Liver-specific gene expression in cultured human hematopoietic stem cells

Hematopoietic and hepatic stem cells share characteristic markers such as CD34, c-kit, and Thy1. Based on the recent observations that hepatocytes may originate from bone marrow, we investigated the potential of CD34(+) bone marrow cells to differentiate into hepatocytic cells in vitro. CD34(+) and CD34(-) human bone marrow cells were separated by magnetic cell sorting. Cells were cultured on a collagen matrix in a defined medium containing hepatocyte growth factor. Cell count and size were measured by flow cytometry, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was carried out for the liver-specific markers CK-19 and albumin. During cell culture, CD34(+) cells showed an increasing cell number and proliferative activity as assessed by Ki-67 staining. Under the specified culture conditions, CD34(+) cells expressed albumin RNA and CK-19 RNA after 28 days, whereas CD34(-) cells did not show liver-specific gene expression. The results indicate that CD34(+) adult human bone marrow stem cells can differentiate into hepatocytic cells in vitro.