Figure 3.

Schematic presentation of cellular effects and molecular signaling pathways initiated by TUDCA in cholestatic hepatocytes. Hepatoprotective effects are attributable to the TUDCA-mediated activation of two main signaling pathways: Ca²⁺-dependent signaling pathway and α5β1 integrin-dependent signaling pathway. Stimulation with TUDCA increases the insertion of key canalicular bile acid transporters resulting in anti-cholestetic and choleretic effect. Mrp2—multidrug resistance-associated protein 2; ABCB11—bile salt export pump; cPKCα—protein kinase C; PKA—protein kinase A; FAK—focal adhesion kinase; SRC—steroid receptor co-activator; p38^MAPK—mitogen-activated protein kinase; PI3K–phosphoinositide-3-kinase; ERK1/2—extracellular signal-regulated kinase.