Human duodenal submucosal glands contain a defined stem/progenitor subpopulation with liver-specific regenerative potential

•Endodermal progenitors are present in the submucosal glands of adult human duodenum.•Duodenal submucosal gland cells can be isolated from adult human duodenum.•Duodenal submucosal gland cells can acquire hepatocyte functional traits in vitro.•Duodenal submucosal gland cells rescue liver damage in murine chronic liver injury.