Optimal Hypoxia Regulates Human iPSC-Derived Liver Bud Differentiation through Intercellular TGFB Signaling.

Timely controlled oxygen (O) delivery is crucial for the developing liver. However, the influence of O on intercellular communication during hepatogenesis is unclear. Using a human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived liver bud (hiPSC-LB) model, we found hypoxia induced with an O-permeable plate promoted hepatic differentiation accompanied by TGFB1 and TGFB3 suppression.

Evaluation of bioactivity of octacalcium phosphate using osteoblastic cell aggregates on a spheroid culture device.

Much attention has been paid to three-dimensional cell culture systems in the field of regenerative medicine, since three-dimensional cellular aggregates, or spheroids, are thought to better mimic the in vivo microenvironments compared to conventional monolayer cultured cells. Synthetic calcium phosphate (CaP) materials are widely used as bone substitute materials in orthopedic and dental surgeries. Here we have developed a technique for constructing a hybrid spheroid consisting of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and synthetic CaP materials using a spheroid culture device.