Table 1. Comparative analysis of different mesoderm-derived cells that can potentially contribute to liver fibrosis of different etiologies.
| Analysis | HSC | PF | Fibrocytes | Mesothelial cells |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A droplets | + | − | − | − |
| Neuronal marker (desmin, GFAP and p75) | + | − | − | +/− |
| Mesothelial marker (mesothelin GPM6A) | − | + | − | + |
| Myeloid marker (CD11b, F4/80) and leukocyte marker (CD45) | − | − | + | − |
| Collagen type I expression prior to activation | − | +/− | + | − |
| Origination during embryogenesis | Mesoderm | Mesoderm | Mesoderm | Mesoderm |
| Adult precursor cells | unknown | unknown | Hematopoietic stem cell | Mesothelial stem cell |
| Residency | Perisinusoidal area | Portal area | Bone marrow | Liver capsule |
Mesothelial cells are here defined as cells in the liver capsule that have been shown to give rise to a population of collagen type I producing cells (31). The stem cells or precursor cells for hepatic mesothelial cells residing the liver capsule have been recently proposed (32). Hence, it remains unknown, which cells can give rise to HSCs and PFs in adult liver. See explanation in the text. HSC, hepatic stellate cells; PF, portal fibroblast.