Abstract
During embryonic liver development, hepatic stem/progenitor cells (HpSCs) have a high proliferative ability and bipotency to differentiate into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. Retinoic acid is a derivative of vitamin A and is involved in the proliferation and differentiation of stem/progenitor cells in several tissues. However, whether retinoic acid regulates the characteristics of HpSCs in the normal liver is still unknown. A recent study has shown that acyclic retinoid regulates the survival and proliferation of HpSCs derived from mouse foetal liver. Acyclic retinoid suppressed the expansion of CD29+CD49f+ HpSCs through the induction of hepatocytic differentiation and progression of apoptosis.
Highlights
The liver is the largest organ in the adult human body and is important for maintaining homeostasis
In addition to stem/progenitor cells in the normal liver, cancer stem-like cells are present in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) or other types of cancers
Guan and colleagues [1] stated that the addition of acyclic retinoid (ACR) regulated the survival and differentiation of Hepatic stem/progenitor cell (HpSC) derived from mouse embryonic liver
Summary
The liver is the largest organ in the adult human body and is important for maintaining homeostasis. Hepatocytes and cholangiocytes are differentiated from the same source: the stem/progenitor cells in embryonic livers. In a recent article in Stem Cell Research & Therapy, investigated a new mechanism regulating the survival and differentiation of these stem/progenitor cells by retinoic acid signals [1]. These foetal and adult hepatic progenitor cells are well characterized by specific cell surface antibodies and cell purification methods such as flow cytometry.
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