Biliary epithelium

The biliary epithelium is the cellular lining of the biliary tree, composed of highly specialized epithelial cells called cholangiocytes (StatPearls, 2023). These cells line both the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts and play a fundamental role in bile formation by modifying the volume and composition of canalicular bile through various secretory and absorptive processes (NIH, 2022). The biliary epithelium is the primary site of damage in a group of liver diseases known as cholangiopathies, which include primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) (Journal of Hepatology, 2018). While it is a critical physiological structure, 'Biliary epithelium' is considered an incorrect designation for a therapeutic target because it refers to an entire tissue type rather than a specific protein, receptor, or enzyme. Pharmacological interventions for biliary diseases typically focus on specific molecular targets expressed on these cells, such as the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) or the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) (PubMed, 2021).

Other names

CholangiocytesBile duct epitheliumBiliary treeBiliary tract epithelium

Not applicable; biliary epithelium is a tissue/cell type (cholangiocytes) rather than a discrete molecular target like a receptor or enzyme.