title: Stem cells versus plasticity in liver and pancreas regeneration.
abstract: Cell replacement in adult organs can be achieved through stem cell differentiation or the replication or transdifferentiation of existing cells. In the adult liver and pancreas, stem cells have been proposed to replace tissue cells, particularly following injury. Here we review how specialized cell types are produced in the adult liver and pancreas. Based on current evidence, we propose that the plasticity of differentiated cells, rather than stem cells, accounts for tissue repair in both organs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Janel L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kopp
authors.affiliation: Oregon Stem Cell Center, Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grompe
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Pediatric Diabetes Research Center, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0695, USA.
authors.forename: Maike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sander
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology*; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*