title: BMP-4 induced proliferation and oriented differentiation of rat hepatic oval cells into hepatocytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the role of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) in hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs).
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of BMP-4 on rat hepatic oval cells was examined by using the WB-F344 rat hepatocytic epithelial stem-cell-like cell line. This hepatocytic cell line could exert various hepatocyte functions including the secretion of albumin and urea. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the effects of BMP-4 and its antagonist, Noggin, on the proliferation and differentiation of these cells, cellular uptake and excretion of indocyanine green, the periodic acid-schiff (PAS) assay for glycogen storage and the expression of hepatic markers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results showed for the first time that BMP-4 may acted as a potential inducer of hepatic differentiation in rat hepatic oval cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This cell source offers a much-needed attractive and expandable source for future investigations of drug screening, stem cell technologies and cellular transplantation, in a society with increasing levels of liver disease and damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Ming
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Science, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. Electronic address: shenhongCS@163.com.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shen
keywords: Bone morphogenetic protein-4; Differentiation; Hepatic progenitor cells; Proliferation; Transforming growth factor-β