Staging of biliary atresia at diagnosis by molecular profiling of the liver.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Young age at portoenterostomy has been linked to improved outcome in biliary atresia, but pre-existing biological factors may influence the rate of disease progression. In this study, we aimed to determine whether molecular profiling of the liver identifies stages of disease at diagnosis.

Methods

We examined liver biopsies from 47 infants with biliary atresia enrolled in a prospective observational study. Biopsies were scored for inflammation and fibrosis, used for gene expression profiles, and tested for association with indicators of disease severity, response to surgery, and survival at 2 years.

Results

Fourteen of 47 livers displayed predominant histological features of inflammation (N = 9) or fibrosis (N = 5), with the remainder showing similar levels

SUBMITTER: Moyer K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2887077 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature