Role of liver progenitor cell in liver regeneration: Cellular cross-talks and signals

Abstract

The liver is well known for its ability to regenerate in response to injury. After partial hepatectomy and some chemicals induced acute liver injury, existing hepatocytes can expand to repair the liver function. While adult liver stem/progenitor cells (LPCs) are evoked and differentiate into functional hepatocytes and cholangiocytes to compensate the damaged liver once hepatocyte proliferation is severely impaired. A number of evidences suggest that adjacent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) or invading leukocytes may be involved in LPCs directed regeneration through governning two major events including fibrogenic and inflammatory responses respectively or simultaneously. As such, a microenvironment (or “niche”) composed of different cell sources or factors presents diversity, which eventually mediates LPCs response to biliary or hepatocellular regeneration. This mini review aims at summarizing the latest development on the roles of HSCs, macrophages and lymphocytes as well as corresponding signaling pathways in liver progenitor cells mediated biliary and hepatocellular regeneration, and discussing therapeutic potential of liver progenitor cells in hepatic diseases.