title: Disappearing bile ducts: immunologic mechanisms.
abstract: In primary biliary cirrhosis, chronic graft-versus-host disease, and chronic liver transplant rejection, immunologic mechanisms appear to cause destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts and consequently may lead to liver failure. Understanding those mechanisms may lead to improved therapy. Recent findings and clinically relevant concepts are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Liver Transplantation Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vierling
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Howell
mesh_terms: D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000473:pathology; D006646:Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology