Bone marrow to liver: the blood of Prometheus.
The existence of hepatic stem or progenitor cells has been controversial for decades, though it was presumed that if such cells existed, they would lie within the liver. There is now consensus, however, that not only do facultative hepatic stem cells exist within the liver, but also that cells from extra-hepatic sites, in particular the bone marrow, can contribute to hepatocyte and cholangiocyte regeneration. Despite confidence that engraftment of marrow cells in the liver occurs, the mechanistic details of this process remain poorly understood. Moreover, the physiological importance and therapeutic utility of this phenomenon remains controversial.
Theise
Neil D
ND
Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, Room 461, 560 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA. niel.theise@med.nyu.edu
Krause
Diane S
DS
D000818:Animals; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000166:cytology; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology*; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*