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Transdifferentiation is a complete and stable change in cell identity that serves as an alternative to stem-cell-mediated organ regeneration. In adult mammals, findings of transdifferentiation have been limited to the replenishment of cells lost from preexisting structures, in the presence of a fully developed scaffold and niche1. Here we show that transdifferentiation of hepatocytes in the mouse liver can build a structure that failed to form in development-the biliary system in a mouse model that mimics the hepatic phenotype of human Alagille syndrome (ALGS)2. In these mice, hepatocytes convert into mature cholangiocytes and form bile ducts that are effective in draining bile and persist after the cholestatic liver injury is reversed, consistent with transdifferentiation. These findings redefine hepatocyte plasticity, which appeared to be limited to metaplasia, that is, incomplete and transient biliary differentiation as an adaptation to cell injury, based on previous studies in mice with a fully developed biliary system3-6. In contrast to bile duct development7-9, we show that de novo bile duct formation by hepatocyte transdifferentiation is independent of NOTCH signalling. We identify TGFβ signalling as the driver of this compensatory mechanism and show that it is active in some patients with ALGS. Furthermore, we show that TGFβ signalling can be targeted to enhance the formation of the biliary system from hepatocytes, and that the transdifferentiation-inducing signals and remodelling capacity of the bile-duct-deficient liver can be harnessed with transplanted hepatocytes. Our results define the regenerative potential of mammalian transdifferentiation and reveal opportunities for the treatment of ALGS and other cholestatic liver diseases.
Pubmed ID: 29720662
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Software package as distribution of ImageJ and ImageJ2 together with Java, Java3D and plugins organized into coherent menu structure. Used to assist research in life sciences.
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View all literature mentionsBiotechnology company focused on developing robust gene delivery products, by using its proprietary technologies. Since 2004, we have worked with over 300 research labs in 20 different countries to provide gene delivery products and services using many viral platforms including recombinant adenoviruses, adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentivirus.
View all literature mentionsA software package for performing 2D microscope image processing and integrating and controlling a diverse array of instrumentation in a laboratory environment. The software suite has four basic areas of operation acquisition, image presentation, and storage, analysis, and automation.
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View all literature mentionsToppGene Suite is a one-stop portal for gene list enrichment analysis and candidate gene prioritization based on functional annotations and protein interactions network. ToppGene Suite is a one-stop portal for (i) gene list functional enrichment, (ii) candidate gene prioritization using either functional annotations or network analysis and (iii) identification and prioritization of novel disease candidate genes in the interactome. Functional annotation-based disease candidate gene prioritization uses a fuzzy-based similarity measure to compute the similarity between any two genes based on semantic annotations. The similarity scores from individual features are combined into an overall score using statistical meta-analysis.
View all literature mentionsMus musculus with name C57BL/6J from IMSR.
View all literature mentionsMus musculus with name C57BL/6J from IMSR.
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