© Heiko Barg
A07: Consequences of bile salt signalling for liver regeneration and pathophysiology.
Liver regeneration in patients undergoing partial hepatectomy, e.g. in treatment of hepatobiliary malignancies, depends on the exceptional capacity of the liver to regenerate organ tissue. A balanced and coordinated regenerative response is required for liver mass and function recovery after partial hepatectomy and for averting post-resectional liver failure.
Liver regeneration relies on gut-liver axis signalling via activators of the hepatic innate immune system and bile salts.
In this project we will
- investigate the interaction between signalling circuits regulating liver regeneration
- analyze modulating effects of the gut microbiota on these signaling circuits in the normal and regenerating human liver
- use these Insights to test strategies to overcome defective regeneration of the post-cholestatic liver observed in patients undergoing resection for cholangiocarcinoma.
The proposal is largely based on studies in patients and analysis of patient materials, thus, adding a strong translational aspect to the gut-liver axis studies of the consortium.