What is a Cholangiocyte?
Cholangiocytes are epithelial cells lining the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts; they are heterogeneous in size and function and contribute to bile composition and flow by solute transport processes.
Which of the following is a function of cholangiocytes?
The main physiologic function of cholangiocytes is modification of hepatocyte-derived bile, an intricate process regulated by hormones, peptides, nucleotides, neurotransmitters, and other molecules through intracellular signaling pathways and cascades.
Does cholangiocytes express albumin?
They express both albumin and cytokeratin 19 (CK19), which are, respectively, hepatocytic and cholangiocytic markers and differentiate to hepatocytic and biliary lineages, recapitulating hepatoblast differentiation in fetal liver.
Are cholangiocytes parenchymal cells?
The liver lobule consists of epithelial cells, hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, and of non-parenchymal cells, such as liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC), Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells (HSC).
What is a stellate cell?
Hepatic stellate cells are liver-specific mesenchymal cells that play vital roles in liver physiology and fibrogenesis. They are located in the space of Disse and maintain close interactions with sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatic epithelial cells.
Where are cholangiocytes found?
Cholangiocytes are the epithelial cells of the bile duct. They are cuboidal epithelium in the small interlobular bile ducts, but become columnar and mucus secreting in larger bile ducts approaching the porta hepatis and the extrahepatic ducts.
Is bile a secretion?
Excerpt. Bile is a physiological aqueous solution produced and secreted by the liver. It consists mainly of bile salts, phospholipids, cholesterol, conjugated bilirubin, electrolytes, and water . Bile travels through the liver in a series of ducts, eventually exiting through the common hepatic duct.
What is the pathophysiology of cholangiocytes?
Cholangiocyte pathobiology Cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells lining the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, are highly specialized cells residing in a complex anatomic niche where they participate in bile production and homeostasis. Cholangiocytes are damaged in a variety of human diseases termed cholangiopathies, of …
What are cholangiopathies?
Cholangiocytes are damaged in a variety of human diseases termed cholangiopathies, of … Cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells lining the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, are highly specialized cells residing in a complex anatomic niche where they participate in bile production and homeostasis.
Where are cholangiocytes found in the body?
Cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells lining the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, are highly specialized cells residing in a complex anatomic niche where they participate in bile production and homeostasis. Cholangiocytes are damaged in a variety of human diseases termed cholangiopathies, of …
What are cholangiocytes in the bile duct?
Cholangiocyte. Cholangiocytes are the epithelial cells of the bile duct. They are cuboidal epithelium in the small interlobular bile ducts, but become columnar and mucus secreting in larger bile ducts approaching the porta hepatis and the extrahepatic ducts.