ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Some recent studies have shown that the three-dimensional (3D) model of HepaRG cells can better mimic the in vivo microenvironment and show better liver differentiation and function compared with two-dimensional culture. OBJECTIVE: HepaRG was selected to prepare 3D collagen microspheres, and the adaptive culture and functional expression of cells in the collagen microspheres were evaluated. METHODS: Collagen hydrogel was used as the scaffold for 3D HepaRG and HepG2 microspheres. Stable cell spheres were formed. HepaRG microspheres, HepG2 microspheres, HepaRG two-dimensional culture and HepG2 two-dimensional culture were used as controls. At 1, 6, and 12 days of culture, cell survival was detected by the Live/Dead assay staining. After 1, 6, 12, and 16 days of culture, the urea synthesis and CYP3A4 secretion of the supernatant were detected in each group. After 12 days of culture, relative expression of CYP3A4, CYP1A2, UGT1A1, and CPS1 mRNA was detected by qPCR. The expression levels of hepatocyte marker albumin and CYP3A4 protein were determined using western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) In 12 days of culture, Live/Dead assay staining showed that the cell viability in the 3D collagen microsphere was well-maintained and the amount of central necrotic cells was small, with high cell viability. In the 3D collagen microsphere, especially HepaRG cells, multiple cellular clusters formed and adjacent clusters were connected closely, which created a cross-linked structure. (2) After 1, 6, and 12 days of culture, the urea content of HepaRG 3D collagen microspheres was higher than that of HepaRG two-dimensional culture (P < 0.05). After 1, 6, 12, and 16 days of culture, the urea content of HepG2 3D collagen microspheres was higher than that of HepG2 two-dimensional culture (P < 0.05). After 1, 6, and 12 days of culture, the secretion of CYP3A4 in HepaRG 3D collagen microspheres was higher than that in HepaRG two-dimensional culture (P < 0.05). After 6 and 12 days of culture, the secretion of CYP3A4 in HepG2 3D collagen microspheres was higher than that in HepG2 two-dimensional culture (P < 0.05). (3) The relative expression of CYP3A4, CYP1A2, UGT1A1, and CPS1 mRNA in HepaRG 3D collagen microspheres was higher than that in HepaRG two-dimensional cells (P < 0.05), and the relative expression of CYP1A2 in HepG2 3D collagen microspheres was higher than that in HepG2 two-dimensional culture (P < 0.05). (4) The expression levels of albumin and CYP3A4 protein in HepaRG 3D collagen microspheres were higher than those of HepG2 3D collagen microspheres, ordinary microspheres, and two-dimensional culture (P < 0.05). (5) These results indicated the high-level expression of hepatocyte functions in 3D collagen HepaRG microsphere, which could be taken as a reference in drug metabolism evaluation in vitro and tissue engineering application.
ABSTRACT
A hyper-bilirubin cell model was established for its relevance to the pathological state of jaundice in human. This model was used to screen for the pharmacological components of Yin-Zhi-huang (YZH). Total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin in cells, and direct bilirubin in extracellular fluid were quantified after HepaRG cells were incubated with serum from rats injected with multiple components of YZH. Cellular uptake was determined by dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (DMRM) using LC-MS/MS. We found that the stable hyper-bilirubin HepaRG cell model could be established by incubating cells with 40 μg·mL-1 bilirubin and 50 μg·mL-1 probenecid. When the hyper-bilirubin cell model was incubated with serum from rats of YZH injection, there were 52.4% and 60.1% decrease in intercellular total bilirubin and indirect bilirubin, respectively, and 52.5% increase in extracellular direct bilirubin. Using DMRM mode, 53 components could be determined, and 8 potential bioactive candidates were identified from the serum. This method could be used to screen for bioactive metabolites of YZH. This strategy is simple, highly active, sensitive and specific, providing a new method for high throughput screening of therapeutic or toxic metabolites from traditional Chinese medicine. The regulations of Ethics Committee in the First Hospital of Lanzhou University were abided in the rat experiment of this study.
ABSTRACT
Objective To detect the hepatotoxicity biomarkers using normal human hepatocyte (HepaRG) and high-content screening,and to combine the micronucleus test and single cell gel electrophoresis to estalish a rapid screening platform for in vitro cytotoxitity and genotoxicity.Methods The effects of rhubarb anthraquinones (AQs) on the reactive oxygen species (ROS),intracellular Ca2+ concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in HepaRG cells were studied using appropriate fluorescent probes Hoechst33342、DCFH-DA、Fluo4-AM、Mito Tracker Red CMX Ros and high-content screening methods,and the potential genotoxiciy triggered by AQs were analyzed using the high-content based cytokinesis block micronucleus test and high throughput comet assay.Results The intracellular ROS level of HepaRG cells was significantly elevated by a 24 h treatment with Emodin (25.0 μg/mL),aloe-emodin (25.0 μg/mL) or chrysophanol (50.0 μg/mL),which are dose-concentration dependent (P ＜ 0.05 and 0.01);the intracellular Ca2+ increased and mitochondrial damage were observed with the treatment of aloe-emodin (25.0 μg/mL) and rhein (50.0 μg/mL,P ＜ 0.05 and 0.01).Comparing to control group,Emodin (25.0 μg/mL) induced an increased micronucleus rate (1.59％ ± 0.68 ％,P ＜ 0.01) and significantly higher percentage tail DNA and Olive tail moment (respectively 10.155％ ± 2.17％ and 0.510 ± 0.06,P ＜ 0.05 and 0.01) after 24 h;while the chrysophanol increased the micronucleus rate to 1.29％ ± 0.54％ (P ＜ 0.01) after 72 h.Conelnsion The results on the cytotoxicities and genotoxicities of AQs are consistent with the literatures.In this study,a rapid screening model for both hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity was successfully established,which will help with the early screening during the drug development stage.