Zonal Liver Cell Heterogeneity

The liver has a multitude of functions: it is the centre of intermediary metabolism, a center of defence, a control station of the hormonal system and a blood reservoir. These functions are provided by its parenchymal cells and four types of nonparenchymal cells, with zonal heterogeneity playing an important role in the maintenance and regulation of these functions. This volume contains seven reviews written by experts in the field. A review of the liver architecture as the basis of functional heterogeneity is followed by articles on hepatocyte heterogeneity in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fatty acids, and amino acids and ammonia. Further contributions discuss functional liver cell heterogeneity in bile formation and hepatobiliary drug transport, and in the production of plasma proteins. A separate paper is devoted to the functions of non-parenchymal cells.