Fig. 1

Identification of DE and HE displaying different morphological features and biomarkers. A The differentiation protocol for obtaining DE and HE cells from hiPSCs. B Morphological observations of DE and HE cells (100×). C The expressions of SOX17 and FOXA2 were detected in DE and HE cells by qRT–PCR. D Fluorescence signals of SOX17 and FOXA2 were captured in DE cells (200×). E The expressions of hepatic markers (AFP, ALB, HNF4A, and CK19) were detected in DE and HE cells by qRT–PCR. F Fluorescence signals of AFP, ALB, HNF4A, and CK19 were captured in HE cells (200×). G The level of AFP in culture supernatant of DE and HE cells detected by ELISA. H PAS staining in hiPSC-derived hepatocyte-like cells after 25 days of differentiation (200 ×). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ****p < 0.0001