title: [Pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to review the pathogenic mechanisms of auto-immune hepatitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was based on a review of all relevant articles from literature on the mechanisms of auto-immunity in auto-immune hepatitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The precise mechanisms through which liver damage occurs are not fully understood. Auto-immune hepatitis seems to be a consequence of auto-antigen exposure, genetic predisposition and defective immuregulatory mechanisms. Auto-antigen is presented by class II molecules of the major histocompatibility complex. Cytokines and non specific auto-immune promotors modulate immune reactivity. Cell-mediated and antibody-dependent forms of cytotoxicity are probably interactive pathogenic mechanisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Disturbance in the tight balance between auto-aggression and self-tolerance, affected by several internal and external factors are likely in auto-immune hepatitis.
authors.affiliation: Service de Gastro.B, La Rabta.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maamouri
authors.forename: Hager
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ouerghi
authors.forename: Néziha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Belkahla
authors.forename: Imed
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cheikh
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ben Ammar
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001324:Autoantigens; D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G