In Vitro Functionality of Human Fetal Liver Cells and Clonal Derivatives under Proliferative Conditions

Mature human hepatocytes are not suitable for large-scale in vitro applications that rely on hepatocyte function, due to their limited availability and insufficient proliferation capacity in vitro. In contrast, human fetal liver cells (HFLC) can be easily expanded in vitro. In this study we evaluated the hepatic function of HFLCs under proliferative conditions, to determine whether HFLCs can replace mature hepatocytes for in vitro applications. HFLCs were isolated from fetal livers of 16 weeks gestation. Hepatic functions of HFLCs were determined in primary culture and after expansion in vitro. Clonal derivatives were selected and tested for hepatic functionality. Results were compared to primary mature human hepatocytes in vitro. No differences were observed between primary HFLCs and mature human hepatocytes in albumin production and mRNA levels of various liver-specific genes. Ureagenesis was 4.4-fold lower and ammonia elimination was absent in HFLCs. Expanding HFLCs decreased hepatic functions and increased cell stretching. In contrast, clonal derivatives had stable functionality and morphology and responded to differentiation stimuli. Although their hepatic functions were higher than in passaged HFLCs, functionality was at least 20 times lower compared to mature human hepatocytes. HFLCs cannot replace mature human hepatocytes in in vitro applications requiring extensive in vitro expansion, because this is associated with decreased hepatic functionality. Selecting functional subpopulations can, at least partly, prevent this. In addition, defining conditions that support hepatic differentiation is necessary to obtain HFLC cultures suitable for in vitro hepatic applications.

Novel immortalized human fetal liver cell line, cBAL111, has the potential to differentiate into functional hepatocytes

Background

A clonal cell line that combines both stable hepatic function and proliferation capacity is desirable for in vitro applications that depend on hepatic function, such as pharmacological or toxicological assays and bioartificial liver systems. Here we describe the generation and characterization of a clonal human cell line for in vitro hepatocyte applications.

Results

Cell clones derived from human fetal liver cells were immortalized by over-expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase. The resulting cell line, cBAL111, displayed hepatic functionality similar to the parental cells prior to immortalization, and did not grow in soft agar. Cell line cBAL111 expressed markers of immature hepatocytes, like glutathione S transferase and cytokeratin 19, as well as progenitor cell marker CD146 and was negative for lidocaine elimination. On the other hand, the cBAL111 cells produced urea, albumin and cytokeratin 18 and eliminated galactose. In contrast to hepatic cell lines NKNT-3 and HepG2, all hepatic functions were expressed in cBAL111, although there was considerable variation in their levels compared with primary mature hepatocytes. When transplanted in the spleen of immunodeficient mice, cBAL111 engrafted into the liver and partly differentiated into hepatocytes showing expression of human albumin and carbamoylphosphate synthetase without signs of cell fusion.

Conclusion

This novel liver cell line has the potential to differentiate into mature hepatocytes to be used for in vitro hepatocyte applications.

MRP2 (ABCC2) transports taxanes and confers paclitaxel resistance and both processes are stimulated by probenecid

ATP binding cassette (ABC) multidrug transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) and BCRP (ABCG2) confer resistance against anticancer drugs and can limit their oral availability, thus contributing to failure of chemotherapy. Like P-gp and BCRP, another ABC transporter, MRP2 (ABCC2), is found in apical membranes of pharmacologically important epithelial barriers and in a variety of tumors. MRP2 transports several anticancer drugs and might thus have a similar impact on chemotherapy as P-gp and BCRP. We here show that human MRP2 transduced into epithelial MDCKII cells efficiently transported the taxane anticancer drugs paclitaxel and docetaxel and that this transport could be substantially stimulated with the drug probenecid, a representative of a range of MRP2-stimulating drugs. Transport of 2 previously identified MRP2 substrates, etoposide and vinblastine, was likewise stimulated by probenecid. MRP2 further conferred substantial resistance against paclitaxel toxicity, and this resistance was 2.7-fold stimulated by probenecid. Our data indicate that MRP2 function might affect chemotherapy with taxanes, potentially influencing both tumor resistance and taxane pharmacokinetics. Moreover, coadministration of probenecid and other MRP2-stimulating drugs might lead to unforeseen drug-drug interactions by stimulating MRP2 function, potentially leading to suboptimal levels of taxanes and other anticancer drugs in plasma and tumor.