Intestinal microbiota in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2017 Mar;33(2):85-92. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000334.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Alterations of the gut-liver axis have been linked to the pathogenesis of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) since the disease was first described. The purpose of this review is to discuss multiple recent studies on the intestinal microbiota in human PSC and experimental models of this disease.

Recent findings: Data are available from eight cross-sectional studies of human PSC, which include a variable number of patients (n = 11-85), material (mucosal or fecal), and microbiota profiling methodology. Despite the heterogeneity of the studies, a pattern of differences is observed that could represent a theme or signature of the PSC gut microbiota, characterized by low diversity and with alterations in multiple bacterial taxa. In experimental models of PSC, re-derivation of animals into germ-free facilities may either aggravate or attenuate the disease, depending on host genetics and putative disease mechanisms (e.g., fibrotic or immune-driven processes, respectively).

Summary: The present data provide a strong rationale to explore the functional consequences of the observed gut microbial alterations and their influence on the pathogenesis in PSC. Studies of gut microbiota as biomarker and treatment target may potentially also lead to early translation into clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / genetics
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / metabolism
  • Cholangitis, Sclerosing / microbiology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / genetics
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Metabolomics