HGF induces human and rat bone marrow stem cells to transdifferentiate into hepatocyteª²like cells in vitroMA Jun,GUO Min,DUAN Fangª²Ling,LI Wenª²Xi,TANG Fuª²Ai,CHENG Xiangª²Pu

    Institute of Digestive Diseases,Second Affiliated Hospital,Zhengzhou University,Zhengzhou 450014,China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM£º To investigate the possibility that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induces human and rat bone marrow stem cells to transdifferentiate into hepatocyteª²like cells in vitro.METHODS£º Bone marrow mononuclear cells from SD rat were grouped as C1 with IMDM/F12 culture medium only and H1 with IMDM/F12+HGF (HGF 20 ¦Ìg/L).Bone marrow mononuclear cells from healthy humans were grouped as C2 with IMDM/F12 culture medium only and H2 with IMDM/F12+HGF (HGF 20 ¦Ìg/L).Cells after cultured for 10 and 20 days were collected to detect the expression of (Alpha fetal protein) AFP and albumin using immunohistochemistry and Western Blotting.RESULTS£º After the bone marrow cells were cultured for 10 and 20 days,the expression of AFP was induced in group H1 and H2 but not in group C1 and C2.Increased albumin expression was found in H1 and H2 group after 10 and 20 days culture compared with the little albumin positive staining in the freshly prepared human and rat bone marrow mononuclear cells.CONCLUSION£º HGF induces human and rat bone marrow cells to transdifferentiate into hepatocyteª²like cells. ......