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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro
Published on: January 31, 2022
[Do liver cells predict the risk of damage by chemical substances?]
Marcin Kamiński1, Ryszard Wiaderkiewicz
1II Katedra i Zakład Histologii i Embriologii, Slaska Akademia Medyczna w Katowicach, 40-752 Katowice, ul. Medyków 18. sekhistemb@slam.katowice.pl
Abstract:
The article reviews the possible responses of liver cells to chemical insult. Both the necrosis and different ways of apoptotic death are considered. The regulatory role of BCL2/BAX proteins, p53 protein as well as other proteins modulating its activity is also described. The controlled proliferation is presented which base on transition of fully differentiated hepatocytes from the resting Go phase to GI phase of cell cycle. It is triggered by the loss of organ mass after extensive necrosis induced by xenobiotics. In this context the interrelations between the parenchymal cells (hepatocytes) and nonparenchymal cells, intercellular matrix, released growth factors are discussed. Tumorigenesis is also mentioned with special emphasis on the cell cycle control points and "run-away" from apoptosis of some cells despite the serious mistakes present in their DNA.
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