Exosomes From Intestinal Epithelial Cells Promote Hepatic Differentiation of Liver Progenitor Cells in Gut-Liver-on-a-Chip Models

Quick Facts

  • Publication title: Exosomes From Intestinal Epithelial Cells Promote Hepatic Differentiation of Liver Progenitor Cells in Gut-Liver-on-a-Chip Models
  • Journal: Adv Sci (Weinh)
  • Year: 2025
  • DOI: 10.1002/advs.202417478
  • PMID/PMCID: 40619613; PMC12407332

Research overview

To explore the effects of intestinal epithelial cells and their exosomes on the hepatic differentiation of HPCs, co-culture systems of Caco-2/HepaRG cell lines and intestine/HPC organoids are established in a novel gut-liver-on-a-chip. Exosomes from intestinal organoids may be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of advanced liver diseases.

Key findings

Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) are frequently overactivated, and their differentiation into hepatocytes is impaired in advanced liver diseases.

To explore the effects of intestinal epithelial cells and their exosomes on the hepatic differentiation of HPCs, co-culture systems of Caco-2/HepaRG cell lines and intestine/HPC organoids are established in a novel gut-liver-on-a-chip.

Exosomes derived from intestinal organoids are administered to mice with carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-induced liver fibrosis.

The results showed that the co-culture of HPCs and intestinal epithelial cells promoted the hepatic differentiation of HPCs, mediated by exosomes derived from intestinal epithelial cells.

Echo Biotech Role

Echo Biotech contributed EV isolation and purification, EV characterization, miRNA profiling/sequencing and bioinformatic analysis; the study also used or cited Exosupur®.

Related platforms: Exoomics®, Research Reagents & Tools

Related services and capabilities: Cell-Culture Supernatant EV Isolation & Purification, EV Basic Characterization (TEM/NTA/WB), EV miRNA Profiling / Sequencing, Research Reagent / Product Supply

Related products or reagents: Exosupur® EV Isolation/Purification Kit

References

Original publication: Exosomes From Intestinal Epithelial Cells Promote Hepatic Differentiation of Liver Progenitor Cells in Gut-Liver-on-a-Chip Models Advanced science. 2025. DOI: 10.1002/advs.202417478. PMID/PMCID: 40619613; PMC12407332.