Advances in research based on primary human hepatocytes in vitro / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Due to the special functions of liver, the topic of liver physiological function and pathophysiological changes has always been the main issue in life science area. Human liver is composed of multiple types of cells, among which the hepatocyte is the most essential one. Primary human hepatocytes are considered as the gold standard model in vitro for the liver study and the ideal cell for hepatocyte transplantation and bioartificial liver. Nowadays, primary human hepatocytes play a vital role in the field of basic science research and applied research. Therefore, we presented recent advances in research based on primary human hepatocytes in vitro.

Clinical and pharmacological application of multiscale multiphysics heart simulator, UT-Heart

A heart simulator, UT-Heart, is a finite element model of the human heart that can reproduce all the fundamental activities of the working heart, including propagation of excitation, contraction, and relaxation and generation of blood pressure and blood flow, based on the molecular aspects of the cardiac electrophysiology and excitation-contraction coupling. In this paper, we present a brief review of the practical use of UT-Heart. As an example, we focus on its application for predicting the effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and evaluating the proarrhythmic risk of drugs. Patient-specific, multiscale heart simulation successfully predicted the response to CRT by reproducing the complex pathophysiology of the heart. A proarrhythmic risk assessment system combining in vitro channel assays and in silico simulation of cardiac electrophysiology using UT-Heart successfully predicted druginduced arrhythmogenic risk. The assessment system was found to be reliable and efficient. We also developed a comprehensive hazard map on the various combinations of ion channel inhibitors. This in silico electrocardiogram database (now freely available at http://ut-heart.com/) can facilitate proarrhythmic risk assessment without the need to perform computationally expensive heart simulation. Based on these results, we conclude that the heart simulator, UT-Heart, could be a useful tool in clinical medicine and drug discovery.

Higher Binding Affinity and In Vitro Potency of Reslizumab for Interleukin-5 Compared With Mepolizumab

Reslizumab and mepolizumab are recently approved monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of severe (uncontrolled) eosinophilic asthma. Both are effective in neutralizing the function of interleukin-5 (IL-5). This study is the first to compare the binding affinity and in vitro potency of both antibodies in head-to-head assays. Two assays assessed binding affinity (using the equilibrium dissociation constant [K(D)]) of each drug for human IL-5. In the Biacore surface plasmon resonance assay, the association constant (k(on)) values for human IL-5 for reslizumab and mepolizumab were 3.93 × 10⁶ and 1.83 × 10⁵, respectively. The dissociation constant (k(off)) values were 4.29 × 10⁻⁴ and 2.14 × 10⁻⁴, respectively. Calculated K(D) values for human IL-5 for reslizumab and mepolizumab were 109 and 1,170 pM, respectively, representing an approximately 11-fold stronger binding affinity with reslizumab. In the Kinetic Exclusion Assay, the k(on) values for human IL-5 for reslizumab and mepolizumab were 3.17 × 10⁶ and 1.32 × 10⁵, respectively. The k(off) values were 1.36 × 10⁻⁵ and 1.48 × 10⁻⁵, respectively. Measured K(D) values for human IL-5 for reslizumab and mepolizumab were 4.3 and 112 pM, respectively, representing an approximately 26-fold stronger binding affinity for reslizumab. A human-IL-5-dependent cell proliferation assay was developed to assess in vitro potency, based on a human cell line selected for enhanced surface expression of IL-5 receptor-alpha and consistent proliferation response to IL-5. The concentration at which 50% inhibition occurred (IC₅₀) was determined for both antibodies. Reslizumab and mepolizumab inhibited IL-5-dependent cell proliferation, with IC₅₀ values of approximately 91.1 and 286.5 pM, respectively, representing on average 3.1-fold higher potency with reslizumab. In conclusion, comparative assays show that reslizumab has higher affinity binding for and in vitro potency against human IL-5 compared with mepolizumab. However, these results do not take into consideration the different methods of administration of reslizumab and mepolizumab.

Anti-Biofilm and Hemolytic Effects of Cymbopogon citratus (Dc) Stapf Essential Oil

Abstract Objective: To perform chemical analysis and to evaluate the anti-biofilm and hemolytic effect of the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus. Material and Methods: Gaseous chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer was performed for chemical characterization of the essential oil. To verify the antimicrobial action, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) were determined. From MIC, MBC and MFC data, concentrations were established to verify the anti-biofilm effect and for the hemolysis test on human erythrocytes. A multispecies biofilm was developed in vitro and mouthwash applications were simulated to determine the inhibition of biofilm formation or its removal. Results were analyzed through ANOVA statistical test, complemented by the Tukey test, considering a significance level of 5% Results: The major component of the essential oil is citral. MIC verified for Streptococcus mutans was 1mg / mL, while for Candida albicans, it was 125 μg/mL, presenting microbicidal effect for both microorganisms tested. The essential oil was able to inhibit biofilm formation (p<0.001), presenting non-toxic hemolysis percentage in concentration below 500 μg/mL Conclusion: The essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus is antimicrobial, antibiofilm and non-toxic to human erythrocytes, representing a natural product with potential for use in Dentistry.

The present and future role of microfluidic chip in laboratory medicine research / 中华检验医学杂志

Microfluidic chip exhibit a great promising development in clinical diagnosis and disease screening due to their advantages of precise controlling of fluid flow,requirement of mini amount sample,rapid reaction speed and convenient integration.A lot of demonstrations on the diagnostic applications related to genes,proteins,and cells have been reported because of their advantages associated with miniaturization and automation.Here,the applications and developments of on-chip nucleic acid amplification and analysis,protein analysis and detection,cell selection and cell drug screening were discussed.Microfluidic chip can provide an easy integration platform for biomarkers in a high throughput and accurate detection.

Comparison of methods for active systemic anaphylactic reaction of guinea pigs induced by breviscapine injection / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To compare the difference of methods for active systemic anaphylactic reaction induced by breviscapine injection between ″Pharmacopoeia″ 2010 edition, an Attached ⅫG in Traditional Chinese Medicine lnjection Safety Test Application Guidelines ″ Anaphylactic Reaction Test″(thereafter referred to as the method of ″Pharmacopoeia″) and the Traditional Chinese Medicine, Natural Medicine lmmune Toxicity (Anaphylaxis, Anaphylactic Reaction of Light) Technology Guiding Principles in the 2005 Version (thereafter referred to as the method of ″Guiding Principle″) and provide reference for non-clinical safety evaluation of drugs. METHODS According to the methods of ″Pharmacopoeia″and ″Guiding Principle″, respectively, the effect of breviscapine injection on active systemic anaphylactic reaction of guinea pigs was investigated. The guinea pigs were divided into four groups, negative control group, positive control group, breviscapine injection 5 and 50 mg.kg-1 groups. ln the sensitization phase, the guinea pigs were ip administrered with breviscapine injection 0.5 mL each every other day for 3 times. The dose was 5 and 50 mg.kg-1 , respectively. For the method of ″Pharmacopoeia″, on the 14th and 21st days after the first sensitization, the guinea pigs were iv administrered with breviscapine injec-tion 1 mL. For the method of ″Guiding Principle″, the guinea pigs were provocated on the 12th day after the first sensitization. Each group was studied by observing the symptom of anaphylactic reaction and immune time. RESULTS For the method of ″Pharmacopoeia″, on the 14th day after the first sensitization, there was 1 guinea pig with sneezing and (or) the nose-scratching at different time in the 5 mg.kg-1 group. ln the 50 mg.kg-1 group, there was one or two cases of sneezing and (or) 1 case of nose-scratc-hing. The 5 and 50 mg.kg-1 dose groups conformed to the regulations. On the 21st day after the first sensitization, trembling occurred in the 5 mg.kg-1 group, with 1 or 2 guinea pigs sneezing and ( or) scratching the nose. There were 4 guinea pigs (4/ 4) with sneezing 1 and 3 times, cough once or twice, 1 scratching nose and urination at different time, and 1 guinea pigs (1/ 4) appeared 3 times consecutive sneezing and shivering in 50 mg.kg-1 group. The 5 mg.kg-1 group conformed to the regulations, while the 50 mg.kg-1 group did not. For the method of ″Guiding Principle″, the 5 mg.kg-1 group was weak positive or positive, with different degrees of symptoms of an anaphylactic reaction, including 3 guinea pigs scratched nasal symptoms. And the 50 mg.kg-1 group of anaphylactic symptoms including scratc-hing nose, sneezing, coughing and (or) urination, showed positive. CONCLUSION During the active systemic anaphylactic reaction of drugs non-clinical safety evaluation of drugs the advantage of either method should be brought into play. The method of ″ Pharmacopoeia″ may be used for preliminary screening of test samples. ln case pf suspected reactions, the method of ″Guiding Principle″ should be used for more detailed observations.

A real-time cell analysis system for evaluating anti-arrhythmic drugs by monitoring the growth and beating of primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTlVE To establish a real-time cell analysis system ( RTCA) for early drug car-diotoxicity evaluation. METHODS An in vitro drug cardiotoxicity evaluation method was established using RTCA Cardio system and primary cultured cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats. The beating rate, am-plitude and beating rhythm irregularity ( BRl ) of cardiomyocytes were observered after antiarrhythmic drugs, such as quinidine and lidocaine were added, to assess the effect of the above method on cardio-toxicity evaluation. RESULTS RTCA Cardo E-Plate 96 was inoculated with primary cultured cardiomyo-cytes that began to beat after 24 h and beat regularly after 48 h. The stable beating was maintained for a minimum of three days. The beating of cardiomyocytes decreased rapidly from 155±5 to 0 after incuba-tion with quinidine. The beating recovered gradually after 6 h. Quinidine at 3.1μmol·L-1 caused the beat-ing rate to return to 124±16. Quinidine allowed the beating rate to return to normal when the concentra-tion was less than 100.0μmol·L-1 . The beating rate, amplitude and BRl of cardiomyocytes changed in a concentration-dependent manner when incubating with lidocaine. The higher the concentration, the more significant the inhibition of lidocaine on cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSlON The cardiotoxicity of quinidine and lidocaine can be detected accurately using RTCA Cardio system, suggesting that this system can be used in early evaluation of drug cardiotoxicity.

Effects of traditional Chinese drugs on cultured murine CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To establish a model for studying CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte proliferation in vitro and to screen traditional Chinese drugs (TCDs) with immunosuppressive effects.Methods Spleen tissue was isolated from mice,and made into single cell suspensions followed by separation of CD8+ T lymphocytes with specific antibodies.Then,the CD8 + T lymphocytes were seeded into anti-CD3/CD28 antibody-coated 96-well plates and cocultured with the extracts of 23 TCDs (100 mg/L) separately for 96 hours.Those ceils cultured with and without the presence of anti-CD3/CD28 antibody alone served as the positive control and negative control respectively.The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium,inner salt (MTS) assay was performed to evaluate the proliferation of cells and to select the top four TCDs with the strongest inhibitory effect.The relationship between the inhibitory effect and TCD concentrations was further assessed for the four selected TCDs.Enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay was carried out to estimate the influence of the four TCDs on the secretion of interferon (IFN)-γ by CD8+ T lymphocytes induced by anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies.Statistical analysis was done by nonparametric rank sum test.Results Of the 23 TCDs,14 significantly inhibited the proliferation of CD8+ T lymphocytes (all P ＜ 0.05),of which,Rhizoma Coptidis,Radix Scutellariae,Radix Aucklandiae and Rhizoma Curcumae Longae displayed the strongest inhibitory capacity with the 50％ inhibitory concentration being 25,35,50 and 60 mg/L respectively,and the 100％ inhibitory concentration being 200,100,200 and 200 mg/L respectively.The anti-CD3/CD28 antibody-induced secretion of IFN-γby CD8+ T lymphocytes was markedly suppressed by Radix Scutellariae,Radix Aucklandiae and Rhizoma Curcumae Longae at the concentration of 100 mg/L,but not by Rhizoma Coptidis at this concentration.Conclusions A model for studying the proliferation of CD8+ T lymphocytes is successfully developed in vitro,and four TCDs with strong inhibitory effects on the proliferation of CD8+ T lymphocytes have been screened out with this model.

Disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells: a platform for human disease modeling and drug discovery

The generation of disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from patients with incurable diseases is a promising approach for studying disease mechanisms and drug screening. Such innovation enables to obtain autologous cell sources in regenerative medicine. Herein, we report the generation and characterization of iPSCs from fibroblasts of patients with sporadic or familial diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), juvenile-onset, type I diabetes mellitus (JDM), and Duchenne type muscular dystrophy (DMD), as well as from normal human fibroblasts (WT). As an example to modeling disease using disease-specific iPSCs, we also discuss the previously established childhood cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CCALD)- and adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN)-iPSCs by our group. Through DNA fingerprinting analysis, the origins of generated disease-specific iPSC lines were identified. Each iPSC line exhibited an intense alkaline phosphatase activity, expression of pluripotent markers, and the potential to differentiate into all three embryonic germ layers: the ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm. Expression of endogenous pluripotent markers and downregulation of retrovirus-delivered transgenes [OCT4 (POU5F1), SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC] were observed in the generated iPSCs. Collectively, our results demonstrated that disease-specific iPSC lines characteristically resembled hESC lines. Furthermore, we were able to differentiate PD-iPSCs, one of the disease-specific-iPSC lines we generated, into dopaminergic (DA) neurons, the cell type mostly affected by PD. These PD-specific DA neurons along with other examples of cell models derived from disease-specific iPSCs would provide a powerful platform for examining the pathophysiology of relevant diseases at the cellular and molecular levels and for developing new drugs and therapeutic regimens.