Shuai Deng, Xiaoyu Zhao, Ziyan Kou, Yanlun Zhu, Xuerao Zhang, Hon Fai Chan
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Cholangiocytes form a complex 3D network of bile ducts in the liver and contribute to liver function. The damage or destruction of cholangiocytes can lead to biliary diseases, and the shortage of cholangiocytes remains an obstacle for drug development targeting biliary diseases. Valproic acid (VPA) is a potent activator of Notch signaling pathway that is essential for cholangiocyte differentiation. Here, we report a VPA-based approach for cholangiocyte differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. VPA activated Notch2 expression and upregulated HES-1, HEY-1, and Sox9 gene expression in hESC-derived hepatoblast. After 7 days treatment, VPA promoted successful differentiation of hepatoblast into cholangiocytes expressing cholangiocyte marker genes (AE2, AQP1, CFTR) and proteins (CK19 and CK7). In addition, the differentiated cholangiocytes formed bile duct-like structures after implantation into the spleen of NOD/SCID mice. Our results suggested that VPA can promote hESC differentiation to cholangiocyte-like cells. The induced cholangiocytes may serve as a potential cell source for both in vitro modeling and regenerative therapy of cholangiopathies. The findings can also support further development of small-molecule based differentiation protocols for cholangiocyte production.
期刊介绍:
STEM CELLS Translational Medicine is a monthly, peer-reviewed, largely online, open access journal.
STEM CELLS Translational Medicine works to advance the utilization of cells for clinical therapy. By bridging stem cell molecular and biological research and helping speed translations of emerging lab discoveries into clinical trials, STEM CELLS Translational Medicine will help move applications of these critical investigations closer to accepted best patient practices and ultimately improve outcomes.
The journal encourages original research articles and concise reviews describing laboratory investigations of stem cells, including their characterization and manipulation, and the translation of their clinical aspects of from the bench to patient care. STEM CELLS Translational Medicine covers all aspects of translational cell studies, including bench research, first-in-human case studies, and relevant clinical trials.