fig3

Figure 3. Mechanistic paradigm of the gut-microbiota-liver axis modulating ICI therapeutic response in HCC. Schematic illustrating the systemic immune and TME distinctions between non-responders (left) and responders (right). Arrows indicate flow directions (downward: harmful translocation; upward: beneficial metabolite transfer). Icons defined: red broken walls (leaky intestinal barrier); green intact walls (intact barrier). HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; ICI: immune checkpoint inhibitor; TME: tumor microenvironment; Tregs: regulatory T cells; ABCB1: ATP binding cassette subfamily B member 1; ACC1: acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1; ABCC1: ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 1; CD8⁺: cluster of differentiation 8 positive; LPS: lipopolysaccharide.