Effect On The Differentiation Of Mouse Hepatic Progenitor Cells Induced By Direct And Indirect Coculture With MEFs

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of mouse embryonic fibroblasts(MEFs)direct contact co-cultured and Transwell co-cultured with mouse hepatic progenitor cells(mHPCs)methods on the differentiation of mHPCs.MethodsIsolation of DLK1+ cells from E14.5 mouse fetal liver based on the cell surface antigen delta-like protein 1/preadipocyte factor 1(Dlk/Pref-1)by using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter(FACS).Then direct contact co-cultured or transwell co-cultured DLK1+ cells with mouse embryonic fibroblasts(MEFs)in serum-free medium.ResultsAfter 6 days,ALB and CK19 expression in mHPCs were examined by immunocytochemical method.After co-cultured 6 days,the DLK1+ cells expressed ALB and not expression of CK19 in direct contact co-cultured group,suggesting it differentiation into hepatocytes.However,in transwell co-cultured group,the DLK1+cells expressed CK19 and not expression ofALB,suggesting it differentiation into chlangiocytes.ConclusionThese results suggest mHPCs direct contact co-cultured with MEFs promote it differentiation into hepatocytes.However,mHPCs Transwell co-cultured with MEFs promote it differentiation into chlangiocytes.