Differentiation of liver progenitor cell line to functional organotypic cultures in 3D nanofibrillar cellulose and hyaluronan-gelatin hydrogels.
Physiologically relevant hepatic cell culture models must be based on three-dimensional (3D) culture of human cells. However, liver cells are generally cultured in two-dimensional (2D) format that deviates from the normal in vivo morphology. We generated 3D culture environment for HepaRG liver progenitor cells using wood-derived nanofibrillar cellulose (NFC) and hyaluronan-gelatin (HG) hydrogels. Culture of undifferentiated HepaRG cells in NFC and HG hydrogels induced formation of 3D multicellular spheroids with apicobasal polarity and functional bile canaliculi-like structures, structural hallmarks of the liver tissue. Furthermore, hepatobiliary drug transporters, MRP2 and MDR1, were localized on the canalicular membranes of the spheroids and vectorial transport of fluorescent probes towards the biliary compartment was demonstrated. Cell culture in 3D hydrogel supported the mRNA expression of hepatocyte markers (albumin and CYP3A4), and metabolic activity of CYP3A4 in the HepaRG cell cultures. On the contrary, the 3D hydrogel cultures with pre-differentiated HepaRG cells showed decreasing expression of albumin and CYP3A4 transcripts as well as CYP3A4 activity. It is concluded that NFC and HG hydrogels expedite the hepatic differentiation of HepaRG liver progenitor cells better than the standard 2D culture environment. This was shown as improved cell morphology, expression and localization of hepatic markers, metabolic activity and vectorial transport. The NFC and HG hydrogels are promising materials for hepatic cell culture and tissue engineering.
Centre for Drug Research, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Melina M
MM
Malinen
Centre for Drug Research, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Liisa K
LK
Kanninen
Inserm UMR991, Liver Metabolism and Cancer, Université de Rennes 1, F-35043 Rennes, France.
Anne
A
Corlu
HUS, Transplantation and Liver Surgery Clinic, P.O. Box 340, FI-00029 HUS, Finland.
Helena M
HM
Isoniemi
Centre for Drug Research, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Yan-Ru
YR
Lou
Centre for Drug Research, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Marjo L
ML
Yliperttula
Centre for Drug Research, Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland. Electronic address: arto.urtti@helsinki.fi.
Arto O
AO
Urtti
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005780:Gelatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*
D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D005780:Gelatin; D002482:Cellulose; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
3D Cell culture; Cell differentiation; Hepatocyte; Multicellular spheroids; Nanocellulose; Organotypic