Stages based molecular mechanisms for generating cholangiocytes from liver stem/progenitor cells

Figure 2 The molecular mechanisms in each step of biliary differentiation of liver stem/progenitor cells. The biliary differentiation of LSPCs can be divided into three main stages comprising of initiation, progression and maturation. Some important jacent or feeder cells and specific molecules are proposed to be responsible for initiating the first stage of biliary differentiation. When the biliary differentiation goes on, several key signaling pathways including Notch and TGFβ have essential impacts on guarantee of the second stage. After some transcription factors activated, the third stage of biliary differentiation could be accomplished and LSPCs could be matured into cholangiocytes. LSPCs: Liver stem/progenitor cells; TGFβ: Transforming growth factor β.