Follicle-stimulating hormone increases cholangiocyte proliferation by an autocrine mechanism via cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Elk-1.

Sex hormones regulate cholangiocyte hyperplasia in bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats. We studied whether follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) regulates cholangiocyte proliferation. FSH receptor (FSHR) and FSH expression was evaluated in liver sections, purified cholangiocytes, and cholangiocyte cultures (NRICC).