Gut-liver-axis: Barrier function of liver sinusoidal endothelial cell

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Immunology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Liver diseases are often associated with a compromised gut barrier, impacting the gut-liver axis.
• Gut barrier damage alone rarely causes liver injury but exacerbates existing conditions like NAFLD and DILI.
• The existence of a hepatic barrier protecting the liver from gut-derived factors is suggested but not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) as the proposed hepatic barrier in the gut-liver axis.
• To understand how LSEC function changes under physiological and pathological conditions.
• To highlight LSECs as a potential therapeutic target for preventing gut-derived liver injury.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing clinical observations and basic research on the gut-liver axis.
• Analysis of the physiological and pathological functions of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs).
• Exploration of LSEC's anatomical position and immune-modulating roles.

Main Results:

• LSEC possess functions crucial for barrier integrity, including clearance of microbial products and waste.
• Under physiological conditions, LSECs maintain liver immune homeostasis through tolerance and anti-inflammatory actions.
• Pathological conditions impair LSEC clearance functions and promote inflammation, suggesting a loss of barrier function.

Conclusions:

• Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are proposed as the key hepatic barrier in the gut-liver axis.
• LSEC dysfunction contributes to liver injury originating from the gut.
• Improving LSEC health presents a promising therapeutic strategy for gut-derived liver diseases.