Human Liver Stellate , Gender Unspecified, 0.1X10^6 cells/vi - 0.1X10^6

Stellate cells are normally quiescent and have a star-like appearance. Once activated, they undergo cellular proliferation and differentiate into myofibroblasts, an essential step in fibrosis. Activated stellate cells display a loss of stored vitamin A, and an increase in collagen synthesis and other extracellular matrix (ECM) components. This increased ECM deposition contributes to the wound healing process before the establishment and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Another interesting property of hepatic stellate cells is that they possess signaling pathways important for maintenance of stemness. Stellate cells also display a differentiation potential in vitro and in vivo, indicating that they might play an important role in liver regeneration. Our hepatic stellate cells are isolated from whole liver tissue that was gifted for organ transplantation but could not be used for that purpose. Each donor has confirmed documentation on file allowing for research use of any non-transplan