Depression Aggravates Immune-Mediated Hepatitis Through NLRP3 Overactivation Induced by Intestinal Microbiota.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Depression is associated with adverse effects in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study explores the impact of depression and related intestinal microbiota on immune-mediated hepatitis.

Methods

We assessed depression in 260 AIH patients receiving 2-year standardized treatment and 173 healthy controls. In mice, depressive-like behaviors were induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and immune-mediated hepatitis was induced by intravenous injection of concanavalin A (ConA). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was performed using samples from patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and controls.

Results

Depression was common in patients with AIH (106/260, 40.8%) and was assoc

SUBMITTER: Zhou S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12780859 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature