Engineered Platforms for Maturing Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Liver Cells for Disease Modeling

Several liver diseases (eg, hepatitis B/C viruses, alcoholic/nonalcoholic fatty liver, malaria, monogenic diseases, and drug-induced liver injury) significantly impact global mortality and morbidity. Species-specific differences in liver functions limit the use of animals to fully elucidate/predict human outcomes; therefore, in vitro human liver models are used for basic and translational research to complement animal studies. However, primary human liver cells are in short supply and display donor-to-donor variability in viability/quality. In contrast, human hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells are a near infinite cell resource that retains the patient/donor's genetic background; however, conventional protocols yield immature phenotypes. HLC maturation can be significantly improved using advanced techniques, such as protein micropatterning to precisely control cell-cell in-teractions, controlled sized spheroids, organoids with multiple cell types and layers, 3-dimensional bioprinting to spatially control cell populations, microfluidic devices for automated nutrient exchange and to induce liver zonation via soluble factor gradients, and synthetic biology to genetically modify the HLCs to accelerate and enhance maturation. Here, we present design features and characterization for representative advanced HLC maturation platforms and then discuss HLC use for modeling various liver diseases. Lastly, we discuss desirable advances to move this field forward. We anticipate that with continued advances in this space, pluripotent stem cell-derived liver models will provide human-relevant data much earlier in preclinical drug development and reduce an-imal usage, help elucidate liver disease mechanisms for the discovery of efficacious and safe therapeutics, and be useful as cell-based therapies for patients suffering from end-stage liver failure.

Automated summary

Liver diseases have a significant impact on global mortality and morbidity, but the use of animal models is limited by species-specific differences. Human liver cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells offer an abundant resource, but current protocols yield immature phenotypes. Advanced techniques, such as protein micropatterning and 3-dimensional bioprinting, can enhance the maturation of these cells. Continued advancements in stem cell-derived liver models can provide human-relevant data earlier in drug development, aid in understanding liver disease mechanisms, and serve as cell-based therapies for end-stage liver failure patients.