Neural crest-derived GLAST+ pericytes, a source of endothelial cells and hepatocyte-like cells in the fibrotic liver

AQUINO J

Mar del Plata

Congreso; Annual Meeting SAIC, SAFE, SAB, SAP; 2019

Pages 27-28. Liver fibrosis results from cycles of liver damage and scar formation. Little is known regarding NCCs contribution to the liver. We have herein used different double-transgenic lines and two liver fibrosis models. Increased numbers of liver glia, with more ramified and extended processes, were found in fibrotic livers. Moreover, Schwann cell precursors (SCPs) were found to contribute with hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) and bone marrow stromal cells during embryonic stages, through peripheral blood circulation. In the fibrotic liver, a significantly higher incidence of Wnt1- and GLAST-traced endothelial cells and HLCs were observed. Consistently, during early fibrogenesis Wnt1-traced cells get mobilized to peripheral blood. All mobilized Wnt1-traced cells co-expressed GLAST and CD44, a subpopulation showing CFU-F properties. Furthermore, a similar feature was observed in an 80 % hepatectomy model. Finally, GLAST-traced HLCs were found to co-express CD44, allowing identification of neuroectodermal-derived HLCs. This might be an evolutionary broad repair mechanism in vertebrates.