Stem cell plasticity: learning from hepatogenic differentiation strategies.
Many studies on stem cell plasticity are challenging the concept that stem cells contain an intrinsically predefined, unidirectional differentiation program. This means that the developmental fate of a stem cell is dependent on the general potential of the cell (pre-determined stem cell fate) as well as on microenvironmental cues, such as stimuli from growth factors (stem cell niche). Here, we reviewed reports that examined the hepatocyte differentiation ability of stem cells from two different sources: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. All of those stem cells revealed the ability to give rise to hepatocyte-like cells using different induction strategies. However, it is still not clear which of those stem cells would be the best source for hepatocyte replacement or which would be the best protocol. We herein present the current knowledge regarding available protocols and factors used in order to obtain functional hepatocytes from stem cells.
Banas
Agnieszka
A
Section for Studies on Metastasis, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
Yamamoto
Yusuke
Y
Teratani
Takumi
T
Ochiya
Takahiro
T
D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003470:Culture Media; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000196:embryology; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*
D003470:Culture Media