Role of intestinal flora in the development/progression and treatment of autoimmune liver diseases / 临床肝胆病杂志

ABSTRACT

Overgrowth of intestinal bacteria, change in intestinal flora, translocation between bacteria and their products, and bile acid metabolism are the important pathways for the development and progression of liver diseases. Hepatocytes are persistently exposed to intestinal metabolites and various antigens and antibodies via the portal vein system, and the constituents or metabolites of some intestinal bacteria can activate the autoimmune mechanism targeting hepatocytes through several mechanisms, including molecular mimicry. Therefore, intestinal flora plays an important role in the development/progression and treatment of autoimmune liver diseases, including autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. This article reviews the related research advances in recent years.