Immunological causes of gallstone disease (original hypothesis)

It is believed that gallstone formation in the biliary tree is a disease associated with alterations of the normal functioning of the organism, and often accompanied by metabolic dysfunction. Recent scientifi c data allow us to take a fresh look at the problem by proposing an original hypothesis about gallstone formation as a protective immunological reaction of the biliary three cells aimed to isolate exogenous microorganisms and to stop overexpression of toll-like receptors (TLR). In this paradigm, the cholelithiasis appears to be an autoimmune cholangiopathy, therapy of which is associated with the normalization of the immune status of cholangiocytes and down-regulation of its membrane receptors.