1
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Liu J, Zhang B, Cui Y, Song H, Shang D. In vitro co-culture models for studying organoids-macrophages interaction: the golden technology of cancer immunotherapy. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:3222-3240. [PMID: 39113861 PMCID: PMC11301299 DOI: 10.62347/bqfh7352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophages, as the largest immune cell group in tumour tissues, play a crucial role in influencing various malignant behaviours of tumour cells and tumour immune evasion. As the research on macrophages and cancer immunotherapy develops, the importance of appropriate research models becomes increasingly evident. The development of organoids has bridged the gap between traditional two-dimensional (2D) cultures and animal experiments. Recent studies have demonstrated that organoids exhibit similar physiological characteristics to the source tissue and closely resemble the in vivo genome and molecular markers of the source tissue or organ. However, organoids still lack an immune component. Developing a co-culture model of organoids and macrophages is crucial for studying the interaction and mechanisms between tumour cells and macrophages. This paper presents an overview of the establishment of co-culture models, the current research status of organoid macrophage interactions, and the current status of immunotherapy. In addition, the application prospects and shortcomings of the model are explained. Ultimately, it is hoped that the co-culture model will offer a preclinical testing platform for maximising a precise cancer immunotherapy strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Biao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Yuying Cui
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Huiyi Song
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Dong Shang
- Department of General Surgery, Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, Liaoning, PR China
- Institute (College) of Integrative Medicine, Dalian Medical UniversityDalian, Liaoning, PR China
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2
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Morrison AI, Sjoerds MJ, Vonk LA, Gibbs S, Koning JJ. In vitro immunity: an overview of immunocompetent organ-on-chip models. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1373186. [PMID: 38835750 PMCID: PMC11148285 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1373186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Impressive advances have been made to replicate human physiology in vitro over the last few years due to the growth of the organ-on-chip (OoC) field in both industrial and academic settings. OoCs are a type of microphysiological system (MPS) that imitates functional and dynamic aspects of native human organ biology on a microfluidic device. Organoids and organotypic models, ranging in their complexity from simple single-cell to complex multi-cell type constructs, are being incorporated into OoC microfluidic devices to better mimic human physiology. OoC technology has now progressed to the stage at which it has received official recognition by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as an alternative to standard procedures in drug development, such as animal studies and traditional in vitro assays. However, an area that is still lagging behind is the incorporation of the immune system, which is a critical element required to investigate human health and disease. In this review, we summarise the progress made to integrate human immunology into various OoC systems, specifically focusing on models related to organ barriers and lymphoid organs. These models utilise microfluidic devices that are either commercially available or custom-made. This review explores the difference between the use of innate and adaptive immune cells and their role for modelling organ-specific diseases in OoCs. Immunocompetent multi-OoC models are also highlighted and the extent to which they recapitulate systemic physiology is discussed. Together, the aim of this review is to describe the current state of immune-OoCs, the limitations and the future perspectives needed to improve the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew I. Morrison
- Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Inflammatory Diseases, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mirthe J. Sjoerds
- Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Leander A. Vonk
- Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Susan Gibbs
- Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Inflammatory Diseases, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jasper J. Koning
- Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Inflammatory Diseases, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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3
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Janssen R, Benito-Zarza L, Cleijpool P, Valverde MG, Mihăilă SM, Bastiaan-Net S, Garssen J, Willemsen LEM, Masereeuw R. Biofabrication Directions in Recapitulating the Immune System-on-a-Chip. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2304569. [PMID: 38625078 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202304569] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Ever since the implementation of microfluidics in the biomedical field, in vitro models have experienced unprecedented progress that has led to a new generation of highly complex miniaturized cell culture platforms, known as Organs-on-a-Chip (OoC). These devices aim to emulate biologically relevant environments, encompassing perfusion and other mechanical and/or biochemical stimuli, to recapitulate key physiological events. While OoCs excel in simulating diverse organ functions, the integration of the immune organs and immune cells, though recent and challenging, is pivotal for a more comprehensive representation of human physiology. This comprehensive review covers the state of the art in the intricate landscape of immune OoC models, shedding light on the pivotal role of biofabrication technologies in bridging the gap between conceptual design and physiological relevance. The multifaceted aspects of immune cell behavior, crosstalk, and immune responses that are aimed to be replicated within microfluidic environments, emphasizing the need for precise biomimicry are explored. Furthermore, the latest breakthroughs and challenges of biofabrication technologies in immune OoC platforms are described, guiding researchers toward a deeper understanding of immune physiology and the development of more accurate and human predictive models for a.o., immune-related disorders, immune development, immune programming, and immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robine Janssen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Benito-Zarza
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Pim Cleijpool
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Marta G Valverde
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Silvia M Mihăilă
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Shanna Bastiaan-Net
- Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, 6708 WG, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Garssen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
- Danone Global Research & Innovation Center, Danone Nutricia Research B.V., Utrecht, 3584 CT, The Netherlands
| | - Linette E M Willemsen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
| | - Rosalinde Masereeuw
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CG, The Netherlands
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4
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Yang JC, Zhang YH, Hu B. Gastric organoids: Rise of a latecomer. WORLD CHINESE JOURNAL OF DIGESTOLOGY 2024; 32:182-191. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v32.i3.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2024]
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5
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Wang H, Ning X, Zhao F, Zhao H, Li D. Human organoids-on-chips for biomedical research and applications. Theranostics 2024; 14:788-818. [PMID: 38169573 PMCID: PMC10758054 DOI: 10.7150/thno.90492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Human organoids-on-chips (OrgOCs) are the synergism of human organoids (HOs) technology and microfluidic organs-on-chips (OOCs). OOCs can mimic extrinsic characteristics of organs, such as environmental clues of living tissue, while HOs are more amenable to biological analysis and genetic manipulation. By spatial cooperation, OrgOCs served as 3D organotypic living models allowing them to recapitulate critical tissue-specific properties and forecast human responses and outcomes. It represents a giant leap forward from the regular 2D cell monolayers and animal models in the improved human ecological niche modeling. In recent years, OrgOCs have offered potential promises for clinical studies and advanced the preclinical-to-clinical translation in medical and industrial fields. In this review, we highlight the cutting-edge achievements in OrgOCs, introduce the key features of OrgOCs architectures, and share the revolutionary applications in basic biology, disease modeling, preclinical assay and precision medicine. Furthermore, we discuss how to combine a wide range of disciplines with OrgOCs and accelerate translational applications, as well as the challenges and opportunities of OrgOCs in biomedical research and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Department of Interventional & Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
- Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Xiufan Ning
- Department of Interventional & Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Interventional & Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Dong Li
- Department of Interventional & Vascular Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
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6
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Nomdedeu-Sancho G, Gorkun A, Mahajan N, Willson K, Schaaf CR, Votanopoulos KI, Atala A, Soker S. In Vitro Three-Dimensional (3D) Models for Melanoma Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5779. [PMID: 38136325 PMCID: PMC10741426 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245779] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is responsible for the majority of skin cancer-related fatalities. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatments have revolutionized the management of the disease by significantly increasing patient survival rates. However, a considerable number of tumors treated with these drugs fail to respond or may develop resistance over time. Tumor growth and its response to therapies are critically influenced by the tumor microenvironment (TME); it directly supports cancer cell growth and influences the behavior of surrounding immune cells, which can become tumor-permissive, thereby rendering immunotherapies ineffective. Ex vivo modeling of melanomas and their response to treatment could significantly advance our understanding and predictions of therapy outcomes. Efforts have been directed toward developing reliable models that accurately mimic melanoma in its appropriate tissue environment, including tumor organoids, bioprinted tissue constructs, and microfluidic devices. However, incorporating and modeling the melanoma TME and immune component remains a significant challenge. Here, we review recent literature regarding the generation of in vitro 3D models of normal skin and melanoma and the approaches used to incorporate the immune compartment in such models. We discuss how these constructs could be combined and used to test immunotherapies and elucidate treatment resistance mechanisms. The development of 3D in vitro melanoma models that faithfully replicate the complexity of the TME and its interaction with the immune system will provide us with the technical tools to better understand ICI resistance and increase its efficacy, thereby improving personalized melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Nomdedeu-Sancho
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27101, USA; (G.N.-S.); (A.G.); (N.M.); (K.W.); (C.R.S.); (K.I.V.); (A.A.)
| | - Anastasiya Gorkun
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27101, USA; (G.N.-S.); (A.G.); (N.M.); (K.W.); (C.R.S.); (K.I.V.); (A.A.)
| | - Naresh Mahajan
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27101, USA; (G.N.-S.); (A.G.); (N.M.); (K.W.); (C.R.S.); (K.I.V.); (A.A.)
| | - Kelsey Willson
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27101, USA; (G.N.-S.); (A.G.); (N.M.); (K.W.); (C.R.S.); (K.I.V.); (A.A.)
| | - Cecilia R. Schaaf
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27101, USA; (G.N.-S.); (A.G.); (N.M.); (K.W.); (C.R.S.); (K.I.V.); (A.A.)
- Wake Forest Organoid Research Center (WFORCE), Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Pathology Section, Comparative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Konstantinos I. Votanopoulos
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27101, USA; (G.N.-S.); (A.G.); (N.M.); (K.W.); (C.R.S.); (K.I.V.); (A.A.)
- Wake Forest Organoid Research Center (WFORCE), Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Anthony Atala
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27101, USA; (G.N.-S.); (A.G.); (N.M.); (K.W.); (C.R.S.); (K.I.V.); (A.A.)
- Wake Forest Organoid Research Center (WFORCE), Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Shay Soker
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27101, USA; (G.N.-S.); (A.G.); (N.M.); (K.W.); (C.R.S.); (K.I.V.); (A.A.)
- Wake Forest Organoid Research Center (WFORCE), Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27101, USA
- Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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7
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Stromberg ZR, Phillips SMB, Omberg KM, Hess BM. High-throughput functional trait testing for bacterial pathogens. mSphere 2023; 8:e0031523. [PMID: 37702517 PMCID: PMC10597404 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00315-23] [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] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional traits are characteristics that affect the fitness and metabolic function of a microorganism. There is growing interest in using high-throughput methods to characterize bacterial pathogens based on functional virulence traits. Traditional methods that phenotype a single organism for a single virulence trait can be time consuming and labor intensive. Alternatively, machine learning of whole-genome sequences (WGS) has shown some success in predicting virulence. However, relying solely on WGS can miss functional traits, particularly for organisms lacking classical virulence factors. We propose that high-throughput assays for functional virulence trait identification should become a prominent method of characterizing bacterial pathogens on a population scale. This work is critical as we move from compiling lists of bacterial species associated with disease to pathogen-agnostic approaches capable of detecting novel microbes. We discuss six key areas of functional trait testing and how advancing high-throughput methods could provide a greater understanding of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary R. Stromberg
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
| | - Shelby M. B. Phillips
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
| | - Kristin M. Omberg
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
| | - Becky M. Hess
- Chemical and Biological Signatures Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA
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8
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Johnston LJ, Barningham L, Campbell EL, Cerovic V, Duckworth CA, Luu L, Wastling J, Derricott H, Coombes JL. A novel in vitro model of the small intestinal epithelium in co-culture with 'gut-like' dendritic cells. DISCOVERY IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 2:kyad018. [PMID: 38567056 PMCID: PMC10917230 DOI: 10.1093/discim/kyad018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Cross-talk between dendritic cells (DCs) and the intestinal epithelium is important in the decision to mount a protective immune response to a pathogen or to regulate potentially damaging responses to food antigens and the microbiota. Failures in this decision-making process contribute to the development of intestinal inflammation, making the molecular signals that pass between DCs and intestinal epithelial cells potential therapeutic targets. Until now, in vitro models with sufficient complexity to understand these interactions have been lacking. Here, we outline the development of a co-culture model of in vitro differentiated 'gut-like' DCs with small intestinal organoids (enteroids). Sequential exposure of murine bone marrow progenitors to Flt3L, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) resulted in the generation of a distinct population of conventional DCs expressing CD11b+SIRPα+CD103+/- (cDC2) exhibiting retinaldehyde dehydrogenase (RALDH) activity. These 'gut-like' DCs extended transepithelial dendrites across the intact epithelium of enteroids. 'Gut-like' DC in co-culture with enteroids can be utilized to define how epithelial cells and cDCs communicate in the intestine under a variety of different physiological conditions, including exposure to different nutrients, natural products, components of the microbiota, or pathogens. Surprisingly, we found that co-culture with enteroids resulted in a loss of RALDH activity in 'gut-like' DCs. Continued provision of GM-CSF and RA during co-culture was required to oppose putative negative signals from the enteroid epithelium. Our data contribute to a growing understanding of how intestinal cDCs assess environmental conditions to ensure appropriate activation of the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke J Johnston
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health & School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Liam Barningham
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health & School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Eric L Campbell
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Vuk Cerovic
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, RWTH University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Carrie A Duckworth
- Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Lisa Luu
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health & School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jonathan Wastling
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health & School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
| | - Hayley Derricott
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health & School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Janine L Coombes
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health & School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK
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9
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Zeiringer S, Wiltschko L, Glader C, Reiser M, Absenger-Novak M, Fröhlich E, Roblegg E. Development and Characterization of an In Vitro Intestinal Model Including Extracellular Matrix and Macrovascular Endothelium. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:5173-5184. [PMID: 37677739 PMCID: PMC10548470 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00532] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
In vitro intestinal models are used to study biological processes, drug and food absorption, or cytotoxicity, minimizing the use of animals in the laboratory. They usually consist of enterocytes and mucus-producing cells cultured for 3 weeks, e.g., on Transwells, to obtain a fully differentiated cell layer simulating the human epithelium. Other important components are the extracellular matrix (ECM) and strong vascularization. The former serves as structural support for cells and promotes cellular processes such as differentiation, migration, and growth. The latter includes endothelial cells, which coordinate vascularization and immune cell migration and facilitate the transport of ingested substances or drugs to the liver. In most cases, animal-derived hydrogels such as Matrigel or collagen are used as ECM in in vitro intestinal models, and endothelial cells are only partially considered, if at all. However, it is well-known that animal-derived products can lead to altered cell behavior and incorrect results. To circumvent these limitations, synthetic and modifiable hydrogels (Peptigel and Vitrogel) were studied here to mimic xenofree ECM, and the data were compared with Matrigel. Careful rheological characterization was performed, and the effect on cell proliferation was investigated. The results showed that Vitrogel exhibited shear-thinning behavior with an internal structure recovery of 78.9 ± 11.2%, providing the best properties among the gels investigated. Therefore, a coculture of Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cells (ratio 7:3) was grown on Vitrogel, while simultaneously endothelial cells were cultured on the basolateral side by inverse cultivation. The model was characterized in terms of cell proliferation, differentiation, and drug permeability. It was found that the cells cultured on Vitrogel induced a 1.7-fold increase in cell proliferation and facilitated the formation of microvilli and tight junctions after 2 weeks of cultivation. At the same time, the coculture showed full differentiation indicated by high alkaline phosphatase release of Caco-2 cells (95.0 ± 15.9%) and a mucus layer produced by HT29-MTX cells. Drug tests led to ex vivo comparable permeability coefficients (Papp) (i.e., Papp; antipyrine = (33.64 ± 5.13) × 10-6 cm/s, Papp; atenolol = (0.59 ± 0.16) × 10-6 cm/s). These results indicate that the newly developed intestinal model can be used for rapid and efficient assessment of drug permeability, excluding unexpected results due to animal-derived materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scarlett Zeiringer
- University
of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Laura Wiltschko
- University
of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Joanneum
Research-Health, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 2, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Christina Glader
- University
of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Research
Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH, Inffeldgasse 13, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Reiser
- University
of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Markus Absenger-Novak
- Center
for Medical Research, Medical University
of Graz, Stiftingtalstraße 24, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Eleonore Fröhlich
- Center
for Medical Research, Medical University
of Graz, Stiftingtalstraße 24, 8010 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Mozartgasse 12/II, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Eva Roblegg
- University
of Graz, Institute of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Universitätsplatz 1, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Research
Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH, Inffeldgasse 13, 8010 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Mozartgasse 12/II, 8010 Graz, Austria
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10
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Zheng Y, Han F, Ho A, Xue Y, Wu Z, Chen X, Sandberg JK, Ma S, Leeansyah E. Role of MAIT cells in gastrointestinal tract bacterial infections in humans: More than a gut feeling. Mucosal Immunol 2023; 16:740-752. [PMID: 37353006 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are the largest population of unconventional T cells in humans. These antimicrobial T cells are poised with rapid effector responses following recognition of the cognate riboflavin (vitamin B2)-like metabolite antigens derived from microbial riboflavin biosynthetic pathway. Presentation of this unique class of small molecule metabolite antigens is mediated by the highly evolutionarily conserved major histocompatibility complex class I-related protein. In humans, MAIT cells are widely found along the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts owing to their high expression of chemokine receptors and homing molecules directing them to these tissue sites. In this review, we discuss recent findings regarding the roles MAIT cells play in various gastrointestinal bacterial infections, and how their roles appear to differ depending on the etiological agents and the anatomical location. We further discuss the potential mechanisms by which MAIT cells contribute to pathogen control, orchestrate adaptive immunity, as well as their potential contribution to inflammation and tissue damage during gastrointestinal bacterial infections, and the ensuing tissue repair following resolution. Finally, we propose and discuss the use of the emerging three-dimensional organoid technology to test different hypotheses regarding the role of MAIT cells in gastrointestinal bacterial infections, inflammation, and immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichao Zheng
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China; Precision Medicine and Healthcare Research Centre, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fei Han
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Amanda Ho
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China; Precision Medicine and Healthcare Research Centre, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yiting Xue
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China; Precision Medicine and Healthcare Research Centre, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhengyu Wu
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xingchi Chen
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Johan K Sandberg
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Shaohua Ma
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China; Precision Medicine and Healthcare Research Centre, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Edwin Leeansyah
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical and Health Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China.
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11
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Fang Z, Li P, Du F, Shang L, Li L. The role of organoids in cancer research. Exp Hematol Oncol 2023; 12:69. [PMID: 37537666 PMCID: PMC10401879 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-023-00433-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Organoids are established through in vitro 3D culture, and they can mimic the structure and physiological functions of organs or tissues in vivo. Organoids have attracted much attention in recent years. They can provide a reliable technology platform for cancer research and treatment and are a valuable preclinical model for academic research and personalized medicine. A number of studies have confirmed that organoids have great application prospects in new drug development, drug screening, tumour mechanism research, and precision medicine. In this review, we mainly focus on recent advances in the application of organoids in cancer research. We also discussed the opportunities and challenges facing organoids, hoping to indicate directions for the development of organoids in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Fang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jingwuweiqi street, 324, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
- Department of Digestive Tumour Translational Medicine, Engineering Laboratory of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Peijuan Li
- Emergency Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Fengying Du
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jingwuweiqi street, 324, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
- Department of Digestive Tumour Translational Medicine, Engineering Laboratory of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China
| | - Liang Shang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jingwuweiqi street, 324, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.
- Department of Digestive Tumour Translational Medicine, Engineering Laboratory of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.
| | - Leping Li
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jingwuweiqi street, 324, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.
- Department of Digestive Tumour Translational Medicine, Engineering Laboratory of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China.
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12
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Liu H, Wang X. Esophageal organoids: applications and future prospects. J Mol Med (Berl) 2023; 101:931-945. [PMID: 37380866 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02340-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Organoids have been developed in the last decade as a new research tool to simulate organ cell biology and disease. Compared to traditional 2D cell lines and animal models, experimental data based on esophageal organoids are more reliable. In recent years, esophageal organoids derived from multiple cell sources have been established, and relatively mature culture protocols have been developed. Esophageal inflammation and cancer are two directions of esophageal organoid modeling, and organoid models of esophageal adenocarcinoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and eosinophilic esophagitis have been established. The properties of esophageal organoids, which mimic the real esophagus, contribute to research in drug screening and regenerative medicine. The combination of organoids with other technologies, such as organ chips and xenografts, can complement the deficiencies of organoids and create entirely new research models that are more advantageous for cancer research. In this review, we will summarize the development of tumor and non-tumor esophageal organoids, the current application of esophageal organoids in disease modeling, regenerative medicine, and drug screening. We will also discuss the future prospects of esophageal organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyuan Liu
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Xianli Wang
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Public Health, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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13
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Dufva M. A quantitative meta-analysis comparing cell models in perfused organ on a chip with static cell cultures. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8233. [PMID: 37217582 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35043-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
As many consider organ on a chip for better in vitro models, it is timely to extract quantitative data from the literature to compare responses of cells under flow in chips to corresponding static incubations. Of 2828 screened articles, 464 articles described flow for cell culture and 146 contained correct controls and quantified data. Analysis of 1718 ratios between biomarkers measured in cells under flow and static cultures showed that the in all cell types, many biomarkers were unregulated by flow and only some specific biomarkers responded strongly to flow. Biomarkers in cells from the blood vessels walls, the intestine, tumours, pancreatic island, and the liver reacted most strongly to flow. Only 26 biomarkers were analysed in at least two different articles for a given cell type. Of these, the CYP3A4 activity in CaCo2 cells and PXR mRNA levels in hepatocytes were induced more than two-fold by flow. Furthermore, the reproducibility between articles was low as 52 of 95 articles did not show the same response to flow for a given biomarker. Flow showed overall very little improvements in 2D cultures but a slight improvement in 3D cultures suggesting that high density cell culture may benefit from flow. In conclusion, the gains of perfusion are relatively modest, larger gains are linked to specific biomarkers in certain cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Dufva
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs Lyngby, Denmark.
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14
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Subtil B, Iyer KK, Poel D, Bakkerus L, Gorris MAJ, Escalona JC, van den Dries K, Cambi A, Verheul HMW, de Vries IJM, Tauriello DVF. Dendritic cell phenotype and function in a 3D co-culture model of patient-derived metastatic colorectal cancer organoids. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1105244. [PMID: 36761758 PMCID: PMC9905679 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1105244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most aggressive and lethal cancers, with metastasis accounting for most deaths. As such, there is an unmet need for improved therapies for metastatic CRC (mCRC). Currently, the research focus is shifting towards the reciprocal interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME), which prevent tumor clearance by the immune system. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the initiation and amplification of anti-tumor immune responses and in driving the clinical success of immunotherapies. Dissecting the interactions between DCs and CRC cells may open doors to identifying key mediators in tumor progression, and possible therapeutic targets. This requires representative, robust and versatile models and tools. Currently, there is a shortage of such in vitro systems to model the CRC TME and its tumor-immune cell interactions. Here we develop and establish a dynamic organotypic 3D co-culture system to recapitulate and untangle the interactions between DCs and patient-derived mCRC tumor organoids. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating human DCs in co-culture with tumor organoids in a 3D, organotypic setting. This system reveals how mCRC organoids modulate and shape monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) behavior, phenotype, and function, within a collagen matrix, using techniques such as brightfield and fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Our 3D co-culture model shows high viability and extensive interaction between DCs and tumor organoids, and its structure resembles patient tissue sections. Furthermore, it is possible to retrieve DCs from the co-cultures and characterize their phenotypic and functional profile. In our study, the expression of activation markers in both mature and immature DCs and their ability to activate T cells were impacted by co-culture with tumor organoids. In the future, this direct co-culture platform can be adapted and exploited to study the CRC-DC interplay in more detail, enabling novel and broader insights into CRC-driven DC (dys)function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Subtil
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Kirti K. Iyer
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Dennis Poel
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Lotte Bakkerus
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Mark A. J. Gorris
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,Oncode Institute, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jorge Cuenca Escalona
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Koen van den Dries
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Alessandra Cambi
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Henk M. W. Verheul
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - I. Jolanda M. de Vries
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands,*Correspondence: I. Jolanda M. de Vries,
| | - Daniele V. F. Tauriello
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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15
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Thomas DP, Zhang J, Nguyen NT, Ta HT. Microfluidic Gut-on-a-Chip: Fundamentals and Challenges. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:bios13010136. [PMID: 36671971 PMCID: PMC9856111 DOI: 10.3390/bios13010136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The human gut is responsible for food digestion and absorption. Recently, growing evidence has shown its vital role in the proper functioning of other organs. Advances in microfluidic technologies have made a significant impact on the biomedical field. Specifically, organ-on-a-chip technology (OoC), which has become a popular substitute for animal models, is capable of imitating complex systems in vitro and has been used to study pathology and pharmacology. Over the past decade, reviews published focused more on the applications and prospects of gut-on-a-chip (GOC) technology, but the challenges and solutions to these limitations were often overlooked. In this review, we cover the physiology of the human gut and review the engineering approaches of GOC. Fundamentals of GOC models including materials and fabrication, cell types, stimuli and gut microbiota are thoroughly reviewed. We discuss the present GOC model applications, challenges, possible solutions and prospects for the GOC models and technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimple Palanilkunnathil Thomas
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Jun Zhang
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Nam-Trung Nguyen
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Hang Thu Ta
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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16
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Csukovich G, Pratscher B, Burgener IA. The World of Organoids: Gastrointestinal Disease Modelling in the Age of 3R and One Health with Specific Relevance to Dogs and Cats. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12182461. [PMID: 36139322 PMCID: PMC9495014 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
One Health describes the importance of considering humans, animals, and the environment in health research. One Health and the 3R concept, i.e., the replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal experimentation, shape today’s research more and more. The development of organoids from many different organs and animals led to the development of highly sophisticated model systems trying to replace animal experiments. Organoids may be used for disease modelling in various ways elucidating the manifold host–pathogen interactions. This review provides an overview of disease modelling approaches using organoids of different kinds with a special focus on animal organoids and gastrointestinal diseases. We also provide an outlook on how the research field of organoids might develop in the coming years and what opportunities organoids hold for in-depth disease modelling and therapeutic interventions.
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17
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RGD-Functionalized Hydrogel Supports the Chondrogenic Commitment of Adipose Mesenchymal Stromal Cells. Gels 2022; 8:gels8060382. [PMID: 35735726 PMCID: PMC9222613 DOI: 10.3390/gels8060382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Articular cartilage is known to have limited intrinsic self-healing capacity when a defect or a degeneration process occurs. Hydrogels represent promising biomaterials for cell encapsulation and injection in cartilage defects by creating an environment that mimics the cartilage extracellular matrix. The aim of this study is the analysis of two different concentrations (1:1 and 1:2) of VitroGel® (VG) hydrogels without (VG-3D) and with arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motifs, (VG-RGD), verifying their ability to support chondrogenic differentiation of encapsulated human adipose mesenchymal stromal cells (hASCs). We analyzed the hydrogel properties in terms of rheometric measurements, cell viability, cytotoxicity, and the expression of chondrogenic markers using gene expression, histology, and immunohistochemical tests. We highlighted a shear-thinning behavior of both hydrogels, which showed good injectability. We demonstrated a good morphology and high viability of hASCs in both hydrogels. VG-RGD 1:2 hydrogels were the most effective, both at the gene and protein levels, to support the expression of the typical chondrogenic markers, including collagen type 2, SOX9, aggrecan, glycosaminoglycan, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein and to decrease the proliferation marker MKI67 and the fibrotic marker collagen type 1. This study demonstrated that both hydrogels, at different concentrations, and the presence of RGD motifs, significantly contributed to the chondrogenic commitment of the laden hASCs.
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18
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Mahdieh Z, Cherne MD, Fredrikson JP, Sidar B, Sanchez HS, Chang CB, Bimczok D, Wilking JN. Granular Matrigel: restructuring a trusted extracellular matrix material for improved permeability. Biomed Mater 2022; 17. [PMID: 35609584 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/ac7306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Matrigel is a polymeric extracellular matrix material produced by mouse cancer cells. Over the past four decades, Matrigel has been shown to support a wide variety of two- and three-dimensional cell and tissue culture applications including organoids. Despite widespread use, transport of molecules, cells, and colloidal particles through Matrigel can be limited. These limitations restrict cell growth, viability, and function and limit Matrigel applications. A strategy to improve transport through a hydrogel without modifying the chemistry or composition of the gel is to physically restructure the material into microscopic microgels and then pack them together to form a porous material. These 'granular' hydrogels have been created using a variety of synthetic hydrogels, but granular hydrogels composed of Matrigel have not yet been reported. Here we present a drop-based microfluidics approach for structuring Matrigel into a three-dimensional, mesoporous material composed of packed Matrigel microgels, which we call granular Matrigel. We show that restructuring Matrigel in this manner enhances the transport of colloidal particles and human dendritic cells (DCs) through the gel while providing sufficient mechanical support for culture of human gastric organoids (HGOs) and co-culture of human DCs with HGOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Mahdieh
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America.,Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Michelle D Cherne
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Jacob P Fredrikson
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America.,Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Barkan Sidar
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America.,Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Humberto S Sanchez
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America.,Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Connie B Chang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America.,Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - Diane Bimczok
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
| | - James N Wilking
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America.,Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States of America
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19
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Hautefort I, Poletti M, Papp D, Korcsmaros T. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Organoid-Based Models (and Never Dared to Ask). Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 14:311-331. [PMID: 35643188 PMCID: PMC9233279 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Homeostatic functions of a living tissue, such as the gastrointestinal tract, rely on highly sophisticated and finely tuned cell-to-cell interactions. These crosstalks evolve and continuously are refined as the tissue develops and give rise to specialized cells performing general and tissue-specific functions. To study these systems, stem cell-based in vitro models, often called organoids, and non-stem cell-based primary cell aggregates (called spheroids) appeared just over a decade ago. These models still are evolving and gaining complexity, making them the state-of-the-art models for studying cellular crosstalk in the gastrointestinal tract, and to investigate digestive pathologies, such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and liver diseases. However, the use of organoid- or spheroid-based models to recapitulate in vitro the highly complex structure of in vivo tissue remains challenging, and mainly restricted to expert developmental cell biologists. Here, we condense the founding knowledge and key literature information that scientists adopting the organoid technology for the first time need to consider when using these models for novel biological questions. We also include information that current organoid/spheroid users could use to add to increase the complexity to their existing models. We highlight the current and prospective evolution of these models through bridging stem cell biology with biomaterial and scaffold engineering research areas. Linking these complementary fields will increase the in vitro mimicry of in vivo tissue, and potentially lead to more successful translational biomedical applications. Deepening our understanding of the nature and dynamic fine-tuning of intercellular crosstalks will enable identifying novel signaling targets for new or repurposed therapeutics used in many multifactorial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Hautefort
- Earlham Institute, Organisms and Ecosystems Programme, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Martina Poletti
- Earlham Institute, Organisms and Ecosystems Programme, Norwich, United Kingdom; Quadram Institute Bioscience, Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Diana Papp
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Tamas Korcsmaros
- Earlham Institute, Organisms and Ecosystems Programme, Norwich, United Kingdom; Quadram Institute Bioscience, Gut Microbes and Health Programme, Norwich, United Kingdom; Imperial College London, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, London, United Kingdom.
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20
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Transcending Dimensions in Apicomplexan Research: from Two-Dimensional to Three-Dimensional In Vitro Cultures. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2022; 86:e0002522. [PMID: 35412359 PMCID: PMC9199416 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00025-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites belonging to the Apicomplexa phylum are among the most successful pathogens known in nature. They can infect a wide range of hosts, often remain undetected by the immune system, and cause acute and chronic illness. In this phylum, we can find parasites of human and veterinary health relevance, such as Toxoplasma, Plasmodium, Cryptosporidium, and Eimeria. There are still many unknowns about the biology of these pathogens due to the ethical and practical issues of performing research in their natural hosts. Animal models are often difficult or nonexistent, and as a result, there are apicomplexan life cycle stages that have not been studied. One recent alternative has been the use of three-dimensional (3D) systems such as organoids, 3D scaffolds with different matrices, microfluidic devices, organs-on-a-chip, and other tissue culture models. These 3D systems have facilitated and expanded the research of apicomplexans, allowing us to explore life stages that were previously out of reach and experimental procedures that were practically impossible to perform in animal models. Human- and animal-derived 3D systems can be obtained from different organs, allowing us to model host-pathogen interactions for diagnostic methods and vaccine development, drug testing, exploratory biology, and other applications. In this review, we summarize the most recent advances in the use of 3D systems applied to apicomplexans. We show the wide array of strategies that have been successfully used so far and apply them to explore other organisms that have been less studied.
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21
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Multicellular Modelling of Difficult-to-Treat Gastrointestinal Cancers: Current Possibilities and Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063147. [PMID: 35328567 PMCID: PMC8955095 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancers affecting the gastrointestinal system are highly prevalent and their incidence is still increasing. Among them, gastric and pancreatic cancers have a dismal prognosis (survival of 5–20%) and are defined as difficult-to-treat cancers. This reflects the urge for novel therapeutic targets and aims for personalised therapies. As a prerequisite for identifying targets and test therapeutic interventions, the development of well-established, translational and reliable preclinical research models is instrumental. This review discusses the development, advantages and limitations of both patient-derived organoids (PDO) and patient-derived xenografts (PDX) for gastric and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). First and next generation multicellular PDO/PDX models are believed to faithfully generate a patient-specific avatar in a preclinical setting, opening novel therapeutic directions for these difficult-to-treat cancers. Excitingly, future opportunities such as PDO co-cultures with immune or stromal cells, organoid-on-a-chip models and humanised PDXs are the basis of a completely new area, offering close-to-human models. These tools can be exploited to understand cancer heterogeneity, which is indispensable to pave the way towards more tumour-specific therapies and, with that, better survival for patients.
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22
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Dong H, Li Z, Bian S, Song G, Song W, Zhang M, Xie H, Zheng S, Yang X, Li T, Song P. Culture of patient-derived multicellular clusters in suspended hydrogel capsules for pre-clinical personalized drug screening. Bioact Mater 2022; 18:164-177. [PMID: 35387168 PMCID: PMC8961426 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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