Hepatocytes

Abstract

Parenchymal liver cells, i.e., hepatocytes, constitute the major cellular compartment of the liver and may be regarded as key hepatic effector cells since the majority of liver functions could be attributed to their activity. Hepatocytes are also the main target of liver-damaging agents (biological and chemical), and their injury leads to acute or chronic liver disease. The aim of this monograph is to show that the activities and interactions of nonparenchymal liver cells with hepatocytes and non-hepatocytes constitute important factors that may regulate many aspects of liver physiology and pathology. Therefore, and because of space constraints, only basic information about the structure and function of hepatocytes will be presented. For in-depth reviews about the role of liver parenchymal cells in health and disease, the reader should consult textbooks of hepatology and specialized monographs.