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Arnaldi P, Casarotto E, Relucenti M, Bellese G, Gagliani MC, Crippa V, Castagnola P, Cortese K. A NSC-34 cell line-derived spheroid model: Potential and challenges for in vitro evaluation of neurodegeneration. Microsc Res Tech 2024. [PMID: 38988205 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) spheroid models aim to bridge the gap between traditional two-dimensional (2D) cultures and the complex in vivo tissue environment. These models, created by self-clustering cells to mimic a 3D environment with surrounding extracellular framework, provide a valuable research tool. The NSC-34 cell line, generated by fusing mouse spinal cord motor neurons and neuroblastoma cells, is essential for studying neurodegenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where abnormal protein accumulation, such as TAR-DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), occurs in affected nerve cells. However, NSC-34 behavior in a 3D context remains underexplored, and this study represents the first attempt to create a 3D model to determine its suitability for studying pathology. We generated NSC-34 spheroids using a nonadhesive hydrogel-based template and characterized them for 6 days. Light microscopy revealed that NSC-34 cells in 3D maintained high viability, a distinct round shape, and forming stable membrane connections. Scanning electron microscopy identified multiple tunnel-like structures, while ultrastructural analysis highlighted nuclear bending and mitochondria alterations. Using inducible GFP-TDP-43-expressing NSC-34 spheroids, we explored whether 3D structure affected TDP-43 expression, localization, and aggregation. Spheroids displayed nuclear GFP-TDP-43 expression, albeit at a reduced level compared with 2D cultures and generated both TDP-35 fragments and TDP-43 aggregates. This study sheds light on the distinctive behavior of NSC-34 in 3D culture, suggesting caution in the use of the 3D model for ALS or TDP-43 pathologies. Yet, it underscores the spheroids' potential for investigating fundamental cellular mechanisms, cell adaptation in a 3D context, future bioreactor applications, and drug penetration studies. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: 3D spheroid generation: NSC-34 spheroids, developed using a hydrogel-based template, showed high viability and distinct shapes for 6 days. Structural features: advanced microscopy identified tunnel-like structures and nuclear and mitochondrial changes in the spheroids. Protein dynamics: the study observed how 3D structures impact TDP-43 behavior, with altered expression but similar aggregation patterns to 2D cultures. Research implications: this study reveals the unique behavior of NSC-34 in 3D culture, suggests a careful approach to use this model for ALS or TDP-43 pathologies, and highlights its potential in cellular mechanism research and drug testing applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Arnaldi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Cellular Electron Microscopy Lab, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elena Casarotto
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Department of Excellence 2018-2027, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Relucenti
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Grazia Bellese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Cellular Electron Microscopy Lab, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Gagliani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Cellular Electron Microscopy Lab, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Valeria Crippa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Department of Excellence 2018-2027, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Katia Cortese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Cellular Electron Microscopy Lab, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
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Ji SL, Zhang CY, Yin XQ, Wang J, Wang JP, Xu X. Baicalein Loaded Crown Ether-mPEG-PLGA Micelle Drug Delivery System for Increased Breast Cancer Treatment: Preparation, Characterization, In-Vitro and In-Vivo Evaluations. J Biomed Nanotechnol 2022. [DOI: 10.1166/jbn.2022.3445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Due to low aqueous solubility and poor bioavailability of the flavone baicalein (BIC), a nano-micelle of delivery system was developed. Preparation of BIC-loaded crown ether-mPEG-PLGA micelle (BCPP-M) was performed via thin-film hydration method. Characterization of micellar excipients
was accomplished with 1H NMR, while evaluation of the optimal BCPP-M formulation was appropriately carried out through zeta potential (ZP), size of particles (PS), efficiency of encapsulation (EE) and capacity of drug loading (DL). We evaluated BIC release In-Vitro and profile
of In-Vivo pharmacokinetics. Evaluation of the anti-breast cancer property of BCPP-M using MCP-7 cells cytotoxicity and mice model was performed. Particles of BCPP-M were homogenously and spherically shaped with smaller average PS, coupled with higher EE and DL, good stability and polydispersity
index (PDI). The accumulative release of BCPP-M was obviously higher than free-BIC. Significantly, oral biological availability of BCPP-M was improved comparable to free BIC. Besides, half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of BCPP-M in MCP-7 cells was lower than free-BIC. Animal experiments
also showed targeting, long circulation and antitumor potential of BCPP-M. Successful incorporation of BIC into long-acting and targeting micellar system could have enhanced solubility in aqueous media, oral In-Vivo availability and antitumor property of BIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun-Li Ji
- Department of Pharmacy, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Chongchuan District, Nantong City, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chun-Yan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Chongchuan District, Nantong City, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiao-Qin Yin
- Department of Pharmacy, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Chongchuan District, Nantong City, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Chongchuan District, Nantong City, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jia-Peng Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Chongchuan District, Nantong City, 226001, Jiangsu Province, China
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Mantecón-Oria M, Tapia O, Lafarga M, Berciano MT, Munuera JM, Villar-Rodil S, Paredes JI, Rivero MJ, Diban N, Urtiaga A. Influence of the properties of different graphene-based nanomaterials dispersed in polycaprolactone membranes on astrocytic differentiation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13408. [PMID: 35927565 PMCID: PMC9352708 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17697-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Composites of polymer and graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) combine easy processing onto porous 3D membrane geometries due to the polymer and cellular differentiation stimuli due to GBNs fillers. Aiming to step forward to the clinical application of polymer/GBNs composites, this study performs a systematic and detailed comparative analysis of the influence of the properties of four different GBNs: (i) graphene oxide obtained from graphite chemically processes (GO); (ii) reduced graphene oxide (rGO); (iii) multilayered graphene produced by mechanical exfoliation method (Gmec); and (iv) low-oxidized graphene via anodic exfoliation (Ganodic); dispersed in polycaprolactone (PCL) porous membranes to induce astrocytic differentiation. PCL/GBN flat membranes were fabricated by phase inversion technique and broadly characterized in morphology and topography, chemical structure, hydrophilicity, protein adsorption, and electrical properties. Cellular assays with rat C6 glioma cells, as model for cell-specific astrocytes, were performed. Remarkably, low GBN loading (0.67 wt%) caused an important difference in the response of the C6 differentiation among PCL/GBN membranes. PCL/rGO and PCL/GO membranes presented the highest biomolecule markers for astrocyte differentiation. Our results pointed to the chemical structural defects in rGO and GO nanomaterials and the protein adsorption mechanisms as the most plausible cause conferring distinctive properties to PCL/GBN membranes for the promotion of astrocytic differentiation. Overall, our systematic comparative study provides generalizable conclusions and new evidences to discern the role of GBNs features for future research on 3D PCL/graphene composite hollow fiber membranes for in vitro neural models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marián Mantecón-Oria
- Departamento de Ingenierias Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Los Castros s/n, 39005, Santander, Spain
- Instituto Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39011, Santander, Spain
| | - Olga Tapia
- Research Group on Food, Nutritional Biochemistry and Health, Universidad Europea del Atlántico, 39011, Santander, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Lafarga
- Instituto Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39011, Santander, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad de Cantabria, 39011, Santander, Spain
| | - María T Berciano
- Instituto Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39011, Santander, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad de Cantabria, 39011, Santander, Spain
| | - Jose M Munuera
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología del Carbono, INCAR-CSIC, C/Francisco Pintado Fe 26, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Silvia Villar-Rodil
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología del Carbono, INCAR-CSIC, C/Francisco Pintado Fe 26, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Juan I Paredes
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología del Carbono, INCAR-CSIC, C/Francisco Pintado Fe 26, 33011, Oviedo, Spain
| | - María J Rivero
- Departamento de Ingenierias Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Los Castros s/n, 39005, Santander, Spain
| | - Nazely Diban
- Departamento de Ingenierias Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Los Castros s/n, 39005, Santander, Spain.
- Instituto Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39011, Santander, Spain.
| | - Ane Urtiaga
- Departamento de Ingenierias Química y Biomolecular, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. Los Castros s/n, 39005, Santander, Spain
- Instituto Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39011, Santander, Spain
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