Factors influencing stem cell differentiation into the hepatic lineage in vitro.
A major area of research in transplantation medicine is the potential application of stem cells in liver regeneration. This would require well-defined and efficient protocols for directing the differentiation of stem cells into the hepatic lineage, followed by their selective purification and proliferation in vitro. The development of such protocols would reduce the likelihood of spontaneous differentiation of stem cells into divergent lineages upon transplantation, as well as reduce the risk of teratoma formation in the case of embryonic stem cells. Additionally, such protocols could provide useful in vitro models for studying hepatogenesis and liver metabolism. The development of pharmokinetic and cytotoxicity/genotoxicity screening tests for newly developed biomaterials and drugs, could also utilize protocols developed for the hepatic differentiation of stem cells. Hence, this review critically examines the various strategies that could be employed to direct the differentiation of stem cells into the hepatic lineage in vitro.
Heng
Boon Chin
BC
Stem Cell Laboratory, Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Yu
Hanry
H
Yin
Yijun
Y
Lim
Seng Gee
SG
Cao
Tong
T
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media / Q000494:pharmacology*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects
D003470:Culture Media