New discoveries in bile acids, gut microbiota and host interactions in health and diseases
Guest edited by Professor Isabelle Leclercq and Dr Justine Gillard
Bile acids cycle between the liver – where they are synthesized, conjugated and then secreted into the bile – and the gut – where they interact with a complex inhabiting community of microorganisms – before their reabsorption for recirculation to the liver or for spill over into the systemic blood. Bile acids are authentic signaling molecules that ensure a finely-tuned communication among the tissues of the host, as well as with the gut microbiota. Over the past 20 years, it has been robustly evidenced that bile acids regulate numerous physiological processes, notably through the discovery and study of their dedicated receptors. Bile acid dysregulation has been directly implicated in the pathophysiology of various conditions ranging from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases to cancer and ageing. In parallel, pharmacological agents to interfere with bile acid metabolism and signaling have been developed. However, though designated as potential therapeutic targets, there are still many mechanisms to be discovered and understood in this challenging, but exciting and promising field, before correcting the bile acid pool for health protection.
In this themed collection of Clinical Science “New discoveries in bile acids, gut microbiota and host interactions in health and diseases”, the emphasis is placed on updated and novel insights-providing review papers as well as on original mechanistic research papers on the role of bile acids in physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
We would like to thank all the authors for their excellent contributions so far and we welcome you to submit your best original research papers. Please contact the Editorial Office for any additional information.
