BMP-4 induced proliferation and oriented differentiation of rat hepatic oval cells into hepatocytes

Zhi-Ming Wang; Xiao-Hua Yuan; Hong Shen

doi:10.1016/S1995-7645(14)60353-9

BMP-4 induced proliferation and oriented differentiation of rat hepatic oval cells into hepatocytes

Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2015 May;8(5):412-6. doi: 10.1016/S1995-7645(14)60353-9.

Authors

Zhi-Ming Wang¹, Xiao-Hua Yuan¹, Hong Shen²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
² Institute of Medical Science, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. Electronic address: shenhongCS@163.com.

PMID: 26003603
DOI: 10.1016/S1995-7645(14)60353-9

Abstract

Objective: To explore the role of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) in hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs).

Methods: The effect of BMP-4 on rat hepatic oval cells was examined by using the WB-F344 rat hepatocytic epithelial stem-cell-like cell line. This hepatocytic cell line could exert various hepatocyte functions including the secretion of albumin and urea. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the effects of BMP-4 and its antagonist, Noggin, on the proliferation and differentiation of these cells, cellular uptake and excretion of indocyanine green, the periodic acid-schiff (PAS) assay for glycogen storage and the expression of hepatic markers.

Results: Our results showed for the first time that BMP-4 may acted as a potential inducer of hepatic differentiation in rat hepatic oval cells.

Conclusions: This cell source offers a much-needed attractive and expandable source for future investigations of drug screening, stem cell technologies and cellular transplantation, in a society with increasing levels of liver disease and damage.

Keywords: Bone morphogenetic protein-4; Differentiation; Hepatic progenitor cells; Proliferation; Transforming growth factor-β.