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Park SY, Koh WG, Lee HJ. Enhanced hepatotoxicity assessment through encapsulated HepG2 spheroids in gelatin hydrogel matrices: Bridging the gap from 2D to 3D culture. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 202:114417. [PMID: 39013493 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114417] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Conventional 2D drug screening often fails to accurately predict clinical outcomes. We present an innovative approach to improve hepatotoxicity assessment by encapsulating HepG2 spheroids in gelatin hydrogel matrices with different mechanical properties. Encapsulated spheroids exhibit sustained liver-specific functionality, enhanced expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes, and increased drug sensitivity compared to 2D cultures. The platform detects critical variations in drug response, with significant differences in IC50 values between 2D and spheroid cultures ranging from 1.3-fold to > 13-fold, particularly for acetaminophen. Furthermore, drug-metabolizing enzyme expression varies across hydrogel concentrations, suggesting a role for matrix mechanical properties in modulating hepatocyte function. This novel spheroid-hydrogel platform offers a transformative approach to hepatotoxicity assessment, providing increased sensitivity, improved prediction, and a more physiologically relevant environment. The use of such advanced in vitro models can accelerate drug development, reduce animal testing, and contribute to improved patient safety and clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Yeon Park
- School of Chemical, Biological and Battery Engineering, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Gun Koh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyun Jong Lee
- School of Chemical, Biological and Battery Engineering, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13120, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Mohamadian Namaqi M, Moll F, Wiedemeier S, Grodrian A, Lemke K. Dynamic cell culture modulates colon cancer cell migration in a novel 3D cell culture system. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18851. [PMID: 39143115 PMCID: PMC11324956 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69261-2] [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: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The progression of cancer cell migration, invasion and subsequent metastasis is the main cause of mortality in cancer patients. Through creating more accurate cancer models, we can achieve more precise results, which will lead to a better understanding of the invasion process. This holds promise for more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Although numerous 2D and 3D cell culture systems have been developed, they poorly reflect the in vivo situation and many questions have remained unanswered. This work describes a novel dynamic 3D cell culture system aimed at advancing our comprehension of cancer cell migration. With the newly designed cultivation chamber, 3D tumor spheroids were cultivated within a collagen I matrix in the presence of fluid flow to study the migration of cancer cells from spheroids in the matrix. Using light sheet microscopy and histology, we demonstrated that the morphology of spheroids is influenced by dynamic culture and that, in contrast to static culture, spheroids in dynamic culture are characterized by the absence of a large necrotic core. Additionally, this influence extends to an increase in the size of migration area, coupled with an increase in expression of some genes related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The results here highlight the importance of dynamic culture in cancer research. Although the dynamic 3D cell culture system in this study was used to investigate migration of one cell type into a matrix, it has the potential to be further developed and used for more complex models consisting of different cell types or to analyze other steps of metastasis development such as transendothelial migration or extravasation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mohamadian Namaqi
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba), Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany.
| | - F Moll
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba), Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - S Wiedemeier
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba), Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - A Grodrian
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba), Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - K Lemke
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques e.V. (iba), Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
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Kukla DA, Belair DG, Stresser DM. Evaluation and Optimization of a Microcavity Plate-Based Human Hepatocyte Spheroid Model for Predicting Clearance of Slowly Metabolized Drug Candidates. Drug Metab Dispos 2024; 52:797-812. [PMID: 38777596 DOI: 10.1124/dmd.124.001653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In vitro clearance assays are routinely conducted in drug discovery to predict in vivo clearance, but low metabolic turnover compounds are often difficult to evaluate. Hepatocyte spheroids can be cultured for days, achieving higher drug turnover, but have been hindered by limitations on cell number per well. Corning Elplasia microcavity 96-well microplates enable the culture of 79 hepatocyte spheroids per well. In this study, microcavity spheroid properties (size, hepatocyte function, longevity, culturing techniques) were assessed and optimized for clearance assays, which were then compared with microsomes, hepatocyte suspensions, two-dimensional-plated hepatocytes, and macrowell spheroids cultured as one per well. Higher enzyme activity coupled with greater hepatocyte concentrations in microcavity spheroids enabled measurable turnover of all 17 test compounds, unlike the other models that exhibited less drug turnover. Microcavity spheroids also predicted intrinsic clearance (CLint) and blood clearance (CLb) within threefold for 53% [9/17; average absolute fold error (AAFE), 3.9] and 82% (14/17; AAFE, 2.6) of compounds using a linear regression correction model, respectively. An alternate method incorporating mechanistic modeling that accounts for mass transport (permeability and diffusion) within spheroids demonstrated improved predictivity for CLint (12/17; AAFE, 4.0) and CLb (14/17; AAFE, 2.1) without the need for empirical scaling factors. The estimated fraction of drug metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (fm,CYP3A4) using 3 μM itraconazole was within 25% of observed values for 6 of 8 compounds, with 5 of 8 compounds within 10%. In sum, spheroid cultures in microcavity plates permit the ability to test and predict clearance as well as fm,CYP3A4 of low metabolic turnover compounds and represent a valuable complement to conventional in vitro clearance assays. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Culturing multiple spheroids in ultralow attachment microcavities permits accurate quantitation of metabolically stable compounds in substrate depletion assays, overcoming limitations with singly cultured spheroids. In turn, this permits robust estimates of intrinsic clearance, which is improved with the consideration of mass transport within the spheroid. Incubations with 3 μM itraconazole enabled assessments of CYP3A4 involvement in hepatic clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Kukla
- Quantitative, Translational, and ADME Sciences, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois
| | - David G Belair
- Quantitative, Translational, and ADME Sciences, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois
| | - David M Stresser
- Quantitative, Translational, and ADME Sciences, AbbVie Inc., North Chicago, Illinois
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Lee S, Woo CJ, Jung HI, Nam KC, Lim JS, Kwak BS. Formation Pattern Analysis of Spheroids Formed by a Droplet-Based Microfluidic System for Predicting the Aggressiveness of Tumor Cells. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024; 10:2477-2485. [PMID: 38483467 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00005] [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] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Examining tumor heterogeneity is essential for selecting an appropriate anticancer treatment for an individual. This study aimed to distinguish low- and high-aggressive tumor cells by analyzing the formation patterns of spheroids. The droplet-based microfluidic system was employed for the formation of each spheroid from four different subtypes of breast tumor cells. Additionally, heterotypic spheroids with T lymphocytes and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) were produced, and distinctions between low- and high-aggressive tumor cells were explored through the analysis of formation patterns using circularity, convexity, and cell distributions. In both homotypic spheroids and heterotypic spheroids with T lymphocytes, spheroids formed from low-aggressive tumor cells exhibited high circularity and convexity. On the other hand, spheroids formed from high-aggressive tumor cells had relatively low circularity and convexity. In the case of heterotypic spheroids with CAFs, circularity and convexity did not exhibit clear differences between low- and high-aggressive tumor cells, but distinct variations were observed in cell distributions. CAFs and low-aggressive tumor cells were evenly distributed, whereas the CAFs were predominantly located in the inner layer, and high-aggressive tumor cells were primarily located in the outer layer. This finding can offer valuable insights into predicting the aggressiveness of unknown tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunghan Lee
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seadaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- College of Medicine, Dongguk University, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyangsi 10326, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Jae Woo
- College of Medicine, Dongguk University, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyangsi 10326, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si 10408, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Il Jung
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seadaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- The DABOM Inc., Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Chang Nam
- College of Medicine, Dongguk University, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyangsi 10326, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Seok Lim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-ro, Gyeongsan-si 38541, Gyeongsanbuk-do, Republic of Korea
- MediSphere Inc., Gyeongsan-si 38541, Gyeongsanbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong Seop Kwak
- College of Medicine, Dongguk University, 32 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyangsi 10326, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- MediSphere Inc., Gyeongsan-si 38541, Gyeongsanbuk-do, Republic of Korea
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Kim MK, Park J, Tak S, Paek K, Bang G, Woo SM, Ravichandran NK, Hong WG, Kang HW, Kim H, Bae JY, Kim JA. A long-term storable gel-laden chip composite built in a multi-well plate enabling in situcell encapsulation for high-throughput liver model. Biofabrication 2024; 16:025020. [PMID: 38390723 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ad28ef] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogels are widely used as scaffold materials for constructingin vitrothree-dimensional microphysiological systems. However, their high sensitivity to various external cues hinders the development of hydrogel-laden, microscale, and high-throughput chips. Here, we have developed a long-term storable gel-laden chip composite built in a multi-well plate, which enablesin situcell encapsulation and facilitates high-throughput analysis. Through optimized chemical crosslinking and freeze-drying method (C/FD), we have achieved a high-quality of gel-laden chip composite with excellent transparency, uniform porosity, and appropriate swelling and mechanical characteristics. Besides collagen, decellularized extracellular matrix with tissue-specific biochemical compound has been applied as chip composite. As a ready-to-use platform,in situcell encapsulation within the gel has been achieved through capillary force generated during gel reswelling. The liver-mimetic chip composite, comprising HepG2 cells or primary hepatocytes, has demonstrated favorable hepatic functionality and high sensitivity in drug testing. The developed fabrication process with improved stability of gels and storability allows chip composites to be stored at a wide range of temperatures for up to 28 d without any deformation, demonstrating off-the-shelf products. Consequently, this provides an exceptionally simple and long-term storable platform that can be utilized for an efficient tissue-specific modeling and various biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Kyeong Kim
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
| | - Jubin Park
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
- Program in Biomicro System Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungho Tak
- Center for Bio-Imaging and Translational Research, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyurim Paek
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
- Program in Biomicro System Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Geul Bang
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Mi Woo
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
| | - Naresh Kumar Ravichandran
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Gi Hong
- Research Center for Materials Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Wook Kang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulju-gun 44919, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyang Kim
- Institute of New Horizon Regenerative Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Goyang 10475, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yong Bae
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Ah Kim
- Center for Scientific Instrumentation, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon 34133, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
- Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea
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Beirow K, Schmidt C, Jürgen B, Schlüter R, Schweder T, Bednarski PJ. Investigation of TGF-α-overexpressing mouse hepatocytes (TAMH) cultured as spheroids for use in hepatotoxicity screening of drug candidates. J Appl Toxicol 2024; 44:272-286. [PMID: 37655636 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The immortalized mouse liver cell line TAMH has been described as a valuable tool for studying hepatotoxic mechanisms, but until now, it has only been reported to grow as a monolayer in culture. However, culturing hepatocytes as three-dimensional (3D) spheroids has been shown to result in improved liver-specific functions (e.g., metabolic capacity) by better mimicking the in vivo environment. This approach may lead to more reliable detection of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in the early phase of drug discovery, preventing post-marketing drug withdrawals. Here, we investigated the cultivation of TAMH as 3D spheroids, characterizing them with optical and transmission electron microscopy as well as analyzing their gene expression at mRNA level (especially drug-metabolizing enzymes) compared to TAMH monolayer. In addition, comparisons were made with spheroids grown from the human hepatoblastoma cell line HepG2, another current spheroid model. The results indicate that TAMH spheroids express hepatic structures and show elevated levels of some of the key phase I and II drug-metabolizing enzymes, in contrast to TAMH monolayer. The in vitro hepatotoxic potencies of the drugs acetaminophen and flupirtine maleate were found to be very similar between TAMH spheroidal and the monolayer cultures. Both the advantages and disadvantages of TAMH spheroids as an in vitro hepatotoxicity model compared to monolayer model are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Beirow
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christian Schmidt
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Britta Jürgen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Rabea Schlüter
- Imaging Center of the Department of Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thomas Schweder
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Patrick J Bednarski
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Manikandan C, Jaiswal AK. Scaffold-based spheroid models of glioblastoma multiforme and its use in drug screening. Biotechnol Bioeng 2023. [PMID: 37366303 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28481] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Among several types of brain cancers, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a terminal and aggressive disease with a median survival of 15 months despite the most intensive surgery and chemotherapy. Preclinical models that accurately reproduce the tumor microenvironment are vital for developing new therapeutic alternatives. Understanding the complicated interactions between cells and their surroundings is essential to comprehend the tumor's microenvironment, however the monolayer cell culture approach falls short. Numerous approaches are used to develop GBM cells into tumor spheroids, while scaffold-based spheroids provides the opportunity to investigate the synergies between cells as well as cells and the matrix. This review summarizes the development of various scaffold-based GBM spheroid models and the prospective for their use as drug testing systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ceera Manikandan
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
- Centre for Biomaterials, Cellular and Molecular Theranostics, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
| | - Amit Kumar Jaiswal
- Centre for Biomaterials, Cellular and Molecular Theranostics, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India
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Koo KM, Kim CD, Ju FN, Kim H, Kim CH, Kim TH. Recent Advances in Electrochemical Biosensors for Monitoring Animal Cell Function and Viability. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12121162. [PMID: 36551129 PMCID: PMC9775431 DOI: 10.3390/bios12121162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Redox reactions in live cells are generated by involving various redox biomolecules for maintaining cell viability and functions. These qualities have been exploited in the development of clinical monitoring, diagnostic approaches, and numerous types of biosensors. Particularly, electrochemical biosensor-based live-cell detection technologies, such as electric cell-substrate impedance (ECIS), field-effect transistors (FETs), and potentiometric-based biosensors, are used for the electrochemical-based sensing of extracellular changes, genetic alterations, and redox reactions. In addition to the electrochemical biosensors for live-cell detection, cancer and stem cells may be immobilized on an electrode surface and evaluated electrochemically. Various nanomaterials and cell-friendly ligands are used to enhance the sensitivity of electrochemical biosensors. Here, we discuss recent advances in the use of electrochemical sensors for determining cell viability and function, which are essential for the practical application of these sensors as tools for pharmaceutical analysis and toxicity testing. We believe that this review will motivate researchers to enhance their efforts devoted to accelerating the development of electrochemical biosensors for future applications in the pharmaceutical industry and stem cell therapeutics.
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