Expansion of liver cancer stem cells during aging in methionine adenosyltransferase 1A–deficient mice†

Abstract

Mat1a(-/-) mice have expansion of liver stem cells as they age. These cells have increased expression of several oncogenes and are tumorigenic in vivo. This is the first demonstration of adult liver stem cells possessing tumorigenic potential without the use of a carcinogen or manipulation of tumor-suppressor or oncogene expression.