Fig. 2

Dotplots of Genes from Major Pro-Inflammatory Pathways and Paneth and Goblet Cell Markers in (A) Enterocytes, (B) Goblet Cells and (C) Paneth Cells. The major inflammatory pathways selected to be visualized were IL1 signalling, IL6 signalling, and TNF signalling, while the visualization of Paneth and Goblet cell markers reflected their production levels of important mucus components like mucin and defensin. There were heightened expression levels of pro-inflammatory genes across all three cell types in the advanced decompensated patient. Compensated and early decompensated patients had similar expression levels of the pro-inflammatory genes while the healthy control had the lowest. The healthy control also had the highest expressions for genes associated with defensin production, which gradually decreased for other patients with worsening cirrhosis. On the other hand, the genes associated with the production of mucin were least expressed in the healthy control, they increased with worsening cirrhosis