senescence
This refers to one of the ways that the cells that line the bile ducts ( biliary epithelial cells) respond to injury. When these cells are injured they can no longer replicate - entering a state of senescence.
In PBC this response to injury causes these cells to multiply and divide in an effort to regenerate the bile duct. After time they can no longer continue to divide. They then become 'zombie' cells - they don't die, but they don't function either.
They do send out a distress signal, as it were, that attracts the T cells of the immune system. This mechanism allows the body to recognize and eliminate the no longer functioning zombie cells.
Our bodies are amazing!
PBC and Cholinergic Urticaria
MRI looks good... am I in the clear?
Why my doctor won't give me Urso?
