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Loerch C, Szepanowski LP, Reiss J, Adjaye J, Graffmann N. Forskolin induces FXR expression and enhances maturation of iPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1383928. [PMID: 38694820 PMCID: PMC11061433 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1383928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The generation of iPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) is a powerful tool for studying liver diseases, their therapy as well as drug development. iPSC-derived disease models benefit from their diverse origin of patients, enabling the study of disease-associated mutations and, when considering more than one iPSC line to reflect a more diverse genetic background compared to immortalized cell lines. Unfortunately, the use of iPSC-derived HLCs is limited due to their lack of maturity and a rather fetal phenotype. Commercial kits and complicated 3D-protocols are cost- and time-intensive and hardly useable for smaller working groups. In this study, we optimized our previously published protocol by fine-tuning the initial cell number, exchanging antibiotics and basal medium composition and introducing the small molecule forskolin during the HLC maturation step. We thereby contribute to the liver research field by providing a simple, cost- and time-effective 2D differentiation protocol. We generate functional HLCs with significantly increased HLC hallmark gene (ALB, HNF4α, and CYP3A4) and protein (ALB) expression, as well as significantly elevated inducible CYP3A4 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Loerch
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Leon-Phillip Szepanowski
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- IUF – Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julian Reiss
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - James Adjaye
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- University College London, EGA Institute for Women`s Health- Zayed Center for Research Into Rare Diseases in Children (ZGR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Nina Graffmann
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Novotny LA, Evans JG, Guo H, Kappler CS, Meissner EG. Interferon lambda receptor-1 isoforms differentially influence gene expression and HBV replication in stem cell-derived hepatocytes. Antiviral Res 2024; 221:105779. [PMID: 38070830 PMCID: PMC10872352 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the tolerogenic liver, inadequate or ineffective interferon signaling fails to clear chronic HBV infection. Lambda IFNs (IFNL) bind the interferon lambda receptor-1 (IFNLR1) which dimerizes with IL10RB to induce transcription of antiviral interferon-stimulated genes (ISG). IFNLR1 is expressed on hepatocytes, but low expression may limit the strength and antiviral efficacy of IFNL signaling. Three IFNLR1 transcriptional variants are detected in hepatocytes whose role in regulation of IFNL signaling is unclear: a full-length and signaling-capable form (isoform 1), a form that lacks a portion of the intracellular JAK1 binding domain (isoform 2), and a secreted form (isoform 3), the latter two predicted to be signaling defective. We hypothesized that altering expression of IFNLR1 isoforms would differentially impact the hepatocellular response to IFNLs and HBV replication. METHODS Induced pluripotent stem-cell derived hepatocytes (iHeps) engineered to contain FLAG-tagged, doxycycline-inducible IFNLR1 isoform constructs were HBV-infected then treated with IFNL3 followed by assessment of gene expression, HBV replication, and cellular viability. RESULTS Minimal overexpression of IFNLR1 isoform 1 markedly augmented ISG expression, induced de novo proinflammatory gene expression, and enhanced inhibition of HBV replication after IFNL treatment without adversely affecting cell viability. In contrast, overexpression of IFNLR1 isoform 2 or 3 partially augmented IFNL-induced ISG expression but did not support proinflammatory gene expression and minimally impacted HBV replication. CONCLUSIONS IFNLR1 isoforms differentially influence IFNL-induced gene expression and HBV replication in hepatocytes. Regulated IFNLR1 expression in vivo could limit the capacity of this pathway to counteract HBV replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Novotny
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - J Grayson Evans
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Haitao Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Virology Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Christiana S Kappler
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Eric G Meissner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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Luo Q, Wang N, Que H, Mai E, Hu Y, Tan R, Gu J, Gong P. Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocyte-like Cells: Induction Methods and Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11592. [PMID: 37511351 PMCID: PMC10380504 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of regenerative medicine provides new options for the treatment of end-stage liver diseases. Stem cells, such as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), are effective tools for tissue repair in regenerative medicine. iPSCs are an appropriate source of hepatocytes for the treatment of liver disease due to their unlimited multiplication capacity, their coverage of the entire range of genetics required to simulate human disease, and their evasion of ethical implications. iPSCs have the ability to gradually produce hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) with homologous phenotypes and physiological functions. However, how to induce iPSCs to differentiate into HLCs efficiently and accurately is still a hot topic. This review describes the existing approaches for inducing the differentiation of iPSCs into HLCs, as well as some challenges faced, and summarizes various parameters for determining the quality and functionality of HLCs. Furthermore, the application of iPSCs for in vitro hepatoprotective drug screening and modeling of liver disease is discussed. In conclusion, iPSCs will be a dependable source of cells for stem-cell therapy to treat end-stage liver disease and are anticipated to facilitate individualized treatment for liver disease in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiulin Luo
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China
| | - Nan Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China
| | - Hanyun Que
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China
| | - Erziya Mai
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China
| | - Yanting Hu
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China
| | - Rui Tan
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610032, China
| | - Jian Gu
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China
| | - Puyang Gong
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China
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Weng Y, Han S, Sekyi MT, Su T, Mattis AN, Chang TT. Self-Assembled Matrigel-Free iPSC-Derived Liver Organoids Demonstrate Wide-Ranging Highly Differentiated Liver Functions. Stem Cells 2023; 41:126-139. [PMID: 36573434 PMCID: PMC9982071 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxac090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived liver organoids serve as models of organogenesis, disease, drug screening, and regenerative medicine. Prevailing methods for generating organoids rely on Matrigel, whose batch-to-batch variability and xenogeneic source pose challenges to mechanistic research and translation to human clinical therapy. In this report, we demonstrate that self-assembled Matrigel-free iPSC-derived organoids developed in rotating wall vessels (RWVs) exhibit greater hepatocyte-specific functions than organoids formed on Matrigel. We show that RWVs produce highly functional liver organoids in part by eliminating the need for Matrigel, which has adverse effects on hepatic lineage differentiation. RWV liver organoids sustain durable function over long-term culture and express a range of mature functional genes at levels comparable to adult human liver, while retaining some fetal features. Our results indicate that RWVs provide a simple and high-throughput way to generate Matrigel-free liver organoids suitable for research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Weng
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Simon Han
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Maria T Sekyi
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Tao Su
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Aras N Mattis
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Tammy T Chang
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Muñoz A, Theusch E, Kuang YL, Nalula G, Peaslee C, Dorlhiac G, Landry MP, Streets A, Krauss RM, Iribarren C, Mattis AN, Medina MW. Undifferentiated Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells as a Genetic Model for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:1174-1176.e6. [PMID: 35863744 PMCID: PMC9608362 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Muñoz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Elizabeth Theusch
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Yu-Lin Kuang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Gilbert Nalula
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Caitlin Peaslee
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Gabriel Dorlhiac
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Markita P Landry
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California
| | - Aaron Streets
- Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California; Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, California; Department of Bioengineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Ronald M Krauss
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Aras N Mattis
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Liver Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| | - Marisa W Medina
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
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Mennen RH, Oldenburger MM, Piersma AH. Endoderm and mesoderm derivatives in embryonic stem cell differentiation and their use in developmental toxicity testing. Reprod Toxicol 2021; 107:44-59. [PMID: 34861400 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cell differentiation models have increasingly been applied in non-animal test systems for developmental toxicity. After the initial focus on cardiac differentiation, attention has also included an array of neuro-ectodermal differentiation routes. Alternative differentiation routes in the mesodermal and endodermal germ lines have received less attention. This review provides an inventory of achievements in the latter areas of embryonic stem cell differentiation, with a view to possibilities for their use in non-animal test systems in developmental toxicology. This includes murine and human stem cell differentiation models, and also gains information from the field of stem cell use in regenerative medicine. Endodermal stem cell derivatives produced in vitro include hepatocytes, pancreatic cells, lung epithelium, and intestinal epithelium, and mesodermal derivatives include cardiac muscle, osteogenic, vascular and hemopoietic cells. This inventory provides an overview of studies on the different cell types together with biomarkers and culture conditions that stimulate these differentiation routes from embryonic stem cells. These models may be used to expand the spectrum of embryonic stem cell based new approach methodologies in non-animal developmental toxicity testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Mennen
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | | | - A H Piersma
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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