Chemically defined and growth factor-free system for highly efficient endoderm induction of human pluripotent stem cells.

ABSTRACT: Definitive endoderm (DE) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) holds great promise for cell-based therapies and drug discovery. However, current DE differentiation methods required undefined components and/or expensive recombinant proteins, limiting their scalable manufacture and clinical use. Homogeneous DE differentiation in defined and recombinant protein-free conditions remains a major challenge. Here, by systematic optimization and high-throughput screening, we report a chemically defined, small-molecule-based defined system that contains only four components (4C), enabling highly efficient and cost-effective DE specification of hPSCs in the absence of recombinant proteins. 4C-induced DE can differentiate into functional hepatocytes, lung epithelium, and pancreatic β cells

SUBMITTER: Zhao Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11784501 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature