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An J, Zhang S, Wu J, Chen H, Xu G, Hou Y, Liu R, Li N, Cui W, Li X, Du Y, Gu Q. Assessing bioartificial organ function: the 3P model framework and its validation. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:1586-1601. [PMID: 38362645 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc01020a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
The rapid advancement in the fabrication and culture of in vitro organs has marked a new era in biomedical research. While strides have been made in creating structurally diverse bioartificial organs, such as the liver, which serves as the focal organ in our study, the field lacks a uniform approach for the predictive assessment of liver function. Our research bridges this gap with the introduction of a novel, machine-learning-based "3P model" framework. This model draws on a decade of experimental data across diverse culture platform studies, aiming to identify critical fabrication parameters affecting liver function, particularly in terms of albumin and urea secretion. Through meticulous statistical analysis, we evaluated the functional sustainability of the in vitro liver models. Despite the diversity of research methodologies and the consequent scarcity of standardized data, our regression model effectively captures the patterns observed in experimental findings. The insights gleaned from our study shed light on optimizing culture conditions and advance the evaluation of the functional maintenance capacity of bioartificial livers. This sets a precedent for future functional evaluations of bioartificial organs using machine learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingmin An
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, P. R. China
| | - Shuyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
| | - Juan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huairou District, Beijing, 100149, P. R. China
| | - Haolin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huairou District, Beijing, 100149, P. R. China
| | - Guoshi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huairou District, Beijing, 100149, P. R. China
| | - Yifan Hou
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huairou District, Beijing, 100149, P. R. China
| | - Ruoyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
| | - Na Li
- Computer Network Information Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100864, P.R. China.
| | - Wenjuan Cui
- Computer Network Information Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100864, P.R. China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huairou District, Beijing, 100149, P. R. China
| | - Xin Li
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huairou District, Beijing, 100149, P. R. China
| | - Yi Du
- Computer Network Information Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100864, P.R. China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huairou District, Beijing, 100149, P. R. China
| | - Qi Gu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huairou District, Beijing, 100149, P. R. China
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Messelmani T, Le Goff A, Soncin F, Souguir Z, Merlier F, Maubon N, Legallais C, Leclerc E, Jellali R. Coculture model of a liver sinusoidal endothelial cell barrier and HepG2/C3a spheroids-on-chip in an advanced fluidic platform. J Biosci Bioeng 2024; 137:64-75. [PMID: 37973520 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The liver is one of the main organs involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics and a key organ in toxicity studies. Prior to accessing the hepatocytes, xenobiotics pass through the hepatic sinusoid formed by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). The LSECs barrier regulates the kinetics and concentrations of the xenobiotics before their metabolic processing by the hepatocytes. To mimic this physiological situation, we developed an in vitro model reproducing an LSECs barrier in coculture with a hepatocyte biochip, using a fluidic platform. This technology made dynamic coculture and tissue crosstalk possible. SK-HEP-1 and HepG2/C3a cells were used as LSECs and as hepatocyte models, respectively. We confirmed the LSECs phenotype by measuring PECAM-1 and stabilin-2 expression levels and the barrier's permeability/transport properties with various molecules. The tightness of the SK-HEP-1 barrier was enhanced in the dynamic coculture. The morphology, albumin secretion, and gene expression levels of markers of HepG2/C3a were not modified by coculture with the LSECs barrier. Using acetaminophen, a well-known hepatotoxic drug, to study tissue crosstalk, there was a reduction in the expression levels of the LSECs markers stabilin-2 and PECAM-1, and a modification of those of CLEC4M and KDR. No HepG2/C3a toxicity was observed. The metabolisation of acetaminophen by HepG2/C3a monocultures and cocultures was confirmed. Although primary cells are required to propose a fully relevant model, the present approach highlights the potential of our system for investigating xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taha Messelmani
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France
| | - Anne Le Goff
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France
| | - Fabrice Soncin
- CNRS/IIS/Centre Oscar Lambret/Lille University SMMiL-E Project, CNRS Délégation Hauts-de-France, 43 Avenue le Corbusier, 59800 Lille, France; CNRS, IRL2820, Laboratory for Integrated Micro Mechatronic Systems, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Zied Souguir
- HCS Pharma, 250 rue Salvador Allende, Biocentre Fleming Bâtiment A, 59120 Loos, France
| | - Franck Merlier
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, UPJV, CNRS, Enzyme and Cell Engineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, Cedex CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne, France
| | - Nathalie Maubon
- HCS Pharma, 250 rue Salvador Allende, Biocentre Fleming Bâtiment A, 59120 Loos, France
| | - Cécile Legallais
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France
| | - Eric Leclerc
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France; CNRS, IRL2820, Laboratory for Integrated Micro Mechatronic Systems, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Rachid Jellali
- Université de Technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de Recherche Royallieu, CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France.
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3
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Ferrari E, Monti E, Cerutti C, Visone R, Occhetta P, Griffith LG, Rasponi M. A method to generate perfusable physiologic-like vascular channels within a liver-on-chip model. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2023; 17:064103. [PMID: 38058462 PMCID: PMC10697721 DOI: 10.1063/5.0170606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The human vasculature is essential in organs and tissues for the transport of nutrients, metabolic waste products, and the maintenance of homeostasis. The integration of vessels in in vitro organs-on-chip may, therefore, improve the similarity to the native organ microenvironment, ensuring proper physiological functions and reducing the gap between experimental research and clinical outcomes. This gap is particularly evident in drug testing and the use of vascularized models may provide more realistic insights into human responses to drugs in the pre-clinical phases of the drug development pipeline. In this context, different vascularized liver models have been developed to recapitulate the architecture of the hepatic sinusoid, exploiting either porous membranes or bioprinting techniques. In this work, we developed a method to generate perfusable vascular channels with a circular cross section within organs-on-chip without any interposing material between the parenchyma and the surrounding environment. Through this technique, vascularized liver sinusoid-on-chip systems with and without the inclusion of the space of Disse were designed and developed. The recapitulation of the Disse layer, therefore, a gap between hepatocytes and endothelial cells physiologically present in the native liver milieu, seems to enhance hepatic functionality (e.g., albumin production) compared to when hepatocytes are in close contact with endothelial cells. These findings pave the way to numerous further uses of microfluidic technologies coupled with vascularized tissue models (e.g., immune system perfusion) as well as the integration within multiorgan-on-chip settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - E. Monti
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, via Camillo Golgi 39, 20134 Milano (MI), Italy
| | - C. Cerutti
- Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, via Adamello 16, 20139 Milano (MI), Italy
| | - R. Visone
- BiomimX Srl, viale Decumano 41, 20157 Milano (MI), Italy
| | | | - L. G. Griffith
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - M. Rasponi
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, via Camillo Golgi 39, 20134 Milano (MI), Italy
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4
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Felli E, Selicean S, Guixé-Muntet S, Wang C, Bosch J, Berzigotti A, Gracia-Sancho J. Mechanobiology of portal hypertension. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100869. [PMID: 37841641 PMCID: PMC10568428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The interplay between mechanical stimuli and cellular mechanobiology orchestrates the physiology of tissues and organs in a dynamic balance characterized by constant remodelling and adaptative processes. Environmental mechanical properties can be interpreted as a complex set of information and instructions that cells read continuously, and to which they respond. In cirrhosis, chronic inflammation and injury drive liver cells dysfunction, leading to excessive extracellular matrix deposition, sinusoidal pseudocapillarization, vascular occlusion and parenchymal extinction. These pathological events result in marked remodelling of the liver microarchitecture, which is cause and result of abnormal environmental mechanical forces, triggering and sustaining the long-standing and progressive process of liver fibrosis. Multiple mechanical forces such as strain, shear stress, and hydrostatic pressure can converge at different stages of the disease until reaching a point of no return where the fibrosis is considered non-reversible. Thereafter, reciprocal communication between cells and their niches becomes the driving force for disease progression. Accumulating evidence supports the idea that, rather than being a passive consequence of fibrosis and portal hypertension (PH), mechanical force-mediated pathways could themselves represent strategic targets for novel therapeutic approaches. In this manuscript, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of the mechanobiology of PH, by furnishing an introduction on the most important mechanisms, integrating these concepts into a discussion on the pathogenesis of PH, and exploring potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Felli
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sonia Selicean
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sergi Guixé-Muntet
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Spain
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jaume Bosch
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Spain
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Spain
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5
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Otumala AE, Hellen DJ, Luna CA, Delgado P, Dissanayaka A, Ugwumadu C, Oshinowo O, Islam MM, Shen L, Karpen SJ, Myers DR. Opportunities and considerations for studying liver disease with microphysiological systems on a chip. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:2877-2898. [PMID: 37282629 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00940d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Advances in microsystem engineering have enabled the development of highly controlled models of the liver that better recapitulate the unique in vivo biological conditions. In just a few short years, substantial progress has been made in creating complex mono- and multi-cellular models that mimic key metabolic, structural, and oxygen gradients crucial for liver function. Here we review: 1) the state-of-the-art in liver-centric microphysiological systems and 2) the array of liver diseases and pressing biological and therapeutic challenges which could be investigated with these systems. The engineering community has unique opportunities to innovate with new liver-on-a-chip devices and partner with biomedical researchers to usher in a new era of understanding of the molecular and cellular contributors to liver diseases and identify and test rational therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adiya E Otumala
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Dominick J Hellen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Emory University School of Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - C Alessandra Luna
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Priscilla Delgado
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Anjana Dissanayaka
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Chidozie Ugwumadu
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Oluwamayokun Oshinowo
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Md Mydul Islam
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Luyao Shen
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Saul J Karpen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Emory University School of Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David R Myers
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, 1760 Haygood Dr, Suite E-160, Rm E-156, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Ortega-Ribera M, Gibert-Ramos A, Abad-Jordà L, Magaz M, Téllez L, Paule L, Castillo E, Pastó R, de Souza Basso B, Olivas P, Orts L, Lozano JJ, Villa R, Bosch J, Albillos A, García-Pagán JC, Gracia-Sancho J. Increased sinusoidal pressure impairs liver endothelial mechanosensing, uncovering novel biomarkers of portal hypertension. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100722. [PMID: 37151732 PMCID: PMC10154975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Portal hypertension (PH) is a frequent and severe clinical syndrome associated with chronic liver disease. Considering the mechanobiological effects of hydrostatic pressure and shear stress on endothelial cells, we hypothesised that PH might influence the phenotype of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) during disease progression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of increased hydrodynamic pressure on LSECs and to identify endothelial-derived biomarkers of PH. Methods Primary LSECs were cultured under normal or increased hydrodynamic pressure within a pathophysiological range (1 vs. 12 mmHg) using a microfluidic liver-on-a-chip device. RNA sequencing was used to identify pressure-sensitive genes, which were validated in liver biopsies from two independent cohorts of patients with chronic liver disease with PH (n = 73) and participants without PH (n = 23). Biomarker discovery was performed in two additional independent cohorts of 104 patients with PH and 18 patients without PH. Results Transcriptomic analysis revealed marked deleterious effect of pathological pressure in LSECs and identified chromobox 7 (CBX7) as a key transcription factor diminished by pressure. Hepatic CBX7 downregulation was validated in patients with PH and significantly correlated with hepatic venous pressure gradient. MicroRNA 181a-5p was identified as pressure-induced upstream regulator of CBX7. Two downstream targets inhibited by CBX7, namely, E-cadherin (ECAD) and serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 1 (SPINK1), were found increased in the bloodstream of patients with PH and were highly predictive of PH and clinically significant PH. Conclusions We characterise the detrimental effects of increased hydrodynamic pressure on the sinusoidal endothelium, identify CBX7 as a pressure-sensitive transcription factor, and propose the combination of two of its reported products as biomarkers of PH. Impact and Implications Increased pressure in the portal venous system that typically occurs during chronic liver disease (called portal hypertension) is one of the main drivers of related clinical complications, which are linked to a higher risk of death. In this study, we found that pathological pressure has a harmful effect on liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and identified CBX7 as a key protein involved in this process. CBX7 regulates the expression of E-cadherin and SPINK1, and consequently, measuring these proteins in the blood of patients with chronic liver disease allows the prediction of portal hypertension and clinically significant portal hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martí Ortega-Ribera
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Gibert-Ramos
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Abad-Jordà
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Magaz
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Téllez
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, Instituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigacion Biosanitaria (IRYCIS), Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lorena Paule
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, Instituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigacion Biosanitaria (IRYCIS), Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Castillo
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, Instituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigacion Biosanitaria (IRYCIS), Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raül Pastó
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bruno de Souza Basso
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- PUCRS, Escola de Ciências, Laboratório de Pesquisa em Biofísica Celular e Inflamação, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Pol Olivas
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lara Orts
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan José Lozano
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Villa
- Grupo de Aplicaciones Biomédicas, Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Esfera UAB, Bellaterra, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBERBBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Bosch
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Agustín Albillos
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal, Instituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigacion Biosanitaria (IRYCIS), Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan Carles García-Pagán
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Corresponding author. Address: IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Rosselló 149, 08036, Barcelona, Spain. Tel.: +34 932275400 #4306
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7
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Messelmani T, Le Goff A, Soncin F, Gilard F, Souguir Z, Maubon N, Gakière B, Legallais C, Leclerc E, Jellali R. Investigation of the metabolomic crosstalk between liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes exposed to paracetamol using organ-on-chip technology. Toxicology 2023; 492:153550. [PMID: 37209942 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Organ-on-chip technology is a promising in vitro approach recapitulating human physiology for the study of responses to drug exposure. Organ-on-chip cell cultures have paved new grounds for testing and understanding metabolic dose-responses when evaluating pharmaceutical and environmental toxicity. Here, we present a metabolomic investigation of a coculture of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs, SK-HEP-1) with hepatocytes (HepG2/C3a) using advanced organ-on-chip technology. To reproduce the physiology of the sinusoidal barrier, LSECs were separated from hepatocytes by a membrane (culture insert integrated organ-on-chip platform). The tissues were exposed to acetaminophen (APAP), an analgesic drug widely used as a xenobiotic model in liver and HepG2/C3a studies. The differences between the SK-HEP-1, HepG2/C3a monocultures and SK-HEP-1/HepG2/C3a cocultures, treated or not with APAP, were identified from metabolomic profiles using supervised multivariate analysis. The pathway enrichment coupled with metabolite analysis of the corresponding metabolic fingerprints contributed to extracting the specificity of each type of culture and condition. In addition, we analysed the responses to APAP treatment by mapping the signatures with significant modulation of the biological processes of the SK-HEP-1 APAP, HepG2/C3a APAP and SK-HEP-1/HepG2/C3a APAP conditions. Furthermore, our model shows how the presence of the LSECs barrier and APAP first pass can modify the metabolism of HepG2/C3a. Altogether, this study demonstrates the potential of a "metabolomic-on-chip" strategy for pharmaco-metabolomic applications predicting individual response to drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taha Messelmani
- Université de technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de recherche Royallieu CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France
| | - Anne Le Goff
- Université de technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de recherche Royallieu CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France
| | - Fabrice Soncin
- CNRS/IIS/Centre Oscar Lambret/Lille University SMMiL-E Project, CNRS Délégation Hauts-de-France, 43 Avenue le Corbusier, 59800 Lille, France; CNRS IRL 2820, Laboratory for Integrated Micro Mechatronic Systems, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Françoise Gilard
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay (IPS2), UMR 9213/UMR1403, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Diderot, Université Paris Saclay, Bâtiment 630 Rue Noetzlin, 91192, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Zied Souguir
- HCS Pharma, 250 rue Salvador Allende, Biocentre Fleming Bâtiment A, 59120 Loos, France
| | - Nathalie Maubon
- HCS Pharma, 250 rue Salvador Allende, Biocentre Fleming Bâtiment A, 59120 Loos, France
| | - Bertrand Gakière
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay (IPS2), UMR 9213/UMR1403, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, Université d'Evry, Université Paris-Diderot, Université Paris Saclay, Bâtiment 630 Rue Noetzlin, 91192, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Cécile Legallais
- Université de technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de recherche Royallieu CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France
| | - Eric Leclerc
- Université de technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de recherche Royallieu CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France; CNRS IRL 2820, Laboratory for Integrated Micro Mechatronic Systems, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rachid Jellali
- Université de technologie de Compiègne, CNRS, Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Centre de recherche Royallieu CS 60319, 60203 Compiègne Cedex, France.
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Carpentier N, Urbani L, Dubruel P, Van Vlierberghe S. The native liver as inspiration to create superior in vitro hepatic models. Biomater Sci 2023; 11:1091-1115. [PMID: 36594602 DOI: 10.1039/d2bm01646j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Drug induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the major reasons of drug withdrawal during the different phases of drug development. The later in the drug development a drug is discovered to be toxic, the higher the economical as well as the ethical impact will be. In vitro models for early detection of drug liver toxicity are under constant development, however to date a superior model of the liver is still lacking. Ideally, a highly reliable model should be established to maintain the different hepatic cell functionalities to the greatest extent possible, during a period of time long enough to allow for tracking of the toxicity of compounds. In the case of DILI, toxicity can appear even after months of exposure. To reach this goal, an in vitro model should be developed that mimics the in vivo liver environment, function and response to external stimuli. The different approaches for the development of liver models currently used in the field of tissue engineering will be described in this review. Combining different technologies, leading to optimal materials, cells and 3D-constructs will ultimately lead to an ideal superior model that fully recapitulates the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Carpentier
- Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Luca Urbani
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Foundation for Liver Research, London SE5 9NT, UK.,Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Peter Dubruel
- Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Sandra Van Vlierberghe
- Polymer Chemistry & Biomaterials Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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9
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Kaur S, Kidambi S, Ortega-Ribera M, Thuy LTT, Nieto N, Cogger VC, Xie WF, Tacke F, Gracia-Sancho J. In Vitro Models for the Study of Liver Biology and Diseases: Advances and Limitations. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 15:559-571. [PMID: 36442812 PMCID: PMC9868680 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In vitro models of liver (patho)physiology, new technologies, and experimental approaches are progressing rapidly. Based on cell lines, induced pluripotent stem cells or primary cells derived from mouse or human liver as well as whole tissue (slices), such in vitro single- and multicellular models, including complex microfluidic organ-on-a-chip systems, provide tools to functionally understand mechanisms of liver health and disease. The International Society of Hepatic Sinusoidal Research (ISHSR) commissioned this working group to review the currently available in vitro liver models and describe the advantages and disadvantages of each in the context of evaluating their use for the study of liver functionality, disease modeling, therapeutic discovery, and clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savneet Kaur
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Srivatsan Kidambi
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
| | - Martí Ortega-Ribera
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Le Thi Thanh Thuy
- Department of Hepatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Natalia Nieto
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Victoria C Cogger
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Wei-Fen Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland; Department for BioMedical Research, Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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10
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McDuffie D, Barr D, Agarwal A, Thomas E. Physiologically relevant microsystems to study viral infection in the human liver. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:999366. [PMID: 36246284 PMCID: PMC9555087 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.999366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral hepatitis is a leading cause of liver disease and mortality. Infection can occur acutely or chronically, but the mechanisms that govern the clearance of virus or lack thereof are poorly understood and merit further investigation. Though cures for viral hepatitis have been developed, they are expensive, not readily accessible in vulnerable populations and some patients may remain at an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) even after viral clearance. To sustain infection in vitro, hepatocytes must be fully mature and remain in a differentiated state. However, primary hepatocytes rapidly dedifferentiate in conventional 2D in vitro platforms. Physiologically relevant or physiomimetic microsystems, are increasingly popular alternatives to traditional two-dimensional (2D) monocultures for in vitro studies. Physiomimetic systems reconstruct and incorporate elements of the native cellular microenvironment to improve biologic functionality in vitro. Multiple elements contribute to these models including ancillary tissue architecture, cell co-cultures, matrix proteins, chemical gradients and mechanical forces that contribute to increased viability, longevity and physiologic function for the tissue of interest. These microsystems are used in a wide variety of applications to study biological phenomena. Here, we explore the use of physiomimetic microsystems as tools for studying viral hepatitis infection in the liver and how the design of these platforms is tailored for enhanced investigation of the viral lifecycle when compared to conventional 2D cell culture models. Although liver-based physiomimetic microsystems are typically applied in the context of drug studies, the platforms developed for drug discovery purposes offer a solid foundation to support studies on viral hepatitis. Physiomimetic platforms may help prolong hepatocyte functionality in order to sustain chronic viral hepatitis infection in vitro for studying virus-host interactions for prolonged periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis McDuffie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
| | - David Barr
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Ashutosh Agarwal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Desai Sethi Urology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- *Correspondence: Ashutosh Agarwal,
| | - Emmanuel Thomas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Schiff Center for Liver Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
- Emmanuel Thomas,
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11
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Li N, Zhang X, Zhou J, Li W, Shu X, Wu Y, Long M. Multiscale biomechanics and mechanotransduction from liver fibrosis to cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 188:114448. [PMID: 35820602 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of multiscale biomechanical studies has been proposed to highlight the mechanical cues in the development of hepatic fibrosis and cancer. At the cellular level, changes in mechanical microenvironment induce phenotypic and functional alterations of hepatic cells, initiating a positive feedback loop that promotes liver fibrogenesis and hepatocarcinogenesis. Tumor mechanical microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma facilitates tumor cell growth and metastasis, and hinders the drug delivery and immunotherapy. At the molecular level, mechanical forces are sensed and transmitted into hepatic cells via allosteric activation of mechanoreceptors on the cell membrane, leading to the activation of various mechanotransduction pathways including integrin and YAP signaling and then regulating cell function. Thus, the application of mechanomedicine concept in the treatment of liver diseases is promising for rational design and cell-specific delivery of therapeutic drugs. This review mainly discusses the correlation between biomechanical cues and liver diseases from the viewpoint of mechanobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Wang Li
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xinyu Shu
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi Wu
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mian Long
- Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory), and Beijing Key Laboratory of Engineered Construction and Mechanobiology, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Engineering Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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12
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Panday R, Monckton CP, Khetani SR. The Role of Liver Zonation in Physiology, Regeneration, and Disease. Semin Liver Dis 2022; 42:1-16. [PMID: 35120381 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1742279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
As blood flows from the portal triad to the central vein, cell-mediated depletion establishes gradients of soluble factors such as oxygen, nutrients, and hormones, which act through molecular pathways (e.g., Wnt/β-catenin, hedgehog) to spatially regulate hepatocyte functions along the sinusoid. Such "zonation" can lead to the compartmentalized initiation of several liver diseases, including alcoholic/non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, chemical/drug-induced toxicity, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and can also modulate liver regeneration. Transgenic rodent models provide valuable information on the key molecular regulators of zonation, while in vitro models allow for subjecting cells to precisely controlled factor gradients and elucidating species-specific differences in zonation. Here, we discuss the latest advances in both in vivo and in vitro models of liver zonation and pending questions to be addressed moving forward. Ultimately, obtaining a deeper understanding of zonation can lead to the development of more effective therapeutics for liver diseases, microphysiological systems, and scalable cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regeant Panday
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Chase P Monckton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Salman R Khetani
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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13
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Ferrari E, Rasponi M. Liver-Heart on chip models for drug safety. APL Bioeng 2021; 5:031505. [PMID: 34286172 PMCID: PMC8282347 DOI: 10.1063/5.0048986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Current pre-clinical models to evaluate drug safety during the drug development process (DDP) mainly rely on traditional two-dimensional cell cultures, considered too simplistic and often ineffective, or animal experimentations, which are costly, time-consuming, and not truly representative of human responses. Their clinical translation thus remains limited, eventually causing attrition and leading to high rates of failure during clinical trials. These drawbacks can be overcome by the recently developed Organs-on-Chip (OoC) technology. OoC are sophisticated in vitro systems capable of recapitulating pivotal architecture and functionalities of human organs. OoC are receiving increasing attention from the stakeholders of the DDP, particularly concerning drug screening and safety applications. When a drug is administered in the human body, it is metabolized by the liver and the resulting compound may cause unpredicted toxicity on off-target organs such as the heart. In this sense, several liver and heart models have been widely adopted to assess the toxicity of new or recalled drugs. Recent advances in OoC technology are making available platforms encompassing multiple organs fluidically connected to efficiently assess and predict the systemic effects of compounds. Such Multi-Organs-on-Chip (MOoC) platforms represent a disruptive solution to study drug-related effects, which results particularly useful to predict liver metabolism on off-target organs to ultimately improve drug safety testing in the pre-clinical phases of the DDP. In this review, we focus on recently developed liver and heart on chip systems for drug toxicity testing. In addition, MOoC platforms encompassing connected liver and heart tissues have been further reviewed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Ferrari
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Rasponi
- Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
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14
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Ya S, Ding W, Li S, Du K, Zhang Y, Li C, Liu J, Li F, Li P, Luo T, He L, Xu A, Gao D, Qiu B. On-Chip Construction of Liver Lobules with Self-Assembled Perfusable Hepatic Sinusoid Networks. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:32640-32652. [PMID: 34225454 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c00794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Although various liver chips have been developed using emerging organ-on-a-chip techniques, it remains an enormous challenge to replicate the liver lobules with self-assembled perfusable hepatic sinusoid networks. Herein we develop a lifelike bionic liver lobule chip (LLC), on which the perfusable hepatic sinusoid networks are achieved using a microflow-guided angiogenesis methodology; additionally, during and after self-assembly, oxygen concentration is regulated to mimic physiologically dissolved levels supplied by actual hepatic arterioles and venules. This liver lobule design thereby produces more bionic liver microstructures, higher metabolic abilities, and longer lasting hepatocyte function than other liver-on-a-chip techniques that are able to deliver. We found that the flow through the unique micropillar design in the cell coculture zone guides the radiating assembly of the hepatic sinusoid, the oxygen concentration affects the morphology of the sinusoid by proliferation, and the oxygen gradient plays a key role in prolonging hepatocyte function. The expected breadth of applications our LLC is suited to is demonstrated by means of preliminarily testing chronic and acute hepatotoxicity of drugs and replicating growth of tumors in situ. This work provides new insights into designing more extensive bionic vascularized liver chips, while achieving longer lasting ex-vivo hepatocyte function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Ya
- The Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Weiping Ding
- The Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
- Hefei National Lab for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Shibo Li
- The Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Kun Du
- The Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- The Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Chengpan Li
- The Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Jing Liu
- School of Biology, Food and Environment Engineering, Hefei University, Hefei, Anhui 230601, China
| | - Fenfen Li
- The Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
- Hefei National Lab for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Chinese Integrative Medicine Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230022, China
| | - Tianzhi Luo
- School of Engineering Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Liqun He
- School of Engineering Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Ao Xu
- Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230001, China
| | - Dayong Gao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Bensheng Qiu
- The Centers for Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
- Hefei National Lab for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
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Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) form the wall of the hepatic sinusoids. Unlike other capillaries, they lack an organized basement membrane and have cytoplasm that is penetrated by open fenestrae, making the hepatic microvascular endothelium discontinuous. LSECs have essential roles in the maintenance of hepatic homeostasis, including regulation of the vascular tone, inflammation and thrombosis, and they are essential for control of the hepatic immune response. On a background of acute or chronic liver injury, LSECs modify their phenotype and negatively affect neighbouring cells and liver disease pathophysiology. This Review describes the main functions and phenotypic dysregulations of LSECs in liver diseases, specifically in the context of acute injury (ischaemia-reperfusion injury, drug-induced liver injury and bacterial and viral infection), chronic liver disease (metabolism-associated liver disease, alcoholic steatohepatitis and chronic hepatotoxic injury) and hepatocellular carcinoma, and provides a comprehensive update of the role of LSECs as therapeutic targets for liver disease. Finally, we discuss the open questions in the field of LSEC pathobiology and future avenues of research.
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Transcriptomic Profiling of the Liver Sinusoidal Endothelium during Cirrhosis Reveals Stage-Specific Secretory Signature. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13112688. [PMID: 34072510 PMCID: PMC8198220 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13112688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We define the transcriptome and secretome of primary LSECs during the progression of cirrhosis, revealing specific molecular signatures, novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for new disease-modifying treatments for patients with advanced chronic liver disease. Abstract The poor prognosis of chronic liver disease (CLD) generates the need to investigate the evolving mechanisms of disease progression, thus disclosing therapeutic targets before development of clinical complications. Considering the central role of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) in pre-neoplastic advanced CLD, the present study aimed at investigating the progression of CLD from an endothelial holistic perspective. RNAseq defined the transcriptome of primary LSECs isolated from three pre-clinical models of advanced CLD, during the progression of the disease, and from fresh human cirrhotic tissue. At each stage of the disease, the effects of LSECs secretome on neighboring cells and proteomic analysis of LSECs-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) were also determined. CLD was associated with deep common modifications in the transcriptome of LSECs in the pre-clinical models. Pathway enrichment analysis showed predominance of genes related with pro-oncogenic, cellular communication processes, and EVs biogenesis during CLD progression. Crosstalk experiments revealed endothelial EVs as potent angiocrine effectors. The proteome of LSECs EVs showed stage-specific signatures, including over-expression of tropomyosin-1. Proof-of-principle experiments treating cirrhotic HSCs with recombinant tropomyosin-1 suggested de-activating effects. Our data provide the basis for discovering novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for new disease-modifying treatments for patients with advanced CLD.
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Boyer-Diaz Z, Aristu-Zabalza P, Andrés-Rozas M, Robert C, Ortega-Ribera M, Fernández-Iglesias A, Broqua P, Junien JL, Wettstein G, Bosch J, Gracia-Sancho J. Pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor improves portal hypertension and hepatic fibrosis in experimental advanced chronic liver disease. J Hepatol 2021; 74:1188-1199. [PMID: 33278455 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.11.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS In advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD), deregulated hepatic necroinflammatory processes play a key role in the development of liver microvascular dysfunction, fibrogenesis, and increased hepatic vascular tone, resulting in progression of ACLD and portal hypertension. Given the current lack of an effective treatment, we aimed to characterise the effects of the pan-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (pan-PPAR) agonist lanifibranor in 2 preclinical models of ACLD, as well as in liver cells from patients with ACLD. METHODS Cirrhotic rats (thioacetamide or common bile duct ligation; TAA or cBDL) randomly received lanifibranor (100 mg/kg/day, po) or vehicle for 14 days (n = 12/group). PPAR expression, systemic and hepatic haemodynamics, presence of ascites, liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) phenotype, hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, serum transaminases and albumin, hepatic macrophage infiltration, cytokine expression, and liver fibrosis were determined. Hepatic cells were isolated from the livers of patients with cirrhosis and their phenotype was evaluated after treatment with either lanifibranor or vehicle. RESULTS TAA-cirrhotic rats receiving lanifibranor showed significantly lower portal pressure compared with vehicle-treated animals (-15%; p = 0.003) without decreasing portal blood flow, indicating improved hepatic vascular resistance. Moreover, lanifibranor-treated TAA-rats showed decreased ascites, improved LSEC and HSC phenotypes, ameliorated hepatic microvascular function, reduced hepatic inflammation, and significant fibrosis regression (-32%; p = 0.020). These findings were confirmed in the cBDL rat model as well as in human liver cells from patients with cirrhosis, which exhibited phenotypic improvement upon treatment with lanifibranor. CONCLUSIONS Lanifibranor ameliorates fibrosis and portal hypertension in preclinical models of decompensated cirrhosis. Promising results in human hepatic cells further support its clinical evaluation for the treatment of ACLD. LAY SUMMARY Advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) constitutes a serious public health issue for which safe and effective treatments are lacking. This study shows that lanifibranor improves portal hypertension and liver fibrosis, 2 key elements of the pathophysiology of ACLD, in preclinical models of the disease. Evaluation of lanifibranor in liver cells from patients with ACLD further supports its beneficial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jaime Bosch
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain; CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain; Hepatology, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Barcelona Liver Bioservices, Barcelona, Spain; Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain; CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain; Hepatology, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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Rothbauer M, Bachmann BE, Eilenberger C, Kratz SR, Spitz S, Höll G, Ertl P. A Decade of Organs-on-a-Chip Emulating Human Physiology at the Microscale: A Critical Status Report on Progress in Toxicology and Pharmacology. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:470. [PMID: 33919242 PMCID: PMC8143089 DOI: 10.3390/mi12050470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip technology has the potential to accelerate pharmaceutical drug development, improve the clinical translation of basic research, and provide personalized intervention strategies. In the last decade, big pharma has engaged in many academic research cooperations to develop organ-on-a-chip systems for future drug discoveries. Although most organ-on-a-chip systems present proof-of-concept studies, miniaturized organ systems still need to demonstrate translational relevance and predictive power in clinical and pharmaceutical settings. This review explores whether microfluidic technology succeeded in paving the way for developing physiologically relevant human in vitro models for pharmacology and toxicology in biomedical research within the last decade. Individual organ-on-a-chip systems are discussed, focusing on relevant applications and highlighting their ability to tackle current challenges in pharmacological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Rothbauer
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/163-164, 1060 Vienna, Austria; (B.E.M.B.); (C.E.); (S.R.A.K.); (S.S.); (G.H.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
- Karl Chiari Lab for Orthopaedic Biology, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-22, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara E.M. Bachmann
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/163-164, 1060 Vienna, Austria; (B.E.M.B.); (C.E.); (S.R.A.K.); (S.S.); (G.H.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Allgemeine Unfallversicherungsanstalt (AUVA) Research Centre, Donaueschingenstraße 13, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Eilenberger
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/163-164, 1060 Vienna, Austria; (B.E.M.B.); (C.E.); (S.R.A.K.); (S.S.); (G.H.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian R.A. Kratz
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/163-164, 1060 Vienna, Austria; (B.E.M.B.); (C.E.); (S.R.A.K.); (S.S.); (G.H.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
- Drug Delivery and 3R-Models Group, Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences & Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology, Goethe University Frankfurt Am Main, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sarah Spitz
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/163-164, 1060 Vienna, Austria; (B.E.M.B.); (C.E.); (S.R.A.K.); (S.S.); (G.H.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gregor Höll
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/163-164, 1060 Vienna, Austria; (B.E.M.B.); (C.E.); (S.R.A.K.); (S.S.); (G.H.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Ertl
- Faculty of Technical Chemistry, Institute of Applied Synthetic Chemistry and Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/163-164, 1060 Vienna, Austria; (B.E.M.B.); (C.E.); (S.R.A.K.); (S.S.); (G.H.)
- Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, 1200 Vienna, Austria
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19
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Garcia Garcia de Paredes A, Manicardi N, Tellez L, Ibañez L, Royo F, Bermejo J, Blanco C, Fondevila C, Fernandez Lanza V, Garcia-Bermejo L, Falcon-Perez JM, Bañares R, Gracia-Sancho J, Albillos A. Molecular Profiling of Decompensated Cirrhosis by a Novel MicroRNA Signature. Hepatol Commun 2021; 5:309-322. [PMID: 33553977 PMCID: PMC7850302 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive staging of decompensated cirrhosis is an unmet clinical need. The aims of this study were to characterize and validate a novel microRNA (miRNA) signature to stage decompensated cirrhosis and predict the portal pressure and systolic cardiac response to nonselective beta-blockers (NSBBs). Serum samples from patients with decompensated cirrhosis (n = 36) and healthy controls (n = 36) were tested for a novel signature of five miRNAs (miR-452-5p, miR-429, miR-885-5p, miR-181b-5p, and miR-122-5p) identified in the secretome of primary human hepatocytes and for three miRNAs (miR-192-5p, miR-34a-5p, and miR-29a-5p) previously discovered as biomarkers of chronic liver disease. All patients had ascites, which was refractory in 18 (50%), and were placed on NSBBs for variceal bleeding prophylaxis. In all patients, serum miRNAs, hepatic venous pressure gradient, and an echocardiogram study were performed before and 1 month after NSBBs. Patients with cirrhosis had lower serum levels of miR-429, miR-885-5p, miR-181b-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-192-5p, and miR-29a-5p (P < 0.05). Baseline serum miR-452-5p and miR-429 levels were lower in NSBB responders (P = 0.006). miR-181b-5p levels were greater in refractory ascites than in diuretic-sensitive ascites (P = 0.008) and correlated with serum creatinine. miR-452-5p and miR-885-5p were inversely correlated with baseline systemic vascular resistance (ρ = -0.46, P = 0.007; and ρ = -0.41, P = 0.01, respectively) and with diminished systolic contractility (ρ = -0.55, P = 0.02; and ρ = -0.55, P = 0.02, respectively) in patients with refractory ascites after NSBBs. Conclusion: Analysis of a miRNA signature in serum discriminates between patients with decompensated cirrhosis who show more severe systemic circulatory dysfunction and compromised systolic function after beta-blockade and those more likely to benefit from NSBBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Garcia Garcia de Paredes
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology DepartmentHospital Universitario Ramon y CajalInstituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigacion Biosanitaria (IRYCIS)Universidad de AlcalaMadridSpain
| | - Nicolo Manicardi
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupAugust Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain
| | - Luis Tellez
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology DepartmentHospital Universitario Ramon y CajalInstituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigacion Biosanitaria (IRYCIS)Universidad de AlcalaMadridSpain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y DigestivasInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
| | - Luis Ibañez
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y DigestivasInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain.,Gastroenterology and Hepatology DepartmentHospital Universitario Gregorio MarañonInstituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM)Universidad Complutense de MadridMadridSpain
| | - Felix Royo
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y DigestivasInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain.,Exosomes LaboratoryCenter for Cooperative Research in BioscienciesBasque Research and Technology Alliance DerioDerioSpain
| | - Javier Bermejo
- Cardiology DepartmentHospital Universitario Gregorio MarañonIiSGMUniversidad Complutense de MadridMadridSpain
| | | | - Constantino Fondevila
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y DigestivasInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain.,Liver Surgery and Transplantation UnitHospital ClinicBarcelonaSpain
| | | | | | - Juan Manuel Falcon-Perez
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y DigestivasInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain.,Exosomes LaboratoryCenter for Cooperative Research in BioscienciesBasque Research and Technology Alliance DerioDerioSpain.,IKERBASQUE-Basque Foundation for ScienceBilbaoSpain
| | - Rafael Bañares
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y DigestivasInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain.,Gastroenterology and Hepatology DepartmentHospital Universitario Gregorio MarañonInstituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon (IiSGM)Universidad Complutense de MadridMadridSpain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupAugust Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y DigestivasInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
| | - Agustin Albillos
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology DepartmentHospital Universitario Ramon y CajalInstituto Ramon y Cajal de Investigacion Biosanitaria (IRYCIS)Universidad de AlcalaMadridSpain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Hepaticas y DigestivasInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
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20
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Novel therapeutics for portal hypertension and fibrosis in chronic liver disease. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 215:107626. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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21
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Moradi E, Jalili-Firoozinezhad S, Solati-Hashjin M. Microfluidic organ-on-a-chip models of human liver tissue. Acta Biomater 2020; 116:67-83. [PMID: 32890749 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.08.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The liver is the largest internal organ of the body with complex microarchitecture and function that plays critical roles in drug metabolism. Hepatotoxicity and drug-induced liver injury (DILI) caused by various drugs is the main reason for late-stage drug failures. Moreover, liver diseases are among the leading causes of death in the world, with the number of new cases arising each year. Although animal models have been used to understand human drug metabolism and toxicity before clinical trials, tridimensional microphysiological systems, such as liver-on-a-chip (Liver Chip) platforms, could better recapitulate features of human liver physiology and pathophysiology and thus, are often more predictive of human outcome. Liver Chip devices have shown promising results in mimicking in vivo condition by recapitulating the sinusoidal structure of the liver, maintaining high cell viability and cellular phenotypes, and emulating native liver functions. Here, we first review the cellular constituents and physiology of the liver and then critically discuss the state-of-the-art chip-based liver models and their applications in drug screening, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine. We finally address the pending issues of existing platforms and touch upon future directions for developing new, advanced on-chip models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsanollah Moradi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Iran
| | - Sasan Jalili-Firoozinezhad
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Mehran Solati-Hashjin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Iran.
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22
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Guixé-Muntet S, Ortega-Ribera M, Wang C, Selicean S, Andreu I, Kechagia JZ, Fondevila C, Roca-Cusachs P, Dufour JF, Bosch J, Berzigotti A, Gracia-Sancho J. Nuclear deformation mediates liver cell mechanosensing in cirrhosis. JHEP Rep 2020; 2:100145. [PMID: 32939447 PMCID: PMC7479345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2020.100145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Liver stiffness is increased in advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) and accurately predicts prognosis in this population. Recent data suggest that extracellular matrix stiffness per se may modulate the phenotype of liver cells. We aimed at investigating the effect of matrix stiffness on the phenotype of liver cells of rats with cirrhosis, assessing its influence on their response to antifibrotic strategies and evaluating associated molecular mechanisms. METHODS Hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells were isolated from healthy rats or rats with cirrhosis (carbon tetrachloride or thioacetamide), and cultured on polyacrylamide gels with different physiologically relevant stiffness for 72 h. RESULTS All cell types of rats with cirrhosis cultured at low stiffness showed a significant phenotype amelioration vs. rigid matrix (assessed by quantitative morphology, mRNA expression, protein synthesis, and electron microscopy imaging). Additionally, stiffness modified the antifibrotic effects of liraglutide in stellate cells of rats with cirrhosis. Finally, evaluation of nuclear morphology revealed that high stiffness induced nuclei deformation in all cell types, an observation confirmed in cells from human livers. Disconnecting the nucleus from the cytoskeleton by cytoskeleton disruption or a defective form of nesprin 1 significantly recovered spherical nuclear shape and quiescent phenotype of cells. CONCLUSIONS The environment's stiffness per se modulates the phenotype of healthy rats and liver cells of rats with cirrhosis by altering the nuclear morphology through cytoskeleton-derived mechanical forces. The reversibility of this mechanism suggests that targeting the stiffness-mediated intracellular mechanical tensions may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for ACLD. LAY SUMMARY During cirrhosis, the liver becomes scarred, stiff, and unable to perform its normal functions efficiently. In this study, we demonstrated that cells from diseased (stiff) livers recovered their functionality when placed in a soft environment (as that of a healthy liver). Furthermore, treatments aimed at tricking liver cells into believing they are in a healthy, soft liver improved their function and could potentially contribute to treat cirrhosis.
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Key Words
- ACLD, advanced chronic liver disease
- Cd, cytoskeleton disruptor
- Chronic liver disease
- DN-KASH, dominant negative nesprin peptide containing a KASH domain
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- HNF4α, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α
- HSC
- HSC, hepatic stellate cell
- Hepatocyte
- KASH, Klarsicht/abnormal nuclear anchorage-1/Syne homology
- LSEC
- LSEC, liver sinusoidal endothelial cell
- Lamb1, laminin b1
- Stiffness
- TAA, thioacetamide
- eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase
- α-SMA, α-smooth muscle actin
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Guixé-Muntet
- Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martí Ortega-Ribera
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sonia Selicean
- Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ion Andreu
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona Institute of Technology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jenny Z. Kechagia
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona Institute of Technology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Pere Roca-Cusachs
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona Institute of Technology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jean-François Dufour
- Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Hepatology, University Clinic for Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jaime Bosch
- Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
- Hepatology, University Clinic for Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Hepatology, University Clinic for Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
- Hepatology, University Clinic for Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
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23
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Hide D, Warren A, Fernández-Iglesias A, Maeso-Díaz R, Peralta C, Le Couteur DG, Bosch J, Cogger VC, Gracia-Sancho J. Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in the Aged Liver: The Importance of the Sinusoidal Endothelium in Developing Therapeutic Strategies for the Elderly. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2020; 75:268-277. [PMID: 30649272 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glz012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver endothelium plays a key role in the progression and resolution of liver diseases in young and adult individuals. However, its role in older people remains unknown. We have herein evaluated the importance of the sinusoidal endothelium in the pathophysiology of acute liver injury, and investigated the applicability of simvastatin, in aged animals. Eighteen-months-old male Wistar rats underwent 60 minutes of partial warm ischemia followed by 2 hours of reperfusion (WIR). A group of aged rats received simvastatin for 3 days before WIR. Endothelial phenotype, parenchymal injury, oxidative and nitrosative stress, and fenestrae dynamics were analyzed. The effects of WIR and simvastatin were investigated in primary LSEC from aged animals. The results of this study demonstrated that WIR significantly damages the liver endothelium and its effects are markedly worse in old animals. WIR-aged livers exhibited reduced vasodilation and sinusoidal capillarization, associated with liver damage and cellular stress. Simvastatin prevented the detrimental effects of WIR in aged livers. In conclusion, the liver sinusoidal endothelium of old animals is highly vulnerable to acute insult, thus targeted protection is especially relevant in preventing liver damage. Simvastatin represents a useful therapeutic strategy in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Hide
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Network Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alessandra Warren
- Center for Education and Research on Ageing & ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney and Concord Hospital, Australia
| | - Anabel Fernández-Iglesias
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Network Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Maeso-Díaz
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Peralta
- Biomedical Research Network Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain.,Protective Strategies Against Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Group, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David G Le Couteur
- Center for Education and Research on Ageing & ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney and Concord Hospital, Australia
| | - Jaime Bosch
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Network Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain.,Hepatology, Department of Biomedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University, Switzerland
| | - Victoria C Cogger
- Center for Education and Research on Ageing & ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney and Concord Hospital, Australia
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, University of Barcelona Medical School, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Network Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain.,Hepatology, Department of Biomedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University, Switzerland
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24
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Azparren-Angulo M, Royo F, Gonzalez E, Liebana M, Brotons B, Berganza J, Goñi-de-Cerio F, Manicardi N, Abad-Jordà L, Gracia-Sancho J, Falcon-Perez JM. Extracellular vesicles in hepatology: Physiological role, involvement in pathogenesis, and therapeutic opportunities. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 218:107683. [PMID: 32961265 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Since the first descriptions of hepatocyte-released exosome-like vesicles in 2008, the number of publications describing Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) released by liver cells in the context of hepatic physiology and pathology has grown exponentially. This growing interest highlights both the importance that cell-to-cell communication has in the organization of multicellular organisms from a physiological point of view, as well as the opportunity that these circulating organelles offer in diagnostics and therapeutics. In the present review, we summarize systematically and comprehensively the myriad of works that appeared in the last decade and lighted the discussion about the best opportunities for using EVs in liver disease therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Azparren-Angulo
- Exosomes Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia 48160, Spain
| | - Felix Royo
- Exosomes Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia 48160, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de enfermedades hepáticas y digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Esperanza Gonzalez
- Exosomes Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia 48160, Spain
| | - Marc Liebana
- Exosomes Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia 48160, Spain
| | - Bruno Brotons
- Exosomes Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia 48160, Spain
| | - Jesús Berganza
- GAIKER Technology Centre, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico, Edificio 202, 48170 Zamudio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Felipe Goñi-de-Cerio
- GAIKER Technology Centre, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Parque Tecnológico, Edificio 202, 48170 Zamudio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Nicoló Manicardi
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Unit, IDIBAPS, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Abad-Jordà
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Unit, IDIBAPS, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Unit, IDIBAPS, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain; Hepatology, Department of Biomedical Research, Inselspital & University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Juan M Falcon-Perez
- Exosomes Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Derio, Bizkaia 48160, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de enfermedades hepáticas y digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain; IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Bizkaia 48015, Spain.
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25
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Nevzorova YA, Boyer-Diaz Z, Cubero FJ, Gracia-Sancho J. Animal models for liver disease - A practical approach for translational research. J Hepatol 2020; 73:423-440. [PMID: 32330604 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Animal models are crucial for improving our understanding of human pathogenesis, enabling researchers to identify therapeutic targets and test novel drugs. In the current review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the most widely used experimental models of chronic liver disease, starting from early stages of fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic and alcoholic) to steatohepatitis, advanced cirrhosis and end-stage primary liver cancer. We focus on aspects such as reproducibility and practicality, discussing the advantages and weaknesses of available models for researchers who are planning to perform animal studies in the near future. Additionally, we summarise current and prospective models based on human tissue bioengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia A Nevzorova
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain; 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain; Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Zoe Boyer-Diaz
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Unit, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Liver Bioservices, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Cubero
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain; Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Unit, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Barcelona Liver Bioservices, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain; Hepatology, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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26
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Lafoz E, Ruart M, Anton A, Oncins A, Hernández-Gea V. The Endothelium as a Driver of Liver Fibrosis and Regeneration. Cells 2020; 9:E929. [PMID: 32290100 PMCID: PMC7226820 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a common feature of sustained liver injury and represents a major public health problem worldwide. Fibrosis is an active research field and discoveries in the last years have contributed to the development of new antifibrotic drugs, although none of them have been approved yet. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) are highly specialized endothelial cells localized at the interface between the blood and other liver cell types. They lack a basement membrane and display open channels (fenestrae), making them exceptionally permeable. LSEC are the first cells affected by any kind of liver injury orchestrating the liver response to damage. LSEC govern the regenerative process initiation, but aberrant LSEC activation in chronic liver injury induces fibrosis. LSEC are also main players in fibrosis resolution. They maintain liver homeostasis and keep hepatic stellate cell and Kupffer cell quiescence. After sustained hepatic injury, they lose their phenotype and protective properties, promoting angiogenesis and vasoconstriction and contributing to inflammation and fibrosis. Therefore, improving LSEC phenotype is a promising strategy to prevent liver injury progression and complications. This review focuses on changes occurring in LSEC after liver injury and their consequences on fibrosis progression, liver regeneration, and resolution. Finally, a synopsis of the available strategies for LSEC-specific targeting is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Lafoz
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Maria Ruart
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Aina Anton
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Anna Oncins
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Virginia Hernández-Gea
- Unidad de Hemodinámica Hepática, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Clínic, Universidad de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Augusto Pi Suñer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.L.); (M.R.); (A.A.); (A.O.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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27
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de Haan W, Øie C, Benkheil M, Dheedene W, Vinckier S, Coppiello G, Aranguren XL, Beerens M, Jaekers J, Topal B, Verfaillie C, Smedsrød B, Luttun A. Unraveling the transcriptional determinants of liver sinusoidal endothelial cell specialization. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2020; 318:G803-G815. [PMID: 32116021 PMCID: PMC7191457 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00215.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are the first liver cells to encounter waste macromolecules, pathogens, and toxins in blood. LSECs are highly specialized to mediate the clearance of these substances via endocytic scavenger receptors and are equipped with fenestrae that mediate the passage of macromolecules toward hepatocytes. Although some transcription factors (TFs) are known to play a role in LSEC specialization, information about the specialized LSEC signature and its transcriptional determinants remains incomplete.Based on a comparison of liver, heart, and brain endothelial cells (ECs), we established a 30-gene LSEC signature comprising both established and newly identified markers, including 7 genes encoding TFs. To evaluate the LSEC TF regulatory network, we artificially increased the expression of the 7 LSEC-specific TFs in human umbilical vein ECs. Although Zinc finger E-box-binding protein 2, homeobox B5, Cut-like homolog 2, and transcription factor EC (TCFEC) had limited contributions, musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma (C-MAF), GATA binding protein 4 (GATA4), and MEIS homeobox 2 (MEIS2) emerged as stronger inducers of LSEC marker expression. Furthermore, a combination of C-MAF, GATA4, and MEIS2 showed a synergistic effect on the increase of LSEC signature genes, including liver/lymph node-specific ICAM-3 grabbing non-integrin (L-SIGN) (or C-type lectin domain family member M (CLEC4M)), mannose receptor C-Type 1 (MRC1), legumain (LGMN), G protein-coupled receptor 182 (GPR182), Plexin C1 (PLXNC1), and solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 2A1 (SLCO2A1). Accordingly, L-SIGN, MRC1, pro-LGMN, GPR182, PLXNC1, and SLCO2A1 protein levels were elevated by this combined overexpression. Although receptor-mediated endocytosis was not significantly induced by the triple TF combination, it enhanced binding to E2, the hepatitis C virus host-binding protein. We conclude that C-MAF, GATA4, and MEIS2 are important transcriptional regulators of the unique LSEC fingerprint and LSEC interaction with viruses. Additional factors are however required to fully recapitulate the molecular, morphological, and functional LSEC fingerprint.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are the first liver cells to encounter waste macromolecules, pathogens, and toxins in the blood and are highly specialized. Although some transcription factors are known to play a role in LSEC specialization, information about the specialized LSEC signature and its transcriptional determinants remains incomplete. Here, we show that Musculoaponeurotic Fibrosarcoma (C-MAF), GATA binding protein 4 (GATA4), and Meis homeobox 2 (MEIS2) are important transcriptional regulators of the unique LSEC signature and that they affect the interaction of LSECs with viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willeke de Haan
- 1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cristina Øie
- 2Vascular Biology Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Wouter Dheedene
- 1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefan Vinckier
- 4Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,5Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Center for Cancer Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giulia Coppiello
- 1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Xabier López Aranguren
- 1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Manu Beerens
- 1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joris Jaekers
- 6Abdominal Surgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven, Leuven, Belgiuincreased the expression of the 7 LSEC-specificm
| | - Baki Topal
- 6Abdominal Surgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven, Leuven, Belgiuincreased the expression of the 7 LSEC-specificm
| | - Catherine Verfaillie
- 7Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bård Smedsrød
- 2Vascular Biology Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Aernout Luttun
- 1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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28
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Liver Bioreactor Design Issues of Fluid Flow and Zonation, Fibrosis, and Mechanics: A Computational Perspective. J Funct Biomater 2020; 11:jfb11010013. [PMID: 32121053 PMCID: PMC7151609 DOI: 10.3390/jfb11010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering, with the goal of repairing or replacing damaged tissue and organs, has continued to make dramatic science-based advances since its origins in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Such advances are always multi-disciplinary in nature, from basic biology and chemistry through physics and mathematics to various engineering and computer fields. This review will focus its attention on two topics critical for tissue engineering liver development: (a) fluid flow, zonation, and drug screening, and (b) biomechanics, tissue stiffness, and fibrosis, all within the context of 3D structures. First, a general overview of various bioreactor designs developed to investigate fluid transport and tissue biomechanics is given. This includes a mention of computational fluid dynamic methods used to optimize and validate these designs. Thereafter, the perspective provided by computer simulations of flow, reactive transport, and biomechanics responses at the scale of the liver lobule and liver tissue is outlined, in addition to how bioreactor-measured properties can be utilized in these models. Here, the fundamental issues of tortuosity and upscaling are highlighted, as well as the role of disease and fibrosis in these issues. Some idealized simulations of the effects of fibrosis on lobule drug transport and mechanics responses are provided to further illustrate these concepts. This review concludes with an outline of some practical applications of tissue engineering advances and how efficient computational upscaling techniques, such as dual continuum modeling, might be used to quantify the transition of bioreactor results to the full liver scale.
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29
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Peterson NC, Mahalingaiah PK, Fullerton A, Di Piazza M. Application of microphysiological systems in biopharmaceutical research and development. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:697-708. [PMID: 31967156 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc00962k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Within the last 10 years, several tissue microphysiological systems (MPS) have been developed and characterized for retention of morphologic characteristics and specific gene/protein expression profiles from their natural in vivo state. Once developed, their utility is typically further tested by comparing responses to known toxic small-molecule pharmaceuticals in efforts to develop strategies for further toxicity testing of compounds under development. More recently, application of this technology in biopharmaceutical (large molecules) development is beginning to be more appreciated. In this review, we describe some of the advances made for tissue-specific MPS and outline the advantages and challenges of applying and further developing MPS technology in preclinical biopharmaceutical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman C Peterson
- Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, AstraZeneca, One Medimmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA.
| | | | | | - Matteo Di Piazza
- Nonclinical Drug Safety, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 900 Ridgebury Rd, Ridgefield, CT 06877, USA
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30
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Deng J, Wei W, Chen Z, Lin B, Zhao W, Luo Y, Zhang X. Engineered Liver-on-a-Chip Platform to Mimic Liver Functions and Its Biomedical Applications: A Review. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:E676. [PMID: 31591365 PMCID: PMC6843249 DOI: 10.3390/mi10100676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatology and drug development for liver diseases require in vitro liver models. Typical models include 2D planar primary hepatocytes, hepatocyte spheroids, hepatocyte organoids, and liver-on-a-chip. Liver-on-a-chip has emerged as the mainstream model for drug development because it recapitulates the liver microenvironment and has good assay robustness such as reproducibility. Liver-on-a-chip with human primary cells can potentially correlate clinical testing. Liver-on-a-chip can not only predict drug hepatotoxicity and drug metabolism, but also connect other artificial organs on the chip for a human-on-a-chip, which can reflect the overall effect of a drug. Engineering an effective liver-on-a-chip device requires knowledge of multiple disciplines including chemistry, fluidic mechanics, cell biology, electrics, and optics. This review first introduces the physiological microenvironments in the liver, especially the cell composition and its specialized roles, and then summarizes the strategies to build a liver-on-a-chip via microfluidic technologies and its biomedical applications. In addition, the latest advancements of liver-on-a-chip technologies are discussed, which serve as a basis for further liver-on-a-chip research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiu Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Department of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; (J.D.); (W.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.)
| | - Wenbo Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Department of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; (J.D.); (W.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.)
| | - Zongzheng Chen
- Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral research station, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China;
| | - Bingcheng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Department of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; (J.D.); (W.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.)
| | - Weijie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Department of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; (J.D.); (W.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Department of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; (J.D.); (W.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.L.)
| | - Xiuli Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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31
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Gracia‐Sancho J, Manicardi N, Ortega‐Ribera M, Maeso‐Díaz R, Guixé‐Muntet S, Fernández‐Iglesias A, Hide D, García‐Calderó H, Boyer‐Díaz Z, Contreras PC, Spada A, Bosch J. Emricasan Ameliorates Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis in Cirrhotic Rats Through a Hepatocyte-Mediated Paracrine Mechanism. Hepatol Commun 2019; 3:987-1000. [PMID: 31304452 PMCID: PMC6601324 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In cirrhosis, liver microvascular dysfunction is a key factor increasing hepatic vascular resistance to portal blood flow, which leads to portal hypertension. De-regulated inflammatory and pro-apoptotic processes due to chronic injury play important roles in the dysfunction of liver sinusoidal cells. The present study aimed at characterizing the effects of the pan-caspase inhibitor emricasan on systemic and hepatic hemodynamics, hepatic cells phenotype, and underlying mechanisms in preclinical models of advanced chronic liver disease. We investigated the effects of 7-day emricasan on hepatic and systemic hemodynamics, liver function, hepatic microcirculatory function, inflammation, fibrosis, hepatic cells phenotype, and paracrine interactions in rats with advanced cirrhosis due to chronic CCl4 administration. The hepato-protective effects of emricasan were additionally investigated in cells isolated from human cirrhotic livers. Cirrhotic rats receiving emricasan showed significantly lower portal pressure than vehicle-treated animals with no changes in portal blood flow, indicating improved vascular resistance. Hemodynamic improvement was associated with significantly better liver function, reduced hepatic inflammation, improved phenotype of hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, hepatic stellate cells and macrophages, and reduced fibrosis. In vitro experiments demonstrated that emricasan exerted its benefits directly improving hepatocytes' expression of specific markers and synthetic capacity, and ameliorated nonparenchymal cells through a paracrine mechanism mediated by small extracellular vesicles released by hepatocytes. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that emricasan improves liver sinusoidal microvascular dysfunction in cirrhosis, which leads to marked amelioration in fibrosis, portal hypertension and liver function, and therefore encourages its clinical evaluation in the treatment of advanced chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Gracia‐Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupBarcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain
- CIBEREHDMadridSpain
- Hepatology, Department of Biomedical ResearchInselspital – University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Nicolò Manicardi
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupBarcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain
| | - Martí Ortega‐Ribera
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupBarcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain
| | - Raquel Maeso‐Díaz
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupBarcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain
| | - Sergi Guixé‐Muntet
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupBarcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain
- Hepatology, Department of Biomedical ResearchInselspital – University of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Anabel Fernández‐Iglesias
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupBarcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain
- CIBEREHDMadridSpain
| | - Diana Hide
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupBarcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain
- CIBEREHDMadridSpain
| | - Héctor García‐Calderó
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupBarcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain
- CIBEREHDMadridSpain
| | | | | | | | - Jaime Bosch
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupBarcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain
- CIBEREHDMadridSpain
- Hepatology, Department of Biomedical ResearchInselspital – University of BernBernSwitzerland
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32
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Mihara H, Kugawa M, Sayo K, Tao F, Shinohara M, Nishikawa M, Sakai Y, Akama T, Kojima N. Improved Oxygen Supply to Multicellular Spheroids Using A Gas-permeable Plate and Embedded Hydrogel Beads. Cells 2019; 8:cells8060525. [PMID: 31159231 PMCID: PMC6627619 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Culture systems for three-dimensional tissues, such as multicellular spheroids, are indispensable for high-throughput screening of primary or patient-derived xenograft (PDX)-expanded cancer tissues. Oxygen supply to the center of such spheroids is particularly critical for maintaining cellular functions as well as avoiding the development of a necrotic core. In this study, we evaluated two methods to enhance oxygen supply: (1) using a culture plate with a gas-permeable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane on the bottom, and; (2) embedding hydrogel beads in the spheroids. Culturing spheroids on PDMS increased cell growth and affected glucose/lactate metabolism and CYP3A4 mRNA expression and subsequent enzyme activity. The spheroids, comprised of 5000 Hep G2 cells and 5000 20 µm-diameter hydrogel beads, did not develop a necrotic core for nine days when cultured on a gas-permeable sheet. In contrast, central necrosis in spheroids lacking hydrogel beads was observed after day 3 of culture, even when using PDMS. These results indicate that the combination of gas-permeable culture equipment and embedded hydrogel beads improves culture 3D spheroids produced from primary or PDX-expanded tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Mihara
- Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
| | - Mai Kugawa
- Faculty of Science, International College of Arts and Science, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
| | - Kanae Sayo
- Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
| | - Fumiya Tao
- Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
| | - Marie Shinohara
- Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Masaki Nishikawa
- Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Yasuyuki Sakai
- Department of Chemical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Akama
- Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
| | - Nobuhiko Kojima
- Department of Life and Environmental System Science, Graduate School of Nanobioscience, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
- Faculty of Science, International College of Arts and Science, Yokohama City University, 22-2 Seto, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0027, Japan.
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33
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Gracia-Sancho J, Marrone G, Fernández-Iglesias A. Hepatic microcirculation and mechanisms of portal hypertension. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 16:221-234. [PMID: 30568278 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-018-0097-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The liver microcirculatory milieu, mainly composed of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and hepatic macrophages, has an essential role in liver homeostasis, including in preserving hepatocyte function, regulating the vascular tone and controlling inflammation. Liver microcirculatory dysfunction is one of the key mechanisms that promotes the progression of chronic liver disease (also termed cirrhosis) and the development of its major clinical complication, portal hypertension. In the present Review, we describe the current knowledge of liver microcirculatory dysfunction in cirrhotic portal hypertension and appraise the preclinical models used to study the liver circulation. We also provide a comprehensive summary of the promising therapeutic options to target the liver microvasculature in cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain. .,Hepatology, Department of Biomedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Giusi Marrone
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anabel Fernández-Iglesias
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, CIBEREHD, Barcelona, Spain
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34
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Fernández‐Iglesias A, Ortega‐Ribera M, Guixé‐Muntet S, Gracia‐Sancho J. 4 in 1: Antibody-free protocol for isolating the main hepatic cells from healthy and cirrhotic single rat livers. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:877-886. [PMID: 30417530 PMCID: PMC6349241 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cells isolated from pre-clinical models are essential tools for studying liver (patho)physiology, and also for screening new therapeutic options. We aimed at developing a new antibody-free isolation method able to obtain the four main hepatic cell types (hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells [LSEC], hepatic macrophages [HMΦ] and hepatic stellate cells [HSC]) from a single rat liver. Control and cirrhotic (CCl4 and TAA) rat livers (n = 6) were perfused, digested with collagenase and mechanically disaggregated obtaining a multicellular suspension. Hepatocytes were purified by low revolution centrifugations while non-parenchymal cells were subjected to differential centrifugation. Two different fractions were obtained: HSC and mixed LSEC + HMΦ. Further LSEC and HMΦ enrichment was achieved by selective adherence time to collagen-coated substrates. Isolated cells showed high viability (80%-95%) and purity (>95%) and were characterized as functional: hepatocytes synthetized albumin and urea, LSEC maintained endocytic capacity and in vivo fenestrae distribution, HMΦ increased expression of inflammatory markers in response to LPS and HSC were activated upon in vitro culture. The 4 in 1 protocol allows the simultaneous isolation of highly pure and functional hepatic cell sub-populations from control or cirrhotic single livers without antibody selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabel Fernández‐Iglesias
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupBarcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic LaboratoryIDIBAPS Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD)MadridSpain
| | - Martí Ortega‐Ribera
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupBarcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic LaboratoryIDIBAPS Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain
| | - Sergi Guixé‐Muntet
- HepatologyDepartment of Biomedical ResearchInselspitalBern UniversityBernSwitzerland
| | - Jordi Gracia‐Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research GroupBarcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic LaboratoryIDIBAPS Biomedical Research InstituteBarcelonaSpain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD)MadridSpain
- HepatologyDepartment of Biomedical ResearchInselspitalBern UniversityBernSwitzerland
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35
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Ortega-Ribera M, Fernández-Iglesias A, Illa X, Moya A, Molina V, Maeso-Díaz R, Fondevila C, Peralta C, Bosch J, Villa R, Gracia-Sancho J. Resemblance of the human liver sinusoid in a fluidic device with biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Biotechnol Bioeng 2018; 115:2585-2594. [PMID: 29940068 PMCID: PMC6220781 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of the complex phenotype of primary hepatocytes in vitro represents a limitation for developing liver support systems and reliable tools for biomedical research and drug screening. We herein aimed at developing a biosystem able to preserve human and rodent hepatocytes phenotype in vitro based on the main characteristics of the liver sinusoid: unique cellular architecture, endothelial biodynamic stimulation, and parenchymal zonation. Primary hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) were isolated from control and cirrhotic human or control rat livers and cultured in conventional in vitro platforms or within our liver‐resembling device. Hepatocytes phenotype, function, and response to hepatotoxic drugs were analyzed. Results evidenced that mimicking the in vivo sinusoidal environment within our biosystem, primary human and rat hepatocytes cocultured with functional LSEC maintained morphology and showed high albumin and urea production, enhanced cytochrome P450 family 3 subfamily A member 4 (CYP3A4) activity, and maintained expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (hnf4α) and transporters, showing delayed hepatocyte dedifferentiation. In addition, differentiated hepatocytes cultured within this liver‐resembling device responded to acute treatment with known hepatotoxic drugs significantly different from those seen in conventional culture platforms. In conclusion, this study describes a new bioengineered device that mimics the human sinusoid in vitro, representing a novel method to study liver diseases and toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martí Ortega-Ribera
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Applications Group (GAB), Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Esfera UAB, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Anabel Fernández-Iglesias
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Xavi Illa
- Biomedical Applications Group (GAB), Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Esfera UAB, Bellaterra, Spain.,Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBERBBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Moya
- Biomedical Applications Group (GAB), Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Esfera UAB, Bellaterra, Spain.,Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBERBBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Molina
- Liver Surgery and Transplantation Unit, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Maeso-Díaz
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Constantino Fondevila
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain.,Liver Surgery and Transplantation Unit, IDIBAPS, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Peralta
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain.,Protective Strategies Against Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Group, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Bosch
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain.,Hepatology, Department of Biomedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rosa Villa
- Biomedical Applications Group (GAB), Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona, IMB-CNM (CSIC), Esfera UAB, Bellaterra, Spain.,Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBERBBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Liver Vascular Biology Research Group, Barcelona Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Biomedical Research Networking Center in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain.,Hepatology, Department of Biomedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University, Bern, Switzerland
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