Stable expression, activity, and inducibility of cytochromes P450 in differentiated HepaRG cells.
HepaRG cells possess the unique property to differentiate in vitro and to express various functions of mature hepatocytes, including the major cytochromes P450 (P450s). In the present study, we carefully analyzed mRNA expression and activity of the major P450s and their responsiveness to three prototypical inducers, phenobarbital, rifampicin, and omeprazole, in differentiated HepaRG cell cultures over a 4-week period after low and high seeding. Only minor differences were observed in P450 activities when measured by two cocktails of probe substrates, probably related to the choice and/or concentration of substrates. Similar results were obtained from the two cell seeding conditions. Expression and activities of several P450s were dimethyl sulfoxide-dependent. However, basal P450 expression and activities as well as their responsiveness to the prototypical inducers were well maintained over the 4-week period, and a good correlation was observed between transcript levels and corresponding activities. Thus, CYP1A2, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4 were found to accurately respond to their respective prototypical inducers, i.e., omeprazole, phenobarbital, and rifampicin. Likewise, basal expression of several phase II enzymes, transporters, and nuclear receptors, and response to inducers were also well preserved. More genes were found to be induced in HepaRG cells than in primary human hepatocytes, and no marked variation was noticed between the different passages. Taken together, these data support the conclusion that HepaRG cells represent a promising surrogate to primary human hepatocytes for xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity studies.
Anthérieu
Sébastien
S
INSERM U620, Rennes, France.
Chesné
Christophe
C
Li
Ruoya
R
Camus
Sandrine
S
Lahoz
Agustin
A
Picazo
Laura
L
Turpeinen
Miia
M
Tolonen
Ari
A
Uusitalo
Jouko
J
Guguen-Guillouzo
Christiane
C
Guillouzo
André
A
D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods*; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012293:Rifampin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000378:metabolism*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D015262:Xenobiotics; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D009853:Omeprazole; D012293:Rifampin; D010634:Phenobarbital