Sulphite oxidase (SO) - a mitochondrial autoantigen as target for humoral and cellular immune reactions in primary sclerosing cholangitis.

PSC-patients show humoral and cellular immune response towards SO. Antibodies may be predominantly directed against conformational epitopes. SO enhances in vitro especially T-helper cell type-2 immune-reactions, which may be pro-fibrotic. SO is a detoxifying enzyme present also in bacteria; further studies analysing its role in the aetiology and pathogenesis in PSC may, therefore, be important.