Morphological features and modulation of the intrahepatic biliary epithelium

Much has been learned in the past few years concerning the morphology and f unction of the intrahepatic biliary epithelium. Immunohistochemistry, toget her with ultrastructural studies has allowed a better identification or the smallest branches of the biliary tree and of subcellular components (cytos keleton, specializations of the cell membrane, specific receptors). Modulat ion of the biliary epithelium in response to physiological or pathological stimuli has renewed the interest concerning the existence of facultative st em cells in the liver. More information is needed however concerning the me chanisms of cell loss in vanishing bile duct syndromes.