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The Novel Role of Phage Particles in Chronic Liver Diseases

Liuying Chen1, Xiaohua Hou1, Huikuan Chu1

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430022, China.

Microorganisms
|June 15, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophages (phages), key gut microbes, are increasingly linked to chronic liver diseases. These viruses impact gut health and inflammation, offering potential therapeutic strategies by targeting harmful bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The gut microbiome, comprising bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea, significantly influences human health.
  • Bacteriophages (phages), the primary component of enteric viruses, play a recognized role in chronic liver diseases.
  • Alterations in enteric phages are observed in conditions like alcohol-related liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifaceted role of bacteriophages (phages) in the pathogenesis and potential treatment of chronic liver diseases.
  • To understand how phages influence gut barrier integrity, inflammation, and microbial composition in liver disease contexts.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of existing literature on bacteriophage (phage) interactions within the gut microbiome.
  • Analysis of phage roles in modulating bacterial colonization, metabolism, and host-microbe interactions.
  • Examination of phage involvement in intestinal barrier function and inflammatory responses relevant to liver disease.

Main Results:

  • Phages shape intestinal bacterial communities and regulate their metabolic activities.
  • Phages can influence intestinal epithelial cells, impacting bacterial invasion and inflammatory signaling.
  • Phages may increase intestinal permeability and translocate to systemic circulation, potentially exacerbating inflammatory injury in chronic liver diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Bacteriophages (phages) are critical players in the gut ecosystem and are implicated in the progression of chronic liver diseases.
  • By controlling detrimental bacteria, phages demonstrate potential as a therapeutic modality to restore gut microbiome balance and mitigate liver inflammation.
Keywords:
chronic liver diseasephagevirus

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