Liver regeneration: unraveling the molecular mechanisms and clinical application

The liver's exceptional capacity sets it apart from other organs in its response to various acute and chronic injuries, known as "liver regeneration". Liver regeneration is not driven by a single pathway, but is achieved through a multi-level network including hepatocyte dedifferentiation, liver progenitor cell (LPCs)activation, non-coding RNA regulation, and metabolic reprogramming. Moreover, liver regeneration research still faces challenges: precise regulation of regeneration termination signals, the tumorigenic risk of stem cell therapy, and immune rejection in personalized treatment, among other issues, need to be addressed urgently. In this review, we delineate the cellular dynamics of liver regeneration and synthesize numerous signaling pathways and factors that prominently contribute to liver regeneration alongside recent research advancements. As well as its current clinical application including molecular therapy, stem cell therapy, and the development of artificial livers. We also discuss some of the current problems and look forward to new treatments. By integrating findings from numerous studies, it provides a comprehensive understanding of liver regeneration, highlighting its significance in treating liver diseases and guiding future research.