The role of oval cells and gap junctional intercellular communication in hepatocarcinogenesis

The role of oval cells, and Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication (GJIC) in hepatic differentiation and neoplasia is controversial. Oval cells accumulate in great number when hepatocyte regeneration is blocked following massive hepatotoxicity or after treatment with some hepatocarcinogens. This suggests oval cells are facultative stem cells or close progeny of liver stem cells that are activated only under specific conditions. Studies with oval cell lines clearly indicate that they can differentiate into hepatocytes and that neoplastic derivatives of oval cells can produce hepatocellular and biliary neoplasms. Because hepatocytes express Cx32 and biliary cells express Cx43, the differentiation of oval cells into hepatocytes or In addition, because Cx32 hemichannels and Cx43 hemichannels cannot form heterotypic patent channels, the type of connexin expressed by the differentiating oval cell will determine whether it communicates with hepatocytes or biliary epithelial cells, respectively. This communication may be necessary for the further differentiation and regulated growth of the differentiating oval cells and impairment of this GJIC may contribute to the formation of hepatocellular and cholangiocellular neoplasms. The type of connexin expressed may also determine the susceptibility of the differentiating oval cells to the various types of rodent liver tumor promoters. Thus, three major points have been developed here. First, Cx32 or Cx43 expression and GJIC with hepatocytes or biliary epithelial cells, respectively, may determine the final differentiated fate of oval cells. Secondly, blocked GJIC may determine whether oval cells progress to hepatocellular or cholangiocellular carcinoma. Lastly, the ability of tumor promoters to block Cx32 or Cx43-mediated GJIC in differentiating oval cells may determine whether these agents promote the formation of hepatocellular or cholangiocellular carcinomas. Thus, GJIC may be the key factor in the differentiation of oval cells and blocked GJIC may promote their neoplastic transformation in a lineage-specific manner. In this chapter, we have outlined several new hypotheses on the role of oval cells and GJIC in hepatocarcinogenesis. We hope that other investigators will consider our ideas, but realize these views will be contentious to many. Our intent, however, was to stimulate discussion and debate, even argument, because truth often arises amidst controversy and may be found in the most peculiar places.