Disclosed are methods of differentiating stem cells in order to obtain hepatocyte-like cells, the method comprising the steps of a) subjecting definitive endoderm to at least one epigenetic modulator to obtain hepatoblasts and b) subjecting the hepatoblasts to at least one stem cell differentiation pathway inhibitor to obtain hepatocyte-like cells; wherein steps a) and b) do not comprise the use of a growth factor. In one preferred embodiment, the epigenetic modulator may be sodium butyrate and/or DMSO and the stem cell differentiation pathway inhibitor may be SB431542 and/or DMSO. Also disclosed are hepatocyte-like cells obtained from the method and uses of these cells such as drug screening.
本发明公开了分化干细胞以获得肝细胞样细胞的方法,该方法包括以下步骤:a)将确定的内胚层置于至少一种表观遗传调节剂中以获得肝母细胞;b)将肝母细胞置于至少一种干细胞分化途径
抑制剂中以获得肝细胞样细胞;其中步骤a)和b)不包括使用生长因子。在一个优选的实施方案中,表观遗传调节剂可以是
丁酸钠和/或
二甲基亚砜,干细胞分化途径
抑制剂可以是SB431542和/或
二甲基亚砜。还公开了从该方法中获得的肝细胞样细胞以及这些细胞的用途,如药物筛选。