肝细胞条件培养液对人脂肪问充质干细胞向肝细胞分化和增殖的作用

目的 探讨人脂肪间充质干细胞在改良的诱导体系下向肝细胞的分化和增殖情况,为肝组织工程提供新的种子细胞来源.方法 从人脂肪组织分离出脂肪间充质干细胞,用含有碱性成纤维细胞生长因子、肝细胞生长因子、成纤维细胞生长因子-4的肝细胞诱导液进行诱导,并于诱导7 d后加入抑瘤素M.用细胞计数试剂盒-8法检测整个诱导过程细胞的增殖情况;通过光学显微镜观察诱导细胞的形态变化;用RT-PCR法和免疫荧光法分别检测肝细胞特异性基因和蛋白的表达;并对多种肝细胞特异性功能进行检测.组间比较采用t-test检验.结果 用改良肝细胞诱导液培养的人脂肪间充质干细胞在培养第5、7、14、21天时,细胞数均明显多于用对照培养液培养的细胞(f值分别为6.59、8.69、15.94和24.64,P值均＜0.05).诱导细胞表现出上皮样肝细胞形态,表达肝细胞特异性基因和蛋白;具有多种肝细胞特异性功能,如靛青绿摄取/排泌、糖原合成以及白蛋白分泌功能.结论 人脂肪间充质干细胞在含碱性成纤维细胞生长因子、肝细胞生长因子、成纤维细胞生长因子-4和抑瘤索M的诱导体系中能够分化为更加成熟的具有多种肝细胞特异性功能的细胞,且此诱导体系同时具有促进细胞增殖的作用.     

Transdifferentiation of hepatocyte-like cells from the human hepatoma HepaRG cell line through bipotent progenitor

Hepatic tumors, exhibiting mature hepatocytes and undifferentiated cells merging with cholangiocyte and hepatocyte phenotypes, are frequently described. The mechanisms by which they occur remain unclear. We report differentiation and transdifferentiation behaviors of human HepaRG cells isolated from a differentiated tumor developed consecutively to chronic HCV infection. We demonstrate that, in vitro, proliferating HepaRG cells differentiate toward hepatocyte-like and biliary-like cells at confluence. If hepatocyte-like cells are selectively isolated and cultured at high cell density, they proliferate and preserve their differentiation status. However, when plated at low density, they transdifferentiate into hepatocytic and biliary lineages through a bipotent progenitor. In accordance, transplantation of either undifferentiated or differentiated HepaRG cells in uPA/SCID mouse damaged liver gives rise mainly to functional human hepatocytes infiltrating mouse parenchyma. Analysis of the differentiation/transdifferentiation process reveals that: (1) the reversible differentiation fate of HepaRG cells is related to the absence of p21(CIP1) and p53 accumulation in differentiated cells; (2) HepaRG bipotent progenitors express the main markers of in vivo hepatic progenitors, and that cell differentiation process is linked to loss of their expression; (3) early and transient changes of beta-catenin localization and HNF3beta expression are correlated to Notch3 upregulation during hepatobiliary commitment of HepaRG cells. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the great plasticity of transformed hepatic progenitor cells and suggest that the transdifferentiation process could supply the pool of hepatic progenitor cells. Moreover, they highlight possible mechanisms by which transdifferentiation and proliferation of unipotent hepatocytes might cooperate in the development of mixed and differentiated tumors.     

Expression of liver‐specific markers in naïve adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that adipose tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) that possess the ability to transdifferentiate into other cell types including hepatocytes, similar to bone marrow‐derived stem cells. The existence of precommitted cells in the MSC population may explain transdifferentiation. Aims: Our aim was to identify a population of putative hepatocyte‐like precursor cells in human adipose tissue. Methods: We analysed the ‘basal’ hepatic potential of undifferentiated, naïve human adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSC). hADMSC were isolated from human adipose tissue and characterized for cell surface markers and for liver‐specific gene expression. Results: The isolated undifferentiated naïve hADMSCs expressed MSC surface markers. They also expressed α‐fetoprotein, CK18, CK19 and HNF4, which are known as early liver expressing genes. Interestingly, the undifferentiated naïve hADMSC were also positive for albumin, G‐6‐P and α‐1‐antitrypsin (AAT), which are all known to be predominantly expressed in adult liver cells. These cells acquired a hepatocyte‐specific phenotype and function upon treatment with a differentiation medium, resulting in the upregulation of albumin, G‐6‐P and AAT. Moreover, urea production, glycogen storage ability and cellular uptake of indocyanine green, which were absent in the basal state, were evident in the treated cells. Conclusions: Our findings suggest the presence of cells with hepatocyte‐like properties that are isolated from human adipose tissue and that can readily acquire hepatocyte‐like functions. Adipose tissue could thus be an exciting alternative means for repopulating the liver after various injuries, and might serve as a source for the transplantation of liver cells.     

Triiodothyronine and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) induce expression of HGF in an immortalized rat hepatic stellate cell line

Abstract: Background/Aims: Despite its being considered a primary mitogen for hepatocytes, triiodothyronine (T3) has no effect on the proliferation of hepatocytes in vitro, and in our studies, induces significant in vivo hepatocyte proliferation only during liver injury. We hypothesized that T3 may affect hepatocytes proliferation indirectly, by inducing other cells in the liver to secrete hepatic mitogens. Methods: In vivo studies: Lipopolysaccharide, T3 and a combination of the two were injected into rats, and hepatocyte proliferation was determined by PCNA staining and mitotic index. In vitro studies: a rat hepatic stellate cell line (HSC‐6T) was cultured with T3, IL‐6 and a combination of the two, and we assessed the effect of these cytokine/hormone combinations on the cell proliferation and on secretion of IL‐6 and HGF, measured by ELISA. Expression of thyroid hormone receptors was assessed by RT‐PCR. Results: In vivo: T3, together with lipopolysaccharide, enhances PCNA staining and the mitotic index of hepatocytes in the treated rats. In vitro: the hepatic stellate cell line expresses thyroid hormone receptor α1, but not β1. Proliferation of stellate cells is not affected by T3, with or without IL‐6. T3 has no effect on secreted levels of IL‐6 in the stellate cell line. Hepatic stellate cells cultured with T3 and IL‐6 show significantly increased amounts of secreted HGF after 48 h in culture. Conclusion: T3 may induce hepatocyte proliferation in vivo during injury by turning on expression of HGF in stellate cells and acting together with IL‐6.     

Efficient generation of functional hepatocytelike cells from mouse liver progenitor cells via indirect co-culture with immortalized human hepatic stellate cells

BACKGROUND: Differentiation of liver progenitor cells(LPCs) to functional hepatocytes holds great potential to develop new strategies for hepatocyte transplantation and the screening of drug-induced cytotoxicity. However, reports on the efficient and convenient hepatic differentiation of LPCs to hepatocytes are few. The present study aims to investigate the possibility of generating functional hepatocytes from LPCs in an indirect co-culture system.METHODS: Mouse LPCs were co-cultured in Transwell plates with an immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line(HSCLi) we previously established. The morphology, expression of hepatic markers, and functions of mouse LPC-derived cells were monitored and compared with those of conventionally cultured LPCs. RESULTS: Co-culturing with HSC-Li cells induced differentiation of mouse LPCs into functional hepatocyte-like cells. The differentiated cells were morphologically transformed into hepatocyte-like cells 3 days after co-culture initiation. In addition, the differentiated cells expressed liver-specific genes and possessed hepatic functions, including glycogen storage, lowdensity lipoprotein uptake, albumin secretion, urea synthesis, and cytochrome P450 1A2 enzymatic activity.CONCLUSIONS: Our method, which employs indirect co-culture with HSC-Li cells, can efficiently induce the differentiation of LPCs into functional hepatocytes. This finding suggests that this co-culture system can be a useful method for the efficient generation of functional hepatocytes from LPCs.     

Hepatic gene induction in murine bone marrow after hepatectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bone marrow cells are highly plastic and differentiate into various cell types, including hepatocytes. To explore the mechanisms underlying these processes, we focused on the initial responses of bone marrow to hepatectomy, using a mouse model. METHODS: To evaluate hepatic differentiation in bone marrow cells we measured hepatocyte-related gene expression in mice undergoing partial hepatectomy with or without pretreatment for 1 week with 2-acetyl aminofluorene (AAF). RESULTS: Hepatectomy induced several genes related to early hepatic differentiation in bone marrow. Expression of these genes was enhanced by the administration of AAF, whereas genes specific for mature hepatocytes were not detected. We characterised the bone marrow cell population expressing hepatocyte differentiation genes. alpha-fetoprotein mRNA was induced in Lin- and either CD34+, c-kit+, Sca-1+, CD49f+ or CD45+ cells. The genes upregulated in the liver after AAF treatment and hepatectomy were identified using oligonucleotide microarrays. These included genes associated with the acute phase response. Dexamethasone inhibited the expression of early hepatic differentiation genes in the bone marrow of AAF/PHx mice. CONCLUSIONS: Early hepatic differentiation genes were induced in bone marrow in response to hepatectomy, especially when regeneration of the remnant liver was suppressed. Circulating signals generated in the AAF/PHx liver might activate this differentiation.     

Hepatogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue in comparison with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

INTRODUCTIONMost liver diseases lead to hepatocyte dysfunction with the possibility of eventual organ failure. The replacement of diseased hepatocytes and the stimulation of endogenous or exogenous regeneration by stem cells are the main aims of liver-dir…     

Gankyrin-mediated dedifferentiation facilitates the tumorigenicity of rat hepatocytes and hepatoma cells

Gankyrin is a critical oncoprotein overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism underlying gankyrin-mediated hepatocarcinogenesis remains elusive. Herein, we provide evidence that gankyrin expression was progressively elevated in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC. Levels of gankyrin expression were closely associated with the dedifferentiation status of hepatoma in patients. Decrease of hepatocyte characteristic markers and increase of cholangiocyte-specific markers were observed in rat primary hepatocytes with enforced gankyrin expression and diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-triggered rat hepatocarcinogenesis. Overexpression of gankyrin also attenuated the hepatic function of primary hepatocytes, which further suggests that gankyrin promotes the dedifferentiation of hepatocytes. Moreover, elevated expression of gankyrin closely correlated with the expression of HCC stem/progenitor cell markers in DEN-triggered hepatocarcinogenesis and human HCCs. Hepatoma cells derived from suspension-cultured spheroids exhibited a higher gankyrin level, and enforced gankyrin expression in hepatoma cells remarkably enhanced cluster of differentiation (CD)133, CD90, and epithelial cellular adhesion molecule expression, indicating a role of gankyrin in hepatoma cell dedifferentiation and the generation of hepatoma stem/progenitor cells. In contrast, down-regulation of gankyrin in hepatoma cells by lentivirus-mediated microRNA delivery significantly improved their differentiation status and attenuated malignancy. Interference of gankyrin expression in hepatoma cells also diminished the proportion of cancer stem/progenitor cells and their self-renewal capacity. Furthermore, gankyrin was found to bind hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α), which determines hepatocyte differentiation status and enhances proteasome-dependent HNF4α degradation in hepatoma cells. The inverse correlation of gankyrin and HNF4α was further confirmed in primary hepatocytes, DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, and human HCCs. CONCLUSION: Gankyrin-mediated dedifferentiation of hepatocytes and hepatoma cells via, at least partially, down-regulation of HNF4α facilitates HCC development, and interference of gankyrin expression could be a novel strategy for HCC prevention and differentiation therapy.     

Hepatic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived UE7T-13 cells: Effects of cytokines and CCN family gene expression

Aim: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are expected to be an excellent source of cells for transplantation. We aimed to study the culture conditions and involved genes to differentiate MSC into hepatocytes. Methods: The culture conditions to induce the efficient differentiation of human bone marrow-derived UE7T-13 cells were examined using cytokines, hormones, 5-azacytidine and type IV collagen. Results: We found that combination of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) with type IV collagen coating induced hepatic differentiation of UE7T-13 cells at over 30% frequency, where expression of albumin mRNA was increased over 20-fold. The differentiated cells had functions of albumin production, glycogen synthesis and urea secretion as well as expressing hepatocyte-specific genes. In addition, these cellshave binuclear and cuboidal morphology, which is a characteristic feature of hepatocytes. During hepatic differentiation, UE7T-13 cells showed depressed expression of WISP1 and WISP2 genes, members of the CCN family. Conversely, knockdown of WISP1 or WISP2 gene by siRNA stimulated hepatic differentiation. The effect of aFGF/bFGF/HGF/type IV collagen coating and WISP1-siRNA on hepatic differentiation was additive. Conclusion: The present study suggests that aFGF/bFGF/HGF/type IV collagen coating is the efficient condition for hepatic differentiation of UE7T-13 cells, and that WISP1 and WISP2 play an important role in hepatic transdifferentiation of these cells.     

Efifcient generation of functional hepatocyte-like cells from mouse liver progenitor cells via indirect co-culture with immortalized human hepatic stellate cells

BACKGROUND: Differentiation of liver progenitor cells (LPCs) to functional hepatocytes holds great potential to de-velop new strategies for hepatocyte transplantation and the screening of drug-induced cytotoxicity. However, reports on the efifcient and convenient hepatic differentiation of LPCs to hepatocytes are few. The present study aims to investigate the possibility of generating functional hepatocytes from LPCs in an indirect co-culture system.
METHODS: Mouse LPCs were co-cultured in Transwell plates with an immortalized human hepatic stellate cell line (HSC-Li) we previously established. The morphology, expression of hepatic markers, and functions of mouse LPC-derived cells were monitored and compared with those of conventionally cultured LPCs.
RESULTS: Co-culturing with HSC-Li cells induced differentia-tion of mouse LPCs into functional hepatocyte-like cells. The differentiated cells were morphologically transformed into hepatocyte-like cells 3 days after co-culture initiation. In addi-tion, the differentiated cells expressed liver-speciifc genes and possessed hepatic functions, including glycogen storage, low-density lipoprotein uptake, albumin secretion, urea synthesis, and cytochrome P450 1A2 enzymatic activity.
CONCLUSIONS: Our method, which employs indirect co-culture with HSC-Li cells, can efifciently induce the differentiation of LPCs into functional hepatocytes. This ifnding suggests that this co-culture system can be a useful method for the efifcient generation of functional hepatocytes from LPCs.     

脂肪间充质干细胞向肝细胞横向分化的研究

目的探讨脂肪源性间充质干细胞（AMSC）向肝细胞横向分化的可能性。方法胶原酶消化脂肪组织,贴壁培养,体外扩增后以流式细胞仪鉴定其表面标志。取扩增3代的AMSC分为2组,诱导分化组在含有2％FBS的DMEM-F12培养基中加入肝细胞生长因子20 ng/ml和成纤维细胞生长因子4 10 ng/ml、1×ITS和地塞米松0．1μmol/L,培养14 d；空白对照组则不加任何细胞因子。RT-PCR检测诱导分化过程中肝细胞核因子1、GATA4等基因转录水平的变化。2周后,采用流式细胞术检测AFP和Alb阳性细胞在两组细胞中的比例,检测肝细胞特异性细胞角蛋白（CK） 18、CK19的表达。结果分离、培养的AMSC呈成纤维细胞样生长,可以稳定传代。流式细胞术检测结果显示第3代脂肪间充质干细胞高表达表面CD29、CD44；不表达CD34、CD45。RT-PCR检测诱导5、8、11、14 d的细胞,显示有肝细胞特异性转录因子GATA4和肝细胞核因子1A基因的表达,并随时间延长而逐渐增多。流式细胞术检测诱导14 d的细胞,发现30．0％的细胞表达Alb,17．8％细胞表达AFP,双阳性的细胞为6．9％；免疫荧光检测发现诱导细胞表达CK18、CK19。空白对照组脂肪间充质干细胞则未见上述各项变化。结论在低血清培养体系中,采用细胞因子联合诱导,显示脂肪间充质细胞在体外能定向分化为肝细胞样细胞。