Liver transcriptome analysis reveals PSC-attributed gene set associated with fibrosis progression.

Background & Aims: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic heterogenous cholangiopathy with unknown etiology where chronic inflammation of the bile ducts leads to multifocal biliary strictures and biliary fibrosis with consecutive cirrhosis development. We here aimed to identify a PSC-specific gene signature associated with biliary fibrosis development.

Methods: We performed RNA-sequencing of 47 liver biopsies from people with PSC (n = 16), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC, n = 15), and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, n = 16) with different fibrosis stages to identify a PSC-specific gene signature associated with biliary fibrosis progression.

Hepatitis D virus infection triggers CXCL9-11 upregulation in hepatocytes and liver infiltration of CXCR3+ CD4 T cells.

Background & Aims: The role of hepatocytes in producing chemokines and triggering liver inflammation and damage in chronic hepatitis D (CHD) is not fully understood. Herein, we investigated the contribution of primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) infected with HDV in triggering inflammation by producing the chemokines CXCL9-11.

Methods: We performed quantitative PCR, RNA hybridisation, activation-induced marker (AIM) assays, and FACS analysis to investigate the CXCR3/CXCL9-11 receptor/ligand axis of T cells in peripheral blood and livers from patients with chronic hepatitis B (n = 27 and 18, respectively) and CHD (n = 20 and 18, respectively).

Health-related quality of life is impaired in people with autoimmune hepatitis: Results of a multicentre cross-sectional study within the European Reference Network.

Background: Impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) contributes to the overall disease burden in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). This study aimed to evaluate HRQoL in people with AIH and to identify potentially modifiable factors associated with impaired HRQoL using validated patient-reported outcome measures.

Methods: Adult AIH patients diagnosed at 12 European centers were enrolled in this prospective, cross-sectional study from July 2020-June 2023.

Insights Into Hepatic Sarcoidosis: Analysis of Histological Patterns, Hepatic Complications and Therapeutic Approaches.

Background And Aims: Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous multi-systemic disorder of uncertain aetiology frequently involving the liver. This study aimed to delineate the histological characteristics, treatment effectiveness and factors predictive of liver-related complications in individuals with hepatic sarcoidosis.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with hepatic sarcoidosis by liver biopsy, which was conducted at two tertiary care centres from January 2009 to December 2023.