Cellular aspects of liver regeneration.
This paper has the objective to analyze the cellular aspects of liver regeneration (LR). Upon damage in this organ, the regenerative capacity of hepatocyte is sufficiently able to reestablish the parenchyma as a whole. Taking into account the regenerative capacity of hepatocyte, the need of a progenitor or a liver trunk cell was not obvious. Nowadays it is well-established that precursor cells take part in the liver regenerative process. The liver trunk cell, oval cell, acts as a by-potential precursor, contributing for the liver restoration, mainly when the hepatocytes are unable to proliferate. Another precursor, trunk cell of hematopoetic origin (HSC), takes part in the regenerative process, originating cells of the hepatocytic lineage and colangiocytes, as well as the oval cell. The way the trans-differentiation takes place is not established yet. A number of studies must be undertaken in order to clarify questions, such as the possible occurrence of cellular fusion process between the HSC and the hepatic cells and the possibility of application as a new therapeutic procedure in the treatment of diseases associated with insufficiency of this noble organ.
Tarlá
Marissa Rabelo
MR
Department of Pathology, FMRP, USP, Brazil.
Ramalho
Fernando
F
Ramalho
Leandra Naira Zambelli
LN
Silva
Tiago de Castro e
Tde C
Brandão
Daniel Ferracioli
DF
Ferreira
Juliana
J
Silva
Orlando de Castro e
Ode C
Zucoloto
Sérgio
S
D000818:Animals; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000166:cytology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D015415:Biomarkers; C091527:oval cell antigen, human