Abstract
Clones of hepatocyte-like cells were reproducibly generated from human mesenchymal stem cells immortalized with a combined transduction of both Bmi-1 and TERT genes. These hepatocyte-like cells contained selective markers and several functional properties of hepatocytes, yet still carried proliferative potential. These cells had cuboidal morphology and arranged themselves as cord-like structure in culture. The cloned cells deposited glycogen and actively synthesized albumin. The basal expressions of CYP450 isozymes was observed, albeit only 10-20% that of primary hepatocytes. These expressions were promptly increased upon the addition of rifampicin, a known enzyme inducer. These hepatocyte-like cells may serve as a close alternative to the use of primary hepatocytes for in vitro studies.
MeSH terms
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Cell Culture Techniques / methods*
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Cell Differentiation / physiology*
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Cell Proliferation
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Cell Separation / methods
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Cell Shape / physiology
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Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism
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Enzyme Induction / physiology
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Fluorescent Antibody Technique
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Hepatocytes / cytology*
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Humans
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Isoenzymes / metabolism
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Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
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Nuclear Proteins / genetics
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Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
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Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Repressor Proteins / genetics
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Repressor Proteins / metabolism
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Telomerase / genetics
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Telomerase / metabolism
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Transduction, Genetic
Substances
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BMI1 protein, human
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Isoenzymes
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Nuclear Proteins
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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Repressor Proteins
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Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
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Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
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TERT protein, human
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Telomerase