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Originally published online as doi:10.2353/ajpath.2008.070910 on March 5, 2008

Published online before print March 5, 2008
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(American Journal of Pathology. 2008;172:857-864.)
© 2008 American Society for Investigative Pathology
DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2008.070910

Review

Liver Repopulation and Carcinogenesis: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Fabio Marongiu, Silvia Doratiotto, Stefania Montisci, Paolo Pani and Ezio Laconi

From the Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biomediche, Sezione di Patologia Sperimentale, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

Abstract

Liver repopulation by transplanted normal hepatocytes has been described in a number of experimental settings. Extensive repopulation can also occur from the selective proliferation of endogenous normal hepatocytes, both in experimental animals and in the human liver. This review highlights the intriguing association between clinical and experimental conditions related to liver repopulation and an increased risk for development of hepatocellular carcinoma. It is suggested that any microenvironment that is able to sustain the clonal growth of normal transplanted (or endogenous) hepatocytes is also geared to select for the emergence of rare resistant cells with an altered phenotype. Whereas the first pathway leads to liver repopulation with normal histology, the latter results in the growth of focal proliferative lesions and carries an increased risk of neoplastic disease. The implications of this association are discussed, both in terms of pathogenetic significance and possible therapeutic exploitation.






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Copyright © 2008 by the American Society for Investigative Pathology.