101
|
Fagoonee S, Famulari ES, Silengo L, Tolosano E, Altruda F. Long Term Liver Engraftment of Functional Hepatocytes Obtained from Germline Cell-Derived Pluripotent Stem Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136762. [PMID: 26323094 PMCID: PMC4556379 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 08/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the major hurdles in liver gene and cell therapy is availability of ex vivo-expanded hepatocytes. Pluripotent stem cells are an attractive alternative. Here, we show that hepatocyte precursors can be isolated from male germline cell-derived pluripotent stem cells (GPSCs) using the hepatoblast marker, Liv2, and induced to differentiate into hepatocytes in vitro. These cells expressed hepatic-specific genes and were functional as demonstrated by their ability to secrete albumin and produce urea. When transplanted in the liver parenchyma of partially hepatectomised mice, Liv2-sorted cells showed regional and heterogeneous engraftment in the injected lobe. Moreover, approximately 50% of Y chromosome-positive, GPSC-derived cells were found in the female livers, in the region of engraftment, even one month after cell injection. This is the first study showing that Liv2-sorted GPSCs-derived hepatocytes can undergo long lasting engraftment in the mouse liver. Thus, GPSCs might offer promise for regenerative medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharmila Fagoonee
- Institute for Biostructures and Bioimages (CNR), Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- * E-mail: (SF); (FA)
| | - Elvira Smeralda Famulari
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Silengo
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Emanuela Tolosano
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Fiorella Altruda
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- * E-mail: (SF); (FA)
| |
Collapse
|
102
|
Tasnim F, Phan D, Toh YC, Yu H. Cost-effective differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells from human pluripotent stem cells using small molecules. Biomaterials 2015; 70:115-25. [PMID: 26310107 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Significant efforts have been invested into the differentiation of stem cells into functional hepatocyte-like cells that can be used for cell therapy, disease modeling and drug screening. Most of these efforts have been concentrated on the use of growth factors to recapitulate developmental signals under in vitro conditions. Using small molecules instead of growth factors would provide an attractive alternative since small molecules are cell-permeable and cheaper than growth factors. We have developed a protocol for the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells using a predominantly small molecule-based approach (SM-Hep). This 3 step differentiation strategy involves the use of optimized concentrations of LY294002 and bromo-indirubin-3'-oxime (BIO) for the generation of definitive endoderm; sodium butyrate and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for the generation of hepatoblasts and SB431542 for differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells. Activin A is the only growth factor required in this protocol. Our results showed that SM-Hep were morphologically and functionally similar or better compared to the hepatocytes derived from the growth-factor induced differentiation (GF-Hep) in terms of expression of hepatic markers, urea and albumin production and cytochrome P450 (CYP1A2 and CYP3A4) activities. Cell viability assays following treatment with paradigm hepatotoxicants Acetaminophen, Chlorpromazine, Diclofenac, Digoxin, Quinidine and Troglitazone showed that their sensitivity to these drugs was similar to human primary hepatocytes (PHHs). Using SM-Hep would result in 67% and 81% cost reduction compared to GF-Hep and PHHs respectively. Therefore, SM-Hep can serve as a robust and cost effective replacement for PHHs for drug screening and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Farah Tasnim
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, #04-01, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Derek Phan
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, #04-01, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Yi-Chin Toh
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, #04-01, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore
| | - Hanry Yu
- Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, #04-01, 31 Biopolis Way, The Nanos, Singapore 138669, Singapore; Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, MD9-03-03, 2 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597, Singapore; NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, Centre for Life Sciences, #05-01, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore 117576, Singapore; Mechanobiology Institute, T-Labs, #05-01, 5A Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117411, Singapore; Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, 3 Science Drive 2, S16-05-08, Singapore 117543, Singapore; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
103
|
Safety of human embryonic stem cells in patients with terminal/incurable conditions- a retrospective analysis. Ann Neurosci 2015; 22:132-8. [PMID: 26130921 PMCID: PMC4481559 DOI: 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.220303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent cells that have the potential to self-renew and differentiate into all types of human cells. Purpose The present study was aimed at establishing the safety of hESC therapy in patients with terminal/incurable conditions. Methods This was a single cohort study conducted at Nutech Mediworld, New Delhi. The patients suffering from various degenerative diseases were included in the study from year 2002 to 2004. hESCs (0.25 mL) were injected under skin in the abdominal wall. The safety of hESC therapy was evaluated by assessing the AEs experienced by patients during the study. Any disabling symptom/ sign, teratoma or antigen-antibody reaction that a patient suffered post transplantation of hESCs was considered as an AE. Results A total of four, six and twenty three patients received hESC therapy in the year 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively. Pain and fever were the most common AEs observed during the study. Other AEs included headache, mild pain in the abdomen, swelling of legs (edema), urinary tract infection (UTI), rash/erythema, pain at the lower back and limbs and body ache. All the AEs reported were mild in nature and resolved within one or two days with symptomatic medication and rest. No serious AEs were reported. The improvement in specific parameters of the patients was observed after the therapy. Conclusion hESCs used in the present study are safe for use in humans afflicted with incurable/terminal conditions. Future, prospective controlled studies to substantiate the present study are ongoing.
Collapse
|
104
|
Isobe KI, Cheng Z, Nishio N, Suganya T, Tanaka Y, Ito S. Reprint of "iPSCs, aging and age-related diseases". N Biotechnol 2015; 32:169-79. [PMID: 25479728 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Human histocompatibility antigens are quite heterogeneous and promote the rejection of transplanted tissue. Recent advances in stem cell research that enable the use of a patient's own stem cells for transplantation are very important because rejection could be avoided. In particular, Yamanaka’s group in Japan gave new hope to patients with incurable diseases when they developed induced murine pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in 2006 and human iPSCs in 2007. Whereas embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are derived from the inner cell mass and are supported in culture by LIF, iPSCs are derived from fetal or adult somatic cells. Through the application of iPSC technology, adult somatic cells can develop a pluripotent state. One advantage of using iPSCs instead of ESCs in regenerative medicine is that (theoretically) immune rejection could be avoided, although there is some debate about immune rejection of a patient's own iPSCs. Many diseases occur in elderly patients. In order to use regenerative medicine with the elderly, it is important to demonstrate that iPSCs can indeed be generated from older patients. Recent findings have shown that iPSCs can be established from aged mice and aged humans. These iPSCs can differentiate to cells from all three germ layers. However, it is not known whether iPSCs from aged mice or humans show early senescence. Before clinical use of iPSCs, issues related to copy number variation, tumorigenicity and immunogenicity must be resolved. It is particularly important that researchers have succeeded in generating iPSCs that have differentiated to somatic cells related to specific diseases of the elderly, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. These efforts will facilitate the use of personalized stem cell transplantation therapy for currently incurable diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ken-ichi Isobe
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Turumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
105
|
Siller R, Greenhough S, Naumovska E, Sullivan GJ. Small-molecule-driven hepatocyte differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2015; 4:939-52. [PMID: 25937370 PMCID: PMC4437467 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2015.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The differentiation of pluripotent stem cells to hepatocytes is well established, yet current methods suffer from several drawbacks. These include a lack of definition and reproducibility, which in part stems from continued reliance on recombinant growth factors. This has remained a stumbling block for the translation of the technology into industry and the clinic for reasons associated with cost and quality. We have devised a growth-factor-free protocol that relies on small molecules to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells toward a hepatic phenotype. The procedure can efficiently direct both human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells to hepatocyte-like cells. The final population of cells demonstrates marker expression at the transcriptional and protein levels, as well as key hepatic functions such as serum protein production, glycogen storage, and cytochrome P450 activity. Development of small-molecule-driven hepatocyte differentiation procedure for hPSCs Small-molecule-derived hepatocytes demonstrate key hepatic functions Significantly reduces the cost of hepatocyte differentiation Procedure is applicable to multiple human pluripotent stem cell lines
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Siller
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1112 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sebastian Greenhough
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1112 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Elena Naumovska
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1112 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Gareth J Sullivan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1112 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, PO Box 1112 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, PO Box 4950 Nydalen, Oslo 0424, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
106
|
Forbes SJ, Gupta S, Dhawan A. Cell therapy for liver disease: From liver transplantation to cell factory. J Hepatol 2015; 62:S157-69. [PMID: 25920085 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Work over several decades has laid solid foundations for the advancement of liver cell therapy. To date liver cell therapy in people has taken the form of hepatocyte transplantation for metabolic disorders with a hepatic basis, and for acute or chronic liver failure. Although clinical trials using various types of autologous cells have been implemented to promote liver regeneration or reduce liver fibrosis, clear evidence of therapeutic benefits have so far been lacking. Cell types that have shown efficacy in preclinical models include hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and macrophages. However, positive results in animal models have not always translated through to successful clinical therapies and more realistic preclinical models need to be developed. Studies defining the optimal repopulation by transplanted cells, including routes of cell transplantation, superior engraftment and proliferation of transplanted cells, as well as optimal immunosuppression regimens are required. Tissue engineering approaches to transplant cells in extrahepatic locations have also been proposed. The derivation of hepatocytes from pluripotent or reprogrammed cells raises hope that donor organ and cell shortages could be overcome in the future. Critical hurdles to be overcome include the production of hepatocytes from pluripotent cells with equal functional capacity to primary hepatocytes and long-term phenotypic stability in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stuart J Forbes
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, United Kingdom.
| | - Sanjeev Gupta
- Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Ullmann Building, Room 625, Bronx, NY 10461, United States
| | - Anil Dhawan
- Paediatric Liver GI and Nutrition Center and NIHR/Wellcome Cell Therapy Unit, King's College Hospital at King's College, London SE59RS, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
107
|
Baxter M, Withey S, Harrison S, Segeritz CP, Zhang F, Atkinson-Dell R, Rowe C, Gerrard DT, Sison-Young R, Jenkins R, Henry J, Berry AA, Mohamet L, Best M, Fenwick SW, Malik H, Kitteringham NR, Goldring CE, Piper Hanley K, Vallier L, Hanley NA. Phenotypic and functional analyses show stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells better mimic fetal rather than adult hepatocytes. J Hepatol 2015; 62:581-9. [PMID: 25457200 PMCID: PMC4334496 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2014.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs), differentiated from pluripotent stem cells by the use of soluble factors, can model human liver function and toxicity. However, at present HLC maturity and whether any deficit represents a true fetal state or aberrant differentiation is unclear and compounded by comparison to potentially deteriorated adult hepatocytes. Therefore, we generated HLCs from multiple lineages, using two different protocols, for direct comparison with fresh fetal and adult hepatocytes. METHODS Protocols were developed for robust differentiation. Multiple transcript, protein and functional analyses compared HLCs to fresh human fetal and adult hepatocytes. RESULTS HLCs were comparable to those of other laboratories by multiple parameters. Transcriptional changes during differentiation mimicked human embryogenesis and showed more similarity to pericentral than periportal hepatocytes. Unbiased proteomics demonstrated greater proximity to liver than 30 other human organs or tissues. However, by comparison to fresh material, HLC maturity was proven by transcript, protein and function to be fetal-like and short of the adult phenotype. The expression of 81% phase 1 enzymes in HLCs was significantly upregulated and half were statistically not different from fetal hepatocytes. HLCs secreted albumin and metabolized testosterone (CYP3A) and dextrorphan (CYP2D6) like fetal hepatocytes. In seven bespoke tests, devised by principal components analysis to distinguish fetal from adult hepatocytes, HLCs from two different source laboratories consistently demonstrated fetal characteristics. CONCLUSIONS HLCs from different sources are broadly comparable with unbiased proteomic evidence for faithful differentiation down the liver lineage. This current phenotype mimics human fetal rather than adult hepatocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Baxter
- Centre for Endocrinology & Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Sarah Withey
- Centre for Endocrinology & Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Sean Harrison
- Centre for Endocrinology & Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Charis-Patricia Segeritz
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Surgery, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK,Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Fang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rebecca Atkinson-Dell
- Centre for Endocrinology & Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Cliff Rowe
- Centre for Endocrinology & Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK,Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, UK
| | - Dave T. Gerrard
- Centre for Endocrinology & Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK,Bioinformatics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Rowena Sison-Young
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, UK
| | - Roz Jenkins
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, UK
| | - Joanne Henry
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew A. Berry
- Centre for Endocrinology & Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Lisa Mohamet
- Stem Cell Research Group, Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Marie Best
- Human Genetics Division, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, UK
| | - Stephen W. Fenwick
- North Western Hepatobiliary Unit, Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Longmoor Lane, Liverpool L9 7AL, UK
| | - Hassan Malik
- North Western Hepatobiliary Unit, Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Longmoor Lane, Liverpool L9 7AL, UK
| | - Neil R. Kitteringham
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, UK
| | - Chris E. Goldring
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Building, Ashton Street, Liverpool, UK
| | - Karen Piper Hanley
- Centre for Endocrinology & Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Ludovic Vallier
- Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, Anne McLaren Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Surgery, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, UK,Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Neil A. Hanley
- Centre for Endocrinology & Diabetes, Institute of Human Development, Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, AV Hill Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK,Endocrinology Department, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Grafton St, Manchester, UK,Corresponding author. Address: AV Hill Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK. Tel.: +44 161 275 5180; fax: +44 161 275 5958.
| |
Collapse
|
108
|
Ikonomou L, Kotton DN. Derivation of Endodermal Progenitors From Pluripotent Stem Cells. J Cell Physiol 2015; 230:246-58. [PMID: 25160562 PMCID: PMC4344429 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Stem and progenitor cells play important roles in organogenesis during development and in tissue homeostasis and response to injury postnatally. As the regenerative capacity of many human tissues is limited, cell replacement therapies hold great promise for human disease management. Pluripotent stem cells such as embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are prime candidates for the derivation of unlimited quantities of clinically relevant cell types through development of directed differentiation protocols, that is, the recapitulation of developmental milestones in in vitro cell culture. Tissue-specific progenitors, including progenitors of endodermal origin, are important intermediates in such protocols since they give rise to all mature parenchymal cells. In this review, we focus on the in vivo biology of embryonic endodermal progenitors in terms of key transcription factors and signaling pathways. We critically review the emerging literature aiming to apply this basic knowledge to achieve the efficient and reproducible in vitro derivation of endodermal progenitors such as pancreas, liver and lung precursor cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laertis Ikonomou
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston
Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of
Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Darrell N. Kotton
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Boston University and Boston
Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of
Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
109
|
Stecklum M, Wulf-Goldenberg A, Purfürst B, Siegert A, Keil M, Eckert K, Fichtner I. Cell differentiation mediated by co-culture of human umbilical cord blood stem cells with murine hepatic cells. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2015; 51:183-91. [PMID: 25270685 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-014-9817-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, purified human cord blood stem cells were co-cultivated with murine hepatic alpha mouse liver 12 (AML12) cells to compare the effect on endodermal stem cell differentiation by either direct cell-cell interaction or by soluble factors in conditioned hepatic cell medium. With that approach, we want to mimic in vitro the situation of preclinical transplantation experiments using human cells in mice. Cord blood stem cells, cultivated with hepatic conditioned medium, showed a low endodermal differentiation but an increased connexin 32 (Cx32) and Cx43, and cytokeratin 8 (CK8) and CK19 expression was monitored by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Microarray profiling indicated that in cultivated cord blood cells, 604 genes were upregulated 2-fold, with the highest expression for epithelial CK19 and epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin). On ultrastructural level, there were no major changes in the cellular morphology, except a higher presence of phago(ly)some-like structures observed. Direct co-culture of AML12 cells with cord blood cells led to less incisive differentiation with increased sex-determining region Y-box 17 (SOX17), Cx32 and Cx43, as well as epithelial CK8 and CK19 expressions. On ultrastructural level, tight cell contacts along the plasma membranes were revealed. FACS analysis in co-cultivated cells quantified dye exchange on low level, as also proved by time relapse video-imaging of labelled cells. Modulators of gap junction formation influenced dye transfer between the co-cultured cells, whereby retinoic acid increased and 3-heptanol reduced the dye transfer. The study indicated that the cell-co-cultured model of human umbilical cord blood cells and murine AML12 cells may be a suitable approach to study some aspects of endodermal/hepatic cell differentiation induction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Stecklum
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125, Berlin, Germany,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
110
|
Diekmann U, Lenzen S, Naujok O. A Reliable and Efficient Protocol for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Differentiation into the Definitive Endoderm Based on Dispersed Single Cells. Stem Cells Dev 2015; 24:190-204. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2014.0143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ulf Diekmann
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sigurd Lenzen
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ortwin Naujok
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
111
|
Goldman O, Han S, Sourisseau M, Sourrisseau M, Dziedzic N, Hamou W, Corneo B, D'Souza S, Sato T, Kotton DN, Bissig KD, Kalir T, Jacobs A, Evans T, Evans MJ, Gouon-Evans V. KDR identifies a conserved human and murine hepatic progenitor and instructs early liver development. Cell Stem Cell 2014; 12:748-60. [PMID: 23746980 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2013.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2012] [Revised: 08/10/2012] [Accepted: 04/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the fetal hepatic niche is essential for optimizing the generation of functional hepatocyte-like cells (hepatic cells) from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). Here, we show that KDR (VEGFR2/FLK-1), previously assumed to be mostly restricted to mesodermal lineages, marks a hESC-derived hepatic progenitor. hESC-derived endoderm cells do not express KDR but, when cultured in media supporting hepatic differentiation, generate KDR+ hepatic progenitors and KDR- hepatic cells. KDR+ progenitors require active KDR signaling both to instruct their own differentiation into hepatic cells and to non-cell-autonomously support the functional maturation of cocultured KDR- hepatic cells. Analysis of human fetal livers suggests that similar progenitors are present in human livers. Lineage tracing in mice provides in vivo evidence of a KDR+ hepatic progenitor for fetal hepatoblasts, adult hepatocytes, and adult cholangiocytes. Altogether, our findings reveal that KDR is a conserved marker for endoderm-derived hepatic progenitors and a functional receptor instructing early liver development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Orit Goldman
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
112
|
Itaba N, Wairagu PM, Aramaki N, Yasui T, Matsumi Y, Kono Y, Phan ANH, Otsu M, Kunisada T, Nakamura Y, Okano H, Jeong Y, Shiota G. Nuclear receptor gene alteration in human induced pluripotent stem cells with hepatic differentiation propensity. Hepatol Res 2014; 44:E408-19. [PMID: 24636009 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.12329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Revised: 03/08/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIM Human induced pluripotent stem (hiPS) cells are an alternative cell source of regenerative medicine for liver disease. Because variations in hepatic differentiation efficacy among hiPS cells exist, it is important to select a hiPS cell line with hepatic differentiation propensity. In addition, nuclear receptors (NR) regulate essential biological processes including differentiation and development. In this study, we identified the hiPS cell line with hepatic differentiation propensity and examined expression levels of 48 NR during this process. METHODS We screened 28 hiPS cell lines, which are established from various tissues of healthy persons with various reprogramming methods, using a three-step differentiation method, and examined expression levels of 48 NR by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction during the differentiation process in the selected cells. RESULTS hiPS-RIKEN-2B and hiPS-RIKEN-2F cells have hepatic differentiation propensity. Differentiation propensity towards endoderm was affected by donor origin but not by reprogramming methods or cell type of origins. Expression levels of NR were closely associated with those of hepatic differentiation markers. Furthermore, expression patterns of NR were categorized as five patterns. In particular, seven NR such as chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor 1, retinoic acid receptor α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, progesterone receptor, photoreceptor cell-specific nuclear receptor, tailless homolog orphan receptor and glucocorticoid receptor were identified as the genes of which expression gradually goes up with differentiation. CONCLUSION These findings will be useful for not only elucidating mechanisms of hepatic differentiation of hiPS cells but also cell-based therapy for liver diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Itaba
- Division of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
113
|
Quantitative Analysis of Robustness of Dynamic Response and Signal Transfer in Insulin mediated PI3K/AKT Pathway. Comput Chem Eng 2014; 71:715-727. [PMID: 25506104 DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2014.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Robustness is a critical feature of signaling pathways ensuring signal propagation with high fidelity in the event of perturbations. Here we present a detailed quantitative analysis of robustness in insulin mediated PI3K/AKT pathway, a critical signaling pathway maintaining self-renewal in human embryonic stem cells. Using global sensitivity analysis, we identified robustness promoting mechanisms that ensure (1) maintenance of a first order or overshoot dynamics of self-renewal molecule, p-AKT and (2) robust transfer of signals from oscillatory insulin stimulus to p-AKT in the presence of noise. Our results indicate that negative feedback controls the robustness to most perturbations. Faithful transfer of signal from the stimulating ligand to p-AKT occurs even in the presence of noise, albeit with signal attenuation and high frequency cut-off. Negative feedback contributes to signal attenuation, while positive regulators upstream of PIP3 contribute to signal amplification. These results establish precise mechanisms to modulate self-renewal molecules like p-AKT.
Collapse
|
114
|
Kempf H, Olmer R, Kropp C, Rückert M, Jara-Avaca M, Robles-Diaz D, Franke A, Elliott DA, Wojciechowski D, Fischer M, Roa Lara A, Kensah G, Gruh I, Haverich A, Martin U, Zweigerdt R. Controlling expansion and cardiomyogenic differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells in scalable suspension culture. Stem Cell Reports 2014; 3:1132-46. [PMID: 25454631 PMCID: PMC4264033 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2014.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Revised: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To harness the potential of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), an abundant supply of their progenies is required. Here, hPSC expansion as matrix-independent aggregates in suspension culture was combined with cardiomyogenic differentiation using chemical Wnt pathway modulators. A multiwell screen was scaled up to stirred Erlenmeyer flasks and subsequently to tank bioreactors, applying controlled feeding strategies (batch and cyclic perfusion). Cardiomyogenesis was sensitive to the GSK3 inhibitor CHIR99021 concentration, whereas the aggregate size was no prevailing factor across culture platforms. However, in bioreactors, the pattern of aggregate formation in the expansion phase dominated subsequent differentiation. Global profiling revealed a culture-dependent expression of BMP agonists/antagonists, suggesting their decisive role in cell-fate determination. Furthermore, metallothionein was discovered as a potentially stress-related marker in hPSCs. In 100 ml bioreactors, the production of 40 million predominantly ventricular-like cardiomyocytes (up to 85% purity) was enabled that were directly applicable to bioartificial cardiac tissue formation. Efficient cardiac differentiation protocol in suspension by chemical Wnt modulators Differentiation is CHIR concentration dependent, but aggregate size independent Bioreactor-controlled hPSC expansion dictates subsequent lineage differentiation Metallothionein is a potentially stress-induced marker of hPSC culture
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henning Kempf
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ruth Olmer
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Member of the Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Kropp
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Rückert
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Monica Jara-Avaca
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Diana Robles-Diaz
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Annika Franke
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - David A Elliott
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Daniel Wojciechowski
- Institute for Neurophysiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Fischer
- Institute for Neurophysiology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Angelica Roa Lara
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - George Kensah
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ina Gruh
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Axel Haverich
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ulrich Martin
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; Member of the Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Robert Zweigerdt
- Leibniz Research Laboratories for Biotechnology and Artificial Organs (LEBAO), Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery (HTTG), Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany; REBIRTH-Cluster of Excellence, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straβe 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
115
|
Mong J, Panman L, Alekseenko Z, Kee N, Stanton LW, Ericson J, Perlmann T. Transcription factor-induced lineage programming of noradrenaline and motor neurons from embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells 2014; 32:609-22. [PMID: 24549637 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
An important goal in stem cell biology is to develop methods for efficient generation of clinically interesting cell types from relevant stem cell populations. This is particularly challenging for different types of neurons of the central nervous system where hundreds of distinct neuronal cell types are generated during embryonic development. We previously used a strategy based on forced transcription factor expression in embryonic stem cell-derived neural progenitors to generate specific types of neurons, including dopamine and serotonin neurons. Here, we extend these studies and show that noradrenergic neurons can also be generated from pluripotent embryonic stem cells by forced expression of the homeobox transcription factor Phox2b under the signaling influence of fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8) and bone morphogenetic proteins. In neural progenitors exposed to FGF8 and sonic hedgehog both Phox2b and the related Phox2a instead promoted the generation of neurons with the characteristics of mid- and hindbrain motor neurons. The efficient generation of these neuron types enabled a comprehensive genome-wide gene expression analysis that provided further validation of the identity of generated cells. Moreover, we also demonstrate that the generated cell types are amenable to drug testing in vitro and we show that variants of the differentiation protocols can be applied to cultures of human pluripotent stem cells for the generation of human noradrenergic and visceral motor neurons. Thus, these studies provide a basis for characterization of yet an additional highly clinically relevant neuronal cell type.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Mong
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Ltd., Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
116
|
Carpentier A, Tesfaye A, Chu V, Nimgaonkar I, Zhang F, Lee SB, Thorgeirsson SS, Feinstone SM, Liang TJ. Engrafted human stem cell-derived hepatocytes establish an infectious HCV murine model. J Clin Invest 2014; 124:4953-64. [PMID: 25295540 DOI: 10.1172/jci75456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The demonstrated ability to differentiate both human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) holds great promise for both regenerative medicine and liver disease research. Here, we determined that, despite an immature phenotype, differentiated HLCs are permissive to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and mount an interferon response to HCV infection in vitro. HLCs differentiated from hESCs and hiPSCs could be engrafted in the liver parenchyma of immune-deficient transgenic mice carrying the urokinase-type plasminogen activator gene driven by the major urinary protein promoter. The HLCs were maintained for more than 3 months in the livers of chimeric mice, in which they underwent further maturation and proliferation. These engrafted and expanded human HLCs were permissive to in vivo infection with HCV-positive sera and supported long-term infection of multiple HCV genotypes. Our study demonstrates efficient engraftment and in vivo HCV infection of human stem cell-derived hepatocytes and provides a model to study chronic HCV infection in patient-derived hepatocytes, action of antiviral therapies, and the biology of HCV infection.
Collapse
|
117
|
Hepatocytic differentiation of rhesus monkey embryonic stem cells promoted by collagen gels and growth factors. Cell Biol Int 2014; 35:775-81. [DOI: 10.1042/cbi20100354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
118
|
Tarunina M, Hernandez D, Johnson CJ, Rybtsov S, Ramathas V, Jeyakumar M, Watson T, Hook L, Medvinsky A, Mason C, Choo Y. Directed differentiation of embryonic stem cells using a bead-based combinatorial screening method. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104301. [PMID: 25251366 PMCID: PMC4174505 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We have developed a rapid, bead-based combinatorial screening method to determine optimal combinations of variables that direct stem cell differentiation to produce known or novel cell types having pre-determined characteristics. Here we describe three experiments comprising stepwise exposure of mouse or human embryonic cells to 10,000 combinations of serum-free differentiation media, through which we discovered multiple novel, efficient and robust protocols to generate a number of specific hematopoietic and neural lineages. We further demonstrate that the technology can be used to optimize existing protocols in order to substitute costly growth factors with bioactive small molecules and/or increase cell yield, and to identify in vitro conditions for the production of rare developmental intermediates such as an embryonic lymphoid progenitor cell that has not previously been reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Tarunina
- Plasticell Ltd, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | - Diana Hernandez
- Plasticell Ltd, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Stevenage, United Kingdom
- Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Stanislav Rybtsov
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine/Institute of Stem cell Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Vidya Ramathas
- Plasticell Ltd, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | | | - Thomas Watson
- Plasticell Ltd, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | - Lilian Hook
- Plasticell Ltd, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Medvinsky
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine/Institute of Stem cell Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Mason
- Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yen Choo
- Plasticell Ltd, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Stevenage, United Kingdom
- Progenitor Labs Ltd, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Stevenage, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
119
|
Abstract
Despite the tremendous hurdles presented by the complexity of the liver's structure and function, advances in liver physiology, stem cell biology and reprogramming, and the engineering of tissues and devices are accelerating the development of cell-based therapies for treating liver disease and liver failure. This State of the Art Review discusses both the near- and long-term prospects for such cell-based therapies and the unique challenges for clinical translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sangeeta N Bhatia
- Institute for Medical Engineering & Science at MIT, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, David H. Koch Institute at MIT, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. Division of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Gregory H Underhill
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Kenneth S Zaret
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ira J Fox
- Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| |
Collapse
|
120
|
High efficient differentiation of functional hepatocytes from porcine induced pluripotent stem cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100417. [PMID: 24949734 PMCID: PMC4065042 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte transplantation is considered to be a promising therapy for patients with liver diseases. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide an unlimited source for the generation of functional hepatocytes. In this study, we generated iPSCs from porcine ear fibroblasts (PEFs) by overexpressing Sox2, Klf4, Oct4, and c-Myc (SKOM), and developed a novel strategy for the efficient differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells from porcine iPSCs by following the processes of early liver development. The differentiated cells displayed the phenotypes of hepatocytes, exhibited classic hepatocyte-associated bio-functions, such as LDL uptake, glycogen storage and urea secretion, as well as possessed the metabolic activities of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A and 2C. Furthermore, we compared the hepatocyte differentiation efficacy of our protocol with another published method, and the results demonstrated that our differentiation strategy could significantly improve the generation of morphological and functional hepatocyte-like cells from porcine iPSCs. In conclusion, this study establishes an efficient method for in vitro generation of functional hepatocytes from porcine iPSCs, which could represent a promising cell source for preclinical testing of cell-based therapeutics for liver failure and for pharmacological applications.
Collapse
|
121
|
Isobe KI, Cheng Z, Nishio N, Suganya T, Tanaka Y, Ito S. iPSCs, aging and age-related diseases. N Biotechnol 2014; 31:411-21. [PMID: 24784583 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Revised: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Human histocompatibility antigens are quite heterogeneous and promote the rejection of transplanted tissue. Recent advances in stem cell research that enable the use of a patient's own stem cells for transplantation are very important because rejection could be avoided. In particular, Yamanaka's group in Japan gave new hope to patients with incurable diseases when they developed induced murine pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in 2006 and human iPSCs in 2007. Whereas embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are derived from the inner cell mass and are supported in culture by LIF, iPSCs are derived from fetal or adult somatic cells. Through the application of iPSC technology, adult somatic cells can develop a pluripotent state. One advantage of using iPSCs instead of ESCs in regenerative medicine is that (theoretically) immune rejection could be avoided, although there is some debate about immune rejection of a patient's own iPSCs. Many diseases occur in elderly patients. In order to use regenerative medicine with the elderly, it is important to demonstrate that iPSCs can indeed be generated from older patients. Recent findings have shown that iPSCs can be established from aged mice and aged humans. These iPSCs can differentiate to cells from all three germ layers. However, it is not known whether iPSCs from aged mice or humans show early senescence. Before clinical use of iPSCs, issues related to copy number variation, tumorigenicity and immunogenicity must be resolved. It is particularly important that researchers have succeeded in generating iPSCs that have differentiated to somatic cells related to specific diseases of the elderly, including atherosclerosis, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. These efforts will facilitate the use of personalized stem cell transplantation therapy for currently incurable diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ken-Ichi Isobe
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Turumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan.
| | - Zhao Cheng
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Turumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Naomi Nishio
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Turumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Thanasegan Suganya
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Turumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yuriko Tanaka
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Turumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| | - Sachiko Ito
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Turumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8550, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
122
|
Generation of bladder urothelium from human pluripotent stem cells under chemically defined serum- and feeder-free system. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:7139-57. [PMID: 24776760 PMCID: PMC4057664 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15057139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human stem cells are promising sources for bladder regeneration. Among several possible sources, pluripotent stem cells are the most fascinating because they can differentiate into any cell type, and proliferate limitlessly in vitro. Here, we developed a protocol for differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into bladder urothelial cells (BUCs) under a chemically defined culture system. We first differentiated hPSCs into definitive endoderm (DE), and further specified DE cells into BUCs by treating retinoic acid under a keratinocyte-specific serum free medium. hPSC-derived DE cells showed significantly expressed DE-specific genes, but did not express mesodermal or ectodermal genes. After DE cells were specified into BUCs, they notably expressed urothelium-specific genes such as UPIb, UPII, UPIIIa, P63 and CK7. Immunocytochemistry showed that BUCs expressed UPII, CK8/18 and P63 as well as tight junction molecules, E-CADHERIN and ZO-1. Additionally, hPSCs-derived BUCs exhibited low permeability in a FITC-dextran permeability assay, indicating BUCs possessed the functional units of barrier on their surfaces. However, BUCs did not express the marker genes of other endodermal lineage cells (intestine and liver) as well as mesodermal or ectodermal lineage cells. In summary, we sequentially differentiated hPSCs into DE and BUCs in a serum- and feeder-free condition. Our differentiation protocol will be useful for producing cells for bladder regeneration and studying normal and pathological development of the human bladder urothelium in vitro.
Collapse
|
123
|
Sengupta S, Johnson BP, Swanson SA, Stewart R, Bradfield CA, Thomson JA. Aggregate culture of human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatocytes in suspension are an improved in vitro model for drug metabolism and toxicity testing. Toxicol Sci 2014; 140:236-45. [PMID: 24752503 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfu069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Early phase drug development relies on primary human hepatocytes for studies of drug metabolism, cytotoxicity, and drug-drug interactions. However, primary human hepatocytes rapidly lose metabolic functions ex vivo and are refractory to expansion in culture and thus are limited in quantity. Hepatocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells (either embryonic stem (ES) or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells), have the potential to overcome many of the limitations of primary human hepatocytes, but to date the use of human pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes has been limited by poor enzyme inducibility and immature metabolic function. Here, we present a simple suspension culture of aggregates of ES cell-derived hepatocytes that compared to conventional monolayer adherent culture significantly increases induction of CYP 1A2 by omeprazole and 3A4 by rifampicin. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we further show that ES cell-derived hepatocytes in aggregate culture convert omeprazole and rifampicin to their human-specific metabolites. We also show that these cells convert acetaminophen (APAP) to its cytotoxic metabolite (N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI)), although they fail to perform APAP glucuronidation. In summary, we show that human pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes in aggregate culture display improved enzymatic inducibility and metabolic function and is a promising step toward a simple, scalable system, but nonetheless will require further improvements to completely replace primary human hepatocytes in drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian Patrick Johnson
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | | | - Ron Stewart
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin 53715
| | - Christopher Alan Bradfield
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - James Alexander Thomson
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin 53715 Department of Cell & Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 Department of Molecular, Cellular, & Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106
| |
Collapse
|
124
|
Asgari S, Moslem M, Bagheri-Lankarani K, Pournasr B, Miryounesi M, Baharvand H. Differentiation and transplantation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2014; 9:493-504. [PMID: 22076752 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-011-9330-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) with a high differentiation potential provided a new source for hepatocyte generation not only for drug discovery and in vitro disease models, but also for cell replacement therapy. However, the reported hiPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) were not well characterized and their transplantation, as the most promising clue of cell function was not reported. Here, we performed a growth factor-mediated differentiation of functional HLCs from hiPSCs and evaluated their potential for recovery of a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-injured mouse liver following transplantation. The hiPSC-derived hepatic lineage cells expressed hepatocyte-specific markers, showed glycogen and lipid storage activity, secretion of albumin (ALB), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), urea, and CYP450 metabolic activity in addition to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and indocyanin green (ICG) uptake. Similar results were observed with human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived HLCs. The transplantation of hiPSC-HLCs into a CCl4-injured liver showed incorporation of the hiPSC-HLCs into the mouse liver which resulted in a significant enhancement in total serum ALB after 1 week. A reduction of total serum LDH and bilirubin was seen when compared with the control and sham groups 1 and 5 weeks post-transplantation. Additionally, we detected human serum ALB and ALB-positive transplanted cells in both the host serum and livers, respectively, which showed functional integration of transplanted cells within the mouse livers. Therefore, our results have opened up a proof of concept that functional HLCs can be generated from hiPSCs, thus improving the general condition of a CCl4-injured mouse liver after their transplantation. These results may bring new insights in the clinical applications of hiPSCs once safety issues are overcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samira Asgari
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, PO Box 19395-4644, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
125
|
HHEX promotes hepatic-lineage specification through the negative regulation of eomesodermin. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90791. [PMID: 24651531 PMCID: PMC3961246 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) could provide a major window into human developmental biology, because the differentiation methods from hESCs mimic human embryogenesis. We previously reported that the overexpression of hematopoietically expressed homeobox (HHEX) in the hESC-derived definitive endoderm (DE) cells markedly promotes hepatic specification. However, it remains unclear how HHEX functions in this process. To reveal the molecular mechanisms of hepatic specification by HHEX, we tried to identify the genes directly targeted by HHEX. We found that HHEX knockdown considerably enhanced the expression level of eomesodermin (EOMES). In addition, HHEX bound to the HHEX response element located in the first intron of EOMES. Loss-of-function assays of EOMES showed that the gene expression levels of hepatoblast markers were significantly upregulated, suggesting that EOMES has a negative role in hepatic specification from the DE cells. Furthermore, EOMES exerts its effects downstream of HHEX in hepatic specification from the DE cells. In conclusion, the present results suggest that HHEX promotes hepatic specification by repressing EOMES expression.
Collapse
|
126
|
Picanço-Castro V, Moreira LF, Kashima S, Covas DT. Can pluripotent stem cells be used in cell-based therapy? Cell Reprogram 2014; 16:98-107. [PMID: 24606201 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2013.0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells, both embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), have the ability to differentiate into several cell types that can be used in drug testing and also in the study and treatment of diseases. These cells can be differentiated by in vitro systems, which may serve as models for human diseases and for cell transplantation. In this review, we address the pluripotent cell types, how to obtain and characterize these cells, and differentiation assays. We also focus on the potential of these cells in clinical trials, and we describe the clinical trials that are underway.
Collapse
|
127
|
Galactosylated collagen matrix enhanced in vitro maturation of human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells. Biotechnol Lett 2014; 36:1095-106. [PMID: 24563289 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-014-1454-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Due to their important biomedical applications, functional human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells (hESC-HLCs) are an attractive topic in the field of stem cell differentiation. Here, we have initially differentiated hESCs into functional hepatic endoderm (HE) and continued the differentiation by replating them onto galactosylated collagen (GC) and collagen matrices. The differentiation of hESC-HE cells into HLCs on GC substrate showed significant up-regulation of hepatic-specific genes such as ALB, HNF4α, CYP3A4, G6P, and ASGR1. There was more albumin secretion and urea synthesis, as well as more cytochrome p450 activity, in differentiated HLCs on GC compared to the collagen-coated substrate. These results suggested that GC substrate has the potential to be used for in vitro maturation of hESC-HLCs.
Collapse
|
128
|
Lu SJ, Kelley T, Feng Q, Chen A, Reuveny S, Lanza R, Oh SKW. 3D microcarrier system for efficient differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into hematopoietic cells without feeders and serum [corrected]. Regen Med 2014; 8:413-24. [PMID: 23826696 DOI: 10.2217/rme.13.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have been derived and maintained on mouse embryonic fibroblast feeders to keep their undifferentiated status. To realize their clinical potential, a feeder-free and scalable system for large scale production of hESCs and their differentiated derivatives is required. MATERIALS & METHODS hESCs were cultured and passaged on serum/feeder-free 3D microcarriers for five passages. For embryoid body (EB) formation and hemangioblast differentiation, the medium for 3D microcarriers was directly switched to EB medium. RESULTS hESCs on 3D microcarriers maintained pluripotency and formed EBs, which were ten-times more efficient than hESCs cultured under 2D feeder-free conditions (0.11 ± 0.03 EB cells/hESC input 2D vs 1.19 ± 0.32 EB cells/hESC input 3D). After replating, EB cells from 3D culture readily developed into hemangioblasts with the potential to differentiate into hematopoietic and endothelial cells. Furthermore, this 3D system can also be adapted to human induced pluripotent stem cells, which generate functional hemangioblasts with high efficiency. CONCLUSION This 3D serum- and stromal-free microcarrier system is important for future clinical applications, with the potential of developing to a GMP-compatible scalable system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Jiang Lu
- Advanced Cell Technology, 33 Locke Drive, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
129
|
Khanjani S, Khanmohammadi M, Zarnani AH, Akhondi MM, Ahani A, Ghaempanah Z, Naderi MM, Eghtesad S, Kazemnejad S. Comparative evaluation of differentiation potential of menstrual blood- versus bone marrow-derived stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86075. [PMID: 24505254 PMCID: PMC3914790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Menstrual blood has been introduced as an easily accessible and refreshing stem cell source with no ethical consideration. Although recent works have shown that menstrual blood stem cells (MenSCs) possess multi lineage differentiation capacity, their efficiency of hepatic differentiation in comparison to other stem cell resources has not been addressed so far. The aim of this study was to investigate hepatic differentiation capacity of MenSCs compared to bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) under protocols developed by different concentrations of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and oncostatin M (OSM) in combination with other components in serum supplemented or serum-free culture media. Such comparison was made after assessment of immunophenotye, trans-differentiation potential, immunogenicity and tumorigeicity of these cell types. The differential expression of mature hepatocyte markers such as albumin (ALB), cytokeratin 18 (CK-18), tyrosine aminotransferase and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activities (CYP7A1) at both mRNA and protein levels in differentiating MenSCs was significantly higher in upper concentration of HGF and OSM (P1) compared to lower concentration of these factors (P2). Moreover, omission of serum during differentiation process (P3) caused typical improvement in functions assigned to hepatocytes in differentiated MenSCs. While up-regulation level of ALB and CYP7A1 was higher in differentiated MenSCs compared to driven BMSCs, expression level of CK-18, detected level of produced ALB and glycogen accumulation were lower or not significantly different. Therefore, based on the overall comparable hepatic differentiation ability of MenSCs with BMSCs, and also accessibility, refreshing nature and lack of ethical issues of MenSCs, these cells could be suggested as an apt and safe alternative to BMSCs for future stem cell therapy of chronic liver diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sayeh Khanjani
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Manijeh Khanmohammadi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir-Hassan Zarnani
- Nanobiotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Mehdi Akhondi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ahani
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Ghaempanah
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Naderi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saman Eghtesad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Somaieh Kazemnejad
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
130
|
Hepatic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells on microcarriers. J Biotechnol 2014; 174:39-48. [PMID: 24480567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2014.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2013] [Revised: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Translation of stem cell research to industrial and clinical settings mostly requires large quantities of cells, especially those involving large organs such as the liver. A scalable reactor system is desirable to ensure a reliable supply of sufficient quantities of differentiated cells. To increase the culture efficiency in bioreactor system, high surface to volume ratio needs to be achieved. We employed a microcarrier culture system for the expansion of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) as well as for directed differentiation of these cells to hepatocyte-like cells. Cells in single cell suspension were attached to the bead surface in even distribution and were expanded to 1×10(6)cells/ml within 2 days of hESC culture with maintenance of the level of pluripotency markers. Directed differentiation into hepatocyte-like cells on microcarriers, both in static culture and stirred bioreactors, induced similar levels of hepatocyte-like cell differentiation as observed with cells cultured in conventional tissue culture plates. The cells expressed both immature and mature hepatocyte-lineage genes and proteins such as asialoglycoprotein receptor-1 (ASGPR-1) and albumin. Differentiated cells exhibited functional characteristics such as secretion of albumin and urea, and CYP3A4 activity could be detected. Microcarriers thus offer the potential for large-scale expansion and differentiation of hESCs induced hepatocyte-like cells in a more controllable bioreactor environment.
Collapse
|
131
|
Streckfuss-Bömeke K, Jende J, Cheng IF, Hasenfuss G, Guan K. Efficient generation of hepatic cells from multipotent adult mouse germ-line stem cells using an OP9 co-culture system. Cell Reprogram 2013; 16:65-76. [PMID: 24380658 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2013.0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
On the basis of their self-renewal capacity and their ability to differentiate into derivatives of all three germ layers, germ line-derived multipotent adult stem cells (maGSCs) from mouse testis might serve as one of preferable sources for pluripotent stem cells in regenerative medicine. In our study, we aimed for an efficient hepatic differentiation protocol that is applicable for both maGSCs and embryonic stem cells (ESCs). We attempted to accomplish this goal by using a new established co-culture system with OP9 stroma cells for direct differentiation of maGSCs and ESCs into hepatic cells. We found that the hepatic differentiation of maGSCs was induced by the OP9 co-culture system in comparison to the gelatin culture. Furthermore, we showed that the combination of OP9 co-culture with activin A resulted in the increased expression of endodermal and early hepatic markers Gata4, Sox17, Foxa2, Hnf4, Afp, and Ttr compared to differentiated cells on gelatin or on OP9 alone. Moreover, the hepatic progenitors were capable of differentiating further into mature hepatic cells, demonstrated by the expression of liver-specific markers Aat, Alb, Tdo2, Krt18, Krt8, Krt19, Cps1, Sek, Cyp7a1, Otc, and Pah. A high percentage of maGSC-derived hepatic progenitors (51% AFP- and 61% DLK1-positive) and mature hepatic-like cells (26% ALB-positive) were achieved using this OP9 co-culture system. These generated hepatic cells successfully demonstrated in vitro functions associated with mature hepatocytes, including albumin and urea secretion, glycogen storage, and uptake of low-density lipoprotein. The established co-culture system for maGSCs into functional hepatic cells might serve as a suitable model to delineate the differentiation process for the generation of high numbers of mature hepatocytes in humans without genetic manipulations and make germ line-derived stem cells a potential autologous and alternative cell source for hepatic transplants in metabolic liver disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Streckfuss-Bömeke
- 1 Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, Georg-August-University of Göttingen , 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
132
|
Liu WH, Ren LN, Chen T, You N, Liu LY, Wang T, Yan HT, Luo H, Tang LJ. Unbalanced distribution of materials: the art of giving rise to hepatocytes from liver stem/progenitor cells. J Cell Mol Med 2013; 18:1-14. [PMID: 24286303 PMCID: PMC3916112 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver stem/progenitor cells (LSPCs) are able to duplicate themselves and differentiate into each type of cells in the liver, including mature hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. Understanding how to accurately control the hepatic differentiation of LSPCs is a challenge in many fields from preclinical to clinical treatments. This review summarizes the recent advances made to control the hepatic differentiation of LSPCs over the last few decades. The hepatic differentiation of LSPCs is a gradual process consisting of three main steps: initiation, progression and accomplishment. The unbalanced distribution of the affecting materials in each step results in the hepatic maturation of LSPCs. As the innovative and creative works for generating hepatocytes with full functions from LSPCs are gradually accumulated, LSPC therapies will soon be a new choice for treating liver diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hui Liu
- General Surgery Center of PLA, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
133
|
Takayama K, Kawabata K, Nagamoto Y, Inamura M, Ohashi K, Okuno H, Yamaguchi T, Tashiro K, Sakurai F, Hayakawa T, Okano T, Furue MK, Mizuguchi H. CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-mediated regulation of TGFβ receptor 2 expression determines the hepatoblast fate decision. Development 2013; 141:91-100. [PMID: 24284203 DOI: 10.1242/dev.103168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and their derivatives are expected to be used in drug discovery, regenerative medicine and the study of human embryogenesis. Because hepatocyte differentiation from hESCs has the potential to recapitulate human liver development in vivo, we employed this differentiation method to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying human hepatocyte differentiation. A previous study has shown that a gradient of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling is required to segregate hepatocyte and cholangiocyte lineages from hepatoblasts. Although CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (c/EBPs) are known to be important transcription factors in liver development, the relationship between TGFβ signaling and c/EBP-mediated transcriptional regulation in the hepatoblast fate decision is not well known. To clarify this relationship, we examined whether c/EBPs could determine the hepatoblast fate decision via regulation of TGFβ receptor 2 (TGFBR2) expression in the hepatoblast-like cells differentiated from hESCs. We found that TGFBR2 promoter activity was negatively regulated by c/EBPα and positively regulated by c/EBPβ. Moreover, c/EBPα overexpression could promote hepatocyte differentiation by suppressing TGFBR2 expression, whereas c/EBPβ overexpression could promote cholangiocyte differentiation by enhancing TGFBR2 expression. Our findings demonstrated that c/EBPα and c/EBPβ determine the lineage commitment of hepatoblasts by negatively and positively regulating the expression of a common target gene, TGFBR2, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Takayama
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
134
|
Hazeltine LB, Selekman JA, Palecek SP. Engineering the human pluripotent stem cell microenvironment to direct cell fate. Biotechnol Adv 2013; 31:1002-19. [PMID: 23510904 PMCID: PMC3758782 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including both embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, offer a potential cell source for research, drug screening, and regenerative medicine applications due to their unique ability to self-renew or differentiate to any somatic cell type. Before the full potential of hPSCs can be realized, robust protocols must be developed to direct their fate. Cell fate decisions are based on components of the surrounding microenvironment, including soluble factors, substrate or extracellular matrix, cell-cell interactions, mechanical forces, and 2D or 3D architecture. Depending on their spatio-temporal context, these components can signal hPSCs to either self-renew or differentiate to cell types of the ectoderm, mesoderm, or endoderm. Researchers working at the interface of engineering and biology have identified various factors which can affect hPSC fate, often based on lessons from embryonic development, and they have utilized this information to design in vitro niches which can reproducibly direct hPSC fate. This review highlights culture systems that have been engineered to promote self-renewal or differentiation of hPSCs, with a focus on studies that have elucidated the contributions of specific microenvironmental cues in the context of those culture systems. We propose the use of microsystem technologies for high-throughput screening of spatial-temporal presentation of cues, as this has been demonstrated to be a powerful approach for differentiating hPSCs to desired cell types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sean P. Palecek
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Madison 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706 USA
| |
Collapse
|
135
|
Costa A, Sarmento B, Seabra V. An evaluation of the latestin vitrotools for drug metabolism studies. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2013; 10:103-19. [DOI: 10.1517/17425255.2014.857402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
|
136
|
Sun P, Zhou X, Farnworth SL, Patel AH, Hay DC. Modeling human liver biology using stem cell-derived hepatocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:22011-21. [PMID: 24201130 PMCID: PMC3856048 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141122011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-derived hepatocytes represent promising models to study human liver biology and disease. This concise review discusses the recent progresses in the field, with a focus on human liver disease, drug metabolism and virus infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pingnan Sun
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; E-Mails: (P.S.); (X.Z.)
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; E-Mail:
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G11 5JR, UK; E-Mail:
| | - Xiaoling Zhou
- Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; E-Mails: (P.S.); (X.Z.)
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; E-Mail:
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G11 5JR, UK; E-Mail:
| | - Sarah L. Farnworth
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; E-Mail:
| | - Arvind H. Patel
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G11 5JR, UK; E-Mail:
| | - David C. Hay
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK; E-Mail:
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +44-131-651-9549; Fax: +44-131-651-9501
| |
Collapse
|
137
|
Subramanian K, Owens DJ, Raju R, Firpo M, O'Brien TD, Verfaillie CM, Hu WS. Spheroid culture for enhanced differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to hepatocyte-like cells. Stem Cells Dev 2013; 23:124-31. [PMID: 24020366 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2013.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells hold great potential for the treatment of liver disease and for drug toxicity screening. The success of these applications hinges on the generation of differentiated cells with high liver specific activities. Many protocols have been developed to guide human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to differentiate to the hepatic lineage. Here we report cultivation of hESCs as three-dimensional aggregates that enhances their differentiation to hepatocyte-like cells. Differentiation was first carried out in monolayer culture for 20 days. Subsequently cells were allowed to self-aggregate into spheroids. Significantly higher expression of liver-specific transcripts and proteins, including Albumin, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 was observed. The differentiated phenotype was sustained for more than 2 weeks in the three-dimensional spheroid culture system, significantly longer than in monolayer culture. Cells in spheroids exhibit morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of primary hepatocytes by scanning and transmission electron microscopy in addition to mature functions, such as biliary excretion of metabolic products and cytochrome P450 activities. This three-dimensional spheroid culture system may be appropriate for generating high quality, functional hepatocyte-like cells from ESCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kartik Subramanian
- 1 Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
138
|
The human constitutive androstane receptor promotes the differentiation and maturation of hepatic-like cells. Dev Biol 2013; 384:155-65. [PMID: 24144921 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2013.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Revised: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Expression of the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3) is enriched in the mature mammalian liver and increasingly recognized for its prominent role in regulating a myriad of processes including biotransformation, chemical transport, energy metabolism and lipid homeostasis. Previously, we demonstrated that CAR levels were markedly enhanced during the differentiation of hepatic-like cells derived from hESCs, prompting the hypothesis that CAR contributes a key functional role in directing human hepatogenesis. Here we demonstrate that over-expression of CAR in human embryonic stem cells (ESCs), transduced by a lentiviral vector, accelerates the maturation of hepatic-like cells, with CAR over-expressing cells exhibiting a 2.5-fold increase in albumin secretion by day 20 in culture differentiation, and significantly enhanced levels of mRNA expression of several liver-selective markers, including hepatic transcription factors, plasma proteins, biotransformation enzymes, and metabolic enzymes. CAR over-expressing cells also exhibited enhanced CITCO-inducible CYP3A7 enzymatic activity. Knockdown of CAR via siRNA attenuated the differentiation-dependent expression programs. In contrast, expression levels of the pregnane X receptor (PXR), a nuclear receptor most similar to CAR in primary sequence, were negligible in human fetal liver tissues or in the differentiating hESCs, and stable over-expression of PXR in hepatic-induced hESCs failed to enhance expression of hepatic phenotype markers. Together, these results define a novel role for human CAR in hepatic lineage commitment.
Collapse
|
139
|
Kia R, Sison RLC, Heslop J, Kitteringham NR, Hanley N, Mills JS, Park BK, Goldring CEP. Stem cell-derived hepatocytes as a predictive model for drug-induced liver injury: are we there yet? Br J Clin Pharmacol 2013; 75:885-96. [PMID: 22703588 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04360.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 06/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Amongst the different types of adverse drug reactions, drug-induced liver injury is the most prominent cause of patient morbidity and mortality. However, the current available hepatic model systems developed for evaluating safety have limited utility and relevance as they do not fully recapitulate a fully functional hepatocyte, and do not sufficiently represent the genetic polymorphisms present in the population. The rapidly advancing research in stem cells raises the possibility of using human pluripotent stem cells in bridging this gap. The generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells via reprogramming of mature human somatic cells may also allow for disease modelling in vitro for the purposes of assessing drug safety and toxicology. This would also allow for better understanding of disease processes and thus facilitate in the potential identification of novel therapeutic targets. This review will focus on the current state of effort to derive hepatocytes from human pluripotent stem cells for potential use in hepatotoxicity evaluation and aims to provide an insight as to where the future of the field may lie.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Kia
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
140
|
The road to regenerative liver therapies: the triumphs, trials and tribulations. Biotechnol Adv 2013; 31:1085-93. [PMID: 24055818 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Revised: 08/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The liver is one of the few organs that possess a high capacity to regenerate after liver failure or liver damage. The parenchymal cells of the liver, hepatocytes, contribute to the majority of the regeneration process. Thus, hepatocyte transplantation presents an alternative method to treating liver damage. However, shortage of hepatocytes and difficulties in maintaining primary hepatocytes still remain key obstacles that researchers must overcome before hepatocyte transplantation can be used in clinical practice. The unique properties of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have provided an alternative approach to generating enough functional hepatocytes for cellular therapy. In this review, we will present a brief overview on the current state of hepatocyte differentiation from PSCs and iPSCs. Studies of liver regenerative processes using different cell sources (adult liver stem cells, hepatoblasts, hepatic progenitor cells, etc.) will be described in detail as well as how this knowledge can be applied towards optimizing culture conditions for the maintenance and differentiation of these cells towards hepatocytes. As the outlook of stem cell-derived therapy begins to look more plausible, researchers will need to address the challenges we must overcome in order to translate stem cell research to clinical applications.
Collapse
|
141
|
Huang HI, Chen SK, Wang RYL, Shen CR, Cheng YC. Human foreskin fibroblast-like stromal cells can differentiate into functional hepatocytic cells. Cell Biol Int 2013; 37:1308-19. [PMID: 23956153 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Foreskin fibroblast-like stromal cells (FDSCs) are progenitors isolated from human tissue that can differentiate into diverse cell types. Many types of stem cells can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells, which could be used for drug testing or in liver regeneration therapy, but whether FDSCs can be converted into functional hepatocytes is unknown. FDSCs show divergent properties when cultured in distinct media, forming spheres in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing F12, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), but have fibroblast-like morphology when cultured in DMEM-based growth medium. Both cell populations express the typical mesenchymal stem cell markers CD90, CD105, and CD73, but the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) was detected only in FDSC spheres. Both types of FDSCs can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells, which express typical liver markers, including albumin and hepatocyte paraffin 1 (Hep Par1), along with liver-specific biological activities. When plasmids containing the human hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome were transfected transiently into FDSCs, differentiated hepatocyte-like cells secrete large amounts of HBe and HBs antigens. FDSCs could be used for clinical hepatic therapy and/or serve as a model of HBV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsing-I Huang
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C.; Research Center for Emerging Viral Infections, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
142
|
Godoy P, Hewitt NJ, Albrecht U, Andersen ME, Ansari N, Bhattacharya S, Bode JG, Bolleyn J, Borner C, Böttger J, Braeuning A, Budinsky RA, Burkhardt B, Cameron NR, Camussi G, Cho CS, Choi YJ, Craig Rowlands J, Dahmen U, Damm G, Dirsch O, Donato MT, Dong J, Dooley S, Drasdo D, Eakins R, Ferreira KS, Fonsato V, Fraczek J, Gebhardt R, Gibson A, Glanemann M, Goldring CEP, Gómez-Lechón MJ, Groothuis GMM, Gustavsson L, Guyot C, Hallifax D, Hammad S, Hayward A, Häussinger D, Hellerbrand C, Hewitt P, Hoehme S, Holzhütter HG, Houston JB, Hrach J, Ito K, Jaeschke H, Keitel V, Kelm JM, Kevin Park B, Kordes C, Kullak-Ublick GA, LeCluyse EL, Lu P, Luebke-Wheeler J, Lutz A, Maltman DJ, Matz-Soja M, McMullen P, Merfort I, Messner S, Meyer C, Mwinyi J, Naisbitt DJ, Nussler AK, Olinga P, Pampaloni F, Pi J, Pluta L, Przyborski SA, Ramachandran A, Rogiers V, Rowe C, Schelcher C, Schmich K, Schwarz M, Singh B, Stelzer EHK, Stieger B, Stöber R, Sugiyama Y, Tetta C, Thasler WE, Vanhaecke T, Vinken M, Weiss TS, Widera A, Woods CG, Xu JJ, Yarborough KM, Hengstler JG. Recent advances in 2D and 3D in vitro systems using primary hepatocytes, alternative hepatocyte sources and non-parenchymal liver cells and their use in investigating mechanisms of hepatotoxicity, cell signaling and ADME. Arch Toxicol 2013; 87:1315-530. [PMID: 23974980 PMCID: PMC3753504 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-013-1078-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1061] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This review encompasses the most important advances in liver functions and hepatotoxicity and analyzes which mechanisms can be studied in vitro. In a complex architecture of nested, zonated lobules, the liver consists of approximately 80 % hepatocytes and 20 % non-parenchymal cells, the latter being involved in a secondary phase that may dramatically aggravate the initial damage. Hepatotoxicity, as well as hepatic metabolism, is controlled by a set of nuclear receptors (including PXR, CAR, HNF-4α, FXR, LXR, SHP, VDR and PPAR) and signaling pathways. When isolating liver cells, some pathways are activated, e.g., the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway, whereas others are silenced (e.g. HNF-4α), resulting in up- and downregulation of hundreds of genes. An understanding of these changes is crucial for a correct interpretation of in vitro data. The possibilities and limitations of the most useful liver in vitro systems are summarized, including three-dimensional culture techniques, co-cultures with non-parenchymal cells, hepatospheres, precision cut liver slices and the isolated perfused liver. Also discussed is how closely hepatoma, stem cell and iPS cell-derived hepatocyte-like-cells resemble real hepatocytes. Finally, a summary is given of the state of the art of liver in vitro and mathematical modeling systems that are currently used in the pharmaceutical industry with an emphasis on drug metabolism, prediction of clearance, drug interaction, transporter studies and hepatotoxicity. One key message is that despite our enthusiasm for in vitro systems, we must never lose sight of the in vivo situation. Although hepatocytes have been isolated for decades, the hunt for relevant alternative systems has only just begun.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricio Godoy
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IFADO), 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| | | | - Ute Albrecht
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Melvin E. Andersen
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Nariman Ansari
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sudin Bhattacharya
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Johannes Georg Bode
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jennifer Bolleyn
- Department of Toxicology, Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christoph Borner
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan Böttger
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Albert Braeuning
- Department of Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Wilhelmstr. 56, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Robert A. Budinsky
- Toxicology and Environmental Research and Consulting, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI USA
| | - Britta Burkhardt
- BG Trauma Center, Siegfried Weller Institut, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Neil R. Cameron
- Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE UK
| | - Giovanni Camussi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Chong-Su Cho
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-921 Korea
| | - Yun-Jaie Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-921 Korea
| | - J. Craig Rowlands
- Toxicology and Environmental Research and Consulting, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI USA
| | - Uta Dahmen
- Experimental Transplantation Surgery, Department of General Visceral, and Vascular Surgery, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Georg Damm
- Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Charité University Medicine Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Olaf Dirsch
- Institute of Pathology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - María Teresa Donato
- Unidad de Hepatología Experimental, IIS Hospital La Fe Avda Campanar 21, 46009 Valencia, Spain
- CIBERehd, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Barcelona, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jian Dong
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Steven Dooley
- Department of Medicine II, Section Molecular Hepatology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Dirk Drasdo
- Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics (IZBI), University of Leipzig, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
- INRIA (French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Control), Domaine de Voluceau-Rocquencourt, B.P. 105, 78153 Le Chesnay Cedex, France
- UPMC University of Paris 06, CNRS UMR 7598, Laboratoire Jacques-Louis Lions, 4, pl. Jussieu, 75252 Paris cedex 05, France
| | - Rowena Eakins
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Karine Sá Ferreira
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cell Research, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- GRK 1104 From Cells to Organs, Molecular Mechanisms of Organogenesis, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Valentina Fonsato
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Joanna Fraczek
- Department of Toxicology, Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rolf Gebhardt
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andrew Gibson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Matthias Glanemann
- Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Charité University Medicine Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Chris E. P. Goldring
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - María José Gómez-Lechón
- Unidad de Hepatología Experimental, IIS Hospital La Fe Avda Campanar 21, 46009 Valencia, Spain
- CIBERehd, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Geny M. M. Groothuis
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmacokinetics Toxicology and Targeting, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Lena Gustavsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine (Malmö), Center for Molecular Pathology, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms gata 59, 205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Christelle Guyot
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David Hallifax
- Centre for Applied Pharmacokinetic Research (CAPKR), School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT UK
| | - Seddik Hammad
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Veterinary Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Adam Hayward
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, DH13LE UK
| | - Dieter Häussinger
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Claus Hellerbrand
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Hoehme
- Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics (IZBI), University of Leipzig, 04107 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hermann-Georg Holzhütter
- Institut für Biochemie Abteilung Mathematische Systembiochemie, Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Charité), Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - J. Brian Houston
- Centre for Applied Pharmacokinetic Research (CAPKR), School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT UK
| | | | - Kiyomi Ito
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Musashino University, 1-1-20 Shinmachi, Nishitokyo-shi, Tokyo, 202-8585 Japan
| | - Hartmut Jaeschke
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160 USA
| | - Verena Keitel
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - B. Kevin Park
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Claus Kordes
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gerd A. Kullak-Ublick
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Edward L. LeCluyse
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Peng Lu
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | | | - Anna Lutz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daniel J. Maltman
- Reinnervate Limited, NETPark Incubator, Thomas Wright Way, Sedgefield, TS21 3FD UK
| | - Madlen Matz-Soja
- Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Patrick McMullen
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Irmgard Merfort
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Christoph Meyer
- Department of Medicine II, Section Molecular Hepatology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jessica Mwinyi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dean J. Naisbitt
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andreas K. Nussler
- BG Trauma Center, Siegfried Weller Institut, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter Olinga
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Francesco Pampaloni
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jingbo Pi
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Linda Pluta
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Stefan A. Przyborski
- Reinnervate Limited, NETPark Incubator, Thomas Wright Way, Sedgefield, TS21 3FD UK
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, Durham, DH13LE UK
| | - Anup Ramachandran
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160 USA
| | - Vera Rogiers
- Department of Toxicology, Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cliff Rowe
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Celine Schelcher
- Department of Surgery, Liver Regeneration, Core Facility, Human in Vitro Models of the Liver, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kathrin Schmich
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology and Biotechnology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Schwarz
- Department of Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Wilhelmstr. 56, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bijay Singh
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-921 Korea
| | - Ernst H. K. Stelzer
- Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Bruno Stieger
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Regina Stöber
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IFADO), 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Yuichi Sugiyama
- Sugiyama Laboratory, RIKEN Innovation Center, RIKEN, Yokohama Biopharmaceutical R&D Center, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan
| | - Ciro Tetta
- Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang E. Thasler
- Department of Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich Hospital Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
| | - Tamara Vanhaecke
- Department of Toxicology, Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Department of Toxicology, Centre for Pharmaceutical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thomas S. Weiss
- Department of Pediatrics and Juvenile Medicine, University of Regensburg Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Agata Widera
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IFADO), 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Courtney G. Woods
- The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | | | | | - Jan G. Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IFADO), 44139 Dortmund, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
143
|
Szkolnicka D, Zhou W, Lucendo-Villarin B, Hay DC. Pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes: potential and challenges in pharmacology. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2013; 53:147-59. [PMID: 23294308 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-011112-140306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The liver is a fascinating organ and performs a wide range of functions necessary for life. Because the hepatocyte is the major functional cell type found in the liver, it is important that we better understand its role in health and disease. Functional hepatocytes have been derived from many sources, including human stem cell populations. These models offer new opportunities to further our understanding of human liver biology from diverse genotypes and, in the future, to facilitate the development of novel medicines or cell-based therapies. This review discusses limitations in current cell-based models and the advantages offered by pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dagmara Szkolnicka
- MRC Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
144
|
Greenhough S, Bradburn H, Gardner J, Hay DC. Development of an embryoid body-based screening strategy for assessing the hepatocyte differentiation potential of human embryonic stem cells following single-cell dissociation. Cell Reprogram 2013; 15:9-14. [PMID: 23379579 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2012.0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We have devised an embryoid body-based screening method for the selection of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines capable of forming functional hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) after single-cell dissociation. The screening method highlighted one cell line from a panel of five that produced albumin-positive cells during embryoid body (EB) formation. Cell lines that did not produce albumin-positive cells during EB formation were shown to respond less well to directed differentiation following single-cell replating. Additionally, the seeding density of the pluripotent populations prior to differentiation was shown to exert a significant effect on the hepatic function of the final population of cells. In summary, we have developed a simple procedure that facilitates the identification of human hESC lines that tolerate single-cell replating and are capable of differentiating to HLCs. Although the hepatic function of cells produced by this method is ∼10-fold lower than our current gold standard stem cell-derived models, we believe that these findings represent an incremental step toward producing HLCs at scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Greenhough
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Scotland
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
145
|
Rao MS, Sasikala M, Reddy DN. Thinking outside the liver: induced pluripotent stem cells for hepatic applications. World J Gastroenterol 2013; 19:3385-96. [PMID: 23801830 PMCID: PMC3683676 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i22.3385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2011] [Revised: 12/06/2011] [Accepted: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) unraveled a mystery in stem cell research, after identification of four re-programming factors for generating pluripotent stem cells without the need of embryos. This breakthrough in generating iPSCs from somatic cells has overcome the ethical issues and immune rejection involved in the use of human embryonic stem cells. Hence, iPSCs form a great potential source for developing disease models, drug toxicity screening and cell-based therapies. These cells have the potential to differentiate into desired cell types, including hepatocytes, under in vitro as well as under in vivo conditions given the proper microenvironment. iPSC-derived hepatocytes could be useful as an unlimited source, which can be utilized in disease modeling, drug toxicity testing and producing autologous cell therapies that would avoid immune rejection and enable correction of gene defects prior to cell transplantation. In this review, we discuss the induction methods, role of reprogramming factors, and characterization of iPSCs, along with hepatocyte differentiation from iPSCs and potential applications. Further, we discuss the location and detection of liver stem cells and their role in liver regeneration. Although tumor formation and genetic mutations are a cause of concern, iPSCs still form a promising source for clinical applications.
Collapse
|
146
|
Ji S, Zhang L, Hui L. Cell fate conversion: direct induction of hepatocyte-like cells from fibroblasts. J Cell Biochem 2013; 114:256-65. [PMID: 22948752 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.24380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2012] [Accepted: 08/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
One of the essential features of stem cells is their cellular plasticity to differentiate into daughter cells with defined functions. Recently, induction of pluripotent stem cells from somatic cells by defined transcription factors led to the focus on cellular plasticity of terminally differentiated cells. This approach is adopted by other studies to demonstrate the cell fate conversion between different lineages of terminally differentiated cells. We and others showed that induced hepatocyte-like (iHep) cells are directly converted from mouse fibroblasts by overexpression of liver-enriched transcription factors. iHep cells as well as pluripotent stem cell- or mesenchymal stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells provide potential cell sources for disease modeling, transplantation, and tissue engineering independent of donor organs. Here, we review the latest advances in generating hepatocyte-like cells and summarize general criteria for evaluating these cells. In addition, we propose a possible role of the p19(Arf) /p53 pathway in cell fate maintenance, which apparently limits the formation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and iHep cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuyi Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yueyang Road 320, Shanghai 200031, China
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
147
|
Abstract
In the past few years, progress being made in stem cell studies has incontestably led to the hope of developing cell replacement based therapy for diseases deficient in effective treatment by conventional ways. The induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are of great interest of cell therapy research because of their unrestricted self-renewal and differentiation potentials. Proof of principle studies have successfully demonstrated that iPSCs technology would substantially benefit clinical studies in various areas, including neurological disorders, hematologic diseases, cardiac diseases, liver diseases and etc. On top of this, latest advances of gene editing technologies have vigorously endorsed the possibility of obtaining disease-free autologous cells from patient specific iPSCs. Here in this review, we summarize current progress of stem cell therapy research with special enthusiasm in iPSCs studies. In addition, we compare current gene editing technologies and discuss their potential implications in clinic application in the future.
Collapse
|
148
|
Ma X, Duan Y, Tschudy-Seney B, Roll G, Behbahan IS, Ahuja TP, Tolstikov V, Wang C, McGee J, Khoobyari S, Nolta JA, Willenbring H, Zern MA. Highly efficient differentiation of functional hepatocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cells Transl Med 2013; 2:409-19. [PMID: 23681950 DOI: 10.5966/sctm.2012-0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) hold great potential for use in regenerative medicine, novel drug development, and disease progression/developmental studies. Here, we report highly efficient differentiation of hiPSCs toward a relatively homogeneous population of functional hepatocytes. hiPSC-derived hepatocytes (hiHs) not only showed a high expression of hepatocyte-specific proteins and liver-specific functions, but they also developed a functional biotransformation system including phase I and II metabolizing enzymes and phase III transporters. Nuclear receptors, which are critical for regulating the expression of metabolizing enzymes, were also expressed in hiHs. hiHs also responded to different compounds/inducers of cytochrome P450 as mature hepatocytes do. To follow up on this observation, we analyzed the drug metabolizing capacity of hiHs in real time using a novel ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We found that, like freshly isolated primary human hepatocytes, the seven major metabolic pathways of the drug bufuralol were found in hiHs. In addition, transplanted hiHs engrafted, integrated, and proliferated in livers of an immune-deficient mouse model, and secreted human albumin, indicating that hiHs also function in vivo. In conclusion, we have generated a method for the efficient generation of hepatocytes from induced pluripotent stem cells in vitro and in vivo, and it appears that the cells function similarly to primary human hepatocytes, including developing a complete metabolic function. These results represent a significant step toward using patient/disease-specific hepatocytes for cell-based therapeutics as well as for pharmacology and toxicology studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocui Ma
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
149
|
Transcriptional characterization of Wnt pathway during sequential hepatic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells and adipose tissue-derived stem cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 434:235-40. [PMID: 23541944 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.02.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESs) and adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are able to differentiate into hepatocytes. However, a role of Wnt signaling in hepatic differentiation of stem cells is unclear. This study characterized the transcriptional expression pattern of Wnt signaling genes during the sequential hepatocytes differentiation of hES and hADSC. The sequential hepatocytes differentiation of hES and hADSC was induced by three steps including induction, differentiation and maturation steps with the treatment of cytokines. Hepatocytes differentiation was more efficient in hES than hADSC in terms of the expression of hepatocyte-specific genes and the cellular uptake of ICG. The expression of WNT2B, WNT5A, and WISP1 increased at late hepatic differentiation of hES, but the expression of DKK1 and CCND1 decreased during early hepatic differentiation of hES. During hepatic differentiation of hADSC, the expression of WNT2B and WISP1 decreased, but the expression of WNT5B and DKK1 increased at late hepatic differentiation. These results showed that Wnt signaling appears to be activated in hepatic differentiation of hES, but repressed in hepatic differentiation of hADSC in a time-dependent manner, which suggests the differential regulation of Wnt signaling for hepatic differentiation of hES and hADSC.
Collapse
|
150
|
Khanjani S, Khanmohammadi M, Zarnani AH, Talebi S, Edalatkhah H, Eghtesad S, Nikokar I, Kazemnejad S. Efficient generation of functional hepatocyte-like cells from menstrual blood-derived stem cells. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2013; 9:E124-34. [PMID: 23505217 DOI: 10.1002/term.1715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2012] [Revised: 10/22/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the advantages of menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs), such as minimal ethical considerations, easy access and high proliferative ability, have inspired scientists to investigate the potential of MenSCs in cell therapy of different diseases. In order to characterize the potency of these cells for future cell therapy of liver diseases, we examined the potential of MenSCs to differentiate into hepatocytes, using different protocols. First, the immunophenotyping properties and potential of MenSCs to differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes were evaluated. Thereafter, the differentiation protocols developed by two concentrations of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and oncostatin M (OSM), in combination with other components in serum-supplemented or serum-free culture media, were also investigated. The sequential differentiation was monitored by real-time PCR, immunostaining and functional assays. Our primary data revealed that the isolated MenSCs exhibited mesenchymal stem cell markers in parallel to OCT-4 as an embryonic marker. Regardless of differentiation procedures, the developed cells expressed mature hepatocyte markers, such as albumin, tyrosine aminotransferase and cytokeratin-18 at the mRNA and protein levels. They also showed functional properties of hepatocytes, including albumin secretion, glycogen storage and cytochrome P450 7A1 expression. However, the degree of differentiation was dependent on the concentrations of HGF and OSM. Indeed, omission of serum during the differentiation process caused typical improvement in hepatocyte-specific functions. This study is a novel report demonstrating the differentiation potential of MenSCs into hepatocyte-like cells. We recommend a complementary serum-free differentiation protocol for enrichment of in vitro production of functional MenSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells that could lead to a major step toward applied stem cell therapy of chronic liver diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sayeh Khanjani
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Centre, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Manijeh Khanmohammadi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Centre, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Hassan Zarnani
- Nanobiotechnology Research Centre, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,Immunology Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Saeed Talebi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Centre, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haleh Edalatkhah
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Centre, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saman Eghtesad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Iraj Nikokar
- Paramedical Faculty of Guilan, University of Medical Sciences, Langroud, Guilan, Iran
| | - Somaieh Kazemnejad
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Centre, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|