Defining single cell signatures in the gut that promote intestinal barrier dysfunction during cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is associated with bacterial translocation progressively leading to immune dysfunction. However, patients are not equally sensitive to bacterial infections. Understanding the immune response to spontaneous bacterial infections, inflammation and injury is crucial to establish risk assessment and targeted therapies for cirrhotic patients, especially for SBP patients as they have a short time span of survival.
As bacterial clearance is mediated at distinct locations, we hypothesize a role for PMacs in bacterial clearance by direct cell-bacteria interaction as well as by stimulating tissue healing at bacteria-barrier interfaces, such as the liver. We hypothesize a cirrhosis-induced peritoneal niche alteration and liver derangement, hampering peritoneal and liver macrophage activity in bacterial clearance and spatiotemporal localization required for tissue repair.
We aim to investigate how peritoneal macrophages shape the immunological machinery to combat bacterial entry and dissemination, while promoting tissue regeneration, in the context of cirrhosis.