China’s Stem Cell Development in the Past 20 Years

【Abstract】
Stem cells are considered the foundation of regenerative medicine and provide broad possibilities for modern medicine. With the Chinese government's support and efforts of scientific researchers, clinicians, and industry, basic research and translational applications of stem cells in China have flourished over the past two decades, and have gradually become an infl uential force in global stem cell research. This paper aims to review the progress in stem cell research in China over the past 20 years and predict future opportunities and challenges in this field.

【Key words】
stem cells, basic research, clinical translation, China

The Current Status of Organoid Research in China and Its Future Translational Potential

【Abstract】
Organoids, which can mimic real organs in terms of structure and function, and can be cultured long-term in a stable form, have great potential in the field of scientific research. Currently, organoids are mainly used in regenerative medicine, disease modelling, high-throughput drug screening, drug evaluation, and other fields. In recent years, organoid research and related industries in China have flourished, with several published papers at the forefront in the world. This is because of a series of favorable policies issued by the Chinese government to vigorously develop organoid-related research.

【Key words】
China, organoids, regenerative medicine, disease modelling, drug screening

Regenerative Medicine for Liver Cirrhosis - Development of Therapy Using Mesenchymal Stem Cells, HMGB1, and Extracellular Vesicles

【Abstract】
We have been developing regenerative medicine technologies for liver cirrhosis, including clinical studies in 2003 on autologous bone marrow cell therapy. In addition, we have performed corporate clinical trials for non-compensated liver cirrhosis using adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells since 2017, and physician-led clinical trials for compensated liver cirrhosis using mesenchymal stem cells since 2021. We are also currently conducting a clinical trial for compensated liver cirrhosis using mesenchymal stem cells, a 2020 physician-led clinical trial for compensated liver cirrhosis using a high-mobility group box 1（HMGB1）peptide preparation, and research and development using extracellular vesicles（exosomes）with mesenchymal stem cells. These studies have clarified the roles of stem cells, anti-inflammatory macrophages, and HMGB1 in treating liver cirrhosis. Furthermore, in the course of developing regenerative medicine for liver cirrhosis, the importance of clinical trial design for efficacy verifi cation has also become clear. We believe that the consolidation and promotion of these findings will make it possible to eventually determine which treatment should be given at which stage of cirrhosis. This article outlines the current status of regenerative medicine for treating liver cirrhosis and other related information.

【Key words】
Mesenchymal stem cells, HMGB1, Extracellular vesicles（exosome）, Cirrhosis

Hepatic Cell Diff erentiation from Pluripotent Stem Cells for the Analysis of Liver Diseases

【Abstract】
Hepatocytes and cholangiocytes are diff erentiated from hepatic progenitor cells. In recent years, methods of differentiating pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatic progenitor cells into mature hepatocytes and cholangiocytes have been improved, and genome editing of these cells has been applied in liver disease analyses. Furthermore, the development and application of organoid culture systems that imitate living livers three-dimensionally in vitro are important for the analysis of liver diseases and their development.

【Key words】
pluripotent stem cell, hepatocyte diff erentiation, genome editing, organoid