RESEARCH
[Publication] Human Hepatocyte Organoids That Function Like the Real Thing
July 11, 2025
Credits: WPI-Bio2Q
Bio2Q affiliated, Keio University, researchers have developed self-renewing human hepatocyte organoids that perform key liver functions and retain their identity. These organoids can be gene-edited, transplanted into mouse livers to restore metabolic function, and form bile networks, advancing liver disease modeling and therapy
| Title | Generation of human adult hepatocyte organoids with metabolic functions |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ryo Igarashi [1],[2], Mayumi Oda [1],[2], Ryo Okada [3] , Tomoki Yano [1],[2], Sirirat Takahashi [1],[2], Strahil Pastuhov [1],[2], Mami Matano [1],[2], Norio Masuda [3] , Kazuhiro Togasaki [1],[2], Yuki Ohta [1],[2], Saeko Sato [1],[2], Takako Hishiki [2],[4], Makoto Suematsu [2],[4], Manabu Itoh [3], Masayuki Fujii [1],[2]& Toshiro Sato [1],[2] |
| Short Description | Bio2Q researchers have unlocked a method to grow human adult hepatocyte organoids that are not only self-renewing, but that also perform key liver functions. By fine-tuning Wnt, STAT3, and YAP signaling, these lab-grown liver cells resist ductal transformation and maintain their identity. The organoids can also be gene-edited, transplanted into mouse livers where they restore metabolic structure, and even form complex bile canalicular networks under specific conditions. This breakthrough brings lab grown liver tissue closer than ever to mimicking the full metabolic capacity of human hepatocytes in vivo, and paves the way for advanced disease modeling and potential liver therapies. |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08861-y |
| Journal | Nature |
| Vol/Num/Page | 2025 May;641(8065):1248-1257 |
| Publication Date | Published online: 2025 Apr 16. |
Affiliations:
[1] Department of Organoid Medicine, Sakaguchi Laboratory, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
[2] Department of Integrated Medicine and Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
[3] JSR-Keio University Medical and Chemical Innovation Center (JKiC), JSR Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
[4] Department of Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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