3D spheroid culture of hESC/hiPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells for drug toxicity testing

K Takayama, K Kawabata, Y Nagamoto, K Kishimoto… - Biomaterials, 2013 - Elsevier
K Takayama, K Kawabata, Y Nagamoto, K Kishimoto, K Tashiro, F Sakurai, M Tachibana…
Biomaterials, 2013Elsevier
Although it is expected that hepatocyte-like cells differentiated from human embryonic stem
(ES) cells or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells will be utilized in drug toxicity testing, the
actual applicability of hepatocyte-like cells in this context has not been well examined so far.
To generate mature hepatocyte-like cells that would be applicable for drug toxicity testing,
we established a hepatocyte differentiation method that employs not only stage-specific
transient overexpression of hepatocyte-related transcription factors but also a three …
Although it is expected that hepatocyte-like cells differentiated from human embryonic stem (ES) cells or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells will be utilized in drug toxicity testing, the actual applicability of hepatocyte-like cells in this context has not been well examined so far. To generate mature hepatocyte-like cells that would be applicable for drug toxicity testing, we established a hepatocyte differentiation method that employs not only stage-specific transient overexpression of hepatocyte-related transcription factors but also a three-dimensional spheroid culture system using a Nanopillar Plate. We succeeded in establishing protocol that could generate more matured hepatocyte-like cells than our previous protocol. In addition, our hepatocyte-like cells could sensitively predict drug-induced hepatotoxicity, including reactive metabolite-mediated toxicity. In conclusion, our hepatocyte-like cells differentiated from human ES cells or iPS cells have potential to be applied in drug toxicity testing.
Elsevier