Abstract
Background/Aims
The hematopoietic and hepatic systems are intertwined in the liver during fetal life.
Cells expressing the hematopoietic stem cell marker CD34 and cytokeratin 7/8 (CK7/8)
are hypothesized to be common stem cells for the hematopoietic and hepatic systems.
Our aim was to determine if human fetal liver cells expressing CD34 and CK7/8 represent
a common stem cell for both the hematopoietic and hepatic systems.
Methods
CD34+CK7/8+ cells from midgestation livers were analyzed for the expression of various markers
by flow cytometry and isolated based on their expression of CD34, nerve growth factor
receptor (NGFR) and lack of CD45 expression. CD34+CD38− hematopoietic stem cells were also isolated and cultured in the presence of various
hepatopoietins.
Results
CD34+CK7/8+ cells comprised 3.4–8.5% of the erythrocyte-depleted liver. CD34+CK7/8+ cells had unique light-scatter properties compared to hematopoietic precursors and
did not express most markers associated with hematopoietic cells. They did stain with
CD13, CD59, NGFR, desmin and α-smooth muscle actin. In culture, these cells had a
stellate appearance. Cultured hematopoietic stem cells failed to generate hepatocytes.
Conclusions
CD34+CK7/8+ cells are not common stem cells but rather appear to be hepatic stellate cells. A
link between the hematopoietic and hepatic systems during fetal life requires further
investigation.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
November 6,
2003
Received in revised form:
October 21,
2003
Received:
April 1,
2003
See Editorial, pages 331–334Identification
Copyright
© 2003 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
