Label-Free Evaluation of Maturation and Hepatotoxicity of Human iPSC-Derived Hepatocytes Using Hyperspectral Raman Imaging

Anal Chem. 2023 Jun 20;95(24):9252-9262. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00976. Epub 2023 Jun 9.

Abstract

To promote the clinical application of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived hepatocytes, a method capable of monitoring regenerative processes and assessing differentiation efficiency without harming or modifying these cells is important. Raman microscopy provides a powerful tool for this as it enables label-free identification of intracellular biomolecules in live samples. Here, we used label-free Raman microscopy to assess hiPSC differentiation into hepatocyte lineage based on the intracellular chemical content. We contrasted these data with similar phenotypes from the HepaRG and from commercially available hiPSC-derived hepatocytes (iCell hepatocytes). We detected hepatic cytochromes, lipids, and glycogen in hiPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) but not biliary-like cells (BLCs), indicating intrinsic differences in biomolecular content between these phenotypes. The data show significant glycogen and lipid accumulation as early as the definitive endoderm transition. Additionally, we explored the use of Raman imaging as a hepatotoxicity assay for the HepaRG and iCell hepatocytes, with data displaying a dose-dependent reduction of glycogen accumulation in response to acetaminophen. These findings show that the nondestructive and high-content nature of Raman imaging provides a promising tool for both quality control of hiPSC-derived hepatocytes and hepatotoxicity screening.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury*
  • Hepatocytes
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells*