Stem Cell Research For Liver Regeneration

The extent to which liver stem cells mediate liver regeneration has been hotly debated.

Stem cell research for liver regeneration.

Liver regeneration has been recognized for many years dating all the way back to prometheus in ancient greek mythology. The majority of the liver 80 is made up of liver cells called hepatocytes. The research describes the cell as having stem cell like properties with the potential to regenerate damaged liver cells and treat disease in the organ without the need for a transplant. There are 3 linked programs of research.

However stem cell regeneration has proven most effective. The stem cell for the liver has been defined as the cell that gives rise to both hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells cholangiocytes the two types of liver epithelial cells. 1 cells responsible for normal tissue turnover 2 cells that give rise to. One of the primary reasons for this controversy is the use of multiple definitions for the hepatic stem cell.

This new research indicates that there is a second mode of regeneration that may be repairing less radical but more constant liver damage and chips away at a long held theory that there s a pool of stem cells in the liver waiting to be activated. Definitions for the liver stem cell include the following. Cell therapy for liver regeneration. By understanding what controls liver regeneration in chronic injury our group aims to be able to promote healthy liver regeneration and reduce the formation of liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Acute liver failure may be life threatening and at one time it was deemed non reversible. When the liver is injured beyond its ability to regenerate itself a liver transplant is the treatment of choice. Although there are many reports describing liver stem cells the measures used to define liver stem cells have not necessarily been adequate in many cases.