Th1 cytokines and chemokines in primary biliary cirrhosis.

T- helper 1 (Th1) cytokines and chemokines in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) has been investigated in several studies. The involvement of (C-X-C motif) receptor 3 (CXCR3) and its ligands in the pathogenesis of PBC was studied in autoimmune cholangitis animal models suggesting that CXCR3 chemokines contribute to the development of PBC. In humans with PBC, interferon (IFN)γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10) and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (MIG) expressions, and CXCR3-positive cells were present in the portal areas of diseased livers. MIG and IP-10 were positively associated with the severity of liver fibrosis. Circulating IP-10 and MIG levels, and CXCR3-expressing cells, in PBC were increased significantly compared to controls and appeared to increase with disease progression. Furthermore, a significant reduction of these chemokines in PBC patients' serum after ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment has been shown.