Figure 3 Pattern of TLR4 expression in bile ducts. Five representative septal or interlobular bile ducts were chosen in each case for the assessment. Membranous (luminal, lateral, and/or basal) and cytoplasmic expression was found in 15 of 40 bile ducts in normal liver, 92 of 115 bile ducts in PBC, 44 of 55 bile ducts in EBO, and 108 of 130 bile ducts in HCV‐LC. Membranous and cytoplasmic expression was significantly increased in pathological livers, compared with normal liver (*p < 0.05). EBO, extrahepatic biliary obstruction; HCV‐LC, hepatitis C virus related liver cirrhosis; PBC, primary biliary cirrhosis; TLR, Toll‐like receptor.