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Hepatic esterase activity is increased in hepatocyte-like cells derived from human embryonic stem cells using a 3D culture system

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Abstract

Objectives

The aim of the study is to generate a spherical three-dimensional (3D) aggregate of hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) differentiated from human embryonic stem cells and to investigate the effect of the 3D environment on hepatic maturation and drug metabolism.

Results

Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that gene expression of mature hepatocyte markers, drug-metabolizing enzymes, and hepatic transporters was significantly higher in HLCs cultured in the 3D system than in those cultured in a two-dimensional system (p < 0.001). Moreover, hepatocyte-specific functions, including albumin secretion and bile canaliculi formation, were increased in HLCs cultured in the 3D system. In particular, 3D spheroidal culture increased expression of CES1 and BCHE, which encode hepatic esterases (p < 0.001). The enhanced activities of these hepatic esterases were confirmed by the cholinesterase activity assay and the increased susceptibility of HLCs to oseltamivir, which is metabolized by CES1.

Conclusions

3D spheroidal culture enhances the maturation and drug metabolism of stem cell-derived HLCs, and this may help to optimize hepatic differentiation protocols for hepatotoxicity testing.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the CHA Stem Cell Institute (CHA University, Korea) for providing the CHA-hES15 cell line. This work was funded by the Basic Science Research Program through National Research Foundation (NRF) funding from the Ministry of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea (No. NRF-2017R1C1B2010444).

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Correspondence to Han-Jin Park.

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Choi, YJ., Kim, H., Kim, JW. et al. Hepatic esterase activity is increased in hepatocyte-like cells derived from human embryonic stem cells using a 3D culture system. Biotechnol Lett 40, 755–763 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-018-2528-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-018-2528-1

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