Circulating matrix metalloproteinase profile in early-stage primary biliary cholangitis (opens in new tab)

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease with progressive bile duct injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to extracellular matrix remodeling but their circulating profile and clinical relevance in early-stage PBC remain incompletely defined. We characterized circulating MMPs in early-stage PBC and related them to non-invasive fibrosis and portal hemodynamics. Forty-six patients with early-stage PBC and 31 healthy contro...