| abstract |
The present invention relates to a population of cells comprising hepatic stem-like cells and therapeutic use thereof, for the treatment and the prevention of fulminant liver disorders. The hepatic stem-like cells according to the invention may be safely and reproducibly generated from pluripotent stem cells. In addition, although the hepatic stem-like cells according to the invention do not display the phenotype of physiologically mature hepatic cells, as they are lacking the albumin expression marker (ALB-), they may still be transplanted in a diseased liver with acute failure, rescue the diseased liver and promote liver regeneration. Moreover, various protocols of preparation of hepatic stem- like cells according to the invention may be implemented, all resulting in high quality and high yield of production. Finally, the hepatic stem-like cells according to the invention may be cryopreserved and may also be prepared as spheroid particles. |