The present invention relates to directed differentiation and maturation of hepatocyte-like cells. In particular, the present invention relates to exposure of hepatocyte-like cells to an activator of a retinoic acid responsive receptor, such as retinoic acid (RA), optionally in combination with an inhibitor of GSK-3 (Glycogen synthase kinase 3) or activator of Wnt signalling and/or with the overlay of the cells with one or more components characteristic of the mammalian extracellular matrix (matrix overlay). The present invention also relates to exposure of hepatocyte-like cells to an activator of a retinoic acid responsive receptor, such as retinoic acid (RA), optionally in combination with an inhibitor of a cycline dependent kinase (CDK) and/or with the overlay of the cells with one or more components characteristic of the mammalian extracellular matrix (matrix overlay). The hepatocyte-like cells obtained in accordance with the present invention show a phenotype which is more similar to that of primary hepatocytes than previously shown.
本发明涉及肝细胞样细胞的定向分化和成熟。特别是,本发明涉及将肝细胞样细胞暴露于
视黄酸反应受体的激活剂,如
视黄酸(RA),可选择与 GSK-3(
糖原合酶激酶 3)
抑制剂或 Wnt 信号激活剂结合使用,和/或将细胞与哺乳动物细胞外基质的一种或多种特征成分(基质覆盖)结合使用。本发明还涉及将肝细胞样细胞暴露于
视黄酸反应受体的激活剂,如
视黄酸(RA),可选择与细胞周期依赖性激酶(CDK)
抑制剂结合使用,和/或将细胞与哺乳动物细胞外基质的一种或多种特征成分覆盖(基质覆盖)。根据本发明获得的肝细胞样细胞显示出的表型比以前显示的更类似于原代肝细胞的表型。