Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Various methods can induce stem cells differentiate into hepatocytes, so we need a set of convincing method to test.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the identification advances in the methods for testing stem cells differentiate into hepatocytes. 
METHODS: A computer-based search was conducted in Foreign Medical Journal Full-Test Service and Pubmed for English articles about isolation, cultivation and induction of stem cells published between January 1985 and June 2010 with the key words of “stem cells, induction, differentiation, hepatocytes, identification”. Meanwhile, Chinese Journal Full-text Database was undertaken to identify relevant articles published between January 2000 and June 2010. A total of 43 articles were collected.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Stem cells are characterized by plasticity. Stimulating factors in vitro and special microenvironment in vivo could induce stem cells differentiate into hepatocyte precursors and mature hepatocytes. Stem cells can provide a rich source of liver cells and provide seeds cells for us in theory, which can be applied in experiments and clinic. However, whether the induced cells are what we expected needs a set of scientific and systematic detection methods, and we can prove it according to a few characteristics of hepatocytes, such as surface makers, synthetical and metabolic effects.