Genome-wide analysis of mRNA expression alterations in human primary hepatocytes compared with cAMP treated and non-treated human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derived hepatic populations

Microarrays were used to examine gene expression differences between primary human hepatocytes and hESC derived hepatoblast cultures treated or non-treated with cAMP. hESC's were differentiated with a hepatic cell lineage specific protocol that included the use of a 3-dimensional cell aggregation culturing technique. Followed by cAMP signaling, this promoted the maturation of hepatoblasts into a more hepatocyte-like population. Importantly, key enzymes related to liver function show that cAMP induced populations have a gene expression profile that is similar to primary human hepatocytes. Total RNA obtained from cultured primary hepatocytes and hESC derived hepatic populations.