A method of obtaining a mixture of cells enriched in hepatic progenitors is developed which comprises methods yielding suspensions of a mixture of
cell types, and selecting those cells that are classical
MHC class I antigen(s) negative and ICAM-1
antigen positive. The weak or dull expression of nonclassical
MHC class I antigen(s) can be used for further enrichment of hepatic progenitors. Furthermore, the progenitors can be selected to have a level of side scatter, a measure of
granularity or cytoplasmic droplets, that is higher than that in non-parenchymal cells, such as hemopoietic cells, and lower than that in mature parenchymal cells, such as hepatocytes. Furthermore, the progeny of the isolated progenitors can express alpha-fetoprotein and / or
albumin and / or CK19. The hepatic progenitors, so isolated, can grow clonally, that is an
entire population of progeny can be derived from one
cell. The clones of progenitors have a growth pattern in culture of piled-up aggregates or clusters. These methods of isolating the hepatic progenitors are applicable to any vertebrates including human. The hepatic
progenitor cell population is expected to be useful for cell therapies, for bioartificial livers, for
gene therapies, for vaccine development, and for myriad toxicological, pharmacological, and pharmaceutical programs and investigations.