This study identifies EZH2 as an oncogenic driver in hepatoblastoma, showing its role in promoting tumor progression through epigenetic silencing and noncanonical signaling, and highlights its potential as a therapeutic target.

bioRxiv · Jul 30, 2025 · PreprintCancer Biology

Primitive Hepatoblasts Driving Early Liver Development

Kentaro Iwasawa, Hiroyuki Koike, Hasan Al Reza, Yuka Milton, Keishi Kishimoto, Konrad Thorner, Marissa Granitto, Norikazu Saiki, Connie Santangelo, Kathryn Glaser, Masaki Kimura, Alexander J. Bondoc, Hee-Wong Lim, Mitsuru Morimoto, Makiko Iwafuchi, , Takanori Takebe

The paper identifies and characterizes a new population of early hepatoblasts in mouse and human liver development, showing their role in liver bud formation and their decline in later stages.

bioRxiv · Jun 8, 2025 · PreprintDevelopmental Biology

Self-Assembled Generation of Multi-zonal Liver Organoids from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Hasan Al Reza, Connie Santangelo, Kentaro Iwasawa, Abid Al Reza, Sachiko Sekiya, Kathryn Glaser, Alexander J. Bondoc, Jonathan Merola, Takanori Takebe

This study develops self-assembled multi-zonal liver organoids from human pluripotent stem cells, revealing zonal-specific functions and epigenetic mechanisms that mimic human liver architecture.

Nature · Apr 16, 2025Peer-reviewedBioengineering