A population of liver cells has been found that are better at regenerating liver tissue than hepatocytes. The study is the first to identify these so-called ‘hybrid hepatocytes,’ and show that they are able to regenerate liver tissue without giving rise to cancer.
Of all major organs, the liver has the highest capacity to regenerate – that’s why many liver diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatitis, can often be cured by transplanting a piece of liver from a healthy donor. The liver’s regenerative properties were previously credited to a population of adult stem cells known as oval cells. But recent studies concluded that oval cells don’t give rise to hepatocytes; instead, they develop into bile duct cells...
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