Figure 3.

Increased expression of Foxp3, TGF-β1 and IFN-γ in liver tissues of PBC patients (×400). Foxp3⁺ T cells were found to be scattered among the lymphocytes infiltration in the portal tracts of PBC patients (a), but no significant Foxp3⁺ T cells were found in healthy livers (b). TGF-β1 mainly localized in the cytoplasm of hepatic cells in PBC patients (c), and also with lower expression in control livers (d). The expression of IFN-γ was found in the sinus space of hepatic cells and surrounding small bile ducts in PBC livers (e), while with no significant expression in healthy livers (f). Foxp3, forkhead box P3; IFN, interferon; PBC, primary biliary cirrhosis; TGF, transforming growth factor; Treg, regulatory T cell.