Directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into parathyroid cells and establishment of parathyroid organoids

Abstract Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into human embryonic stem cells‐derived parathyroid‐like cells (hESC‐PT) has clinical significance in providing new therapies for congenital and acquired parathyroid insufficiency conditions. However, a highly reproducible, well‐documented method for parathyroid differentiation remains unavailable. By imitating the natural process of parathyroid embryonic development, we proposed a new hypothesis about the in vitro differentiation of parathyroid‐like cells. Transcriptome, differentiation marker protein detection and parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion assays were performed after the completion of differentiation. To optimize the differentiation protocol and further improve the differentiation rate, we designed glial cells missing transcription factor 2 (GCM2) overexpression lentivirus transfection assays and constructed hESCs‐derived parathyroid organoids. The new protocol enabled hESCs to differentiate into hESC‐PT. HESC‐PT cells expressed PTH, GCM2 and CaSR proteins, low extracellular calcium culture could stimulate hESC‐PT cells to secrete PTH. hESC‐PT cells overexpressing GCM2 protein secreted PTH earlier than their counterpart hESC‐PT cells. Compared with the two‐dimensional cell culture environment, hESCs‐derived parathyroid organoids secreted more PTH. Both GCM2 lentiviral transfection and three‐dimensional cultures could make hESC‐PT cells functionally close to human parathyroid cells. Our study demonstrated that hESCs could differentiate into hESC‐PT in vitro, which paves the road for applying the technology to treat hypoparathyroidism and introduces new approaches in the field of regenerative medicine.