Authors: Wege, Henning; Brummendorf, Tim H.

Source: Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy, Volume 2, Number 1, January 2007 , pp. 31-38(8)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

The liver has a remarkable capability to restore its functional capacity following liver injury. According to the current paradigm, differentiated and usually quiescent hepatocytes are the primary cell type responsible for liver repair. As reserve compartment, bipotent hepatic progenitor cells are activated, especially if extensive loss or damage of hepatocytes with impaired replication occurs, e.g. in cirrhotic liver tissue. Recently, animal studies have suggested that liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy is associated with telomerase activation. Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein with reverse transcriptase activity, plays a pivotal role in maintaining telomere length and chromosomal stability in proliferating cells. In cells lacking telomerase activity, replication-associated telomere shortening limits the replicative lifespan. Therefore, in the context of liver regeneration, telomerase activation might be a cellular mechanism to confer an extended lifespan to replicating hepatocytes and hepatic progenitor cells. On the other hand, high levels of telomerase activity are a hallmark of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma. Moreover, recent data indicate that telomerase activation may be an early event in hepatocarcinogenesis. At present, it is unclear, whether telomerase activation preserves the non-malignant phenotype and replicative longevity of liver cells or constitutes an early alteration obligatory for an unlimited proliferation and malignant transformation.

Keywords: Hepatic progenitor cells; hepatocellular carcinoma; liver-directed cell therapies; liver regeneration; telomere length; telomerase activation

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488807779317062

Affiliations: 1: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology with Sections Infectious Disease and Tropical Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf,Martinistrasse 52, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany.

Publication date: 2007-01-01

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• Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy publishes frontier reviews on all aspects of basic research on stem cells and their uses in clinical therapy. The journal's aim is to publish the highest quality review articles in the field. The journal is essential reading for all researchers and clinicians involved in stem cells.

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