1
|
Lo TY, Chan ASL, Cheung ST, Yung LY, Leung MMH, Wong YH. Multi-target regulatory mechanism of Yang Xin Tang - a traditional Chinese medicine against dementia. Chin Med 2023; 18:101. [PMID: 37587513 PMCID: PMC10428601 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-023-00813-w] [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: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Yang Xin Tang (YXT) is a traditional Chinese herbal preparation which has been reported to improve cognitive function and memory in patients with dementia. As the underlying mechanism of action of YXT has not been elucidated, we examined the effects of YXT and its major herbal components in regulating gene transcription and molecular targets related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS Aqueous and ethanol extracts of YXT and selected herbal components were prepared and validated by standard methods. A series of biochemical and cellular assays were employed to assess the ability of the herbal extracts to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, reduce β-amyloid aggregation, stimulate the differentiation of neural progenitor cells, suppress cyclooxygenase, and protect neurons against β-amyloid or N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced cytotoxicity. The effects of YXT on multiple molecular targets were further corroborated by a panel of nine reporter gene assays. RESULTS Extracts of YXT and two of its constituent herbs, Poria cocos and Poria Sclerotium pararadicis, significantly inhibited β-amyloid aggregation and β-amyloid-induced cytotoxicity. A protective effect of the YXT extract was similarly observed against N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced cytotoxicity in primary neurons, and this activity was shared by extracts of Radix Astragali and Rhizoma Chuanxiong. Although the YXT extract was ineffective, extracts of Poria cocos, Poria Sclerotium pararadicis and Radix Polygalae inhibited acetylcholine esterase, with the latter also capable of upregulating choline acetyltransferase. YXT and its components significantly inhibited the activities of the pro-inflammatory cyclooxygenases. Additionally, extracts of YXT and several of its constituent herbs significantly stimulated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases and cAMP-responsive element binding protein, two molecular targets involved in learning and memory, as well as in the regulation of neurogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Several constituents of YXT possess multiple regulatory effects on known therapeutic targets of AD that range from β-amyloid to acetylcholinesterase. The demonstrated neuroprotective and neurogenic actions of YXT lend credence to its use as an alternative medicine for treating AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tung Yan Lo
- Division of Life Science and the Biotechnology Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Anthony Siu Lung Chan
- Division of Life Science and the Biotechnology Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Suet Ting Cheung
- Division of Life Science and the Biotechnology Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lisa Ying Yung
- Division of Life Science and the Biotechnology Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Manton Man Hon Leung
- Division of Life Science and the Biotechnology Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Yung Hou Wong
- Division of Life Science and the Biotechnology Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Neuroscience Center, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
- Center for Aging Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Units 1501-1502, 17 Science Park West Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yoo CY, Son HU, Kim SK, Kim SO, Lee SH. Improved Image Analysis for Measuring Gastric Ulcer Index in Animal Models and Clinical Diagnostic Data. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:1233. [PMID: 35626388 PMCID: PMC9139872 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12051233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric ulcers are one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases. In this study, as an attempt to reduce the minimal error in clinical observations during the diagnosis of gastric ulcers, the applicability of improved ImageJ analysis (IA) was investigated by comparing the results of animal experiments and clinical data. As a result, IA exhibited a significantly improved potential for determining the ulcer index (UI) of clinical data sheets compared to those rated directly by conventional clinical observation (CCO). This indicated that IA enhanced the reproducibility of the measurement of gastric UI using a Bland-Altman plot, resulting in a reduced deviation of each UI value. In addition, it was confirmed that errors in gastric UI decisions can be reduced by adjusting RGB values in diagnostic clinical data (i.e., adjusting to 100 is relatively better than adjusting to 50 or 200). Together, these results suggest that the new enhanced IA could be compatible with novel applications for measuring and evaluating gastric ulcers in clinical settings, meaning that the developed method could be used not only as an auxiliary tool for CCO, but also as a pipeline for ulcer diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Yeol Yoo
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea; (C.-Y.Y.); (H.-U.S.)
| | - Hyeong-U Son
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea; (C.-Y.Y.); (H.-U.S.)
| | - Sung-kook Kim
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Korea;
| | - Si-Oh Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu 41404, Korea;
| | - Sang-Han Lee
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea; (C.-Y.Y.); (H.-U.S.)
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu 41944, Korea;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kim JA, Hong S, Rhee WJ. Microfluidic three-dimensional cell culture of stem cells for high-throughput analysis. World J Stem Cells 2019; 11:803-816. [PMID: 31693013 PMCID: PMC6828593 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v11.i10.803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the recent advances in stem cell engineering have gained a great deal of attention due to their high potential in clinical research, the applicability of stem cells for preclinical screening in the drug discovery process is still challenging due to difficulties in controlling the stem cell microenvironment and the limited availability of high-throughput systems. Recently, researchers have been actively developing and evaluating three-dimensional (3D) cell culture-based platforms using microfluidic technologies, such as organ-on-a-chip and organoid-on-a-chip platforms, and they have achieved promising breakthroughs in stem cell engineering. In this review, we start with a comprehensive discussion on the importance of microfluidic 3D cell culture techniques in stem cell research and their technical strategies in the field of drug discovery. In a subsequent section, we discuss microfluidic 3D cell culture techniques for high-throughput analysis for use in stem cell research. In addition, some potential and practical applications of organ-on-a-chip or organoid-on-a-chip platforms using stem cells as drug screening and disease models are highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Ah Kim
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, South Korea
- Department of Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, South Korea
| | - Soohyun Hong
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju 28119, South Korea
- Program in Biomicro System Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Won Jong Rhee
- Division of Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, South Korea
- Department of Bioengineering and Nano-Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rujanapun N, Heebkaew N, Promjantuek W, Sotthibundhu A, Kunhorm P, Chaicharoenaudomrung N, Noisa P. Small molecules re-establish neural cell fate of human fibroblasts via autophagy activation. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2019; 55:622-632. [PMID: 31321620 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-019-00381-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The generation of neural cells is of great interest in medical research because of its promising in neurodegenerative diseases. Small chemical molecules have been used for inducing specific cell types across lineage boundaries. Therefore, to direct neural cell fate, small molecule is a feasible approach for generating clinically relevant cell types without genetic alterations. Human fibroblasts have been directly induced into neural cells with different combinations of small molecules; however, the mechanism underlying neural induction is still not fully understood. In this study, human fibroblasts were induced into neural cells by using only 4 small molecules in a short time period, 5 d. Small molecules used in this study included WNT activator, DNMT inhibitor, Notch inhibitor, and retinoic acid. Neural-specific genes, including NESTIN, TUJ1, and SOX2, were upregulated upon the induction for 5 d. Noteworthy, this neural induction process by small molecules coincided with the activation of autophagy. Autophagy-related genes, such as LC3, ATG12, and LAMP1, were enhanced upon neural induction, and the number of induced-neural cells decreased when autophagy was suppressed by chloroquine. The activation of autophagy was found to reduce ROS generation within the induced-neural cells, and the inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine suppressed the expression of antioxidant genes, CATALASE, SOD, and GPX. This implied that autophagy maintained the optimal level of ROS for neural induction of human fibroblasts. Altogether, this study presented the effective and convenient condition to induce neural cells from human fibroblasts and revealed the positive roles of autophagy in controlling neural cell induction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Narawadee Rujanapun
- Laboratory of Cell-Based Assays and Innovations, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, 111 University Avenue, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand
| | - Nudjanad Heebkaew
- Laboratory of Cell-Based Assays and Innovations, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, 111 University Avenue, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand
| | - Wilasinee Promjantuek
- Laboratory of Cell-Based Assays and Innovations, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, 111 University Avenue, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand
| | - Areechun Sotthibundhu
- Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Rungsit Campus, Rungsit, Patumthani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Phongsakorn Kunhorm
- Laboratory of Cell-Based Assays and Innovations, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, 111 University Avenue, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand
| | - Nipha Chaicharoenaudomrung
- Laboratory of Cell-Based Assays and Innovations, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, 111 University Avenue, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand
| | - Parinya Noisa
- Laboratory of Cell-Based Assays and Innovations, School of Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, 111 University Avenue, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kitabayashi T, Dong Y, Furuta T, Sabit H, Jiapaer S, Zhang J, Zhang G, Hayashi Y, Kobayashi M, Domoto T, Minamoto T, Hirao A, Nakada M. Identification of GSK3β inhibitor kenpaullone as a temozolomide enhancer against glioblastoma. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10049. [PMID: 31296906 PMCID: PMC6624278 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46454-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells are associated with chemoresistance and rapid recurrence of malignant tumors, including glioblastoma (GBM). Although temozolomide (TMZ) is the most effective drug treatment for GBM, GBM cells acquire resistance and become refractory to TMZ during treatment. Therefore, glioma stem cell (GSC)-targeted therapy and TMZ-enhancing therapy may be effective approaches to improve GBM prognosis. Many drugs that suppress the signaling pathways that maintain GSC or enhance the effects of TMZ have been reported. However, there are no established therapies beyond TMZ treatment currently in use. In this study, we screened drug libraries composed of 1,301 existing drugs using cell viability assays to evaluate effects on GSCs, which led to selection of kenpaullone, a kinase inhibitor, as a TMZ enhancer targeting GSCs. Kenpaullone efficiently suppressed activity of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3β. Combination therapy with kenpaullone and TMZ suppressed stem cell phenotype and viability of both GSCs and glioma cell lines. Combination therapy in mouse models significantly prolonged survival time compared with TMZ monotherapy. Taken together, kenpaullone is a promising drug for treatment of GBM by targeting GSCs and overcoming chemoresistance to TMZ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Kitabayashi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yu Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Takuya Furuta
- Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Hemragul Sabit
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Shabierjiang Jiapaer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Jiakang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangtao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.,Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Yasuhiko Hayashi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kobayashi
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Takahiro Domoto
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Toshinari Minamoto
- Division of Translational and Clinical Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hirao
- Division of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mitsutoshi Nakada
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
A dynamic view of the proteomic landscape during differentiation of ReNcell VM cells, an immortalized human neural progenitor line. Sci Data 2019; 6:190016. [PMID: 30778261 PMCID: PMC6380223 DOI: 10.1038/sdata.2019.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The immortalized human ReNcell VM cell line represents a reproducible and easy-to-propagate cell culture system for studying the differentiation of neural progenitors. To better characterize the starting line and its subsequent differentiation, we assessed protein and phospho-protein levels and cell morphology over a 15-day period during which ReNcell progenitors differentiated into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Five of the resulting datasets measured protein levels or states of phosphorylation based on tandem-mass-tag (TMT) mass spectrometry and four datasets characterized cellular phenotypes using high-content microscopy. Proteomic analysis revealed reproducible changes in pathways responsible for cytoskeletal rearrangement, cell phase transitions, neuronal migration, glial differentiation, neurotrophic signalling and extracellular matrix regulation. Proteomic and imaging data revealed accelerated differentiation in cells treated with the poly-selective CDK and GSK3 inhibitor kenpaullone or the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor mevastatin, both of which have previously been reported to promote neural differentiation. These data provide in-depth information on the ReNcell progenitor state and on neural differentiation in the presence and absence of drugs, setting the stage for functional studies.
Collapse
|
7
|
Brodski C, Blaess S, Partanen J, Prakash N. Crosstalk of Intercellular Signaling Pathways in the Generation of Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons In Vivo and from Stem Cells. J Dev Biol 2019; 7:jdb7010003. [PMID: 30650592 PMCID: PMC6473842 DOI: 10.3390/jdb7010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine-synthesizing neurons located in the mammalian ventral midbrain are at the center stage of biomedical research due to their involvement in severe human neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, most prominently Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The induction of midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons depends on two important signaling centers of the mammalian embryo: the ventral midline or floor plate (FP) of the neural tube, and the isthmic organizer (IsO) at the mid-/hindbrain boundary (MHB). Cells located within and close to the FP secrete sonic hedgehog (SHH), and members of the wingless-type MMTV integration site family (WNT1/5A), as well as bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family. The IsO cells secrete WNT1 and the fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8). Accordingly, the FGF8, SHH, WNT, and BMP signaling pathways play crucial roles during the development of the mDA neurons in the mammalian embryo. Moreover, these morphogens are essential for the generation of stem cell-derived mDA neurons, which are critical for the modeling, drug screening, and cell replacement therapy of PD. This review summarizes our current knowledge about the functions and crosstalk of these signaling pathways in mammalian mDA neuron development in vivo and their applications in stem cell-based paradigms for the efficient derivation of these neurons in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claude Brodski
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva 84105, Israel.
| | - Sandra Blaess
- Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn Medical Center, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Juha Partanen
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, FIN00014-University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, Viikinkaari 9, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Nilima Prakash
- Department Hamm 2, Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, 59063 Hamm, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Nierode GJ, Gopal S, Kwon P, Clark DS, Schaffer DV, Dordick JS. High-throughput identification of factors promoting neuronal differentiation of human neural progenitor cells in microscale 3D cell culture. Biotechnol Bioeng 2018; 116:168-180. [PMID: 30229860 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Identification of conditions for guided and specific differentiation of human stem cell and progenitor cells is important for continued development and engineering of in vitro cell culture systems for use in regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and human toxicology. Three-dimensional (3D) and organotypic cell culture models have been used increasingly for in vitro cell culture because they may better model endogenous tissue environments. However, detailed studies of stem cell differentiation within 3D cultures remain limited, particularly with respect to high-throughput screening. Herein, we demonstrate the use of a microarray chip-based platform to screen, in high-throughput, individual and paired effects of 12 soluble factors on the neuronal differentiation of a human neural progenitor cell line (ReNcell VM) encapsulated in microscale 3D Matrigel cultures. Dose-response analysis of selected combinations from the initial combinatorial screen revealed that the combined treatment of all-trans retinoic acid (RA) with the glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor CHIR-99021 (CHIR) enhances neurogenesis while simultaneously decreases astrocyte differentiation, whereas the combined treatment of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the small azide neuropathiazol enhances the differentiation into neurons and astrocytes. Subtype specification analysis of RA- and CHIR-differentiated cultures revealed that enhanced neurogenesis was not biased toward a specific neuronal subtype. Together, these results demonstrate a high-throughput screening platform for rapid evaluation of differentiation conditions in a 3D environment, which will aid the development and application of 3D stem cell culture models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gregory J Nierode
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
| | - Sneha Gopal
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
| | - Paul Kwon
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
| | - Douglas S Clark
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - David V Schaffer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California
| | - Jonathan S Dordick
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Yu YJ, Kim YH, Na K, Min SY, Hwang OK, Park DK, Kim DY, Choi SH, Kamm RD, Chung S, Kim JA. Hydrogel-incorporating unit in a well: 3D cell culture for high-throughput analysis. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 18:2604-2613. [PMID: 30043033 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00525g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The microfluidic 3D cell culture system has been an attractive model because it mimics the tissue and disease model, thereby expanding our ability to control the local cellular microenvironment. However, these systems still have limited value as quantitative assay tools due to the difficulties associated with the manipulation and maintenance of microfluidic cells, and their lack of compatibility with the high-throughput screening (HTS) analysis system. In this study, we suggest a microchannel-free, 3D cell culture system that has a hydrogel-incorporating unit integrated with a multi-well plate (24- to 96-well plate), which can provide better reproducibility in biological experiments. This plate was devised considering the design constraints imposed by various cell biology applications as well as by high-throughput analysis where the physical dimensions of the micro-features in the hydrogel-incorporating units were altered. We also demonstrated that the developed plate is potentially applicable to a variety of quantitative biochemical assays for qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and microplate-reader-based assays, such as ELISA, viability assay, and high content-screening (HCS) as well as the co-culture for biological studies. Human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) that produce pathogenic Aβ species for modeling Alzheimer's disease (AD) were three-dimensionally cultured, and the efficacy of the inhibitors of Aβ production was assessed by ELISA in order to demonstrate the performance of this plate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeong Jun Yu
- Biomedical Omics Group, Korea Basic Science Institute, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Novel 3D Liquid Cell Culture Method for Anchorage-independent Cell Growth, Cell Imaging and Automated Drug Screening. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3627. [PMID: 29483620 PMCID: PMC5827526 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21950-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells grown in three-dimensional (3D) cultures are more likely to have native cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions than in 2D cultures that impose mechanical constraints to cells. However, most 3D cultures utilise gel matrix which, while serving as a scaffold, limits application due to its solid and opaque nature and inconsistency in cell exposure to exogenous signals. In 3D culture without gel matrix, cells tend to adhere to each other and form clumps with necrotic zone at the centre, making them unsuitable for analyses. Here we report that addition of low-molecular-weight agar named LA717 to culture media allows cells to grow as dispersed clonal spheroids in 3D. LA717 maintains cells dispersed and settled to the bottom of the medium while keeping the medium clear with little additional viscosity, making it suitable for microscopic observation. Importantly, cancer spheroids formed in LA717-containing medium show higher sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs such as Trametinib and MK-2206 that are not as effective in 2D. Because of the small and consistent size of spheroids, cell viability and drug toxicity are readily detectable in automated imaging analysis. These results demonstrate that LA717 offers a novel 3D culture system with great in vivo reflection and practicality.
Collapse
|
11
|
Unbiased compound screening with a reporter gene assay highlights the role of p13 in the cardiac cellular stress response. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 495:1992-1997. [PMID: 29180011 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.11.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We recently showed that a 13-kDa protein (p13), the homolog protein of formation of mitochondrial complex V assembly factor 1 in yeast, acts as a potential protective factor in pancreatic islets under diabetes. Here, we aimed to identify known compounds regulating p13 mRNA expression to obtain therapeutic insight into the cellular stress response. A luciferase reporter system was developed using the putative promoter region of the human p13 gene. Overexpression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α, a master player regulating mitochondrial metabolism, increased both reporter activity and p13 expression. Following unbiased screening with 2320 known compounds in HeLa cells, 12 pharmacological agents (including 8 cardiotonics and 2 anthracyclines) that elicited >2-fold changes in p13 mRNA expression were identified. Among them, four cardiac glycosides decreased p13 expression and concomitantly elevated cellular oxidative stress. Additional database analyses showed highest p13 expression in heart, with typically decreased expression in cardiac disease. Accordingly, our results illustrate the usefulness of unbiased compound screening as a method for identifying novel functional roles of unfamiliar genes. Our findings also highlight the importance of p13 in the cellular stress response in heart.
Collapse
|
12
|
Morphology-based non-invasive quantitative prediction of the differentiation status of neural stem cells. J Biosci Bioeng 2017; 124:351-358. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
|
13
|
Rinaldi F, Motti D, Ferraiuolo L, Kaspar BK. High content analysis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017; 80:180-191. [PMID: 27965018 PMCID: PMC5393940 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons. Neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglial cells all undergo pathological modifications in the onset and progression of ALS. A number of genes involved in the etiopathology of the disease have been identified, but a complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms of ALS has yet to be determined. Currently, people affected by ALS have a life expectancy of only two to five years from diagnosis. The search for a treatment has been slow and mostly unsuccessful, leaving patients in desperate need of better therapies. Until recently, most pre-clinical studies utilized the available ALS animal models. In the past years, the development of new protocols for isolation of patient cells and differentiation into relevant cell types has provided new tools to model ALS, potentially more relevant to the disease itself as they directly come from patients. The use of stem cells is showing promise to facilitate ALS research by expanding our understanding of the disease and help to identify potential new therapeutic targets and therapies to help patients. Advancements in high content analysis (HCA) have the power to contribute to move ALS research forward by combining automated image acquisition along with digital image analysis. With modern HCA machines it is possible, in a period of just a few hours, to observe changes in morphology and survival of cells, under the stimulation of hundreds, if not thousands of drugs and compounds. In this article, we will summarize the major molecular and cellular hallmarks of ALS, describe the advancements provided by the in vitro models developed in the last few years, and review the studies that have applied HCA to the ALS field to date.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Rinaldi
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Dario Motti
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Laura Ferraiuolo
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Brian K Kaspar
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gomazkov OA. Correction of neurogenesis in the adult brain: Selection of therapeutic targets. NEUROCHEM J+ 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s181971241604005x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
15
|
Montoya M, Dorval T, Bickle M. SLAS Europe High-Content Screening Conference in Dresden: A Glimpse of the Future? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 21:883-6. [PMID: 27650790 DOI: 10.1177/1087057116662825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Montoya
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thierry Dorval
- Biotechnology Chemical-Biology, Insitut de Recherches Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | - Marc Bickle
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Fraietta I, Gasparri F. The development of high-content screening (HCS) technology and its importance to drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 11:501-14. [PMID: 26971542 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2016.1165203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION High-content screening (HCS) was introduced about twenty years ago as a promising analytical approach to facilitate some critical aspects of drug discovery. Its application has spread progressively within the pharmaceutical industry and academia to the point that it today represents a fundamental tool in supporting drug discovery and development. AREAS COVERED Here, the authors review some of significant progress in the HCS field in terms of biological models and assay readouts. They highlight the importance of high-content screening in drug discovery, as testified by its numerous applications in a variety of therapeutic areas: oncology, infective diseases, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. They also dissect the role of HCS technology in different phases of the drug discovery pipeline: target identification, primary compound screening, secondary assays, mechanism of action studies and in vitro toxicology. EXPERT OPINION Recent advances in cellular assay technologies, such as the introduction of three-dimensional (3D) cultures, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and genome editing technologies (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9), have tremendously expanded the potential of high-content assays to contribute to the drug discovery process. Increasingly predictive cellular models and readouts, together with the development of more sophisticated and affordable HCS readers, will further consolidate the role of HCS technology in drug discovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Fraietta
- a Department of Biology , Nerviano Medical Sciences S.r.l ., Nerviano , Milano , Italy
| | - Fabio Gasparri
- a Department of Biology , Nerviano Medical Sciences S.r.l ., Nerviano , Milano , Italy
| |
Collapse
|