Natural killer T cells exacerbate liver injury in a transforming growth factor β receptor II dominant-negative mouse model of primary biliary cirrhosis
YH Chuang, ZX Lian, GX Yang, SA Shu, Y Moritoki… - Hepatology, 2008 - journals.lww.com
Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an organ-specific autoimmune liver disease characterized
by the presence of antimitochondrial antibodies and the destruction of small intrahepatic bile
ducts with portal inflammation. In previous studies, we reported that both CD1d expression
and the frequency of CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells were increased in the livers
of patients with PBC. To define a specific role of CD1d-restricted NKT cells in the
pathogenesis of PBC, particularly early events, we investigated the function of hepatic CD1d …
by the presence of antimitochondrial antibodies and the destruction of small intrahepatic bile
ducts with portal inflammation. In previous studies, we reported that both CD1d expression
and the frequency of CD1d-restricted natural killer T (NKT) cells were increased in the livers
of patients with PBC. To define a specific role of CD1d-restricted NKT cells in the
pathogenesis of PBC, particularly early events, we investigated the function of hepatic CD1d …