[Pathophysiology of cholangiocytes: recent advances]

Recenti Prog Med. 2007 Nov;98(11):583-8.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

A bulk of researches performed in the last decade highlighted the extraordinary biological properties of cholangiocytes involved in a number of important processes such as bile formation, proliferation, injury repair, fibrosis, angiogenesis and regulation of blood flow. Cholangiocytes proliferation is a key mechanism capable of conditioning the evolution of liver damage. Proliferating cholangiocytes, in fact, acquire the phenotype of neuroendocrine cells and secrete different substances which represent the tools of cross-talk with other hepatic cells. Recent advances on the molecular and cell biology of cholangiocytes are opening new potential therapeutic perspectives for the human chronic liver diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile Duct Diseases / etiology*
  • Bile Duct Diseases / physiopathology
  • Bile Ducts / cytology*
  • Bile Ducts / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cytoprotection
  • Epithelial Cells*
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / therapy
  • Liver Diseases / physiopathology
  • Liver Diseases / therapy*