Liver zonation, revisited

Hepatology. 2022 Oct;76(4):1219-1230. doi: 10.1002/hep.32408. Epub 2022 Mar 6.

Abstract

The concept of hepatocyte functional zonation is well established, with differences in metabolism and xenobiotic processing determined by multiple factors including oxygen and nutrient levels across the hepatic lobule. However, recent advances in single-cell genomics technologies, including single-cell and nuclei RNA sequencing, and the rapidly evolving fields of spatial transcriptomic and proteomic profiling have greatly increased our understanding of liver zonation. Here we discuss how these transformative experimental strategies are being leveraged to dissect liver zonation at unprecedented resolution and how this new information should facilitate the emergence of novel precision medicine-based therapies for patients with liver disease.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Oxygen / metabolism
  • Proteomics*
  • Xenobiotics*

Substances

  • Xenobiotics
  • Oxygen