Biliary tree stem cell transplantation

A population of EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule) positive bipotent progenitors (Hepatic Progenitor Cells: HPCs) has been identified within the canals of Hering and the bile ductules and represents the remnant of the ductal plate in the adult liver. Notably, a second EpCAM + cell niche is endowed in peribiliary glands located inside the walls of large (segmental and area) intrahepatic bile ducts and along the entire extrahepatic biliary tree. EpCAM + cell population within PBGs showed stem/progenitor properties, including organoid formation and plasticity to differentiate in vitro into hepatocyte, cholangiocyte, and endocrine pancreatic cells, and to rescue experimental models of liver injury or diabetes. PBG cells have been collectively named biliary tree stem/progenitor cells, and embryologically, they represent the remnant of the common bilio-pancreatic progenitors of the ventral endoderm. Nowadays, BTSCs are considered as a potential and innovative therapeutic tool for regenerative medicine of the liver.