Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): a condition exemplifying the crosstalk of the gut–liver axis

Abstract

The close relationship between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) provides a good opportunity to comprehend the gut–liver axis. The gut and the liver have reciprocal interactions, including how gut inflammation influences the liver through immune cells and the microbiota and how the microbiota in the gut modifies bile acids, which are produced and secreted from the liver. PSC-IBD shows distinct clinical findings from classical IBD. In addition, a distinct genetic predisposition and unique microbiota composition suggest that PSC-IBD is an independent disease entity. Understanding the pathogenesis of PSC-IBD helps to develop novel and effective therapeutic agents. Given the high risk of malignancies associated with PSC-IBD, it is critical to identify patients at high risk and implement appropriate surveillance and monitoring strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of PSC-IBD, which exemplifies the gut–liver axis.