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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
An Efficient Method for Directed Hepatocyte-Like Cell Induction from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Published on: May 6, 2021
Differentiation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocytes in vitro
Guan Zheng1, Yang Liu1, Qian Jing1
1Biomedical Research Center, First People's Hospital of Kunming (Affiliated Calmette Hospital of Kunming Medical University), Yunnan, China.
Objective:
The stem cell based therapy is a potential alternative to liver transplantation. The aim of the study is to investigate the hepatocytic differentiation ability of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) in vitro.
Methods:
The HUC-MSCs were isolated from Wharton's jelly of human umbilical cord. The cells were identified by assessing the stem cell markers. The HUC-MSCs were characterized by multipotency of differentiation. We modified the hepatogenic differentiation protocol and examine the function of differentiated cell by Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) uptake. The protein expressions of Total protein (TP), Albumin (ALB), Globulin (GLB), Urea (BUN) and α-fetoprotein (AFP) were also detected.
Results:
The cells of the hepatogenic differentiation group showed the function of hepatocyte. Protein expressions of TP, ALB, GLB BUN and AFP improve that the HUC-MSCs are able to different into the functional hepatogenic-like cell.
Conclusion:
The above founding indicated that the HUC-MSCs are able to different into the functional hepatogenic-like cell by present method.
