Adult-derived human liver stem/progenitor cells as sensors of inflammation: a potential therapy for liver disorders

Advanced liver diseases remain one of the major health issues worldwide. Progressive fibrosis, inflammatory damage, deprivation of metabolic capacity and parenchymal cell death are the main characteristics of end-stage liver diseases. Orthotopic liver transplantation has been considered as the therapy of choice in patients suffering from liver failure such as fulminant liver failure, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).