1. Characterization of liver, adipose, and fecal microbiome in obese patients with MASLD: links with disease severity and metabolic dysfunction parameters
- Author
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Katherine J. P. Schwenger, Julia K. Copeland, Yasaman Ghorbani, Lina Chen, Elena M. Comelli, David S. Guttman, Sandra E. Fischer, Timothy D. Jackson, Allan Okrainec, and Johane P. Allard
- Subjects
Fatty liver ,Tissue microbiome ,Hepatic immune cells ,Hepatic transcriptome ,Adipose gene expression ,Microbial ecology ,QR100-130 - Abstract
Abstract Background Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) encompasses a range of histological findings from the generally benign simple steatosis to steatohepatitis (MASH) which can progress to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Several factors, including the microbiome, may contribute to disease progression. Results Here, we demonstrate links between the presence and abundance of specific bacteria in the adipose and liver tissues, inflammatory genes, immune cell responses, and disease severity. Overall, in MASLD patients, we observed a generalized obesity-induced translocation of gut bacteria to hepatic and adipose tissues. We identified microbial patterns unique to more severely diseased tissues. Specifically, Enterococcus, Granulicatella, and Morganellaceae abundance is positively correlated with immune cell counts and inflammatory gene expression levels, and both genera are significantly enriched in MASH patients. Brevibacterium is enriched in adipose tissues of patients with liver fibrosis. Conclusion Together, these results provide further insight into the microbial factors that may be driving disease severity. Video Abstract more...
- Published
- 2025
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