Perforin and granzymes work in synergy to mediate cholangiocyte injury in experimental biliary atresia.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Biliary atresia represents obstructive cholangiopathy in infants progressing rapidly to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. Activated NK cells expressing Nkg2d have been linked to bile duct injury and obstruction by establishing contact with cholangiocytes. To define the mechanisms used by cytotoxic cells, we investigated the role of perforin and granzymes in a neonatal mouse model of rotavirus (RRV)-induced biliary atresia.

Methods

We used complementary cell lysis assays, flow cytometric analyses, quantitative PCRs and in vivo systems to determine the mechanisms of bile duct epithelial injury and the control of the tissue phenotype in experimental biliary atresia.

Results

RRV-infected hepatic NK and CD8 T cells increased the expression of perfori

SUBMITTER: Shivakumar P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3946990 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature