Transdifferentiation of human fibroblasts to hepatocyte-like cells by transcription factors

Introduction: Liver transplantation as a treatment for late stage liver disease is limited by the availability of suitable donor organs. In order to help affected patients, the development of liver cell therapy may significantly augment therapeutic options (1). However, primary hepatocytes from healthy donors are limited in clinical application by their inability to be expanded in vitro and by the need of immunosuppression after allogenic transplantation. Liver cells derived from more readily available human cells represent an attractive alternative cell source. Recently, hepatic (trans-)differentiation by lenti…