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Li Q, Li J, Wang P, He X, Hong M, Liu F. A Comparative Study of Endoderm Differentiation Between Activin A and Small Molecules. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2023; 131:667-675. [PMID: 38056491 DOI: 10.1055/a-2182-8936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Small molecules such as ROCK inhibitors (Fasudil) and inducer of definitive endoderm 1 (IDE1) can promote differentiation of definitive endoderm, but their effects remain controversial. Therefore, we attempted to verify the effect of these small molecules on promoting definitive endoderm differentiation and found that Fasudil or IDE1 alone could not achieve a similar effect as activin A. On the contrary, CHIR99021 could efficiently promote definitive endoderm differentiation. Nearly 43.4% of experimental cells were SRY-box transcription factor 17 (SOX17)-positive under the synergistic effect of IDE1 and CHIR99021, but its ability to differentiate towards definitive endoderm was still insufficient. Transcriptional analysis and comparison of IDE1 and CHIR99021 synergistic groups (IC) and activin A and CHIR99021 synergistic groups (AC) showed significantly down-regulated definitive endoderm markers in the IC group compared with those in the AC group and the differences between the two groups were mainly due to bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP4) and fibroblast growth factor 17 (FGF17). Further single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed lower expression of BMP4 in SOX17-positive populations, while mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) protein translation signal and FGF17 in the AC group were higher than that in the IC group. Western blot analysis showed a significant difference in levels of p-SMAD2/3 between AC and IC groups, which suggests that regulating p-SMAD2/3 may provide a reference to improve the differentiation of definitive endoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Li
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518106, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Jin Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410078, Hunan, PR China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518106, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqun He
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518106, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Mingzhao Hong
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518106, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518106, Guangdong Province, P.R. China
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Pan T, Wang N, Zhang J, Yang F, Chen Y, Zhuang Y, Xu Y, Fang J, You K, Lin X, Li Y, Li S, Liang K, Li YX, Gao Y. Efficiently generate functional hepatic cells from human pluripotent stem cells by complete small-molecule strategy. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:159. [PMID: 35410439 PMCID: PMC8996222 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02831-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Various methods have been developed to generate hepatic cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) that rely on the combined use of multiple expensive growth factors, limiting industrial-scale production and widespread applications. Small molecules offer an attractive alternative to growth factors for producing hepatic cells since they are more economical and relatively stable. METHODS We dissect small-molecule combinations and identify the ideal cocktails to achieve an optimally efficient and cost-effective strategy for hepatic cells differentiation, expansion, and maturation. RESULTS We demonstrated that small-molecule cocktail CIP (including CHIR99021, IDE1, and PD0332991) efficiently induced definitive endoderm (DE) formation via increased endogenous TGF-β/Nodal signaling. Furthermore, we identified that combining Vitamin C, Dihexa, and Forskolin (VDF) could substitute growth factors to induce hepatic specification. The obtained hepatoblasts (HBs) could subsequently expand and mature into functional hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) by the established chemical formulas. Thus, we established a stepwise strategy with complete small molecules for efficiently producing scalable HBs and functionally matured HLCs. The small-molecule-derived HLCs displayed typical functional characteristics as mature hepatocytes in vitro and repopulating injured liver in vivo. CONCLUSION Our current small-molecule-based hepatic generation protocol presents an efficient and cost-effective platform for the large-scale production of functional human hepatic cells for cell-based therapy and drug discovery using.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingcai Pan
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou , Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Jiaye Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Models, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Yuanqi Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Yingying Xu
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Ji Fang
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Kai You
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Xianhua Lin
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Yang Li
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou , Guangdong, China
| | - Shao Li
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou , Guangdong, China
| | - Kangyan Liang
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou , Guangdong, China
| | - Yin-Xiong Li
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biocomputing, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
| | - Yi Gao
- General Surgery Center, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery II, Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Organ and Tissue Engineering, Guangzhou Clinical Research and Transformation Center for Artificial Liver, Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou , Guangdong, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Liang R, Wang Z, Kong X, Xiao X, Chen T, Yang H, Li Y, Zhao X. Differentiation of Human Parthenogenetic Embryonic Stem Cells into Functional Hepatocyte-like Cells. Organogenesis 2020; 16:137-148. [PMID: 33236954 DOI: 10.1080/15476278.2020.1848237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell and tissue engineering-based therapies for acute liver failure (ALF) have been limited by the lack of an optimal cell source. We aimed to determine the suitability of human parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (hPESCs) for the development of strategies to treat ALF. We studied the ability of human parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (hPESCs) with high whole-genome SNP homozygosity, which were obtained by natural activation during in vitro fertilization (IVF), to differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells in vitro by monolayer plane orientation. hPESCs were induced on a single-layer flat plate for 21 d in complete medium with the inducers activin A, FGF-4, BMP-2, HGF, OSM, DEX, and B27. Polygonal cell morphology and binuclear cells were observed after 21 d of induction by using an inverted microscope. RT-qPCR results showed that the levels of hepatocyte-specific genes such as AFP, ALB, HNF4a, CYP3A4, SLCO1B3, and ABCC2 significantly increased after induction. Immunocytochemical assay showed CK18 and Hepa expression in the induced cells. Indocyanine green (ICG) staining showed that the cells had the ability to absorb and metabolize dyes. Detection of marker proteins and urea in cell culture supernatants showed that the cells obtained after 21 d of induction had synthetic and secretory functions. The typical ultrastructure of liver cells was observed using TEM after 21 d of induction. The results indicate that naturally activated hPESCs can be induced to differentiate into hepatocellular cells by monolayer planar induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liang
- Department of Pathology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin, China
| | - Xiangyang Kong
- School of Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology , Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Xiao
- Faculty of Chinese medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology , Macao, China
| | - Tianxing Chen
- Department of Pathology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province , Kunming, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Pathology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province , Kunming, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Pathology, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province , Kunming, China
| | - Xingqi Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University , Nanjing, China
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Aravalli RN, Collins DP, Hapke JH, Crane AT, Steer CJ. Hepatic Differentiation of Marmoset Embryonic Stem Cells and Functional Characterization of ESC-Derived Hepatocyte-Like Cells. Hepat Med 2020; 12:15-27. [PMID: 32104112 PMCID: PMC7026140 DOI: 10.2147/hmer.s243277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) are the ideal candidates for studying critical liver functions such as drug metabolism and toxicity. However, as they are isolated from discarded livers that are unsuitable for transplantation, they possess limited expansion ability in vitro and their enzymatic functions deteriorate rapidly because they are often of poor quality. Therefore, there is a compelling reason to find reliable alternative sources of hepatocytes. Methods In this study, we report on efficient and robust differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESC) from the common marmoset Callithrix jacchus into functional hepatocyte-like cells (HLC) using a simple, and reproducible three-step procedure. ESC-derived HLCs were examined by morphological analysis and tested for their expression of hepatocyte-specific markers using a combination of immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and biochemical assays. Primary human hepatocytes were used as controls. Results ESC-derived HLCs expressed each of the hepatocyte-specific markers tested, including albumin; α-fetoprotein; asialoglycoprotein receptor 1; α-1 antitrypsin; hepatocyte nuclear factors 1α and 4; cytokeratin 18; hepatocyte growth factor receptor; transferrin; tyrosine aminotransferase; alkaline phosphatase; c-reactive protein; cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP1A2, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4; and coagulation factors FVII and FIX. They were functionally competent as demonstrated by biochemical assays in addition to producing urea. Conclusion Our data strongly suggest that marmoset HLCs possess characteristics similar to those of PHHs. They could, therefore, be invaluable for studies on drug metabolism and cell transplantation therapy for a variety of liver disorders. Because of the similarities in the anatomical and physiological features of the common marmoset to that of humans, Callithrix jacchus is an appropriate animal model to study human disease conditions and cellular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajagopal N Aravalli
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | | | - Joel H Hapke
- Cytomedical Design Group LLC, St. Paul, MN 55127, USA
| | - Andrew T Crane
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Clifford J Steer
- Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.,Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Hoveizi E, Nabiuni M, Parivar K, Ai J, Massumi M. Definitive endoderm differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells using signaling molecules and IDE1 in three-dimensional polymer scaffold. J Biomed Mater Res A 2014; 102:4027-36. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elham Hoveizi
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Nabiuni
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University (TMU); Tehran Iran
| | - Kazem Parivar
- Department of Biology; Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University (TMU); Tehran Iran
| | - Jafar Ai
- Department of Tissue Engineering; School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran Iran
- Brain and Spinal Injury Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences; Tehran Iran
| | - Mohammad Massumi
- Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Biotechnology Team (iBT), Stem Cells Department; National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; Tehran Iran
- Stem Cells Biology Department; Stem Cell Technology Research Center; Tehran Iran
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Gryshkov O, Pogozhykh D, Zernetsch H, Hofmann N, Mueller T, Glasmacher B. Process engineering of high voltage alginate encapsulation of mesenchymal stem cells. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2013; 36:77-83. [PMID: 24433889 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2013.11.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Revised: 11/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Encapsulation of stem cells in alginate beads is promising as a sophisticated drug delivery system in treatment of a wide range of acute and chronic diseases. However, common use of air flow encapsulation of cells in alginate beads fails to produce beads with narrow size distribution, intact spherical structure and controllable sizes that can be scaled up. Here we show that high voltage encapsulation (≥ 15 kV) can be used to reproducibly generate spherical alginate beads (200-400 μm) with narrow size distribution (± 5-7%) in a controlled manner under optimized process parameters. Flow rate of alginate solution ranged from 0.5 to 10 ml/h allowed producing alginate beads with a size of 320 and 350 μm respectively, suggesting that this approach can be scaled up. Moreover, we found that applied voltages (15-25 kV) did not alter the viability and proliferation of encapsulated mesenchymal stem cells post-encapsulation and cryopreservation as compared to air flow. We are the first who employed a comparative analysis of electro-spraying and air flow encapsulation to study the effect of high voltage on alginate encapsulated cells. This report provides background in application of high voltage to encapsulate living cells for further medical purposes. Long-term comparison and work on alginate-cell interaction within these structures will be forthcoming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr Gryshkov
- Institute for Multiphase Processes, Leibniz University Hannover, D-30167 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Denys Pogozhykh
- Institute for Multiphase Processes, Leibniz University Hannover, D-30167 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Holger Zernetsch
- Institute for Multiphase Processes, Leibniz University Hannover, D-30167 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Nicola Hofmann
- Institute for Multiphase Processes, Leibniz University Hannover, D-30167 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Thomas Mueller
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Medical School Hannover, D-30625 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Birgit Glasmacher
- Institute for Multiphase Processes, Leibniz University Hannover, D-30167 Hannover, Germany.
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