hESC-derived hepatocytes

Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment for end-stage liver diseases. However, shortage of donor livers has limited its clinical application. Transfusion of primary hepatocyte from cadaveric livers is a potential effective alternative. Since donor livers are scarce, and adult hepatocytes cannot be expanded in culture, hepatocyte transplantation has not become a viable substitute to whole organ transplantation. Since hESCs replicate virtually indefinitely in culture, an infinite source of hepatocytes will therefore be available for therapeutics and for toxicology and pharmacology studies. This review will provide scientists and physicians with the latest achievements in the rapidly growing field of embryonic stem cell biology as it pertains to liver cell differentiation.