Characterization of hepatic-organoid cultures.

Small hepatocytes (SHs) are "committed progenitor cells" that can further differentiate into mature hepatocytes (MHs). SHs can proliferate to form colonies, and the maturation of SHs occurs with the alteration of the cell shape from small and flat to large and rising/piled-up. The hepatic organoids consisting of rising/piled-up cells possess highly differentiated functions like those of MHs and anastomosing networks of bile canaliculi (BC) are developed. The cells can make bile, secrete it into BC, and the bile can be carried without leaking. Thus, the organoids consist of polarized hepatocytes and possess biochemical and physiological functions as hepatic tissue.