimed to determine comparative trends in inpatient outcomes of liver transplant (LT) patients based on CDI during hospitalizations.

METHODS

The national inpatient sample database was used to conduct the present retrospective study regarding CDI among the LT hospitalizations from 2009 to 2019. Primary outcomes included 10-year comparative trends of the length of stay (LOS) and mean inpatient charges (MIC). Secondary outcomes included comparative mortality and LT rejection trends.

RESULTS

There was a 14.05% decrease in CDI in LT hospitalizations over the study period (p = .05). The trend in LOS did not significantly vary (p = .9). MIC increased significantly over the last decade in LT hospitalizations with CDI (p < .001). LT hospitalizations of autoimmune etiology compared against non-autoimmune did not increase association with CDI, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75-1.26, p = .87). CDI was associated with increased mortality in LT hospitalizations, aOR 1.84 (95% CI 1.52-2.24, p < .001). In-hospital mortality for LT hospitalizations with CDI decreased by 7.75% over the study period (p = .3). CDI increased transplant rejections, aOR 1.3 (95% CI 1.08-1.65, p < .001). There was a declining trend in transplant rejection for LT hospitalization with CDI from 5% to 3% over the study period (p = .0048).

CONCLUSION

CDI prevalence does not increase based on autoimmune LT etiology. It increases mortality in LT hospitalizations; however, trend for mortality and transplant rejections has been declining over the last decade.

Causal effect of autoimmune liver diseases on cancer: Meta-analyses of cohort studies and Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Prior studies suggested that patients with autoimmune liver diseases (AiLDs) had an increased risk of cancer, whereas the causal effect remained unclear.

METHODS

Meta-analyses concerning the relationship between AiLD and cancer risk were performed to calculate the pooled relative risk (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Then, the associations with a p value of <.05 were further validated by two-sample Mendelian randomization studies.

RESULTS

A total of 37 cohort studies covering more than 34 558 patients were included, and we observed an increased risk of overall cancers (pooled RR = 3.64, 95% CI: 2.64-5.03, p < .001) and cancer-related death (pooled RR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.73-3.53, p < .001) for patients with AiLD. Besides, overall and several site-specific cancers risk were found in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) (p < .05). However, associations between genetically predisposed AIH, PBC, and PSC and the risk of specific cancers did not reach a significant level, except for PBC and gastric cancer (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99; p = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to hepatobiliary cancer, results from the meta-analyses suggest that patients with AiLD might have an increased risk of several extrahepatobiliary cancers. However, the causal role of AiLD in cancer development needs to be further investigated.

Noninvasive diagnosis of AIH/PBC overlap syndrome based on prediction models

Autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) are life-threatening chronic liver diseases, mainly including autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), and AIH-PBC overlap syndrome (OS), which are difficult to distinguish clinically at early stages. This study aimed to establish model to achieve the purpose of the diagnosis of AIH/PBC OS in a noninvasive way. A total of 201 AILDs patients were included in this retrospective study who underwent liver biopsy during January 2011 to December 2020. Serological factors significantly associated with OS were determined by the univariate analysis. Two multivariate models based on these factors were constructed to predict the diagnosis of AIH/PBC OS using logistic regression and random forest analysis. The results showed that immunoglobulins G and M had significant importance in both models. In logistic regression model, anti-Sp100, anti-Ro-52, anti-SSA, or antinuclear antibody positivity were risk factors for OS. In random forest model, activated partial thromboplastin time and ɑ-fetoprotein level were important. To distinguish PBC and OS, the sensitivity and specificity of logistic regression model were 0.889 and 0.727, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity of random forest model were 0.944 and 0.818, respectively. In conclusion, we established two predictive models for the diagnosis of AIH/PBC OS in a noninvasive method and they showed better performance than Paris criteria for the definition of AIH/PBC OS.