Recent advances have carried hepatology to new frontiers. The increasing frequency with which steatotic and cirrhotic livers undergo surgery obliges liver surgeons and hepatologists to understand the molecular mechanisms at play in these situations. Comprehension of the signaling pathways participating in liver regeneration, hepatocellular apoptosis and ischemia/reperfusion injury is essential. This book serves as a source of information to facilitate the reading of the literature and the planning of trials. Translational medicine implies knowledge of the molecular targets of novel therapeutic strategies. It is our goal to stimulate more research that can lead to more exchanges between the laboratory, the clinical ward and the operating room.

From the contents:<br />Part I Cell Types and Matrix: Hepatocytes

Signaling Pathways in Biliary Epithelial Cells
Stellate Cells
Kupffer Cells
Hepatic Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells
Extracellular Matrix
Part II Specific Signaling Pathways: IL-6/gp130/Stat3 - Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling.-. Insulin Pathway
Nature and Functionof Hepatic Tumor Necrosis Factor-a Signaling
The Fas/FasL Signaling Pathway
TGF-ß and the Smad Pathway in Liver Fibrogenesis
Interferon Signaling
CD14 and Toll Receptor
The Wnt/ß-Catenin Pathway
Notch Signaling in Liver Disease
Extracellular ATP: Emerging Roles of Purinergic Signaling
Calcium Signaling
MAP Kinase Pathways in the Control of Hepatocyte Growth, Metabolism and Survival
PI3K,PTEN and Akt
TOR Signaling and Cell Growth Control
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptors
Transcriptional Response to cAMP in the Liver
Heme Oxygenase System
Nitric Oxide
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 Signaling System
Cyclins and CDKs in Liver Diseases
Telomeres amd Telomerase: Distinctive Roles in Liver Regeneration, Cirrhosis and Carcinogenesis
NF-kB
Ceramide: Cell Regulation from a Lipid Perspective
Apoptosis and Mitochondria
Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Liver Diseases
Biological Clock in the Liver
Part III Horizons: Pharmacogenomics of Cholestatic Liver Disease
Proteomics of Signal Transduction Pathways
Subject Index.