137P In vitro differentiation of human umbilical vein mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells

Abstract

Human umbilical vein, as a readily available source of stem cells, is one of the good alternative source for mesenchymal stem cells. Human umbilical cord vein mesenchymal stem cells (UVMSCs) have been recently isolated and demonstrated the ability to differentiate into various cell types such as fat, bone, cartilage and neuronal cells. In this study, we have investigated whether human UVMSC are also able to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. Hepatic differentiation was done with a 2-step protocol and with the use of hepatocyte growth factor and oncostatin M. The cells were cultured with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and oncostatin M (OSM). During 4 weeks of induction most of the cells displayed a cuboidal morphology. Immunological analysis indicated that UVMSCs-derived hepatocyte-like cells expressed liver-specific protein markers such as albumin (ALB) and cytokeratin-18 (CK-18). The hepatocyte-like cells also displayed several characteristics of hepatocytes, including expression of transthyretin, glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P), cytokeratin-8,18 (CK-8,18), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), hepatocyte nuclear factor-3β (AFP) and ALB. The result of indocyanine green (ICG) cell uptake as a test substance to evaluate hepatocyte-like cells function was positive for differentiated cells. Glycogen storage was examined by periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) staining and accumulation of intracellular glycogen were detected in hepatocyte-like cells. Based on these observations it can be concluded that UVMSCs encompass suitable hepatogenic potential which may provide a source of stem cells for cell therapy in liver diseases.