QSG-7701 human hepatocytes form polarized acini in three-dimensional culture

Proteasome activation is critical for cell death induced by inhibitors of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) in multiple cancers

Inhibitors of polo-like kinase (PLK) are currently being evaluated as anticancer drugs. However, the molecular mechanism of PLK inhibitor-induced cell death is not fully understood. In this study, we found that GW843682X and BI2536, two inhibitors of PLK1, significantly induced cell death in multiple type cells. The induction of cell death was related to the preferring expression of PLK1. However, in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human colorectal carcinoma cells, which expressed higher levels of both PLK1 and PLK2, PLK1 inhibitors induced very low levels of cell death. Clinical analysis reveals PLK1 presence in 26 of 30 NPC tumor tissues. In in vivo NPC lung metastasis nude mouse models, PLK1 inhibitors decreased NPC progress. Mechanistically, the PLK1 inhibitor did not activate p53, and the cell death was not reversed by p53 inhibition. Moreover, PLK1 inhibitor-induced cell death was PARP- and caspase-independent. Although PLK1 inhibitors induced down-regulation of calpain inhibitor calpastatin and calpain was activated by PLK1 inhibition, calpain blocking did not reverse cell death induced by PLK1 inhibitors, suggesting the non-involvement of calpain. Surprisingly, we found that PLK1 inhibitors induced the activation of proteasome, and the treatment of cells with PLK1 inhibitors reduced the levels of ubiquitinated proteins. And proteasome inhibitors reversed cell death induced by PLK1 inhibitors in various cell types in which PLK1 was preferentially expressed. Moreover, PLK1 inhibition reversed the degradation of proteins including p53, caspase 8, PARP and calpastatin. These results suggest that the activation of proteasome is critical for cell death induced by PLK1 inhibition.

β1 integrin-mediated multicellular resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma through activation of the FAK/Akt pathway

Objective

To explore the role and mechanism of β1 integrin in the regulation of multicellular drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

This in vitro study used a liquid overlay technique to obtain multicellular spheroids of two human HCC cell lines, HepG2 and Bel-7402. The morphology of the spheroids was observed by optical and electron microscopy. The effects of exposure to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (CDDP) on cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis were assessed in monolayer cells and multicellular spheroids. The levels of β1 integrin and the effects on the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway were evaluated using Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The role of β1 integrin was confirmed by using an inhibitory antibody.

Results

Cell proliferation inhibition and cell apoptosis induced by 5-FUl and CDDP were abrogated in multicellular spheroids compared with monolayer cells. There were high levels of β1 integrin in multicellular spheroids. β1 integrin inhibitory antibody prevented the formation of multicellular spheroids, coupled with a significant increase in proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction. β1 integrin inhibitory antibody effectively suppressed activation of both FAK and Akt in multicellular spheroids.

Conclusions

β1 integrin mediated multicellular drug resistance through the FAK/Akt pathway in HCC spheroids.

By inhibiting PFKFB3, aspirin overcomes sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the few cancers with a continuous increase in incidence and mortality. Drug resistance is a major problem in the treatment of HCC. In this study, two sorafenib-resistant HCC cell lines and a nude mouse subcutaneously tumor model were used to explore the possible mechanisms leading to sorafenib resistance, and to investigate whether aspirin could increase the sensitivity of hepatoma cells to sorafenib. The combination of aspirin and sorafenib resulted in a synergistic antitumor effect against liver tumors both in vitro and in vivo. High glycolysis and PFKFB3 overexpression occupied a dominant position in sorafenib resistance, and can be targeted and overcome by aspirin. Aspirin plus sorafenib induced apoptosis in tumors without inducing weight loss, hepatotoxicity or inflammation. Our results suggest that aspirin overcomes sorafenib resistance and their combination may be an effective treatment approach for HCC.

Human eccrine sweat gland cells reconstitute polarized spheroids when subcutaneously implanted with Matrigel in nude mice

Increasing evidence indicates that maintenance of cell polarity plays a pivotal role in the regulation of glandular homeostasis and function. We examine the markers for polarity at different time points to investigate the formation of cell polarity during 3D reconstitution of eccrine sweat glands. Mixtures of eccrine sweat gland cells and Matrigel were injected subcutaneously into the inguinal regions of nude mice. At 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks post-implantation, Matrigel plugs were removed and immunostained for basal collagen IV, lateral β-catenin, lateroapical ZO-1 and apical F-actin. The results showed that the cell polarity of the spheroids appeared in sequence. Formation of basal polarity was prior to lateral, apical and lateroapical polarity. Collagen IV was detected basally at 2 weeks, β-catenin laterally and ZO-1 lateroapically at 3 weeks, and F-actin apically at 4 weeks post-implantation. At week 5 and week 6, the localization and the positive percentage of collagen IV, β-catenin, ZO-1 or F-actin in spheroids was similar to that in native eccrine sweat glands. We conclude that the reconstituted 3D eccrine sweat glands are functional or potentially functional.

Is time an extra dimension in 3D cell culture?

Time or the temporal microenvironment is a parameter that is often overlooked in 3D cell culture. However, given that the 3D system is a dynamic entity, there exists bidirectional signaling between the cells and their microenvironment and, in time, cells can develop the capacity to modulate their environment. We make this case here by illustrating the relation between the temporal dimension and other microenvironmental parameters and demonstrate how the exogenously incorporated microenvironmental factors (MEFs) can be rendered less significant with time. Such knowledge can guide construct design to make 3D platforms architecturally simpler by eliminating redundancy. We further show that there is a need to establish the point at which the construct is complex enough such that its use yields responses that more closely emulate in vivo outcomes.

Probing the relevance of 3D cancer models in nanomedicine research

For decades, 2D cell culture format on plastic has been the main workhorse in cancer research. Though many important understandings of cancer cell biology were derived using this platform, it is not a fair representation of the in vivo scenario. In this review, both established and new 3D cell culture systems are discussed with specific references to anti-cancer drug and nanomedicine applications. 3D culture systems exploit more realistic spatial, biochemical and cellular heterogeneity parameters to bridge the experimental gap between in vivo and in vitro settings when studying the performance and efficacy of novel nanomedicine strategies to manage cancer. However, the complexities associated with 3D culture systems also necessitate greater technical expertise in handling and characterizing in order to arrive at meaningful experimental conclusions. Finally, we have also provided future perspectives where cutting edge 3D culture technologies may be combined with under-explored technologies to build better in vitro cancer platforms.

A 3D in vitro model of differentiated HepG2 cell spheroids with improved liver-like properties for repeated dose high-throughput toxicity studies

Immortalized hepatocyte cell lines show only a weak resemblance to primary hepatocytes in terms of gene expression and function, limiting their value in predicting drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Furthermore, primary hepatocytes cultured on two-dimensional tissue culture plastic surfaces rapidly dedifferentiate losing their hepatocyte functions and metabolic competence. We have developed a three-dimensional in vitro model using extracellular matrix-based hydrogel for long-term culture of the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. HepG2 cells cultured in this model stop proliferating, self-organize and differentiate to form multiple polarized spheroids. These spheroids re-acquire lost hepatocyte functions such as storage of glycogen, transport of bile salts and the formation of structures resembling bile canaliculi. HepG2 spheroids also show increased expression of albumin, urea, xenobiotic transcription factors, phase I and II drug metabolism enzymes and transporters. Consistent with this, cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism is significantly higher in HepG2 spheroids compared to monolayer cultures. This highly differentiated phenotype can be maintained in 384-well microtiter plates for at least 28 days. Toxicity assessment studies with this model showed an increased sensitivity in identifying hepatotoxic compounds with repeated dosing regimens. This simple and robust high-throughput-compatible methodology may have potential for use in toxicity screening assays and mechanistic studies and may represent an alternative to animal models for studying DILI.

RMP plays distinct roles in the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and normal hepatic cells

RMP has been shown to function in the transcription regulation through association with RNA polymerase (RNAP) II subunit RPB5. It also has been shown to be required for the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells with an antiapoptotic property. In this article, we further demonstrate that RMP displays distinct features in HCC cells compared with normal hepatic cells. RMP expression is remarkably increased in various cancer cell lines including HCC cells when compared with normal cells. Depletion of RMP could inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells, but not the normal hepatic cells. RMP significantly prevented apoptosis of HCC cells in SMMC-7721 and HepG2, but had little effect on apoptosis in the normal hepatic cells. The mechanisms of RMP's distinct features rely on different responsive expressions of apoptosis factors induced by RMP in HCC and hepatic cells. Either overexpression or depletion of RMP significantly affected the expression of apoptosis factors in HCC cells. However, normal hepatic cells showed a tendency to resist RMP for the regulation of apoptosis. In the clinical samples, the increased expression of RMP in HCCs was also observed when compared with the matched non-tumor tissues from 30 HCC patients. The different expression levels of and distinct responses to RMP between HCC and hepatic cells suggest that RMP might serve as not only a biomarker for the diagnosis of HCC, but also a potential target for the HCC therapy.

Cells and materials for liver tissue engineering

Liver transplantation is currently the most efficacious treatment for end-stage liver diseases. However, one main problem with liver transplantation is the limited number of donor organs that are available. Therefore, liver tissue engineering based on cell transplantation that combines materials to mimic the liver is under investigation with the goal of restoring normal liver functions. Tissue engineering aims to mimic the interactions among cells with a scaffold. Particular materials or a matrix serve as a scaffold and provide a three-dimensional environment for cell proliferation and interaction. Moreover, the scaffold plays a role in regulating cell maturation and function via these interactions. In cultures of hepatic lineage cells, regulation of cell proliferation and specific function using biocompatible synthetic, biodegradable bioderived matrices, protein-coated materials, surface-modified nanofibers, and decellularized biomatrix has been demonstrated. Furthermore, beneficial effects of addition of growth factor cocktails to a flow bioreactor or coculture system on cell viability and function have been observed. In addition, a system for growing stem cells, liver progenitor cells, and primary hepatocytes for transplantation into animal models was developed, which produces hepatic lineage cells that are functional and that show long-term proliferation following transplantation. The major limitation of cells proliferated with matrix-based transplantation systems is the high initial cell loss and dysfunction, which may be due to the absence of blood flow and the changes in nutrients. Thus, the development of vascular-like scaffold structures, the formation of functional bile ducts, and the maintenance of complex metabolic functions remain as major problems in hepatic tissue engineering and will need to be addressed to enable further advances toward clinical applications.

The XTT cell proliferation assay applied to cell layers embedded in three-dimensional matrix

Cell proliferation, a main target in cancer therapy, is influenced by the surrounding three-dimensional (3D) extracellular matrix (ECM). In vitro drug screening is, thus, optimally performed under conditions in which cells are grown (embedded or trapped) in dense 3D matrices, as these most closely mimic the adhesive and mechanical properties of natural ECM. Measuring cell proliferation under these conditions is, however, technically more challenging compared with two-dimensional (2D) culture and other "3D culture conditions," such as growth on top of a matrix (pseudo-3D) or in spongy scaffolds with large pore sizes. Consequently, such measurements are only slowly applied on a wider scale. To advance this, we report on the equal quality (dynamic range, background, linearity) of measuring the proliferation of cell layers embedded in dense 3D matrices (collagen, Matrigel) compared with cells in 2D culture using the easy (one-step) and in 2D well-validated, 2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT)-assay. The comparison stresses the differences in proliferation kinetics and drug sensitivity of matrix-embedded cells versus 2D culture. Using the specific cell-layer-embedded 3D matrix setup, quantitative measurements of cell proliferation and cell invasion are shown to be possible in similar assay conditions, and cytostatic, cytotoxic, and anti-invasive drug effects can thus be reliably determined and compared in physiologically relevant settings. This approach in the 3D matrix holds promise for improving early-stage, high-throughput drug screening, targeting either highly invasive or highly proliferative subpopulations of cancers or both.

Enhanced bile canaliculi formation enabling direct recovery of biliary metabolites of hepatocytes in 3D collagen gel microcavities

Analysis of biliary metabolites is essential to predict pharmacokinetics and hepatotoxicity during drug development. In this paper, we present a hepatocyte culture configuration that enables the direct recovery of bile acid that accumulates in bile canaliculi by embedding the hepatocytes in a 3D micropatterned collagen gel substrate. We investigated the formation of bile canaliculi in hepatocytes embedded in circular microcavities of various sizes and made from collagen gel. Image analyses using fluorescently labeled bile acid revealed that the area of bile canaliculi in embedded hepatocytes in a microcavity of 60 or 80 μm in diameter was enlarged when compared with other sized microcavities and those of hepatocytes cultured using conventional hepatocyte sandwich cultures. We successfully recovered bile acid from the enlarged bile canaliculi of hepatocytes cultured in microcavities using a glass capillary and quantified the amount recovered. Using our approach, the direct recovery of biliary metabolites, using hepatocyte cultures with enhanced biliary excretion and geometrically enlarged bile canaliculi, may enable accurate screening of pharmacokinetics and drug-drug interactions against drug transporters.