From a therapeutic perspective on liver, the use of embryonic stem (ES) technology in the generation of a large number of
high-functional hepatocytes developed from ES cells for cell transplantation is anticipated. We have explored a three-dimensional
culture system in which hepatocytes differentiated from mouse ES cells by transfection with the hepatocyte nuclear factor-3β
possess high metabolic functions that can be maintained long term.
Key Words Albumin – chitin – complement C3 – differentiation – ES cells – glycogen – hepatocytes – HNF-3β – P450 – PEPCK – PXMP1-L – three-dimensional culture – transfection – triacyglycerol – urea