The immunopathogenesis of Primary Biliary Cholangitis from T cell prospective

Ronca, Vincenzo ORCID: 0000-0003-0761-1333 (2025). The immunopathogenesis of Primary Biliary Cholangitis from T cell prospective. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

Ronca2025PhD.pdf
Text - Accepted Version
Available under License All rights reserved.
Download (11MB)

Abstract

This thesis aims to reinforce the role of the biliary epithelial cells (BEC)-T cells crosstalk as central mechanism in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). I will also explore the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the pathogenesis of PBC, proposing a new approach to use induced Tregs as cell therapy for the treatment of PBC. In the first chapter, I will explore at first the complex processes involved in maintaining the immune tolerance within the liver in homeostatic condition. I will, then, discussed the anatomy and physiology of the BECs, introducing their role as immune active cells. A general overview of PBC will be then provided, fading into its pathogenesis with a particular focus on the BEC-T cell interaction and the role of Tregs. I will mention emperipolesis as an under identified entity in PBC pathology and potential factor in PBC pathogenesis. Finally, I will describe the general biology and classification of cell-in-cell (CIC) structure, focusing on its role within the liver.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):

Supervisor(s)	Email	ORCID
Oo, Ye Htun	UNSPECIFIED	orcid.org/0000-0002-0495-6734
Beggs, Andrew	UNSPECIFIED	orcid.org/0000-0003-0784-2967
Cazier, Jean-Baptiste	UNSPECIFIED	orcid.org/0000-0001-7581-9051
Invernizzi, Pietro	UNSPECIFIED	orcid.org/0000-0003-3262-1998