Role of cell apoptosis in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis / 临床肝胆病杂志

ABSTRACT

Cell apoptosis plays an important role in the development and progression of liver diseases and the maintenance of liver homeostasis. In primary biliary cholangitis, biliary epithelial cells can lead to the specific immune response of mitochondrial autoantigens. The signals such as the activation of death receptor, oxidative stress, infection, and toxin may cause selective damage of biliary epithelial cells by immune attack during cell apoptosis. Abnormal survival regulation of cells may result in a gradual loss of small bile ducts mainly in the way of cell apoptosis and may eventually lead to the development of primary biliary cholangitis.