Cholangiocyte

<h2 id="function">Function</h2>
<p>In the healthy liver, cholangiocytes contribute to <a href="/facts/Bile/7c5ufDao">bile</a> secretion via release of <a href="/facts/Bicarbonate/zzSVVAl1">bicarbonate</a> and water. Several hormones and locally acting mediators are known to contribute to cholangiocyte fluid/electrolyte secretion. These include <a href="/facts/Secretin/M77lRJbo">secretin</a>, <a href="/facts/Acetylcholine/v1d3wRUd">acetylcholine</a>, <a href="/facts/Adenosine_triphosphate/nB9bwgcU">ATP</a>, and <a href="/facts/Bombesin/1vYqaFWH">bombesin</a>.
</p><p>Cholangiocytes act through bile-acid independent bile flow, which is driven by the active transport of electrolytes. In contrast, <a href="/facts/Hepatocytes/USpvDz1n">hepatocytes</a> secrete bile through bile-acid dependent bile flow, which is coupled to canalicular secretion of bile acids via ATP-driven transporters. This results in passive transcellular and paracellular secretion of fluid and electrolytes through an osmotic effect.
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<h2 id="clinical-significance">Clinical significance</h2>
<p>Disordered functioning of cholangiocytes is at the center of a variety of pathological conditions known as "cholangiopathies." These diseases include <a href="/facts/Primary_biliary_cirrhosis/9X0f10mz">primary biliary cirrhosis</a>, <a href="/facts/Primary_sclerosing_cholangitis/bI0YIfhV">primary sclerosing cholangitis</a>, AIDS cholangiopathy, disappearing bile duct syndromes, <a href="/facts/Alagille%2527s_syndrome/qQRqNxJr">Alagille's syndrome</a>, <a href="/facts/Cystic_fibrosis/tlNK5BAH">cystic fibrosis</a>, and <a href="/facts/Biliary_atresia/gdTQvuFe">biliary atresia</a>. Often either the best or the only curative treatment option for cholangiopathies is <a href="/facts/Liver_transplantation/0noMXT50">liver transplantation</a>, and as a group, cholangiopathies account for a substantial percentage of both adult and pediatric liver transplants.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a>
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<h2 id="research">Research</h2>
<p>Active scientific investigation of cholangiocytes focuses on such diverse processes as mechanisms of fluid/electrolyte secretion, regulation of cholangiocyte proliferation, roles of cholangiocytes in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, and cholangiocyte apoptosis. Specific investigation of individual cholangiopathies is also pursued actively.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a>
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<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>Tietz PS, Larusso NF (May 2006). "Cholangiocyte biology". Current Opinion in Gastroenterology. 22 (3): 279–87. doi:10.1097/01.mog.0000218965.78558.bc. PMID 16550043. S2CID 38944986. <a href="/w/index.php?title=Nicholas_F._LaRusso&action=edit&redlink=1" target="_blank">/w/index.php?title=Nicholas_F._LaRusso&action=edit&redlink=1</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:2"><p>Tam, PKH; Yiu, RS; Lendahl, U; Andersson, ER (September 2018). "Cholangiopathies - Towards a molecular understanding". eBioMedicine. 35: 381–393. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.08.024. PMC 6161480. PMID 30236451. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6161480" target="_blank">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6161480</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:3"><p>Tietz PS, Larusso NF (May 2006). "Cholangiocyte biology". Current Opinion in Gastroenterology. 22 (3): 279–87. doi:10.1097/01.mog.0000218965.78558.bc. PMID 16550043. S2CID 38944986. <a href="/w/index.php?title=Nicholas_F._LaRusso&action=edit&redlink=1" target="_blank">/w/index.php?title=Nicholas_F._LaRusso&action=edit&redlink=1</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
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Cholangiocyte open-in-new

Cholangiocyte