Abstract
The existence of a common endodermal progenitor cell to both pancreas and liver is suggested by anatomy of the development of pancreatic and liver buds in embryogenesis. Here we review the large body of evidence that pancreas to liver and liver to pancreas cell differentiation can also occur in adult life. The published data are consistent with the hypothesis that endodermal progenitor cells, capable of giving rise to multiple hepatic and pancreatic cell types continue to persist. These cells may represent a stem cell reservoir with potential in cell therapy applications in the future.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 99-106 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Mechanisms of Development |
Volume | 120 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2003 |
Keywords
- Hepatic cell type
- Liver stem cell
- Pancreatic cell type
- Pancreatic-hepatic switch
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Embryology
- Developmental Biology