Plasma exosomal miR-137 activates natural killer cells in primary biliary cholangitis by targeting NFATC1

Figure 8 Plasma exosomal microRNA-137-3p is elevated in primary biliary cholangitis and inhibits nuclear factor of activated T cell 1 expression in natural killer cells. This inhibition leads to increased surface expression of the activation marker cluster of differentiation 16 (CD16) and enhanced secretion of the cytotoxic mediator granzyme B. The resulting hyperactivated natural killer cells contribute to biliary epithelial cell injury, a key event in primary biliary cholangitis pathogenesis. MVB: Multivesicular body; NFATC1: Nuclear factor of activated T cell 1; TSG: Tumor susceptibility gene.