Objective This study aimed to analyze the characteristics and clinical significance of peripheral lymphocytic subsets and cytokine levels, including interleukin 1β(IL-1β), IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12P70, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), interferon γ(IFN-γ) and IFN-α, in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), to provide some novel insights into the pathogenesis of PBC. Methods We retrospectively collected clinical features and laboratory data from hospitalized patients who were primarily diagnosed with PBC and from healthy physical examinees at the Third People's Hospital of Changzhou between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Results A total of 152 PBC patients and 96 healthy controls who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. Significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics and laboratory data between the two groups. After the propensity score matching (PSM) analysis, 61 PBC patients and 61 healthy controls were successfully matched, ensuring that the general characteristics (age and gender) of the two groups were balanced and comparable. Compared to the control group, the proportion of peripheral lymphocytes was significantly higher in the PBC group (31.9% vs. 17.8%), primarily due to an increase in CD4⁺ T cells (46.77% vs. 41.19%), while CD8⁺T cells were significantly decreased (19.73% vs. 22.07%). Notably, the proportions of CD4⁺ programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)⁺ T and CD8⁺PD-1⁺ T cells were elevated, with CD8⁺PD-1⁺ T cells showing a significant positive correlation with the severity of liver inflammation (r=0.41). Furthermore, the mitochondrial mass (MM) of CD4⁺ T cells was significantly increased in PBC patients, whereas no significant changes were observed in the MM of CD8⁺ T cells or the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of CD3⁺ T cells. Additionally, the plasma levels of cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-8, IL-10 and IFN-α, were abnormally elevated. The plasma levels of IL-5 and IL-1β were negatively correlated with the stage of liver fibrosis in patients with PBC (r=-0.52). Conclusion The overactivation and proliferation of CD4⁺ T cells, along with the suppression of CD8⁺ T cell function and increased PD-1 expression leads to T cell exhaustion, indicating significant immunological alterations in PBC patients. These changes are closely associated with the disease progression. Additionally, cytokines are likely involved in the immune regulation process of PBC and may influence the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease. Regular monitoring of lymphocyte subsets and cytokine levels can help assess the immune status and disease activity in patients with PBC, thereby guiding the individualized treatment strategies.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology* ; Aged ; Cytokines/blood* ; Adult ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and genetic features of a Chinese pedigree with Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) and explore its genotype-phenotype correlation. METHODS: A patient with PFIC diagnosed at Xinxiang Central Hospital in 2023 was selected as the study subject. The patient was subjected to abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and painless gastroscopy. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the patient and his parents for the extraction of genomic DNA and trio-whole exome sequencing (trio-WES). Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Xinxiang Hospital (Ethics No. 2023-241). RESULTS: MRI scan showed that the patient had significantly enlarged liver and spleen. WES revealed that he has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the ATP8B1 gene, including a c.1710_1711insCCTC (p.A571Pfs*12) frameshifting variant in exon 16 and a c.2989G>A (p.V997M) missense variant in exon 24, which were respectively inherited from his father and mother, and rated as pathogenic (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PM3+PP1) and likely pathogenic (PM2_Supporting+PM3+PP1) based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). CONCLUSION WES can clarify the genetic etiology of patients with speed and accuracy, and facilitate clinical decision-making. The detection of pathogenic variants has provided a basis for clinical diagnosis and enriched the mutational spectrum of the ATP8B1 gene.
Humans ; Male ; Pedigree ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/diagnostic imaging* ; Adenosine Triphosphatases/genetics* ; Female ; Adult ; Exome Sequencing ; Mutation ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical manifestations and genetic etiology of a child with Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC2). METHODS: From April 2024 to June 2024, a child with jaundice, hepatomegaly and abnormal liver function who was repeatedly admitted to the First Department of Pediatrics of Qinzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child were collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the child and her parents. Genomic DNA was extracted for trio-whole exome sequencing, the candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis using REVEL, BLAST/BLAT, Swiss-Model and Swiss-Pdb Viewer software. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Qinzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital (Ethics No.: L20240116). RESULTS: The child was a 1.5-month-old female. Her main clinical manifestations included jaundice, hepatomegaly, brownish urine and earth-like stool. Laboratory examination showed increased levels of bilirubin, mainly direct bilirubin, increased aminotransferase, especially glutamic oxalacetic aminotransferase, accompanied by increased bile acid. Genetic testing revealed that the she has harbored a homozygous c.3410T>G (p.V1137G) variant of the ABCB11 gene, for which both of her parents were heterozygous carriers. The variant was unreported previously, and was predicted to be pathogenic based on REVEL. Prediction with BLAST/BLAT software showed that the amino acids were highly conserved among different species. Swiss-Pdb Viewer software predicted that the variant has resulted in changes in hydrogen bonds between amino acids. According to the guidelines from the American Collage for Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the variant was determined to be likely pathogenic (PM1+PM2_Supporting+PM3_Supporting+PP3_Moderate). CONCLUSION The homozygous variant of the ABCB11 gene may be the genetic cause of this child. Genetic testing is helpful for confirming the diagnosis and enrich the mutational spectrum of the ABCB11 gene.
Humans ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/genetics* ; Female ; Infant ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 11/genetics* ; Homozygote ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical manifestation and genotype of a child with Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis 8 (PFIC8) due to variant of KIF12 gene. METHODS: A child diangosed with PFIC8 at Changzhou Children's Hospital in October 2017 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child was collected. Peripheral blood samples (3 mL each) were collected from the patient, her parents and younger sister. Following extraction of genomic DNA, whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out. Candidate variants were validated using Sanger sequencing. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the pathogenicity of candidate variants was classified. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Changzhou Children's Hospital (Ethics No.: 2023-002). RESULTS: The main clinical manifestations of the child included high GGT cholestasis, portal hypertension, splenomegaly, and abnormal liver enzymes. WES revealed that she has harbored compound heterozygous variants of the KIF12 gene, namely c.245G >A (p.Arg82Gln) and c.1291del (p.Ser431Valfs*13). Bioinformatics analyses showed that both variants were pathogenic. A total of 25 cases were reported in 7 English literature, including 13 males and 12 females. All patients had presented with high GGT cholestasis. Some had progressed to cirrhosis, and 3 cases also had renal lesions. No death was reported. Six children were treated with LTx. Nineteen children were found to harbor homozygous variants of the KIF12 gene, and the remaining six harbored compound heterozygous variants of the same gene. The most common mutation was c.655C>T (p.Arg219*). The mutation sites are mainly located in the Kinesin motor catalytic domain, with high GGT cholestasis as the main clinical feature. No correlation was found between the genotype and phenotype. CONCLUSION PFIC8 caused by KIF12 deficiency is mainly characterized by high GGT cholestasis, for which there is no effective treatment. The c.245G>A and c.1291del compound heterozygous variants of the KIF12 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis in this child.
Humans ; Kinesins/genetics* ; Female ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/genetics* ; Phenotype ; Heterozygote ; Child ; Mutation ; Child, Preschool ; Male ; Exome Sequencing

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical phenotype and genetic characteristics of a child with Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 8 (PFIC8). METHODS A child with PFIC diagnosed at Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University in September 2025 was selected as the study subject. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the child and her parents. Following extraction of genomic DNA, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was carried out. Candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of the candidate variants was classified based on the guidelines from American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Beijing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University (Ethics No.: 2023-E-126-Y). RESULTS: The proband, a 2-month-old female infant, had manifested jaundice of the skin and sclera, and slightly distended abdomen. She had no visible abdominal wall varicose veins, soft abdomen, and no palpable masses. Biliary atresia was ruled out by intraoperative cholangiography. WES revealed that she has harbored compound heterozygous variants of KIF12 gene, namely c.809C>T (p.Ala270Val) and c.1313G>A (p.Arg438Lys), which were verified by Sanger sequencing to have derived from her mother and father, respectively. According to the ACMG guidelines, both variants were classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Based on the pre-defined search strategy, 10 articles were retrieved, which involved 25 PFIC cases, including 5 from China. Together with the proband of this study, the 26 PFIC patients have primarily presented with high GGT cholestasis, with the genetic cause in all cases attributed to variants of the KIF12 gene. CONCLUSION The c.809C>T and c.1313G>A compound heterozygous variants of the KIF12 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of cholestatic liver disease in this child. Above findings have enriched the mutational and phenotypic spectra of PFIC8.
Humans ; Kinesins/genetics* ; Female ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/genetics* ; Infant ; Heterozygote ; Mutation ; Exome Sequencing ; Male

Fetuin-B (FETUB) is a glycoprotein mainly synthesized and secreted by the liver. It is involved in many physiological and pathological processes including glucose metabolism, inflammatory response, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, myocardial infarction, tumor and so on. In recent years, FETUB has also been confirmed to play roles in the female reproductive system. FETUB may affect follicular development and play an important role in in vivo and in vitro fertilization. In addition, serum FETUB level is elevated significantly during pregnancy and labor. FETUB expression is changed in a variety of reproductive diseases (polycystic ovary syndrome, gestational diabetes mellitus, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy). In this review, we summarize FETUB related studies in female reproduction, and focus on the roles of FETUB in female reproductive physiology and pathology, in order to provide information for the pathogenesis of reproductive disorders.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/physiopathology* ; Fetuin-B/physiology* ; Pregnancy Complications/metabolism* ; Animals ; Diabetes, Gestational/physiopathology* ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic/metabolism* ; Reproduction/physiology* ; Ovarian Follicle/physiology*

What are the new contents of the guideline since 2010?A.Patients with primary and non-primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are included in these guidelines for the diagnosis and management of cholangiocarcinoma.B.Define "related stricture" as any biliary or hepatic duct stricture accompanied by the signs or symptoms of obstructive cholestasis and/or bacterial cholangitis.C.Patients who have had an inconclusive report from MRI and cholangiopancreatography should be reexamined by high-quality MRI/cholangiopancreatography for diagnostic purposes. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography should be avoided for the diagnosis of PSC.D. Patients with PSC and unknown inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) should undergo diagnostic colonoscopic histological sampling, with follow-up examination every five years until IBD is detected.E. PSC patients with IBD should begin colon cancer monitoring at 15 years of age.F. Individual incidence rates should be interpreted with caution when using the new clinical risk tool for PSC for risk stratification.G. All patients with PSC should be considered for clinical trials; however, if ursodeoxycholic acid (13-23 mg/kg/day) is well tolerated and after 12 months of treatment, alkaline phosphatase (γ- Glutamyltransferase in children) and/or symptoms are significantly improved, it can be considered to continue to be used.H. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with cholangiocytology brushing and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis should be performed on all patients suspected of having hilar or distal cholangiocarcinoma.I.Patients with PSC and recurrent cholangitis are now included in the new unified network organ sharing policy for the end-stage liver disease model standard.J. Liver transplantation is recommended after neoadjuvant therapy for patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma with diameter < 3 cm or combined with PSC and no intrahepatic (extrahepatic) metastases.
Child ; Humans ; Cholangitis, Sclerosing/diagnosis* ; Constriction, Pathologic/complications* ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Cholangiocarcinoma/therapy* ; Liver Diseases/complications* ; Cholestasis ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/therapy* ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic/pathology* ; Bile Duct Neoplasms/therapy*

Humans ; Mutation ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic

OBJECTIVES: To systematically evaluate the risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data were searched for case-control studies and cohort studies on the risk factors for NEC in preterm infants published up to December 2021. RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform the Meta analysis. RESULTS: A total of 38 studies were included (28 case-control studies and 10 cohort studies). The Meta analysis showed that maternal gestational diabetes (OR=2.96, P<0.001), intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy (OR=2.53, P<0.001), preeclampsia (OR=1.73, P=0.020), history of neonatal asphyxia (OR=2.13, P<0.001), low gestational age (OR=1.23, P=0.010), sepsis (OR=5.32, P<0.001), patent ductus arteriosus (OR=1.57, P=0.001), congenital heart disease (OR=3.78, P<0.001), mechanical ventilation (OR=2.23, P=0.020), history of antibiotic use (OR=1.07, P<0.001), use of vasopressors (OR=2.34, P=0.040), and fasting (OR=1.08, P<0.001) were risk factors for NEC in preterm infants, while cesarean section (OR=0.73, P=0.004), use of pulmonary surfactant (OR=0.43, P=0.008), and breastfeeding (OR=0.24, P=0.020) were protective factors against NEC. CONCLUSIONS Maternal gestational diabetes, intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy, preeclampsia, low gestational age, fasting, sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus, congenital heart disease, and histories of asphyxia, mechanical ventilation, antibiotic use, and use of vasopressors may increase the risk of NEC in preterm infants, while cesarean section, use of pulmonary surfactant, and breastfeeding may decrease the risk of NEC in preterm infants.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Asphyxia ; Cesarean Section ; Cholestasis, Intrahepatic ; Diabetes, Gestational ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn, Diseases ; Infant, Premature ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Pulmonary Surfactants ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis

Child ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary/diagnosis*