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Hepatocytes pp 273–280Cite as

Transdifferentiation of Pancreatic Cells to Hepatocytes

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 640))

Abstract

Hepatocytes maintained in culture provide an attractive model system for the study of liver function. Furthermore, hepatocyte transplantation offers an alternative cellular therapy to orthotopic liver transplantation for the treatment of hepatic failure and hereditary liver disease. To overcome the problem of organ shortage, additional source of hepatocytes must be found. Here, we present a strategy and protocol to transdifferentiate (or convert) developmentally related pancreatic cells into hepatocytes based on the addition of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council and the National Science Council for financial support

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Shen, CN., Tosh, D. (2010). Transdifferentiation of Pancreatic Cells to Hepatocytes. In: Maurel, P. (eds) Hepatocytes. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 640. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-688-7_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-688-7_14

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-687-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-688-7

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