In PBC, inflammation is attributed to an immune response to mitochondrial autoantigens followed by a serologic response of anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs); and accompanied by inflammation of small bile ducts. The pathogenesis includes both CD4 and CD8 cells, which in the presence of biliary cells expressing the 2-oxo-dehydrogenase pathway (PDC-E2) activates macrophages via granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor. The activated macrophages, together with AMAs, produce a proinflammatory response with subsequent liver inflammation and fibrosis. Thus, macrophages seem to be involved in PBC disease severity and progression. However, macrophage activation markers have not previously been investigated in PBC patients. The investigators in our research group have during the last years investigated the macrophage activation marker sCD163. The group have shown increased levels in relation to liver fibrosis/cirrhosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH) and alcoholic liver disease (alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis) and liver disease severity including risk of portal hypertension and development of complications and mortality. Just recently the investigators' group also demonstrated that the soluble mannose receptor (sMR) and sCD163 are associated with early and long-term prognosis of patients with cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure.