Bone marrow-derived hepatic oval cells differentiate into hepatocytes in 2-acetylaminofluorene/partial hepatectomy-induced liver regeneration

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The ability of the bone marrow cells to differentiate into liver, pancreas, and other tissues led to the speculation that these cells might be the source of adult stem cells found in these organs. The present study analyzed whether the bone marrow cells are a source of hepatic oval cells involved in rat liver regeneration induced by 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) and 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx). METHODS: Three groups of mutant F344 dipeptidyl peptidase IV-deficient (DPPIV(-)) rats were required for the study. Groups A and B received the mitotic inhibitor monocrotaline, followed by male F344 (DPPIV(+)) bone marrow transplantation. Next, group A received PHx only, while group B received the 2-AAF/PHx required for the oval cell activation. The last group C was used to analyze the effects of monocrotaline on transplanted bone marrow cells. These rats underwent transplantation with bone marrow cells and were then treated with monocrotaline. Subsequently, the animals were treated with 2-AAF/PHx. RESULTS: In group A, DPPIV(+) hepatocytes were found in the liver. Group B showed that approximately 20% of the oval cell population expressed both donor marker (DPPIV) and alpha-fetoprotein, and some differentiated into hepatocytes. In contrast, animals in group C failed to significantly induce oval cells with the donor DPPIV antigen. In addition, X/Y-chromosome analysis revealed that fusion was not contributing to differentiation of donor-derived oval cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that under certain physiologic conditions, a portion of hepatic stem cells might arise from the bone marrow and can differentiate into hepatocytes.     

The origin and liver repopulating capacity of murine oval cells

The appearance of bipotential oval cells in chronic liver injury suggests the existence of hepatocyte progenitor/stem cells. To study the origin and properties of this cell population, oval cell proliferation was induced in adult mouse liver by 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) and a method for their isolation was developed. Transplantation into fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (Fah) deficient mice was used to determine their capacity for liver repopulation. In competitive repopulation experiments, hepatic oval cells were at least as efficient as mature hepatocytes in repopulating the liver. In mice with chimeric livers, the oval cells were not derived from hepatocytes but from liver nonparenchymal cells. This finding supports a model in which intrahepatic progenitors differentiate into hepatocytes irreversibly. To determine whether oval cells originated from stem cells residing in the bone marrow, bone marrow transplanted wild-type mice were treated with DDC for 8 months and oval cells were then serially transferred into Fah mutants. The liver repopulating cells in these secondary transplant recipients lacked the genetic markers of the original bone marrow donor. We conclude that hepatic oval cells do not originate in bone marrow but in the liver itself, and that they have valuable properties for therapeutic liver repopulation.     

Bone marrow engraftment in a rodent model of chemical carcinogenesis but no role in the histogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Recent studies indicated that hepatic stem cells in the bone marrow could differentiate into mature hepatocytes, suggesting that bone marrow cells could be used for replacement of damaged hepatocytes in a variety of liver diseases. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is thought to arise from hepatic stem cells. In this study, we investigated the malignant potential of hepatic stem cells derived from the bone marrow in a mouse model of chemical hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS: Bone marrow cells were obtained from the male beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) transgenic mouse and transplanted into female recipient mice. Hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by a year of treatment with diethylnitrosamine and phenobarbital (NDEA/PB). One year later, the liver was removed from each treated mouse and evaluated by x-gal staining, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). RESULTS: Forty per cent of recipient mice survived and developed multiple HCC. Clusters of beta-gal positive mature hepatocytes were detected sporadically in the entire liver of NDEA/PB treated mice who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with while no such hepatocytes were identified in the liver of BMT mice that were not treated with NDEA/PB. The Y chromosome was detected with the same frequency as the donor male liver in clusters of beta-gal positive mature hepatocytes by FISH. However, no HCC was positive for beta-gal or the Y chromosome. Immunohistochemically, beta-gal positive mature hepatocytes did not express CD34 or alpha-fetoprotein. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that hepatic stem cells derived from the bone marrow have low malignant potential, at least in our model.     

The role of bone marrow stem cells in liver regeneration

Hepatic oval cells involved in some forms of liver regeneration express many markers also found on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). In addition, multiple independent reports have demonstrated that bone marrow cells can give rise to several hepatic epithelial cell types, including oval cells, hepatocytes, and duct epithelium. These observations have resulted in the hypothesis that bone marrow resident stem cells, specifically HSCs, are an important source for liver epithelial cell replacement, particularly during chronic injury. The function of such stem cells in hepatic injury responses is the topic of this article. Taken together, the published data on the role of bone marrow stem cells in liver damage suggest that they do not play a significant physiological role in the replacement of epithelial cells in any known form of hepatic injury. Fully functional bone marrow-derived hepatocytes exist but are extremely rare and are generated by cell fusion, not stem cell differentiation. Nonetheless, bone marrow-derived cells may play important indirect roles in liver regeneration. First, they may serve as a source for the replacement of endothelial cells. Second, hematopoietic cells, including lymphocytes, neutrophils, macrophages, and platelets, may provide crucial factors required for efficient healing of damaged liver.     

Oval cell-mediated liver regeneration: Role of cytokines and growth factors

In experimental models, which induce liver damage and simultaneously block hepatocyte proliferation, the recruitment of a hepatic progenitor cell population comprised of oval cells is invariably observed. There is a substantial body of evidence to suggest that oval cells are involved in liver regeneration, as they differentiate into hepatocytes and biliary cells. Recently, bone marrow cells were shown to be a source of a stem cells with the capacity to repopulate the liver. Presently, the relationship between bone marrow cells and oval cells is unclear. Investigations will be greatly assisted by the availability of in vitro models based on a knowledge of cytokines that affect oval cells. While the cytokines, which regulate the different hematopoietic lineages, are well characterized, there is relatively little information regarding those that influence oval cells. This review outlines recent developments in the field of oval cell research and focuses on cytokines and growth factors that have been implicated in regulating oval cell proliferation and differentiation.     

Hepatic "stem" cells: coming full circle

Activation, proliferation, and differentiation of a distinct phenotype of cells, called oval cells, are observed after severe hepatic injuries in which the proliferation of existing hepatocytes is inhibited. Under those conditions, oval cells can act as bipotential progenitors of the two types of epithelial cells within the liver, hepatocytes and bile ductular cells. Oval cells are also believed to play a role in the hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma development; although circumstantial data are available, no direct evidence exists to support this theory. Oval cells have usually been thought to be the progeny of an hepatic stem cell, native to the liver. Recently, however, we, as well as others, have obtained clear evidence that in the rodents, hepatic oval cells, or at least a fraction of them, can derive from a precursor cell of bone marrow origin. The rodent data have been supported by recent findings that human bone marrow cells are capable of becoming hepatocytes and cholangiocytes as well. Having shown that oval cells can be derived from an extrahepatic source, we now have the technology to address many unanswered questions in oval cell origin, fate, and physiology through the use of sex-mismatched bone marrow transplants.     

Alternative sources of hepatocytes for cell therapy

There is an urgent need to search for alternatives to whole organ transplantation. Several methods have been proposed. Among these strategies, cell transplantation is currently one of the most promising. To achieve this aim, in addition to highly differentiated adult hepatocytes, the use of stem cells is considered a highly attractive therapeutic method for the treatment of liver disease and for temporary support of hepatic function until a liver becomes available for organ transplantation. This strategy is based on the ability of stem cells to differentiate into different cellular types according to their environment. Therefore, stem cells could be an unlimited source of hepatic cells for transplantation and gene therapy. Bone marrow is considered the most promising source of adult stem cells, partly due to the versatility of the cells obtained in repairing damaged tissues of several lineages. Several different types of stem cells have been described in bone marrow: hematopoietic, mesenchymal, side population and multipotent adult stem cells. Bone marrow cells have been hypothesized as a third recruitment source in liver regeneration in addition to hepatocytes and endogenous liver stem cells. Consequently, attempts have been made to differentiate them into hepatic lineage for their subsequent use in hepatic cell therapy. The present article reviews the progress made in this field or research.     

Thy1-positive bone marrow stem cells express liver-specific genes in vitro and can mature into hepatocytes in vivo

The bone marrow contains stem cells that have the potential to differentiate into a variety of organ-specific mature cells, including the liver and the pancreas. Recently, the origin of hepatic progenitors and hepatocytes was identified to be the bone marrow. However, evidence that describes which cells, among all bone marrow cells, differentiate into hepatocytes, has not yet been presented. Based on recent reports, hematopoietic and hepatic stem cells share characteristic markers such as CD34, c-kit, and Thy1. In particular, both hematopoietic and hepatic stem cells express the Thy1 antigen. We investigated whether rat Thy1-positive bone marrow cells express liver-specific genes in vitro, and whether transplanted Thy1 BM cells differentiate into mature hepatocytes in vivo. For collection of Thy1 cells from bone marrow, FITC-conjugated anti-Thy1.1 monoclonal antibody was used with a Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorter system. A coculture system of 2 separate layers was used for culture of Thy bone marrow cells. Cultured Thy1 cells expressed albumin protein, which was analyzed by immunofluorescent staining. Thy1 bone marrow cells obtained from wild-type dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV(+)) male rat were directly transplanted into the injured liver of DPPIV mutant (DPPIV(−)) Fisher 344 female rats and differentiated into mature hepatocytes in recipient liver on 60 days. Donor-derived hepatocytes were confirmed by DPPIV staining and Y-chromsome in situ hybridization. Our results suggest that Thy1-positive bone marrow cells have the potential to generate liver-specific genes in vitro and can differentiate into mature hepatocytes in adult liver in vivo. Thy1-positive bone marrow stem cells may represent preexisting hepatocyte-specific stem cells.     

骨髓干细胞在大鼠肝纤维化形成环境中的分化

目的 研究骨髓干细胞在肝纤维化形成环境中向肝细胞定向分化。 方法 采用四氯化碳皮下注射法诱导大鼠肝纤维化,应用流式细胞仪分选富集Thy+CD3-CD45RA-的骨髓干细胞,采用红色荧光染料PKH26-GL对其标记后进行自体移植,6周后通过免疫组织化学方法检测大鼠肝组织白蛋白、ck 8、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白表达。 结果 PKH 26-GL标记的细胞在纤维化肝脏中表达白蛋白和ck8,占肝细胞总数的(0.17±0.02)％;未见表达α-平滑肌肌动蛋白。 结论 骨髓干细胞在肝纤维化形成环境中可以向肝细胞定向分化,不向肌成纤维样细胞分化。     

Differentiation of rat bone marrow stem cells in liver after partial hepatectomy

AIM: To investigate the differentiation of rat bone marrow stem cells in liver after partial hepatectomy. METHODS: Bone marrow cells were collected from the tibia of rat with partial hepatectomy, the medial and left hepatic lobes were excised. The bone marrow stem cells (Thy CD3-CD45RA- cells) were enriched from the bone marrow cells by depleting red cells and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The sorted bone marrow stem cells were labeled by PKH26-GL in vitro and autotransplanted by portal vein injection. After 2 wk, the transplanted bone marrow stem cells in liver were examined by the immunohistochemistry of albumin (hepatocyte-specific marker). RESULTS: The bone marrow stem cells (Thy CD3-CD45RA- cells) accounted for 2.8% of bone marrow cells without red cells. The labeling rate of 10μM PKH26-GL on sorted bone marrow stem cells was about 95%. There were sporadic PKH26-GL-labeled cells among he-patocytes in liver tissue section, and some of the cells expressed albumin. CONCLUSION: Rat bone marrow stem cells can differentiate into hepatocytes in regenerative environment and may participate in liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.     

Characterization of the differentiation capacity of rat-derived hepatic stem cells

The liver in an adult rat maintains a balance between cell gain and cell loss. Although normally proliferatively quiescent, hepatocyte loss such as that caused by partial hepatectomy (PH) invokes a rapid regenerative response to restore liver mass. This restoration of moderate cell loss and "wear and tear" renewal is largely achieved by hepatocyte self-replication. Furthermore, hepatocyte transplants in rats, in which a selective pressure for the transplanted cells can be applied, have shown that a certain proportion of hepatocytes can undergo significant clonal expansion, suggesting that hepatocytes themselves are the functional stem cells of the liver. Fetal liver may also harbor bipotential stem cells capable of sustained clonal expansion. More severe liver injury activates a potential stem cell compartment located within the canals of Hering, giving rise to cords of bipotential oval cells that can differentiate into hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells. Other cell populations with hepatic potential reside in the bone marrow; whether these hematopoietic cells can function as stem cells for the rat liver remains to be confirmed. Pancreatic cells have also been found to have hepatocytic potential.     

骨髓干细胞在大鼠肝再生环境中的分化

研究大鼠骨髓干细胞在部分肝切除后肝再生环境中的分化。从部分肝切除模型大鼠的胫骨中提取骨髓细胞,应用流式细胞仪富集骨髓干细胞,以PKH26-GL体外标记后通过门静脉进行自体移植,2周后行白蛋白和角蛋白8免疫组化检查。结果肝板肝细胞间PKH26-GL标记骨髓干细胞表达白蛋白、角蛋白8。提示骨髓干细胞在部分肝切除后肝再生环境中能分化为肝细胞,骨髓干细胞可能参与部分肝切除后的肝再生过程。     

In vitro hepatic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells

This study examined whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are stem cells originated from embryonic mesoderm, are able to differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells in vitro. MSCs were isolated from human bone marrow and umbilical cord blood, and the surface phenotype and the mesodermal multilineage differentiation potentials of these cells were characterized and tested. To effectively induce hepatic differentiation, we designed a novel 2-step protocol with the use of hepatocyte growth factor and oncostatin M. After 4 weeks of induction, cuboidal morphology, which is characteristic of hepatocytes, was observed, and cells also expressed marker genes specific of liver cells in a time-dependent manner. Differentiated cells further demonstrated in vitro functions characteristic of liver cells, including albumin production, glycogen storage, urea secretion, uptake of low-density lipoprotein, and phenobarbital-inducible cytochrome P450 activity. In conclusion, human MSCs from different sources are able to differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells and, hence, may serve as a cell source for tissue engineering and cell therapy of hepatic tissues. Furthermore, the broad differentiation potential of MSCs indicates that a revision of the definition may be required.     

MSCs分化为功能性肝细胞的研究进展

间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stemcells,MSCs)来源于中胚层间充质,广泛存在于骨髓、脐带组织、脐血、外周血、脂肪等组织中.在特定条件下,可以分化为骨、脂肪、神经细胞及肝细胞等多种细胞,进而作为一种替代器官移植的新的治疗方法.近年来,肝硬化等终末期肝病的发病率日益上升,成为影响人类健康的重大疾病之一.肝源紧张、免疫排斥限制了肝移植的临床应用,然而众多研究证实MSCs对肝纤维化、肝硬化等肝病的治疗作用可能与其分化为功能性肝细胞有关,但具体机制尚不十分清楚.本文就MSCs的分化能力及其分化的调控、分子机制和不同来源干细胞对肝纤维化的治疗作用作一综述.     

Progress in stem cell biology in regenerative medicine for liver disease

Regenerative medicine using stem cells has attracted much attention, since stem cells are responsible for highly proliferative activity and multipotential ability of differentiation. Induced pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells or the adult stem cells such as bone marrow-derived stem cells and adipose tissue-derived stem cells have been expected as a cell source of regenerative medicine. Since differentiating methods of human stem cells into the defined lineage of cells remains to be developed, we focus on the differentiating strategies of pluripotent stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells into liver lineage, especially on cytokine function and gene expression during hepatic differentiation. The survey of previously published papers discloses that the protocols that mimic the liver developmental process seem to be effective in obtaining functional hepatocytes. However, in order to develop hepatic regenerative medicine that is useful in a clinical setting, more effective and potent strategies that obtain mature hepatocytes are required.     

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.     

丁酸钠诱导体外培养的大鼠肝卵圆细胞分化为成熟肝细胞

目的探讨分化刺激剂丁酸钠对体外培养的大鼠肝卵圆细胞分化的影响。方法从喂养含0．1%乙硫氨酸的胆碱缺乏性饮食4～6周的人鼠肝脏中分离出盱卵圆细胞,用免疫细胞化学和逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)等方法对其进行鉴定。用0．75mmol/L酸钠处理大鼠肝卵圆细咆后．姬姆萨染色观察细胞表型改变,western blot检测细胞白蛋白的表达水平。结果免疫细胞化学结果显示分离出的细胞既表达成熟肝细咆的标志物白蛋白,也表达胆管细胞的标志物细胞角蛋白19,RT-PCR结果显示这些细胞还表达干细胞的标志物c-kit,但不表达造血干细胞的标志物CD34,表明这些细胞是大鼠肝前体细胞——肝卵圆细胞。0．75mmol/L丁酸钠能诱导大鼠肝卵圆细胞出现明显的表型改变,细胞变大,变圆,核浆比减小,且双核细胞数增多,约占总细胞数的50%左右,同时western blot的结果显示0．75mmol/L丁酸钠能够提高大鼠肝卵圆细胞白蛋白的表达水平。。结论分化刺激剂丁酸钠能诱导体外培养的大鼠肝卵圆细胞向成熟肝细胞分化。     

Heterogeneity and plasticity of hepatocyte lineage cells

It is hypothesized that the liver has 3 levels of cells in the hepatic lineage that respond to injury or carcinogenesis: 1) the mature hepatocyte, which responds to partial hepatectomy (PH), to centrolobular injury, such as that induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)), and to dimethylnitrosamine (DEN) hepatocarcinogenesis; 2) the ductular "bipolar" progenitor cell, which responds to centrolobular injury when the proliferation of hepatocytes is inhibited, and to N-2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) hepatocarcinogenesis; and 3) the putative periductular stem cell, which responds to periportal injury, such as induced by allyl alcohol and to choline-deficiency models of hepatocarcinogenesis. Hepatocytes are numerous, respond rapidly by 1 or 2 cell cycles, but can only produce other hepatocytes. The ductular progenitor cells are less numerous, may proliferate for longer times than hepatocytes, and are generally considered "bipolar," i.e., can give rise to biliary cells or hepatocytes. Periductular stem cells are rare in the liver, have a very long proliferation potential, and may be multipotent, but their full potential has yet to be defined. Extrahepatic (bone marrow) origin of the periductular stem cells is supported by recent data showing that hepatocytes may express genetic markers of donor hematopoietic cells after bone marrow transplantation. Thus, experimental models of liver injury and of hepatocarcinogenesis may call forth a cellular response at different levels in the hepatic lineage (heterogeneity), and these cells have different potential to form cells of other types (plasticity).     

Liver-specific gene expression in mesenchymal stem cells is induced by liver cells

AIM: The origin of putative liver cells from distinct bone marrow stem cells, e.g. hematopoietic stem cells or multipotent adult progenitor cells was found in recent in vitro studies. Cell culture experiments revealed a key role of growth factors for the induction of liver-specific genes in stem cell cultures. We investigated the potential of rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from bone marrow to differentiate into hepatocytic cells in vitro. Furthermore, we assessed the influence of cocultured liver cells on induction of liver-specific gene expression. METHODS: Mesenchymal stem cells were marked with green fluorescent protein (GFP) by retroviral gene transduction. Clonal marked MSC were either cultured under liver stimulating conditions using fibronectin-coated culture dishes and medium supplemented with SCF, HGF, EGF, and FGF-4 alone, or in presence of freshly isolated rat liver cells. Cells in cocultures were harvested and GFP+ or GFP-cells were separated using fluorescence activated cell sorting. RT-PCR analysis for the stem cell marker Thy1 and the hepatocytic markers CK-18, albumin, CK-19, and AFP was performed in the different cell populations. RESULTS: Under the specified culture conditions, rat MSC cocultured with liver cells expressed albumin-, CK-18, CK-19, and AFP-RNA over 3 weeks, whereas MSC cultured alone did not show liver specific gene expression. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that (1) rat MSC from bone marrow can differentiate towards hepatocytic lineage in vitro, and (2) that the microenvironment plays a decisive role for the induction of hepatic differentiation of rMSC.