Neoplastic transformation of peribiliary stem cell niche in cholangiocarcinoma arisen in primary sclerosing cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic inflammatory cholangiopathy frequently complicated by cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Massive proliferation of biliary tree stem/progenitor cells (BTSCs), expansion of peribiliary glands (PBGs), and dysplasia were observed in PSC. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the involvement of PBGs and BTSCs in CCA which emerged in PSC patients. Specimens from normal liver (N=5), PSC (N=20), and PSC-associated CCA (N=20) were included. Samples were processed for histology, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.