Hepatobiliary Pathophysiology Study Section – HBPP

Topics

• The use of isolated parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells of the liver including hepatocytes, stellate cells, Kupffer cells, endothelial cells, cholangiocytes and resident lymphocytes particularly as they relate to the pathogenesis of liver disease.
• Progenitor and stem cell therapies of genetic and acquired hepatobiliary diseases.
• Mechanisms of bile formation, bile salt synthesis hepatic cholesterol and lipid metabolism and their genetic and molecular regulation of cholestatic and gallstone disease.
• Molecular genetics and biochemical basis for NAFLD and NASH and approaches to intervention and reversal.
• Physiologic mechanisms of hepatobiliary transport including mechanisms of uptake and excretion of organic solutes, heavy metals, and ions.
• Inflammatory response of the liver to injury or infection, pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress and ER stress, apoptosis and autophagy.
• Mechanism of hepatocyte injury including immune response, oxidative stress, apoptosis, pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, including signal transduction pathways and neuromediators.
• Liver development, injury, repair, regeneration, growth, differentiation, development, and aging.
• Hepatocyte and cholangiocyte dysplasia and pre-neoplasia; mechanisms of transformation; cellular immortalization and mutagenesis.
• Liver cell and organ transplantation, liver ischemia-reperfusion injury and application of transplantation to the therapy of liver diseases.
• Regulation of splanchnic blood flow and endothelial vascular function as it pertains to mechanisms of portal hypertension.
• Cellular and molecular mechanisms of liver diseases, such as, fibrosis and cirrhosis including complications such as ascites and hepatic encephalopathy.
• Viral hepatitis as it relates to the pathogenesis of hepatobiliary disease.
• Pathogenesis of alcoholic liver injury, including the role of nutrient deficiencies and endotoxemia.

Shared Interests and Overlaps

There are shared interests with Nutrition and Metabolism in Health and Disease (NMHD) in the investigation of lipid and sterol metabolic and signaling pathways of the liver. Studies focused on these nutrient and metabolite effects on hepatic metabolism and the etiology of fatty liver disease may be reviewed in NMHD, while those focused on sterol and lipid metabolic impacts on liver development and inflammatory diseases may be reviewed here.

There are shared interests with Molecular and Cellular Biology of Virus Infection (MCV) and Viral Pathogenesis and Immunity (VPI). Studies addressing the cellular and molecular biology of HBV/HCV viral replication: attachment and entry; gene expression and regulation; viral genome replication; viral assembly and maturation; egress may be reviewed in MCV or VPI. Applications that focus on liver pathology, liver cell autophagy or necroptosis associated with viral infection may be reviewed here.

There are shared interests in hepatobiliary transport, liver injury and alcohol liver disease with Drug and Biologic Disposition and Toxicity (DBDT). Applications that focus on the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver injury and other liver diseases are reviewed in HBPP. Applications that investigate alcohol-drug interactions and the contributions of alcohol to pharmacological-induced injury in the liver are reviewed in DBDT.

There are shared interests with Adaptive Immunity (AI), Innate Immunity A (IIDA (81)), and Innate Immunity B (IIB). Applications with a greater focus on fundamental aspects of the adaptive immune response or innate immune response may be reviewed in AI or IIDA (81)/IIB, respectively. Applications addressing impacts of the adaptive or innate immune system on the function and pathology relevant to diseases or disorders of liver may be reviewed in HBPP.