[Development of liver stem cell transplantation for liver regenerative treatment].
OBJECTIVE
To review the development of the liver stem cell transplant for the liver regenerative treatment.


METHODS
The transplantation-related articles about the stem cell classification, repairing mechanisms, administration routes, and existing problems in the liver regenerative therapies reported in the latest literature were extensively reviewed.


RESULTS
The related liver-repairing stem cells were found to be inside and outside the liver, i. e. , the hepatic stem cells and the non-hepatic stem cells. They could repair the liver by the mechanism of the cell fusion or the cell transdifferentiation. The stem cells could be administrated via the portal vein. However, the application of the liver stem cell transplant was restricted by many related clinical problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies are still needed for an improvement of the clinical feasibility for the stem cell transplantation, especially for the liver stem cell transplantation.
Liu
Xiaolong
X
Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China. g_xlliu@126.com
Li
Bo
B
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002459:Cell Fusion; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D051379:Mice; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000601:surgery; D015398:Signal Transduction; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*