Sequential Hepatogenic Transdifferentiation of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells: Relevance of Different Extracellular Signaling Molecules, Transcription Factors Involved, and Expression of New Key Marker Genes

Adipose tissue contains a mesenchymal stein cell (MSC) population Known as adipose-derived stein cells (ASCs) capable of differentiating into different cell types. Our aim was to induce hepatic transdifferentiation of ASCs by sequential exposure to several combinations of cytokines, growth factors, and hormones. The most efficient hepatogenic protocol includes fibroblastic growth factors (FGF) 2 and 4 and epidermal growth factor (EGF) (step 1), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), FGF2, FGF4, and nicotinamide (Nic) (step 2), and oncostatin M (OSM), dexamethasone (Dex), and insulin-tranferrin-selenium (step 3). This protocol activated transcription factors [GATA6, Hex, CCAAT/enhancer binding prot…

Role of oxidative stress in hepatocyte mitosis

Functional characterization of hepatocytes for cell transplantation: customized cell preparation for each receptor.

The first indication of hepatocyte transplantation is inborn liver-based metabolic disorders. Among these, urea cycle disorders leading to the impairment to detoxify ammonia and Crigler-Najjar Syndrome type I, a deficiency in the hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 present the highest incidence. Metabolically qualified human hepatocytes are required for clinical infusion. We proposed fast and sensitive procedures to determine their suitability for transplantation. For this purpose, viability, attachment efficiency, and metabolic functionality (ureogenic capability, cytochrome P450, and phase II activities) are assayed prior to clinical cell infusion to determine the quality of hepatocyt…

Células madre del tejido adiposo: plasticidad hepática

Resumen Actualmente el unico tratamiento efectivo para las enfermedades hepaticas en estadio terminal es el trasplante de higado. El numero de pacientes en lista de espera aumenta considerablemente cada ano, dando lugar a una mayor desproporcion entre la oferta y la demanda de un higado sano. El conocimiento y el posible uso de las celulas madre ha despertado un gran interes en el campo de la hepatologia, haciendo de ellas una de las alternativas mas prometedoras a corto plazo. La terapia celular hepatica permitiria suplir al higado de celulas sanas capaces de llevar a cabo las funciones que las celulas danadas no son capaces de desarrollar. Observaciones recientes han puesto de manifiesto …

p38α deficiency and oxidative stress cause cytokinesis failure in hepatocytes.

Cytokinesis is the last step in mitosis and it implies re-organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Its failure is one of the major mechanisms of polyploidy and binucleation in mammals. Our aims were 1) to assess the role of redox-sensitive p38α MAPK in cytokinesis by studying the liver of wild type mice or liver-specific p38α knock-out mice; 2) to assess the role of oxidative stress associated with hepatocyte isolation on cytokinesis. When p38α was down-regulated in hepatocytes, MK2 phosphorylation on threonine 334 was completely abrogated. Activation of MNK-1, required for abscission of the intercellular bridge, was diminished. Key proteins of the RhoA pathway (phospho-PRK2, nuclear phospho…

Human Hepatocyte Transplantation in Patients with Hepatic Failure Awaiting a Graft

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Hepatocyte transplantation (HT) has the potential to become a promising treatment to temporarily support liver function in patients with liver failure. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Two patients, who had already received a liver transplant (LT) in the past, with an end-stage liver disease due to recurrent hepatitis C virus cirrhosis, suffering acute-on-chronic liver failure while on the waiting list for an LT, received HT as a bridge to whole-organ retransplantation. After HT and during intensive care unit admission, blood tests and ammonia levels were determined every 12 and 24 h, respectively, before and after each hepatoc…

Oxidative stress triggers cytokinesis failure in hepatocytes upon isolation

Primary hepatocytes are highly differentiated cells and proliferatively quiescent. However, the stress produced during liver digestion seems to activate cell cycle entry by proliferative/dedifferentiation programs that still remain unclear. The aim of this work was to assess whether the oxidative stress associated with hepatocyte isolation affects cell cycle and particularly cytokinesis, the final step of mitosis. Hepatocytes were isolated from C57BL/6 mice by collagenase perfusion in the absence and presence of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Polyploidy, cell cycle, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were studied by flow cytometry (DNA, phospho-histone 3, and CellROX(®) Deep Red) and Western blott…