Stem cell differentiation and human liver disease

doi:10.3748/wjg.v18.i17.2018

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May 7, 2012 (publication date) through Nov 4, 2024

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World Journal of Gastroenterology

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1007-9327

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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

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World J Gastroenterol. May 7, 2012; 18(17): 2018-2025
Published online May 7, 2012. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i17.2018

Stem cell differentiation and human liver disease

Wen-Li Zhou, Claire N Medine, Liang Zhu, David C Hay

Wen-Li Zhou, Liang Zhu, Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University of China, Shanghai 200003, China

Wen-Li Zhou, Claire N Medine, David C Hay, Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, United Kingdom

Author contributions: Zhou WL and Medine CN contributed towards the conception and design of the review; Zhu L contributed to supervision; Hay DC provided supervision and major input into manuscript preparation.

Supported by A RCUK fellowship, EP/E500145/1, to Hay DC; A grant from the Edinburgh Bioquarter, to Medine CN; China Scholarship Council, No.2010658022, to Zhou WL

Correspondence to: David C Hay, PhD, Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, Scotland, United Kingdom. davehay@talktalk.net

Telephone: +44-131-6519549 Fax: +44-131-6519501

Received: December 2, 2011
Revised: February 8, 2012
Accepted: February 26, 2012
Published online: May 7, 2012

Abstract

Human stem cells are scalable cell populations capable of cellular differentiation. This makes them a very attractive in vitro cellular resource and in theory provides unlimited amounts of primary cells. Such an approach has the potential to improve our understanding of human biology and treating disease. In the future it may be possible to deploy novel stem cell-based approaches to treat human liver diseases. In recent years, efficient hepatic differentiation from human stem cells has been achieved by several research groups including our own. In this review we provide an overview of the field and discuss the future potential and limitations of stem cell technology.

Keywords: Differentiation; Pluripotent stem cells; Hepatocyte-like cells; Liver development; Polymer chemistry; Regenerative medicine; Transplantation; Bio-artificial liver