DRP004614
Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease and its frequent complication with ulcerative colitis highlights the pathogenic role of epithelial barrier dysfunction, yet its underlying mechanism remains unknown. Gnotobiotic mice inoculated with PSC-derived microbiota exhibited T helper (Th)17 cell responses in the liver and increased susceptibility to hepatobiliary injuries. Bacterial culture of mesenteric lymph nodes in these mice captured Klebsiella pneumoniae, which was prevalently detected in PSC patients. These results highlight the role of pathobionts in intestinal barrier dysfunction and liver inflammation in PSC.