Primary Biliary Cirrhosis - Pathophysiology Environmental Risk Factors: Geographic location, Smoking, Microbial triggers, Xenobiotics, Nail polish Epigentics Risk Factors: miRNA profiles, Oestrogen (female-predominant disease), DNA methylation Genetic Risk Factors: HLA variants, Non-HLA variants (immunoregulatory gene loci), Personal/family history of autoimmune disease, First-degree relative with PBC Pathophysiology: - Coordinated T & B cell mediated autoimmune cascade with T-cell mediated BEC injury - Loss of the protective bicarbonate-rich umbrella around BECs and gradual loss of bile ducts - Progressive inflammation and biliary fibrosis - Cholestasis #PBC #Primary #Biliary #Cirrhosis #Pathophysiology #hepatology
