Generation of functional ciliated cholangiocytes from human pluripotent stem cells

Mina Ogawa, Jia Xin Jiang, Sunny Xia, Donghe Yang, Avrilynn Ding, Onofrio Laselva, Marcela Hernandez, Changyi Cui, Yuichiro Higuchi, Hiroshi Suemizu, Craig Dorrell, Markus Grompe, Christine E. Bear, Shinichiro Ogawa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The derivation of mature functional cholangiocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provides a model for studying the pathogenesis of cholangiopathies and for developing therapies to treat them. Current differentiation protocols are not efficient and give rise to cholangiocytes that are not fully mature, limiting their therapeutic applications. Here, we generate functional hPSC-derived cholangiocytes that display many characteristics of mature bile duct cells including high levels of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and the presence of primary cilia capable of sensing flow. With this level of maturation, these cholangiocytes are amenable for testing the efficacy of cystic fibrosis drugs and for studying the role of cilia in cholangiocyte development and function. Transplantation studies show that the mature cholangiocytes generate ductal structures in the liver of immunocompromised mice indicating that it may be possible to develop cell-based therapies to restore bile duct function in patients with biliary disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number6504
JournalNature communications
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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