The immune cells landscape in the gut-liver axis

The collection "The Immune Cells Landscape in the Gut-Liver Axis" aims to bring together groundbreaking research on the complex immunological interplay within the gut-liver crosstalk in the context of health and disease. The gut-liver axis involves a bidirectional communication network supported by the portal vein, which transports nutrients, toxins, and microbial products from the gut directly to the liver. The contribution of immune cells within this axis is key in maintaining tissue homeostasis, responding to pathogens, and modulating inflammatory responses. With recent advances in single-cell sequencing, imaging, and molecular profiling, researchers have begun to uncover the diverse immune players that populate the gut and liver, revealing dynamic interactions that have substantial implications for immunology, microbiology, and therapeutic innovation.

This collection seeks clinical and translational research manuscripts that explore various aspects of the immune landscape within the gut-liver axis, including the characterization of immune cell populations, the role of these cells in maintaining tolerance to the gut microbiota, and their response to pathogenic threats. We are especially interested in studies investigating how immune cells, both the innate and adaptive compartment, function in a inter-organ context to mediate inflammatory responses, with an emphasis on chronic liver disease conditions such as steatotic liver disease (SLD), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MAFLD/MASH), alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), autoimmune or cholestatic liver fibrosis amongst others. Articles examining inter-organ communication and the role of gut-derived microbial antigens and metabolites in shaping immune responses in the liver are encouraged, as they can provide critical insights into how immune cell dynamics influence the progression of liver diseases.

In addition to original research articles, we welcome review articles, meta-analyses and comments that provide comprehensive analyses of the current state of knowledge in this field, offering a synthesis of recent findings and identifying gaps in understanding. Given the increasing interest in gut microbiota’s impact on liver health, studies that explore immune modulation via dietary interventions, probiotics, or prebiotics are also encouraged. Investigations into how immune cell dysfunction within the gut-liver axis may contribute to autoimmune diseases, cancer, or infections represent another essential area of focus for this collection.

Through this collection, we aim to provide a platform for both established and emerging researchers to share their discoveries on the immune microenvironment of the gut-liver crosstalk. By assembling a diverse body of research, we hope to stimulate dialogue and foster new collaborations within the scientific community, advancing our understanding of how immune cells orchestrate gut-liver interactions and opening avenues for novel therapeutic approaches targeting immune modulation in the gut-liver-microbiome partnership.