Role of connexin 32 in the directional differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into hepatocytes

Xu, Yan; Wang, Yufeng; Qi, Ran; Li, Kun; Wang, Xiuyan; Li, Xinbo; Shi, Baomin

doi:10.7150/ijms.83973

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Int J Med Sci 2024; 21(3):508-518. doi:10.7150/ijms.83973 This issue Cite

Research Paper

Role of connexin 32 in the directional differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into hepatocytes

Yan Xu^1,*, Yufeng Wang^1,*, Ran Qi¹, Kun Li¹, Xiuyan Wang^2,✉, Xinbo Li^3,✉, Baomin Shi^1,4,✉

1. Department of General Surgery, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200065, China.
2. Department of Ultrasonography, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200065, China.
3. Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, 97239, USA.
4. Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, School of medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 200025, China.
^* Co-first Author: These authors contributed equally to this work.

Citation:

Xu Y, Wang Y, Qi R, Li K, Wang X, Li X, Shi B. Role of connexin 32 in the directional differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into hepatocytes. Int J Med Sci 2024; 21(3):508-518. doi:10.7150/ijms.83973. https://www.medsci.org/v21p0508.htm

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Abstract

This study aimed to explore the role of connexin 32 (Cx32) in the directional differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into hepatocytes. Urine-derived epithelial cells were collected from the fresh urine of a healthy donor and transducted with reprogramming plasmid mixture to generate iPSCs. The iPSCs were then directionally differentiated into hepatocytes. During the differentiation, the upregulated and downregulated groups were treated with vitamin K2 (VK2) and 2-aminoethoxyboronate diphenylester (2-APB) to increase and inhibit Cx32 expression, respectively. The control group was not treated with the regulatory factor. Expression of Cx32 and hepatocyte-specific markers, including AFP, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF-4α), albumin (ALB) and cytokeratin 18 (CK18) were detected. It indicated that Cx32 expression was not observed in iPSCs, but gradually increased during the process of hepatic differentiation from iPSCs. Upregulation of Cx32 expression by VK2 treatment promoted hepatocyte maturation and enhanced the expression of the aforementioned hepatic specific markers, whereas downregulation of Cx32 expression by 2-APB treatment had the opposite effects. In conclusion, urine-derived iPSCs could be directionally differentiated into hepatocytes. Up-regulation of Cx32 improves the efficiency and maturity of differentiation of iPSCs into hepatocytes, and Cx32 may be a promoting factor during the process of hepatic differentiation from iPSCs.

Keywords: Connexin32, induced pluripotent stem cells, hepatocyte differentiation, urine-derived epithelial cell, regulatory factor

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APA

Xu, Y., Wang, Y., Qi, R., Li, K., Wang, X., Li, X., Shi, B. (2024). Role of connexin 32 in the directional differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into hepatocytes. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 21(3), 508-518. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.83973.

ACS

Xu, Y.; Wang, Y.; Qi, R.; Li, K.; Wang, X.; Li, X.; Shi, B. Role of connexin 32 in the directional differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into hepatocytes. Int. J. Med. Sci. 2024, 21 (3), 508-518. DOI: 10.7150/ijms.83973.

NLM

CSE

Xu Y, Wang Y, Qi R, Li K, Wang X, Li X, Shi B. 2024. Role of connexin 32 in the directional differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells into hepatocytes. Int J Med Sci. 21(3):508-518.

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