Occurrence Of Autoimmune Hepatitis Research Articles

Pathogenesis of autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic progressive liver disease whose etiology and pathogenesis are not yet clear. It is currently believed that the occurrence of AIH is closely related to genetic susceptibility and immune abnormalities, and other factors such as environment, viral infection and drugs that may cause immune dysfunction. This article reviews the pathogenesis of AIH and describes the latest research results in the past 5 years.

Circular RNAs associated with a mouse model of concanavalin A-induced autoimmune hepatitis: preliminary screening and comprehensive functional analysis.

Without treatment, autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) often leads to cirrhosis, liver failure and, in some cases, death. However, the pathogenesis of AIH remains incompletely understood. Here, we explored the relationship between differentially expressed circular RNAs (DECs) and development of AIH by obtaining an expression profile of DECs in a concanavalin A-induced AIH mouse model by microarray. In total, we identified 27 DECs; the host genes of these DECs were annotated with 140 Gene Ontology terms and 19 pathways, revealing potential roles in the metabolism of cellular ions and regulation of protein expression, as well as possible involvement in endocytosis and apoptosis. We constructed a circular RNA-microRNA network that was used to infer that a mmu_circ_0001520/mmu-miR-193b-3p/MAPK10 network may be associated with the occurrence of AIH. These findings may help lay the foundation for validation of the potential roles of circular RNAs in AIH.

“Lupoid hepatitis” in SLE patients and mice with experimental lupus

The unusual subset of patients with severe hepatitis, hypergammaglobulinemia, arthritis, and LE cells in the blood reported by Henry Kunkel and others suggested to these investigators that “lupoid” hepatitis might share pathogenic mechanisms with SLE. More than half a century later, the etiology of autoimmune hepatitis remains unclear. The occurrence of autoimmune hepatitis in a small fraction (about 3%) of SLE patients in our lupus cohort and in two mouse models of SLE supports their conclusion that lupoid hepatitis may be share pathogenic mechanisms with SLE. The development of autoimmune hepatitis in mice with pristane-induced lupus provides an opportunity to further explore the potential link between these two autoimmune disorders.

Association of an overlap syndrome of autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis with cytomegalovirus infection

A 63-year-old woman, who presented with severe jaundice and elevated serum conjugated bilirubin level, denied alcohol and drug use and showed no evidence of viral hepatitis. Based on clinical and laboratory features, she was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis with primary biliary cirrhosis. Hematological and immunochemical assays, radiographic imaging, clinical examination, and liver biopsy were conducted. Laboratory results were the following: negative for fluorescence antinuclear antibody, negative for antismooth muscle antibodies but positive for antinuclear antibody (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and antimitochondrial M2 antibody, high titers of serum globulin, and positive for cytomegalovirus IgM. Liver biopsy showed submassive lobular necrosis, inflammation with broad areas of parenchymal collapse, and chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis. The patient responded well to corticosteroid therapy. This case might illustrate an association between cytomegalovirus infection and the occurrence of autoimmune hepatitis.

New-onset autoimmune hepatitis in young patients with preexisting liver disease

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is thought to be a primary liver disease, occurring in the absence of any known etiology. We present three unusual cases of new-onset AIH in young female patients with longstanding preexisting liver disease (Alagille's syndrome, cystic fibrosis liver disease and sickle cell hepatopathy). All patients developed an insidious onset of abdominal pain, fatigue, jaundice and hepatitis after many years of their primary diagnosis and had negative serology for hepatitis A, B, C, cytomegalovirus and Epstein–Barr virus. The occurrence of AIH in these patients may be due to a complex interaction between the underlying liver disease, chronic medication use and genetic predisposition resulting in altered immunoregulatory mechanisms.

Bolus de méthylprednisolone révélant une hépatite auto-immune chez une patiente atteinte de sclérose en plaques

BackgroundIntravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy is the standard treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis. Only three reports have described the occurrence of autoimmune hepatitis after intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy for multiple sclerosis. We report herein the fourth published case of methylprednisolone-induced autoimmune hepatitis.ExegesisA Tunisian, 37-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis was treated with pulsed methylprednisolone. She did not have any history of liver disease; alcohol abuse or illicit drug use and liver tests were normal prior to treatment. Three weeks after the administration of intravenous methylprednisolone therapy, she presented with a profound elevation of liver transaminases. The viral serologies for hepatitis A, B and C, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and herpes simplex virus were negative. The antinuclear antibody and anti-smooth muscle antibody were positive at a titer of 1/100. Liver biopsy revealed portal lymphocytic infiltrate, interface hepatitis and fibrosis. According to the criteria of autoimmune hepatitis, the patient had a score of 16, indicating definite autoimmune hepatitis. Treatment with oral prednisone and azathioprine was initiated. Liver tests rapidly normalized.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the fourth case of autoimmune hepatitis developed after pulsed methylprednisolone for multiple sclerosis. Administration of corticosteroids and azathioprine after pulse methylprednisolone might be effective for preventing the development of autoimmune hepatitis.

Occurrence of Autoimmune Hepatitis During the Course of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Report of Two Cases

Occurrence of Autoimmune Hepatitis During the Course of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis: Report of Two Cases

自己免疫性肝炎の発症年齢の高年齢化に関する検討

自己免疫性肝炎の発症年齢の高年齢化に関する検討