Although the DNA structure of the liver cell (hepatocyte) is known, the function and regulation principles are not. The researchers pooled genes in parcels of real liver cells, stem cells and six different hepatcyte-like cells which they had cultured from stem cells. They compared these packets in a mathematical model.

It was found that the hepatocyte-like cells were very similar to real liver cells with regard to certain bundles of genes responsible for the formation of proteins in the liver. However, with regard to other groups of genes the hepatocyte-like cells were more like intestinal cells - at least regarding their function. In addition, the analysis showed which mechanisms and genes are responsibl for the formation of different cell types.

With these findings the researchers can determine exactly how far the cultured cells are removed from the stem cells, and, whether the cells are on the right track and, what gene bundles needs to be further developed to corenspond a real liver cell.

The results are also so important because hepatocyte-like cells are already used in tests of drug or toxic substances. Now researchers can better assess how reliable such kind of results are.

Original publication:
Godoy, P., Schmidt-tail, W., Natarajan, K., Lucendo-Villarin, B., Szkolnicka, D., Asplund, A., Bjorquist, P., Widera, A., Flushing, R., Campos , G.,
Hammad, S., Sachinidis, A., dam, G., White, TS, Nussler, A., Synnergren, J., Edlund, K., Küppers-Munther, B., Hay, D., Hengstler, JG ( 2015): Gene networks and transcription factor motifs Defining the differentiation of stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells, Journal of Hepatology.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2015.05.013

Source:
http://www.ifado.de/_8690_Blaupause_fuer_die_Stammzelldifferenzierung_von_Leberzellen/index.html