Advances in Studies on Embryonic Hepatic Stem Cells

Abstract: Current researches suggest that there exist hepatic stem cells in the embryonic liver and， they play an important role in the development of liver. Different genes controlled distinct phases of liver development during mammalian organogenesis. Several groups have isolated and identified bipotential hepatic stem cells from mouse， rat and primate embryos through different methods. This will provide a promising approach of cell transplantation， tissue engineering and gene therapy. In this review， the liver development and its mechanisms， isolation and identification of hepatic stem cells， application prospects and future directions for the field are discussed.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2004.01.0001