Generation of functional ciliated cholangiocytes from human pluripotent stem cells

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26764-0
• Publication Date: 2021-11-11T11:05:53Z
• Authors: 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
• Keywords: Pluripotent Stem Cells; 0301 basic medicine; Science; Q; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; 610; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; Cell Differentiation; Epithelial Cells; Bile Duct Diseases; Article; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Humans; Developmental Biology

AbstractThe 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.