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A novel three-dimensional culture system maintaining the physiological extracellular matrix of fibrotic model livers accelerates progression of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

ABSTRACT: Liver fibrosis is characterized by the progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and is a strong predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and progression. However, the effect of ECM in fibrotic livers on HCC cells is poorly understood. The aims of this study were to create a new culture system that retained the natural ECM of fibrotic model livers and to establish whether natural ECM regulated the characteristics of HCC cells. Using an organ decellularization technique, we created a new culture system that preserved the tissue-specific ECM of fibrotic model livers from CCl₄-treated rats. The content of ECM in fibrotic model liver scaffolds was increased and the ECM microstructure was distorted. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence assays of HCC cells cultured in fibrotic model liver scaffolds for 7 days showed an epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype. Moreover, the ECM of fibrotic model livers promoted proliferation and chemoresistance of HCC cells. These results showed a novel effect of natural ECM in fibrotic model livers on the malignant behaviour of HCC cells. This new culture system will be useful for both understanding the cell biology of fibrotic livers and developing novel anti-cancer drugs.

SUBMITTER: Miyauchi Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5575302 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A novel three-dimensional culture system maintaining the physiological extracellular matrix of fibrotic model livers accelerates progression of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Miyauchi Yuya Y Yasuchika Kentaro K Fukumitsu Ken K Ishii Takamichi T Ogiso Satoshi S Minami Takahito T Kojima Hidenobu H Yamaoka Ryoya R Katayama Hokahiro H Kawai Takayuki T Yoshitoshi-Uebayashi Elena Yukie EY Kita Sadahiko S Yasuda Katsutaro K Sasaki Naoya N Uemoto Shinji S

Scientific reports 20170829 1

Liver fibrosis is characterized by the progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and is a strong predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and progression. However, the effect of ECM in fibrotic livers on HCC cells is poorly understood. The aims of this study were to create a new culture system that retained the natural ECM of fibrotic model livers and to establish whether natural ECM regulated the characteristics of HCC cells. Using an organ decellularization techniqu ...[more]

PMID: 28851916

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Project description:Antifibrotic drug screening requires evaluating the inhibitory effects of drug candidates on fibrotic cells while minimizing any adverse effects on normal cells. It is challenging to create organ-specific vascularized organoids that accurately model fibrotic and normal tissues for drug screening. Our previous studies have established methods for culturing primary microvessels and epithelial cells from adult tissues. In this proof-of-concept study, we used rats as a model organism to create a two-dimensional vascularized liver organoid model that comprised primary microvessels, epithelia, and stellate cells from adult livers. To provide appropriate substrates for cell culture, we engineered ECMs with defined stiffness to mimic the different stages of fibrotic tissues and normal tissues. We examined the effects of two TGFβ signaling inhibitors, A83-01 and pirfenidone, on the vascularized liver organoids on the stiff and soft ECMs. We found that A83-01 inhibited fibrotic markers while promoting epithelial genes of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. However, it inhibited microvascular genes on soft ECM, indicating a detrimental effect on normal tissues. Furthermore, A83-01 significantly promoted the expression of markers of stem cells and cancers, increasing the potential risk of it being a carcinogen. In contrast, pirfenidone, an FDA-approved compound for antifibrotic treatments, did not significantly affect all the genes examined on soft ECM. Although pirfenidone had minor effects on most genes, it did reduce the expression of collagens, the major components of fibrotic tissues. These results explain why pirfenidone can slow fibrosis progression with minor side effects in clinical trials. In conclusion, our study presents a method for creating vascularized liver organoids that can accurately mimic fibrotic and normal tissues for drug screening. Our findings provide valuable insights into the potential risks and benefits of using A83-01 and pirfenidone as antifibrotic drugs. This method can be applied to other organs to create organ-specific vascularized organoids for drug development.

Project description:Diffuse infiltration across brain tissue is a hallmark of glioblastoma and the main cause of unsuccessful total resection that leads to tumor reappearance. A subpopulation termed glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) has been directly related to aggressive invasion; nonetheless, their migratory characteristics and regulation by the microenvironment are still unknown. In this study, we developed a composite matrix of hyaluronan (HA) structurally supported by a collagen-oligomer fibril network to simulate the brain tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. Matrigel-coated microfibers were embedded within the matrix to create a tunable dual niche microenvironment that resembles the vascular network of the brain. This model was compared with the most commonly used in vitro three-dimensional (3D) culture formats, Matrigel and collagen type-I monomer matrices, to study how the mechanical and compositional properties of the ECM alter the migration characteristics of GSC neurospheres. The migration mode, distance, velocity, and morphology of the GSCs were monitored over a 72-h period. The cells altered their migration mode depending on the matrix composition, showing migration by expansive growth in Matrigel matrices, multicellular extension along rigid interfaces (as Matrigel glass and coated microfibers), and mesenchymal single-cell migration in collagen matrices. Velocity and distance of migration within each composition varied according to matrix mechanical properties. In the dual niche system, the presence of HA reduced velocity and number of migratory cells; however, cells that came in contact with the pseudovessels exhibited collective migration by an extensive strand and reached higher velocities than cells migrating individually across the 3D matrix. Our results show that GSCs adopt varied migration mechanisms to invade multiple ECM microenvironments, and the migration characteristics exhibited are highly influenced by the matrix physical properties. Moreover, GSC neurospheres exhibit concomitant single and collective migration as a function of the microenvironment topography to reach the most productive migration strategy.

Project description:BackgroundVascular calcification and increased extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness are hallmarks of vascular aging. Sox9 (SRY-box transcription factor 9) has been implicated in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) osteo/chondrogenic conversion; however, its relationship with aging and calcification has not been studied.MethodsImmunohistochemistry was performed on human aortic samples from young and aged patients. Young and senescent primary human VSMCs were induced to produce ECM, and Sox9 expression was manipulated using adenoviral overexpression and depletion. ECM properties were characterized using atomic force microscopy and proteomics, and VSMC phenotype on hydrogels and the ECM were examined using confocal microscopy.ResultsIn vivo, Sox9 was not spatially associated with vascular calcification but correlated with the senescence marker p16 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A). In vitro Sox9 showed mechanosensitive responses with increased expression and nuclear translocation in senescent cells and on stiff matrices. Sox9 was found to regulate ECM stiffness and organization by orchestrating changes in collagen (Col) expression and reducing VSMC contractility, leading to the formation of an ECM that mirrored that of senescent cells. These ECM changes promoted phenotypic modulation of VSMCs, whereby senescent cells plated on ECM synthesized from cells depleted of Sox9 returned to a proliferative state, while proliferating cells on a matrix produced by Sox9 expressing cells showed reduced proliferation and increased DNA damage, reiterating features of senescent cells. LH3 (procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 3) was identified as an Sox9 target and key regulator of ECM stiffness. LH3 is packaged into extracellular vesicles and Sox9 promotes extracellular vesicle secretion, leading to increased LH3 deposition within the ECM.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the crucial role of ECM structure and composition in regulating VSMC phenotype. We identify a positive feedback cycle, whereby cellular senescence and increased ECM stiffening promote Sox9 expression, which, in turn, drives further ECM modifications to further accelerate stiffening and senescence.

Dataset Information

A novel three-dimensional culture system maintaining the physiological extracellular matrix of fibrotic model livers accelerates progression of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Publications

A novel three-dimensional culture system maintaining the physiological extracellular matrix of fibrotic model livers accelerates progression of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Similar Datasets

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