The origins and functions of hepatic polyploidy

ABSTRACT

Polyploid cells contain more than two homologous sets of chromosomes. The original observations of liver polyploidy date back to the 1940s, but functional roles for polyploid cells are still unclear. Liver polyploidy may influence regeneration, stress response, and cancer, although little evidence has established direct causal links between polyploidy and these biological phenotypes. In this review, we will introduce broad concepts about polyploidy including its distribution in nature and how polyploids form in normal and pathological situations. Then we will examine recent discoveries that have begun to clarify functionality and disease relevance of liver polyploidy. Finally, we will discuss implications and future directions of research about polyploidy in the liver.

KEYWORDS:

• Polyploidy
• liver
• hepatocyte
• cell cycle
• regeneration
• cancer

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Grant support

H.Z. was supported by the Pollack Foundation, a Burroughs Wellcome Career Award for Medical Scientists, and a CPRIT Individual Investigator Award (RP180268).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health [R01CA190525] and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas [RP180268].