Deficiency of complement factor c5 prevents the progression of biliary fibrosis in bile duct-ligated mice

Aims: Fibrogenesis represents the universal response of the liver to chronic liver injury. Growing evidence indicates disease specific mechanisms of fibrosis initiation. Recently, C5 has been linked to fibrogenesis in a rodent model as well as in human chronic hepatitis C. C5 may also play a central role in fibrogenesis of chronic cholestatic disorders, since FXR has been characterized as an activator of the C3 gene. Increased levels of complement activation products have been detected in human cholestatic disorders. Aim of this study is to further elucidate complement activation in the pathogenesis of biliary f…