Tumor necrosis factor‐α and interferon‐γ directly impair epithelial barrier function in cultured mouse cholangiocytes

Abstract

These findings show that TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma disrupt barrier function of TJ in cholangiocytes without major structural changes to TJ and suggest that disruption of TJ function and subsequent leakage of the bile constituents may influence the aggravation of cholestasis in PBC.