Figure 3.
Physiological zonation and cellular activity in the sinusoid unit of the liver. In a healthy and mature liver, oxygen (O2) tension decreases as blood flows along the sinusoid unit (as detailed in Figure 2), from the portal triad (zone 1) to the central vein (zone 3). Different types of cell‐based molecular activities relate to this oxygen tension gradient. Glucose concentration, glycolytic activity, albumin and urea production, Wnt signaling and phosphorylation (phos.) of β‐catenin vary as noted in relation to oxygen concentration. The illustration is inspired by different sources.43, 50 Other cellular functions vary along the hepatic sinusoid, a topic reviewed elsewhere.49, 50, 51 [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]