Cholangiocytes-the epithelial cells which line the bileducts-are increasingly recognized as importanttransporting epithelia actively involved in the absorptionand secretion of water,ions,and solutes.Thisrecognition is...Cholangiocytes-the epithelial cells which line the bileducts-are increasingly recognized as importanttransporting epithelia actively involved in the absorptionand secretion of water,ions,and solutes.Thisrecognition is due in part to the recent development ofnew experimental models.New biologic concepts haveemerged including the identification and topography ofreceptors and flux proteins on the apical and/orbasolateral membrane which are involved in the molecularmechanisms of ductal bile secretion.Individually isolatedand/or perfused bile duct units from livers of rats andmice serve as new,physiologically relevant in vitromodels to study cholangiocyte transport.Biliary treedimensions and novel insights into anatomic remodeling ofproliferating bile ducts have emerged from three-dimensional reconstruction using CT scanning andsophisticated software.Moreover,new pathologicconcepts have arisen regarding the interaction ofcholangiocytes with pathogens such as Cryptosporidiumparvum.These concepts and associated methodologiesmay provide the framework to develop new therapies forthe cholangiopathies,a group of important hepatobiliarydiseases in which cholangiocytes are the target cell.展开更多
基金grants DK24031 and DK57993(N.F.LaRusso)from the National Institutes of Healththe Mayo Foundation
文摘Cholangiocytes-the epithelial cells which line the bileducts-are increasingly recognized as importanttransporting epithelia actively involved in the absorptionand secretion of water,ions,and solutes.Thisrecognition is due in part to the recent development ofnew experimental models.New biologic concepts haveemerged including the identification and topography ofreceptors and flux proteins on the apical and/orbasolateral membrane which are involved in the molecularmechanisms of ductal bile secretion.Individually isolatedand/or perfused bile duct units from livers of rats andmice serve as new,physiologically relevant in vitromodels to study cholangiocyte transport.Biliary treedimensions and novel insights into anatomic remodeling ofproliferating bile ducts have emerged from three-dimensional reconstruction using CT scanning andsophisticated software.Moreover,new pathologicconcepts have arisen regarding the interaction ofcholangiocytes with pathogens such as Cryptosporidiumparvum.These concepts and associated methodologiesmay provide the framework to develop new therapies forthe cholangiopathies,a group of important hepatobiliarydiseases in which cholangiocytes are the target cell.
