Liver Injury Models for Induction of Hepatic Oval Cells in Rodents

Abstract

Hepatic oval cells are progenitor stem cells residing in the liver that play an important role in liver regeneration when hepatocyte response to the injury is inadequate. On-going studies continue to characterize these elusive cells, understand their role in carcinogenesis, and determine their potential for therapeutics. Since oval cells proliferate only upon exposure to liver injury, a multitude of injury models have been developed in the past years to investigate their activity. These injury models comprise chemical, surgical and biological components. Depending on the chemical toxicity or lethality of injury, different extents and time required to induce oval cell responses are seen. Here, we review the various strategies available that can be used to induce hepatic oval cells in rodents.