Human Intrahepatic Biliary Epithelial Cells

Human Intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells (HIBEpiC) line the intrahepatic biliary tree; a complex three-dimensional network of tubular conduits of varying diameters within the liver. They comprise only 3 – 5% of the total population of liver cells, yet produce as much as 40% of the daily output of bile. HIBEpiC play an important role in maintaining, modifying and augmenting the composition of canalicular bile by a coordinated series of hormone-regulated secretory and absorptive processes. HIBEpiC also have an active immunologic role in both the innate and adaptive immune responses. They secrete chemokines and cytokines and serve to localize the immune response by expressing critical cell adhesion molecules. Under basal conditions, IBEpiC are mitotically dormant, however, IBEpiC proliferate markedly in response to injury. Cultured Human IBEpiC (HIBEpiC) are a useful in vitro model for studying biliary cirrhosis and liver disease.