Clones of hepatocyte-like cells were reproducibly generated from human mesenchymal stem cells immortalized with a combined transduction of both Bmi-1 and TERT genes. These hepatocyte-like cells contained selective markers and several functional properties of hepatocytes, yet still carried proliferative potential. These cells had cuboidal morphology and arranged themselves as cord-like structure in culture. The cloned cells deposited glycogen and actively synthesized albumin. The basal expressions of CYP450 isozymes was observed, albeit only 10–20% that of primary hepatocytes. These expressions were promptly increased upon the addition of rifampicin, a known enzyme inducer. These hepatocyte-like cells may serve as a close alternative to the use of primary hepatocytes for in vitro studies.
