Open AccessRole of autoimmunity in primary biliary cirrhosis
Author(s) -
Tongguo Shi,
Fengchun Zhang
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v18.i48.7141
Subject(s) - primary biliary cirrhosis , autoimmunity , genetic predisposition , immunology , autoantibody , medicine , immune system , pathogenesis , cirrhosis , biliary cirrhosis , autoimmune disease , disease , gastroenterology , antibody
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease characterized by the presence of serum autoantibodies and chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis. The pathogenesis of PBC involves environmental factors, genetic predisposition and loss of immune tolerance. In recent years, it has become univocally accepted that an inappropriately activated immune response is one of the most important factors in PBC. In this study, the role of autoimmunity in PBC is summarized and a feasible research orientation is recommended.