Methods and compositions for producing hepatocyte-like cells

A method of treating an individual with reduced liver function, the method comprising:

• (a) producing a population of hepatocyte-like cells from a population of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) by a method comprising:
• (i) placing a population of ASCs into a three dimensional culture for a period of time sufficient to produce an ASC-derived cellular aggregate,
• (ii) contacting cells of the ASC-derived cellular aggregate with a first culture medium comprising Activin A and a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to produce a precursor cell population, and
• (iii) contacting cells of the precursor cell population with a second culture medium comprising hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) to produce an induced cell population that comprises induced hepatocyte-like cells (iHeps),
• wherein the total time elapsed from beginning step (i) to the production of an induced cell population in step (iii) is less than 13 days;
• and
• (b) administering an effective number of iHeps into the individual to improve liver function.