Fig. 6

Schematic of cellular mechanisms governing liver regeneration after injuries. Hepatocytes and HPCs are called upon to regenerate the tissue loss in virtually all forms of liver injuries. a When the liver injury is mild to moderate or short term, surviving hepatocytes quickly proliferate and HPCs undergo hepatocyte differentiation. Surviving hepatocytes generally outnumber HPC-derived hepatocytes (approximately 30–100 to 1) and are the primary cells to regenerate hepatocytes. b Upon continuous and chronic liver injuries, hepatocytes and HPC-derived hepatocytes are equally and continuously eliminated. HPCs undergo extensive proliferation in an attempt to compensate for the tissue loss. c When native hepatocytes are extensively ablated or selectively inhibited to proliferate, HPCs can significantly regenerate hepatocytes over time