Hepatocytes and other non-muscle cells

Hepatocytes and other non-muscle cells refers to a broad category of cellular populations rather than a specific molecular target such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter. Hepatocytes are the primary functional cells of the liver, responsible for critical physiological processes including the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, as well as the detoxification of endogenous and exogenous substances (StatPearls, 2023). The term non-muscle cells is a general classification used in physiology to distinguish various cell types—such as adipocytes, hepatocytes, or fibroblasts—from skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscle tissue, often in the context of metabolic regulation or insulin-mediated glucose disposal (Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2002). Because this entry describes a collection of cell types, it does not possess a single molecular classification or a unified mechanism of action. In a pharmacological context, these cells are frequently the site of drug metabolism (via Cytochrome P450 enzymes) or the intended destination for tissue-specific therapies, such as those targeting the asialoglycoprotein receptor on hepatocytes (LiverTox, 2020). However, treating a whole cell population as a target is considered a nomenclature error in molecular pharmacology, as therapeutic effects are mediated by specific proteins within these cells rather than the cells themselves (IUPHAR/BPS, 2024).

Other names

Liver cellsParenchymal cellsNon-myocytesHepatic cells

Not applicable. This entry refers to a cell population rather than a specific molecular target. Drugs interacting with these cells do so via specific receptors (e.g., Insulin receptor), enzymes (e.g., HMG-CoA reductase), or transporters (e.g., OATP1B1) expressed on or within the cells (IUPHAR/BPS, 2024).