Patrizia Burra, Alberto Zanetto, Bernd Schnabl, Thomas Reiberger, Aldo J. Montano-Loza, Rosanna Asselta, Tom Hemming Karlsen, Frank Tacke
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Chronic liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Epidemiology, clinical phenotype and response to therapies for gastrointestinal and liver diseases are commonly different between women and men due to sex-specific hormonal, genetic and immune-related factors. The hepatic immune system has unique regulatory functions that promote the induction of intrahepatic tolerance, which is key for maintaining liver health and homeostasis. In liver diseases, hepatic immune alterations are increasingly recognized as a main cofactor responsible for the development and progression of chronic liver injury and fibrosis. In this Review, we discuss the basic mechanisms of sex disparity in hepatic immune regulation and how these mechanisms influence and modify the development of autoimmune liver diseases, genetic liver diseases, portal hypertension and inflammation in chronic liver disease. Alterations in gut microbiota and their crosstalk with the hepatic immune system might affect the progression of liver disease in a sex-specific manner, creating potential opportunities for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to be evaluated in clinical trials. Finally, we identify and propose areas for future basic, translational and clinical research that will advance our understanding of sex disparities in hepatic immunity and liver disease. Immune dysregulation is a main feature of chronic liver disease, whose burden increases worldwide. This Review discusses the influence of biological sex in hepatic immune mechanisms in the context of liver disease and identifies sex disparities in research and therapeutics.
期刊介绍:
Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology aims to serve as the leading resource for Reviews and commentaries within the scientific and medical communities it caters to. The journal strives to maintain authority, accessibility, and clarity in its published articles, which are complemented by easily understandable figures, tables, and other display items. Dedicated to providing exceptional service to authors, referees, and readers, the editorial team works diligently to maximize the usefulness and impact of each publication.
The journal encompasses a wide range of content types, including Research Highlights, News & Views, Comments, Reviews, Perspectives, and Consensus Statements, all pertinent to gastroenterologists and hepatologists. With its broad scope, Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology ensures that its articles reach a diverse audience, aiming for the widest possible dissemination of valuable information.
Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology is part of the Nature Reviews portfolio of journals.