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Gao P, Chang C, Liang J, Du F, Zhang R. Embryonic Amoxicillin Exposure Has Limited Impact on Liver Development but Increases Susceptibility to NAFLD in Zebrafish Larvae. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2744. [PMID: 38473993 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Amoxicillin is commonly used in clinical settings to target bacterial infection and is frequently prescribed during pregnancy. Investigations into its developmental toxicity and effects on disease susceptibility are not comprehensive. Our present study examined the effects of embryonic amoxicillin exposure on liver development and function, especially the effects on susceptibility to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) using zebrafish as an animal model. We discovered that embryonic amoxicillin exposure did not compromise liver development, nor did it induce liver toxicity. However, co-treatment of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid diminished BESP expression, caused bile stasis and induced liver toxicity. Embryonic amoxicillin exposure resulted in elevated expression of lipid synthesis genes and exacerbated hepatic steatosis in a fructose-induced NAFLD model, indicating embryonic amoxicillin exposure increased susceptibility to NAFLD in zebrafish larvae. In summary, this research broadens our understanding of the risks of amoxicillin usage during pregnancy and provides evidence for the impact of embryonic amoxicillin exposure on disease susceptibility in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Gao
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Cheng Chang
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Jieling Liang
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Fen Du
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Ruilin Zhang
- TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
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2
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Kim M, Hong T, An G, Lim W, Song G. Toxic effects of benfluralin on zebrafish embryogenesis via the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2023; 273:109722. [PMID: 37597713 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2023.109722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
The dinitroaniline herbicide benfluralin is used weed control in conventional systems and poses a high risk of accumulation in aquatic systems. Previous studies have shown the toxic effects of benfluralin on non-target organisms; however, its developmental toxicity in vertebrates has not yet been reported. This study demonstrated the developmental toxicity of benfluralin and its mechanism of action, using zebrafish as an aquatic vertebrate model. Benfluralin induces morphological and physiological alterations in body length, yolk sac, and heart edema. We also demonstrated a reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase of approximately 325.53 % compared with the control group after 20 μM benfluralin-treatment. In addition, the malformation of the heart and vascular structures was identified using transgenic flk1:eGFP zebrafish models at 20 μM concentration benfluralin exposure. Moreover, benfluralin induced small livers, approximately 59.81 % of normal liver size, via abnormal development of the liver as observed in the transgenic L-fabp:dsRed zebrafish. Benfluralin also inhibits normal growth via abnormal expression of cell cycle regulatory genes and increases oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Collectively, we elucidated the mechanisms associated with benfluralin toxicity, which lead to various abnormalities and developmental toxicities in zebrafish. Therefore, this study provides information on the parameters used to assess developmental toxicity in other aquatic organisms, such as herbicides, pesticides, and environmental contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miji Kim
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology and Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeyeon Hong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Garam An
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology and Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Whasun Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea.
| | - Gwonhwa Song
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology and Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
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3
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Jackson JT, Nutt SL, McCormack MP. The Haematopoietically-expressed homeobox transcription factor: roles in development, physiology and disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1197490. [PMID: 37398663 PMCID: PMC10313424 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1197490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Haematopoietically expressed homeobox transcription factor (Hhex) is a transcriptional repressor that is of fundamental importance across species, as evident by its evolutionary conservation spanning fish, amphibians, birds, mice and humans. Indeed, Hhex maintains its vital functions throughout the lifespan of the organism, beginning in the oocyte, through fundamental stages of embryogenesis in the foregut endoderm. The endodermal development driven by Hhex gives rise to endocrine organs such as the pancreas in a process which is likely linked to its role as a risk factor in diabetes and pancreatic disorders. Hhex is also required for the normal development of the bile duct and liver, the latter also importantly being the initial site of haematopoiesis. These haematopoietic origins are governed by Hhex, leading to its crucial later roles in definitive haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal, lymphopoiesis and haematological malignancy. Hhex is also necessary for the developing forebrain and thyroid gland, with this reliance on Hhex evident in its role in endocrine disorders later in life including a potential role in Alzheimer's disease. Thus, the roles of Hhex in embryological development throughout evolution appear to be linked to its later roles in a variety of disease processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob T. Jackson
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen L. Nutt
- Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Matthew P. McCormack
- The Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- iCamuno Biotherapeutics, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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4
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Ito R, Kimura A, Hirose Y, Hatano Y, Mima A, Mae SI, Keidai Y, Nakamura T, Fujikura J, Nishi Y, Ohta A, Toyoda T, Inagaki N, Osafune K. Elucidation of HHEX in pancreatic endoderm differentiation using a human iPSC differentiation model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8659. [PMID: 37248264 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35875-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
For pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based regenerative therapy against diabetes, the differentiation efficiency to pancreatic lineage cells needs to be improved based on the mechanistic understanding of pancreatic differentiation. Here, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying pancreatic endoderm differentiation by searching for factors that regulate a crucial pancreatic endoderm marker gene, NKX6.1. Unbiasedly screening an siRNA knockdown library, we identified a candidate transcription factor, HHEX. HHEX knockdown suppressed the expression of another pancreatic endoderm marker gene, PTF1A, as well as NKX6.1, independently of PDX1, a known regulator of NKX6.1 expression. In contrast, the overexpression of HHEX upregulated the expressions of NKX6.1 and PTF1A. RNA-seq analysis showed decreased expressions of several genes related to pancreatic development, such as NKX6.1, PTF1A, ONECUT1 and ONECUT3, in HHEX knockdown pancreatic endoderm. These results suggest that HHEX plays a key role in pancreatic endoderm differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Ito
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Azuma Kimura
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yurie Hirose
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yu Hatano
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Atsushi Mima
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Mae
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yamato Keidai
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Nakamura
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Junji Fujikura
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yohei Nishi
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Akira Ohta
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Taro Toyoda
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Nobuya Inagaki
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Kenji Osafune
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
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5
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Bai F, Duan J, Yang D, Lai X, Zhu X, He X, Hu A. Integrative network analysis of circular RNAs reveals regulatory mechanisms for hepatic specification of human iPSC-derived endoderm. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:468. [PMID: 36076262 PMCID: PMC9461288 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03160-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived functional hepatic endoderm (HE) is supposed to be an alternative option for replacement therapy for end-stage liver disease. However, the high heterogeneity of HE cell populations is still challenging. Hepatic specification of definitive endoderm (DE) is an essential stage for HE induction in vitro. Recent studies have suggested that circular RNAs (circRNAs) determine the fate of stem cells by acting as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). To date, the relationships between endogenous circRNAs and hepatic specification remain elusive. METHODS The identities of DE and HE derived from hiPSCs were determined by qPCR, cell immunofluorescence, and ELISA. Differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) were analysed using the Arraystar Human circRNA Array. qPCR was performed to validate the candidate DEcircRNAs. Intersecting differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the GSE128060 and GSE66282 data sets and the DEcircRNA-predicted mRNAs were imported into Cytoscape for ceRNA networks. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were involved in the enrichment analysis. Hepatic markers and Wnt/β-catenin were detected in hsa_circ_004658-overexpressing cells by western blotting. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were used to evaluate the direct binding among hsa_circ_004658, miRNA-1200 and CDX2. DE cells were transfected with miR-1200 mimics, adenovirus containing CDX2, and Wnt/β-catenin was detected by western blotting. RESULTS hiPSC-derived DE and HE were obtained at 4 and 9 days after differentiation, as determined by hepatic markers. During hepatic specification, 626 upregulated and 208 downregulated DEcircRNAs were identified. Nine candidate DEcircRNAs were validated by qPCR. In the ceRNA networks, 111 circRNA-miRNA-mRNA pairs were involved, including 90 pairs associated with hsa_circ_004658. In addition, 53 DEGs were identified among the intersecting mRNAs of the GSE128060 and GSE66282 data sets and the hsa_circ_004658-targeted mRNAs. KEGG and GO analyses showed that the DEGs associated with hsa_circ_004658 were mainly enriched in the WNT signalling pathway. Furthermore, hsa_circ_004658 was preliminarily verified to promote hepatic specification, as determined by hepatic markers (AFP, ALB, HNF4A, and CK19) (p < 0.05). This promotive effect may be related to the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway (detected by β-catenin, p-β-catenin, and TCF4) when hsa_circ_004658 was overexpressed (p < 0.05). Dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that there were binding sites for miR-1200 in the hsa_circ_004658 sequence, and confirmed the candidate DEG (CDX2) as a miR-1200 target. The level of miR-1200 decreased and the level of CDX2 protein expression increased when hsa_circ_004658 was overexpressed (p < 0.05). In addition, the results showed that CDX2 may suppress the Wnt/β-catenin signalling during hepatic specification (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study analysed the profiles of circRNAs during hepatic specification. We identified the hsa_circ_004658/miR-1200/CDX2 axis and preliminarily verified its effect on the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway during hepatic specification. These results provide novel insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in hepatic specification and could improve liver development in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Bai
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinliang Duan
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Daopeng Yang
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xingqiang Lai
- Department of Cardiology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhu
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoshun He
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Anbin Hu
- Organ Transplant Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Organ Donation and Transplant Immunology, Guangdong Provincial International Cooperation Base of Science and Technology (Organ Transplantation), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. .,Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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González-Jiménez A, López-Cotarelo P, Agudo-Jiménez T, Martínez-Ginés M, García-Domínguez JM, Urcelay E, Espino-Paisán L. Unraveling the Influence of HHEX Risk Polymorphism rs7923837 on Multiple Sclerosis Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147956. [PMID: 35887298 PMCID: PMC9321666 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the multiple sclerosis (MS) risk polymorphisms, rs7923837, maps near the HHEX (hematopoietically-expressed homeobox) gene. This variant has also been associated with type 2 diabetes susceptibility and with triglyceride levels, suggesting its metabolic involvement. HHEX plays a relevant role as a negative regulator of inflammatory genes in microglia. A reciprocal repression was reported between HHEX and BCL6, another putative risk factor in MS. The present study evidenced statistically significant lower HHEX mRNA levels in lymphocytes of MS patients compared to those of controls, showing a similar trend in MS patients to the already described eQTL effect in blood from healthy individuals. Even though no differences were found in protein expression according to HHEX genotypes, statistically significant divergent subcellular distributions of HHEX appeared in patients and controls. The epistatic interaction detected between BCL6 and HHEX MS-risk variants in healthy individuals was absent in patients, indicative of a perturbed reciprocal regulation in the latter. Lymphocytes from MS carriers of the homozygous mutant genotype exhibited a distinctive, more energetic profile, both in resting and activated conditions, and significantly increased glycolytic rates in resting conditions when compared to controls sharing the HHEX genotype. In contrast, significantly higher mitochondrial mass was evidenced in homozygous mutant controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela González-Jiménez
- Laboratorio de Genética de Enfermedades Complejas, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-J.); (P.L.-C.); (T.A.-J.); (E.U.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar López-Cotarelo
- Laboratorio de Genética de Enfermedades Complejas, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-J.); (P.L.-C.); (T.A.-J.); (E.U.)
| | - Teresa Agudo-Jiménez
- Laboratorio de Genética de Enfermedades Complejas, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-J.); (P.L.-C.); (T.A.-J.); (E.U.)
| | - Marisa Martínez-Ginés
- Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, 28007 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.-G.); (J.M.G.-D.)
| | - Jose Manuel García-Domínguez
- Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, 28007 Madrid, Spain; (M.M.-G.); (J.M.G.-D.)
| | - Elena Urcelay
- Laboratorio de Genética de Enfermedades Complejas, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-J.); (P.L.-C.); (T.A.-J.); (E.U.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Espino-Paisán
- Laboratorio de Genética de Enfermedades Complejas, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.G.-J.); (P.L.-C.); (T.A.-J.); (E.U.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-913303389
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7
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Haellman V, Saxena P, Jiang Y, Fussenegger M. Rational design and optimization of synthetic gene switches for controlling cell-fate decisions in pluripotent stem cells. Metab Eng 2021; 65:99-110. [PMID: 33744461 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Advances in synthetic biology have enabled robust control of cell behavior by using tunable genetic circuits to regulate gene expression in a ligand-dependent manner. Such circuits can be used to direct the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) towards desired cell types, but rational design of synthetic gene circuits in PSCs is challenging due to the variable intracellular environment. Here, we provide a framework for implementing synthetic gene switches in PSCs based on combinations of tunable transcriptional, structural, and posttranslational elements that can be engineered as required, using the vanillic acid-controlled transcriptional activator (VanA) as a model system. We further show that the VanA system can be multiplexed with the well-established reverse tetracycline-controlled transcriptional activator (rtTA) system to enable independent control of the expression of different transcription factors in human induced PSCs in order to enhance lineage specification towards early pancreatic progenitors. This work represents a first step towards standardizing the design and construction of synthetic gene switches for building robust gene-regulatory networks to guide stem cell differentiation towards a desired cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Haellman
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Pratik Saxena
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yanrui Jiang
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland; Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 26, CH, 4058, Basel, Switzerland.
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8
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Gao C, Huang W, Gao Y, Lo LJ, Luo L, Huang H, Chen J, Peng J. Zebrafish hhex-null mutant develops an intrahepatic intestinal tube due to de-repression of cdx1b and pdx1. J Mol Cell Biol 2020; 11:448-462. [PMID: 30428031 PMCID: PMC6604603 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjy068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatopancreatic duct (HPD) system links the liver and pancreas to the intestinal tube and is composed of the extrahepatic biliary duct, gallbladder, and pancreatic duct. Haematopoietically expressed-homeobox (Hhex) protein plays an essential role in the establishment of HPD; however, the molecular mechanism remains elusive. Here, we show that zebrafish hhex-null mutants fail to develop the HPD system characterized by lacking the biliary marker Annexin A4 and the HPD marker sox9b. The hepatobiliary duct part of the mutant HPD system is replaced by an intrahepatic intestinal tube characterized by expressing the intestinal marker fatty acid-binding protein 2a (fabp2a). Cell lineage analysis showed that this intrahepatic intestinal tube is not originated from hepatocytes or cholangiocytes. Further analysis revealed that cdx1b and pdx1 are expressed ectopically in the intrahepatic intestinal tube and knockdown of cdx1b and pdx1 could restore the expression of sox9b in the mutant. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation analysis showed that Hhex binds to the promoters of pdx1 and cdx1b genes to repress their expression. We therefore propose that Hhex, Cdx1b, Pdx1, and Sox9b form a genetic network governing the patterning and morphogenesis of the HPD and digestive tract systems in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ce Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Molecular Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weidong Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Molecular Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory for Molecular Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Jan Lo
- MOE Key Laboratory for Molecular Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lingfei Luo
- College of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Honghui Huang
- College of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinrong Peng
- MOE Key Laboratory for Molecular Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu Hang Tang Road, Hangzhou, China
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9
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Hu L, Li H, Chi Z, He J. Loss of the RNA-binding protein Rbm15 disrupts liver maturation in zebrafish. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:11466-11472. [PMID: 32518161 PMCID: PMC7450140 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver organogenesis begins with hepatic precursors in the foregut endoderm, followed by hepatoblast specification, differentiation, outgrowth, and maturation for the formation of functional hepatocytes. Although several signaling pathways and critical factors that regulate liver specification, differentiation, and proliferation have been identified, little is known about how liver maturation is regulated. Here, we used a screen for mutations affecting liver development in zebrafish and identified a cq96 mutant that exhibits a specific defect in liver maturation. Results from positional cloning revealed that cq96 encodes an RNA-binding protein, Rbm15, which is an evolutionarily conserved Spen family protein and known to play a crucial role in RNA m6A modification, nuclear export, and alternative splicing. However, a function of Rbm15 in embryonic liver development has not been reported. We found that Rbm15 is specifically expressed in the liver after its differentiation. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated loss of rbm15 repressed hepatic maturation, but did not affect hepatoblast specification, differentiation, and hepatocyte proliferation and apoptosis. Additional experiments disclosed that the mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway is highly activated in rbm15-deficient hepatocytes. Moreover, rapamycin treatment partially restored normal hepatic gene expression as well as the nuclear location of the transcription factor Hnf4a. Taken together, these results reveal an unexpected role of Rbm15 in liver maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Hu
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongyan Li
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhiping Chi
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
| | - Jianbo He
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest University, Beibei, Chongqing, China
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10
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Takayama K. [Pharmaceutical Research on Liver Diseases Using iPS Cell and Genome Editing Technologies]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2019; 139:1219-1225. [PMID: 31582604 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.19-00138] [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: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The liver is a major organ responsible for maintaining the body's homeostasis and xenobiotic metabolism. Liver transplantation is essential for the alleviation of many severe liver diseases. However, there are many patients who cannot receive liver transplants because of donor shortage. Therefore development of effective therapeutic drugs that can replace the need for liver transplantation is desired. To this end, model cells that faithfully reproduce hepatic functions are essential. It is expected that human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS)-derived hepatocyte-like cells, which faithfully reproduce hepatic functions, would be a valuable tool for drug discovery. Hepatic differentiation from human iPS cells has been performed using growth factors, but the hepatic differentiation efficiency was quite low and liver functions of human iPS cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells were lower than those of primary human hepatocytes. Therefore we tried to improve the hepatic differentiation technology using gene transfer, genome editing, three-dimensional culture, and extracellular matrix technologies. As a result, the purity of human iPS cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells was improved into 90% or more, and the liver functions of human iPS cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells were improved to a level comparable to primary human hepatocytes. In this article, we introduce the research results we have acquired over the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Takayama
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University.,Laboratory of Hepatocyte Regulation, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition.,PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency
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Lu CC, Chen YT, Chen SY, Hsu YM, Lin CC, Tsao JW, Juan YN, Yang JS, Tsai FJ. Hematopoietically expressed homeobox gene is associated with type 2 diabetes in KK Cg-A y/J mice and a Taiwanese Han Chinese population. Exp Ther Med 2018; 16:185-191. [PMID: 29896239 PMCID: PMC5995076 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.6152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease. The KK Cg-Ay/J (KK-Ay) mouse is an animal model to study type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) disease. The present study assessed the expression of hematopoietically expressed homeobox (HHEX) protein in liver tissues of different age groups of mice (6, 16 and 42 weeks) by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results demonstrated a significant decrease in the percentage of HHEX-positive cells in KK-Ay mice as compared with that in KK-α/α control mice. Furthermore, in Taiwan's Han Chinese population, genotypic and allelic frequency distributions of the rs61862780 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the HHEX gene were investigated. The results demonstrated that in the rs61862780 SNP of the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of HHEX, the frequency of the CC genotype was higher in patients (6.0%) than in controls (2.7%), while the TT genotype frequency was about equal. In the same SNP, the frequency of the C allele was higher in patients (21.0%) than in controls (17.3%), while the T allele frequency was about equal. These results may pave the road for exploring the KK-Ay mouse model and the HHEX SNP rs61862780, which was correlated with the susceptibility to T2D in a Chinese population. Based on these findings, an association of HHEX gene expression with pathological features of T2D was indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Cheng Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien 97002, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yng-Tay Chen
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Human Genetics Center, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Shih-Yin Chen
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Human Genetics Center, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yuan-Man Hsu
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chyi-Chyang Lin
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Je-Wei Tsao
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yu-Ning Juan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Jai-Sing Yang
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Fuu-Jen Tsai
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan, R.O.C.,Department of Medical Genetics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan, R.O.C.,School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha Promotes Definitive Endoderm Differentiation from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2018; 13:542-551. [PMID: 28000155 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-016-9709-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) is a key transcription factor for liver development. Although HNF4α is necessary for hepatoblast differentiation, the function of HNF4α before the hepatoblast differentiation, such as in definitive endoderm differentiation, is not well known. In addition, it is known that there are nine HNF4α isoforms, but the expression and function of each HNF4α isoform during the definitive endoderm differentiation is also not clear. In this study, we examined the expression pattern of HNF4α and its functions in the definitive endoderm differentiation from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. We found that the HNF4α-1D isoform expression levels were significantly increased during the definitive endoderm differentiation, while the HNF4α-1A isoform expression levels did not change. Therefore, we further examined the function of the HNF4α-1D isoform in definitive endoderm differentiation. HNF4α-1D overexpression or knockdown was found to promote or prevent the definitive endoderm differentiation, respectively. Interestingly, Lefty1 was directly regulated by HNF4α-1D, and Lefty1 knockdown also prevented the definitive endoderm differentiation. These results suggest that HNF4α-1D promotes definitive endoderm differentiation through the regulation of Lefty1. To our knowledge, this is the first report to clarify the expression pattern and function of HNF4α during the definitive endoderm differentiation.
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Meier F, Freyer N, Brzeszczynska J, Knöspel F, Armstrong L, Lako M, Greuel S, Damm G, Ludwig-Schwellinger E, Deschl U, Ross JA, Beilmann M, Zeilinger K. Hepatic differentiation of human iPSCs in different 3D models: A comparative study. Int J Mol Med 2017; 40:1759-1771. [PMID: 29039463 PMCID: PMC5716452 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2017.3190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are a promising source from which to derive distinct somatic cell types for in vitro or clinical use. Existent protocols for hepatic differentiation of hiPSCs are primarily based on 2D cultivation of the cells. In the present study, the authors investigated the generation of hiPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells using two different 3D culture systems: A 3D scaffold-free microspheroid culture system and a 3D hollow-fiber perfusion bioreactor. The differentiation outcome in these 3D systems was compared with that in conventional 2D cultures, using primary human hepatocytes as a control. The evaluation was made based on specific mRNA expression, protein secretion, antigen expression and metabolic activity. The expression of α-fetoprotein was lower, while cytochrome P450 1A2 or 3A4 activities were higher in the 3D culture systems as compared with the 2D differentiation system. Cells differentiated in the 3D bioreactor showed an increased expression of albumin and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α, as well as secretion of α-1-antitrypsin as compared with the 2D differentiation system, suggesting a higher degree of maturation. In contrast, the 3D scaffold-free microspheroid culture provides an easy and robust method to generate spheroids of a defined size for screening applications, while the bioreactor culture model provides an instrument for complex investigations under physiological-like conditions. In conclusion, the present study introduces two 3D culture systems for stem cell derived hepatic differentiation each demonstrating advantages for individual applications as well as benefits in comparison with 2D cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Meier
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co.KG, Nonclinical Drug Safety Germany, D-88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Nora Freyer
- Bioreactor Group, Berlin Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Joanna Brzeszczynska
- Tissue Injury and Repair Group, Chancellor's Building, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, EH164SB Edinburgh, UK
| | - Fanny Knöspel
- Bioreactor Group, Berlin Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lyle Armstrong
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13BZ Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13BZ Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Selina Greuel
- Bioreactor Group, Berlin Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Georg Damm
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University of Leipzig, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Eva Ludwig-Schwellinger
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co.KG, Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Germany, D-88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Ulrich Deschl
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co.KG, Nonclinical Drug Safety Germany, D-88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - James A Ross
- Tissue Injury and Repair Group, Chancellor's Building, Edinburgh Medical School, University of Edinburgh, EH164SB Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mario Beilmann
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH and Co.KG, Nonclinical Drug Safety Germany, D-88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Katrin Zeilinger
- Bioreactor Group, Berlin Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
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Abstract
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic disease leading to fibrotic scarring of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, causing considerable morbidity and mortality via the development of cholestatic liver cirrhosis, concurrent IBD and a high risk of bile duct cancer. Expectations have been high that genetic studies would determine key factors in PSC pathogenesis to support the development of effective medical therapies. Through the application of genome-wide association studies, a large number of disease susceptibility genes have been identified. The overall genetic architecture of PSC shares features with both autoimmune diseases and IBD. Strong human leukocyte antigen gene associations, along with several susceptibility genes that are critically involved in T-cell function, support the involvement of adaptive immune responses in disease pathogenesis, and position PSC as an autoimmune disease. In this Review, we survey the developments that have led to these gene discoveries. We also elaborate relevant interpretations of individual gene findings in the context of established disease models in PSC, and propose relevant translational research efforts to pursue novel insights.
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Yanagihara K, Liu Y, Kanie K, Takayama K, Kokunugi M, Hirata M, Fukuda T, Suga M, Nikawa H, Mizuguchi H, Kato R, Furue MK. Prediction of Differentiation Tendency Toward Hepatocytes from Gene Expression in Undifferentiated Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cells Dev 2016; 25:1884-1897. [PMID: 27733097 PMCID: PMC5165660 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2016.0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional hepatocytes derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have potential as tools for predicting drug-induced hepatotoxicity in the early phases of drug development. However, the propensity of hPSC lines to differentiate into specific lineages is reported to differ. The ability to predict low propensity of hPSCs to differentiate into hepatocytes would facilitate the selection of useful hPSC clones and substantially accelerate development of hPSC-derived hepatocytes for pharmaceutical research. In this study, we compared the expression of genes associated with hepatic differentiation in five hPSC lines including human ES cell line, H9, which is known to differentiate into hepatocytes, and an hPSC line reported with a poor propensity for hepatic differentiation. Genes distinguishing between undifferentiated hPSCs, hPSC-derived hepatoblast-like differentiated cells, and primary human hepatocytes were drawn by two-way cluster analysis. The order of expression levels of genes in undifferentiated hPSCs was compared with that in hPSC-derived hepatoblast-like cells. Three genes were selected as predictors of low propensity for hepatic differentiation. Expression of these genes was investigated in 23 hPSC clones. Review of representative cells by induction of hepatic differentiation suggested that low prediction scores were linked with low hepatic differentiation. Thus, our model using gene expression ranking and bioinformatic analysis could reasonably predict poor differentiation propensity of hPSC lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kana Yanagihara
- 1 Laboratory of Stem Cell Cultures, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation , Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yujung Liu
- 1 Laboratory of Stem Cell Cultures, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation , Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kei Kanie
- 2 Department of Basic Medicinal Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University , Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kazuo Takayama
- 3 Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University , Osaka, Japan .,4 The Keihanshin Consortium for Fostering the Next Generation of Global Leaders in Research (K-CONNEX), Kyoto University , Kyoto, Japan .,5 Laboratory of Hepatocyte Regulation, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation , Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Minako Kokunugi
- 1 Laboratory of Stem Cell Cultures, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation , Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan .,6 Department of Oral Biology & Engineering Integrated Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University , Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Mitsuhi Hirata
- 1 Laboratory of Stem Cell Cultures, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation , Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takayuki Fukuda
- 1 Laboratory of Stem Cell Cultures, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation , Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mika Suga
- 1 Laboratory of Stem Cell Cultures, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation , Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroki Nikawa
- 6 Department of Oral Biology & Engineering Integrated Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University , Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Mizuguchi
- 3 Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University , Osaka, Japan .,5 Laboratory of Hepatocyte Regulation, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation , Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan .,7 Global Center for Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University , Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryuji Kato
- 2 Department of Basic Medicinal Sciences, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya University , Nagoya, Japan
| | - Miho K Furue
- 1 Laboratory of Stem Cell Cultures, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation , Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
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Zeilinger K, Freyer N, Damm G, Seehofer D, Knöspel F. Cell sources for in vitro human liver cell culture models. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 241:1684-98. [PMID: 27385595 PMCID: PMC4999620 DOI: 10.1177/1535370216657448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro liver cell culture models are gaining increasing importance in pharmacological and toxicological research. The source of cells used is critical for the relevance and the predictive value of such models. Primary human hepatocytes (PHH) are currently considered to be the gold standard for hepatic in vitro culture models, since they directly reflect the specific metabolism and functionality of the human liver; however, the scarcity and difficult logistics of PHH have driven researchers to explore alternative cell sources, including liver cell lines and pluripotent stem cells. Liver cell lines generated from hepatomas or by genetic manipulation are widely used due to their good availability, but they are generally altered in certain metabolic functions. For the past few years, adult and pluripotent stem cells have been attracting increasing attention, due their ability to proliferate and to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro However, controlling the differentiation of these cells is still a challenge. This review gives an overview of the major human cell sources under investigation for in vitro liver cell culture models, including primary human liver cells, liver cell lines, and stem cells. The promises and challenges of different cell types are discussed with a focus on the complex 2D and 3D culture approaches under investigation for improving liver cell functionality in vitro Finally, the specific application options of individual cell sources in pharmacological research or disease modeling are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Zeilinger
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nora Freyer
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Georg Damm
- Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Seehofer
- Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Fanny Knöspel
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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Takayama K. [Establishment of a Method of Hepatocyte Differentiation from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells for Innovative Drug Development]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2016; 135:1141-6. [PMID: 26423870 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.15-00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocyte-like cells differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells (such as human embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells) are expected to be utilized in drug screening. However, the hepatocyte differentiation efficiency and hepatic functions of hepatocyte-like cells were not sufficient to perform ES/iPS cell-based drug discovery. Therefore, we decided to improve the method of hepatocyte differentiation from human ES/iPS cells. To enhance this hepatocyte differentiation efficiency, hepatocyte-related transcription factors, such as forkhead box protein A2 (FOXA2) and hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF1α), were overexpressed during the hepatocyte differentiation process. In addition, to enhance the functions of hepatocyte-like cells, these cells were cultured in three dimensional (3D) conditions using a Nanopillar plate. By FOXA2 and HNF1α overexpression, human ES/iPS cells could efficiently (more than 80%) differentiate into albumin-positive hepatocyte-like cells. Various hepatic functions, including albumin secretion and drug metabolism capacities, of the hepatocyte-like cells were significantly enhanced by performing 3D cell culture. These results suggest that the method of hepatocyte differentiation could be improved by using gene transfer and 3D cell culture technologies. We believe that these new hepatocyte-like cells would be useful tools in drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Takayama
- iPS Cell-based Research Project on Hepatic Toxicity and Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University
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Highly Synchronized Expression of Lineage-Specific Genes during In Vitro Hepatic Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines. Stem Cells Int 2016; 2016:8648356. [PMID: 26949401 PMCID: PMC4753346 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8648356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pluripotent stem cells- (hPSCs-) derived hepatocytes have the potential to replace many hepatic models in drug discovery and provide a cell source for regenerative medicine applications. However, the generation of fully functional hPSC-derived hepatocytes is still a challenge. Towards gaining better understanding of the differentiation and maturation process, we employed a standardized protocol to differentiate six hPSC lines into hepatocytes and investigated the synchronicity of the hPSC lines by applying RT-qPCR to assess the expression of lineage-specific genes (OCT4, NANOG, T, SOX17, CXCR4, CER1, HHEX, TBX3, PROX1, HNF6, AFP, HNF4a, KRT18, ALB, AAT, and CYP3A4) which serve as markers for different stages during liver development. The data was evaluated using correlation and clustering analysis, demonstrating that the expression of these markers is highly synchronized and correlated well across all cell lines. The analysis also revealed a distribution of the markers in groups reflecting the developmental stages of hepatocytes. Functional analysis of the differentiated cells further confirmed their hepatic phenotype. Taken together, these results demonstrate, on the molecular level, the highly synchronized differentiation pattern across multiple hPSC lines. Moreover, this study provides additional understanding for future efforts to improve the functionality of hPSC-derived hepatocytes and thereby increase the value of related models.
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