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Tanaka A, Ma X, Takahashi A, Vierling JM. Primary biliary cholangitis. Lancet 2024; 404:1053-1066. [PMID: 39216494 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(24)01303-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis is a chronic, autoimmune, cholestatic disease that mainly affects women aged 40-70 years. Recent epidemiological studies have shown an increasing incidence worldwide despite geographical heterogeneity and a decrease in the female-to-male ratio of those the disease affects. Similar to other autoimmune diseases, primary biliary cholangitis occurs in genetically predisposed individuals upon exposure to environmental triggers, specifically xenobiotics, smoking, and the gut microbiome. Notably, the diversity of the intestinal microbiome is diminished in individuals with primary biliary cholangitis. The intricate interplay among immune cells, cytokines, chemokines, and biliary epithelial cells is postulated as the underlying pathogenic mechanism involved in the development and progression of primary biliary cholangitis, and extensive research has been dedicated to comprehending these complex interactions. Following the official approval of obeticholic acid as second-line treatment for patients with an incomplete response or intolerance to ursodeoxycholic acid, clinical trials have indicated that peroxisome proliferator activator receptor agonists are promising additional second-line drugs. Future dual or triple drug regimens might reach a new treatment goal of normalisation of alkaline phosphatase levels, rather than a decrease to less than 1·67 times the upper limit of normal levels, and potentially improve long-term outcomes. Improvement of health-related quality of life with better recognition and care of subjective symptoms, such as pruritus and fatigue, is also an important treatment goal. Promising clinical investigations are underway to alleviate these symptoms. Efforts to facilitate better access to medical care and dissemination of current knowledge should enable diagnosis at an earlier stage of primary biliary cholangitis and ensure access to treatments based on risk stratification for all patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Tanaka
- Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Xiong Ma
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Atsushi Takahashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - John M Vierling
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Gastroenterology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Hepatology, and Division of Abdominal Transplantation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Polpichai N, Saowapa S, Chan SY, Wattanachayakul P, Danpanichkul P, Fangsaard P, Trongtorsak A. Determining the association between systematic lupus erythematosus and the occurrence of primary biliary cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 36:1126-1132. [PMID: 38916230 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000002791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autoimmune diseases often coexist; however, the concomitant occurrence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is rare. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive summary of evidence regarding the co-occurrence of SLE and PBC. METHODS PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect , and Google Scholar databases were systematically and comprehensively searched for records published up to February 2024. Full-text articles that aligned with the study's aim were included, while those published in languages other than English and those designed as case reports, reviews, conference abstracts, or editorials were excluded. Statistical analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software, and methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS Only 14 studies that met the inclusion criteria with 3944 PBC and 9414 SLE patients were included for review and analysis. Pooled data analysis revealed that approximately 1.1% of SLE patients have concomitant PBC (range: 0.02-7.5%), while around 2.7% of PBC patients concurrently have SLE (range: 1.3-7.5%). Furthermore, qualitative data analysis indicated that the prevalence of PBC in SLE patients presenting with hepatic dysfunction or abnormal liver enzymes ranges from 2 to 7.5%. CONCLUSION Although the concomitant occurrence of SLE and PBC is rare, the small proportion of patients where these diseases coexist warrants close monitoring by clinicians. This underscores the importance of surveillance to prevent their co-occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natchaya Polpichai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sakditad Saowapa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Shu-Yen Chan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Weiss Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Pojsakorn Danpanichkul
- Immunology Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Panisara Fangsaard
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, New York
| | - Angkawipa Trongtorsak
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Khot R, Shelman NR, Ludwig DR, Nair RT, Anderson MA, Venkatesh SK, Paspulati RM, Parker RA, Menias CO. Acquired ductopenia: an insight into imaging findings. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2024:10.1007/s00261-024-04462-x. [PMID: 38954003 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-024-04462-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic ductopenia is a pathologic diagnosis characterized by a decrease in the number of intrahepatic bile ducts as a consequence of various underlying etiologies. Some etiologies, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and ischemic cholangitis, often have distinctive imaging findings. In contrast, other causes such as chronic rejection following liver transplantation, drug-induced biliary injury, infection, malignancy such as lymphoma, and graft-versus-host disease may only have ancillary or non-specific imaging findings. Thus, diagnosing ductopenia in conditions with nonspecific imaging findings requires a multidimensional approach, including clinical evaluation, serological testing, imaging, and liver histology to identify the underlying cause. These etiologies lead to impaired bile flow, resulting in cholestasis, liver dysfunction, and, ultimately, cirrhosis and liver failure if the underlying cause remains untreated or undetected. In the majority of instances, individuals diagnosed with ductopenia exhibit a positive response to treatment addressing the root cause or cessation of the causative agent. This article focuses on acquired causes of ductopenia, its clinical manifestation, histopathology, imaging diagnosis, and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachita Khot
- Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | - Nathan R Shelman
- Department of Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Daniel R Ludwig
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rashmi T Nair
- Department of Radiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Mark A Anderson
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sudhakar K Venkatesh
- Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Raj Mohan Paspulati
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Rex A Parker
- University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Christine O Menias
- Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
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Dai JJ, Liu YY, Zhang ZH. Changes in the etiology of liver cirrhosis and the corresponding management strategies. World J Hepatol 2024; 16:146-151. [PMID: 38495283 PMCID: PMC10941737 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v16.i2.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
We read with interest the article by Xing Wang, which was published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Hepatology 2023; 15: 1294-1306. This article focuses particularly on the prevalence and trends in the etiology of liver cirrhosis (LC), prognosis for patients suffering from cirrhosis-related complications and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and management strategies. The etiology of cirrhosis varies according to geographical, economic, and population factors. Viral hepatitis is the dominant cause in China. Vaccination and effective treatment have reduced the number of people with viral hepatitis, but the overall number is still large. Patients with viral hepatitis who progress over time to LC and HCC remain an important population to manage. The increased incidence of metabolic syndrome and alcohol consumption is likely to lead to a potential exponential increase in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)-associated LC and alcoholic liver disease in the future. Investigating the evolution of the etiology of LC is important for guiding the direction of future research and policy development. These changing trends indicate a need for greater emphasis on tackling obesity and diabetes, and implementing more effective measures to regulate alcohol consumption in order to reduce the occurrence of MASLD. In an effort to help cope with these changing trends, the authors further proposed countermeasures for healthcare authorities doctors, and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Jin Dai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Suzhou 234000, Anhui Province, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yue-Ying Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China
| | - Zhen-Hua Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, Anhui Province, China.
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Floreani A, Gabbia D, De Martin S. Current Perspectives on the Molecular and Clinical Relationships between Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2194. [PMID: 38396870 PMCID: PMC10888596 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease characterised by the immune-mediated destruction of small and medium intrahepatic bile ducts, with variable outcomes and progression. This review summarises the state of the art regarding the risk of neoplastic progression in PBC patients, with a particular focus on the molecular alterations present in PBC and in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the most frequent liver cancer in these patients. Major risk factors are male gender, viral infections, e.g., HBV and HCV, non-response to UDCA, and high alcohol intake, as well as some metabolic-associated factors. Overall, HCC development is significantly more frequent in patients with advanced histological stages, being related to liver cirrhosis. It seems to be of fundamental importance to unravel eventual dysfunctional molecular pathways in PBC patients that may be used as biomarkers for HCC development. In the near future, this will possibly take advantage of artificial intelligence-designed algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annarosa Floreani
- University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy;
- Scientific Consultant IRCCS Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
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Wu L, Li S, Wu C, Wu S, Lin Y, Wei D. Causal relationship between systemic lupus erythematosus and primary liver cirrhosis based on two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization and transcriptome overlap analysis. Arthritis Res Ther 2024; 26:10. [PMID: 38167341 PMCID: PMC10762944 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03235-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overlapping cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are rare and have not yet been fully proven to be accidental or have a common genetic basis. METHODS Two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was applied to explore the potential causal relationship between SLE and PBC. The heterogeneity and reliability of MR analysis were evaluated through Cochran's Q-test and sensitivity test, respectively. Next, transcriptome overlap analysis of SLE and PBC was performed using the Gene Expression Omnibus database to identify the potential mechanism of hub genes. Finally, based on MR analysis, the potential causal relationship between hub genes and SLE or PBC was validated again. RESULTS The MR analysis results indicated that SLE and PBC were both high-risk factors for the occurrence and development of the other party. On the one hand, MR analysis had heterogeneity, and on the other hand, it also had robustness. Nine hub genes were identified through transcriptome overlap analysis, and machine learning algorithms were used to verify their high recognition efficiency for SLE patients. Finally, based on MR analysis, it was verified that there was no potential causal relationship between the central gene SOCS3 and SLE, but it was a high-risk factor for the potential risk of PBC. CONCLUSION The two-sample bidirectional MR analysis revealed that SLE and PBC were high-risk factors for each other, indicating that they had similar genetic bases, which could to some extent overcome the limitation of insufficient overlap in case samples of SLE and PBC. The analysis of transcriptome overlapping hub genes provided a theoretical basis for the potential mechanisms and therapeutic targets of SLE with PBC overlapping cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyong Wu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Maoming People's Hospital, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, People's Republic of China
| | - Songhua Li
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Maoming People's Hospital, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chaojun Wu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Maoming People's Hospital, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaofeng Wu
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Maoming People's Hospital, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Maoming People's Hospital, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, People's Republic of China
| | - Dayou Wei
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, Maoming People's Hospital, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, People's Republic of China.
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Liang M, Ye S, Jing R, Zhu B, Yuan W, Chu X, Li Y, Zhang W. Estrogen receptor alpha-mediated mitochondrial damage in intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells leading to the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2023; 38:2803-2818. [PMID: 37740728 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of estrogen and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) on the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) in human intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells (HiBECs). The researchers measured serum levels of ERα, oxidative stress indicators, and cytokines in PBC patients and healthy controls. They examined the expression of ERα, pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E2-component (PDC-E2), and apoptosis-related proteins in the small bile ducts. In vitro experiments with HiBECs showed that estrogen had a dual effect on cell viability, increasing it at low concentrations but reducing it at higher concentrations. ERα activation led to mitochondrial damage, apoptosis, and upregulation of ERα and PDC-E2 expression. These findings suggest that the high expression of ERα in the bile ducts contributes to mitochondrial damage, inflammation, and apoptosis in PBC. The study highlights ERα as a potential target for understanding and treating estrogen-mediated PBC pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Liang
- Department of Infection, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Siwen Ye
- Department of Infection, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rubin Jing
- Department of Infection, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bukun Zhu
- Department of Infection, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjie Yuan
- Department of Infection, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Chu
- Department of Infection, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Infection, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Infection, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Floreani A, Gabbia D, De Martin S. Primary biliary cholangitis: primary autoimmune disease or primary secretory defect. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 17:863-870. [PMID: 37515436 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2023.2242771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by the immune-mediated destruction of small and medium intrahepatic bile ducts, involving predominantly females. PBC has long been described as an autoimmune liver disease, also because it is very often associated with many autoimmune conditions. More recently, another pathogenic mechanism exploring the damage of cholangiocytes has been hypothesized, i.e. a defect in the biliary umbrella which is physiologically responsible for the exchange of the ions Cl- and HCO3- and maintains the integrity of glycocalyx. To provide a state-of-the-art analysis of this topic, a systematic review of literature in PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct was conducted (inclusive dates: 1986-2023). AREA COVERED Although the etiology remains unknown, pathogenesis consists of a complex immune-mediated process resulting from a genetic susceptibility. PBC can be triggered by an immune-mediated response to an autoantigen, which leads to a progressive destruction of bile ducts and eventually to a progressive fibrosis with cirrhosis. The defect in the 'bicarbonate umbrella' acts as a protection against the toxic hydrophobic bile acids, leading to a toxic composition of bile. EXPERT OPINION This review offers a summary of the current knowledge about the pathogenesis of PBC, indicating that this is probably based on the mutual relationship between the immune insult and the unbalanced secretory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annarosa Floreani
- Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare, Negrar, Verona, Italy
- University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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