Efficient generation of hepatocyte-like cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells

Top of pageAbstract Human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are similar to embryonic stem (ES) cells, and can proliferate intensively and differentiate into a variety of cell types. However, the hepatic differentiation of human iPS cells has not yet been reported. In this report, human iPS cells were induced to differentiate into hepatic cells by a stepwise protocol. The expression of liver cell markers and liver-related functions of the human iPS cell-derived cells were monitored and compared with that of differentiated human ES cells and primary human hepatocytes. Approximately 60% of the differentiated human iPS cells at day 7 expressed hepatic markers alpha fetoprotein and Alb. The differentiated cells at day 21 exhibited liver cell functions including albumin Asecretion, glycogen synthesis, urea production and inducible cytochrome P450 activity. The expression of hepatic markers and liver-related functions of the iPS cell-derived hepatic cells were comparable to that of the human ES cell-derived hepatic cells. These results show that human iPS cells, which are similar to human ES cells, can be efficiently induced to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. Keywords: induced pluripotent stem cells, iPS, differentiation, hepatic cells, embryonic stem cells Abbreviations: iPS cells, (induced pluripotent stem cells); ES cells, (embryonic stem cells); MEF, (mouse embryonic fibroblast); HCM, (Hepatocyte Culture Medium); FGF4, (fibroblast growth factor 4); BMP2, (bone morphogenetic protein 2); HGF, (hepatocyte growth factor); KGF/FGF7, (keratinocyte growth factor/fibroblast growth factor 7); OCT4, (octamer-binding factor 4); KLF4, (Kruppel-like factor4); UTF1, (undifferentiated embryonic cell transcription factor 1); PBS, (phosphate-buffered saline); SOX, (SRY-box containing gene); FoxA2, (forkhead box A2); CK, (cytokeratin); AFP, (alpha fetoprotein); ALB, (albumin); AAT, (alpha 1-antitrypsin); Cyp, (cytochrome P450); PEPCK, (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase); HNF4, (hepatocyte nuclear factor 4); HNF6, (hepatocyte nuclear factor 6); CEBP, (CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha); TDO2, (tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase); RT-PCR, (reverse transcription PCR); PAS, (Periodic Acid-Schiff)