Although HepLPCs transplantation reduced liver injury as reported before [21], CD24+LCN2+ LPC transplantation enhanced ductular reaction and liver fibrosis in H&E, Sirius Red, CK19, and α-SMA staining, and increased the serum levels of ALT and AST compared to control mice on day 40 (Fig. 5b–d, Additional file 1: Fig. S5c, d). This evidence concerns the gene LCN2 and Hepatic fibrosis.