Notably, studies have shown that Th17 cells and the IL-17 secreted by the cells may induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in intrahepatic bile ducts through IL-17A-IL-17RA-Act1 activation of the NF-κB pathway, and participate in the progression of PBC disease (Huang et al., 2016). Here, IL17A is linked to primary biliary cholangitis.