# Effect of triazine thiols on steady-state mRNA levels in iPSC-derived hepatocytes

## TL;DR

This study shows that triazine thiols change mRNA levels in liver-like cells, suggesting a protective response.

## Contribution

The study reveals specific mRNA changes in hepatocytes treated with triazine thiols, highlighting a protective mechanism.

## Key findings

- 145 mRNAs were reduced by ≥ 2-fold in triazine thiol-treated cells.
- 37 mRNAs were increased by ≥ 2-fold, including those for metallothionines.
- The upregulation suggests a protective response through metal buffering.

## Abstract

We previously reported that triazine thiols reduce apolipoprotein B (ApoB) secretion from human iPSC-derived hepatocytes (HLCs) and from humanized mice. To determine whether these compounds affected hepatocyte mRNA levels, we performed bulk RNA sequencing of HLCs treated with the triazine thiol DL-1 or with vehicle (DMSO) for 24 hours. Analyses revealed that in triazine thiol-treated cells, 145 mRNAs were reduced and 37 increased by ≥ 2-fold.  Several mRNAs encoding cysteine-rich metallothionines were upregulated, implying that HLCs respond to treatment by mounting a protective response through metal buffering.