Hepatocyte reprogramming in liver regeneration: Biological mechanisms and applications.

FEBS J

State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.

Published: December 2023

AI Article Synopsis

  • The liver can regenerate due to the unique properties of hepatocytes, the primary cells involved in liver function.
  • In response to injury, hepatocytes can reprogram themselves, changing their identity and gaining new functions, which is crucial for effective liver regeneration.
  • Understanding how these reprogrammed hepatocytes work can lead to new treatments for liver diseases, including chronic conditions and liver cancer.

Article Abstract

The liver is one of the few organs that retain the capability to regenerate in adult mammals. This regeneration process is mainly facilitated by the dynamic behavior of hepatocytes, which are the major functional constituents in the liver. In response to liver injury, hepatocytes undergo remarkable alterations, such as reprogramming, wherein they lose their original identity and acquire properties from other cells. This phenomenon of hepatocyte reprogramming, coupled with hepatocyte expansion, plays a central role in liver regeneration, and its underlying mechanisms are complex and multifaceted. Understanding the fate of reprogrammed hepatocytes and the mechanisms of their conversion has significant implications for the development of innovative therapeutics for liver diseases. Herein, we review the plasticity of hepatocytes in response to various forms of liver injury, with a focus on injury-induced hepatocyte reprogramming. We provide a comprehensive summary of current knowledge on the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing hepatocyte reprogramming, specifically in the context of liver regeneration, providing insight into potential applications of this process in the treatment of liver disorders, including chronic liver diseases and liver cancer.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/febs.16930DOI Listing

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