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Seidemann L, Prinz S, Scherbel JC, Götz C, Seehofer D, Damm G. Optimization of extracellular matrix for primary human hepatocyte cultures using mixed collagen-Matrigel matrices. EXCLI JOURNAL 2023; 22:12-34. [PMID: 36660192 PMCID: PMC9837384 DOI: 10.17179/excli2022-5459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Loss of differentiation of primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) ex vivo is a known problem of in vitro liver models. Culture optimizations using collagen type I and Matrigel reduce the dedifferentiation process but are not able to prevent it. While neither of these extracellular matrices (ECMs) on their own correspond to the authentic hepatic ECM, a combination of them could more closely resemble the in vivo situation. Our study aimed to systematically analyze the influence of mixed matrices composed of collagen type I and Matrigel on the maintenance and reestablishment of hepatic functions. Therefore, PHHs were cultured on mixed collagen-Matrigel matrices in monolayer and sandwich cultures and viability, metabolic capacity, differentiation markers, cellular arrangement and the cells' ability to repolarize and form functional bile canaliculi were assessed by reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), functional assays and immunofluorescence microscopy. Our results show that mixed matrices were superior to pure matrices in maintaining metabolic capacity and hepatic differentiation. In contrast, Matrigel supplementation can impair the development of a proper hepatocytic polarization. Our systematic study helps to compose an optimized ECM to maintain and reestablish hepatic differentiation on cellular and multicellular levels in human liver models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Seidemann
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany,Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation (SIKT), Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah Prinz
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany,Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation (SIKT), Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan-Constantin Scherbel
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany,Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation (SIKT), Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christina Götz
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany,Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation (SIKT), Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Seehofer
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany,Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation (SIKT), Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Georg Damm
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany,Saxonian Incubator for Clinical Translation (SIKT), Leipzig University, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany,*To whom correspondence should be addressed: Georg Damm, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Visceral Transplantation, University Hospital, Leipzig University, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; Tel.: +49-341-9739656, E-mail:
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Duan YB, Zhu JB, Yang JX, Liu GQ, Bai X, Qu N, Wang XJ, Li XY. Regulation of High-Altitude Hypoxia on the Transcription of CYP450 and UGT1A1 Mediated by PXR and CAR. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:574176. [PMID: 33041817 PMCID: PMC7527593 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.574176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about what roles the pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) play in drug metabolism in high-altitude hypoxia. Likewise, the potential interaction of nuclear receptors and drug metabolism enzymes during drug metabolism of high-altitude hypoxia is not fully understood. In this work, we investigated the effects of high-altitude hypoxia on transcriptional regulation of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) genes mediated by PXR and CAR proteins. The protein and mRNA expressions of CYP450, UGT1A1, PXR, and CAR were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and qPCR in rats and HepG2 cell lines under hypoxia. Hypoxia potently inhibited the CYP450 isoforms, UGT1A1, PXR, and CAR protein and mRNA expression. To clarify whether PXR and CAR regulate various genes involved in drug metabolism of high-altitude hypoxia, we investigated the expression of CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2E1, CYP3A4, and UGT1A1 using a dual-luciferase reporter assay after treatment with Ketoconazole (KCZ) and Retinoic acid (RA), or silenced PXR and CAR gene expression. In HepG2 cells, hypoxia, KCZ, and RA inhibited CYP450 isoforms and UGT1A1 expression. Activation of PXR and CAR in cells treated with 6-(4-chlorophenyl)-imidazo (2,1-b) thiazole-5-carbaldehyde (CITCO) and rifampicin (Rif) resulted in the enhancement of CYP450 isoforms, UGT1A1, PXR, and CAR. In contrast, this effect was not observed under hypoxia. Taken together, our results suggest that hypoxia inhibits CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2E1, CYP3A4, and UGT1A1 expression via the PXR and CAR regulatory pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Bin Duan
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Qinghai University Medical College, Xining, China.,State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Jun-Bo Zhu
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Qinghai University Medical College, Xining, China.,State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Jian-Xin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Gui-Qin Liu
- College of Eco-Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Xue Bai
- Research Center for High Altitude Medicine, Qinghai University Medical College, Xining, China
| | - Ning Qu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qinghai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xining, China
| | - Xue-Jun Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Red Cross Hospital of Qinghai, Xining, China
| | - Xiang-Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
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Abbey D, Elwyn S, Hand NJ, Musunuru K, Rader DJ. Self-Organizing Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Hepatocyte 3D Organoids Inform the Biology of the Pleiotropic TRIB1 Gene. Hepatol Commun 2020; 4:1316-1331. [PMID: 32923835 PMCID: PMC7471428 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Establishment of a physiologically relevant human hepatocyte‐like cell system for in vitro translational research has been hampered by the limited availability of cell models that accurately reflect human biology and the pathophysiology of human disease. Here we report a robust, reproducible, and scalable protocol for the generation of hepatic organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) using short exposure to nonengineered matrices. These hepatic organoids follow defined stages of hepatic development and express higher levels of early (hepatocyte nuclear factor 4A [HNF4A], prospero‐related homeobox 1 [PROX1]) and mature hepatic and metabolic markers (albumin, asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 [ASGR1], CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α [C/EBPα]) than two‐dimensional (2D) hepatocyte‐like cells (HLCs) at day 20 of differentiation. We used this model to explore the biology of the pleiotropic TRIB1 (Tribbles‐1) gene associated with a number of metabolic traits, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and plasma lipids. We used genome editing to delete the TRIB1 gene in hiPSCs and compared TRIB1‐deleted iPSC‐HLCs to isogenic iPSC‐HLCs under both 2D culture and three‐dimensional (3D) organoid conditions. Under conventional 2D culture conditions, TRIB1‐deficient HLCs showed maturation defects, with decreased expression of late‐stage hepatic and lipogenesis markers. In contrast, when cultured as 3D hepatic organoids, the differentiation defects were rescued, and a clear lipid‐related phenotype was noted in the TRIB1‐deficient induced pluripotent stem cell HLCs. Conclusion: This work supports the potential of genome‐edited hiPSC‐derived hepatic 3D organoids in exploring human hepatocyte biology, including the functional interrogation of genes identified through human genetic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepti Abbey
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA.,Department of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA.,Department of Medicine Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA
| | - Susannah Elwyn
- Department of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA.,Department of Medicine Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA
| | - Nicholas J Hand
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA
| | - Kiran Musunuru
- Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA
| | - Daniel J Rader
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA.,Department of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA.,Department of Medicine Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA.,Division of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA
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Serna-Márquez N, Rodríguez-Hernández A, Ayala-Reyes M, Martínez-Hernández LO, Peña-Rico MÁ, Carretero-Ortega J, Hautefeuille M, Vázquez-Victorio G. Fibrillar Collagen Type I Participates in the Survival and Aggregation of Primary Hepatocytes Cultured on Soft Hydrogels. Biomimetics (Basel) 2020; 5:E30. [PMID: 32630500 PMCID: PMC7345357 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics5020030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver is an essential organ that carries out multiple functions such as glycogen storage, the synthesis of plasma proteins, and the detoxification of xenobiotics. Hepatocytes are the parenchyma that sustain almost all the functions supported by this organ. Hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells respond to the mechanical alterations that occur in the extracellular matrix (ECM) caused by organogenesis and regenerating processes. Rearrangements of the ECM modify the composition and mechanical properties that result in specific dedifferentiation programs inside the hepatic cells. Quiescent hepatocytes are embedded in the soft ECM, which contains an important concentration of fibrillar collagens in combination with a basement membrane-associated matrix (BM). This work aims to evaluate the role of fibrillar collagens and BM on actin cytoskeleton organization and the function of rat primary hepatocytes cultured on soft elastic polyacrylamide hydrogels (PAA HGs). We used rat tail collagen type I and Matrigel® as references of fibrillar collagens and BM respectively and mixed different percentages of collagen type I in combination with BM. We also used peptides obtained from decellularized liver matrices (dECM). Remarkably, hepatocytes showed a poor adhesion in the absence of collagen on soft PAA HGs. We demonstrated that collagen type I inhibited apoptosis and activated extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in primary hepatocytes cultured on soft hydrogels. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) was not able to rescue cell viability in conjugated BM but affected cell aggregation in soft PAA HGs conjugated with combinations of different proportions of collagen and BM. Interestingly, actin cytoskeleton was localized and preserved close to plasma membrane (cortical actin) and proximal to intercellular ducts (canaliculi-like structures) in soft conditions; however, albumin protein expression was not preserved, even though primary hepatocytes did not remodel their actin cytoskeleton significantly in soft conditions. This investigation highlights the important role of fibrillar collagens on soft hydrogels for the maintenance of survival and aggregation of the hepatocytes. Data suggest evaluating the conditions that allow the establishment of optimal biomimetic environments for physiology and cell biology studies, where the phenotype of primary cells may be preserved for longer periods of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalia Serna-Márquez
- Laboratorio Nacional de Soluciones Biomiméticas para Diagnóstico y Terapia (LaNSBioDyT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad de México CP 04510, Mexico; (N.S.-M.); (A.R.-H.); (M.A.-R.); (L.O.M.-H.); (J.C.-O.); (M.H.)
| | - Adriana Rodríguez-Hernández
- Laboratorio Nacional de Soluciones Biomiméticas para Diagnóstico y Terapia (LaNSBioDyT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad de México CP 04510, Mexico; (N.S.-M.); (A.R.-H.); (M.A.-R.); (L.O.M.-H.); (J.C.-O.); (M.H.)
| | - Marisol Ayala-Reyes
- Laboratorio Nacional de Soluciones Biomiméticas para Diagnóstico y Terapia (LaNSBioDyT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad de México CP 04510, Mexico; (N.S.-M.); (A.R.-H.); (M.A.-R.); (L.O.M.-H.); (J.C.-O.); (M.H.)
| | - Lorena Omega Martínez-Hernández
- Laboratorio Nacional de Soluciones Biomiméticas para Diagnóstico y Terapia (LaNSBioDyT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad de México CP 04510, Mexico; (N.S.-M.); (A.R.-H.); (M.A.-R.); (L.O.M.-H.); (J.C.-O.); (M.H.)
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad del Papaloapan, Tuxtepec CP 68301, Oaxaca, Mexico;
| | - Miguel Ángel Peña-Rico
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad del Papaloapan, Tuxtepec CP 68301, Oaxaca, Mexico;
| | - Jorge Carretero-Ortega
- Laboratorio Nacional de Soluciones Biomiméticas para Diagnóstico y Terapia (LaNSBioDyT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad de México CP 04510, Mexico; (N.S.-M.); (A.R.-H.); (M.A.-R.); (L.O.M.-H.); (J.C.-O.); (M.H.)
| | - Mathieu Hautefeuille
- Laboratorio Nacional de Soluciones Biomiméticas para Diagnóstico y Terapia (LaNSBioDyT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad de México CP 04510, Mexico; (N.S.-M.); (A.R.-H.); (M.A.-R.); (L.O.M.-H.); (J.C.-O.); (M.H.)
- Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad de México CP 04510, Mexico
| | - Genaro Vázquez-Victorio
- Laboratorio Nacional de Soluciones Biomiméticas para Diagnóstico y Terapia (LaNSBioDyT), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad de México CP 04510, Mexico; (N.S.-M.); (A.R.-H.); (M.A.-R.); (L.O.M.-H.); (J.C.-O.); (M.H.)
- Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Ciudad de México CP 04510, Mexico
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3D culture of functional human iPSC-derived hepatocytes using a core-shell microfiber. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234441. [PMID: 32525941 PMCID: PMC7289419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Human iPSC-derived hepatocytes hold great promise as a cell source for cell therapy and drug screening. However, the culture method for highly-quantified hepatocytes has not yet been established. Herein, we have developed an encapsulation and 3D cultivation method for iPSC-hepatocytes in core-shell hydrogel microfibers (a.k.a. cell fiber). In the fiber-shaped 3D microenvironment consisting of abundant extracellular matrix (ECM), the iPSC-hepatocytes exhibited many hepatic characteristics, including the albumin secretion, and the expression of the hepatic marker genes (ALB, HNF4α, ASGPR1, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4). Furthermore, we found that the fibers were mechanically stable and can be applicable to hepatocyte transplantation. Three days after transplantation of the microfibers into the abdominal cavity of immunodeficient mice, human albumin was detected in the peripheral blood of the transplanted mice. These results indicate that the iPSC-hepatocyte fibers are promising either as in vitro models for drug screening or as implantation grafts to treat liver failure.
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Schulz C, Kammerer S, Küpper JH. NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase expression and enzymatic activity in primary-like human hepatocytes and HepG2 cells for in vitro biotransformation studies. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2020; 73:249-260. [PMID: 31561354 PMCID: PMC6918903 DOI: 10.3233/ch-199226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Human hepatocyte in vitro cell culture systems are important models for drug development and toxicology studies in the context of liver xenobiotic metabolism. Often, such culture systems are used to elucidate the biotransformation of xenobiotics or drugs and further investigate drug and drug metabolite effects on biological systems in terms of potential therapeutic benefit or toxicity. Human hepatocytes currently used for such in vitro studies are mostly primary cells or cell lines derived from liver cancers. Both approaches have limitations such as low proliferation capacity and progressive dedifferentiation found in primary cells or lack of liver functions in cell lines, which makes it difficult to reliably predict biotransformation of xenobiotics in patients. In order to overcome these limitations, HepaFH3 cells and Upcyte® hepatocytes representing primary-like hepatocytes of the first and second generation are increasingly used. Based on primary human hepatocyte cells transduced for stable expression of Upcyte® proliferation genes, they are mitotically active and exhibit liver functions over an extended period, making them comparable to primary human hepatocytes. These hepatocyte models show active liver metabolism such as urea and glycogen formation as well as biotransformation of xenobiotics. The latter is based on the expression, activity and inducibility of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) as essential phase I reaction components. However, for further characterisation in terms of performance and existing limitations, additional studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in phase I reactions. One prerequisite is sufficient activity of microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (POR) functionally connected as electron donor to those CYP enzymes. OBJECTIVE: For Upcyte® hepatocytes and HepaFH3 cells, it is so far unknown to what extent POR is expressed, active, and may exert CYP-modulating effects. Here we studied POR expression and corresponding enzyme activity in human hepatoblastoma cell line HepG2 and compared this with HepaFH3 and Upcyte® hepatocytes representing proliferating primary-like hepatocytes. METHODS: POR expression of those hepatocyte models was determined at mRNA and protein level using qRT-PCR, Western Blot and immunofluorescence staining. Kinetic studies on POR activity in isolated microsomes were performed by a colorimetric method. RESULTS: The investigated hepatocyte models showed remarkable differences at the level of POR expression. Compared to primary-like hepatocytes, POR expression of HepG2 cells was 4-fold higher at mRNA and 2-fold higher at protein level. However, this higher expression did not correlate with corresponding enzyme activity levels in isolated microsomes, which were comparable between all cell systems tested. A tendency of higher POR activity in HepG2 cells compared to HepaFH3 (p = 0.0829) might be present. Compared to primary human hepatocyte microsomes, POR activity was considerably lower in all hepatocyte models. CONCLUSION: In summary, our study revealed that POR expression and activity were clearly detectable in all in vitro hepatocyte models with the highest POR expression in cancer cell line HepG2. However, POR activity was lower in tested hepatocyte models when compared to human primary hepatocyte microsomes. Whether this was caused by e.g. polymorphisms or metabolic differences of investigated hepatocyte models will be target for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Schulz
- Fraunhofer Project Group PZ-Syn of the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB), Potsdam, Germany, located at the Institute of Biotechnology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg
| | - Sarah Kammerer
- Institute of Biotechnology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Jan-Heiner Küpper
- Institute of Biotechnology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
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Khodabakhsh Aghdam S, Khoshfetrat AB, Rahbarghazi R, Jafarizadeh-Malmiri H, Khaksar M. Collagen modulates functional activity of hepatic cells inside alginate-galactosylated chitosan hydrogel microcapsules. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 156:1270-1278. [PMID: 31760032 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.11.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
To provide comparable hepatic tissue microenvironment and induce functional behavior for hepatocytes, galctosylated-chitosan (GC) as well as collagen (Col) was added to alginate microcapsule coated with extra layer of chitosan. Four different hydrogel groups of alginate/chitosan (AC); alginate-galactosylated chitosan/chitosan (AGC/C); alginate-collagen/chitosan (ACol/C); and alginate-galactosylated chitosan-collagen/chitosan (AGCCol/C) were prepared and characterized for physical properties such as porosity, swelling, degradation rate, and stiffness. Introduction of GC as well as Col to alginate regulated significantly the physical properties of the resultant hydrogels. GC addition decreased dramatically swelling, degradation, pore size and mechanical properties of the resultant hydrogel. However, the influence of GC on the physical properties in the presence of Col (AGCCol/A) was in a reverse manner, as compared to the AGC/C hydrogel. The AGCCol/C microenvironment also promoted proliferation of microencapsulated HepG2 cells, as a model of hepatocyte, compared to the control-matched groups. Biochemical analysis after 10 days revealed a superior effect of AGCCol/C on the secretion of albumin and urea compared to other groups (P < 0.05). These features were coincided with the mRNA up-regulation of P450 and albumin in the AGCCol/C groups compared to the AGC/C and ACol/C groups (P < 0.05). The study demonstrated that enrichment of alginate-based hydrogels with Col and GC could be touted as an appropriate 3D platform for modular hepatic tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahla Khodabakhsh Aghdam
- Chemical Engineering Faculty, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz 51335-1996, Iran; Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research Laboratory, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz 51335-1996, Iran
| | - Ali Baradar Khoshfetrat
- Chemical Engineering Faculty, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz 51335-1996, Iran; Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Research Laboratory, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz 51335-1996, Iran.
| | - Reza Rahbarghazi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Majid Khaksar
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Breher-Esch S, Sahini N, Trincone A, Wallstab C, Borlak J. Genomics of lipid-laden human hepatocyte cultures enables drug target screening for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. BMC Med Genomics 2018; 11:111. [PMID: 30547786 PMCID: PMC6295111 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-018-0438-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major health burden in need for new medication. To identify potential drug targets a genomic study was performed in lipid-laden primary human hepatocyte (PHH) and human hepatoma cell cultures. METHODS PHH, HuH7 and HepG2 hepatoma cell cultures were treated with lipids and/or TNFα. Intracellular lipid load was quantified with the ORO assay. The Affymetrix HG-U133+ array system was employed to perform transcriptome analysis. The lipid droplet (LD) growth and fusion was determined by fluorescence microscopy. LD associated proteins were imaged by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and confirmed by Western immunoblotting. Bioinformatics defined perturbed metabolic pathways. RESULTS Whole genome expression profiling identified 227, 1031 and 571 significant regulated genes. Likewise, the combined lipid and TNFα treatment of PHH, HuH7 and HepG2 cell cultures revealed 154, 1238 and 278 differentially expressed genes. Although genomic responses differed among in-vitro systems, commonalities were ascertained by filtering the data for LD associated gene regulations. Among others the LD-growth and fusion associated cell death inducing DFFA like effector C (CIDEC), perilipins (PLIN2, PLIN3), the synaptosome-associated-protein 23 and the vesicle associated membrane protein 3 were strongly up-regulated. Likewise, the PPAR targets pyruvate-dehydrogenase-kinase-4 and angiopoietin-like-4 were up-regulated as was hypoxia-inducible lipid droplet-associated (HILPDA), flotilin and FGF21. Their inhibition ameliorates triglyceride and cholesterol accumulation. TNFα treatment elicited strong induction of the chemokine CXCL8, the kinases MAP3K8, MAP4K4 and negative regulators of cytokine signaling, i.e. SOCS2&SOCS3. Live cell imaging of DsRED calreticulin plasmid transfected HuH7 cells permitted an assessment of LD growth and fusion and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy evidenced induced LD-associated PLIN2, CIDEC, HIF1α, HILPDA, JAK1, PDK4 and ROCK2 expression. Notwithstanding, CPT1A protein was repressed to protect mitochondria from lipid overload. Pharmacological inhibition of the GTPase-dynamin and the fatty acid transporter-2 reduced lipid uptake by 28.5 and 35%, respectively. Finally, a comparisons of in-vitro/NAFLD patient biopsy findings confirmed common gene regulations thus demonstrating clinical relevance. CONCLUSION The genomics of fat-laden hepatocytes revealed LD-associated gene regulations and perturbed metabolic pathways. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed expression of coded proteins to provide a rationale for therapeutic intervention strategies. Collectively, the in-vitro system permits testing of drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Breher-Esch
- Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nishika Sahini
- Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna Trincone
- Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christin Wallstab
- Institute of Biochemistry, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Borlak
- Centre for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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9
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Kammerer S, Küpper JH. Human hepatocyte systems for in vitro toxicology analysis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.3233/jcb-179012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kammerer
- Institute of Biotechnology, Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus-Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Jan-Heiner Küpper
- Institute of Biotechnology, Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus-Senftenberg, Germany
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10
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Langhans SA. Three-Dimensional in Vitro Cell Culture Models in Drug Discovery and Drug Repositioning. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:6. [PMID: 29410625 PMCID: PMC5787088 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 903] [Impact Index Per Article: 150.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug development is a lengthy and costly process that proceeds through several stages from target identification to lead discovery and optimization, preclinical validation and clinical trials culminating in approval for clinical use. An important step in this process is high-throughput screening (HTS) of small compound libraries for lead identification. Currently, the majority of cell-based HTS is being carried out on cultured cells propagated in two-dimensions (2D) on plastic surfaces optimized for tissue culture. At the same time, compelling evidence suggests that cells cultured in these non-physiological conditions are not representative of cells residing in the complex microenvironment of a tissue. This discrepancy is thought to be a significant contributor to the high failure rate in drug discovery, where only a low percentage of drugs investigated ever make it through the gamut of testing and approval to the market. Thus, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture technologies that more closely resemble in vivo cell environments are now being pursued with intensity as they are expected to accommodate better precision in drug discovery. Here we will review common approaches to 3D culture, discuss the significance of 3D cultures in drug resistance and drug repositioning and address some of the challenges of applying 3D cell cultures to high-throughput drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid A. Langhans
- Nemours Center for Childhood Cancer Research and Nemours Center for Neuroscience Research, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, United States
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Perez RA, Jung CR, Kim HW. Biomaterials and Culture Technologies for Regenerative Therapy of Liver Tissue. Adv Healthc Mater 2017; 6. [PMID: 27860372 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201600791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Regenerative approach has emerged to substitute the current extracorporeal technologies for the treatment of diseased and damaged liver tissue. This is based on the use of biomaterials that modulate the responses of hepatic cells through the unique matrix properties tuned to recapitulate regenerative functions. Cells in liver preserve their phenotype or differentiate through the interactions with extracellular matrix molecules. Therefore, the intrinsic properties of the engineered biomaterials, such as stiffness and surface topography, need to be tailored to induce appropriate cellular functions. The matrix physical stimuli can be combined with biochemical cues, such as immobilized functional groups or the delivered actions of signaling molecules. Furthermore, the external modulation of cells, through cocultures with nonparenchymal cells (e.g., endothelial cells) that can signal bioactive molecules, is another promising avenue to regenerate liver tissue. This review disseminates the recent approaches of regenerating liver tissue, with a focus on the development of biomaterials and the related culture technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman A. Perez
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN); Dankook University; Cheonan 330-714 Republic of Korea
- Regenerative Medicine Research Institute; Universitat Internacional de Catalunya; Barcelona 08017 Spain
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine; Dankook University; Cheonan 330-714 Republic of Korea
| | - Cho-Rok Jung
- Gene Therapy Research Unit; KRIBB; 125 Gwahak-ro Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141 Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Won Kim
- Institute of Tissue Regeneration Engineering (ITREN); Dankook University; Cheonan 330-714 Republic of Korea
- Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine; Dankook University; Cheonan 330-714 Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomaterials Science; Dankook University Dental College; Cheonan 330-714 Republic of Korea
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Wang JZ, Zhu YX, Ma HC, Chen SN, Chao JY, Ruan WD, Wang D, Du FG, Meng YZ. Developing multi-cellular tumor spheroid model (MCTS) in the chitosan/collagen/alginate (CCA) fibrous scaffold for anticancer drug screening. MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING. C, MATERIALS FOR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS 2016; 62:215-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2016.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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