IGFBP4 is a Metric for Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Attenuates Biliary Epithelial Cell Injury.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Immune-mediated bile duct injury is the primary histological feature of autoimmune cholestatic liver diseases. Macrophages, the most abundant immune cell population in the liver, have been postulated to play a critical role in biliary repair. However, it is unclear whether activated macrophages interact with injured biliary epithelial cells.

Methods

We evaluated the expression of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IGFBP4) in primary monocytes, MDMΦ, serum, and liver tissue sections from a total of 292 samples from PBC, PSC, and healthy controls using RNA-sequencing, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry analysis. The signal pathways involved in the effect of IGFBP4 in human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells were examined by phospho-kinase arrays.

SUBMITTER: Zhou X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12848849 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature