Galectin-3 and prohibitin 1 are autoantigens in IgG4-related cholangitis without protective effects against toxic bile acids

IgG4-related cholangitis (IRC) is the hepatobiliary manifestation of IgG4-related disease, a systemic B-cell-driven fibroinflammatory disorder. Four autoantigens have recently been described in IgG4-RD; annexin A11, galectin-3, laminin 511-E8, and prohibitin 1. We have previously reported a protective role of annexin A11 and laminin 511-E8 in human cholangiocytes against toxic bile acids. Here we explored a potentially protective role of the carbohydrate binding lectin galectin-3 and the scaffold proteins prohibitin 1 and 2.