Cellular Crosstalk Promotes Hepatic Progenitor Cell Proliferation and Stellate Cell Activation in 3D Co-culture.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Following liver damage, ductular reaction often coincides with liver fibrosis. Proliferation of hepatic progenitor cells is observed in ductular reaction, whereas activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main drivers of liver fibrosis. These observations may suggest a functional interaction between these 2 cell types. Here, we report on an in vitro co-culture system to examine these interactions and validate their co-expression in human liver explants.

Methods

In a 3D organoid co-culture system, we combined freshly isolated quiescent mouse HSCs and fluorescently labeled progenitor cells (undifferentiated intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids), permitting real-time observation of cell morphology and behavior. After 7 days, cells were sorted based on th

SUBMITTER: Haaker MW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11968293 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature