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Tiemeijer BM, Tel J. Hydrogels for Single-Cell Microgel Production: Recent Advances and Applications. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:891461. [PMID: 35782502 PMCID: PMC9247248 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.891461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-cell techniques have become more and more incorporated in cell biological research over the past decades. Various approaches have been proposed to isolate, culture, sort, and analyze individual cells to understand cellular heterogeneity, which is at the foundation of every systematic cellular response in the human body. Microfluidics is undoubtedly the most suitable method of manipulating cells, due to its small scale, high degree of control, and gentle nature toward vulnerable cells. More specifically, the technique of microfluidic droplet production has proven to provide reproducible single-cell encapsulation with high throughput. Various in-droplet applications have been explored, ranging from immunoassays, cytotoxicity assays, and single-cell sequencing. All rely on the theoretically unlimited throughput that can be achieved and the monodispersity of each individual droplet. To make these platforms more suitable for adherent cells or to maintain spatial control after de-emulsification, hydrogels can be included during droplet production to obtain “microgels.” Over the past years, a multitude of research has focused on the possibilities these can provide. Also, as the technique matures, it is becoming clear that it will result in advantages over conventional droplet approaches. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on how various types of hydrogels can be incorporated into different droplet-based approaches and provide novel and more robust analytic and screening applications. We will further focus on a wide range of recently published applications for microgels and how these can be applied in cell biological research at the single- to multicell scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. M. Tiemeijer
- Laboratory of Immunoengineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, TU Eindhoven, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, TU Eindhoven, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - J. Tel
- Laboratory of Immunoengineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, TU Eindhoven, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Institute of Complex Molecular Systems, TU Eindhoven, Eindhoven, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: J. Tel,
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Ullah I, Seo K, Wi H, Kim Y, Lee S, Ock SA. Induction of the differentiation of porcine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into premature hepatocyte-like cells in an indirect coculture system with primary hepatocytes. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2020; 24:289-298. [PMID: 33209203 PMCID: PMC7646558 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2020.1823473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver transplantation is currently the only option for patients with end-stage liver disease. Thus, other alternate therapeutic strategies are needed. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are nonhematopoietic cells present in the bone marrow stroma that serve as precursors cells for various other cells. In this study, we evaluated the differentiation of porcine BM-MSCs into hepatocyte-like cells using three types of culture systems: hepatic induction medium (HIM), HIM/primary hepatocyte culture supernatant (HCS; 1:1 ratio), and a hepatocyte coculture system (HCCS; primary hepatocytes in the upper chamber, and BM-MSCs in the lower chamber). Primary hepatocytes were isolated from anesthetized healthy 1-month-old pigs by enzymatic digestion. Hepatic-specific marker expression (albumin [ALB], transferrin [TF], α-fetoprotein [AFP]), glycogen storage, low-density lipoprotein, and indocyanine green uptake were evaluated. Upregulation of hepatic-specific markers (ALB, TF, and AFP) was observed by real-time polymerase chain reaction in the HCCS group. Periodic acid-Schiff staining revealed enhanced glycogen storage in hepatocyte-like cells from the HCCS group compared with that from the HIM/HCS group. Furthermore, hepatocyte like-cells in the HCCS group showed improved LDL and ICG uptake than those in the other groups. Overall, our current study revealed that indirect coculture of primary hepatocytes and BM-MSCs enhanced the differentiation efficacy of BM-MSCs into hepatocyte-like cells by unknown useful soluble factors, including paracrine factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Ullah
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Kangmin Seo
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Hayeon Wi
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngim Kim
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghoon Lee
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun A Ock
- Animal Biotechnology Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
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Perez RA, Jung CR, Kim HW. Biomaterials and Culture Technologies for Regenerative Therapy of Liver Tissue. Adv Healthc Mater 2017; 6. [PMID: 27860372 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201600791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Regenerative approach has emerged to substitute the current extracorporeal technologies for the treatment of diseased and damaged liver tissue. This is based on the use of biomaterials that modulate the responses of hepatic cells through the unique matrix properties tuned to recapitulate regenerative functions. Cells in liver preserve their phenotype or differentiate through the interactions with extracellular matrix molecules. Therefore, the intrinsic properties of the engineered biomaterials, such as stiffness and surface topography, need to be tailored to induce appropriate cellular functions. The matrix physical stimuli can be combined with biochemical cues, such as immobilized functional groups or the delivered actions of signaling molecules. Furthermore, the external modulation of cells, through cocultures with nonparenchymal cells (e.g., endothelial cells) that can signal bioactive molecules, is another promising avenue to regenerate liver tissue. This review disseminates the recent approaches of regenerating liver tissue, with a focus on the development of biomaterials and the related culture technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman A. Perez
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN); Dankook University; Cheonan 330-714 Republic of Korea
- Regenerative Medicine Research Institute; Universitat Internacional de Catalunya; Barcelona 08017 Spain
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine; Dankook University; Cheonan 330-714 Republic of Korea
| | - Cho-Rok Jung
- Gene Therapy Research Unit; KRIBB; 125 Gwahak-ro Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141 Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Won Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN); Dankook University; Cheonan 330-714 Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine; Dankook University; Cheonan 330-714 Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomaterials Science; Dankook University Dental College; Cheonan 330-714 Republic of Korea
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Choi YY, Kim J, Lee SH, Kim DS. Lab on a chip-based hepatic sinusoidal system simulator for optimal primary hepatocyte culture. Biomed Microdevices 2016; 18:58. [DOI: 10.1007/s10544-016-0079-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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5
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Chatterjee S, Bijsmans IT, van Mil SW, Augustijns P, Annaert P. Toxicity and intracellular accumulation of bile acids in sandwich-cultured rat hepatocytes: Role of glycine conjugates. Toxicol In Vitro 2014; 28:218-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2013.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2013] [Revised: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/30/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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6
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Hata S, Miki Y, Saito R, Ishida K, Watanabe M, Sasano H. Aromatase in human liver and its diseases. Cancer Med 2013; 2:305-15. [PMID: 23930207 PMCID: PMC3699842 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Revised: 03/24/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogens play important roles in the cell proliferation and invasion of estrogen-dependent human neoplasms. Aromatase overexpression has been also reported in hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with normal liver but its details in these hepatic disorders have remained unclear. Therefore, in this study, we first immunolocalized aromatase using immunohistochemistry in patients with liver cirrhosis, steatosis, hepatitis, HCC, and metastasis liver carcinoma (MLC) in order to study the detailed status of intrahepatic aromatase. Aromatase immunoreactivity was predominantly detected in nonneoplastic hepatocytes around tumor cells. We then evaluated the effects of an interaction between hepatocytes and carcinoma cells upon aromatase mRNA expression, using HepG2 as a substitute model of hepatocytes by coculture systems. Aromatase mRNA levels in HepG2 were significantly increased by coculture with all carcinoma cell lines examined. We also evaluated alternative splicing of aromatase exon 1 but the same splicing variant was used in HepG2 cells regardless of carcinoma cell lines employed in the coculture system. These findings obtained in HepG2 indicated that carcinoma cells, whether metastatic or primary, induced aromatase expression in adjacent normal hepatocytes possibly through the soluble aromatase inducible factors in human hepatic microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuko Hata
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan
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Hamon M, Hanada S, Fujii T, Sakai Y. Direct oxygen supply with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes induces a spontaneous organization of thick heterogeneous liver tissues from rat fetal liver cells in vitro. Cell Transplant 2012; 21:401-10. [PMID: 22793047 DOI: 10.3727/096368911x605303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxygen is a vital nutrient for growth and maturation of in vitro cells (e.g., adult hepatocytes). We previously demonstrated that direct oxygenation through a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane increases the oxygen supply to cell cultures and improves hepatocyte functions. In this study, we removed limits on oxygen supply to fetal rat liver cells through the use of direct oxygenation through a PDMS membrane to investigate in vitro growth and maturation. We chose fetal liver cells because they are considered a feasible source of liver progenitor cells for regenerative medicine therapy due to their highly efficient maturation and proliferation. Cells from 17-day-old pregnant rats were cultured under 5% and 21% oxygen atmospheres. Some cells were first cultured under 5% oxygen, and then switched to a 21% oxygen atmosphere. When oxygen supply was enhanced by a PDMS membrane, the rat fetal liver cells organized into a complex tissue composed of an epithelium of hepatocytes above a mesenchyme-like tissue. The thickness of this supportive tissue was directly correlated to oxygen concentration and was thicker under 5% oxygen. When cultures were switched from 5% to 21% oxygen, lumen-containing structures were formed in the thick mesenchymal-like tissue and the albumin secretion rate increased. In addition, cells adapted their glycolytic activity to the oxygen concentrations. This system promoted the formation of a functional and organized thick tissue suitable for use in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Hamon
- Laboratory for Integrated Micro-Mechatronic Systems, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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Wong SF, No DY, Choi YY, Kim DS, Chung BG, Lee SH. Concave microwell based size-controllable hepatosphere as a three-dimensional liver tissue model. Biomaterials 2011; 32:8087-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 07/08/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Sharma NS, Nagrath D, Yarmush ML. Metabolic profiling based quantitative evaluation of hepatocellular metabolism in presence of adipocyte derived extracellular matrix. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20137. [PMID: 21603575 PMCID: PMC3095641 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2011] [Accepted: 04/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The elucidation of the effect of extracellular matrices on hepatocellular metabolism is critical to understand the mechanism of functional upregulation. We have developed a system using natural extracellular matrices [Adipogel] for enhanced albumin synthesis of rat hepatocyte cultures for a period of 10 days as compared to collagen sandwich cultures. Primary rat hepatocytes isolated from livers of female Lewis rats recover within 4 days of culture from isolation induced injury while function is stabilized at 7 days post-isolation. Thus, the culture period can be classified into three distinct stages viz. recovery stage [day 0–4], pre-stable stage [day 5–7] and the stable stage [day 8–10]. A Metabolic Flux Analysis of primary rat hepatocytes cultured in Adipogel was performed to identify the key metabolic pathways modulated as compared to collagen sandwich cultures. In the recovery stage [day 4], the collagen-soluble Adipogel cultures shows an increase in TriCarboxylic Acid [TCA] cycle fluxes; in the pre-stable stage [day 7], there is an increase in PPP and TCA cycle fluxes while in the stable stage [day 10], there is a significant increase in TCA cycle, urea cycle fluxes and amino acid uptake rates concomitant with increased albumin synthesis rate as compared to collagen sandwich cultures throughout the culture period. Metabolic analysis of the collagen-soluble Adipogel condition reveals significantly higher transamination reaction fluxes, amino acid uptake and albumin synthesis rates for the stable vs. recovery stages of culture. The identification of metabolic pathways modulated for hepatocyte cultures in presence of Adipogel will be a useful step to develop an optimization algorithm to further improve hepatocyte function for Bioartificial Liver Devices. The development of this framework for upregulating hepatocyte function in Bioartificial Liver Devices will facilitate the utilization of an integrated experimental and computational approach for broader applications of Adipogel in tissue e engineering and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nripen S. Sharma
- Center for Engineering in Medicine/Surgical Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and The Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Deepak Nagrath
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Martin L. Yarmush
- Center for Engineering in Medicine/Surgical Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and The Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Toward engineering of vascularized three-dimensional liver tissue equivalents possessing a clinically significant mass. Biochem Eng J 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2009.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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11
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Navarro-Alvarez N, Soto-Gutierrez A, Kobayashi N. Hepatic stem cells and liver development. Methods Mol Biol 2010; 640:181-236. [PMID: 20645053 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60761-688-7_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The liver consists of many cell types with specialized functions. Hepatocytes are one of the main players in the organ and therefore are the most vulnerable cells to damage. Since they are not everlasting cells, they need to be replenished throughout life. Although the capacity of hepatocytes to contribute to their own maintenance has long been recognized, recent studies have indicated the presence of both intrahepatic and extrahepatic stem/progenitor cell populations that serve to maintain the normal organ and to regenerate damaged parenchyma in response to a variety of insults.The intrahepatic compartment most likely derives primarily from the biliary tree, particularly the most proximal branches, i.e. the canals of Hering and smallest ductules. The extrahepatic compartment is at least in part derived from diverse populations of cells from the bone marrow. Embryonic stem cells (ES's) are considered as a part of the extrahepatic compartment. Due to their pluripotent capabilities, ES cell-derived cells form a potential future source of hepatocytes, to replace or restore hepatic tissues that have been damaged by disease or injury. Progressing knowledge about stem cells in the liver would allow a better understanding of the mechanisms of hepatic homeostasis and regeneration. Although a human stem cell-derived cell type equivalent to primary hepatocytes does not yet exist, the promising results obtained with extrahepatic stem cells would open the way to cell-based therapy for liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nalu Navarro-Alvarez
- Department of Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry, Okayama, Japan
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12
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Novik E, Maguire TJ, Chao P, Cheng KC, Yarmush ML. A microfluidic hepatic coculture platform for cell-based drug metabolism studies. Biochem Pharmacol 2009; 79:1036-44. [PMID: 19925779 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2009.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2009] [Revised: 11/02/2009] [Accepted: 11/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Within the global pharmaceutical and biotech industries, there is significant interest in identifying in vitro screening systems that are more human-relevant-i.e., that offer greater utility in predicting subcellular and cellular physiological responses in humans in vivo-and that thereby allow investigators to reduce the incidence of costly late-stage failures during pharmaceutical clinical trials, as well as to reduce the use of animals in drug testing. Currently incumbent in vitro screening methods, such as culturing human hepatocytes in suspension, while useful, are limited by a lack of long term cellular function. In order to address this limitation, we have established an integrated, microfluidic, in vitro platform that combines the patented HmuREL((R)) microdevice with a hepatic coculture system. In the present report, we use this platform to study clearance and metabolite generation of a battery of molecular entities. The results show that the flow-based coculture system is capable of clearing, with improved resolution and predictive value, compounds with high, medium, and low clearance values. In addition, when coculture is coupled with flow, higher metabolite production rates are obtained than in static systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Novik
- Hurel Corporation, Beverley Hills, California, CA, USA
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Abstract
Hepatocyte transplantation is making its transition from bench to bedside for liver-based metabolic disorders and acute liver failure. Over eighty patients have now been transplanted world wide and the safety of the procedure together with medium-term success has been established. A major limiting factor in the field is the availability of good quality cells as hepatocytes are derived from grafts that are deemed unsuitable for transplantation. Alternative sources of cell, including stem cells may provide a sustainable equivalent to primary hepatocytes. There is also a need to develop techniques that will improve the engraftment, survival and function of transplanted hepatocytes. Such developments may allow hepatocyte transplantation to become an accepted and practical alternative to liver transplantation in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Fitzpatrick
- Paediatric Liver Centre, King's College London School of Medicine at King's College Hospital, UK
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A 3D hybrid model for tissue growth: the interplay between cell population and mass transport dynamics. Biophys J 2009; 97:401-14. [PMID: 19619455 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2009.03.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2008] [Revised: 03/08/2009] [Accepted: 03/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
To provide theoretical guidance for the design and in vitro cultivation of bioartificial tissues, we have developed a multiscale computational model that can describe the complex interplay between cell population and mass transport dynamics that governs the growth of tissues in three-dimensional scaffolds. The model has three components: a transient partial differential equation for the simultaneous diffusion and consumption of a limiting nutrient; a cellular automaton describing cell migration, proliferation, and collision; and equations that quantify how the varying nutrient concentration modulates cell division and migration. The hybrid discrete-continuous model was parallelized and solved on a distributed-memory multicomputer to study how transport limitations affect tissue regeneration rates under conditions encountered in typical bioreactors. Simulation results show that the severity of transport limitations can be estimated by the magnitude of two dimensionless groups: the Thiele modulus and the Biot number. Key parameters including the initial seeding mode, cell migration speed, and the hydrodynamic conditions in the bioreactor are shown to affect not only the overall rate, but also the pattern of tissue growth. This study lays the groundwork for more comprehensive models that can handle mixed cell cultures, multiple nutrients and growth factors, and other cellular processes, such as cell death.
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Establishment of a human neonatal hepatocyte cell line. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2009; 45:535-42. [PMID: 19565302 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-009-9219-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2009] [Accepted: 05/28/2009] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocytes are routinely used to generate and identify drug metabolites and hepatic toxicity. Primary cultures of human hepatocytes are the model cell of choice for most of these pharmacological and toxicological studies. However, major problems are encountered with primary liver cell cultures: the dwindling availability of viable livers, hepatocytes having a limited life span, the loss of liver-specific functions in culture, and the donor to donor variability. These limitations have created a significant need for an in vitro hepatocyte system, which has both the potential for use in toxicological and pharmaceutical studies as well as clinical applications. Ectopic expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is one of the major strategies used to develop immortalized cells. Immortalization of primary cells using hTERT allows retention of the original cellular characteristics and functions and avoids some of the genetic and phenotypic instabilities associated with using known oncogenes. In the present study, we developed a cell line from human neonatal hepatocytes by transduction with a recombinant retrovirus expressing the hTERT gene. Induction of stable expression of hTERT in the neonatal cells led to immortalization of these cells. The cell line was cultured continuously for more than 25 passages, equivalent to >25 population doublings, whereas the parental cells senesced within five passages. Analysis of telomerase activity as measured by telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay indicated elevated levels of telomerase activity in immortalized cells compared to the parental cells. These immortalized human hepatocytes cells maintained a normal diploid karyotype as well as the gene expression profile similar to that of human normal neonatal hepatocytes. The data suggest that these immortalized cells preserved some of the biological characteristics of hepatic progenitor cells and might be useful as an in vitro model for pharmacological and toxicity studies.
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Lee JY, Tuleuova N, Jones CN, Ramanculov E, Zern MA, Revzin A. Directing hepatic differentiation of embryonic stem cells with protein microarray-based co-cultures. Integr Biol (Camb) 2009; 1:460-8. [PMID: 20023756 DOI: 10.1039/b905757a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells hold considerable promise in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine as a source of tissue-specific cells. However, realizing this promise requires novel methods for guiding lineage-specific differentiation of stem cells. In this study, we developed a micropatterned co-culture platform for stimulating hepatic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Studies of mESC and hepatic cell adhesion preferences revealed that mESCs required fibronectin for attachment, while hepatic cells (HepG2) preferred collagen (I) substrate and did not adhere to fibronectin. Printing columns of collagen (I) and fibronectin spots (300 microm diameter), followed by sequential seeding of the two cell types, allowed the positioning of clusters of mESCs adjacent to groups of hepatic cells within the same microarray. These micropatterned co-cultures were maintained for up to two weeks in hepatic differentiation media supplemented. To examine the differentiation, mESCs were selectively extracted from the co-culture using laser microdissection and analyzed using real-time reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These analyses revealed that mESCs co-cultured with HepG2 cells showed a decrease in pluripotency gene expression concomitant with up-regulation of endodermal genes. In addition, the co-culture format induced a significant increase in the expression of liver genes compared to mESCs cultured alone. In conclusion, micropatterned co-cultures of mESCs and hepatic cells showed a significant promise in driving stem cell differentiation towards hepatic phenotype. In the future, this cell culture platform will be further enhanced to enable efficient conversion of mouse and human ESCs to hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Youn Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, 451 East Health Sciences St. #2619, Davis, CA, USA
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Peters SJ, Haagsman HP, Norren KV. Arginase release by primary hepatocytes and liver slices results in rapid conversion of arginine to urea in cell culture media. Toxicol In Vitro 2008; 22:1094-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2008.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2006] [Revised: 12/19/2007] [Accepted: 01/31/2008] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Hanada S, Kojima N, Sakai Y. Soluble Factor–DependentIn VitroGrowth and Maturation of Rat Fetal Liver Cells in a Three-Dimensional Culture System. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.2007.0079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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19
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Soluble Factor–DependentIn VitroGrowth and Maturation of Rat Fetal Liver Cells in a Three-Dimensional Culture System. Tissue Eng Part A 2008; 14:149-60. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.a.2007.0079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Dvir-Ginzberg M, Elkayam T, Cohen S. Induced differentiation and maturation of newborn liver cells into functional hepatic tissue in macroporous alginate scaffolds. FASEB J 2007; 22:1440-9. [PMID: 18070820 DOI: 10.1096/fj.07-9277com] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The present work explores cell cultivation in macroporous alginate scaffolds as a means to reproduce hepatocyte terminal differentiation in vitro. Newborn rat liver cell isolates, consisting of proliferating hepatocytes and progenitors, were seeded at high cell density of 125 x 10(6)/cm(3) within the scaffold and then cultivated for 6 wk in chemically defined medium. Within 3 days, the alginate-seeded cells expressed genes for mature liver enzymes, such as tryptophan oxygenase, secreted a high level of albumin, and performed phase I drug metabolism. The cells formed compacted spheroids, establishing homotypic and heterotypic cell-to-cell interactions. By 6 wk, the spheroids developed into organoids, with an external mature hepatocyte layer covered by a laminin layer encasing inner vimentin-positive cells within a laminin-rich matrix also containing collagen. The hepatocytes presented a distinct apical surface between adjacent cells and a basolateral surface with microvilli facing extracellular matrix deposits. By contrast, viable adherent cells within collagen scaffolds presenting the identical porous structure did not express adult liver enzymes or secrete albumin after 6 wk. This study thus illustrates the benefits of cell cultivation in macroporous alginate scaffolds as an effective promoter for the maturation of newborn liver cells into functional hepatic tissue, capable of maintaining prolonged hepatocellular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Dvir-Ginzberg
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Department of Biotechnology Engineering, P.O. 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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Soto-Gutiérrez A, Navarro-Alvarez N, Zhao D, Rivas-Carrillo JD, Lebkowski J, Tanaka N, Fox IJ, Kobayashi N. Differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells to hepatocyte-like cells by co-culture with human liver nonparenchymal cell lines. Nat Protoc 2007; 2:347-56. [PMID: 17406596 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2007.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This protocol describes a co-culture system for the in vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells. Differentiation involves four steps: (i) formation of embryoid bodies (EB), (ii) induction of definitive endoderm from 2-d-old EBs, (iii) induction of hepatic progenitor cells and (iv) maturation into hepatocyte-like cells. Differentiation is completed by 16 d of culture. EBs are formed, and cells can be induced to differentiate into definitive endoderm by culture in Activin A and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2). Hepatic differentiation and maturation of cells is accomplished by withdrawal of Activin A and FGF-2 and by exposure to liver nonparenchymal cell-derived growth factors, a deleted variant of hepatocyte growth factor (dHGF) and dexamethasone. Approximately 70% of differentiated embryonic stem (ES) cells express albumin and can be recovered by albumin promoter-based cell sorting. The sorted cells produce albumin in culture and metabolize ammonia, lidocaine and diazepam at approximately two-thirds the rate of primary mouse hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Soto-Gutiérrez
- Department of Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
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