Single cell transcriptomics of hepatostellate organoids derived from DKC1 A353V mutant and DKC1 A353V corrected iPSCs

We model liver phenotypes associated with telomere dysfunction using DC patient-derived iPS cells and isogenic controls with CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology-directed repair correction of the disease-causing DKC1 mutation. Differentiation of these cells into hepatocyte-like cells or hepatic stellate cells indicates that the parenchymal hepatocytes are primarily affected by telomere dysfunction. We develop an admixed hepatostellate organoid culture model which further reveals that mutant hepatocytes exert dominant effects on hepatic stellate cells regardless of stellate cell genotype. Hepatostellate organoids containing DKC1-mutant hepatocytes exhibit hyperplasia in both the hepatocyte compartment and, remarkably, in stellate cells. Moreover, mutant hepatocytes can induce hallmarks of stellate cell activation independently of stellate cell genotype. Interestingly, mutant hepatostellate organoids also contain off-target PLVAP+ endothelial cells reminiscent of scar-associated endothelium observed in non-DC cirrhosis patients. Single cell sequecing analysis with HTO of hepatostellate organoids by admixing hepatocyte-like cells (HEPs) and hepatic stellate cells(HSCs).