Hematopoietic stem cells convert into liver cells within days without fusion.
Both plasticity and cell fusion have been suggested to have a role in germ-layer switching. To understand the mechanisms underlying cell fate changes, we have examined a highly enriched population of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in vitro or in vivo in response to injury for liver-specific phenotypic and functional changes. Here we show that HSCs become liver cells when cocultured with injured liver separated by a barrier. Chromosomal analyses and tissue-specific gene and/or protein expression show that microenvironmental cues rather than fusion are responsible for conversion in vitro. We transplanted HSCs into liver-injured mice and observed that HSCs convert into viable hepatocytes with increasing injury. Notably, liver function was restored 2-7 d after transplantation. We conclude that HSCs contribute to the regeneration of injured liver by converting into functional hepatocytes without fusion.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Transcription Factors
- Sex Chromosomes
- Ploidies
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice
- Male
- Liver Regeneration
- Hepatocytes
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Transcription Factors
- Sex Chromosomes
- Ploidies
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice
- Male
- Liver Regeneration
- Hepatocytes
- Hematopoietic Stem Cells
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation