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Li Y, Yang X, Plummer R, Hayashi Y, Deng XS, Nie YZ, Taniguchi H. Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocyte-Like Cells and Organoids for Liver Disease and Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910471. [PMID: 34638810 PMCID: PMC8508923 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver disease is a global health issue that has caused an economic burden worldwide. Organ transplantation is the only effective therapy for end-stage liver disease; however, it has been hampered by a shortage of donors. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been widely used for studying liver biology and pathology as well as facilitating the development of alternative therapies. hPSCs can differentiate into multiple types of cells, which enables the generation of various models that can be applied to investigate and recapitulate a range of biological activities in vitro. Here, we summarize the recent development of hPSC-derived hepatocytes and their applications in disease modeling, cell therapy, and drug discovery. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of these applications and critical challenges for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; (Y.L.); (X.Y.); (R.P.); (Y.H.); (X.-S.D.)
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Xia Yang
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; (Y.L.); (X.Y.); (R.P.); (Y.H.); (X.-S.D.)
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Richie Plummer
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; (Y.L.); (X.Y.); (R.P.); (Y.H.); (X.-S.D.)
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Hayashi
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; (Y.L.); (X.Y.); (R.P.); (Y.H.); (X.-S.D.)
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Xiao-Shan Deng
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; (Y.L.); (X.Y.); (R.P.); (Y.H.); (X.-S.D.)
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yun-Zhong Nie
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; (Y.L.); (X.Y.); (R.P.); (Y.H.); (X.-S.D.)
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Kanagawa, Japan
- Correspondence: (Y.-Z.N.); (H.T.); Tel.: +81-03-5449-5698 (H.T.)
| | - Hideki Taniguchi
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan; (Y.L.); (X.Y.); (R.P.); (Y.H.); (X.-S.D.)
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Kanagawa, Japan
- Correspondence: (Y.-Z.N.); (H.T.); Tel.: +81-03-5449-5698 (H.T.)
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Meseguer-Ripolles J, Lucendo-Villarin B, Tucker C, Ferreira-Gonzalez S, Homer N, Wang Y, Starkey Lewis PJ, M Toledo E, Mellado-Gomez E, Simpson J, Flint O, Jaiswal H, Beer NL, Karlsen AE, Forbes SJ, Dear JW, Hughes J, Hay DC. Dimethyl fumarate reduces hepatocyte senescence following paracetamol exposure. iScience 2021; 24:102552. [PMID: 34151225 PMCID: PMC8188562 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver disease is a major cause of premature death. Oxidative stress in the liver represents a key disease driver. Compounds, such as dimethyl fumarate (DMF), can activate the antioxidant response and are used clinically to treat disease. In this study, we tested the protective properties of DMF before or after paracetamol exposure. Following DMF administration, Nrf2 nuclear translocation was tracked at the single-cell level and target gene transactivation confirmed. Next, the protective properties of DMF were examined following paracetamol exposure. Transcriptomic and biochemical analysis revealed that DMF rescue was underpinned by reduced Nf-kB and TGF-β signaling and cell senescence. Following on from these studies, we employed a Zebrafish model to study paracetamol exposure in vivo. We combined a genetically modified Zebrafish model, expressing green fluorescent protein exclusively in the liver, with automated microscopy. Pre-treatment with DMF, prior to paracetamol exposure, led to reduced liver damage in Zebrafish demonstrating protective properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Meseguer-Ripolles
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Baltasar Lucendo-Villarin
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Carl Tucker
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Sofia Ferreira-Gonzalez
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Natalie Homer
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yu Wang
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Philip J. Starkey Lewis
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Enrique M Toledo
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford (NNRCO), Novo Nordisk Ltd, Innovation Building - Old Road Campus Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7FZ Oxford, UK
- Novo Nordisk Ltd, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark
| | - Esther Mellado-Gomez
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford (NNRCO), Novo Nordisk Ltd, Innovation Building - Old Road Campus Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7FZ Oxford, UK
- Novo Nordisk Ltd, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark
| | - Joanna Simpson
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Oliver Flint
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Himjyot Jaiswal
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford (NNRCO), Novo Nordisk Ltd, Innovation Building - Old Road Campus Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7FZ Oxford, UK
- Novo Nordisk Ltd, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark
| | - Nicola L. Beer
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford (NNRCO), Novo Nordisk Ltd, Innovation Building - Old Road Campus Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7FZ Oxford, UK
- Novo Nordisk Ltd, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark
| | - Allan E. Karlsen
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford (NNRCO), Novo Nordisk Ltd, Innovation Building - Old Road Campus Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7FZ Oxford, UK
- Novo Nordisk Ltd, Novo Nordisk Park 1, 2760 Måløv, Denmark
| | - Stuart J. Forbes
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - James W. Dear
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jeremy Hughes
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - David C. Hay
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
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Sinton MC, Meseguer-Ripolles J, Lucendo-Villarin B, Drake AJ, Hay DC. Modeling human hepatic steatosis in pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100493. [PMID: 33997813 PMCID: PMC8091923 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
This protocol describes the production of hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) from human pluripotent stem cells and how to induce hepatic steatosis, a condition characterized by intracellular lipid accumulation. Following differentiation to an HLC phenotype, intracellular lipid accumulation is induced with a steatosis induction cocktail, allowing the user to examine the cellular processes that underpin hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, the renewable nature of our system, on a defined genetic background, permits in-depth mechanistic analysis, which may facilitate therapeutic target identification in the future. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Sinton et al. (2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Sinton
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Jose Meseguer-Ripolles
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 5 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Baltasar Lucendo-Villarin
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 5 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Amanda J. Drake
- University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - David C. Hay
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 5 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
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Meseguer-Ripolles J, Kasarinaite A, Lucendo-Villarin B, Hay DC. Protocol for automated production of human stem cell derived liver spheres. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100502. [PMID: 33997816 PMCID: PMC8105683 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This protocol describes how to produce human liver spheres from pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatic progenitors, endothelial cells, and hepatic stellate cells. Liver spheres form by self-assembly in microwells, generating up to 73 spheres per well of a 96-well plate. This process was automated using liquid handling and pipetting systems, permitting cost-effective scale-up and reducing sphere variability. In its current form, this system provides a powerful tool to generate human liver tissue for disease modeling and drug screening. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Lucendo-Villarin et al. (2020) (https://doi.org/10.1088/1758-5090/abbdb2). Protocol to produce and self-assemble hepatocytes, endothelial, and stellate cells Generation of an automated system for 3D liver sphere production Scalable production of phenotypically stable liver spheres for disease modeling
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Meseguer-Ripolles
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Alvile Kasarinaite
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Baltasar Lucendo-Villarin
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
| | - David C Hay
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh BioQuarter, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
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Lucendo-Villarin B, Meseguer-Ripolles J, Drew J, Fischer L, Ma E, Flint O, Simpson KJ, Machesky LM, Mountford JC, Hay DC. Development of a cost-effective automated platform to produce human liver spheroids for basic and applied research. Biofabrication 2020; 13:015009. [PMID: 33007774 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/abbdb2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Liver disease represents an increasing cause of global morbidity and mortality. Currently, liver transplant is the only treatment curative for end-stage liver disease. Donor organs cannot meet the demand and therefore scalable treatments and new disease models are required to improve clinical intervention. Pluripotent stem cells represent a renewable source of human tissue. Recent advances in three-dimensional cell culture have provided the field with more complex systems that better mimic liver physiology and function. Despite these improvements, current cell-based models are variable in performance and expensive to manufacture at scale. This is due, in part, to the use of poorly defined or cross-species materials within the process, severely affecting technology translation. To address this issue, we have developed an automated and economical platform to produce liver tissue at scale for modelling disease and small molecule screening. Stem cell derived liver spheres were formed by combining hepatic progenitors with endothelial cells and stellate cells, in the ratios found within the liver. The resulting tissue permitted the study of human liver biology 'in the dish' and could be scaled for screening. In summary, we have developed an automated differentiation system that permits reliable self-assembly of human liver tissue for biomedical application. Going forward we believe that this technology will not only serve as anin vitroresource, and may have an important role to play in supporting failing liver function in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Lucendo-Villarin
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, United Kingdom
- Both authors contributed equally to this manuscript
| | - J Meseguer-Ripolles
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, United Kingdom
- Both authors contributed equally to this manuscript
| | - J Drew
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - L Fischer
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, United Kingdom
| | - E Ma
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1BD, United Kingdom
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Campus, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - O Flint
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, United Kingdom
| | - K J Simpson
- Scottish Liver Transplant Unit, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, United Kingdom
| | - L M Machesky
- CRUK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1BD, United Kingdom
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Campus, G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | - J C Mountford
- SNBTS, 52 Research Avenue North, Heriot-Watt Research Park, Edinburgh EH14 4BE, United Kingdom
| | - D C Hay
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, United Kingdom
- Author to whom any correspondence should be addressed
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Dame K, Ribeiro AJ. Microengineered systems with iPSC-derived cardiac and hepatic cells to evaluate drug adverse effects. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2020; 246:317-331. [PMID: 32938227 PMCID: PMC7859673 DOI: 10.1177/1535370220959598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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
Hepatic and cardiac drug adverse effects are among the leading causes of attrition in drug development programs, in part due to predictive failures of current animal or in vitro models. Hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold promise for predicting clinical drug effects, given their human-specific properties and their ability to harbor genetically determined characteristics that underlie inter-individual variations in drug response. Currently, the fetal-like properties and heterogeneity of hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes differentiated from iPSCs make them physiologically different from their counterparts isolated from primary tissues and limit their use for predicting clinical drug effects. To address this hurdle, there have been ongoing advances in differentiation and maturation protocols to improve the quality and use of iPSC-differentiated lineages. Among these are in vitro hepatic and cardiac cellular microsystems that can further enhance the physiology of cultured cells, can be used to better predict drug adverse effects, and investigate drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics to facilitate successful drug development. In this article, we discuss how cellular microsystems can establish microenvironments for these applications and propose how they could be used for potentially controlling the differentiation of hepatocytes or cardiomyocytes. The physiological relevance of cells is enhanced in cellular microsystems by simulating properties of tissue microenvironments, such as structural dimensionality, media flow, microfluidic control of media composition, and co-cultures with interacting cell types. Recent studies demonstrated that these properties also affect iPSC differentiations and we further elaborate on how they could control differentiation efficiency in microengineered devices. In summary, we describe recent advances in the field of cellular microsystems that can control the differentiation and maturation of hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes for drug evaluation. We also propose how future research with iPSCs within engineered microenvironments could enable their differentiation for scalable evaluations of drug effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keri Dame
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translation Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Alexandre Js Ribeiro
- Division of Applied Regulatory Science, Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translation Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
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Fischer L, Lucendo-Villarin B, Hay DC, O’Farrelly C. Human PSC-Derived Hepatocytes Express Low Levels of Viral Pathogen Recognition Receptors, but Are Capable of Mounting an Effective Innate Immune Response. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21113831. [PMID: 32481600 PMCID: PMC7312201 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocytes are key players in the innate immune response to liver pathogens but are challenging to study because of inaccessibility and a short half-life. Recent advances in in vitro differentiation of hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) facilitated studies of hepatocyte-pathogen interactions. Here, we aimed to define the anti-viral innate immune potential of human HLCs with a focus on toll-like receptor (TLR)-expression and the presence of a metabolic switch. We analysed cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor (PRR)- and endosomal TLR-expression and activity and adaptation of HLCs to an inflammatory environment. We found that transcript levels of retinoic acid inducible gene I (RIG-I), melanoma differentiation antigen 5 (MDA5), and TLR3 became downregulated during differentiation, indicating the acquisition of a more tolerogenic phenotype, as expected in healthy hepatocytes. HLCs responded to activation of RIG-I by producing interferons (IFNs) and IFN-stimulated genes. Despite low-level expression of TLR3, receptor expression was upregulated in an inflammatory environment. TLR3 signalling induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines at the gene level, indicating that several PRRs need to interact for successful innate immune activation. The inflammatory responsiveness of HLCs was accompanied by the downregulation of cytochrome P450 3A and 1A2 activity and decreased serum protein production, showing that the metabolic switch seen in primary hepatocytes during anti-viral responses is also present in HLCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Fischer
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland;
| | | | - David C. Hay
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK;
- Correspondence: (D.C.H.); (C.O.)
| | - Cliona O’Farrelly
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland;
- School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
- Correspondence: (D.C.H.); (C.O.)
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Wang Y, Tatham MH, Schmidt-Heck W, Swann C, Singh-Dolt K, Meseguer-Ripolles J, Lucendo-Villarin B, Kunath T, Rudd TR, Smith AJH, Hengstler JG, Godoy P, Hay RT, Hay DC. Multiomics Analyses of HNF4α Protein Domain Function during Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Differentiation. iScience 2019; 16:206-217. [PMID: 31185456 PMCID: PMC6556878 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
During mammalian development, liver differentiation is driven by signals that converge on multiple transcription factor networks. The hepatocyte nuclear factor signaling network is known to be essential for hepatocyte specification and maintenance. In this study, we have generated deletion and point mutants of hepatocyte nuclear factor-4alpha (HNF4α) to precisely evaluate the function of protein domains during hepatocyte specification from human pluripotent stem cells. We demonstrate that nuclear HNF4α is essential for hepatic progenitor specification, and the introduction of point mutations in HNF4α's Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) consensus motif leads to disrupted hepatocyte differentiation. Taking a multiomics approach, we identified key deficiencies in cell biology, which included dysfunctional metabolism, substrate adhesion, tricarboxylic acid cycle flux, microRNA transport, and mRNA processing. In summary, the combination of genome editing and multiomics analyses has provided valuable insight into the diverse functions of HNF4α during pluripotent stem cell entry into the hepatic lineage and during hepatocellular differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, Scotland EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Michael H Tatham
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Wolfgang Schmidt-Heck
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology eV-Hans-Knoll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Carolyn Swann
- National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (MHRA), Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Karamjit Singh-Dolt
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, Scotland EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Jose Meseguer-Ripolles
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, Scotland EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Baltasar Lucendo-Villarin
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, Scotland EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Tilo Kunath
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, Scotland EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Timothy R Rudd
- National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (MHRA), Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Andrew J H Smith
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, Scotland EH16 4UU, UK
| | - Jan G Hengstler
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Patricio Godoy
- IfADo-Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical University Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Ronald T Hay
- Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - David C Hay
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, Scotland EH16 4UU, UK.
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Viiri LE, Rantapero T, Kiamehr M, Alexanova A, Oittinen M, Viiri K, Niskanen H, Nykter M, Kaikkonen MU, Aalto-Setälä K. Extensive reprogramming of the nascent transcriptome during iPSC to hepatocyte differentiation. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3562. [PMID: 30837492 PMCID: PMC6401154 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39215-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide a renewable source of cells for drug discovery, disease modelling and cell-based therapies. Here, by using GRO-Seq we provide the first genome-wide analysis of the nascent RNAs in iPSCs, HLCs and primary hepatocytes to extend our understanding of the transcriptional changes occurring during hepatic differentiation process. We demonstrate that a large fraction of hepatocyte-specific genes are regulated at transcriptional level and identify hundreds of differentially expressed non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Differentiation induced alternative transcription start site (TSS) usage between the cell types as evidenced for miR-221/222 and miR-3613/15a/16-1 clusters. We demonstrate that lncRNAs and coding genes are tightly co-expressed and could thus be co-regulated. Finally, we identified sets of transcriptional regulators that might drive transcriptional changes during hepatocyte differentiation. These included RARG, E2F1, SP1 and FOXH1, which were associated with the down-regulated transcripts, and hepatocyte-specific TFs such as FOXA1, FOXA2, HNF1B, HNF4A and CEBPA, as well as RXR, PPAR, AP-1, JUNB, JUND and BATF, which were associated with up-regulated transcripts. In summary, this study clarifies the role of regulatory ncRNAs and TFs in differentiation of HLCs from iPSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena E Viiri
- Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland.
| | - Tommi Rantapero
- Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Mostafa Kiamehr
- Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Anna Alexanova
- Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Mikko Oittinen
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Keijo Viiri
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Henri Niskanen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Matti Nykter
- Prostate Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
| | - Minna U Kaikkonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Katriina Aalto-Setälä
- Finnish Cardiovascular Research Center Tampere, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, 33014, Finland
- Heart Center, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, 33520, Finland
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