[Analyzing research advances in single-cell sequencing technology for immunopathological mechanisms in...

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a clinical syndrome characterized by acute deterioration of liver function on the basis of chronic liver disease, primarily manifested as liver and/or extrahepatic organ failure. Due to its rapid progression and poor prognosis, ACLF poses a serious threat to the patient's life. The pathogenesis process of ACLF is extremely complex, with overactivation and dysregulation of the immune system playing key roles in disease development. The high heterogeneity and complexity of immune cells have limited systematic understanding of the disease mechanisms and hindered the development of new therapies. The rise of single-cell sequencing technology has enabled the exploration of gene expression profiles at the single-cell level with high resolution, offering significant application value in analyzing the immune microenvironment and pathogenesis of ACLF, thereby helping to promote the exploration and development of new treatment methods. This review summarizes recent key advances in the application of single-cell sequencing technology in ACLF research, providing a theoretical basis for clarifying the pathogenesis and developing novel targeted treatment strategies.