体外诱导小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞分化为肝样细胞

目的:体外诱导小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞分化(BMSCs)为肝样细胞,提高分化效率.方法:将第一代BMSCs随机分为诱导组和对照组.诱导组加肝细胞生长因子、成纤维生长因子、表皮生长因子、抑瘤素M等进行诱导培养,观察细胞形态,检测甲胎蛋白(AFP)、白蛋白(A1b)、细胞角蛋白18(CK18)、酪氨酸氨基转移酶(TAT)和细胞色素P450 2b9(CYP2b9)的mRNA表达,A1b合成以及A1b和CK18蛋白标记细胞阳性率.结果:诱导组第3天出现多边形细胞,5—7d上皮样细胞呈岛状分布,14 d呈铺路石状.对照组细胞为长梭形.第7,14,21天,诱导组细胞AFP,A1b,CK18 mRNA和A1b蛋白检测阳性;第14,21天,细胞表达TAT和CYP2b9 mRNA.对照组除AFP mRNA呈弱阳性外,其余均为阴性.第7,14,21天,诱导组CK18阳性率分别为71.4%.75.9%,80.6%:A1b阳性率分别为75.0%,79.7%.81.1%.而对照组第7天CK18和A1b阳性率仅2.3%,1.7%,与诱导组相比有显著差异(P_(CK18)=1.97×10~(-5),P_(A11b)=3.08×10~(-6)).结论:BMSCs在体外可以被诱导分化为肝样细胞,诱导率最高可达80%以上.     

肝细胞生长因子联合成纤维细胞生长因子-4诱导人骨髓来源的多能成体祖细胞向肝样细胞分化

目的 探索肝细胞生长因子（HGF）-4成纤维生长因子4-（FGF-4）诱导人骨髓来源多能成体祖细胞（hMAPCs）分化为肝细胞的可行性，为肝组织工程提供新的种子细胞来源。方法 （1）取志愿者适量骨髓后采用梯度密度离心＋贴壁培养获取骨髓间充质干细胞（MSCs），将MSCs通过CD45、GlyA免疫微磁珠负分选得到hMAPCS。（2）将hMAPCs用HGF＋FGF-4进行诱导分化。实验分组：A组：HGF（20ng／m1）＋（FGF-4）10ng／m1诱导hMAPCS；B组（阳性对照组）：L-02人肝细胞株；C组（阴性对照组）：未加任何诱导因素的hMAPCs。（3）免疫细胞化学鉴定不同诱导分化阶段细胞的白蛋白（A1b）、甲胎蛋白（AFP），细胞角蛋白-18（CK-18）等肝细胞特征的表型变化评计数阳性细胞比率。（4）逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测不同诱导分化阶段细胞的A1b、AFP，CK-18的mRNA转录。（5）Western blot检测诱导分化第21，35天后细胞的A1b表达。结果（1）免疫细胞化学结果：A1b、CK18在诱导组中不同时间段基本为阳性着色；AFP在诱导分化第7天为阳性着色，在诱导第14，21天为阴性着色。（2）逆转录聚合酶链反应结果：作为不成熟肝细胞表型的AFP，在诱导分化的第7天有mRNA阳性表达；作为成熟肝细胞表型的A1b及CK-18，在不同时间段mRNA均为阳性表达。（3）Western blot检测诱导分化第21、35天后细胞的A1b表达。结论hMAPCS在一定诱导条件下具有向肝样细胞分化的潜能。     

小鼠骨髓干细胞诱导分化为肝细胞的实验研究

目的探讨成年小鼠骨髓干细胞在肝细胞生长因子(HGF)作用下分化为肝细胞的可能性及其分化特性，为肝细胞移植提供实验基础。方法HGF100ng／ml体外诱导小鼠骨髓干细胞向肝细胞分化，于诱导的第0、7、l4、21、28天，观察细胞形态特征；半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测细胞白蛋白(ALB)、甲胎蛋白(AFP)mRNA水平的表达；免疫细胞化学法检测ALB、AFP和细胞角蛋白l9(CK19)蛋白水平的表达。结果新鲜分离的骨髓干细胞ALB及AFP mRNA呈弱阳性。在非诱导组，培养7d时ALB mRNA已检测不到，AFP mRNA明显减弱，14d时消失。在诱导组，7d时ALB mRNA检测不到，14d时再次出现阳性条带，21d时表达量最大，而AFP mRNA在诱导组始终呈阳性，14d时表达量最大，以后逐渐减少。免疫细胞化学结果与RT-PCR结果基本一致，但CK19蛋白始终阴性。结论小鼠骨髓干细胞在HGF单独作用下能诱导分化为肝细胞样细胞，诱导分化的最佳时期是2～3周。     

胆汁化血清对骨髓间充质干细胞向肝细胞样细胞定向分化的诱导

目的:寻找生物人工肝和肝细胞移植需要合适的肝细胞来源,研究不同诱导方法对骨髓间充质干细胞(MSC)在体外分化为肝细胞样细胞的影响。方法:本研究应用贴壁法对MSC进行分离和培养后,应用胆汁化血清及肝细胞生长因子不同诱导方式对之进行诱导分化,研究MSC转化为肝细胞样细胞的可能性,并进行转化的鉴定。结果:经贴壁分离和培养的MSC在5%胆汁化血清诱导作用下,21 d后可分化为形态似肝细胞样的细胞,经免疫组织化学显示,该细胞可表达细胞角蛋白18(CK18)和甲胎蛋白(AFP),且原位杂交显示,在培养的第35天,部分细胞还可合成清蛋白,与肝细胞生长因子(HGF)有着相似的诱导效果。结论:在合适的条件下,MSC可向肝细胞方向转化,且本方法操作简捷,胆汁化血清易于获得,具有潜在的应用价值。     

Promoted differentiation of cynomolgus monkey ES cells into hepatocyte-like cells by co-culture with mouse fetal liver-derived cells

INTRODUCTION Embryonic stem (ES) cells are self-renewing, pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell masses of preimplantation blastocysts[1,2]. They can be expanded without limit and retain a potential to differentiate into various somatic cell types …     

aFGF、HGF体外诱导小鼠ESC向肝细胞定向分化及标志物研究

目的观察酸性成纤维细胞生长因子(acid fibroblast growth factor,a FGF)、肝细胞生长因子(hepatocyte growth factor,HGF)对小鼠胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cell,ESC)体外定向诱导分化作用及诱导后肝细胞标志物的表达水平。方法体外培养小鼠ESC使其发育成拟胚体,然后加入a FGF、HGF诱导ESC定向分化成肝细胞。收集培养上清液,RIA法测定甲胎蛋白(alpha fetoprotein,AFP)、白蛋白(albumin,ALB)浓度。PCR和免疫印迹法检测ALB、细胞角蛋白8(CK8)以及细胞角蛋白18(CK18)在细胞内mRNA和蛋白表达水平。结果 ESC培养5 d后发育成为拟胚体,加入不同浓度a FGF继续培养,5 d后AFP浓度降低,ALB浓度升高,与对照组相比有显著性差异。细胞内ALB、CK8及CK18表达水平明显升高。一次诱导后加入HGF,继续诱导5 d,上清液中AFP浓度降低,ALB浓度升高,具有浓度依赖性。ALB、CK8及CK18在细胞内表达升高。结论体外培养小鼠ESC,加入a FGF、HGF后可诱导其向肝细胞定向分化。肝细胞标志物AFP水平明显降低,ALB、CK8以及CK18表达水平明显升高。     

肝再生大鼠血清诱导骨髓干细胞向肝细胞分化的实验研究

目的观察肝大部切除大鼠再生血清和肝细胞生长因子(HGF)诱导骨髓干细胞向肝实质细胞分化的作用；探讨骨髓干细胞向肝细胞分化和增殖的体外培养条件和方法，为患者应用自身骨髓细胞修复损伤肝脏提供实验依据。方法制作肝大部切除大鼠肝再生动物模型，收集术后24h血清；分别应用鼠肝再生血清和HGF对大鼠骨髓细胞进行定向诱导分化培养；以免疫组化、RTPCR和western blot等方法对分化不同阶段细胞进行检测。将分化细胞经尾静脉输入同系大鼠，观察输注细胞在肝、脾内的生长情况。结果活体移植分化细胞能定向迁移至肝和脾；体外及体内分化细胞在mRNA水平和蛋白质水平均表达白蛋白，并在一定时期内表达甲胎蛋白。结论大鼠骨髓干细胞在肝大部切除再生血清或HGF的诱导下能横向分化为肝实质样细胞。     

小鼠胚胎干细胞诱导为肝细胞的研究

胚胎干细胞(ES细胞)是从体外受精胚囊的内细胞团分离建立的、具有发育全能性的细胞系，在特定条件下可向多种细胞分化，是细胞移植治疗很有前途的细胞来源。目的：探明ES细胞是否能被诱导分化为肝细胞，并探索小鼠ES细胞诱导分化为肝细胞的分化条件。方法：在ES细胞培养液中分别加入肝细胞生长因子(HGF)、β-神经细胞生长因子(NGF)和维甲酸(BA)以及与小鼠胎肝细胞共培养，观察分化细胞的形态学变化，逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT—PCR)检测白蛋白和转甲状腺蛋白mRNA水平的表达，免疫组化法检测甲胎蛋白和α1—抗胰蛋白酶蛋白水平的表达。结果：ES细胞培养液中加入HGF和β-NGFl5天后，分化出较多的上皮样细胞，并检测出白蛋白、转甲状腺蛋白mRNA水平的表达和甲胎蛋白、αl-抗胰蛋白酶蛋白水平的表达，表明ES细胞已诱导分化为肝细胞。ES细胞与胎肝细胞共培养2天后，分化出单一形态的上皮细胞，同样有上述肝细胞标志物的阳性表达。RA诱导出的细胞除转甲状腺蛋白mRNA外，无其他肝细胞标志物的阳性表达。结论：在HGF和β—NGF的作用下，有部分小鼠ES细胞被诱导为肝细胞，RA则无此作用。共培养方法也能诱导出肝细胞标志物阳性的细胞，并且细胞形态较单一。小鼠ES细胞有向肝细胞分化的潜能。     

Fibroblast growth factor-4 and hepatocyte growth factor induce differentiation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocytes

AIM: To investigate the differentiation of human umbilical cord blood (HUCB)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into hepatocytes by induction of fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF-4) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and to find a new source of cell types for therapies of hepatic diseases. METHODS: MSCs were isolated by combining gradient density centrifugation with plastic adherence. When HUCB-derived MSCs reached 70% confluence, they were cultured in Iscove modified Dulbecco medium (IMDM) supplemented with 10 mL/L FBS, 20 ng/mL HGF and 10 ng/mL FGF-4. The medium was changed every 4 d and stored for albumin, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and urea assay. Expression of CK-18 was detected by immunocytochemistry. Glycogen storage in hepatocytes was determined by PAS staining. RESULTS: By combining gradient density centrifugation with plastic adherence, we could isolate MSCs from 25.6% of human umbilical cord blood. When MSCs were cultured with FGF-4 and HGF, approximately 63.6% of cells became small, round and epithelioid on d 28 by morphology. Compared with the control, the level of AFP increased significantly from d 12 to 18.20±1.16 μg/L (t = 2.884, P<0.05) in MSCs cultured with FGF-4 and HGF, and was higher (54.28±3.11 μg/L) on d 28 (t = 13.493, P<0.01). Albumin increased significantly on d 16 (t = 6.68, P<0.01) to 1.02±0.15 μg/mL, and to 3.63±0.30 μg/mL on d 28 (t = 11.748, P<0.01). Urea (4.72±1.03 μmol/L) was detected on d 20 (t = 4.272, P<0.01), and continued to increase to 10.28±1.06 μmol/L on d 28 (t = 9.276,P<0.01). Cells expressed CK-18 on d 16. Glycogen storage was observed on d 24. CONCLUSION: HUCB-derived MSCs can differentiate into hepatocytes by induction of FGF-4 and HGF. HUCB-derived MSCs are a new source of cell types for cell transplantation therapy of hepatic diseases.     

Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into hepatocytes in vitro

AIM: To investigate the mechanism and regulation of differentiation from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into hepatocytes and to find a new source of cell types for therapies of hepatic diseases. METHODS: MSCs were isolated by combining gradient density centrifugation with plastic adherence. The cells were cultured in osteogenic or adipogenic differentiation medium and determined by histochemical staining. MSCs were plated in plastic culture flasks that were not coated with components of extracellular matrix (ECM). When MSCs reached 70% confluence, they were cultured in low glucose Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10 mL/L fetal bovine serum, 20 ng/mL hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and 10 ng/mL fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF-4). The medium was changed every 3 d and stored for albumin, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and urea assay. Glycogen store of hepatocytes was determined by periodic acid-Schiff staining. RESULTS: By combining gradient density centrifugation with plastic adherence, we isolated a homogeneous population of cells from rat bone marrow and differentiated them into osteocytes and adipocytes. When MSCs were cultured with FGF-4 and HGF, approximately 56.6% of cells became small round and epithelioid on d 24 by morphology. Compared with the control, levels of AFP increased significantly from d 12 to 15.5±1.4 μg/L (t = 2.31,P<0.05) in MSCs cultured with FGF-4 and HGF, and were higher (46.2±1.5 μg/L) on d 21 (t = 41.926, P<0.01), then decreased to 24.8±2.2 μg/L on d 24 (t = 10.345, P<0.01). Albumin increased significantly on d 21 (t = 3.325,P<0.01) to 1.4±0.2 μg/mL, and to 2.1±0.7 μg/mL on d 24 (t= 3.646, P<0.01). Urea (2.3±0.4 mmol/L) was first detected on d 21 (t= 6.739, P<0.01), and continued to increase to 2.6±0.9 mmol/L on d 24 (t = 4.753, P<0.01). Glycogen storage was first seen on d 21. CONCLUSION: The method combining gradient density centrifugation with plastic adherence can isolate MSCs. Rat MSCs may be differentiated into hepatocytes by FGF-4 and HGF. Cytokines may play a more important role in differentiation from rat MSCs into hepatocytes.     

人工肝支持系统对慢性乙型重型肝炎患者骨髓干细胞分化因子水平的影响

目的 探讨人工肝支持系统(ALSS)对慢性乙型重型肝炎患者血清骨髓干细胞(BMSC)分化因子水平的影响.方法 将50例慢性乙型重型肝炎患者分为ALSS组25例和对照组25例,对照组入院后予内科综合治疗,ALSS组在相同内科综合治疗的基础上于入院1周内开始接受ALSS治疗.采用ELISA法检测两组患者入院时和入院2周时的BMSC分化因子水平.统计学处理采用t检验.结果 ALSS组治疗前血清肝细胞生长因子(HGF)为(689.10±337.68)ng/L,成纤维细胞生长因子-4 (FGF-4)为(124.88±87.67) ng/L,表皮生长因子(EGF)为(323.85±44.40) ng/L,碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)为(9.29±1.38)ng/L,治疗后血清HGF为(1081.50±356.66) ng/L,FGF-4为(110.76-79.71) ng/L,EGF为(347.80±71.73)ng/L,bFGF为(9.57±1.15) ng/L,其中HGF显著升高(t=10.042,P＜0.01),且升高幅度大于对照组(t=6.670,P＜0.01),FGF-4、EGF及bFGF改变差异无统计学意义.对照组HGF、FGF-4、EGF及bFGF在治疗前后均差异无统计学意义.结论 ALSS治疗可以提高慢性乙型重型肝炎患者血清HGF水平,同时不影响FGF-4、EGF和bFGF水平,可能有助于BMSC以转分化机制参与重型肝炎的肝细胞修复和再生.     

Effects of growth factors on the growth and differentiation of mouse fetal liver epithelial cells in primary cultures

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Growth factors (GF) are thought to affect the growth and differentiation of hepatocytes during liver development. However, in the midfetal liver, little is known concerning the role of GF. METHODS: The DNA synthesis of fetal liver epithelial cells (FLEC) in monolayer culture and the liver-specific gene expressions of FLEC in 3-D culture were examined in medium supplemented with various GF. RESULTS: DNA synthesis of FLEC was higher than that of adult hepatocytes without GF, and was increased by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) or transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha). However, FLEC responded less to GF in terms of DNA synthesis than adult hepatocytes. The liver-specific gene expressions were increased in the presence of HGF, HB-EGF, bFGF and EGF. In embryonic day (E) 13.5 FLEC, this increase was more apparent in the presence of HB-EGF, whereas in E14.5 FLEC, it was more apparent in the presence of HGF. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatocyte growth factor, HB-EGF, bFGF, EGF and TGF-alpha increased DNA synthesis of FLEC. HGF, HB-EGF, bFGF and EGF led to an increase in liver-specific gene expressions; and their effects on differentiation differ as a function of gestation age.     

骨髓间充质干细胞对乙型肝炎病毒的易感性及与无涎糖蛋白受体的关系

目的 评价骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSC)向肝细胞诱导过程中对HBV的易感性及无涎糖蛋白受体(ASGPR)对BMSC感染HBV的作用.方法 体外使用肝细胞生长因子、成纤维细胞生长因子-4和表皮生长因子,将BMSC诱导分化为肝细胞.检测乙型肝炎患者BMSC的HBV感染情况,并对原代及诱导培养后的BMSC进行体外HBV感染实验,检测BMSC感染后的HBsAg、HBcAg表达情况,并检测BMSC诱导前后ASGPR的表达.每个实验采用来自不同的5个标本,分别重复3次,数据统计采用非参数检验.结果 诱导培养第6天开始,BMSC开始表达甲胎蛋白(AFP)、细胞角蛋白18(CK18)和Alb,并随着诱导时间延长,CK18及Alb表达逐渐增多,而AFP则逐渐减少,并具有糖原合成、尿素分泌及Alb合成的肝细胞功能.BMSC在体内及体外都不能被HBV感染,经过向肝细胞诱导之后,仍然不能被感染,ASGPR在BMSC向肝细胞诱导后表达增多,但是与对照组HepG2细胞相比,仍然呈低水平表达.结论 BMSC在体内外能抵抗HBV感染.ASGPR可能是导致HBV不能感染BMSC的重要原因之一.     

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.     

Controlled and reversible induction of differentiation and activation of adult human hepatocytes by a biphasic culture technique

AIM: Clinical application of human hepatocytes (HC) is hampered by the progressive loss of growth and differentiation in vitro. The object of the study was to evaluate the effect of a biphasic culture technique on expression and activation of growth factor receptors and differentiation of human adult HC. METHODS: Isolated HC were sequentially cultured in a hormone enriched differentiation medium (DM) containing nicotinamide, insulin, transferrin, selenium, and dexame-thasone or activation medium (AM) containing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF). Expression, distribution and activation of the HC receptors (MET and EGFR) and the pattern of characteristic cytokeratin (CK) filaments were measured by fluorometry, confocal microscopy and Western blotting. RESULTS: In the biphasic culture system, HC underwent repeated cycles of activation (characterized by expression and activation of growth factor receptors) and re-differentiation (illustrated by distribution of typical filaments CK-18 but low or absent expression of CK-19). In AM increased expression of MET and EGFR was associated with receptor translocation into the cytoplasm and induction of atypical CK-19. In DM low expression of MET and EGFR was localized on the cell membrane and CK-19 was reduced. Receptor phosphorylation required embedding of HC in collagen type I gel. CONCLUSION: Control and reversible modulation of growth factor receptor activation of mature human HC can be accomplished in vitro, when defined signals from the extracellular matrix and sequential growth stimuli are provided. The biphasic technique helps overcome dedifferentiation, which occurs during continuous stimulation by means of growth factors.     

体外定向诱导E14小鼠胚胎干细胞为肝细胞

目的探索体外定向诱导胚胎干细胞分化为肝细胞。方法常规方法培养E14小鼠胚胎干细胞(ESC)后，进行悬滴-悬浮培养，形成胚胎体，再进行分阶段定向诱导，在培养第9～12天、第12～18人以及第15～18天分别加入酸性成纤维细胞生长因子、肝细胞生长因子和制瘤素M。利用倒置相差显微镜观察细胞形态变化，逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法分析持异性基因mRNA的表达，并用吲哚氰绿(ICG)摄取和过碘酸雪夫反应(PAS)分析细胞的分化及功能。结果在诱导培养的第13天，细胞出现肝细胞样改变。RTPCR分析可见，在诱导的第6天和第12天分别可以榆测到内胚层或卵黄囊分化标志基因-甲状腺素运载蛋白和α1抗胰蛋白酶的mRNA表达，第6天出现末成熟肝细胞标志基因-甲胎蛋白mRNA表达，第9天、第15天和第18天分别开始出现成熟肝细胞的特异性标志基因-白蛋白、葡萄糖6磷酸酶、酪氨酸氨基转移酶mRNA表达。同时，ESC源性肝细胞表现为ICG摄取和PAS反应阳性，经过诱导，ICG阳性细胞数约占85．1％。结论ESC源性肝细胞具备肝细胞特性，FSC有可能成为肝细胞治疗的替代供体细胞。     

Rapid generation of mature hepatocyte-like cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells by an efficient three-step protocol

Liver transplantation is the only definitive treatment for end-stage cirrhosis and fulminant liver failure, but the lack of available donor livers is a major obstacle to liver transplantation. Recently, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from the reprogramming of somatic fibroblasts, have been shown to resemble embryonic stem (ES) cells in that they have pluripotent properties and the potential to differentiate into all cell lineages in vitro, including hepatocytes. Thus, iPSCs could serve as a favorable cell source for a wide range of applications, including drug toxicity testing, cell transplantation, and patient-specific disease modeling. Here, we describe an efficient and rapid three-step protocol that is able to rapidly generate hepatocyte-like cells from human iPSCs. This occurs because the endodermal induction step allows for more efficient and definitive endoderm cell formation. We show that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which synergizes with activin A and Wnt3a, elevates the expression of the endodermal marker Foxa2 (forkhead box a2) by 39.3% compared to when HGF is absent (14.2%) during the endodermal induction step. In addition, iPSC-derived hepatocytes had a similar gene expression profile to mature hepatocytes. Importantly, the hepatocyte-like cells exhibited cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme activity, secreted urea, uptake of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and possessed the ability to store glycogen. Moreover, the hepatocyte-like cells rescued lethal fulminant hepatic failure in a nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficient mouse model. Conclusion: We have established a rapid and efficient differentiation protocol that is able to generate functional hepatocyte-like cells from human iPSCs. This may offer an alternative option for treatment of liver diseases.     

骨形态发生蛋白2在骨髓间充质干细胞向肝细胞分化中的作用

目的：观察骨形态发生蛋白2（BMP2）在骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）向肝细胞分化中的作用。方法采用贴壁法分离培养大鼠股骨BMSCs ,将体外扩增的第3代BMSCs制作细胞爬片,并行肝细胞定向诱导。根据诱导因子不同分为：肝细胞生长因子（ HGF）组、HGF＋BMP2组、BMP2组及空白对照组。培养10 d左右收集细胞,观察各组细胞形态的变化,并采用ELISA法检测培养液上清中肝细胞特异性标志物甲胎蛋白（ AFP）、白蛋白（ ALB）,免疫细胞化学法检测诱导分化后细胞CK-18的表达。结果 HGF组和HGF＋BMP2组可检测到ALB、AFP及CK-18,且HGF＋BMP2组ALB、AFP及CK-18明显高于HGF组（P均＜0．05）。结论 BMP2不能单独诱导BMSCs向肝细胞分化,但能增强HGF诱导BMSCs向肝细胞分化的作用。     

Ductular proliferation in liver tissues with severe chronic hepatitis B： An immunohistochemical study

AIM: To clarify the pathogenesis of ductular proliferation and its possible association with oval cell activation and hepatocyte regeneration. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining and image analysis of the ductular structures in the liver tissues from 11 patients with severe chronic hepatitis B and 2 healthy individuals were performed. The liver specimens were sectioned serially, and then cytokeratin 8 (CK8), CK19, OV6, proliferating cell nuclear antigens (PCNA), glutathione-S-transferase (GST),α-fetal protein (AFP) and albumin were stained immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Typical and atypical types of ductular proliferation were observed in the portal tracts of the liver tissues in all 11 patients. The proliferating ductular cells were positive for CK8, CK19, OV6 and PCNA staining. Some atypical ductular cells displayed the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of hepatic oval cells. Some small hepatocyte-like cells were between hepatic oval cells and mature hepatocytes morphometri-cally and immunohistochemically. CONCLUSION: The proliferating ductules in the liver of patients with severe chronic liver disease may have different origins. Some atypical ductular cells are actually activated hepatic oval cells. Atypical ductular proliferation is related to hepatocyte regeneration and small hepatocyte-like cells may be intermediate transient cells between hepatic oval cells and mature hepatocytes.