Study on differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells into hepatocyte-functional cells induced by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the functional role of mur in e hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in inducing in vitro the mouse embryonic st em cells (ESC) to differentiate unidirectionally into hepatocyte. Method s Both spontaneous and HGF induced differentiations of the primordial c ell elusters formed by suspended culture in vitro of ESC were daily observed with microscope for 5-7 days. After 4 weeks of culture, the cells were stained with HE and glycogen staining, their morphology were observed, The synthesis of urea nitrogen and triglycerides in the culture medium, the expression of myocard ial MHC, albumin, AFP and CK18, and the indocyanine green (ICG) staining were a lso detected. Results It was hard to control the spontaneous di fferentiation of ESC. HGF could promote the differentiation of ESC into endoderm , and more likely into myocardium. HGF could also induce the expression o f albumin, AFP and CK18, and positive staining of ICG and FDA. Conclusio ns HGF may induce the differentiation of ESC into hepatocyte, but the f unctional role is limited. It implies that a comprehensive effort of multiple fa ctors might be needed in inducing the hepatocyte differentiation.