title: Human biliary tree stem/progenitor cells immunomodulation: Role of hepatocyte growth factor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Human biliary tree stem/progenitor cells (hBTSC) are multipotent epithelial stem cells with the potential for allogenic transplant in liver, biliary tree, and pancreatic diseases. Human mesenchymal stem cells, but also epithelial stem cells, are able to modulate immune responses with different types of secretion molecules.
  
  
  METHODS
  The initial aim of the present study was to develop for the first time a culture protocol in order to expand hBTSC in vitro through passages, allowing to maintain a similar stem cell and secretome profile. Furthermore, we investigated the secretome profile of the hBTSC to assess the production of molecules capable of affecting immune feedback.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that hepatocyte growth factor produced by hBTSC exerts its cytoprotective role inducing apoptosis in human immune cells, such as lymphocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study, therefore, supports the hypothesis that hBTSC can be useful for the purpose of regenerative medicine, as they can be banked and expanded, and they can secrete immunoregulatory factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Tullia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maraldi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.|EURAC Research, Center for Biomedicine, Bolzano, Italy.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guida
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beretti
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Resca
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carpino
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Polo Pontino, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cardinale
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Polo Pontino, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostics, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ardizzoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Alba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murgia
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Polo Pontino, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.|Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alvaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gaudio
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medicine, Dentistry and Morphological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Anto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Pol
keywords: Apoptosis; hepatocyte growth factor; human biliary tree stem/progenitor cells; immune reaction