卵圆细胞的生物学特性及其与原发性肝癌的关系

Molecular Biologic Characteristics and Relationship with Hepatocellular Carcinoma of Oval Cells

目的介绍卵圆细胞的概况及其与原发性肝癌关系的研究进展。方法查阅国内外近年来有关卵圆细胞和原发性肝癌关系的文献并做综述。结果卵圆细胞是一种肝脏干细胞,定位于Hering管。在肝细胞严重受损或分裂增生受抑制时可向肝细胞和胆管上皮细胞分化。近年来研究发现了许多新的卵圆细胞表面标志物,推动了卵圆细胞的识别。卵圆细胞的增生程度与慢性肝病的恶性程度和炎症程度呈正相关,并且参与了肝癌的发生、发展、复发和转移,与肝癌的预后密切相关。结论深入研究卵圆细胞的生物学特性,将为原发性肝癌的诊断、治疗和预防提供新的策略。

Objective To introduce the general situation about oval cells and the advance in research on relation between the hepatic oval cells and hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC）. Method Relevant literatures in recent years about oval cells in hepatocellular carcinoma were collected and analyzed. Results Hepatic oval cells are progenies of the hepatic stem cells that are thought to reside in the terminal branches of the biliary tree, termed the canals of Hering. After severe liver injury resulting in hepatocyte and cholangiocyte necrosis/apoptosis, the dual-potential oval cells will proliferate and differentiate into hepatocytes or cholangiocytes to replace the respective lost cell types. Recent studies have found many new oval cell surface markers, and promoted the recognition of oval cells. The level of oval cells proliferation is positively correlated with the malignant and inflammatory level of chronic liver diseases. More importantly, oval cells is involved in the occurrence, development, recurrence, and metastasis of liver cancer, and closely related to the prognosis of HCC. Conclusion An improved understanding of the biological behavior of hepatic oval cells may lead to the development of novel diagnosis, treatment regimens, and prevention for hepatocellular carcinoma.