This article covers mouse cell lines showing the properties of hepatoblasts or oval
cells and describes hepatocyte differentiation obtained from embryonic stem (ES) cells
and mesenchymal adult progenitor cells. It considers the methods used for cultivation
and differentiation of the cells, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the different
systems and perspectives for future research. Emphasis is given to hepatoblast cell
lines because this is the material for which bipotentiality has been most clearly
demonstrated and for which proliferation and differentiation conditions have been
worked out.
Hepatoblasts - oval cells - hepatocytes - cholangiocytes