Hepatic stem cell niches

J Clin Invest. 2013 May;123(5):1874-80. doi: 10.1172/JCI66027. Epub 2013 May 1.

Abstract

Stem cell niches are special microenvironments that maintain stem cells and control their behavior to ensure tissue homeostasis and regeneration throughout life. The liver has a high regenerative capacity that involves stem/progenitor cells when the proliferation of hepatocytes is impaired. In recent years progress has been made in the identification of potential hepatic stem cell niches. There is evidence that hepatic progenitor cells can originate from niches in the canals of Hering; in addition, the space of Disse may also serve as a stem cell niche during fetal hematopoiesis and constitute a niche for stellate cells in adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Hematopoiesis
  • Hepatocytes / cytology
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Liver / cytology*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Regeneration*
  • Models, Biological
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stem Cells / cytology*