Xenobiotic Induced Model of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease of the liver that is, characterised by destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts and the presence of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs). Several murine models of PBC, with similar serological, biochemical, and histological features to human PBC, have been developed in recent years. These animal models enable investigators to study the etiology and pathophysiologic mechanism of PBC. Immune response in PBC is directed towards E2 components of the 2-oxo-acid dehydrogenase family of enzymes, which is in located in mitochondria and is an immunodominant epitope (a lipoylated peptide sequence shared by enzymes). Immunisation of mice with 2-octynoic acid coupled to bovine serum albumin (2-OA-BSA) (which is an antigen that is structurally related to the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex [PDC-E2]) produces histologic features similar to those found in human PBC. Th is model of xenobiotic induced PBC is suitable for studying the early events in PBC pathogenesis and for developing new therapeutics in PBC.