Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in liver fibrosis: dead or alive?

Y Popov, D Schuppan - Gastroenterology, 2010 - gastrojournal.org
Cholangiocytes represent a unique epithelial cell compartment in the diseased liver. Even in
uninjured liver, cholangiocytes demonstrate remarkable heterogeneity 1 and respond to
numerous stimuli, including bile acids, reproductive and neuroendocrine hormones, and
endocannabinoids. 2 Upon injury, cholangiocytes proliferate and undergo a phenotypic
switch from a quiescent to a “reactive” type, which is characterized by dramatic changes in
morphology and gene expression and which can drive and perpetuate inflammation and …