title: In vitro evaluation of migratory capacity of human liver stem cells influenced by soluble factors.
abstract: Although several studies have addressed the engraftment of stem cells into the liver, the exact mechanisms in vivo remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of soluble factors on cell migration using purified, expanded human liver stem cells (HLSCs) obtained from a pediatric liver resection. Using a in vitro transwell migration assay, we evaluated the migratory capacity of HLSCs under the influence of the cytokines tumor necross factor- [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-6, and interferon (IFN)-γ or the growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF], and hepatocyte growth factor [HGF], which are known to be highly secreted during liver injury. We also evaluated the migratory capacity indirectly influenced by cryopreserved human hepatocytes. The migration across the transwell membrane was promoted by VEGF, bFGF, TNF-α, IFN-γ, or hepatocytes. The cryopreserved human hepatocytes especially induced significant migration. These results suggested the presence of unidentified soluble factors from hepatocytes. This experiment described a reliable system for quantitative migration studies to broaden our understanding of the directional nature of cell migration.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Center, Lifeliver Co. Ltd, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: H-H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: J-H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: J-K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J-K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: C H D
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: D-H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: S-K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002633:Chemotaxis; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D015925:Cryopreservation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology*; D019899:Paracrine Communication; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C066855:HGF protein, human; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D007371:Interferon-gamma