Study On Role Of TNF-related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand In Liver Injury Of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

This study was designed to explore the role of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand in liver injury of primary biliary cirrhosis, and reveal the new pathomechanism of PBC. Based on TaqMan-MGB probe technology, real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR was set up and used to detect the TRAIL mRNA level in periphery blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) from PBC patients. Meanwhile, the TRAIL level on PBMCs was determined by flow cytometry and the plasma level of sTRAIL was measured with ELISA. In addition, the association between sTRAIL and GGT or ALP was analyzed. Next, normal human hepatocytes were cultured in presence of recombinant human TRAIL protein. The growth of hepatocytes was observed with MTT, DNA level and cell cycle were analyzed with PI stain, and hepatocyte apoptosis was analyzed with Annexinâ…¤/PI stain. The mitochondria injury was analyzed by fluorescent staining and the expression of bcl-2 was detected by immunocytochemical staining. Our study indicated the level of TRAIL in peripheral blood abnormally rised in PBC patients, closely associated with the severity of the disease. Recombinant human TRAIL protein can induce hepatocyte apoptosis. The bile can enhance the role of TRAIL in inducing apoptosis. The mitochondrial injury and the decreased expression of bcl-2 may play a role in hepatocyte injury.