biliary tree stem progenitor cells

Different micro-environtmental factors induce proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and senescence of primary cultures of human biliary tree stem/progenitor cells (hBTSCs), recapitulating the pathological features typical of human ch

Background and Aims: The activation of human biliary tree stem/progenitor cells (hBTSCs) located in peribiliary glands (PBGs) havebeen recently described in different cholangiopathies, including Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). In these pathologies, hBTSCs also display features of EMT, senescence and dysplasia. The aim of the present study was to investigate putative agents reproducing in primary cultures of hBTSCs the pathologic features observed in PBGs of human cholangiopathies.

Peribiliary glands and biliary tree stem cells are involved in the pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma arising in patients affected by primary sclerosing cholangitis

Background and Aims: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholangiopathy characterized by inflammation and bile duct fibrosis. Massive proliferation of biliary tree stem/progenitor cell (BTSC), expansion of peribiliary glands (PBG) and dysplasia were observed in PSC. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) frequently complicates the course of PSC. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the involvement of PBGs and BTSCs in CCA emerging in PSC patients.