Direct effects of transforming growth factor-β1 signaling on the differentiation fate of fetal hepatic progenitor cells.

To investigate direct roles of TGF-β1 signaling in the differentiation process of fetal hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs). Exogenous TGF-β1 and SB431542 were added into fetal HPCs. Then, SB431542 was intraperitoneally injected into pregnant mice for 8 days. Fetal HPCs treated with TGF-β1 differentiated into cholangiocytes. However, hepatocyte marker was highly expressed after inhibiting TGF-β1 signaling. , hematopoietic cells were gradually replaced with liver cells and TGF-β1 expression was evidently decreased as fetal liver developed. Inhibition of TGF-β1 signaling caused increase of ALB cells, but CK19 expression was more obvious in control mice livers. TGF-β1 signaling may play decisive roles in fetal HPCs differentiation into functional hepatocytes or cholangiocytes.