BRD-K4477, also known as functional hits 1 (FH1), is a small molecule promotor of hepatocyte differentiation in vitro.1 It induces maturation of hepatocyte-like cells (iHeps) to a more adult-like liver phenotype in a concentration-dependent manner. BRD-K4477 increases albumin secretion and promotes hepatocyte morphologies including polygonal cell shapes, visible nuclei, and formation of bile canaliculi in iHeps. It also increases expression of ABCB11 and bile-salt export pump (BSEP) mRNA as well as activity of the mature cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms CYP3A and CYP2A6 in iHeps.
1.Shan, J., Schwartz, R.E., Ross, N.T., et al.Identification of small molecules for human hepatocyte expansion and iPS differentiationNat. Chem. Biol.9(8)514-520(2013)