Bile Canalicular Contractions in Sandwich-Cultured Rat Hepatocytes

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Bile Canaliculi

These bile networks that have formed between hepatocytes are essential for the excretion of bile from the liver. When these canaliculi contract, bile is driven toward the biliary ductules, causing bile to flow. This type of canalicular contraction in sandwich-cultured rat hepatocytes can be observed in the video above.

Drug-induced Liver Injury

When export of bile acids into the bile networks is impaired due to drugs, bile acids accumulate within the hepatocyte, leading to liver injury.  Dr. Brouwer’s research is focused on understanding how drugs interact with hepatocytes, ultimately helping in the prevention of drug-induced liver injury.

Bow, D. A. J.; Perry, J. L.; Miller, D. S.; Pritchard, J. B.; and Brouwer, K. L. R.

This work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grant GM41935 and by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. This image was obtained with the assistance of the Fluorescence Microscopy and Imaging Center at the NIEHS.