Biliary system architecture: Experimental models and visualization techniques.

摘要

The complex architecture of the liver biliary network representsa structural prerequisite for the formation and secretion of bile aswell as excretion of toxic substances through bile ducts.Disorders of the biliary tract affect a significant portion of theworldwide population, often leading to cholestatic liver diseases.Cholestatic liver disease is a condition that results from animpairment of bile formation or bile flow to the gallbladder andduodenum. Cholestasis leads to dramatic changes in biliary treearchitecture, worsening liver disease and systemic illness. Recentstudies show that the prevalence of cholestatic liver diseases isincreasing. The availability of well characterized animal models,as well as development of visualization approaches constitutesa critical asset to develop novel pathogenetic concepts and newtreatment strategies.