HSC-derived exosomal miR-122-5p inhibits EMT and fibrosis of intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells to alleviate primary biliary cholangitis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune-mediated cholestatic liver disease that can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure. Intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (IBECs) are the primary targets of early injury in PBC. Our previous studies have shown that exosomes derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) deliver miR-122-5p to regulate the expression of human IBEC inflammatory factors via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. The purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential and molecular mechanism of HSC-derived exosomal miR-122-5p in PBC.

Methods

The effects of exosomal miR-122-5p in inhibiting apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and fibrosis were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human IBEC models,

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12615470 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature