肝卵圆细胞的研究进展

Research Progress of Hepatic Oval Cells

肝卵圆细胞(hepaticovalcells,HOC)是存在于肝脏中的一类肝干细胞,目前已证实了它在人及 多种动物中存在。HOC来源并定位于肝内的胆管系统中,具有多向分化潜能,正常时处于静止状态,只有当 肝脏发生严重损伤且肝细胞再生障碍时才受到激活并大量增殖,可分化为肝细胞和胆管细胞,以修复重建肝 脏组织、恢复生化功能。本文就HOC的来源、定位、生物学特性、研究方法及应用方面的进展情况作一综述。

Hepatic oval cells (HOC) are the most immature progenitor cells existing in the system of bile duct in liver and are defined by their ability to self-renew and unrestricted proliferate. The interest in HOC has been growing in the past few years following the demonstration of their presence also in the liver of several adult mammals, including humans. HOC remain still in normal liver and will be activated to proliferate after hepatocyte loss in the mature liver if liver damage is extensive and chronic, or if proliferation of hepatocytes is inhibited. Then they differentiate into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes to accomplish cell replacement and organ repair. This review focuses on the origin, location, biological properties, research methods and the most importantly, therapeutic potential of HOC