Portal Fibroblasts in Biliary Fibrosis

Portal fibroblasts are a minor population in the normal liver, found in the periportal mesenchyme surrounding the bile ducts. While many researchers have hypothesized that they are an important myofibroblast precursor population in biliary fibrosis, responsible for matrix deposition in early fibrosis and for recruiting hepatic stellate cells, the role of portal fibroblasts relative to hepatic stellate cells is controversial. Several papers published in the past year have addressed this point and have identified other potential roles for portal fibroblasts in biliary fibrosis. The goal of this review is to critically assess these recent studies, to highlight gaps in our knowledge of portal fibroblasts, and to suggest directions for future research.