Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have discovered that a form of cell division typically associated with cancer called multipolar mitosis can yield diverse, viable cells capable of protecting the liver from injury and poisonous substances, such as pesticides, carcinogens or drugs. Their findings are published online in the journal Nature.

“Our findings show that the liver, which is known to have a tremendous capacity for regeneration, also has an amazing degree of diversity. A better understanding this process may reveal why some individuals are more susceptible to different forms of liver injury than others, which could lead to new therapies for the treatment of liver disease,” said Andrew Duncan, Ph.D., principal investigator and postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Markus Grompe, M.D., Papé Family Pediatric Institute, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital; and the Oregon Stem Cell Center at OHSU.

Read the OHSU Press Release