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Isolation of CD133+ Liver Stem Cells for Clonal Expansion
12:06

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Published on: October 10, 2011

Liver stem cells

Neil D Theise1

  • 1Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, U.S.A. (E-mail, Neil.Theise@med.nyu.edu.

Cytotechnology
|November 13, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Liver regeneration involves three main cell populations: hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and stem/progenitor cells. The specific insult dictates which of these compartments drive liver repair.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatobiliary science
  • Stem cell biology
  • Regenerative medicine

Background:

  • Hepatocytes and cholangiocytes possess self-maintenance capabilities.
  • Recent research highlights intra-hepatic and extra-hepatic stem/progenitor cell populations in the liver.
  • The liver's regenerative capacity is crucial for maintaining organ function and repairing damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the distinct cellular compartments involved in liver regeneration.
  • To understand the origins and contributions of intra-hepatic and extra-hepatic stem/progenitor cells.
  • To explore how different types of insults influence the balance of regenerative mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on liver cell biology and regeneration.
  • Analysis of studies identifying stem/progenitor cell populations within and outside the liver.
  • Correlation of injury types with the activation of specific regenerative pathways.

Main Results:

  • Liver regeneration involves three tiers: resident hepatocytes/cholangiocytes, intra-organ stem/progenitors (primarily from the biliary tree), and extra-organ stem/progenitors (partially from bone marrow).
  • The biliary tree, particularly the canals of Hering and ductules, is a likely source of intra-hepatic stem/progenitors.
  • Bone marrow-derived cells contribute to the extra-organ stem/progenitor pool.

Conclusions:

  • Liver regeneration is a multi-faceted process involving distinct cellular compartments.
  • The biliary tree serves as a significant source for intra-hepatic stem/progenitor cells.
  • The type and severity of liver injury determine the predominant regenerative mechanism employed.

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