Relationships Among Stellate Cell Activation, Progenitor Cells, and Hepatic Regeneration

Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) play an important role in liver fibrogenesis. They are also key players in liver regeneration as part of the stem cell niche of hepatocytes and hepatic progenitor cells. They produce growth stimulating and inhibiting factors for these epithelial cell compartments. In addition, recent studies suggest a role for HSCs themselves for being progenitors of epithelial cells through a transitional mesenchymal phase.