Generation of an ACTA2-EGFP reporter human induced pluripotent stem cell line, KITi001-C-41, using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination

Abstract

Alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) is encoded by ACTA2 and is a key protein in the cellular contractile system of various mesodermal cell types, including hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), smooth muscle cells, and cardiomyocytes. alpha-SMA, which is a key protein in the development of hepatic fibrosis, is widely used as a reliable marker of HSC activation. Here, we generated an ACTA2-EGFP reporter human induced pluripotent stem cell line, KITi001-C-41, using a CRISPR/Cas9-based knock-in system. These reporter hiPSC lines can be used for lineage tracing of mesodermal cells and for screening of HSC activation factors.