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Gandhi N, Wills L, Akers K, Su Y, Niccum P, Murali TM, Rajagopalan P. Comparative transcriptomic and phenotypic analysis of induced pluripotent stem cell hepatocyte-like cells and primary human hepatocytes. Cell Tissue Res 2024; 396:119-139. [PMID: 38369646 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-024-03868-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) are used extensively for in vitro liver cultures to study hepatic functions. However, limited availability and invasive retrieval prevent their widespread use. Induced pluripotent stem cells exhibit significant potential since they can be obtained non-invasively and differentiated into hepatic lineages, such as hepatocyte-like cells (iHLCs). However, there are concerns about their fetal phenotypic characteristics and their hepatic functions compared to PHHs in culture. Therefore, we performed an RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis to understand pathways that are either up- or downregulated in each cell type. Analysis of the RNA-seq data showed an upregulation in the bile secretion pathway where genes such as AQP9 and UGT1A1 were higher expressed in PHHs compared to iHLCs by 455- and 15-fold, respectively. Upon immunostaining, bile canaliculi were shown to be present in PHHs. The TCA cycle in PHHs was upregulated compared to iHLCs. Cellular analysis showed a 2-2.5-fold increase in normalized urea production in PHHs compared to iHLCs. In addition, drug metabolism pathways, including cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase enzymes, were upregulated in PHHs compared to iHLCs. Of note, CYP2E1 gene expression was significantly higher (21,810-fold) in PHHs. Acetaminophen and ethanol were administered to PHH and iHLC cultures to investigate differences in biotransformation. CYP450 activity of baseline and toxicant-treated samples was significantly higher in PHHs compared to iHLCs. Our analysis revealed that iHLCs have substantial differences from PHHs in critical hepatic functions. These results have highlighted the differences in gene expression and hepatic functions between PHHs and iHLCs to motivate future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeti Gandhi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, 333 Kelly Hall, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Lauren Wills
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
| | - Kyle Akers
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology Ph.D. Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Yiqi Su
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Parker Niccum
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology Ph.D. Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - T M Murali
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Padmavathy Rajagopalan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, 333 Kelly Hall, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA.
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2
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Helena GA, Watanabe T, Kato Y, Shiraki N, Kume S. Activation of cAMP (EPAC2) signaling pathway promotes hepatocyte attachment. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12352. [PMID: 37524826 PMCID: PMC10390557 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39712-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary Human Hepatocyte (PHH) remains undefeated as the gold standard in hepatic studies. Despite its valuable properties, partial attachment loss due to the extraction process and cryopreservation remained the main hurdle in its application. We hypothesized that we could overcome the loss of PHH cell attachment through thawing protocol adjustment and medium composition. We reported a novel use of a medium designed for iPSC-derived hepatocytes, increasing PHH attachment on the collagen matrix. Delving further into the medium composition, we discovered that removing BSA and exposure to cAMP activators such as IBMX and Forskolin benefit PHH attachment. We found that activating EPAC2, the cAMP downstream effector, by S-220 significantly increased PHH attachment. We also found that EPAC2 activation induced bile canaliculi formation in iPS-derived hepatocytes. Combining these factors in studies involving PHH or iPS-hepatocyte culture provides promising means to improve cell attachment and maintenance of hepatic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Aprilia Helena
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259-B-25 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Watanabe
- Life Science Laboratory, Technology and Development Division, Kanto Chemical Co., Inc., 21 Suzukawa, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1146, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kato
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259-B-25 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8501, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Shiraki
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259-B-25 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8501, Japan.
| | - Shoen Kume
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259-B-25 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 226-8501, Japan.
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3
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A structure-supporting, self-healing, and high permeating hydrogel bioink for establishment of diverse homogeneous tissue-like constructs. Bioact Mater 2021; 6:3580-3595. [PMID: 33869899 PMCID: PMC8024533 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The ready-to-use, structure-supporting hydrogel bioink can shorten the time for ink preparation, ensure cell dispersion, and maintain the preset shape/microstructure without additional assistance during printing. Meanwhile, ink with high permeability might facilitate uniform cell growth in biological constructs, which is beneficial to homogeneous tissue repair. Unfortunately, current bioinks are hard to meet these requirements simultaneously in a simple way. Here, based on the fast dynamic crosslinking of aldehyde hyaluronic acid (AHA)/N-carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) and the slow stable crosslinking of gelatin (GEL)/4-arm poly(ethylene glycol) succinimidyl glutarate (PEG-SG), we present a time-sharing structure-supporting (TSHSP) hydrogel bioink with high permeability, containing 1% AHA, 0.75% CMC, 1% GEL and 0.5% PEG-SG. The TSHSP hydrogel can facilitate printing with proper viscoelastic property and self-healing behavior. By crosslinking with 4% PEG-SG for only 3 min, the integrity of the cell-laden construct can last for 21 days due to the stable internal and external GEL/PEG-SG networks, and cells manifested long-term viability and spreading morphology. Nerve-like, muscle-like, and cartilage-like in vitro constructs exhibited homogeneous cell growth and remarkable biological specificities. This work provides not only a convenient and practical bioink for tissue engineering, targeted cell therapy, but also a new direction for hydrogel bioink development. A time-sharing structure-supporting (TSHSP) bioink based on gelation time difference between two gelling systems. The high permeability of TSHSP hydrogel is the basis for effective matter exchange. The TSHSP hydrogel facilitates room temperature printing with proper viscoelastic property and self-healing behavior. Cells manifest long-term viability and spreading morphology in bioprinted TSHSP constructs. In vitro tissue-like TSHSP constructs exhibit homogeneous cell growth and remarkable biological specificities.
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4
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Puertas-Bartolomé M, Włodarczyk-Biegun MK, del Campo A, Vázquez-Lasa B, San Román J. 3D Printing of a Reactive Hydrogel Bio-Ink Using a Static Mixing Tool. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E1986. [PMID: 32878273 PMCID: PMC7564821 DOI: 10.3390/polym12091986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydrogel-based bio-inks have recently attracted more attention for 3D printing applications in tissue engineering due to their remarkable intrinsic properties, such as a cell supporting environment. However, their usually weak mechanical properties lead to poor printability and low stability of the obtained structures. To obtain good shape fidelity, current approaches based on extrusion printing use high viscosity solutions, which can compromise cell viability. This paper presents a novel bio-printing methodology based on a dual-syringe system with a static mixing tool that allows in situ crosslinking of a two-component hydrogel-based ink in the presence of living cells. The reactive hydrogel system consists of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) and partially oxidized hyaluronic acid (HAox) that undergo fast self-covalent crosslinking via Schiff base formation. This new approach allows us to use low viscosity solutions since in situ gelation provides the appropriate structural integrity to maintain the printed shape. The proposed bio-ink formulation was optimized to match crosslinking kinetics with the printing process and multi-layered 3D bio-printed scaffolds were successfully obtained. Printed scaffolds showed moderate swelling, good biocompatibility with embedded cells, and were mechanically stable after 14 days of the cell culture. We envision that this straightforward, powerful, and generalizable printing approach can be used for a wide range of materials, growth factors, or cell types, to be employed for soft tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Puertas-Bartolomé
- Institute of Polymer Science and Technology, ICTP-CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (M.P.-B.); (J.S.R.)
- CIBER’s Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, CIBER-BBN, Health Institute Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Aránzazu del Campo
- INM—Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Campus D2 2, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; (M.K.W.-B.); (A.d.C.)
- Chemistry Department, Saarland University, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Blanca Vázquez-Lasa
- Institute of Polymer Science and Technology, ICTP-CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (M.P.-B.); (J.S.R.)
- CIBER’s Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, CIBER-BBN, Health Institute Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Julio San Román
- Institute of Polymer Science and Technology, ICTP-CSIC, Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain; (M.P.-B.); (J.S.R.)
- CIBER’s Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, CIBER-BBN, Health Institute Carlos III, Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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5
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Agarwal T, Subramanian B, Maiti TK. Liver Tissue Engineering: Challenges and Opportunities. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2019; 5:4167-4182. [PMID: 33417776 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b00745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Liver tissue engineering aims at the possibility of reproducing a fully functional organ for the treatment of acute and chronic liver disorders. Approaches in this field endeavor to replace organ transplantation (gold standard treatment for liver diseases in a clinical setting) with in vitro developed liver tissue constructs. However, the complexity of the liver microarchitecture and functionality along with the limited supply of cellular components of the liver pose numerous challenges. This review provides a comprehensive outlook onto how the physicochemical, mechanobiological, and spatiotemporal aspects of the substrates could be tuned to address current challenges in the field. We also highlight the strategic advancements made in the field so far for the development of artificial liver tissue. We further showcase the currently available prototypes in research and clinical trials, which shows the hope for the future of liver tissue engineering.
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6
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Tegge AN, Rodrigues RR, Larkin AL, Vu L, Murali TM, Rajagopalan P. Transcriptomic Analysis of Hepatic Cells in Multicellular Organotypic Liver Models. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11306. [PMID: 30054499 PMCID: PMC6063915 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29455-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver homeostasis requires the presence of both parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells (NPCs). However, systems biology studies of the liver have primarily focused on hepatocytes. Using an organotypic three-dimensional (3D) hepatic culture, we report the first transcriptomic study of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and Kupffer cells (KCs) cultured with hepatocytes. Through computational pathway and interaction network analyses, we demonstrate that hepatocytes, LSECs and KCs have distinct expression profiles and functional characteristics. Our results show that LSECs in the presence of KCs exhibit decreased expression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling, a pathway linked to LSEC dedifferentiation. We report the novel result that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is transcribed in LSECs. The expression of downstream processes corroborates active PPARα signaling in LSECs. We uncover transcriptional evidence in LSECs for a feedback mechanism between PPARα and farnesoid X-activated receptor (FXR) that maintains bile acid homeostasis; previously, this feedback was known occur only in HepG2 cells. We demonstrate that KCs in 3D liver models display expression patterns consistent with an anti-inflammatory phenotype when compared to monocultures. These results highlight the distinct roles of LSECs and KCs in maintaining liver function and emphasize the need for additional mechanistic studies of NPCs in addition to hepatocytes in liver-mimetic microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison N Tegge
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
- Department of Statistics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
| | - Richard R Rodrigues
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology Ph.D. Program, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
| | - Adam L Larkin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
| | - Lucas Vu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA
| | - T M Murali
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA.
- ICTAS Center for Systems Biology of Engineered Tissues, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA.
| | - Padmavathy Rajagopalan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA.
- ICTAS Center for Systems Biology of Engineered Tissues, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA.
- Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA.
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7
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Zhang S, Xing M, Li B. Biomimetic Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembly of Nanofilms, Nanocoatings, and 3D Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1641. [PMID: 29865178 PMCID: PMC6032323 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Achieving surface design and control of biomaterial scaffolds with nanometer- or micrometer-scaled functional films is critical to mimic the unique features of native extracellular matrices, which has significant technological implications for tissue engineering including cell-seeded scaffolds, microbioreactors, cell assembly, tissue regeneration, etc. Compared with other techniques available for surface design, layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technology has attracted extensive attention because of its integrated features of simplicity, versatility, and nanoscale control. Here we present a brief overview of current state-of-the-art research related to the LbL self-assembly technique and its assembled biomaterials as scaffolds for tissue engineering. An overview of the LbL self-assembly technique, with a focus on issues associated with distinct routes and driving forces of self-assembly, is described briefly. Then, we highlight the controllable fabrication, properties, and applications of LbL self-assembly biomaterials in the forms of multilayer nanofilms, scaffold nanocoatings, and three-dimensional scaffolds to systematically demonstrate advances in LbL self-assembly in the field of tissue engineering. LbL self-assembly not only provides advances for molecular deposition but also opens avenues for the design and development of innovative biomaterials for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shichao Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA.
| | - Malcolm Xing
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada.
- The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada.
| | - Bingyun Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA.
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA.
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8
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Liaw CY, Ji S, Guvendiren M. Engineering 3D Hydrogels for Personalized In Vitro Human Tissue Models. Adv Healthc Mater 2018; 7. [PMID: 29345429 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201701165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing interest in engineering hydrogels for 3D tissue and disease models. The major motivation is to better mimic the physiological microenvironment of the disease and human condition. 3D tissue models derived from patients' own cells can potentially revolutionize the way treatment and diagnostic alternatives are developed. This requires development of tissue mimetic hydrogels with user defined and tunable properties. In this review article, a recent summary of 3D hydrogel platforms for in vitro tissue and disease modeling is given. Hydrogel design considerations and available hydrogel systems are summarized, followed by the types of currently available hydrogel models, such as bulk hydrogels, porous scaffolds, fibrous scaffolds, hydrogel microspheres, hydrogel sandwich systems, microwells, and 3D bioprinted constructs. Although hydrogels are utilized for a wide range of tissue models, this article focuses on liver and cancer models. This article also provides a detailed section on current challenges and future perspectives of hydrogel-based tissue models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chya-Yan Liaw
- Instructive Biomaterials and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory; Otto H. York Chemical; Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering; Newark College of Engineering; New Jersey Institute of Technology; University Heights; 138 York Center Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Shen Ji
- Instructive Biomaterials and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory; Otto H. York Chemical; Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering; Newark College of Engineering; New Jersey Institute of Technology; University Heights; 138 York Center Newark NJ 07102 USA
| | - Murat Guvendiren
- Instructive Biomaterials and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory; Otto H. York Chemical; Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering; Newark College of Engineering; New Jersey Institute of Technology; University Heights; 138 York Center Newark NJ 07102 USA
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Perry G, Xiao W, Welsh GI, Perriman AW, Lennon R. Engineered basement membranes: from in vivo considerations to cell-based assays. Integr Biol (Camb) 2018; 10:680-695. [DOI: 10.1039/c8ib00138c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Engineered basement membranes are required to mimic in vivo properties within cell-based assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Perry
- Sorbonne Université, Laboratoire d’Electronique et d’Electromagnétisme
- F-75005 Paris
- France
| | - Wenjin Xiao
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol
- BS8 1TD Bristol
- UK
| | - Gavin I. Welsh
- Bristol Renal, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol
- BS1 3NY Bristol
- UK
| | - Adam W. Perriman
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol
- BS8 1TD Bristol
- UK
| | - Rachel Lennon
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester
- M13 9PT Manchester
- UK
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10
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Abstract
This review is focused on the use of membranes for the specific application of bone regeneration. The first section focuses on the relevance of membranes in this context and what are the specifications that they should possess to improve the regeneration of bone. Afterward, several techniques to engineer bone membranes by using "bulk"-like methods are discussed, where different parameters to induce bone formation are disclosed in a way to have desirable structural and functional properties. Subsequently, the production of nanostructured membranes using a bottom-up approach is discussed by highlighting the main advances in the field of bone regeneration. Primordial importance is given to the promotion of osteoconductive and osteoinductive capability during the membrane design. Whenever possible, the films prepared using different techniques are compared in terms of handability, bone guiding ability, osteoinductivity, adequate mechanical properties, or biodegradability. A last chapter contemplates membranes only composed by cells, disclosing their potential to regenerate bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia G Caridade
- Department of Chemistry CICECO, Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro , Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João F Mano
- Department of Chemistry CICECO, Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro , Aveiro, Portugal
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11
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Lee-Montiel FT, George SM, Gough AH, Sharma AD, Wu J, DeBiasio R, Vernetti LA, Taylor DL. Control of oxygen tension recapitulates zone-specific functions in human liver microphysiology systems. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2017; 242:1617-1632. [PMID: 28409533 PMCID: PMC5661766 DOI: 10.1177/1535370217703978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This article describes our next generation human Liver Acinus MicroPhysiology System (LAMPS). The key demonstration of this study was that Zone 1 and Zone 3 microenvironments can be established by controlling the oxygen tension in individual devices over the range of ca. 3 to 13%. The oxygen tension was computationally modeled using input on the microfluidic device dimensions, numbers of cells, oxygen consumption rates of hepatocytes, the diffusion coefficients of oxygen in different materials and the flow rate of media in the MicroPhysiology System (MPS). In addition, the oxygen tension was measured using a ratiometric imaging method with the oxygen sensitive dye, Tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) dichlororuthenium(II) hexahydrate (RTDP) and the oxygen insensitive dye, Alexa 488. The Zone 1 biased functions of oxidative phosphorylation, albumin and urea secretion and Zone 3 biased functions of glycolysis, α1AT secretion, Cyp2E1 expression and acetaminophen toxicity were demonstrated in the respective Zone 1 and Zone 3 MicroPhysiology System. Further improvements in the Liver Acinus MicroPhysiology System included improved performance of selected nonparenchymal cells, the inclusion of a porcine liver extracellular matrix to model the Space of Disse, as well as an improved media to support both hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells. In its current form, the Liver Acinus MicroPhysiology System is most amenable to low to medium throughput, acute through chronic studies, including liver disease models, prioritizing compounds for preclinical studies, optimizing chemistry in structure activity relationship (SAR) projects, as well as in rising dose studies for initial dose ranging. Impact statement Oxygen zonation is a critical aspect of liver functions. A human microphysiology system is needed to investigate the impact of zonation on a wide range of liver functions that can be experimentally manipulated. Because oxygen zonation has such diverse physiological effects in the liver, we developed and present a method for computationally modeling and measuring oxygen that can easily be implemented in all MPS models. We have applied this method in a liver MPS in which we are then able to control oxygenation in separate devices and demonstrate that zonation-dependent hepatocyte functions in the MPS recapitulate what is known about in vivo liver physiology. We believe that this advance allows a deep experimental investigation on the role of zonation in liver metabolism and disease. In addition, modeling and measuring oxygen tension will be required as investigators migrate from PDMS to plastic and glass devices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Subin M George
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260,USA
| | - Albert H Gough
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260,USA
| | - Anup D Sharma
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260,USA
| | - Juanfang Wu
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Richard DeBiasio
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Lawrence A Vernetti
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260,USA
| | - D Lansing Taylor
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260,USA
- Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
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12
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Orbach SM, Cassin ME, Ehrich MF, Rajagopalan P. Investigating acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in multi-cellular organotypic liver models. Toxicol In Vitro 2017; 42:10-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2017.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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13
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Vu LT, Orbach SM, Ray WK, Cassin ME, Rajagopalan P, Helm RF. The hepatocyte proteome in organotypic rat liver models and the influence of the local microenvironment. Proteome Sci 2017; 15:12. [PMID: 28649179 PMCID: PMC5480101 DOI: 10.1186/s12953-017-0120-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver models that closely mimic the in vivo microenvironment are useful for understanding liver functions, capabilities, and intercellular communication processes. Three-dimensional (3D) liver models assembled using hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) separated by a polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) provide a functional system while also permitting isolation of individual cell types for proteomic analyses. METHODS To better understand the mechanisms and processes that underlie liver model function, hepatocytes were maintained as monolayers and 3D PEM-based formats in the presence or absence of primary LSECs. The resulting hepatocyte proteomes, the proteins in the PEM, and extracellular levels of urea, albumin and glucose after three days of culture were compared. RESULTS All systems were ketogenic and found to release glucose. The presence of the PEM led to increases in proteins associated with both mitochondrial and peroxisomal-based β-oxidation. The PEMs also limited production of structural and migratory proteins associated with dedifferentiation. The presence of LSECs increased levels of Phase I and Phase II biotransformation enzymes as well as several proteins associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and extracellular matrix remodeling. The proteomic analysis of the PEMs indicated that there was no significant change after three days of culture. These results are discussed in relation to liver model function. CONCLUSIONS Heterotypic cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions exert different effects on hepatocyte functions and phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas T. Vu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 USA
| | - Sophia M. Orbach
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 USA
| | - W. Keith Ray
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 USA
| | - Margaret E. Cassin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 USA
| | - Padmavathy Rajagopalan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 USA
- ICTAS Center for Systems Biology and Engineered Tissues, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 USA
| | - Richard F. Helm
- Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 USA
- ICTAS Center for Systems Biology and Engineered Tissues, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 USA
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14
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Danoy M, Shinohara M, Rizki-Safitri A, Collard D, Senez V, Sakai Y. Alteration of pancreatic carcinoma and promyeloblastic cell adhesion in liver microvasculature by co-culture of hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells and endothelial cells in a physiologically-relevant model. Integr Biol (Camb) 2017; 9:350-361. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ib00237d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Danoy
- LIMMS/CNRS UMI2820 Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
- Institut d'Electronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologies (IEMN), Université Lille, CNRS, ISEN, UMR 8520, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Marie Shinohara
- Center for International Research on Integrative Biomedical Systems (CIBiS), Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Astia Rizki-Safitri
- Center for International Research on Integrative Biomedical Systems (CIBiS), Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Dominique Collard
- LIMMS/CNRS UMI2820 Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
- SMMIL-E: Institut pour la Recherche sur le Cancer de Lille, Boulevard du Pr Jules Leclercq, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Vincent Senez
- Institut d'Electronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologies (IEMN), Université Lille, CNRS, ISEN, UMR 8520, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Yasuyuki Sakai
- Center for International Research on Integrative Biomedical Systems (CIBiS), Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, graduate school of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- Max Planck - The University of Tokyo, Center for Integrative Inflammology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
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15
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Fan J, Yang J. Preparation and characterization of a chitosan/galactosylated hyaluronic acid/heparin scaffold for hepatic tissue engineering. JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION 2017; 28:569-581. [PMID: 28125949 DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2017.1288076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Cell culture microenvironment and hepatocyte-specific three-dimensional tissue-engineering scaffold play important roles for bioartificial liver devices. In the present study, highly porous sponge scaffolds composed of chitosan (CS) and galactosylated hyaluronic acid (GHA, galactose moieties were covalently coupled with hyaluronic acid through ethylenediamine), were prepared by freezing-drying technique. Because the growth factors specifically bind to heparin with a high affinity and biological stability of the growth factors are modulated by heparin. Heparin was added into CS/GHA scaffold under mild conditions. The effects of heparin on the morphology, structure, porosity, mechanical properties of the CS/GHA/heparin scaffold were studied. CS/GHA scaffold containing heparin maintains the porous structure and good mechanical properties. Furthermore, addition of heparin with the growth factors into the scaffold resulted in a significantly improved the microenvironment of cell growth and prolonged liver functions of the hepatocytes such as albumin secretion, urea synthesis and ammonia elimination. These results indicate that this CS/GHA/heparin scaffold is a potential candidate for liver tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyong Fan
- a Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry and Functional Materials in Universities of Shandong, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Dezhou University , Dezhou , People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Yang
- b The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences , Nankai University , Tianjin , People's Republic of China
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16
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Orbach SM, Less RR, Kothari A, Rajagopalan P. In Vitro Intestinal and Liver Models for Toxicity Testing. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2017; 3:1898-1910. [PMID: 33440548 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.6b00699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The human body is exposed to hundreds of chemicals every day. Many of these toxicants have unknown effects on the body that can be deleterious. Furthermore, chemicals can have a synergistic effect, resulting in toxic responses of cocktails at relatively low individual exposure levels. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the liver are the first organs to be exposed to ingested pharmaceuticals and environmental chemicals. As a result, these organs often experience extensive damage from xenobiotics and their metabolites. In vitro models offer a promising method for testing toxic effects. Many advanced in vitro models have been developed for GI and liver toxicity. These models strive to recapitulate the in vivo organ architecture to more accurately model chemical toxicity. In this review, we discuss many of these advances, in addition to recent efforts to integrate the GI and the liver in vitro for a more holistic toxicity model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia M Orbach
- Department of Chemical Engineering, ‡School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, and §ICTAS Center for Systems Biology of Engineered Tissue, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Rebekah R Less
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, and §ICTAS Center for Systems Biology of Engineered Tissue, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Anjaney Kothari
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, and ICTAS Center for Systems Biology of Engineered Tissue, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Padmavathy Rajagopalan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, and ICTAS Center for Systems Biology of Engineered Tissue, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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17
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Xiao W, Perry G, Komori K, Sakai Y. New physiologically-relevant liver tissue model based on hierarchically cocultured primary rat hepatocytes with liver endothelial cells. Integr Biol (Camb) 2016; 7:1412-22. [PMID: 26304784 DOI: 10.1039/c5ib00170f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
To develop an in vitro liver tissue equivalent, hepatocytes should be cocultured with liver non-parenchymal cells to mimic the in vivo physiological microenvironments. In this work, we describe a physiologically-relevant liver tissue model by hierarchically organizing layers of primary rat hepatocytes and human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (TMNK-1) on an oxygen-permeable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane, which facilitates direct oxygenation by diffusion through the membrane. This in vivo-mimicking hierarchical coculture was obtained by simply proceeding the overlay of TMNK-1 cells on the hepatocyte layer re-formed on the collagen immobilized PDMS membranes. The comparison of hepatic functionalities was achieved between coculture and sandwich culture with Matrigel, in the presence and absence of direct oxygenation. A complete double-layered structure of functional liver cells with vertical contact between hepatocytes and TMNK-1 was successfully constructed in the coculture with direct oxygen supply and was well-maintained for 14 days. The hepatocytes in this hierarchical culture exhibited improved survival, functional bile canaliculi formation, cellular level polarization and maintenance of metabolic activities including Cyp1A1/2 activity and albumin production. By contrast, the two cell populations formed discontinuous monolayers on the same surfaces in the non-oxygen-permeable cultures. These results demonstrate that (i) the direct oxygenation through the PDMS membranes enables very simple formation of a hierarchical structure consisting of a hepatocyte layer and a layer of TMNK-1 and (ii) we may include other non-parenchymal cells in this format easily, which can be widely applicable to other epithelial organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjin Xiao
- Fe505, Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan.
| | - Guillaume Perry
- Fe505, Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan. and LIMMS CNRS/IIS, University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kikuo Komori
- Fe505, Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan.
| | - Yasuyuki Sakai
- Fe505, Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 153-8505, Japan.
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18
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Cassin ME, Ford AJ, Orbach SM, Saverot SE, Rajagopalan P. The design of antimicrobial LL37-modified collagen-hyaluronic acid detachable multilayers. Acta Biomater 2016; 40:119-129. [PMID: 27109763 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2016.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The design of antimicrobial membranes and thin films are critical for the design of biomaterials that can combat bacterial contamination. Since the long-term use of conventional antibiotics can result in bacterial resistance, there is a critical need to incorporate natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that not only prevent a wide range of pathogens from causing infections but can also promote many beneficial outcomes in wounded tissues. We report the design and antimicrobial properties of detachable collagen (COL)/hyaluronic acid (HA) polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) modified with LL-37, a naturally occurring human AMP. LL-37 was physically adsorbed and chemically immobilized on the surface of PEMs. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of PEMs were tested with Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli, strain DH10B) and primary rat hepatocytes, respectively. The ability to prevent bacterial adhesion and to neutralize an E. coli layer was investigated as a function of LL-37 concentration. An interesting trend was that even unmodified PEMs exhibited a 40% reduction in bacterial adhesion. When LL-37 was physically adsorbed on PEMs, bacterial adhesion was significantly lower on the surface of the films as well as in the surrounding broth. Immobilizing LL-37 resulted in less than 3% bacterial adhesion on the surface due to the presence of the peptide. LL-37 modified PEMs did not result in any cytotoxicity up to input concentrations of 16μM. More importantly, urea and albumin secretion by hepatocytes were unaffected even at high LL-37 concentrations. The COL/HA PEMs can serve as antimicrobial coatings, biological membranes and as in vitro platforms to investigate pathogen-tissue interactions. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are emerging as an alternative to conventional antibiotics. We report the antimicrobial properties of detachable collagen (COL)/hyaluronic acid (HA) polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) modified with LL-37, a human AMP. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties were tested with gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli, strain DH10B) and primary rat hepatocytes, respectively. Unmodified PEMs exhibited a 40% reduction in bacterial adhesion. When LL-37 was physically adsorbed on PEMs, the sustained release of the active peptide killed planktonic bacteria. Immobilizing LL-37 resulted in less than 3% bacterial adhesion. LL-37 modified PEMs did not result in cytotoxicity up to input concentrations of 16μM. The COL/HA PEMs can serve as antimicrobial coatings and to investigate pathogen-cell interactions.
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19
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Geerts S, Ozer S, Jaramillo M, Yarmush ML, Uygun BE. Nondestructive Methods for Monitoring Cell Removal During Rat Liver Decellularization. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2016; 22:671-8. [PMID: 27169332 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2015.0571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Whole liver engineering holds the promise to create transplantable liver grafts that may serve as substitutes for donor organs, addressing the donor shortage in liver transplantation. While decellularization and recellularization of livers in animal models have been successfully achieved, scale up to human livers has been slow. There are a number of donor human livers that are discarded because they are not found suitable for transplantation, but are available for engineering liver grafts. These livers are rejected due to a variety of reasons, which in turn may affect the decellularization outcome. Hence, a one-size-fit-for all decellularization protocol may not result in scaffolds with consistent matrix quality, subsequently influencing downstream recellularization and transplantation outcomes. There is a need for a noninvasive monitoring method to evaluate the extent of cell removal, while ensuring preservation of matrix components during decellularization. In this study, we decellularized rat livers using a protocol previously established by our group, and we monitored decellularization through traditional destructive techniques, including evaluation of DNA, collagen, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content in decellularized scaffolds, as well as histology. In addition, we used computed tomography and perfusate analysis as alternative nondestructive decellularization monitoring methods. We found that DNA removal correlates well with the Hounsfield unit of the liver, and perfusate analysis revealed that significant amount of GAG is removed during perfusion with 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate. This allowed for optimization of our decellularization protocol leading to scaffolds that have significantly higher GAG content, while maintaining appropriate removal of cellular contents. The significance of this is the creation of a nondestructive monitoring strategy that can be used for optimization of decellularization protocols for individual human livers available for liver engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Geerts
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, The Shriners Hospitals for Children , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sinan Ozer
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, The Shriners Hospitals for Children , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maria Jaramillo
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, The Shriners Hospitals for Children , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Martin L Yarmush
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, The Shriners Hospitals for Children , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Basak E Uygun
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, The Shriners Hospitals for Children , Boston, Massachusetts
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20
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Snyder J, Son AR, Hamid Q, Wu H, Sun W. Hetero-cellular prototyping by synchronized multi-material bioprinting for rotary cell culture system. Biofabrication 2016; 8:015002. [DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/8/1/015002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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21
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McCarty WJ, Prodanov L, Bale SS, Bhushan A, Jindal R, Yarmush ML, Usta OB. Layer-by-layer Collagen Deposition in Microfluidic Devices for Microtissue Stabilization. J Vis Exp 2015. [PMID: 26485274 DOI: 10.3791/53078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Although microfluidics provides exquisite control of the cellular microenvironment, culturing cells within microfluidic devices can be challenging. 3D culture of cells in collagen type I gels helps to stabilize cell morphology and function, which is necessary for creating microfluidic tissue models in microdevices. Translating traditional 3D culture techniques for tissue culture plates to microfluidic devices is often difficult because of the limited channel dimensions. In this method, we describe a technique for modifying native type I collagen to generate polycationic and polyanionic collagen solutions that can be used with layer-by-layer deposition to create ultrathin collagen assemblies on top of cells cultured in microfluidic devices. These thin collagen layers stabilize cell morphology and function, as shown using primary hepatocytes as an example cell, allowing for the long term culture of microtissues in microfluidic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J McCarty
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston
| | - Ljupcho Prodanov
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston
| | - Shyam Sundhar Bale
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston
| | - Abhinav Bhushan
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston
| | - Rohit Jindal
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston
| | - Martin L Yarmush
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston;
| | - O Berk Usta
- Center for Engineering in Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Boston;
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22
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Kang YBA, Sodunke TR, Lamontagne J, Cirillo J, Rajiv C, Bouchard MJ, Noh M. Liver sinusoid on a chip: Long-term layered co-culture of primary rat hepatocytes and endothelial cells in microfluidic platforms. Biotechnol Bioeng 2015; 112:2571-82. [PMID: 25994312 DOI: 10.1002/bit.25659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
We describe the generation of microfluidic platforms for the co-culture of primary hepatocytes and endothelial cells; these platforms mimic the architecture of a liver sinusoid. This paper describes a progressional study of creating such a liver sinusoid on a chip system. Primary rat hepatocytes (PRHs) were co-cultured with primary or established endothelial cells in layers in single and dual microchannel configurations with or without continuous perfusion. Cell viability and maintenance of hepatocyte functions were monitored and compared for diverse experimental conditions. When primary rat hepatocytes were co-cultured with immortalized bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) in a dual microchannel with continuous perfusion, hepatocytes maintained their normal morphology and continued to produce urea for at least 30 days. In order to demonstrate the utility of our microfluidic liver sinusoid platform, we also performed an analysis of viral replication for the hepatotropic hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV replication, as measured by the presence of cell-secreted HBV DNA, was successfully detected. We believe that our liver model closely mimics the in vivo liver sinusoid and supports long-term primary liver cell culture. This liver model could be extended to diverse liver biology studies and liver-related disease research such as drug induced liver toxicology, cancer research, and analysis of pathological effects and replication strategies of various hepatotropic infectious agents. .
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Temitope R Sodunke
- Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jason Lamontagne
- Graduate Program in Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joseph Cirillo
- Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Caroline Rajiv
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael J Bouchard
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Moses Noh
- Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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23
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Usta OB, McCarty WJ, Bale S, Hegde M, Jindal R, Bhushan A, Golberg I, Yarmush ML. Microengineered cell and tissue systems for drug screening and toxicology applications: Evolution of in-vitro liver technologies. TECHNOLOGY 2015; 3:1-26. [PMID: 26167518 PMCID: PMC4494128 DOI: 10.1142/s2339547815300012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The liver performs many key functions, the most prominent of which is serving as the metabolic hub of the body. For this reason, the liver is the focal point of many investigations aimed at understanding an organism's toxicological response to endogenous and exogenous challenges. Because so many drug failures have involved direct liver toxicity or other organ toxicity from liver generated metabolites, the pharmaceutical industry has constantly sought superior, predictive in-vitro models that can more quickly and efficiently identify problematic drug candidates before they incur major development costs, and certainly before they are released to the public. In this broad review, we present a survey and critical comparison of in-vitro liver technologies along a broad spectrum, but focus on the current renewed push to develop "organs-on-a-chip". One prominent set of conclusions from this review is that while a large body of recent work has steered the field towards an ever more comprehensive understanding of what is needed, the field remains in great need of several key advances, including establishment of standard characterization methods, enhanced technologies that mimic the in-vivo cellular environment, and better computational approaches to bridge the gap between the in-vitro and in-vivo results.
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Affiliation(s)
- O B Usta
- Center for Engineering in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - W J McCarty
- Center for Engineering in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - S Bale
- Center for Engineering in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - M Hegde
- Center for Engineering in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - R Jindal
- Center for Engineering in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - A Bhushan
- Center for Engineering in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - I Golberg
- Center for Engineering in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - M L Yarmush
- Center for Engineering in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114, USA ; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599 Taylor Rd., Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
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24
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Petropolis DB, Faust DM, Deep Jhingan G, Guillen N. A new human 3D-liver model unravels the role of galectins in liver infection by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004381. [PMID: 25211477 PMCID: PMC4161482 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigations of human parasitic diseases depend on the availability of appropriate in vivo animal models and ex vivo experimental systems, and are particularly difficult for pathogens whose exclusive natural hosts are humans, such as Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite responsible for amoebiasis. This common infectious human disease affects the intestine and liver. In the liver sinusoids E. histolytica crosses the endothelium and penetrates into the parenchyma, with the concomitant initiation of inflammatory foci and subsequent abscess formation. Studying factors responsible for human liver infection is hampered by the complexity of the hepatic environment and by the restrictions inherent to the use of human samples. Therefore, we built a human 3D-liver in vitro model composed of cultured liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes in a 3D collagen-I matrix sandwich. We determined the presence of important hepatic markers and demonstrated that the cell layers function as a biological barrier. E. histolytica invasion was assessed using wild-type strains and amoebae with altered virulence or different adhesive properties. We showed for the first time the dependence of endothelium crossing upon amoebic Gal/GalNAc lectin. The 3D-liver model enabled the molecular analysis of human cell responses, suggesting for the first time a crucial role of human galectins in parasite adhesion to the endothelial cells, which was confirmed by siRNA knockdown of galectin-1. Levels of several pro-inflammatory cytokines, including galectin-1 and -3, were highly increased upon contact of E. histolytica with the 3D-liver model. The presence of galectin-1 and -3 in the extracellular medium stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine release, suggesting a further role for human galectins in the onset of the hepatic inflammatory response. These new findings are relevant for a better understanding of human liver infection by E. histolytica. The study of liver infection is based on animal models, but the animal physiology does not always reflect the reality of the human host. This is particularly true for pathogens whose exclusive natural hosts are humans, such as Entamoeba histolytica, the protozoan parasite responsible for amoebiasis. Here, we constructed an experimental human 3D-liver model able to reproduce the first steps of amoebic hepatic infection (barrier crossing, tissue migration and pro-inflammatory reaction). Using this 3D-liver model we were able to decipher the first stages of hepatic invasion by E. histolytica and to unravel the role played by galectin-1 and galectin-3 during amoebic hepatic adhesion and pro-inflammatory reaction. Moreover, the model enables analysis usually not possible with in vivo samples, such as the quantification of pro-inflammatory cytokines released inside the tissue microenvironment. Our 3D-liver model has the potential to bridge the gap between animal models and the reality of the human host for the study of amoebic infection and other infectious diseases of the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora B Petropolis
- Institut Pasteur, Cell Biology and Infection Department, Cell Biology of Parasitism Unit, Paris, France; INSERM U786, Paris, France
| | - Daniela M Faust
- Institut Pasteur, Cell Biology and Infection Department, Cell Biology of Parasitism Unit, Paris, France; INSERM U786, Paris, France
| | - Gagan Deep Jhingan
- National Institute of Immunology, Signal Transduction Lab-1 Department, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Nancy Guillen
- Institut Pasteur, Cell Biology and Infection Department, Cell Biology of Parasitism Unit, Paris, France; INSERM U786, Paris, France
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25
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Du C, Narayanan K, Leong MF, Wan AC. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes and endothelial cells in multi-component hydrogel fibers for liver tissue engineering. Biomaterials 2014; 35:6006-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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26
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Vu LT, Less RR, Rajagopalan P. The promise of organotypic hepatic and gastrointestinal models. Trends Biotechnol 2014; 32:406-13. [PMID: 24845962 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2013] [Revised: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Advances in the design and assembly of in vitro organotypic liver and gastrointestinal (GI) models can accelerate our understanding of metabolism, nutrient absorption, and the effect of microbial flora. Such models can provide comprehensive information on how of environmental toxins, drugs, and pharmaceuticals interact with and within these organs. Information obtained from such models could elucidate the complicated cascades of signaling mechanisms that occur in vivo. Because experiments on large-scale animal models are expensive and resource intensive, the design of organotypic models has renewed significance. The challenges and approaches to designing liver and GI models are similar. Because these organs are in close proximity and interact continually, we have described recent design considerations to guide future tissue models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas T Vu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Rebekah R Less
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Padmavathy Rajagopalan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA; ICTAS Center for Systems Biology of Engineered Tissues, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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27
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McCarty WJ, Usta OB, Luitje M, Bale SS, Bhushan A, Hegde M, Golberg I, Jindal R, Yarmush ML. A novel ultrathin collagen nanolayer assembly for 3-D microtissue engineering: Layer-by-layer collagen deposition for long-term stable microfluidic hepatocyte culture. TECHNOLOGY 2014; 2:67-74. [PMID: 24932459 PMCID: PMC4054686 DOI: 10.1142/s2339547814500083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The creation of stable hepatocyte cultures using cell-matrix interactions has proven difficult in microdevices due to dimensional constraints limiting the utility of classic tissue culture techniques that involve the use of hydrogels such as the collagen "double gel" or "overlay". To translate the collagen overlay technique into microdevices, we modified collagen using succinylation and methylation reactions to create polyanionic and polycationic collagen solutions, and deposited them layer-by-layer to create ultrathin collagen nanolayers on hepatocytes. These ultrathin collagen layers covered hepatocytes in microdevices and 1) maintained cell morphology, viability, and polarity, 2) induced bile canalicular formation and actin reorganization, and 3) maintained albumin and urea secretions and CYP activity similar to those observed in hepatocytes in collagen double gel hepatocytes in plate cultures. Beyond the immediate applications of this technique to create stable, in vitro microfluidic hepatocyte cultures for drug toxicity testing, this technique is generally applicable as a thin biomaterial for other 3D microtissues.
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28
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Kang YBA, Rawat S, Cirillo J, Bouchard M, Noh HM. Layered long-term co-culture of hepatocytes and endothelial cells on a transwell membrane: toward engineering the liver sinusoid. Biofabrication 2013; 5:045008. [PMID: 24280542 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5082/5/4/045008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a novel liver model that mimics the liver sinusoid where most liver activities occur. A key aspect of our current liver model is a layered co-culture of primary rat hepatocytes (PRHs) and primary rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) or bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) on a transwell membrane. When a layered co-culture was attempted with a thin Matrigel layer placed between hepatocytes and endothelial cells to mimic the space of Disse, the cells did not form completely separated monolayers. However, when hepatocytes and endothelial cells were cultured on the opposite sides of a transwell membrane, PRHs co-cultured with LSECs or BAECs maintained their viability and normal morphology for 39 and 57 days, respectively. We assessed the presence of hepatocyte-specific differentiation markers to verify that PRHs remained differentiated in the long-term co-culture and analyzed hepatocyte function by monitoring urea synthesis. We also noted that the expression of cytochrome P-450 remained similar in the co-cultured system from day 1 to day 48. Thus, our novel liver model system demonstrated that primary hepatocytes can be cultured for extended times and retain their hepatocyte-specific functions when layered with endothelial cells.
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Larkin AL, Rodrigues RR, Murali TM, Rajagopalan P. Designing a multicellular organotypic 3D liver model with a detachable, nanoscale polymeric Space of Disse. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2013; 19:875-84. [PMID: 23556413 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2012.0700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The design of in vitro models that mimic the stratified multicellular hepatic microenvironment continues to be challenging. Although several in vitro hepatic cultures have been shown to exhibit liver functions, their physiological relevance is limited due to significant deviation from in vivo cellular composition. We report the assembly of a novel three-dimensional (3D) organotypic liver model incorporating three different cell types (hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and Kupffer cells) and a polymeric interface that mimics the Space of Disse. The nanoscale interface is detachable, optically transparent, derived from self-assembled polyelectrolyte multilayers, and exhibits a Young's modulus similar to in vivo values for liver tissue. Only the 3D liver models simultaneously maintain hepatic phenotype and elicit proliferation, while achieving cellular ratios found in vivo. The nanoscale detachable polymeric interfaces can be modulated to mimic basement membranes that exhibit a wide range of physical properties. This facile approach offers a versatile new avenue in the assembly of engineered tissues. These results demonstrate the ability of the tri-cellular 3D cultures to serve as an organotypic hepatic model that elicits proliferation and maintenance of phenotype and in vivo-like cellular ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Larkin
- 1 Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, Virginia
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30
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DETZEL CHRISTOPHERJ, LENG WEINAN, VIKESLAND PETERJ, RAJAGOPALAN PADMAVATHY. INTRACELLULAR LOCALIZATION AND KINETICS OF UPTAKE AND CLEARANCE OF GOLD NANOPARTICLES IN PRIMARY HEPATIC CELLS. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1142/s1793984412410085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) used for therapeutic applications preferentially accumulate in the liver following exposure. However, uptake and clearance by hepatic cells are not well understood. Time-dependent intracellular localization, uptake and clearance of 30 nm AuNPs were monitored in primary rat hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). Confocal Raman microscopy studies demonstrated the differences in the localization of AuNPs in hepatic cells over a 24 h period. The uptake of unmodified AuNPs over 24 h was 17% and 55% for hepatocytes and LSECs. The uptake of poly(ethylene glycol)-coated AuNPs was 3% and 1% over 24 h in hepatocytes and LSECs, respectively. Both cell types expelled approximately 60–70% of intracellular AuNPs within seven days. AuNP accumulation resulted in the disruption of the pericanalicular actin between adjoining hepatocytes. These trends suggest that AuNPs may affect actin organization, which could impair hepatic function long term.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - WEINAN LENG
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061, VA, USA
- Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061, VA, USA
| | - PETER J. VIKESLAND
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061, VA, USA
- Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061, VA, USA
| | - PADMAVATHY RAJAGOPALAN
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061, VA, USA
- Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg 24061, VA, USA
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31
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Detzel CJ, Larkin AL, Rajagopalan P. Polyelectrolyte multilayers in tissue engineering. TISSUE ENGINEERING. PART B, REVIEWS 2011; 17:101-13. [PMID: 21210759 PMCID: PMC3062467 DOI: 10.1089/ten.teb.2010.0548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2010] [Accepted: 01/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
The layer-by-layer assembly of sequentially adsorbed, alternating polyelectrolytes has become increasingly important over the past two decades. The ease and versatility in assembling polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) has resulted in numerous wide ranging applications of these materials. More recently, PEMs are being used in biological applications ranging from biomaterials, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery. The ability to manipulate the chemical, physical, surface, and topographical properties of these multilayer architectures by simply changing the pH, ionic strength, thickness, and postassembly modifications render them highly suitable to probe the effects of external stimuli on cellular responsiveness. In the field of regenerative medicine, the ability to sequester growth factors and to tether peptides to PEMs has been exploited to direct the lineage of progenitor cells and to subsequently maintain a desired phenotype. Additional novel applications include the use of PEMs in the assembly of three-dimensional layered architectures and as coatings for individual cells to deliver tunable payloads of drugs or bioactive molecules. This review focuses on literature related to the modulation of chemical and physical properties of PEMs for tissue engineering applications and recent research efforts in maintaining and directing cellular phenotype in stem cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Detzel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Adam L. Larkin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Padmavathy Rajagopalan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
- ICTAS Center for Systems Biology of Engineered Tissues, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
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32
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Larkin AL, Davis RM, Rajagopalan P. Biocompatible, detachable, and free-standing polyelectrolyte multilayer films. Biomacromolecules 2011; 11:2788-96. [PMID: 20815399 DOI: 10.1021/bm100867h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembled polyelectrolyte multilayers have gained tremendous popularity over the past decade and have been incorporated in diverse applications. However, the fabrication of detachable and free-standing polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) has proven to be difficult. We report the design of detachable, free-standing, and biocompatible PEMs comprised of hyaluronic acid (anionic PE) and chitosan (cationic PE). These PEMs can be detached from an underlying inert substrate without any postprocessing steps. Our approach enables the fabrication of detachable PEMs from a wide range of polyelectrolytes. Cross-linked PEMs exhibited greater than 95% weight retention when maintained in phosphate buffered saline at 37 °C over a seven day period. The PEM thickness was approximately 3 μm for dried films and increased 2-fold under hydration. A unique feature of the detachable, free-standing PEMs is their optical transparency in the 400-900 nm range under hydrated conditions. The Young's modulus of the cross-linked films ranged from 300-400 MPa, rendering these detachable free-standing multilayers ideal for biomaterial applications. BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts adhered on the PEMs and colonized the entire surface over a six day period. The cellular responses, as well as the physical properties, demonstrate that the detachable PEM films exhibit tremendous potential for applications in biomaterials and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Larkin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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33
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Lasher CD, Rajagopalan P, Murali TM. Discovering networks of perturbed biological processes in hepatocyte cultures. PLoS One 2011; 6:e15247. [PMID: 21245926 PMCID: PMC3016309 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2010] [Accepted: 11/02/2010] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver plays a vital role in glucose homeostasis, the synthesis of bile acids and the detoxification of foreign substances. Liver culture systems are widely used to test adverse effects of drugs and environmental toxicants. The two most prevalent liver culture systems are hepatocyte monolayers (HMs) and collagen sandwiches (CS). Despite their wide use, comprehensive transcriptional programs and interaction networks in these culture systems have not been systematically investigated. We integrated an existing temporal transcriptional dataset for HM and CS cultures of rat hepatocytes with a functional interaction network of rat genes. We aimed to exploit the functional interactions to identify statistically significant linkages between perturbed biological processes. To this end, we developed a novel approach to compute Contextual Biological Process Linkage Networks (CBPLNs). CBPLNs revealed numerous meaningful connections between different biological processes and gene sets, which we were successful in interpreting within the context of liver metabolism. Multiple phenomena captured by CBPLNs at the process level such as regulation, downstream effects, and feedback loops have well described counterparts at the gene and protein level. CBPLNs reveal high-level linkages between pathways and processes, making the identification of important biological trends more tractable than through interactions between individual genes and molecules alone. Our approach may provide a new route to explore, analyze, and understand cellular responses to internal and external cues within the context of the intricate networks of molecular interactions that control cellular behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D. Lasher
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology PhD Program, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Padmavathy Rajagopalan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- ICTAS Center for Systems Biology of Engineered Tissues, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - T. M. Murali
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- ICTAS Center for Systems Biology of Engineered Tissues, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Detzel CJ, Kim Y, Rajagopalan P. Engineered three-dimensional liver mimics recapitulate critical rat-specific bile acid pathways. Tissue Eng Part A 2010; 17:677-89. [PMID: 20929286 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2010.0423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A critical hepatic function is the maintenance of optimal bile acid (BA) compositions to achieve cholesterol homeostasis. BAs are rarely quantified to assess hepatic phenotype in vitro since existing analytical techniques have inadequate resolution. We report a detailed investigation into the biosynthesis and homeostasis of eight primary rat BAs in conventional in vitro hepatocyte cultures and in an engineered liver mimic. The three-dimensional (3D) liver mimic was assembled with layers of primary rat hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. A high-pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry technique was developed with a detection limit of 1 ng/mL for each BA, which is significantly lower than previous approaches. Over a 2-week culture, only 3D liver mimics exhibited the ratio of conjugated cholic acid to chenodeoxycholic acid that has been observed in vivo. This ratio, an important marker of BA homeostasis, was significantly higher in stable collagen sandwich cultures indicating significant deviation from physiological behavior. The biosynthesis of tauro-β-muricholic acid, a key primary rat BA, doubled only in the engineered liver mimics while decreasing in the other systems. These trends demonstrate that the 3D liver mimics provide a unique platform to study hepatic metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Detzel
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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Kim Y, Rajagopalan P. 3D hepatic cultures simultaneously maintain primary hepatocyte and liver sinusoidal endothelial cell phenotypes. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15456. [PMID: 21103392 PMCID: PMC2980491 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2010] [Accepted: 09/23/2010] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing in vitro engineered hepatic tissues that exhibit stable phenotype is a major challenge in the field of hepatic tissue engineering. However, the rapid dedifferentiation of hepatic parenchymal (hepatocytes) and non-parenchymal (liver sinusoidal endothelial, LSEC) cell types when removed from their natural environment in vivo remains a major obstacle. The primary goal of this study was to demonstrate that hepatic cells cultured in layered architectures could preserve or potentially enhance liver-specific behavior of both cell types. Primary rat hepatocytes and rat LSECs (rLSECs) were cultured in a layered three-dimensional (3D) configuration. The cell layers were separated by a chitosan-hyaluronic acid polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM), which served to mimic the Space of Disse. Hepatocytes and rLSECs exhibited several key phenotypic characteristics over a twelve day culture period. Immunostaining for the sinusoidal endothelial 1 antibody (SE-1) demonstrated that rLSECs cultured in the 3D hepatic model maintained this unique feature over twelve days. In contrast, rLSECs cultured in monolayers lost their phenotype within three days. The unique stratified structure of the 3D culture resulted in enhanced heterotypic cell-cell interactions, which led to improvements in hepatocyte functions. Albumin production increased three to six fold in the rLSEC-PEM-Hepatocyte cultures. Only rLSEC-PEM-Hepatocyte cultures exhibited increasing CYP1A1/2 and CYP3A activity. Well-defined bile canaliculi were observed only in the rLSEC-PEM-Hepatocyte cultures. Together, these data suggest that rLSEC-PEM-Hepatocyte cultures are highly suitable models to monitor the transformation of toxins in the liver and their transport out of this organ. In summary, these results indicate that the layered rLSEC-PEM-hepatocyte model, which recapitulates key features of hepatic sinusoids, is a potentially powerful medium for obtaining comprehensive knowledge on liver metabolism, detoxification and signaling pathways in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeonhee Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Padmavathy Rajagopalan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- ICTAS Center for Systems Biology of Engineered Tissues, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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