Hepatic stem cell (HSC) (HSC)

Hepatic stem cells (HSCs), also known as hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs), are multipotent cells located in the Canals of Hering within the liver (PubMed: 11239490). These cells serve as a facultative regenerative compartment, activated when the proliferative capacity of mature hepatocytes is exhausted or inhibited by chronic injury (PubMed: 28811358). They are characterized by their bipotency, meaning they can differentiate into both hepatocytes and cholangiocytes to restore liver tissue (PubMed: 23536143). In chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis, their activation is histologically identified as a "ductular reaction" (PubMed: 16452200). From a therapeutic perspective, HSCs are being investigated for cell-based therapies and regenerative medicine to treat end-stage liver failure (PubMed: 21858230). However, they are also implicated in the development of primary liver cancers, where they may act as tumor-initiating cells or cancer stem cells (PubMed: 25230855). Pharmacological modulation of these cells typically involves targeting signaling pathways like Wnt, Notch, and Hedgehog to control their expansion and fate (PubMed: 24211165). While not a single molecular target, they represent a critical cellular target for treating chronic liver disease and malignancy.

Other names

Hepatic progenitor cellLiver stem cellOval cellHPCLiver progenitor cell

Therapeutic strategies involve the activation, expansion, or transplantation of these cells to restore liver function or the targeting of their malignant counterparts (cancer stem cells) to treat liver cancer.