Immunological Mechanisms and Effects of Bacterial Infections in Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe clinical syndrome characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. Bacterial infection is a frequent precipitating factor and complication in ACLF patients, significantly worsening patient outcomes. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying bacterial...

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Main Authors: Sumeng Li, Jing Liu, Jun Wu, Xin Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Cells
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/10/718
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author Sumeng Li
Jing Liu
Jun Wu
Xin Zheng
author_facet Sumeng Li
Jing Liu
Jun Wu
Xin Zheng
author_sort Sumeng Li
collection DOAJ
description Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe clinical syndrome characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. Bacterial infection is a frequent precipitating factor and complication in ACLF patients, significantly worsening patient outcomes. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying bacterial infections and their impact on ACLF pathophysiology is crucial for developing effective therapies to reduce infection rates and mortality. Current research highlights that immune suppression in ACLF increases susceptibility to bacterial infections, which in turn exacerbate immune dysfunction. However, a comprehensive review summarizing the emerging mechanisms underlying this immunosuppression is currently lacking. This review aims to provide an overview of the latest research, focusing on alterations in the immune responses of innate immune cells—including monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils—as well as adaptive immune cells such as T and B lymphocytes during the onset and progression of bacterial infections in ACLF. In addition, recent advances in immunomodulatory therapies, including stem cell-based interventions, will also be discussed.
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spelling doaj-art-84126fd7b1f547b8a4064f6f5361667b2025-08-20T03:14:32ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092025-05-01141071810.3390/cells14100718Immunological Mechanisms and Effects of Bacterial Infections in Acute-on-Chronic Liver FailureSumeng Li0Jing Liu1Jun Wu2Xin Zheng3Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, ChinaDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, ChinaDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, ChinaDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, ChinaAcute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe clinical syndrome characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. Bacterial infection is a frequent precipitating factor and complication in ACLF patients, significantly worsening patient outcomes. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying bacterial infections and their impact on ACLF pathophysiology is crucial for developing effective therapies to reduce infection rates and mortality. Current research highlights that immune suppression in ACLF increases susceptibility to bacterial infections, which in turn exacerbate immune dysfunction. However, a comprehensive review summarizing the emerging mechanisms underlying this immunosuppression is currently lacking. This review aims to provide an overview of the latest research, focusing on alterations in the immune responses of innate immune cells—including monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils—as well as adaptive immune cells such as T and B lymphocytes during the onset and progression of bacterial infections in ACLF. In addition, recent advances in immunomodulatory therapies, including stem cell-based interventions, will also be discussed.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/10/718acute-on-chronic liver failurebacterial infectionimmune paralysisimmunomodulatory therapy
spellingShingle Sumeng Li
Jing Liu
Jun Wu
Xin Zheng
Immunological Mechanisms and Effects of Bacterial Infections in Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
Cells
acute-on-chronic liver failure
bacterial infection
immune paralysis
immunomodulatory therapy
title Immunological Mechanisms and Effects of Bacterial Infections in Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
title_full Immunological Mechanisms and Effects of Bacterial Infections in Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
title_fullStr Immunological Mechanisms and Effects of Bacterial Infections in Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
title_full_unstemmed Immunological Mechanisms and Effects of Bacterial Infections in Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
title_short Immunological Mechanisms and Effects of Bacterial Infections in Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
title_sort immunological mechanisms and effects of bacterial infections in acute on chronic liver failure
topic acute-on-chronic liver failure
bacterial infection
immune paralysis
immunomodulatory therapy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/10/718
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AT xinzheng immunologicalmechanismsandeffectsofbacterialinfectionsinacuteonchronicliverfailure