title: Evidence for hepatocyte differentiation from embryonic stem cells in vitro.
abstract: We confirmed hepatocyte differentiation from embryonic stem (ES) cells in vitro. RT-PCR analysis revealed that a broad range of hepatic gene expression was observed in ES cells differentiated through formation of embryoid bodies (EBs) and its attachment culture. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that hepatic gene expression related to early and late-stage liver development were enhanced through in vitro differentiation of ES cells. The presence of albumin-producing cells in the peripheral region of attached EBs was confirmed by immunocytochemical analysis. Future experiments will reveal the molecules that induce hepatocyte differentiation from ES cells in vitro. This research will provide systems for the investigation of mechanisms in liver development and establish a method of ES cell-based therapy for liver diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miyashita
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Katashi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukao
authors.forename: Hiromitsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakauchi
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D015850:Interleukin-6; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008099:Liver / Q000196:embryology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000145:classification; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008222:Lymphokines; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins