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.

The biliary tree-a reservoir of multipotent stem cells / Cardinale, Vincenzo; Yunfang, Wang; Guido, Carpino; Gemma, Mendel; Gianfranco, Alpini; Gaudio, Eugenio; Lola M., Reid; Alvaro, Domenico. - In: NATURE REVIEWS. GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY. - ISSN 1759-5045. - 9:4(2012), pp. 231-240. [10.1038/nrgastro.2012.23]

The biliary tree-a reservoir of multipotent stem cells

CARDINALE, VINCENZO;Guido Carpino;GAUDIO, EUGENIO;ALVARO, Domenico
2012

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.
2012
stem cells; liver; biliary tree
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
The biliary tree-a reservoir of multipotent stem cells / Cardinale, Vincenzo; Yunfang, Wang; Guido, Carpino; Gemma, Mendel; Gianfranco, Alpini; Gaudio, Eugenio; Lola M., Reid; Alvaro, Domenico. - In: NATURE REVIEWS. GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY. - ISSN 1759-5045. - 9:4(2012), pp. 231-240. [10.1038/nrgastro.2012.23]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/440253
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