Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 12, 2025
08:42
Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport
Published on: November 27, 2016
11.3K
Bile acid modulation of host immunity
Nguyen Bao-Anh1, Xinglin Yang2, Howard Hang1,3
1Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|August 8, 2025
Summary
Bile acids, cholesterol derivatives, significantly modulate host immunity by interacting with immune cells and receptors. Understanding these mechanisms offers new therapeutic targets for immune-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolic pathways
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Bile acids are cholesterol metabolites crucial for digestion and lipid metabolism.
- Emerging evidence highlights their significant role in regulating host immune responses.
- Their impact extends to various immune cells and signaling pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the molecular mechanisms of bile acid-mediated immune regulation.
- To explore bile acid interactions with immune cells like macrophages, dendritic cells, and T cells.
- To discuss the implications of bile acid signaling in diseases and therapeutic potential.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of molecular mechanisms.
- Analysis of bile acid interactions with nuclear and membrane receptors (FXR, TGR5).
- Inclusion of recent advances in chemical proteomics and photoaffinity labeling.
Main Results:
- Bile acids modulate immune cell differentiation, communication, and signaling via specific receptors.
- Dysregulated bile acid signaling is implicated in inflammatory bowel diseases, liver diseases, and cancers.
- Novel bile acid-binding proteins have been identified using advanced proteomic techniques.
Conclusions:
- Bile acids are critical mediators linking metabolism and immunity.
- Elucidating bile acid signaling pathways opens new therapeutic avenues.
- Targeting bile acid signaling holds promise for treating immune-related and metabolic disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
271
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
271
01:29Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
189
Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
Pharmacologic...
189
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
1.5K
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
1.5K
01:24B Cell Activation and Differentiation
5.6K
The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
5.6K
01:19Bile
1.7K
Bile is a crucial bodily fluid, characterized by its yellow-green color and alkaline nature. Produced in the liver, it is transported through the common hepatic duct into either the cystic duct, leading to the gallbladder, or directly into the common bile duct. The flow of bile is regulated by the sphincter of Oddi located at the entrance of the duodenum. When this sphincter is closed, bile is redirected to the gallbladder for storage and concentration.
Bile is released when dietary fats enter...
Bile is released when dietary fats enter...
1.7K
01:24Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
232
Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
232