Chemical Induction of Human Adipose Stromal Cells Into Hepatocyte-Like Cells under Various Differentiation Conditions

Background: A shortage of donor livers for transplant has led to an increased interest in cell therapeutics as an alternative to whole organ transplant to treat end-stage liver disease. Primary human hepatocytes have been used in cell-based therapies. However, hepatocytes do not proliferate in vitro so it is challenging to grow enough cells for a successful transplant. Many have suggested using hepatocyte-like Adipose-derived mesenchymal Stromal/ stem Cells (ASCs) differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells as a substitute. Here we evaluate how closely these cells resemble primary hepatocyte cell morphology and function.