Cholangiocyte cilia detect changes in luminal fluid flow and transmit them into intracellular Ca2+ and cAMP signaling.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Cholangiocytes have primary cilia extending from the apical plasma membrane into the ductal lumen. While the physiologic significance of cholangiocyte cilia is unknown, studies in renal epithelia suggest that primary cilia possess sensory functions. Here, we tested the hypothesis that cholangiocyte cilia are sensory organelles that detect and transmit luminal bile flow stimuli into intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) signaling.

Methods

Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescent confocal microscopy of rat isolated intrahepatic bile duct units (IBDUs) were used to detect and characterize cholangiocyte cilia. The fluid flow-induced changes in Ca2+ and cAMP levels in cholangiocy

SUBMITTER: Masyuk AI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1866168 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature