title: Model systems and clinical applications of hepatic stem cells for liver regeneration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatic stem cells are capable to self-renew and to differentiate into all types of cells in the liver, including hepatic progenitors, mature hepatocytes and cholangiocytes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review summarizes the recent advances in animal studies and the results of clinical trials over the last few decades.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Studies in numerous animal models of liver diseases have demonstrated the efficacy of hepatic stem cells. Clinical studies of hepatic stem cells are also promising for a variety of hepatic diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the accumulation of innovative and creative works, hepatic stem cells therapy will be a new approach for liver diseases.
authors.affiliation: Liver Diseases Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, 410011, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Liver Diseases Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, 410011, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Liver Diseases Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, 410011, China. drchenjun@yahoo.com.cn.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: Animal models of liver diseases; Clinical trial; Hepatic stem cells