Persistent biliary hypoxia and lack of regeneration are key mechanisms in the pathogenesis of posttransplant nonanastomotic strictures.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Nonanastomotic biliary strictures (NAS) are a major cause of morbidity after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Although ischemic injury of peribiliary glands (PBGs) and peribiliary vascular plexus during OLT has been associated with the later development of NAS, the exact underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that bile ducts of patients with NAS suffer from ongoing biliary hypoxia and lack of regeneration from PBG stem/progenitor cells.

Approach and results

Forty-two patients, requiring retransplantation for either NAS (n = 18), hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT; n = 13), or nonbiliary graft failure (controls; n = 11), were included in this study. Histomorphological analysis of perihilar bile ducts was performed to assess differences in

SUBMITTER: de Jong IEM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9300015 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature