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Marolt U, Paradiž Leitgeb E, Pohorec V, Lipovšek S, Venglovecz V, Gál E, Ébert A, Menyhárt I, Potrč S, Gosak M, Dolenšek J, Stožer A. Calcium imaging in intact mouse acinar cells in acute pancreas tissue slices. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268644. [PMID: 35657915 PMCID: PMC9165796 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The physiology and pathophysiology of the exocrine pancreas are in close connection to changes in intra-cellular Ca2+ concentration. Most of our knowledge is based on in vitro experiments on acinar cells or acini enzymatically isolated from their surroundings, which can alter their structure, physiology, and limit our understanding. Due to these limitations, the acute pancreas tissue slice technique was introduced almost two decades ago as a complementary approach to assess the morphology and physiology of both the endocrine and exocrine pancreas in a more conserved in situ setting. In this study, we extend previous work to functional multicellular calcium imaging on acinar cells in tissue slices. The viability and morphological characteristics of acinar cells within the tissue slice were assessed using the LIVE/DEAD assay, transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence imaging. The main aim of our study was to characterize the responses of acinar cells to stimulation with acetylcholine and compare them with responses to cerulein in pancreatic tissue slices, with special emphasis on inter-cellular and inter-acinar heterogeneity and coupling. To this end, calcium imaging was performed employing confocal microscopy during stimulation with a wide range of acetylcholine concentrations and selected concentrations of cerulein. We show that various calcium oscillation parameters depend monotonically on the stimulus concentration and that the activity is rather well synchronized within acini, but not between acini. The acute pancreas tissue slice represents a viable and reliable experimental approach for the evaluation of both intra- and inter-cellular signaling characteristics of acinar cell calcium dynamics. It can be utilized to assess many cells simultaneously with a high spatiotemporal resolution, thus providing an efficient and high-yield platform for future studies of normal acinar cell biology, pathophysiology, and screening pharmacological substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urška Marolt
- Clinical department for abdominal and general surgery, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- * E-mail: (UM); (JD); (AS)
| | - Eva Paradiž Leitgeb
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Viljem Pohorec
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Saška Lipovšek
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Viktória Venglovecz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Eleonóra Gál
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Attila Ébert
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - István Menyhárt
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Stojan Potrč
- Clinical department for abdominal and general surgery, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Marko Gosak
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Jurij Dolenšek
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- * E-mail: (UM); (JD); (AS)
| | - Andraž Stožer
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
- * E-mail: (UM); (JD); (AS)
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Sandilya S, Singh S. Development of islet organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells in a cross-linked collagen scaffold. CELL REGENERATION (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2021; 10:38. [PMID: 34850295 PMCID: PMC8633270 DOI: 10.1186/s13619-021-00099-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Islets organoids would have value in the cell replacement therapy for diabetes apart from usual personalized drug screening routes. Generation of a large number of Islets like clusters, with ability to respond to glucose stimulation appears to be an ideal choice. In this study we have generated islet organoids with the ability to respond to glucose stimulation by insulin release. The source of the cells was an iPSC cell line differentiated into the pancreatic progenitors. These cells were assembled in matrigel or cross-linked collagen scaffold and compared for their efficacy to release insulin upon stimulation with glucose. The assembled organoids were examined by immunohistochemistry and expression of the relevant marker genes. The organoids showed expression of islet like markers in both - matrigel and crosslinked collagen scaffold. The islet organoids in both the cases showed release of insulin upon stimulation with glucose. The crosslinked collagen scaffold is quite stable and supports islet cells growth and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Sandilya
- CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, 500007, India
| | - Shashi Singh
- CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Uppal Road, Hyderabad, 500007, India.
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Bläuer M, Sand J, Laukkarinen J. Regulation of p38 MAPK and glucocorticoid receptor activation by hydrocortisone in mono-and co-cultured pancreatic acinar and stellate cells. Pancreatology 2021; 21:384-389. [PMID: 33454208 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2020.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Acute pancreatitis develops as an inflammatory response to pancreatic tissue injury. Postoperative pancreatitis has recently been associated with increased occurrence of complications. Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 (p38 MAPK) pathway occurs early in acute pancreatitis and its inhibition has been suggested to alleviate pancreatic inflammation. Glucocorticoids are potent anti-inflammatory steroids whose use in the management of acute pancreatitis remains controversial. Our aim was to examine the effect of crosstalk between pancreatic acinar cells (PACs) and stellate cells (PSCs) on p38 MAPK and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activation and to assess the impact of hydrocortisone on these events. METHODS The long-term co-culture setting for mouse PACs and PSCs developed in our laboratory was used. Parallel 4d mono- and co-cultures with or without 10 nM hydrocortisone were performed followed by immunocytochemical analysis of nuclear GR and phospho-p38 MAPK (pp38 MAPK). RESULTS Hydrocortisone inhibited pp38 MAPK up-regulation evoked by co-culture in PACs and PSCs and increased nuclear translocation of GR in PAC monocultures and in co-cultured PACs and PSCs. In PSC monocultures and co-cultured PACs, ligand-independent expression of nuclear GR was observed. In the former no change in nuclear GR but a significant decrease in total GR as analyzed by Western blot was caused by hydrocortisone. CONCLUSIONS Cellular microenvironment plays a significant role on p38 MAPK and GR activation in PACs and PSCs. Hydrocortisone is an effective means to inhibit p38 MAPK activation in PACs and PSCs. Both ligand-dependent and -independent regulatory roles for GR are suggested in the exocrine pancreas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merja Bläuer
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Juhani Sand
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Johanna Laukkarinen
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
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Paoli C, Carrer A. Organotypic Culture of Acinar Cells for the Study of Pancreatic Cancer Initiation. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2606. [PMID: 32932616 PMCID: PMC7564199 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The carcinogenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) progresses according to multi-step evolution, whereby the disease acquires increasingly aggressive pathological features. On the other hand, disease inception is poorly investigated. Decoding the cascade of events that leads to oncogenic transformation is crucial to design strategies for early diagnosis as well as to tackle tumor onset. Lineage-tracing experiments demonstrated that pancreatic cancerous lesions originate from acinar cells, a highly specialized cell type in the pancreatic epithelium. Primary acinar cells can survive in vitro as organoid-like 3D spheroids, which can transdifferentiate into cells with a clear ductal morphology in response to different cell- and non-cell-autonomous stimuli. This event, termed acinar-to-ductal metaplasia, recapitulates the histological and molecular features of disease initiation. Here, we will discuss the isolation and culture of primary pancreatic acinar cells, providing a historical and technical perspective. The impact of pancreatic cancer research will also be debated. In particular, we will dissect the roles of transcriptional, epigenetic, and metabolic reprogramming for tumor initiation and we will show how that can be modeled using ex vivo acinar cell cultures. Finally, mechanisms of PDA initiation described using organotypical cultures will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Paoli
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy;
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Carrer
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35129 Padova, Italy;
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35129 Padova, Italy
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Bläuer M, Laaninen M, Sand J, Laukkarinen J. Wnt/β-catenin signalling plays diverse functions during the process of fibrotic remodelling in the exocrine pancreas. Pancreatology 2019; 19:252-257. [PMID: 30792046 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Wnt/β-catenin signalling plays vital roles in tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of the pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer and fibroses in numerous tissues, including the pancreas. We studied the effect of microenvironmental changes pertaining to fibrotic tissue remodelling on the expression of selected Wnt/β-catenin pathway proteins in the human exocrine pancreas. The role of acinar/stellate cross-talk on the expression of the proteins was elucidated in a long-term mouse co-culture system. METHODS Expression of β-catenin, Wnt2, Wnt5a and SFRP4 was analysed immunohistochemically in normal and moderately or highly fibrotic human pancreata (n = 8). The effect of humoral interactions on the expression of the proteins was studied by immunocytochemical means in parallel mono- and co-cultures of mouse acinar and stellate cells (PSCs). RESULTS In human pancreatic tissue, fibrotic microenvironment was associated with redistribution of the proteins in and between epithelial and stromal compartments, compared to acinar-rich tissue. In non-fibrotic and moderately fibrotic tissue the proteins appeared only in acinar cells whereas in highly fibrotic tissue stromal fibroblastoid/stellate cells and macrophages were their predominant locations. Subcellular changes in the expression of β-catenin and Wnt5a were detected. Our in vitro data suggest potential involvement of acinar cell/PSC cross-talk in mediating the changes observed in tissue specimens. CONCLUSIONS Wnt/β-catenin pathway-associated proteins are abundantly expressed in the exocrine pancreas with prominent changes in their cellular and subcellular expression patterns along with increasing levels of fibrosis. Diverse functions for Wnt/β-catenin signalling during the course of fibrotic remodelling in the exocrine pancreas are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merja Bläuer
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Matias Laaninen
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Juhani Sand
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Johanna Laukkarinen
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory and Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
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Fleming Martinez AK, Storz P. Mimicking and Manipulating Pancreatic Acinar-to-Ductal Metaplasia in 3-dimensional Cell Culture. J Vis Exp 2019. [PMID: 30799859 DOI: 10.3791/59096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The differentiation of acinar cells to ductal cells during pancreatitis and in the early development of pancreatic cancer is a key process that requires further study. To understand the mechanisms regulating acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), ex vivo 3D culture and differentiation of primary acinar cells to ductal cells offers many advantages over other systems. With the technique herein, modulation of protein expression is simple and quick, requiring only one day to isolate, stimulate or virally infect, and begin culturing primary acinar cells to investigate the ADM process. In contrast to using basement membrane matrix, the seeding of acinar cell clusters in collagen I extracellular matrix, allows acinar cells to retain their acinar identity before manipulation. This is vital when testing the contribution of various components to the induction of ADM. Not only are the effects of cytokines or other ectopically administered factors testable through this technique, but the contribution of common mutations, increased protein expression, or knockdown of protein expression is testable via viral infection of primary acinar cells, using adenoviral or lentiviral vectors. Moreover, cells can be re-isolated from collagen or basement membrane matrix at the endpoint and analyzed for protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Storz
- Department of Cancer Biology, Mayo Clinic Florida;
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Grapin-Botton A. Three-dimensional pancreas organogenesis models. Diabetes Obes Metab 2016; 18 Suppl 1:33-40. [PMID: 27615129 PMCID: PMC5021194 DOI: 10.1111/dom.12720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
A rediscovery of three-dimensional culture has led to the development of organ biogenesis, homeostasis and disease models applicable to human tissues. The so-called organoids that have recently flourished serve as valuable models bridging between cell lines or primary cells grown on the bottom of culture plates and experiments performed in vivo. Though not recapitulating all aspects of organ physiology, the miniature organs generated in a dish are useful models emerging for the pancreas, starting from embryonic progenitors, adult cells, tumour cells and stem cells. This review focusses on the currently available systems and their relevance to the study of the pancreas, of β-cells and of several pancreatic diseases including diabetes. We discuss the expected future developments for studying human pancreas development and function, for developing diabetes models and for producing therapeutic cells.
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Acinar phenotype is preserved in human exocrine pancreas cells cultured at low temperature: implications for lineage-tracing of β-cell neogenesis. Biosci Rep 2016; 36:BSR20150259. [PMID: 26987985 PMCID: PMC4859086 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20150259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro cultured pancreatic acinar cells rapidly differentiate. Low temperature exposure prevents this process and improves the efficiency of acinar cell labelling with adenovirus vectors. This may help in tracing β-cell neogenesis from human pancreatic acinar cells. The regenerative medicine field is expanding with great successes in laboratory and preclinical settings. Pancreatic acinar cells in diabetic mice were recently converted into β-cells by treatment with ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). This suggests that human acinar cells might become a cornerstone for diabetes cell therapy in the future, if they can also be converted into glucose-responsive insulin-producing cells. Presently, studying pancreatic acinar cell biology in vitro is limited by their high plasticity, as they rapidly lose their phenotype and spontaneously transdifferentiate to a duct-like phenotype in culture. We questioned whether human pancreatic acinar cell phenotype could be preserved in vitro by physico-chemical manipulations and whether this could be valuable in the study of β-cell neogenesis. We found that culture at low temperature (4°C) resulted in the maintenance of morphological and molecular acinar cell characteristics. Specifically, chilled acinar cells did not form the spherical clusters observed in controls (culture at 37°C), and they maintained high levels of acinar-specific transcripts and proteins. Five-day chilled acinar cells still transdifferentiated into duct-like cells upon transfer to 37°C. Moreover, adenoviral-mediated gene transfer evidenced an active Amylase promoter in the 7-day chilled acinar cells, and transduction performed in chilled conditions improved acinar cell labelling. Together, our findings indicate the maintenance of human pancreatic acinar cell phenotype at low temperature and the possibility to efficiently label acinar cells, which opens new perspectives for the study of human acinar-to-β-cell transdifferentiation.
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Bläuer M, Laaninen M, Sand J, Laukkarinen J. Reciprocal stimulation of pancreatic acinar and stellate cells in a novel long-term in vitro co-culture model. Pancreatology 2016; 16:570-7. [PMID: 27075041 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are the key fibrogenic cells in the pancreas. Acinar cell injury is known to trigger PSC activation. To facilitate the experimental analysis of the crosstalk between acinar cells and PSCs, an in vitro system for their long-term co-cultivation was developed. MATERIALS AND METHODS PSCs and acinar cells capable of retaining their secretory phenotype in long-term in vitro culture were obtained from mouse pancreata. A dual-chamber co-culture model was built in 24-well format with acinar cells seeded in the wells and PSCs in tissue culture inserts. Acinar cell-3T3 fibroblast co-cultures served as controls. After 4-day maintenance, the acinar compartment was analyzed for cell morphology, secretory capability, necrosis (HMGB1), apoptosis (TUNEL) and inflammation (NFκB). PSCs were analyzed for migratory activity and extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression. The results were compared to parallel monocultures. RESULTS Acinar cells in monoculture and in co-culture with fibroblasts exhibited a healthy monolayer arrangement and an ability to respond to 0.1 nM caerulein stimulus by increased amylase release. Co-culture with PSCs caused marked changes in acinar cell morphology and rendered them insensitive to secretagogue stimulus. Activation of NFκB and necrotic changes, but not apoptosis, were identified in co-cultured acinar cells. Co-culture increased the migratory activity and ECM protein expression of PSCs. CONCLUSIONS Humoral interactions between acinar and PSCs in co-culture were shown to reciprocally affect their cellular functions. With its two separable cell compartments the co-culture system provides a versatile culture setting that allows independent manipulation and analysis of both cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merja Bläuer
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory, Tampere University Hospital, Teiskontie 35, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland
| | - Matias Laaninen
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory, Tampere University Hospital, Teiskontie 35, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland
| | - Juhani Sand
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory, Tampere University Hospital, Teiskontie 35, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland; Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Teiskontie 35, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland
| | - Johanna Laukkarinen
- Tampere Pancreas Laboratory, Tampere University Hospital, Teiskontie 35, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland; Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Teiskontie 35, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland.
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Greggio C, De Franceschi F, Grapin-Botton A. Concise reviews: In vitro-produced pancreas organogenesis models in three dimensions: self-organization from few stem cells or progenitors. Stem Cells 2015; 33:8-14. [PMID: 25185771 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Three-dimensional models of organ biogenesis have recently flourished. They promote a balance between stem/progenitor cell expansion and differentiation without the constraints of flat tissue culture vessels, allowing for autonomous self-organization of cells. Such models allow the formation of miniature organs in a dish and are emerging for the pancreas, starting from embryonic progenitors and adult cells. This review focuses on the currently available systems and how these allow new types of questions to be addressed. We discuss the expected advancements including their potential to study human pancreas development and function as well as to develop diabetes models and therapeutic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Greggio
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Life Sciences, Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Lausanne, Switzerland; Département de Physiologie, Université de Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 7, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Because of rapid loss of functional differentiation that regularly occurs in vitro, culture systems permitting long-term studies on pancreatic acinar cells pose a major technical challenge. We recently described a method for long-term cultivation of mouse acinar cells. Here, we introduce a novel 2-step culture system for human pancreatic acinar cells. METHODS The system involves 2 successive culture phases, which are as follows: primary organotypic culture of isolated acinar clusters under soft Matrigel (BD Biosciences, Bedford, Mass; range, 2-3 days) followed by dissociation and secondary monolayer culture of acinar cells (4 days). Basal and agonist-induced amylase secretion was used to assess the secretory capability. RESULTS Acinar clusters showed excellent morphology and stable basal amylase secretion throughout primary culture. Carbachol (0.1 mM/L) increased amylase secretion 1.4-fold (P = 0.021) versus basal in 3 independent 4-day secondary cultures. Despite the controversy about the presence and roles of cholecystokinin receptors in human acinar cells, one of them also responded to 0.1 and 10 nM/L concentrations of caerulein with 1.9- and 1.4-fold increases in the rate of amylase secretion, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our technique allows cultured human acinar cells to maintain secretory differentiation for a minimum of 7 days. The technique provides novel prospects for in vitro modeling of the human exocrine pancreas.
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Bläuer M, Sand J, Laukkarinen J. Cryopreserved mouse pancreatic acinar cells from long-term explant outgrowth cultures maintain their secretory phenotype after thawing. Pancreatology 2013; 13:610-4. [PMID: 24280578 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2013.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Revised: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES We recently reported an explant outgrowth culture method for obtaining functionally competent mouse pancreatic acinar cells for long-term in vitro purposes. The aim of the present study was to explore the possibility of cryostoring these cells without loss of functional differentiation. METHODS Acinar cells prepared by the explant outgrowth method were cryopreserved using a DMSO-based protocol and stored in liquid nitrogen for 4 weeks. The following characteristics were compared in cryopreserved and parallel non-frozen cell preparations: cell viability and recovery, amylase content in viable cells before culture, basal and stimulated amylase release in culture and the ability of the cells to form glandular structures in Matrigel. RESULTS Immediate post-thaw viability of the cells was similar to that of freshly isolated cells. Approximately 53% of viable cells frozen were recovered after thawing. Intracellular amylase content was identical in frozen and non-frozen cells. Cryopreserved cells maintained their ability to secrete amylase and to respond to caerulein stimulation in 4-day secondary cultures. They also were observed to form amylase-expressing glandular structures in three-dimensional cultures in Matrigel in a similar manner as non-frozen cells. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that pancreatic acinar cells can be cryopreserved for long-term storage in liquid nitrogen without dedifferentiation. Successful cryopreservation helps to refine the experimental use of primary acinar cells by enabling their banking for on-demand utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merja Bläuer
- Department of Gastroenterology and Alimentary Tract Surgery and Tampere Pancreas Laboratory, Tampere University Hospital, Teiskontie 35, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland
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Gout J, Pommier RM, Vincent DF, Kaniewski B, Martel S, Valcourt U, Bartholin L. Isolation and culture of mouse primary pancreatic acinar cells. J Vis Exp 2013. [PMID: 23979477 DOI: 10.3791/50514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This protocol permits rapid isolation (in less than 1 hr) of murine pancreatic acini, making it possible to maintain them in culture for more than one week. More than 20 x 10(6) acinar cells can be obtained from a single murine pancreas. This protocol offers the possibility to independently process as many as 10 pancreases in parallel. Because it preserves acinar architecture, this model is well suited for studying the physiology of the exocrine pancreas in vitro in contrast to cell lines established from pancreatic tumors, which display many genetic alterations resulting in partial or total loss of their acinar differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Gout
- INSERM U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon
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Characterization of myelomonocytoid progenitor cells with mesenchymal differentiation potential obtained by outgrowth from pancreas explants. BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2012; 2012:429868. [PMID: 22953065 PMCID: PMC3431127 DOI: 10.1155/2012/429868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2012] [Revised: 06/06/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Progenitor cells can be obtained by outgrowth from tissue explants during primary ex vivo tissue culture. We have isolated and characterized cells outgrown from neonatal mouse pancreatic explants. A relatively uniform population of cells showing a distinctive morphology emerged over time in culture. This population expressed monocyte/macrophage and hematopoietic markers (CD11b(+) and CD45(+)), and some stromal-related markers (CD44(+) and CD29(+)), but not mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-defining markers (CD90(-) and CD105(-)) nor endothelial (CD31(-)) or stem cell-associated markers (CD133(-) and stem cell antigen-1; Sca-1(-)). Cells could be maintained in culture as a plastic-adherent monolayer in culture medium (MesenCult MSC) for more than 1 year. Cells spontaneously formed sphere clusters "pancreatospheres" which, however, were nonclonal. When cultured in appropriate media, cells differentiated into multiple mesenchymal lineages (fat, cartilage, and bone). Positive dithizone staining suggested that a subset of cells differentiated into insulin-producing cells. However, further studies are needed to characterize the endocrine potential of these cells. These findings indicate that a myelomonocytoid population from pancreatic explant outgrowths has mesenchymal differentiation potential. These results are in line with recent data onmonocyte-derivedmesenchymal progenitors (MOMPs).
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