Is connective tissue growth factor expression increased in biliary epithelial cells in biliary atresia?
In BA livers, novel biliary epithelia CTGF mRNA expression is high and correlates with severity of fibrosis. These data support a role for biliary epithelial cell signaling in fibrogenesis.
Collectively, these results provide evidence for antigen presentation as a novel mechanism by which B cells contribute to chronic allergic disease. These findings give new insight into the mechanisms by which B cells promote asthma and other chronic diseases.