Pan YZ, Chen WT, Jin HR, Liu Z, Gu YY, Wang XR, Wang J, Lin JJ, Zhou Y, Xu LM. Correlation between the interleukin-36 subfamily and gut microbiota in patients with liver cirrhosis: Implications for gut-liver axis imbalance. World J Hepatol 2025; 17(4): 105660 [PMID: 40308824 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v17.i4.105660]
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03769692
Submitted on:
May 02, 2025, 15:40
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Reader Comments:
The authors have made a significant contribution by uncovering the role of the Interleukin-36 (IL-36) subfamily in liver cirrhosis, particularly highlighting the relationship between these cytokines and gut microbiota. This work provides a fresh perspective on the gut-liver axis, demonstrating how an imbalance in the gut microbiome might contribute to liver disease progression through inflammatory cytokine signaling.
The innovation of the study lies in its identification of IL-36 cytokines, such as IL-36α, IL-36γ, IL-36Ra, and IL-38, as crucial players in the inflammatory processes associated with liver cirrhosis. By correlating these cytokines with gut microbiota alterations, the authors open new avenues for potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in liver disease management. Their findings suggest that the IL-36 subfamily could help us better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying liver cirrhosis and its association with dysbiosis in the gut microbiome.
However, a notable limitation of the study is the lack of mechanistic exploration of how IL-36 cytokines mediate these effects in the liver. While the paper discusses correlations between IL-36 subfamily levels and gut microbiota, the underlying mechanisms linking these factors to liver cirrhosis progression are not fully explored. Further research into how IL-36 cytokines influence microbiota composition and how they interact with liver disease would enhance the understanding of the gut-liver axis.
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