Cholestatic Liver Diseases: From Bench to Bedside

Cholestatic liver diseases comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by impaired bile formation or flow, leading to the accumulation of toxic bile acids and progressive liver injury. Despite advances in understanding their pathophysiology, effective therapeutic options remain limited for many patients. This proposal aims to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical practice by integrating mechanistic insights from experimental models with translational and clinical studies. We will investigate key molecular pathways involved in bile acid homeostasis, inflammation, and fibrosis, identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Furthermore, we will evaluate emerging pharmacological strategies and personalized treatment approaches in well-characterized patient cohorts. By adopting a “bench to bedside” framework, this project seeks to improve disease stratification, enhance early diagnosis, and promote the development of more effective and targeted therapies for cholestatic liver diseases, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Cholestatic liver diseases, including primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis, are marked by disrupted bile flow, toxic bile acid accumulation, chronic inflammation, and progressive fibrosis, often leading to liver failure or the need for transplantation. Current treatments are limited, with many patients experiencing disease progression despite therapy. The central problem is the incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving cholestasis and the lack of predictive biomarkers and effective targeted therapies. To address this, we propose combining cutting-edge basic research with translational and clinical studies. Recent advances in bile acid signaling, single-cell transcriptomics, and fibrosis pathways offer new insights into disease initiation and progression. By integrating these insights with well-designed clinical cohorts and novel therapeutic screening platforms, this Research Topic aims to identify actionable targets, improve early diagnosis, and accelerate the development of personalized and effective treatments for cholestatic liver diseases.

This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of cholestatic liver diseases by integrating basic, translational, and clinical research within a “bench to bedside” framework. We welcome contributions addressing the following themes, but not limited to:

- Molecular and cellular mechanisms of cholestasis
- Bile acid signaling and transport
- Cholangiocyte biology
- Inflammation and fibrogenesis
- The role of the gut–liver axis.

Additional themes include the identification of novel biomarkers, disease stratification, advances in imaging and omics technologies, and emerging therapeutic strategies such as nuclear receptor modulators, bile acid–based therapies, and personalized medicine approaches.

We invite submissions in the form of original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, and clinical studies, as well as translational and proof-of-concept studies that bridge experimental findings with clinical application in cholestatic liver diseases.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Cholestasis, Pruritus, Bile Salts, Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis, Autoimmune Cholangitis

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.