Gene expression profiles in human liver organoid-derived hepatocytes

Human liver organoids are expected to be a hepatocyte source for preclinical in vitro studies. Although these organoids show long-term proliferation, their hepatic functions remain low. Here, we propose a novel method for two dimensional (2D)-cultured hepatic differentiation from human liver organoids. When cultured under a 2D condition, the single cells from human liver organoids were seeded on collagen type I-coated plates. Then, optimal conditions for hepatic differentiation were screened using several reagents. We determined the 2D-cultured hepatocyte differentiation method from human liver organoids. Hepatic gene expressions in human liver organoids-derived hepatocytes (Org-HEPs) were greatly increased, compared to those in human liver organoids. The metabolic activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2E1 and CYP3A4 were at levels comparable to those in primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). These results suggested that human liver organoids could be differentiated into highly functional hepatocytes in 2D culture. We also treated Org-HEPs and PHHs with hepatotoxic drugs. The cell viability of Org-HEPs was almost the same as that of PHHs, suggesting that Org-HEPs could be used for hepatotoxicity tests. Thus, Org-HEPs will be useful for pharmaceutical research.