[Lineage fate decisions in normal and regenerating liver]

The origin of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes in embryonic and adult liver, as well as the source of stellate and sinusoidal cells, have received much attention recently, due to the availability of biological tools enabling to trace the fate of cell lineages. A model is now proposed which defines the differentiation potential of hepatoblasts, ductal plate cells and adult progenitor cells, in normal conditions and in regenerating liver. The mesodermal origin of stellate and sinusoidal cells is also established.