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Hu Y, Hu X, Luo J, Huang J, Sun Y, Li H, Qiao Y, Wu H, Li J, Zhou L, Zheng S. Liver organoid culture methods. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:197. [PMID: 37915043 PMCID: PMC10619312 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01136-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Organoids, three-dimensional structures cultured in vitro, can recapitulate the microenvironment, complex architecture, and cellular functions of in vivo organs or tissues. In recent decades, liver organoids have been developed rapidly, and their applications in biomedicine, such as drug screening, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine, have been widely recognized. However, the lack of repeatability and consistency, including the lack of standardized culture conditions, has been a major obstacle to the development and clinical application of liver organoids. It is time-consuming for researchers to identify an appropriate medium component scheme, and the usage of some ingredients remains controversial. In this review, we summarized and compared different methods for liver organoid cultivation that have been published in recent years, focusing on controversial medium components and discussing their advantages and drawbacks. We aimed to provide an effective reference for the development and standardization of liver organoid cultivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Hu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Xiaoyi Hu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Jia Luo
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Jiacheng Huang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Yaohan Sun
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Haoyu Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Yinbiao Qiao
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Jianhui Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310015, China
- The Organ Repair and Regeneration Medicine Institute of Hangzhou, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250117, China.
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Zhejiang Shuren University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310015, China.
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250117, China.
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Wang AJ, Allen A, Sofman M, Sphabmixay P, Yildiz E, Griffith LG. Engineering Modular 3D Liver Culture Microenvironments In Vitro to Parse the Interplay between Biophysical and Biochemical Microenvironment Cues on Hepatic Phenotypes. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2022; 2:2100049. [PMID: 35872804 PMCID: PMC9307216 DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202100049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro models of human liver functions are used across a diverse range of applications in preclinical drug development and disease modeling, with particular increasing interest in models that capture facets of liver inflammatory status. This study investigates how the interplay between biophysical and biochemical microenvironment cues influence phenotypic responses, including inflammation signatures, of primary human hepatocytes (PHH) cultured in a commercially available perfused bioreactor. A 3D printing-based alginate microwell system was designed to form thousands of hepatic spheroids in a scalable manner as a comparator 3D culture modality to the bioreactor. Soft, synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel scaffolds with biophysical properties mimicking features of liver were engineered to replace polystyrene scaffolds, and the biochemical microenvironment was modulated with a defined set of growth factors and signaling modulators. The supplemented media significantly increased tissue density, albumin secretion, and CYP3A4 activity but also upregulated inflammatory markers. Basal inflammatory markers were lower for cells maintained in ECM hydrogel scaffolds or spheroid formats than polystyrene scaffolds, while hydrogel scaffolds exhibited the most sensitive response to inflammation as assessed by multiplexed cytokine and RNA-seq analyses. Together, these engineered 3D liver microenvironments provide insights for probing human liver functions and inflammatory response in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex J Wang
- Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Allysa Allen
- Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Marianna Sofman
- Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Pierre Sphabmixay
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Ece Yildiz
- Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Science, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Route Cantonale, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Linda G. Griffith
- Biological Engineering Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA; Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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Wang Z, Faria J, Penning LC, Masereeuw R, Spee B. Tissue-Engineered Bile Ducts for Disease Modeling and Therapy. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2021; 27:59-76. [PMID: 33267737 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2020.0283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent biotechnical advances in the in vitro culture of cholangiocytes and generation of bioengineered biliary tissue have a high potential for creating biliary tissue to be used for disease modeling, drug screening, and transplantation. For the past few decades, scientists have searched for a source of cholangiocytes, focused on primary cholangiocytes or cholangiocytes derived from hepatocytes or stem cells. At the same time, the development of scaffolds for biliary tissue engineering for transplantation and modeling of cholangiopathies has been explored. In this review, we provide an overview on the current understanding of cholangiocytes sources, the effect of signaling molecules, and transcription factors on cell differentiation, along with the effects of extracellular matrix molecules and scaffolds on bioengineered biliary tissues, and their application in disease modeling and drug screening. Impact statement Over the past few decades, biliary tissue engineering has acquired significant attention, but currently a number of factors hinder this field to eventually generate bioengineered bile ducts that mimic in vivo physiology and are suitable for transplantation. In this review, we present the latest advances with respect to cell source selection, influence of growth factors and scaffolds, and functional characterization, as well as applications in cholangiopathy modeling and drug screening. This review is suited for a broad spectrum of readers, including fundamental liver researchers and clinicians with interest in the current state and application of bile duct engineering and disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenguo Wang
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - João Faria
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Louis C Penning
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rosalinde Masereeuw
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Spee
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Ramli MNB, Lim YS, Koe CT, Demircioglu D, Tng W, Gonzales KAU, Tan CP, Szczerbinska I, Liang H, Soe EL, Lu Z, Ariyachet C, Yu KM, Koh SH, Yaw LP, Jumat NHB, Lim JSY, Wright G, Shabbir A, Dan YY, Ng HH, Chan YS. Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Organoids as Models of Liver Disease. Gastroenterology 2020; 159:1471-1486.e12. [PMID: 32553762 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS There are few in vitro models for studying the 3-dimensional interactions among different liver cell types during organogenesis or disease development. We aimed to generate hepatic organoids that comprise different parenchymal liver cell types and have structural features of the liver, using human pluripotent stem cells. METHODS We cultured H1 human embryonic stem cells (WA-01, passage 27-40) and induced pluripotent stem cells (GM23338) with a series of chemically defined and serum-free media to induce formation of posterior foregut cells, which were differentiated in 3 dimensions into hepatic endoderm spheroids and stepwise into hepatoblast spheroids. Hepatoblast spheroids were reseeded in a high-throughput format and induced to form hepatic organoids; development of functional bile canaliculi was imaged live. Levels of albumin and apolipoprotein B were measured in cell culture supernatants using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Levels of gamma glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase were measured in cholangiocytes. Organoids were incubated with troglitazone for varying periods and bile transport and accumulation were visualized by live-imaging microscopy. Organoids were incubated with oleic and palmitic acid, and formation of lipid droplets was visualized by staining. We compared gene expression profiles of organoids incubated with free fatty acids or without. We also compared gene expression profiles between liver tissue samples from patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) versus without. We quantified hepatocyte and cholangiocyte populations in organoids using immunostaining and flow cytometry; cholangiocyte proliferation of cholangiocytes was measured. We compared the bile canaliculi network in the organoids incubated with versus without free fatty acids by live imaging. RESULTS Cells in organoids differentiated into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, based on the expression of albumin and cytokeratin 7. Hepatocytes were functional, based on secretion of albumin and apolipoprotein B and cytochrome P450 activity; cholangiocytes were functional, based on gamma glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase activity and proliferative responses to secretin. The organoids organized a functional bile canaliculi system, which was disrupted by cholestasis-inducing drugs such as troglitazone. Organoids incubated with free fatty acids had gene expression signatures similar to those of liver tissues from patients with NASH. Incubation of organoids with free fatty acid-enriched media resulted in structural changes associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, such as decay of bile canaliculi network and ductular reactions. CONCLUSIONS We developed a hepatic organoid platform with human cells that can be used to model complex liver diseases, including NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yee Siang Lim
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chwee Tat Koe
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Deniz Demircioglu
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Weiquan Tng
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kevin Andrew Uy Gonzales
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore; Robin Chemers Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York City, New York
| | - Cheng Peow Tan
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Iwona Szczerbinska
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hongqing Liang
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Einsi Lynn Soe
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhiping Lu
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Ka Man Yu
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shu Hui Koh
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lai Ping Yaw
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nur Halisah Binte Jumat
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - John Soon Yew Lim
- Institute of Medical Biology, A∗STAR, Singapore; Skin Research Institute of Singapore, A∗STAR, Singapore
| | - Graham Wright
- Institute of Medical Biology, A∗STAR, Singapore; Skin Research Institute of Singapore, A∗STAR, Singapore
| | - Asim Shabbir
- Department of Surgery, University Surgical Cluster, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Yock Young Dan
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Huck-Hui Ng
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore; School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Yun-Shen Chan
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore.
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Luo H, Liu WH, Liang HY, Yan HT, Lin N, Li DY, Wang T, Tang LJ. Differentiation-inducing therapeutic effect of Notch inhibition in reversing malignant transformation of liver normal stem cells via MET. Oncotarget 2018; 9:18885-18895. [PMID: 29721169 PMCID: PMC5922363 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) are the key factors for cancer metastasis, recurrent, and drug resistance. LCSCs are originated from either hepatocytes dedifferentiation or differentiation arresting of liver normal stem cells (LNSCs). Differentiation-inducing therapy is a novel strategy in solid tumors. Furthermore, Notch signaling pathway has been proved to play important role in the process of hepatocytes differentiation. In previous study, a malignant transformation cellular model of LNSCs has been built up, and in this study we are trying to illustrate whether inhibition of Notch can reverse this malignant tendency and drive these malignant cells back to differentiate into mature hepatocytes. Results Inhibition of Notch signaling pathway can down-regulate the stemness-related cancer markers, lower the proliferative status, alleviate the invasive characteristic, or attenuate the metastasis tendency. What is more, it can help the malignantly transformed cells to regain the mature hepatic function of glucagon synthesis, urea metabolism, albumin production, and indocyanine-green (ICG) clearance. Materials and Methods HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) expression was enhanced in LNSCs via lentivirus transduction to set up the malignant transformation cellular model. Then, a Notch inhibitor was applied to induce malignantly transformed cells differentiate into mature hepatocytes, and malignant abilities of proliferation, invasiveness, tumorigenesis as well as mature hepatocyte function were observed and compared. Conclusions The data demonstrate that the anti-tumor effects of Notch inhibition may lie not only on killing the cancer cells or LCSCs directly, it can also induce the LCSCs differentiation into mature hepatocytes via mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) progress or downgrade the malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Luo
- Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.,General Surgery Center, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu 610083, China
| | - Wei-Hui Liu
- General Surgery Center, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu 610083, China
| | - Hong-Yin Liang
- General Surgery Center, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu 610083, China
| | - Hong-Tao Yan
- General Surgery Center, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu 610083, China
| | - Ning Lin
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu 610083, China
| | - Dong-Yu Li
- General Surgery Center, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu 610083, China
| | - Tao Wang
- General Surgery Center, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu 610083, China
| | - Li-Jun Tang
- Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.,General Surgery Center, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu 610083, China
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6
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Zhu JN, Jiang L, Jiang JH, Yang X, Li XY, Zeng JX, Shi RY, Shi Y, Pan XR, Han ZP, Wei LX. Hepatocyte nuclear factor-1beta enhances the stemness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through activation of the Notch pathway. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4793. [PMID: 28684878 PMCID: PMC5500528 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04116-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte nuclear factor-1beta plays an important role in the development and progression of liver cancer. In recent years, the expression of HNF-1β has been reported to be associated with risk for a variety of cancers. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the expression of HNF-1β promotes the malignancy of HCC and its mechanism. We retrospectively investigated the expression of HNF-1β in 90 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and found that the high expression of HNF-1β indicated poor prognosis. We overexpressed HNF-1β in liver cancer cell lines and found the expression of liver progenitor cell markers and stemness were upregulated. The invasion ability and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated genes were also significantly higher in liver cancer cells overexpressing HNF-1β than in the control group. A mechanistic study suggested the activation of the Notch signalling pathway probably plays a key role downstream of HNF-1β. More importantly, HNF-1β promoted tumourigenesis of HCC cells in vivo. In conclusion, high expression of HNF-1β not only promoted the de-differentiation of HCC cells into liver cancer stem cells through activating the Notch pathway but also enhanced the invasive potential of HCC cells and EMT occurrence, which would contribute to the enhancement of cell migration and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Ni Zhu
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Jiang
- Center of Digestive Endoscopy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Shandong, China
| | - Jing-Hua Jiang
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Yong Li
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Yang Shi
- Department of general surgery, Chinese PLA 82nd Hospital, Jiangsu, China
| | | | - Zhi-Peng Han
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Li-Xin Wei
- Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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7
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Vasconcellos R, Alvarenga ÉC, Parreira RC, Lima SS, Resende RR. Exploring the cell signalling in hepatocyte differentiation. Cell Signal 2016; 28:1773-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Edwards W, Nantie LB, Raetzman LT. Identification of a novel progenitor cell marker, grainyhead-like 2 in the developing pituitary. Dev Dyn 2016; 245:1097-1106. [PMID: 27564454 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pituitary stem/progenitor cells give rise to all of the endocrine cell types within the pituitary gland and are necessary for both development and gland homeostasis. Recent studies have identified several key factors that characterize the progenitor cell population. However, little is known about the factors that regulate progenitor cell differentiation and maintenance. Therefore, it is crucial to identify novel factors that help elucidate mechanisms of progenitor cell function in the developing pituitary. Our studies are the first to characterize the expression of Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2), a transcription factor known to regulate progenitor cell plasticity, in the developing pituitary. RESULTS Our studies show GRHL2 expression is highest in the embryonic and early postnatal pituitary and is localized in pituitary progenitor cells. We demonstrate GRHL2 expression is changed in Notch2 cKO and Prop1df/df mice, mouse models that display progenitor cell number defects. In addition, our studies indicate a potential relationship between Notch signaling and GRHL2 expression in the developing pituitary. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results indicate GRHL2 as a novel progenitor cell maker in the developing pituitary that may contribute to progenitor cell function and maintenance. Developmental Dynamics 245:1097-1106, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney Edwards
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Leah B Nantie
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois.,Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Lori T Raetzman
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois.
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Liu WH, Ren LN, Wang T, Navarro-Alvarez N, Tang LJ. The Involving Roles of Intrahepatic and Extrahepatic Stem/Progenitor Cells (SPCs) to Liver Regeneration. Int J Biol Sci 2016; 12:954-63. [PMID: 27489499 PMCID: PMC4971734 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.15715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver regeneration is usually attributed to mature hepatocytes, which possess a remarkable potential to proliferate under mild to moderate injury. However, when the liver is severely damaged or hepatocyte proliferation is greatly inhibited, liver stem/progenitor cells (LSPCs) will contribute to the liver regeneration process. LSPCs in the developing liver have been extensively characterized, however, their contributing role to liver regeneration has not been completely understood. In addition to the restoration of the liver parenchymal tissue by hepatocytes or/and LSPCs, or in some cases bone marrow (BM) derived cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the wound healing after injury in terms of angiopoiesis by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) or/and sinusoidal endothelial progenitor cells (SEPCs) is another important aspect taking place during regeneration. To conclude, liver regeneration can be mainly divided into three distinct restoring levels according to the cause and severity of injury: hepatocyte dominant regeneration, LSPCs mediated regeneration, extrahepatic stem cells participative regeneration. In this review, we focus on the recent findings of liver regeneration, especially on those related to stem/progenitor cells (SPCs)-mediated regeneration and their potential clinical applications and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hui Liu
- 1. General Surgery Center, Chengdu Military General Hospital; Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610083
| | - Li-Na Ren
- 1. General Surgery Center, Chengdu Military General Hospital; Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610083
| | - Tao Wang
- 1. General Surgery Center, Chengdu Military General Hospital; Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610083
| | - Nalu Navarro-Alvarez
- 2. Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Li-Jun Tang
- 1. General Surgery Center, Chengdu Military General Hospital; Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610083
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10
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Rbpj-κ mediated Notch signaling plays a critical role in development of hypothalamic Kisspeptin neurons. Dev Biol 2015; 406:235-46. [PMID: 26318021 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian arcuate nucleus (ARC) houses neurons critical for energy homeostasis and sexual maturation. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and Neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons function to balance energy intake and Kisspeptin neurons are critical for the onset of puberty and reproductive function. While the physiological roles of these neurons have been well established, their development remains unclear. We have previously shown that Notch signaling plays an important role in cell fate within the ARC of mice. Active Notch signaling prevented neural progenitors from differentiating into feeding circuit neurons, whereas conditional loss of Notch signaling lead to a premature differentiation of these neurons. Presently, we hypothesized that Kisspeptin neurons would similarly be affected by Notch manipulation. To address this, we utilized mice with a conditional deletion of the Notch signaling co-factor Rbpj-κ (Rbpj cKO), or mice persistently expressing the Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD tg) within Nkx2.1 expressing cells of the developing hypothalamus. Interestingly, we found that in both models, a lack of Kisspeptin neurons are observed. This suggests that Notch signaling must be properly titrated for formation of Kisspeptin neurons. These results led us to hypothesize that Kisspeptin neurons of the ARC may arise from a different lineage of intermediate progenitors than NPY neurons and that Notch was responsible for the fate choice between these neurons. To determine if Kisspeptin neurons of the ARC differentiate similarly through a Pomc intermediate, we utilized a genetic model expressing the tdTomato fluorescent protein in all cells that have ever expressed Pomc. We observed some Kisspeptin expressing neurons labeled with the Pomc reporter similar to NPY neurons, suggesting that these distinct neurons can arise from a common progenitor. Finally, we hypothesized that temporal differences leading to premature depletion of progenitors in cKO mice lead to our observed phenotype. Using a BrdU birthdating paradigm, we determined the percentage of NPY and Kisspeptin neurons born on embryonic days 11.5, 12.5, and 13.5. We found no difference in the timing of differentiation of either neuronal subtype, with a majority occurring at e11.5. Taken together, our findings suggest that active Notch signaling is an important molecular switch involved in instructing subpopulations of progenitor cells to differentiate into Kisspeptin neurons.
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11
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Combination of exosomes and circulating microRNAs may serve as a promising tumor marker complementary to alpha-fetoprotein for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis in rats. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2015; 141:1767-78. [PMID: 25724413 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-015-1943-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Due to unsatisfying prognosis of AFP for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we aim to evaluate the prognostic value of combination of exosomes and miRNAs in detecting HCC. METHODS HCC was induced with diethylnitrosamine in rats and using a scoring system based on histological examination six different stages (normal liver, degeneration, fibrosis, cirrhosis, early HCC and late HCC) were identified in the development of HCC. The expression levels of AFP, exosomes and miRNAs (miRNA-10b, miRNA-21, miRNA-122 and miRNA-200a) were detected in both tissue and blood samples from those six stages. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the power of each parameter and their different combinations in diagnosing HCC or cirrhosis. RESULTS A change in the expression of both exosomes and miRNAs was observed during cirrhosis, which in contrast with AFP starts showing up until the early HCC stage. Interestingly, the expressions of exosomes and the selected four miRNAs at early HCC stage obtained more remarkably alterations than the level of AFP (P < 0.05). On correlation analysis, four selected miRNAs had a significant closer relationship with exosomes when compared with AFP. The different combinations of AFP, exosomes, serous miRNAs and exosomal miRNAs had stronger power in predicting HCC than AFP (area under the curve of ROC, 0.943 vs 0.826). CONCLUSION To conclude, the combination of circulating miRNAs and exosomes might serve as promising biomarkers for non-virus infected HCC screening and cirrhosis discrimination.
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