title: Liver architecture, cell function, and disease.
abstract: The liver is an organ consisting of the largest reticulo-endothelial cell network in the body and playing an important role in host defense against invading microorganisms. The organ is comprised of parenchymal cells and many different types of non-parenchymal cells, all of which play a significant role. Even biliary epithelial cells are not only the target in autoimmune liver diseases but also have central role in orchestrating several immune cells involved in both innate and acquired immunity. Tissue damage caused by various agents results in inflammation, necrosis, fibrosis, and, eventually, distortion of normal hepatic architecture, cirrhosis, and functional deterioration.
authors.affiliation: Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan. hiishibashi-gi@umin.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishibashi
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Atsumasa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Komori
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Migita
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimoda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001659:Biliary Tract / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018925:Chemokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines