MSC-derived exosomes attenuate hepatic fibrosis in primary sclerosing cholangitis through inhibition of Th17 differentiation

Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)is an autoimmune cholangiopathy characterized by chronic inflammation of the biliary epithelium and periductal fibrosis,with no curative treatment available,and liver transplantation is inevitable for end-stage patients.Human placentalmesenchymal stem cell(hpMSC)-derived exosomes have demonstrated the ability to prevent fibrosis,inhibit collagen production and possess immunomodulatory properties in autoimmune liver disease.Here,we prepared hpMSC-derived exosomes(Exo^(MSC))and further investigated the anti-fibrotic effects and detailed mechanism on PSC based on Mdr2^(−/−)mice and multicellular organoids established from PSC patients.The results showed that Exo^(MSC) ameliorated liver fibrosis in Mdr2^(−/−)mice with significant collagen reduction in the preductal area where Th17 differentiation was inhibited as demonstrated by RNAseq analysis,and the percentage of CD4+IL-17A+T cells was reduced both in Exo^(MSC)-treated Mdr2^(−/−)mice(Mdr2^(−/−)-Exo)in vivo and Exo^(MSC)-treated Th17 differentiation progressed in vitro.Furthermore,Exo^(MSC) improved the hypersecretory phenotype and intercellular interactions in the hepatic Th17 microenvironment by regulating PERK/CHOP signaling as supported by multicellular organoids.Thus,our data demonstrate the antifibrosis effect of Exo^(MSC) in PSC disease by inhibiting Th17 differentiation,and ameliorating the Th17-induced microenvironment,indicating the promising potential therapeutic role of Exo^(MSC) in liver fibrosis of PSC or Th17-related diseases.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus 8-mediated inhibition of microRNA let-7a ameliorates sclerosing cholangitis in a clinically relevant mouse model

BACKGROUND Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)is characterized by chronic inflammation and it predisposes to cholangiocarcinoma due to lack of effective treatment options.Recombinant adeno-associated virus(rAAV)provides a promising platform for gene therapy on such kinds of diseases.A microRNA(miRNA)let-7a has been reported to be associated with the progress of PSC but the potential therapeutic implication of inhibition of let-7a on PSC has not been evaluated.AIM To investigate the therapeutic effects of inhibition of a miRNA let-7a transferred by recombinant adeno-associated virus 8(rAAV8)on a xenobiotic-induced mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis.METHODS A xenobiotic-induced mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis was induced by 0.1% 3,5-Diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-Dihydrocollidine(DDC)feeding for 2 wk or 6 wk.A single dose of rAAV8-mediated anti-let-7a-5p sponges or scramble control was injected in vivo into mice onset of DDC feeding.Upon sacrifice,the liver and the serum were collected from each mouse.The hepatobiliary injuries,hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were evaluated.The targets of let-7a-5p and downstream molecule NF-κB were detected using Western blot.RESULTS rAAV8-mediated anti-let-7a-5p sponges can depress the expression of let-7a-5p in mice after DDC feeding for 2 wk or 6 wk.The reduced expression of let-7a-5p can alleviate hepato-biliary injuries indicated by serum markers,and prevent the proliferation of cholangiocytes and biliary fibrosis.Furthermore,inhibition of let-7a mediated by rAAV8 can increase the expression of potential target molecules such as suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 and Dectin1,which consequently inhibit of NF-κB-mediated hepatic inflammation.CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that a rAAV8 vector designed for liver-specific inhibition of let-7a-5p can potently ameliorate symptoms in a xenobiotic-induced mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis,which provides a possible clinical translation of PSC of human.

Autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis after direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus:A case report

BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection is a major global health concern that leads to liver fibrosis,cirrhosis,and cancer.Regimens containing direct-acting antivirals(DAAs)have become the mainstay of HCV treatment,achieving a high sustained virological response(SVR)with minimal adverse events.CASE SUMMARY A 74-year-old woman with chronic HCV infection was treated with the DAAs ledipasvir,and sofosbuvir for 12 wk and achieved SVR.Twenty-four weeks after treatment completion,the liver enzyme and serum IgG levels increased,and antinuclear antibody became positive without HCV viremia,suggesting the development of autoimmune hepatitis(AIH).After liver biopsy indicated AIH,a definite AIH diagnosis was made and prednisolone was initiated.The treatment was effective,and the liver enzyme and serum IgG levels normalized.However,multiple strictures of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts with dilatation of the peripheral bile ducts appeared on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography after 3 years of achieving SVR,which were consistent with primary sclerosing cholangitis.CONCLUSION The potential risk of developing autoimmune liver diseases after DAA treatment should be considered.

Cholangiocarcinoma, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, or IgG4-Sclerosing Cholangitis: Similar Presentations with Different Managements

In our case, we present a case of an 80-year-old male who was referred to the gastroenterologist for evaluation of a suspicious mass. CT imaging at the time had shown intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary dilations, and the patient was thought to have a pancreatic or a common bile duct mass. A mass biopsy showed no malignancy, and further evaluation was warranted. The patient was found to have elevated IgG4 levels and was diagnosed with IgG4-sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC). IgG4 has been found to create a wide array of pathologies, including autoimmune pancreatitis, dacryoadenitis, and sialadenitis. These pathologies have been grouped under an IgG4-Related Disease (IgG4-RD) category. In some cases, this IgG4-RD can present as a subclass of primary sclerosing cholangitis due to immune depositions and swelling of the CBD. Due to the strictures caused by the sclerosing cholangitis, intrahepatic and extrahepatic dilations might be found on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). It is imperative to differentiate this from a malignant mass as the early recognition and treatment of IgG4-SC can lead to complete resolution. In this case report, we present a case of a patient who was found to have IgG4-SC and responded well to steroid treatment.

Liver transplant in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis:A retrospective cohort from Northeastern Brazil

BACKGROUND Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)manifests within a broad ethnic and racial spectrum,reflecting different levels of access to health care.AIM To evaluate the clinical profile,complications and survival rates of patients with PSC undergoing liver transplantation(LTx)at a Brazilian reference center.METHODS All patients diagnosed with PSC before or after LTx were included.The medical records were reviewed for demographic and clinical variables,including outcomes and survival.The level of statistical significance was set at P<0.05.RESULTS Our cohort represented 1.6%(n=34)of the 2113 patients receiving liver grafts at our service over the past two decades.Most were male(n=19;56%).The average age(40±14 years)was similar for men and women(P=0.347).The mean follow-up time from diagnosis to LTx was 68 mo.Most patients had the classic form of PSC.Three women had PSC/autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome,and one patient had small-duct PSC.Alkaline phosphatase levels at diagnosis and pre-LTx model for end-stage liver disease.scores were significantly higher in males.Inflammatory bowel research(IBD)was investigated by colonoscopy in 26/34(76%)and was present in most cases(18/26;69%).IBD was less common in women than in men(44.4%vs.55.6%)(P=0.692).Cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)was diagnosed in 2/34(5.9%)patients by histopathology of the explant(survival:3 years 6 mo,and 4 years 11 mo).Two patients had complications requiring a second LTx(one after 7 d due to hepatic artery thrombosis and one after 17 d due to primary graft dysfunction).Five patients(14.7%)developed biliary stricture.The overall median post-LTx survival was 66 mo.Most deaths occurred in the first year(infection n=2,primary liver graft dysfunction n=3,unknown cause n=1).The 1-year and 5-year survival rates of this cohort were 82.3%and 70.6%,respectively,matching the mean overall survival rates of LTx patients at our center(87.1%and 69.43%,respectively)(P=0.83).CONCLUSION Survival after 1 and 5 years was similar to that of other LTx indications.The observed CCA survival rate suggests CCA may be an indication for LTx in selected cases.

Liver transplant in primary sclerosing cholangitis:Current trends and future directions

Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)is a chronic and progressive immunemediated cholangiopathy causing biliary tree inflammation and scarring,leading to liver cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease.Diagnosis of PSC is challenging due to its nonspecific symptoms and overlap with other liver diseases.Despite the rising incidence of PSC,there is no proven medical therapy that can alter the natural history of the disease.While liver transplantation(LT)is the most effective approach for managing advanced liver disease caused by PSC,post-transplantation recurrence of PSC remains a challenge.Therefore,ongoing research aims to develop better therapies for PSC,and continued efforts are necessary to improve outcomes for patients with PSC.This article provides an overview of PSC’s pathogenesis,clinical presentation,and management options,including LT trends and future aspects.It also highlights the need for improved therapeutic options and ethical considerations in providing equitable access to LT for patients with PSC.Additionally,the impact of liver transplant on the quality of life and psychological outcomes of patients with PSC is discussed.Ongoing research into PSC’s pathogenesis and post-transplant recurrence is crucial for improved understanding of the disease and more effective treatment options.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and ulcerative colitis: Two case reports

BACKGROUND Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)is an extraintestinal manifestation of ulcerative colitis(UC).PSC is a well-known risk factor for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC),and ICC is known to have a poor prognosis.CASE SUMMARY We present two cases of ICC in patients with PSC associated with UC.In the first case,a tumor was found by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in the liver of a patient with PSC and UC who presented to our hospital with right-sided rib pain.The second patient was asymptomatic,but we unexpectedly detected two liver tumors in an MRI performed to evaluate bile duct stenosis associated with PSC.ICC was strongly suspected by computed tomography and MRI in both cases,and surgery was performed,but unfortunately,the first patient died of ICC recurrence 16 mo postoperatively,and the second patient died of liver failure 14 mo postoperatively.CONCLUSION Careful follow-up of patients with UC and PSC with imaging and blood tests is necessary for early detection of ICC.

Review of primary sclerosing cholangitis with increased IgG4 levels

Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC) is a chronic progressive liver disease. Subtypes of PSC have been described, most recently PSC with elevated serum and/or tissue IgG4 subclass. We aim to summarise the clinical phenotype,disease associations, differential diagnosis, response to therapy and pathogenic mechanisms underlying PSC-high IgG4 subtype. We reviewed Pub Med,MEDLINE and Embase with the search terms "primary sclerosing cholangitis","IgG4", and "IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis(IgG4-SC)". Elevated serum IgG4 are found in up-to one-quarter, and abundant IgG4-plasma cell infiltrates in the liver and bile ducts are found in up-to one-fifth of PSC patients. This group have a distinct clinical phenotype, with some studies reporting a more aggressive course of liver and associated inflammatory bowel disease, compared to PSCnormal IgG4 and the disease mimic IgG4-SC. Distinguishing PSC-high IgG4 from IgG4-SC remains challenging, requiring careful assessment of clinical features,organ involvement and tissue morphology. Calculation of serum IgG4:IgG1 ratios and use of a novel IgG4:IgG RNA ratio have been reported to have excellent specificity to distinguish IgG4-SC and PSC-high IgG4 but require validation in larger cohorts. A role for corticosteroid therapy in PSC-high IgG4 remains unanswered, with concerns of increased toxicity and lack of outcome data. The immunological drivers underlying prominent IgG4 antibodies in PSC are incompletely defined. An association with PSC-high IgG4 and HLA class-II haplotypes(B*07, DRB1*15), T-helper2 and T-regulatory cytokines(IL4, IL10,IL13) and chemokines(CCL1, CCR8) have been described. PSC-high IgG4 have a distinct clinical phenotype and need careful discrimination from IgG4-SC,although response to immunosuppressive treatments and long-term outcome remains unresolved. The presence of IgG4 likely represents chronic activation to persistent antigenic exposure in genetically predisposed individuals.

Small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis: A discrete variant or a bridge to large duct disease, a practical review

The natural history,associations with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),and long-term outcomes of large duct primary sclerosing cholangitis(ldPSC)have been well documented.Small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis(sdPSC)is a much less common and relatively more benign variant.The natural history of sdPSC has been difficult to characterize given the limited number of studies in the literature especially with regards to the subset of patients who progress to large duct involvement.It has been unclear whether sdPSC represented a subset of ldPSC,an earlier staging of ldPSC,or a completely separate and distinct entity of its own.Strong associations between sdPSC and IBD have been established with suspicion that concurrent sdPSC-IBD may be a key prognostic factor in determining which patients are at risk of progression to ldPSC.Little is known regarding the discrete circumstances that predisposes some patients with sdPSC to progress to ldPSC.It has been suspected that progression to large biliary duct involvement subjects this subset of patients to potentially developing lifethreatening complications.Here the authors conducted a thorough review of the published sdPSC literature using Pubmed searches and cross-referencing to compile all accessible studies regarding cohorts of sdPSC patients in order better characterize the subset of sdPSC patients who progress to ldPSC and the associated outcomes.

Gut microbiome in primary sclerosing cholangitis:A review

Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by biliary inflammation and stricturing.Exploration of the pathogenesis of PSC in light of its association with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)and the“gut-liver”axis is an emerging area of interest.A growing number of studies have begun to elucidate the role of the gut microbiota,its metabolites and its influence on host immune responses in the development of PSC and PSCIBD.Studies of the fecal microbiota have highlighted enriched levels of certain species,including Veillonella,Streptococcus and Enterococcus,among others.A heightened immune response to enteric dysbiosis and bacterial translocation have also been implicated.For example,Klebsiella pneumoniae strains derived from gnotobiotic mice transplanted with PSC-IBD microbiota were found to induce pore formation in human intestinal epithelial cells and enhanced Th17 responses.Gut microbes have additionally been hypothesized to be implicated in PSC pathogenesis through their role in the synthesis of various metabolites,including bile acids(BAs),which function as signaling molecules with important gut and hepatic effects.An expanded knowledge of the gut microbiome as it relates to PSC offers critical insight into the development of microbe-altering therapeutic interventions,such as antibiotics,nutritional interventions and fecal microbial transplantation.Some of these have already shown some preliminary evidence of benefit.Despite exciting progress in the field,much work remains to be done;areas that are particularly lacking include functional characterization of the microbiome and examination of pediatric populations.In this review,we summarize studies that have investigated the microbiome in PSC and PSC-IBD as well as putative mechanisms,including the potential role of metabolites,such as BAs.We then briefly review the evidence for interventions with microbe-altering properties for treating PSC.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis associated colitis: Characterization of clinical, histologic features, and their associations with liver transplantation

BACKGROUND Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)associated inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a unique form of IBD(PSC-IBD)with distinct clinical and histologic features from ulcerative colitis(UC)and Crohn disease(CD).In patients with PSC and IBD,the severity of the two disease processes may depend on each other.AIM To study the histologic and clinical features of PSC patients with and without IBD.METHODS We assessed specimens from patients with UC(n=28),CD(n=10),PSC and UC(PSC-UC;n=26);PSC and CD(PSC-CD;n=6);and PSC and no IBD(PSC-no IBD;n=4)between years 1999-2013.PSC-IBD patients were matched to IBD patients without PSC by age and colitis duration.Clinical data including age,gender,age at IBD and PSC diagnoses,IBD duration,treatment,follow-up,orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT)were noted.RESULTS PSC-UC patients had more isolated right-sided disease(P=0.03),and less active inflammation in left colon,rectum(P=0.03 and P=0.0006),and overall(P=0.0005)compared to UC.They required less steroids(P=0.01)and fewer colectomies(P=0.03)than UC patients.The PSC-CD patients had more ileitis and less rectal involvement compared to PSC-UC and CD.No PSC-CD patients required OLT compared to 38%of PSC-UC(P=0.1).PSC-IBD(PSC-UC and PSCCD)patients with OLT had severe disease in the left colon and rectum(P=0.04).CONCLUSION PSC-UC represents a distinct form of IBD.The different disease phenotype in PSC-IBD patients with OLT may support liver-gut axis interaction,however warrants clinical attention and further research.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis in Turkish patients:characteristic features and prognosis

BACKGROUND:Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by destruction and fibrosis of the bile ducts.This study aimed to demonstrate the hepatic and extrahepatic characteristic findings and prognostic outcomes of Turkish patients with PSC. METHODS:The medical records of 35 consecutive patients with PSC from January 1988 to June 2007 were recorded prospectively.From the time of diagnosis,clinical features and laboratory data were collected. RESULTS:The mean age of the 35 patients was 41.69 years (range 15-80 years)at the time of diagnosis;14(40%)were female,and 21(60%)were male.The mean duration of follow-up was 58.86 months(1-180 months).Twenty(57.1%) of the patients with PSC were asymptomatic and 22(62.9%) had inflammatory bowel disease.At the time of diagnosis, 20(57.1%)of the patients had both intra-and extra-hepatic PSC.Twenty-one(60%)of the patients,who had undergone ERCP for stent placement,had dominant bile duct stenosis. Cholangiocarcinoma was found in 2(5.7%)of the patients and cirrhosis was detected in 7(20%);5(14.3%)underwent liver transplantation.The median follow-up time after liver transplantation was 23 months and all are still alive.Six (17.1%)patients died. CONCLUSIONS:PSC has a clinical course varied from advanced liver disease requiring liver transplantation within a short time to being asymptomatic for decades. The prognosis of Turkish patients with PSC is also disappointing as described in other studies.

Review of incidence and outcomes of treatment of cholangiocarcinoma in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)is a premalignant condition and a welldocumented risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)which is the most common malignancy in this setting and the leading cause of deaths in the recent years,with an increasing incidence.PSC-associated CCA has a geographical distribution that follows the incidence of PSC,with an observed ascending gradient from the Eastern to the Western and from the Southern to the Northern countries.It may arise at any location along the biliary tree but is most common in the perihilar area.Patients with PSC and intrahepatic or perihilar CCA are typically not suitable for liver resection,which is otherwise the treatment of choice with curative intent in patients with resectable tumours,providing a radical resection with clear margins can be achieved.This largely relates to the commonly advanced stage of liver disease at presentation,which allows consideration for liver resection only for a very limited number of suitable patients with PSC.On the other hand,remarkable progress has been reached in the last decades with the implementation of a protocol combining neoadjuvant chemoradiation and orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT)for the treatment of perihilar CCA,within specific criteria.Excellent results have been achieved particularly for PSC patients with this cancer,who seem to benefit the most from this treatment,having converted this into an accepted indication for transplantation and the standard of care in several experienced centres.Intrahepatic CCA as an indication for OLT remains controversial and has not been accepted given disappointing previous results.However,as recent studies have shown favourable outcomes in early intrahepatic CCA,it may be that under defined criteria,OLT may play a more prominent role in the future.Distal CCA in the context of PSC requires aggressive surgical treatment with curative intent,when feasible.This review provides insight about particular features of CCA in the setting of PSC,with a main focus on its incidence,considerations relating to its anatomical location and implications to treatment and outcomes,through the viewpoint of historical evolution of management,and future perspectives.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome associated with inflammatory bowel disease:A case report and systematic review

BACKGROUND A previously healthy 22-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain and jaundice.She had a reagent antinuclear factor(1:640,with a homogeneous nuclear pattern)and hypergammaglobulinemia(2.16 g/dL).Anti-smooth muscle,antimitochondrial and anti-liver-kidney microsomal antibody type 1 antibodies were negative.Magnetic resonance cholangiography showed a cirrhotic liver with multiple focal areas of strictures of the intrahepatic bile ducts,with associated dilations.Liver biopsy demonstrated periportal necroinflammatory activity,plasmocyte infiltration and advanced fibrosis.Colonoscopy showed ulcerative pancolitis and mild activity(Mayo score 1),with a spared rectum.Treatment with corticosteroids,azathioprine,ursodeoxycholic acid and mesalamine was initiated,with improvement in laboratory tests.The patient was referred for a liver transplantation evaluation.AIM To report the case of a female patient with autoimmune hepatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)overlap syndrome associated with ulcerative colitis and to systematically review the available cases of autoimmune hepatitis and PSC overlap syndrome.METHODS In accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and metaanalysis protocols guidelines,retrieval of studies was based on medical subject headings and health sciences descriptors,which were combined using Boolean operators.Searches were run on the electronic databases Scopus,Web of Science,MEDLINE(PubMed),Biblioteca Regional de Medicina,Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature,Cochrane Library for Systematic Reviews and Opengray.eu.Languages were restricted to English,Spanish and Portuguese.There was no date of publication restrictions.The reference lists of the studies retrieved were searched manually.RESULTS The search strategy retrieved 3349 references.In the final analysis,44 references were included,with a total of 109 cases reported.The most common clinical finding was jaundice and 43.5%of cases were associated with inflammatory bowel disease.Of these,27.6%were cases of Crohn’s disease,68%of ulcerative colitis,and 6.4%of indeterminate colitis.Most patients were treated with steroids.All-cause mortality was 3.7%.CONCLUSION PSC and autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome is generally associated with inflammatory bowel disease and has low mortality and good response to treatment.

Role of intestinal flora in primary sclerosing cholangitis and its potential therapeutic value

Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic cholestasis,a persistent inflammation of the bile ducts that leads to sclerotic occlusion and cholestasis.Gut microbes,consisting of microorganisms colonized in the human gut,play an important role in nutrient intake,metabolic homeostasis,immune regulation,and immune regulation;however,their presence might aid PSC development.Studies have found that gut-liver axis interactions also play an important role in the pathogenesis of PSC.Patients with PSC have considerably reduced intestinal flora diversity and increased abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria.Dysbiosis of the intestinal flora leads to increased intestinal permeability,homing of intestinal lymphocytes,entry of bacteria and their associated metabolites,such as bile acids,into the liver,stimulation of hepatic immune activation,and promotion of PSC.Currently,PSC effective treatment is lacking.However,a number of studies have recently investigated the targeted modulation of gut microbes for the treatment of various liver diseases(alcoholic liver disease,metabolic fatty liver,cirrhosis,and autoimmune liver disease).In addition,antibiotics,fecal microbiota transplantation,and probiotics have been reported as successful PSC therapies as well as for the treatment of gut dysbiosis,suggesting their effectiveness for PSC treatment.Therefore,this review briefly summarizes the role of intestinal flora in PSC with the aim of providing new insights into PSC treatment.

Severe infection with multidrug-resistant Salmonella choleraesuis in a young patient with primary sclerosing cholangitis

Massive global spread of multidrug-resistant(MDR) Salmonella spp. expressing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase(ESBL) and additional resistance to fluoroquinolones has often been attributed to high international mobility as well as excessive use of oral antibiotics in livestock farming. However, MDR Salmonella spp. have not been mentioned as a widespread pathogen in clinical settings so far. We demonstrate the case of a 25-year-old male with primary sclerosing cholangitis who tested positive for MDR Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis expressing ESBL and fluoroquinolone resistance. The pathogen was supposedly acquired during a trip to Thailand, causing severe fever, cholangitis andpancreatitis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis in Europe expressing such a multidrug resistance pattern. ESBL resistance of Salmonella enterica spp. should be considered in patients with obstructive biliary tract pathology and travel history in endemic countries.

IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis and chronic sclerosing sialadenitis mimicking cholangiocarcinoma and neck malignancy

To the Editor:IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis（IgG4-SC）has re cently been recognized as a biliary manifestation of IgG4-related disease（IgG4-RD）.Type 3 IgG4-SC pre sented biliary strictures in both the porta hepatis and the distal common bile duct（CBD）.;Its manifestation especially in the absence of autoimmune pancreatitis,is extremely rare and very similar to that of cholangiocarci noma（CC）.

Small-duct primary sclerosing cholangitis with hepatocellular carcinoma requiring liver transplantation

BACKGROUND:Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)is a chronic progressive cholestatic liver disease,which usually affects young adults and is diagnosed by cholangiography.On a few occasions,the disease either starts in or exclusively involves the small intrahepatic bile ducts,referred to as small-duct PSC. METHODS:A 31-year-old man presented with severe hematemesis secondary to liver cirrhosis.Over a course of 8 years,his liver decompensated and required an orthotopic liver transplantation. In this report we discuss his disease presentation,course of management,and the post-transplantation course of manage- ment,and review the morphologic diagnosis,and differential diagnosis of the disease with large-duct type and other diseases that involve small intrahepatic bile ducts. RESULTS:The patient’s explanted liver showed changes of PSC affecting only the small-and medium-sized bile ducts in addition to three incidental nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS:Small-duct PSC has a substantially better prognosis than the large-duct type,with less chance of developing cirrhosis and an equal risk for developing hepato- cellular carcinoma,but no increased risk for developing cholangiocarcinoma.Treatment seems to help relieve the symptoms but not necessarily improve survival.Liver transplantation remains the ultimate cure.

Long-term follow-up of children and adolescents with primary sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis

BACKGROUND： Sclerosing cholangitis（SC） is a chronic cholestatic hepatobiliary disease with uncertain long-term prognosis in pediatric patients. This study aimed to evaluate longterm results in children with SC according to the types of SC.METHODS： We retrospectively followed up 25 children with SC over a period of 4-17 years（median 12）. The diagnosis of SC was based on biochemical, histological and cholangiographic findings. Patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria for probable or definite autoimmune hepatitis at the time of diagnosis were defined as having autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis（ASC）; other patients were included in a group of primary sclerosing cholangitis（PSC）. The incidence of the following complications was studied： obstructive cholangitis, portal hypertension, advanced liver disease and death associated with the primary disease.RESULTS： Fourteen（56%） patients had PSC and 11（44%） had ASC. Patients with ASC were significantly younger at the time of diagnosis（12.3 vs 15.4 years, P=0.032） and had higher Ig G levels（22.7 vs 17.2 g/L, P=0.003）. The mentioned complications occurred in 4（16%） patients with SC, exclusively in the PSC group： one patient died from colorectal cancer, one patient underwent liver transplantation and two patients, in whom severe bile duct stenosis was present at diagnosis, were endoscopically treated for acute cholangitis. Furthermore, twoother children with ASC and 2 children with PSC had elevated aminotransferase levels. The 10-year overall survival was 95.8% in all patients, 100% in patients without complicated liver disease, and 75.0% in patients with complications.CONCLUSION： In children, ASC is a frequent type of SC, whose prognosis may be better than that in patients with PSC.

Serological biomarkers for management of primary sclerosing cholangitis

Clinical manifestations and progression of primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)are heterogeneous,and its pathogenesis is poorly understood.The importance of gut-liver interactions in the pathogenesis has been clinically confirmed and highlighted in different theories.Recent advances regarding biomarkers of biliarygut crosstalk may help to identify clinically relevant PSC subgroups assisting everyday clinical work-up(e.g.,diagnosis,disease stratification,or surveillance)and the exploration of potential therapeutic targets.Alkaline phosphatase produced by the biliary epithelium is consistently associated with prognosis.However,its level shows natural fluctuation limiting its use in individual patients.Inflammatory,cell activation,and tissue remodeling markers have been reported to predict clinical outcome.Elevated immunoglobulin(Ig)G4 level is associated with a shorter transplantation-free survival.IgG type atypical perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies(P-ANCAs)are non-specific markers of various autoimmune liver diseases and may reflect an abnormal B-cell response to gut microbial antigens.IgG type atypical P-ANCA identifies PSC patients with particular clinical and genetic(for human leukocyte antigens)characteristics.The presence of IgA type anti-F-actin antibody(AAA)may predict a progressive disease course,and it is associated with enhanced mucosal immune response to various microbial antigens and enterocyte damage.IgA type anti-glycoprotein 2(GP2)antibodies identify patients with a severe disease phenotype and poor survival due to enhanced fibrogenesis or development of cholangiocarcinoma.Elevated soluble vascular adhesion protein-1(sVAP-1)level is associated with adverse disease outcomes in PSC.High sVAP-1 levels correlate with mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1(MAdCAM-1)expression in the liver that contributes to gut activated T-cell homing to the hepatobiliary tract.In the present paper,we review the evidence on these possible serological markers that could potentially help address the unmet clinical needs in PSC.