METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR PRODUCING HEPATOCYTE-LIKE CELLS

摘要

Methods are provided for producing a population of hepatocyte-like cells (iHeps) from a population of adipocyte-derived stem cells (ASCs). Aspects of the methods include placing a population of ASCs into a three dimensional culture (e.g., hanging drop suspension culture, high density culture, spinner flask culture, microcarrier culture, etc.), and contacting the cells with a first and second culture medium. Also provided are methods of treating an individual, which include producing a population of iHeps from a population of ASCs, and administering an effective number of iHeps into the individual. Kits for practicing the methods are also described herein.

主权项

1. A method of producing a population of hepatocyte-like cells from a population of adipocyte-derived stem cells (ASCs), the method comprising:
(a) placing a population of ASCs into a three dimensional culture for a period of time sufficient to produce an ASC-derived cellular aggregate; (b) contacting cells of the ASC-derived cellular aggregate with a first culture medium comprising Activin A and a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to produce a precursor cell population; and (c) contacting cells of the precursor cell population with a second culture medium comprising hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) to produce an induced cell population that comprises induced hepatocyte-like cells (iHeps), wherein the total time elapsed from beginning step (a) to the production of an induced cell population in step (c) is less than 13 days.