Fig. 3

The small-molecule cocktail efficiently induces the formation of hepatic progenitors from definitive endoderm. a Phase contrast images showing morphology of cells in hepatic progenitor stage induced with small molecules (lower panel) or for 8 days with growth factors activin A, BMP-4 and FGF-4 (upper panel). b q-PCR analysis of hepatic markers (AFP, ALB, and HNF4α) and biliary markers (CK18 and CK19) RNA lysates from small-molecule cocktails or growth factors induced hepatic progenitors. Undifferentiated human iPSCs and HepG2 were used as controls. c AFP secretion of hepatic progenitors induced by small-molecule cocktails or growth factors. Undifferentiated human iPSCs and HepG2 were regarded as controls. d Immunofluorescence of HNF4α and AFP of differentiated cells induced by small-molecule cocktails or growth factors. Scale bars = 50 μm. e Percentage of HNF4α⁺AFP⁺ in immunofluorescence of hepatic progenitors generated using small-molecule cocktails or growth factors. (^*p value < 0.05)