The Biliary Tree--a Reservoir of Multipotent Stem Cells

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol

Specialty Gastroenterology

Date 2012 Feb 29

PMID 22371217

Citations 90

Authors

Vincenzo Cardinale

Yunfang Wang

Guido Carpino

Gemma Mendel

Gianfranco Alpini

Eugenio Gaudio

Lola M Reid

Domenico Alvaro

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The biliary tree is composed of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, lined by mature epithelial cells called cholangiocytes, and contains peribiliary glands deep within the duct walls. Branch points, such as the cystic duct, perihilar and periampullar regions, contain high numbers of these glands. Peribiliary glands contain multipotent stem cells, which self-replicate and can differentiate into hepatocytes, cholangiocytes or pancreatic islets, depending on the microenvironment. Similar cells-presumably committed progenitor cells-are found in the gallbladder (which lacks peribiliary glands). The stem and progenitor cell characteristics indicate a common embryological origin for the liver, biliary tree and pancreas, which has implications for regenerative medicine as well as the pathophysiology and oncogenesis of midgut organs. This Perspectives article describes a hypothetical model of cell lineages starting in the duodenum and extending to the liver and pancreas, and thought to contribute to ongoing organogenesis throughout life.

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