PI3K/SHIP2/PTEN pathway in cell polarity and hepatitis C virus pathogenesis

Figure 2 Comparison between simple epithelial cells polarity and hepatocytes polarity. A: The epithelial cell polarity presents a differentiation of the apical membrane (in red) to the light, and the basolateral membrane (in green) in contact with the extracellular matrix (ECM). Apical and basal membranes are separated with tight junctions (in black) and adherens junctions (in blue); B: The hepatocytes present a more complex polarity, with several apical membranes for the same cell forming bile ducts. The basolateral membrane is in contact with Disse space allowing the exchange with blood vessels.