Factors from human embryonic stem cell-derived fibroblast-like cells promote topology-dependent hepatic differentiation in primate embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells

Hsiang Po Huang, Chun Ying Yu, Hsin Fu Chen, Pin Hsun Chen, Ching Yu Chuang, Sung Jan Lin, Shih Tsung Huang, Wei Hung Chan, Tzuu Huei Ueng, Hong Nerng Ho, Hung Chih Kuod

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The future clinical use of embryonic stem cell (ESC)-based hepatocyte replacement therapy depends on the development of an efficient procedure for differentiation of hepatocytes from ESCs. Here we report that a high density of human ESC-derived fibroblast-like cells (hESdFs) supported the efficient generation of hepatocyte-like cells with functional and mature hepatic phenotypes from primate ESCs and human induced pluripotent stem cells. Molecular and immunocytochemistry analyses revealed that hESdFs caused a rapid loss of pluripotency and induced a sequential endoderm-to-hepatocyte differentiation in the central area of ESC colonies. Knockdown experiments demonstrated that pluripotent stem cells were directed toward endodermal and hepatic lineages by FGF2 and activin A secreted from hESdFs. Furthermore, we found that the central region of ESC colonies was essential for the hepatic endoderm-specific differentiation, because its removal caused a complete disruption of endodermal differentiation. In conclusion, we describe a novel in vitro differentiation model and show that hESdF-secreted factors act in concert with regional features of ESC colonies to induce robust hepatic endoderm differentiation in primate pluripotent stem cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33510-33519
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume285
Issue number43
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 22 2010
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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