Molecular basis of neonatal cholestasis.
At present, specific evidence regarding the molecular mechanisms of neonatal cholestasis is limited. The recent explosion in the understanding of the molecular physiology of bile formation has been fueled by the discovery of several genes that are involved in familial cholestasis. The ever-growing understanding of the functional immaturity of the neonatal liver is sure to be enhanced by the study of the ontogeny of important hepatobiliary transporters as they are discovered. The understanding of the functional differences between the immature and mature liver is key to the understanding of neonatal cholestasis.
Emerick
Karan McBride
KM
Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Children's Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA. k-emerick@nwu.edu
Whitington
Peter F
PF
D001646:Bile / Q000502:physiology; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology