title: Liver progenitor cells-mediated liver regeneration in liver cirrhosis.
abstract: Cirrhosis is defined as the histological development of regenerative nodules surrounded by fibrous bands in response to chronic liver injury. In cirrhotic liver where hepatocytes proliferation is compromised, liver progenitor cells (LPCs) are activated and then differentiated into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, leading to the generation of regenerative nodules and functional restoration. Here, we summarize and discuss recent findings on the mechanisms underlying LPCs-mediated regeneration in liver cirrhosis. Firstly, we provide recent research on the mechanism underlying LPCs activation in severe or chronic liver injury. Secondly, we present new and exciting data on exploring the origin of LPCs, which reveal that the hepatocytes give rise to duct-like progenitors that then differentiate back into hepatocytes in chronic liver injury or liver cirrhosis. Finally, we highlight recent findings from the literature exploring the role of LPCs niche in directing the behavior and fate of LPCs. This remarkable insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of LPCs-mediated regeneration in liver cirrhosis will provide a basis for translating this knowledge into clinical application.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, 256603, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Haitao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhijun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China. yuhusong@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Yuhu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Liver cirrhosis; Liver progenitor cells; Niche; Origin