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Herbst CJ, Lopez-Rodriguez E, Gluhovic V, Schulz S, Brandt R, Timm S, Abledu J, Falivene J, Pennitz P, Kirsten H, Nouailles G, Witzenrath M, Ochs M, Kuebler WM. Characterization of Commercially Available Human Primary Alveolar Epithelial Cells. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2024; 70:339-350. [PMID: 38207121 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2023-0320ma] [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: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In vitro lung research requires appropriate cell culture models that adequately mimic in vivo structure and function. Previously, researchers extensively used commercially available and easily expandable A549 and NCI-H441 cells, which replicate some but not all features of alveolar epithelial cells. Specifically, these cells are often restricted by terminally altered expression while lacking important alveolar epithelial characteristics. Of late, human primary alveolar epithelial cells (hPAEpCs) have become commercially available but are so far poorly specified. Here, we applied a comprehensive set of technologies to characterize their morphology, surface marker expression, transcriptomic profile, and functional properties. At optimized seeding numbers of 7,500 cells per square centimeter and growth at a gas-liquid interface, hPAEpCs formed regular monolayers with tight junctions and amiloride-sensitive transepithelial ion transport. Electron microscopy revealed lamellar body and microvilli formation characteristic for alveolar type II cells. Protein and single-cell transcriptomic analyses revealed expression of alveolar type I and type II cell markers; yet, transcriptomic data failed to detect NKX2-1, an important transcriptional regulator of alveolar cell differentiation. With increasing passage number, hPAEpCs transdifferentiated toward alveolar-basal intermediates characterized as SFTPC-, KRT8high, and KRT5- cells. In spite of marked changes in the transcriptome as a function of passaging, Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection plots did not reveal major shifts in cell clusters, and epithelial permeability was unaffected. The present work delineates optimized culture conditions, cellular characteristics, and functional properties of commercially available hPAEpCs. hPAEpCs may provide a useful model system for studies on drug delivery, barrier function, and transepithelial ion transport in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Herbst
- Institute of Physiology
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK), Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research, Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung (DZL), Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Sara Timm
- Core Facility Electron Microscopy, and
| | | | | | - Peter Pennitz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Holger Kirsten
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics, and Epidemiology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; and
| | - Geraldine Nouailles
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Witzenrath
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Ochs
- Institute of Functional Anatomy
- Core Facility Electron Microscopy, and
- German Center for Lung Research, Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung (DZL), Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang M Kuebler
- Institute of Physiology
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research, Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK), Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Lung Research, Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung (DZL), Berlin, Germany
- Keenan Research Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, and
- Departments of Surgery and
- Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Park S, Newton J, Hidjir T, Young EWK. Bidirectional airflow in lung airway-on-a-chip with matrix-derived membrane elicits epithelial glycocalyx formation. LAB ON A CHIP 2023; 23:3671-3682. [PMID: 37462986 DOI: 10.1039/d3lc00259d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Organ-on-a-chip systems are rapidly advancing as a viable alternative to existing experimental models in respiratory research. To date, however, epithelial cell cultures within lung airway-on-a-chip devices have yet to demonstrate the presence of an epithelial glycocalyx, a thin layer of proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and glycolipids known to play an important role in regulating epithelial function. Here, we demonstrate that an airway-on-a-chip device that incorporates bidirectional flow mimicking breathing cycles in combination with an ultra-thin matrix-derived membrane (UMM) layer can generate a glycocalyx layer comprised of heparan sulfate. Results with this device and airflow system showed dramatic differences of airway epithelial cell viability and expression of tight junctions, cilia, and mucus over a wide range of flow rates when cultured under oscillatory flow. More importantly, for the first time in a microfluidic organ-on-a-chip setting, we achieved the visualization of an airflow-induced epithelial glycocalyx layer. Our experiments highlight the importance of physiological mimicry in developing in vitro models, as bidirectional airflow showed more representative mucociliary differentiation compared to continuous unidirectional airflow. Thus, the lung airway-on-a-chip platform demonstrated in this study holds great potential as a lung epithelial barrier model for studying the mechanisms of various respiratory diseases and for testing the efficacy of therapeutic candidates in the presence of bidirectional airflow and the glycocalyx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwan Park
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada.
| | - Jeremy Newton
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Tesnime Hidjir
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Edmond W K Young
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada.
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
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Carius P, Jungmann A, Bechtel M, Grißmer A, Boese A, Gasparoni G, Salhab A, Seipelt R, Urbschat K, Richter C, Meier C, Bojkova D, Cinatl J, Walter J, Schneider‐Daum N, Lehr C. A Monoclonal Human Alveolar Epithelial Cell Line ("Arlo") with Pronounced Barrier Function for Studying Drug Permeability and Viral Infections. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2207301. [PMID: 36748276 PMCID: PMC10015904 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202207301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In the development of orally inhaled drug products preclinical animal models regularly fail to predict pharmacological as well as toxicological responses in humans. Models based on human cells and tissues are potential alternatives to animal experimentation allowing for the isolation of essential processes of human biology and making them accessible in vitro. Here, the generation of a novel monoclonal cell line "Arlo," derived from the polyclonal human alveolar epithelium lentivirus immortalized cell line hAELVi via single-cell printing, and its characterization as a model for the human alveolar epithelium as well as a building block for future complex in vitro models is described. "Arlo" is systematically compared in vitro to primary human alveolar epithelial cells (hAEpCs) as well as to the polyclonal hAELVi cell line. "Arlo" cells show enhanced barrier properties with high transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) of ≈3000 Ω cm2 and a potential difference (PD) of ≈30 mV under air-liquid interface (ALI) conditions, that can be modulated. The cells grow in a polarized monolayer and express genes relevant to barrier integrity as well as homeostasis as is observed in hAEpCs. Successful productive infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a proof-of-principle study offers an additional, attractive application of "Arlo" beyond biopharmaceutical experimentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Carius
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) – Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- Department of PharmacySaarland UniversityCampus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Annemarie Jungmann
- Department of Genetics and EpigeneticsSaarland UniversityCampus A2 466123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Marco Bechtel
- Institute of Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital FrankfurtPaul‐Ehrlich‐Str. 4060596Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Alexander Grißmer
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular BiologySaarland UniversityKirrberger StraßeBuilding 6166421Homburg SaarGermany
| | - Annette Boese
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) – Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Gilles Gasparoni
- Department of Genetics and EpigeneticsSaarland UniversityCampus A2 466123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Abdulrahman Salhab
- Department of Genetics and EpigeneticsSaarland UniversityCampus A2 466123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Ralf Seipelt
- Section of Thoracic Surgery of the Saar Lung CenterSHG Clinics VölklingenRichardstraße 5‐966333VölklingenGermany
| | - Klaus Urbschat
- Section of Thoracic Surgery of the Saar Lung CenterSHG Clinics VölklingenRichardstraße 5‐966333VölklingenGermany
| | - Clémentine Richter
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) – Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- Department of PharmacySaarland UniversityCampus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Carola Meier
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular BiologySaarland UniversityKirrberger StraßeBuilding 6166421Homburg SaarGermany
| | - Denisa Bojkova
- Institute of Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital FrankfurtPaul‐Ehrlich‐Str. 4060596Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Jindrich Cinatl
- Institute of Medical VirologyUniversity Hospital FrankfurtPaul‐Ehrlich‐Str. 4060596Frankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Jörn Walter
- Department of Genetics and EpigeneticsSaarland UniversityCampus A2 466123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Nicole Schneider‐Daum
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) – Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
| | - Claus‐Michael Lehr
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) – Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)Campus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
- Department of PharmacySaarland UniversityCampus E8.166123SaarbrückenGermany
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Mucosal Plasma Cell Activation and Proximity to Nerve Fibres Are Associated with Glycocalyx Reduction in Diarrhoea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Jejunal Barrier Alterations Underlying Clinical Manifestations. Cells 2022; 11:cells11132046. [PMID: 35805133 PMCID: PMC9265332 DOI: 10.3390/cells11132046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of brain-gut interaction characterised by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. In the diarrhoea subtype (IBS-D), altered epithelial barrier and mucosal immune activation are associated with clinical manifestations. We aimed to further evaluate plasma cells and epithelial integrity to gain understanding of IBS-D pathophysiology. One mucosal jejunal biopsy and one stool sample were obtained from healthy controls and IBS-D patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms, stress, and depression scores were recorded. In the jejunal mucosa, RNAseq and gene set enrichment analyses were performed. A morphometric analysis by electron microscopy quantified plasma cell activation and proximity to enteric nerves and glycocalyx thickness. Immunoglobulins concentration was assessed in the stool. IBS-D patients showed differential expression of humoral pathways compared to controls. Activation and proximity of plasma cells to nerves and IgG concentration were also higher in IBS-D. Glycocalyx thickness was lower in IBS-D compared to controls, and this reduction correlated with plasma cell activation, proximity to nerves, and clinical symptoms. These results support humoral activity and loss of epithelial integrity as important contributors to gut dysfunction and clinical manifestations in IBS-D. Additional studies are needed to identify the triggers of these alterations to better define IBS-D pathophysiology.
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Zhang D, Zhang JT, Pan Y, Liu XF, Xu JW, Cui WJ, Qiao XR, Dong L. Syndecan-1 Shedding by Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Signaling Regulates Alveolar Epithelial Tight Junction in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Early Acute Lung Injury. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:5801-5816. [PMID: 34764672 PMCID: PMC8576260 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s331020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Alveolar epithelial tight junction damage and glycocalyx syndecan-1 (SDC-1) degrading are key factors to pulmonary edema of acute lung injury (ALI). Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was involved in glycocalyx shedding, which was vital in SDC-1 degrading. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MMP-9-mediated SDC-1 shedding on tight junction in LPS-induced ALI. Methods Mice were intratracheally atomized with 5 mg/kg LPS to stimulate different periods and LPS stimulation for 6 hours for further studies. A549 cells was stimulated for 6 hours by active MMP-9 protein to assess the effects of active MMP-9 protein on SDC-1 and tight junction. Afterward, the mice treated with MMP-9 shRNA or A549 cells were treated with MMP-9 siRNA before LPS stimulation for 6 hours to explore the effects on glycocalyx SDC-1 and tight junction. Moreover, the mice were treated with recombinant SDC-1 protein or A549 cells were over-expressed by pc-SDC-1 before LPS stimulation for 6 hours to explore the effects of SDC-1 on tight junction. Results The mice persistent exposure to LPS showed that MMP-9 expression, glycocalyx SDC-1 shedding (SDC-1 decreased in alveolar epithelium and increased in the BALF), tight junction impairment, FITC-albumin infiltration, and other phenomena began to appear after 6 hours of LPS treatment in this study. The levels of SDC-1 and tight junction significantly decreased by active MMP-9 protein stimulation for 6 hours in the A549 cells. Therefore, LPS stimulation for six hours was selected for investigating the underlying effects of MMP-9-mediated SDC-1 shedding on the alveolar epithelial tight junction and pulmonary edema. Further vivo analysis showed that down regulation MMP-9 expression by MMP-9 shRNA significantly alleviated glycocalyx SDC-1 shedding (SDC-1 increased in alveolar epithelium and decreased in the BALF), tight junction (occludin and ZO-1) damage, and FITC-albumin infiltration in LPS-induced early ALI mice. The vitro results also showed that MMP-9 siRNA alleviated glycocalyx SDC-1 shedding (SDC-1 increased in cell culture medium and decreased in cell surface) and tight junction damage by downregulating MMP-9 expression in LPS-stimulated A549 cells. In addition, pretreatment with recombinant mouse SDC-1 protein significantly alleviated glycocalyx (SDC-1 increased in alveolar epithelium) and tight junction damage, and FITC-albumin infiltration in LPS-induced early ALI mice. Overexpression SDC-1 by pc-SDC-1 also significantly decreased tight junction damage in LPS-stimulated A549 cells. Conclusion Glycocalyx SDC-1 shedding mediated by MMP-9 significantly aggravated tight junction damage, which further increased the pulmonary edema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Zhang
- Department of Respiratory, Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Tao Zhang
- Department of Respiratory, Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Pan
- Department of Respiratory, Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Fei Liu
- Department of Respiratory, Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Wei Xu
- Department of Respiratory, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Jing Cui
- Department of Respiratory, Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin-Rui Qiao
- Department of Respiratory, Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Dong
- Department of Respiratory, Shandong Qianfoshan Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Respiratory, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Jinan, People's Republic of China
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Abstract
The surface of every eukaryotic cell is coated in a dense layer of structurally diverse glycans that together comprise the glycocalyx, a key interface between intracellular biochemistry and the external environment. Many of the glycans within the glycocalyx terminate in anionic monosaccharides belonging to the sialic acid family. Advances in our understanding of the biological processes mediated by sialic acids at the interfaces between cells have catalyzed interest in metabolic, enzymatic, and chemical strategies to edit the total complement of cellular sialic acids-the sialome. Here, we review strategies for altering the composition of the sialome with particular focus on glycan structures and state-of-the-art tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Landon J. Edgar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 1A8
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Selo MA, Sake JA, Kim KJ, Ehrhardt C. In vitro and ex vivo models in inhalation biopharmaceutical research - advances, challenges and future perspectives. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 177:113862. [PMID: 34256080 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Oral inhalation results in pulmonary drug targeting and thereby reduces systemic side effects, making it the preferred means of drug delivery for the treatment of respiratory disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cystic fibrosis. In addition, the high alveolar surface area, relatively low enzymatic activity and rich blood supply of the distal airspaces offer a promising pathway to the systemic circulation. This is particularly advantageous when a rapid onset of pharmacological action is desired or when the drug is suffering from stability issues or poor biopharmaceutical performance following oral administration. Several cell and tissue-based in vitro and ex vivo models have been developed over the years, with the intention to realistically mimic pulmonary biological barriers. It is the aim of this review to critically discuss the available models regarding their advantages and limitations and to elaborate further which biopharmaceutical questions can and cannot be answered using the existing models.
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