Cholangiocyte autophagy contributes to hepatic cystogenesis in polycystic liver disease and represents a potential therapeutic target.

ABSTRACT: Polycystic liver disease (PLD) is a group of genetic disorders with limited treatment options and significant morbidity. Hepatic cysts arise from cholangiocytes exhibiting a hyperproliferative phenotype. Considering that hyperproliferation of many cell types is associated with alterations in autophagy, we hypothesized that autophagy is altered in PLD cholangiocytes, contributes to hepatic cystogenesis, and might represent a potential therapeutic target. We employed functional pathway cluster analysis and next-generation sequencing, transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, and western blotting to assess autophagy in human and rodent PLD cholangiocytes. A three-dimensional culture model was used to study the effects of molecular and pharmacologic inhibition o

SUBMITTER: Masyuk AI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5826832 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature