Liver Regeneration as a Model for Studying Cellular Plasticity in Mammals: The Roles of Hepatocytes and Cholangiocytes.

In most countries, liver disease is one of the most common pathologic conditions among the population. In this regard, the development of new methods to treat liver diseases is not possible without understanding the mechanisms of regeneration of this organ. A characteristic reaction of the liver to certain damaging factors is a pronounced cellular plasticity; this primarily concerns hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. This property is also characteristic of Ito stellate cells and macrophages. In this study, we focus on the plasticity of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. We consider such manifestations of plasticity as the ability to enter the mitotic cycle, as well as transdifferentiation. The contribution of each type of plasticity to liver regeneration is considered, as well as the molecular mechanisms providing the cellular plasticity of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes.