Generation of hepatocytes from human embryonic stem cells.
Use of human hepatocytes for therapeutic and drug discovery applications is hampered by limited tissue source and the inability of hepatocytes to proliferate and maintain function long-term in vitro. Human embryonic stem (hES) cells are immortal and pluripotent and may provide a cell source for functional human hepatocytes (1) Here we have outlined some of the protocols currently in use for the generation of hepatocytes from hES cells.
Safinia
Niloufar
N
Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases Kings College London, London, UK.
Minger
Stephen L
SL
D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods