Human iPS-derived hepatocyte-like progenitor cells susceptible for hepatitis B virus infection

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25670366
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Gastroenterology
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: ASAHINA Yasuhiro 東京医科歯科大学, 医歯(薬)学総合研究科, 寄附講座教授 (00422692)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): KAKINUMA Sei 東京医科歯科大学, 大学院医歯学総合研究科, 講師 (30372444) ; NAKAGAWA Mina 東京医科歯科大学, 医歯学融合教育センター, 准教授 (30401342)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ＨＢＶ / iPS細胞 / 肝幹・前駆細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is unclear the mechanism responsible for persistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in mature hepatocyte, which constantly turn over in steady state of the liver. In the present study, we established culture system of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell -derived hepatocyte-like progenitor cells. Using this culture system, we investigated infection of HBV, and demonstrated that HBV infected iPS-derived hepatocyte-like progenitor cells. Hence, it is possible HBV infection in hepatic progenitor cell may be one of the reasons for persistence of HBV in steady state of the liver. Moreover, the establishment of human iPS cell technology has led to innovative iPS-based models for drug discovery. Our data suggested iPS-Hep cells, as a promising new tool for HBV research, will facilitate our understanding of the biology of HBV and the development of anti-HBV drugs.

Free Research Field

消化器内科