Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026
12:40
Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Hepatocyte-like Cells for Drug Discovery
Published on: May 19, 2018
10.7K
Noncoding RNA Transcripts during Differentiation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Hepatocytes
Aniela Skrzypczyk1, Stephanie Kehr2, Ilona Krystel1
1Applied Stem Cell Biology and Cell Technology, Biomedical and Biotechnological Center, Leipzig University, Deutscher Platz 5, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Stem Cells International
|September 14, 2018
Summary
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can generate hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs), but maturation remains challenging. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in HLCs inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), potentially blocking full hepatocyte development.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Hepatocyte differentiation
- Noncoding RNA regulation
Background:
- Advances in stem cell technology enable in vitro tissue generation.
- Hepatic differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is complex, yielding fetal-like hepatocytes.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of cellular differentiation processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze noncoding RNA profiles during late-stage hepatic differentiation.
- To compare these profiles with mature hepatocytes.
- To understand the role of noncoding RNAs in hepatocyte maturation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of noncoding RNA expression profiles at the terminal stages of iPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cell (HLC) differentiation.
- Comparative analysis between HLCs and primary human hepatocytes.
- Identification of differentially expressed small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and novel noncoding RNA (ncRNA) genes.
Main Results:
- Hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) retain an epithelial phenotype.
- Specific miRNAs are expressed in HLCs that inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a key process in maturation.
- Differential expression of snoRNAs and discovery of novel ncRNA genes were observed.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs play a role in hindering complete hepatocyte maturation from iPSCs by inhibiting EMT.
- The study identified novel noncoding RNAs and differentially expressed snoRNAs relevant to hepatic differentiation.
- Understanding these ncRNA profiles could inform strategies for improving in vitro hepatocyte generation.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
28.1K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore...
28.1K
01:06Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
5.6K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
Somatic...
5.6K
02:16Transcription Factors
82.8K
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
82.8K
00:58Embryonic Stem Cells
32.5K
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
32.5K
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
7.8K
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
7.8K
01:10Transcription
156.7K
Overview
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
156.7K