Adult human biliary tissues were dissected from intact livers and pancreases obtained but not used for transplantation into a patient. They were obtained through organ donation programs via United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Those used for these studies were considered normal with no evidence of disease processes. Informed consent was obtained from next of kin for use of the tissues for research purposes, protocols received Institutional Review Board approval, and processing was compliant with Good Manufacturing Practice.
In addition, we received human fetal biliary tree and pancreata from an accredited agency (Advanced Biological Resources, San Francisco, CA) from fetuses between 16-20 weeks gestational age obtained by elective pregnancy terminations. The research protocols were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board for Human Research Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Further details on the samples are given inTables S3 and S4 .
The data given in all the figures and the pictures represent the findings in at least three independent experiments. For the rest of the methods, please see the online supplement.
In addition, we received human fetal biliary tree and pancreata from an accredited agency (Advanced Biological Resources, San Francisco, CA) from fetuses between 16-20 weeks gestational age obtained by elective pregnancy terminations. The research protocols were reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board for Human Research Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Further details on the samples are given in
The data given in all the figures and the pictures represent the findings in at least three independent experiments. For the rest of the methods, please see the online supplement.
