Lab of Stem Cells

Generation of small molecules

derived hepatic stem cells
Human primary hepatocytes were reprogrammed
towards hepatic progenitor
cells by a combined treatment with 2
small molecules, A83-01 and CHIR99021,
and HGF. Chemically derived hepatic progenitors
exhibited a high proliferation
potential and the ability to differentiate
into hepatocytes and biliary epithelial
cells both in vitro and in vivo. This
approach enables the generation of
patient-specific hepatic progenitors and
provides a platform for personal and stem
cell-based regenerative medicine.

Skeletal Muscle

Regeneration

Pharmacological inhibition of myostatin/TGFb receptor/pSmad3

signaling rescues muscle

regnerative responses in mouse

model of type 1 diabetes.

Skeletal Muscle

Atrophy

Fbxw7b is an inducing mediator of dexamethasone-induced

skeletal muscle atrophy

in vivo with the axis of

Fbxw7b-myogenin-atrogenes.

Skeletal muscle

Dystrophy

Patient-tailored application

for Duchene muscular dystrophy

on mdx mice based induced

mesenchymal stem cells

3D bio-printing

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology is a promising new technology in the field

of bioartificial organ generation with regard to overcoming the limitations of organ supply.

Isolated primary hepatocytes from the liver are very similar to in vivo native liver
hepatocytes, but they have the disadvantage of a limited lifespan in 2D culture. Although a sandwich
culture and 3D organoids with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as an attractive assistant cell source
to extend lifespan can be used, it cannot fully reproduce the in vivo architecture. Moreover, longterm
3D culture leads to cell death because of hypoxic stress. Therefore, to overcome the drawback
of 2D and 3D organoids, we try to use a 3D printing technique using alginate hydrogels with primary
hepatocytes and MSCs.

Hepatocytes differentiation from hiPSCs

Pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into many cell types including mature hepatocytes, and can be used in the development of new drugs, treatment of diseases,

and in basic research. Producing hepatocytes using stem cells helps to avoid the need to purify primary hepatocytes from donor livers.

We propose to generate HLCs from patients and normal individuals with the protocols.

We have developed and examined their behavior when transplanted into a mouse liver damaged model.