A postnatal network of co-hepato/pancreatic stem/progenitors in the biliary trees of pigs versus humans
A network of co-hepato/pancreatic stem/progenitors exists in pigs and humans in Brunner's Glands (BGs) in the submucosa of the duodenum, in peribiliary glands (PBGs) of intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary trees, and in pancreatic duct glands (PDGs) of intrapancreatic biliary trees, collectively supporting hepatic and pancreatic regeneration postnatally. The network is found in humans postnatally throughout life and, so far, has been demonstrated in pigs postnatally at least through to young adults. These stem/progenitors in vivo in pigs are in highest numbers in BGs and in PDGS nearest the duodenum, and in humans are in BGs and in PBGs in the hepato/pancreatic common duct, a duct missing postnatally in pigs. Elsewhere in PDGs in pigs and in all PDGs in humans are only committed unipotent or bipotent progenitors. Overall design: Variety of immune cell sorts from various pig tissues to identify parallels in the networks of co-hepato/pancreatic stem/progenitors in pigs and humans