Figure 2.

The leaky-gut hypothesis. Portal blood flow ensures the metabolic connection between intestine and liver. During gut inflammation, which leads to impairment of intestinal barrier functions (e.g., downregulation of tight junctions), or as a consequence of dysbiosis establishment, a considerable amount of microorganisms and related molecules (PAMPs) reach the liver and may determine hepatobiliary inflammation. In this context, deregulation of cholangiocyte response to injury is thought to contribute to disease onset and progression.