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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

An Efficient Method for Directed Hepatocyte-Like Cell Induction from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
08:05

An Efficient Method for Directed Hepatocyte-Like Cell Induction from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Published on: May 6, 2021

An FGF response pathway that mediates hepatic gene induction in embryonic endoderm cells

Amélie Calmont1, Ewa Wandzioch, Kimberly D Tremblay

  • 1Cell and Developmental Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA.

Developmental Cell
|September 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) signaling, via the MAPK pathway, induces hepatic gene expression and stabilizes developing liver cells. Separate pathways control tissue specification and growth, offering insights for regenerative medicine.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Signaling
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Mesodermal signals influence endoderm development, but intracellular response pathways remain unclear.
  • Understanding endoderm cell specification is crucial for developmental biology and regenerative medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate intracellular signaling networks controlling endoderm cell specification.
  • To investigate the roles of FGF and PI3K pathways in hepatogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized signaling inhibitors on embryo tissue explants and whole-embryo cultures.
  • Employed genetic approaches to identify key signaling components.
  • Analyzed gene expression and tissue growth in response to pathway modulation.

Main Results:

  • Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) signaling activates the MAPK pathway, inducing hepatic genes and stabilizing nascent hepatic cells.
  • The PI3K pathway is activated in foregut endoderm but is dispensable for hepatic gene induction, though critical for tissue growth.
  • FGF/MAPK and PI3K pathways operate independently during early hepatogenesis, without cross-regulation.

Conclusions:

  • Separate intracellular pathways govern endoderm tissue specification and growth.
  • Findings provide a foundation for guiding cellular regeneration and stem cell differentiation in liver development.

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