Hepatocytes (HC)

A hepatocyte is a cell of the main parenchymal tissue of the liver. Hepatocytes make up 70-85% of the liver's mass. These cells are involved in protein synthesis,storage,transformation of carbohydrates, detoxification, modification, and excretion of exogenous and endogenous substances etc..

Hepatocytes are organised into plates separated by vascular channels (sinusoids), an arrangement supported by a reticulin network.Sinusoids display a discontinuous, fenestrated endothelial cell lining. Cultured hepatocytes are a good study of liver function, in vitro model of metabolism and liver diseases. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of the liver may be helpful in the discovery of new therapies for the treatment of liver diseases.