title: The etiology mystery in primary biliary cirrhosis.
abstract: The etiology of primary biliary cirrhosis remains largely unknown despite numerous lines of evidence that have been recently proposed or supported. Primary biliary cirrhosis is a chronic cholestatic liver disease for which an autoimmune pathogenesis is widely accepted, mostly based on the presence of autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells. Cumulatively, association and twin studies suggest that both a susceptible genetic background and environmental factors determine disease onset. Multiple infectious and chemical candidates may contribute to the disease onset in a genetically susceptible host. Several murine models have been recently reported and include genetically determined ones as well as models induced by immunization with chemicals and bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS-Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Selmi
authors.forename: M Eric
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gershwin
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008930:Mitochondria, Liver / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies