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Murphy RJ, Gunasingh G, Haass NK, Simpson MJ. Growth and adaptation mechanisms of tumour spheroids with time-dependent oxygen availability. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1010833. [PMID: 36634128 PMCID: PMC9876349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumours are subject to external environmental variability. However, in vitro tumour spheroid experiments, used to understand cancer progression and develop cancer therapies, have been routinely performed for the past fifty years in constant external environments. Furthermore, spheroids are typically grown in ambient atmospheric oxygen (normoxia), whereas most in vivo tumours exist in hypoxic environments. Therefore, there are clear discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo conditions. We explore these discrepancies by combining tools from experimental biology, mathematical modelling, and statistical uncertainty quantification. Focusing on oxygen variability to develop our framework, we reveal key biological mechanisms governing tumour spheroid growth. Growing spheroids in time-dependent conditions, we identify and quantify novel biological adaptation mechanisms, including unexpected necrotic core removal, and transient reversal of the tumour spheroid growth phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J. Murphy
- Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Gency Gunasingh
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nikolas K. Haass
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Matthew J. Simpson
- Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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2
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Chidlow SJ, Randle LE, Kelly RA. Predicting physiologically-relevant oxygen concentrations in precision-cut liver slices using mathematical modelling. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275788. [PMID: 36322567 PMCID: PMC9629643 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Precision cut liver slices represent an encouraging ex vivo method to understand the pathogenesis of liver disease alongside drug induced liver injury. Despite being more physiologically relevant compared to in vitro models, precision cut liver slices are limited by the availability of healthy human tissue and experimental variability. Internal oxygen concentration and media composition govern the longevity and viability of the slices during the culture period and as such, a variety of approaches have been taken to maximise the appropriateness of the internal oxygen concentrations across the slice. The aim of this study was to predict whether it is possible to generate a physiologically relevant oxygen gradient of 35-65mmHg across a precision cut liver slice using mathematical modelling. Simulations explore how the internal oxygen concentration changes as a function of the diameter of the slice, the position inside the well and the external incubator oxygen concentration. The model predicts that the desired oxygen gradient may be achieved using a 5mm diameter slice at atmospheric oxygen concentrations, provided that the slice is positioned at a certain height within the well of a 12-well plate.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. J. Chidlow
- School of Computer Science and Mathematics, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - L. E. Randle
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - R. A. Kelly
- School of Computer Science and Mathematics, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Syngenta, Early-Stage Research, Jeallot’s Hill Research Centre, Bracknell, United Kingdom
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3
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Coltman NJ, Coke BA, Chatzi K, Shepherd EL, Lalor PF, Schulz-Utermoehl T, Hodges NJ. Application of HepG2/C3A liver spheroids as a model system for genotoxicity studies. Toxicol Lett 2021; 345:34-45. [PMID: 33865918 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
HepG2 cells continue to be a valuable tool in early drug discovery and pharmaceutical development. In the current study we develop a 3D in vitro liver model, using HepG2/C3A cells that is predictive of human genotoxic exposure. HepG2/C3A cells cultured for 7-days in agarose-coated microplates formed spheroids which were uniform in shape and had well defined outer perimeters and no evidence of a hypoxic core. Quantitative real-time-PCR analysis showed statistically significant transcriptional upregulation of xenobiotic metabolising genes (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, UG1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A6, EPHX, NAT2) and genes linked to liver function (ALB, CAR) in 3D cultures. In response to three model pro-genotoxicants: benzo[a]pyrene, amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) and 2-aminoanthracene (2-AA), we observed further transcriptional upregulation of xenobiotic metabolising genes (CYP1A1, CYP1A2, NAT1/2, SULT1A2, UGT1A1, UGT1A3) compared to untreated spheroids. Consistent with this, spheroids were more sensitive than 2D monolayers to compound induced single- and double- stranded DNA-damage as assessed by the comet assay and γH2AX phosphorylation respectively. In contrast, levels of DNA-damage induced by the direct acting mutagen 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide (4NQO) was the same in spheroids and monolayers. In support of the enhanced genotoxic response in spheroids we also observed transcriptional upregulation of genes relating to DNA-damage and cellular stress response (e.g. GADD45A and CDKN1A) in spheroids. In conclusion, HepG2/C3A 3D spheroids are a sensitive model for in vitro genotoxicity assessment with potential applications in early stage drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Coltman
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
| | - Brandon A Coke
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Kyriaki Chatzi
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Emma L Shepherd
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia F Lalor
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research, Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy Schulz-Utermoehl
- Sygnature Discovery, The Discovery Building, BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolas J Hodges
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
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Leedale JA, Lucendo-Villarin B, Meseguer-Ripolles J, Kasarinaite A, Webb SD, Hay DC. Mathematical modelling of oxygen gradients in stem cell-derived liver tissue. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244070. [PMID: 33556073 PMCID: PMC7870006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A major bottleneck in the study of human liver physiology is the provision of stable liver tissue in sufficient quantity. As a result, current approaches to modelling human drug efficacy and toxicity rely heavily on immortalized human and animal cell lines. These models are informative but do possess significant drawbacks. To address the issues presented by those models, researchers have turned to pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). PSCs can be generated from defined genetic backgrounds, are scalable, and capable of differentiation to all the cell types found in the human body, representing an attractive source of somatic cells for in vitro and in vivo endeavours. Although unlimited numbers of somatic cell types can be generated in vitro, their maturation still remains problematic. In order to develop high fidelity PSC-derived liver tissue, it is necessary to better understand the cell microenvironment in vitro including key elements of liver physiology. In vivo a major driver of zonated liver function is the oxygen gradient that exists from periportal to pericentral regions. In this paper, we demonstrate how cell culture conditions for PSC-derived liver sphere systems can be optimised to recapitulate physiologically relevant oxygen gradients by using mathematical modelling. The mathematical model incorporates some often-understated features and mechanisms of traditional spheroid systems such as cell-specific oxygen uptake, media volume, spheroid size, and well dimensions that can lead to a spatially heterogeneous distribution of oxygen. This mathematical modelling approach allows for the calibration and identification of culture conditions required to generate physiologically realistic function within the microtissue through recapitulation of the in vivo microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A. Leedale
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (JAL); (DCH)
| | | | - Jose Meseguer-Ripolles
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alvile Kasarinaite
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Steven D. Webb
- Department of Applied Mathematics, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - David C. Hay
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (JAL); (DCH)
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Cox CR, Lynch S, Goldring C, Sharma P. Current Perspective: 3D Spheroid Models Utilizing Human-Based Cells for Investigating Metabolism-Dependent Drug-Induced Liver Injury. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2020; 2:611913. [PMID: 35047893 PMCID: PMC8757888 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2020.611913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) remains a leading cause for the withdrawal of approved drugs. This has significant financial implications for pharmaceutical companies, places increasing strain on global health services, and causes harm to patients. For these reasons, it is essential that in-vitro liver models are capable of detecting DILI-positive compounds and their underlying mechanisms, prior to their approval and administration to patients or volunteers in clinical trials. Metabolism-dependent DILI is an important mechanism of drug-induced toxicity, which often involves the CYP450 family of enzymes, and is associated with the production of a chemically reactive metabolite and/or inefficient removal and accumulation of potentially toxic compounds. Unfortunately, many of the traditional in-vitro liver models fall short of their in-vivo counterparts, failing to recapitulate the mature hepatocyte phenotype, becoming metabolically incompetent, and lacking the longevity to investigate and detect metabolism-dependent DILI and those associated with chronic and repeat dosing regimens. Nevertheless, evidence is gathering to indicate that growing cells in 3D formats can increase the complexity of these models, promoting a more mature-hepatocyte phenotype and increasing their longevity, in vitro. This review will discuss the use of 3D in vitro models, namely spheroids, organoids, and perfusion-based systems to establish suitable liver models to investigate metabolism-dependent DILI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Cox
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Christopher R. Cox
| | - Stephen Lynch
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Goldring
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Parveen Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, MRC Centre for Drug Safety Science, Institute of Systems, Molecular & Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Pasqua M, Pereira U, Messina A, de Lartigue C, Vigneron P, Dubart-Kupperschmitt A, Legallais C. HepaRG Self-Assembled Spheroids in Alginate Beads Meet the Clinical Needs for Bioartificial Liver. Tissue Eng Part A 2020; 26:613-622. [PMID: 31914890 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2019.0262] [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] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In liver tissue engineering, cell culture in spheroids is now well recognized to promote the maintenance of hepatic functions. However, the process leading to spheroids formation is time consuming, costly, and not easy to scale-up for further use in human bioartificial liver (BAL) applications. In this study, we encapsulated HepaRG cells (precursors of hepatocyte-like cells) in 1.5% alginate beads without preforming spheroids. Starting from a given hepatic biomass, we analyzed cell differentiation and metabolic performance for further use in a fluidized-bed BAL. We observed that cells self-rearranged as aggregates within the beads and adequately differentiated over time, in the absence of any differentiating factors classically used. On day 14 postencapsulation, cells displayed a wide range of hepatic features necessary for the treatment of a patient in acute liver failure. These activities include albumin synthesis, ammonia and lactate detoxification, and the efficacy of the enzymes involved in the xenobiotic metabolism (such as CYP1A1/2). Impact statement It has been recognized that culturing cells in spheroids (SPHs) is advantageous as they better reproduce the three-dimensional physiological microenvironment. This approach can be exploited in bioartificial liver applications, where obtaining a functional hepatic biomass is the major challenge. Our study describes an original method for culturing hepatic cells in alginate beads that makes possible the autonomous formation of SPHs after 3 days of culture. In turn, the cells differentiate adequately and display a wide range of hepatic features. They are also capable of treating a pathological plasma model. Finally, this setup can easily be scaled-up to treat acute liver failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Pasqua
- UMR CNRS 7338 Biomechanics & Bioengineering, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Alliance Sorbonne Université, Compiègne, France
| | - Ulysse Pereira
- UMR CNRS 7338 Biomechanics & Bioengineering, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Alliance Sorbonne Université, Compiègne, France
| | - Antonietta Messina
- DHU Hépatinov, Villejuif, France.,UMR_S1193 Inserm/Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France
| | - Claire de Lartigue
- UMR CNRS 7338 Biomechanics & Bioengineering, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Alliance Sorbonne Université, Compiègne, France
| | - Pascale Vigneron
- UMR CNRS 7338 Biomechanics & Bioengineering, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Alliance Sorbonne Université, Compiègne, France
| | | | - Cecile Legallais
- UMR CNRS 7338 Biomechanics & Bioengineering, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Alliance Sorbonne Université, Compiègne, France.,DHU Hépatinov, Villejuif, France
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