Possibility of Undifferentiated Human Thigh Adipose Stem Cells Differentiating into Functional Hepatocytes

Background This study aimed to investigate the possibility of isolating mesenchymal stemcells (MSCs) from human thigh adipose tissue and the ability of human thigh adipose stemcells (HTASCs) to differentiate into hepatocytes.Methods The adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were isolated from thigh adipose tissue.Growth factors, cytokines, and hormones were added to the collagen coated dishes to inducethe undifferentiated HTASCs to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. To confirm theexperimental results, the expression of hepatocyte-specific markers on undifferentiated anddifferentiated HTASCs was analyzed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reactionand immunocytochemical staining. Differentiation efficiency was evaluated using functionaltests such as periodic acid schiff (PAS) staining and detection of the albumin secretion levelusing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The majority of the undifferentiated HTASCs were changed into a more polygonalshape showing tight interactions between the cells. The differentiated HTASCs up-regulatedmRNA of hepatocyte markers. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that they were intenselystained with anti-albumin antibody compared with undifferentiated HTASCs. PAS stainingshowed that HTASCs submitted to the hepatocyte differentiation protocol were able to morespecifically store glycogen than undifferentiated HTASCs, displaying a purple color in thecytoplasm of the differentiated HTASCs. ELISA analyses showed that differentiated HTASCscould secrete albumin, which is one of the hepatocyte markers.Conclusions MSCs were islolated from human thigh adipose tissue differentiate toheapatocytes. The source of ADSCs is not only abundant abdominal adipose tissue, but alsothigh adipose tissue for cell therapy in liver regeneration and tissue regeneration.