Pancreatic stellate and cancer cell transcriptomes from heterocellular, 3D invasive, cultures
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ABSTRACT: When combined into spheres and embedded in extracellular matrix, hetero-cellular cultures of pancreatic cancer and stellate cells produce invasive, stellate-led, projections. In order to establish what cancer and stellate cells are expressing in this context we generated chimeric spheres of mouse and human cells. Invasive spheroids could then be processed for RNA sequencing, with reads mapped back to parent species and thus cell type.
Project description:Cell-based approaches utilizing autologous human renal cells require their isolation, expansion in vitro and reintroduction back into the host for renal tissue regeneration. Nevertheless, human kidney epithelial cells (hKEpC) lose their phenotype, dedifferentiate and assume the appearance of fibroblasts after relatively few passages in culture. We hypothesized that growth conditions may influence hKEpC phenotype and function. hKEpC retrieved from human nephrectomy tissue samples showed the ability to reproducibly form kidney-spheres when grown in suspension culture developed in non-adherent conditions. Genetic labeling and time-lapse microscopy indicated, at least in part, the aggregation of hKEpC into 3D-spheroids rather than formation of pure clonally expanded spheres. Characterization of hKEpC spheroids by real-time PCR and FACS analysis showed up-regulation of some renal developmental and 'stemness' markers compared to monolayer and mostly an EpCAM+CD24+CD133+CD44+ spheroid cell phenotype. Oligonucleotide microarrays which were used to identify global transcriptional changes accompanying spheroid formation, showed predominantly up-regulation of cell matrix/cell contact molecules and cellular biogenesis processes and down-regulation of cell cycle, growth and locomotion. Accordingly, hKEpC spheroids proliferated slowly as indicated by low Ki-67 staining, but when grafted in low cell numbers onto the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the chick embryo, they exclusively reconstituted various renal tubular epithelia. Moreover, efficient generation of kidney spheroids was observed after long-term monolayer culture resulting in re-establishment of tubulogenic capacity upon CAM grafting. Thus, generation of a specialized quiescent niche in hKEpC spheroids may provide a functional benefit for kidney-derived cells in vivo. 6 samples, 3 adherent and 3 spheroids samples
Project description:Background & Aims: Persistent activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) drives liver fibrosis, marked by myofibroblast activation (MFA) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Strategies to prevent or reverse this will be critical to treat liver fibrosis successfully. We previously showed that full-term, cell-free human amniotic fluid (cfAF) inhibits MFA and EMT in fibroblasts in vitro. We hypothesize that cfAF treatment can attenuate HSC activation and limit liver fibrosis. Methods: HSC activation was assessed using murine models of acute (DMN) and chronic (CCl4) liver damage, three-dimensional hepatic spheroids, and HSC cultures. EMT and MFA were induced in vitro using ethanol (spheroids) or TGFβ (HSCs) and evaluated via scratch assays, multi-omics approaches, and RNA/protein analyses. Results: cfAF treatment prevented weight loss in mice with chronic liver damage without adverse events. Histological analysis revealed a modest reduction in fibrosis with preserved liver architecture in both chronic and acute murine liver damage models. Gene expression profiling and immunostaining indicated cfAF administration to CCl4-treated mice led to reduced EMT- and MFA-related biomarkers along with changes in transcripts associated with liver metabolism, immune regulatory pathways, and cell signaling. In hepatic spheroids exposed to ethanol cfAF treatment lowered COL1A1 protein levels and smooth muscle actin (SMA) RNA abundance in a dose-dependent manner. Treating primary or LX2 hepatic stellate cells with cfAF strongly represses EMT, and multi-omics analyses revealed that it also attenuates TGFβ-induced MFA and the inflammatory phenotype. Thus cfAF treatment prevents liver fibrosis by safeguarding hepatic stellate cell activation. Conclusions: cfAF treatment limits liver fibrosis by repressing HSC activation in liver fibrosis models. These findings suggest cfAF may be a safe and effective therapy for reducing liver fibrosis and preventing the development of cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma.
Project description:Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), mainly responsible for the desmoplastic reaction hallmark of intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), likely take a role in tumour aggressiveness and resistance to therapy, although the molecular mechanisms involved are unknown. Aim of the study is to investigate how targeting hCAF/iCCA cross-talk with a Notch1 inhibitor namely Crenigacestat would affect cancer progressionWe used different in vitro models in 2D and we established new 3D hetero-spheroids with iCCA cells and human (h)CAFs. Results were confirmed in a xenograft model, explanted tumoral tissues underwent transcriptomic and bioinformatic analysis. hCAFs/iCCA cross-talk sustains increased migration of both KKU-M213 and KKU-M156 cells, while Crenigacestat significantly inhibits only the cross-talk stimulated migration. Hetero-spheroids grow larger than homo-spheroids,formed by only iCCA cells. Crenigacestat significantly reduced invasion and growth of hetero- but not of homo-spheroids. In xenograft models, hCAFs/KKU-M213 tumours grew significantly larger than KKU-M213 tumours, but were significantly reduced in volume by Crenigacestat treatment, which also significantly reduced the fibrotic reaction. Interpretative phenomenological analysis of the transcriptome unveiled that genes of hCAFs/KKU-M213 but not of KKU-M213 tumours increased tumour lesions, and that Crenigacestat treatment inhibited the modulated canonical pathway. Cell cycle checkpoints were the most modulated pathway. In hetero-spheroids, the number of cells increased into G2/M cell cycle phase, while Crenigacestat significantly decreased the number into G2/M phase in hetero but not in homo-spheroids. The cross-talk hCAFs/iCCA is a new target for reducing cancer progression with drugs such as Crenigacestat.
Project description:Full title: Comprehensive Characterization of Three-Dimensional Models for Prostate Cancer Growth and Invasion in Laminin-rich Extracellular Matrix Prostate Cancer (PrCa) cells undergo acinar morphogenesis and spheroid formation in three-dimensional (3D) culture, supported by laminin-rich extracellular matrix (lrECM, Matrigel). We developed miniaturized 3D model systems that facilitate investigation of morphogenesis and invasion of normal and PrCa cell lines in lrECM. Primary and non-transformed cell lines formed round structures with strong cell-cell contacts and epithelial polarization, lumen and a complete basal lamina (BL). In contrast, most PrCa cell lines formed either defective, “mass” spheroids with incomplete BL, or invasive “stellate” structures. The bioinformatic analyses of genome-wide mRNA expression data revealed massive alteration of key functional and signaling pathways in 3D cultures, with lipid and steroid metabolism, epigenetic reprogramming, and differentiation-related transcription factors induced across all cell lines by lrECM. In invasive cells, AKT, PI3Kinase, mTOR, and hedgehog signaling pathways were most highly activated, validated by small molecule inhibitors compounds specifically targeting key regulatory molecules. Compounds against AKT and PI3kinase pathways were significantly more effective in invasive cells, compared to mass or round/normal phenotype spheroids, and monolayer culture. A severe morphologic conversion was observed in PC-3 and PC-3M cells, transforming initially round, normal-appearing epithelial spheroids into rapidly invading cell masses. Markers for EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) were highly expressed already in early stage, round spheroids prior to invasive conversion, and were not further increased in invasive cells. This indicates that PrCa cells can display extraordinary plasticity. EMT may be involved in providing a metastable genotype that allows morphological transformation, but is not be required for invasive processes themselves. Total RNA was obtained from non-transformed prostate epithelial cells and prostate cancer cells cultured in monolayer and three-dimensional laminin-rich extracellular matrix (growth factor-reduced Matrigel).
Project description:Interventions: Block Group:Stellate ganglion block;Routine Group:Saline injection around the stellate ganglion
Primary outcome(s): Troponin I
Study Design: Parallel
Project description:Cell-based approaches utilizing autologous human renal cells require their isolation, expansion in vitro and reintroduction back into the host for renal tissue regeneration. Nevertheless, human kidney epithelial cells (hKEpC) lose their phenotype, dedifferentiate and assume the appearance of fibroblasts after relatively few passages in culture. We hypothesized that growth conditions may influence hKEpC phenotype and function. hKEpC retrieved from human nephrectomy tissue samples showed the ability to reproducibly form kidney-spheres when grown in suspension culture developed in non-adherent conditions. Genetic labeling and time-lapse microscopy indicated, at least in part, the aggregation of hKEpC into 3D-spheroids rather than formation of pure clonally expanded spheres. Characterization of hKEpC spheroids by real-time PCR and FACS analysis showed up-regulation of some renal developmental and 'stemness' markers compared to monolayer and mostly an EpCAM+CD24+CD133+CD44+ spheroid cell phenotype. Oligonucleotide microarrays which were used to identify global transcriptional changes accompanying spheroid formation, showed predominantly up-regulation of cell matrix/cell contact molecules and cellular biogenesis processes and down-regulation of cell cycle, growth and locomotion. Accordingly, hKEpC spheroids proliferated slowly as indicated by low Ki-67 staining, but when grafted in low cell numbers onto the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the chick embryo, they exclusively reconstituted various renal tubular epithelia. Moreover, efficient generation of kidney spheroids was observed after long-term monolayer culture resulting in re-establishment of tubulogenic capacity upon CAM grafting. Thus, generation of a specialized quiescent niche in hKEpC spheroids may provide a functional benefit for kidney-derived cells in vivo.
Project description:Full title: Comprehensive Characterization of Three-Dimensional Models for Prostate Cancer Growth and Invasion in Laminin-rich Extracellular Matrix Prostate Cancer (PrCa) cells undergo acinar morphogenesis and spheroid formation in three-dimensional (3D) culture, supported by laminin-rich extracellular matrix (lrECM, Matrigel). We developed miniaturized 3D model systems that facilitate investigation of morphogenesis and invasion of normal and PrCa cell lines in lrECM. Primary and non-transformed cell lines formed round structures with strong cell-cell contacts and epithelial polarization, lumen and a complete basal lamina (BL). In contrast, most PrCa cell lines formed either defective, “mass” spheroids with incomplete BL, or invasive “stellate” structures. The bioinformatic analyses of genome-wide mRNA expression data revealed massive alteration of key functional and signaling pathways in 3D cultures, with lipid and steroid metabolism, epigenetic reprogramming, and differentiation-related transcription factors induced across all cell lines by lrECM. In invasive cells, AKT, PI3Kinase, mTOR, and hedgehog signaling pathways were most highly activated, validated by small molecule inhibitors compounds specifically targeting key regulatory molecules. Compounds against AKT and PI3kinase pathways were significantly more effective in invasive cells, compared to mass or round/normal phenotype spheroids, and monolayer culture. A severe morphologic conversion was observed in PC-3 and PC-3M cells, transforming initially round, normal-appearing epithelial spheroids into rapidly invading cell masses. Markers for EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal transition) were highly expressed already in early stage, round spheroids prior to invasive conversion, and were not further increased in invasive cells. This indicates that PrCa cells can display extraordinary plasticity. EMT may be involved in providing a metastable genotype that allows morphological transformation, but is not be required for invasive processes themselves.
Project description:Gene expression of mouse hepatic stellate cells was characterized under the following conditions: Quiescent (isolated from normal mouse liver) and reverted (isolated from mouse liver treated with 4 injections of carbontetrachloride followed by 45 day rest period) Affymetrix Mouse 1.0ST gene expression measurements were used to characterize the transcriptomic basis in quiescent hepatic stellate cells, isolated from normal liver, and reverted hepatic stellate cells, isolated from liver treated with 4 injections of CCl4 followed by a 45 day rest period. Gene expression of mouse hepatic stellate cells was characterized under the following conditions: A. Quiescent control hepatic stellate cells (n=4). B. Reverted hepatic stellate cells (n=4).