We are pleased to announce the release of a keynote lecture by Prof. Rubén Francés (Miguel Hernández University) as part of the DECISION project’s scientific training series.

In this keynote, Prof. Francés presents an in-depth overview of LSECtin, a regulatory molecule expressed by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), and its essential role in maintaining immune tolerance within the hepatic microenvironment. He discusses how LSECtin expression becomes repressed during cirrhosis, and how its modulation affects inflammatory pathways, endothelial–lymphocyte interactions, and Th17 activity.

The lecture integrates findings from patient samples and preclinical models, offering new insights into mechanisms that drive inflammation and immune dysregulation in advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD).

👉 Watch the keynote here.

The DECISION consortium has published a major new study in the Journal of Hepatology, shedding light on immune mechanisms that predict outcomes in patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis (ADC).

Analyzing whole-blood transcriptomic data from over 1,200 patients without acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) at admission, the study identified maladaptive emergency granulopoiesis (EG) as a hallmark of patients at high risk of developing ACLF within 28 days.

Key findings include:

• ▪️Patients with poor outcomes exhibit transcriptomic features of maladaptive EG, including neutrophil activation and immunosuppressive signatures
• ▪️Specific gene markers may help identify individuals at high risk for ACLF and short-term mortality
• ▪️Targeting maladaptive EG may present a promising avenue for future therapies to prevent disease progression

This research provides important insights into the pathophysiology of decompensated cirrhosis and highlights potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes.

Read the full paper in the Journal of Hepatology.