Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
08:56
Bile Duct Ligation in Mice: Induction of Inflammatory Liver Injury and Fibrosis by Obstructive Cholestasis
Published on: February 10, 2015
Activation of the complement system in primary sclerosing cholangitis.
G Senaldi1, P T Donaldson, S Magrin
1Department of Immunology, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, United Kingdom.
Gastroenterology
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) involves immune system abnormalities. This study found complement activation and immune complexes in PSC patients, supporting their role in disease pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Pathogenesis of liver diseases
Background:
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic liver disease.
- Abnormalities in humoral immunity, including immune complexes, are implicated in PSC pathogenesis.
- The role of complement system activation in PSC requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate complement system activation in patients with PSC.
- To determine if complement activation supports the role of immune complexes in PSC.
- To assess levels of complement fragments C3d and C4d in PSC patients.
Main Methods:
- Assay of plasma complement fragments C3d and C4d.
- Assay of serum C3 and C4.
- Comparison of PSC patients, extrahepatic obstructive cholestasis patients, and healthy controls.
- Detection of circulating immune complexes.
Main Results:
- Elevated C3d and C4d levels in PSC patients compared to controls (p<0.01).
- Elevated C3 levels in PSC and cholestasis patients compared to controls (p<0.001).
- Circulating immune complexes detected in 88% of PSC patients, but none of the controls.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the hypothesis of immune complex involvement in PSC.
- Complement activation, particularly via the classical pathway, is associated with PSC.
- Humoral immune abnormalities play a significant role in PSC pathogenesis.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:27Complement System
The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a membrane...
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
The pancreas, an elongated and flat gland situated behind the stomach, serves a vital function in digesting food and managing blood sugar levels.
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
01:25Acute Inflammation III: Local and Systemic Effects
Acute inflammation produces a coordinated set of local and systemic changes that limit injury, eliminate pathogens, and initiate repair. These responses arise within minutes of infection, trauma, or chemical insult and are driven by vascular alterations and leukocyte-derived mediators. When the stimulus resolves, the reaction typically abates within days.Local EffectsAt the site of injury, arteriolar vasodilation increases blood flow, resulting in redness and warmth. Simultaneously, increased...
01:24Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology
Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
01:20Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, most commonly caused by obstruction of the cystic duct. This blockage prevents bile from draining, leading to gallbladder distension, inflammation, and potentially serious complications. This condition may present acutely or chronically and can happen with or without gallstones.EtiologyAbout 95% of cholecystitis cases are calculous, caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct, leading to bile accumulation and inflammation of the gallbladder...