Epigenetic remodelling licences adult cholangiocytes for organoid formation and liver regeneration.

Following severe or chronic liver injury, adult ductal cells (cholangiocytes) contribute to regeneration by restoring both hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. We recently showed that ductal cells clonally expand as self-renewing liver organoids that retain their differentiation capacity into both hepatocytes and ductal cells. However, the molecular mechanisms by which adult ductal-committed cells acquire cellular plasticity, initiate organoids and regenerate the damaged tissue remain largely unknown.

Long Non-coding RNAs as Local Regulators of Pancreatic Islet Transcription Factor Genes.

The transcriptional programs of differentiated cells are tightly regulated by interactions between cell type-specific transcription factors and -regulatory elements. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as additional regulators of gene transcription. Current evidence indicates that lncRNAs are a very heterogeneous group of molecules.