Journal of hepatology
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Journal of hepatology · Jun 2003
Adaptive changes in hepatobiliary transporter expression in primary biliary cirrhosis.
Information about alterations of hepatobiliary transporter expression in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) could provide important insights into the pathogenesis of cholestasis. This study aimed to determine the expression of hepatobiliary transport systems for bile salts (Na(+)/taurocholate cotransporter, NTCP; bile salt export pump, BSEP), organic anions (organic anion transporting protein, OATP2; canalicular conjugate export pump, MRP2; basolateral MRP homologue, MRP3), organic cations (canalicular multidrug export pump, MDR1), and phospholipids (canalicular phospholipid flippase MDR3) in livers from patients with advanced stages of PBC. ⋯ Down-regulation of basolateral uptake systems and maintenance/up-regulation of canalicular and basolateral efflux pumps may represent adaptive mechanisms limiting the accumulation of toxic biliary constituents.