Stem cell-derived hepatocytes

Purpose of review Virtually all animals posses cells capable od regenerating and repairing damaged tissue. It has beenknown for some time that stem cells are present in postnatal tissue with the potential to replenish their more differentiated progeny. The source of these cells, however, and the extent to which differentiated cells can be replaced or repaired has now been questioned. Recent findings Extrahepatic-derived stem cells and intrahepatic liver progenitor cells appear to play a role in liver repair and regeneration. A better understanding of stem cell biology will be important for developing strategies to treat liver diseases. While orthotopic liver tranplantations is a a reliable treatment for many hepatic disorders, hepatocyte transplantation, a less invasive and risky intervention, has been proposed as an alternative therapy that couldprovide support for some patients until damaged livers recover. Unfortunately, a shortage of human livers available for hepatocyte isolation limits its application. Thus potential alternatives, such as hepatic progenitor cells, derived from the liver, bone marrow, peripheral blood, and from embryonic stem cells are bing examined. Summary Here we review evidence that stem cells may have the differentiation potential, and appropriate characteristics for clinical use in the treatment of liver disease.