Regulating Factors for Hepatocyte Differentiation from Stem Cells

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotenent cells having the capacity to differentiate into cellular derivatives of the three germ layers. The ES cells are able to be used to study the effects of extrinsic factors on the differentiation of ES cells. The purpose of this study is to increase the efficiency of hepatocytes differentiation from mouse ES cells and to investigate the factors affecting hepatocytes differentiation. This study focused on the factors including physical contact, soluble factors, cells density and differentiation inducing stages. Hepatocytes differentiation of mouse ES cells was affected by the type of co-cultured cells. H9C2 cells were more effective than MEF. The lower ES cells density on the plate are more effective then high ES cells density to induce the differentiation of hepatocytes. The formation of embryoid body (EB) increased the efficiency of hepatocytes differentiation of ES cells. The type of culture medium did not affect the efficiency of hepatocytes differentiation in the co-culture system. Taken together, co-culture of EB with H9C2 feeder cells was more efficient hepatocytes differentiation system of mouse ES cells. Therefore we conclude that the factor of physical contact has an important role in inducing hepatocytes differentiation from mouse ES cells.