The use of bioreactors as in vitro models in pharmaceutical research

The Long and Winding Road to Cardiac Regeneration

Cardiac regeneration is a critical endeavor in the treatment of heart diseases, aimed at repairing and enhancing the structure and function of damaged myocardium. This review offers a comprehensive overview of current advancements and strategies in cardiac regeneration, with a specific focus on regenerative medicine and tissue engineering-based approaches. Stem cell-based therapies, which involve the utilization of adult stem cells and pluripotent stem cells hold immense potential for replenishing lost cardiomyocytes and facilitating cardiac tissue repair and regeneration. Tissue engineering also plays a prominent role employing synthetic or natural biomaterials, engineering cardiac patches and grafts with suitable properties, and fabricating upscale bioreactors to create functional constructs for cardiac recovery. These constructs can be transplanted into the heart to provide mechanical support and facilitate tissue healing. Additionally, the production of organoids and chips that accurately replicate the structure and function of the whole organ is an area of extensive research. Despite significant progress, several challenges persist in the field of cardiac regeneration. These include enhancing cell survival and engraftment, achieving proper vascularization, and ensuring the long-term functionality of engineered constructs. Overcoming these obstacles and offering effective therapies to restore cardiac function could improve the quality of life for individuals with heart diseases.

Construction of polysaccharide scaffold-based perfusion bioreactor supporting liver cell aggregates for drug screening

Rebuilding a suitable microenvironment of liver cells is the key challenge to enhancing the expression of hepatic functions for drug screening in vitro. To improve the microenvironment by providing the specific adhesive ligands for hepatocytes in the three-dimensional dynamic culture, a perfusion bioreactor with a pectin/alginate blend porous scaffold was constructed in this study. The galactosyl component in the main chain of pectin was able to be specifically recognized by the asialoglycoprotein receptor on the surface of hepatocytes, and subsequently promoted the adhesion and aggregation of hepatocytes co-cultured with hepatic non-parenchymal cells. The bioreactor was optimized for 4 h of dynamic inoculation followed by perfusion at a flow rate of 2 mL/min, which provided adequate oxygen supply and good mass transfer to the liver cells. During dynamic cultured in the bioreactor for 14 days, more multicellular aggregates were formed and were evenly distributed in the pectin/alginate blend scaffolds. The expressions of intercellular interaction and hepatic functions of the hepatocytes in aggregates were significantly enhanced in the three-dimensional dynamic group. Furthermore, the bioreactor not only markedly upregulated the cell polarity markers expression of hepatocytes but also enhanced their metabolic capacity to acetaminophen, isoniazid, and tolbutamide, which exhibited a significant concentration-dependent manner. Therefore, the pectin/alginate blend scaffold-based perfusion bioreactor appeared to be a promising candidate in the field of drug development and liver regeneration research.

IVIVE: Facilitating the Use of In Vitro Toxicity Data in Risk Assessment and Decision Making

During the past few decades, the science of toxicology has been undergoing a transformation from observational to predictive science. New approach methodologies (NAMs), including in vitro assays, in silico models, read-across, and in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE), are being developed to reduce, refine, or replace whole animal testing, encouraging the judicious use of time and resources. Some of these methods have advanced past the exploratory research stage and are beginning to gain acceptance for the risk assessment of chemicals. A review of the recent literature reveals a burst of IVIVE publications over the past decade. In this review, we propose operational definitions for IVIVE, present literature examples for several common toxicity endpoints, and highlight their implications in decision-making processes across various federal agencies, as well as international organizations, including those in the European Union (EU). The current challenges and future needs are also summarized for IVIVE. In addition to refining and reducing the number of animals in traditional toxicity testing protocols and being used for prioritizing chemical testing, the goal to use IVIVE to facilitate the replacement of animal models can be achieved through their continued evolution and development, including a strategic plan to qualify IVIVE methods for regulatory acceptance.

Development of a hollow fibre-based renal module for active transport studies

Understanding the active transport of substrates by the kidney in the renal proximal convoluted tubule is crucial for drug development and for studying kidney diseases. Currently, cell-based assays are applied for this this purpose, however, differences between assays and the body are common, indicating the importance of in vitro-in vivo discrepancies. Several studies have suggested that 3D cell cultures expose cells to a more physiological environments, thus, providing more accurate cell function results. To mimic the renal proximal tubule, we have developed a custom-made renal module (RM), containing a single polypropylene hollow fibre (Plasmaphan P1LX, 3M) that serves as a porous scaffold and compared to conventional Transwell cell-based bidirectional transport studies. In addition, a constant flow of media, exposed cells to a physiological shear stress of 0.2 dyne/cm2. MDCK-Mdr1a cells, overexpressing the rat Mdr1a (P-gp) transporter, were seeded onto the HF membrane surface coated with the basement membrane matrix Geltrex which facilitated cell adhesion and tight junction formation. Cells were then seeded into the HF lumen where attachment and tight junction formation were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy while epithelial barrier integrity under shear stress was shown to be achieved by day 7. qPCR results have shown significant changes in gene expression compared to cells grown on Transwells. Kidney injury marker such as KIM-1 and the hypoxia marker CA9 have been downregulated, while the CD133 (Prominin-1) microvilli marker has shown a fivefold upregulation. Furthermore, the renal transporter P-gp expression has been downregulated by 50%. Finally, bidirectional assays have shown that cells grown in the RM were able to reabsorb albumin with a higher efficiency compared to Transwell cell cultures while efflux of the P-gp-specific substrates Hoechst and Rhodamine 123 was decreased. These results further support the effect of the microenvironment and fluidic shear stress on cell function and gene expression. This can serve as the basis for the development of a microphysiological renal model for drug transport studies.

Novel dual-flow perfusion bioreactor for in vitro pre-screening of nanoparticles delivery: design, characterization and testing

An advanced dual-flow perfusion bioreactor with a simple and compact design was developed and evaluated as a potential apparatus to reduce the gap between animal testing and drug administration to human subjects in clinical trials. All the experimental tests were carried out using an ad hoc Poly Lactic Acid (PLLA) scaffold synthesized via Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS). The bioreactor shows a tunable radial flow throughout the microporous matrix of the scaffold. The radial perfusion was quantified both with permeability tests and with a mathematical model, applying a combination of Darcy's Theory, Bernoulli's Equation, and Poiseuille's Law. Finally, a diffusion test allowed to investigate the efficacy of the radial flow using Polymeric Fluorescent Nanoparticles (FNPs) mimicking drug/colloidal carriers. These tests confirmed the ability of our bioreactor to create a uniform distribution of particles inside porous matrices. All the findings candidate our system as a potential tool for drug pre-screening testing with a cost and time reduction over animal models.

Bioengineered Nanoparticles Loaded-Hydrogels to Target TNF Alpha in Inflammatory Diseases

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an incurable autoimmune disease that promotes the chronic impairment of patients’ mobility. For this reason, it is vital to develop therapies that target early inflammatory symptoms and act before permanent articular damage. The present study offers two novel therapies based in advanced drug delivery systems for RA treatment: encapsulated chondroitin sulfate modified poly(amidoamine) dendrimer nanoparticles (NPs) covalently bonded to monoclonal anti-TNF α antibody in both Tyramine-Gellan Gum and Tyramine-Gellan Gum/Silk Fibroin hydrogels. Using pro-inflammatory THP-1 (i.e., human monocytic cell line), the therapy was tested in an inflammation in vitro model under both static and dynamic conditions. Firstly, we demonstrated effective NP-antibody functionalization and TNF-α capture. Upon encapsulation, the NPs were released steadily over 21 days. Moreover, in static conditions, the approaches presented good anti-inflammatory activity over time, enabling the retainment of a high percentage of TNF α. To mimic the physiological conditions of the human body, the hydrogels were evaluated in a dual-chamber bioreactor. Dynamic in vitro studies showed absent cytotoxicity in THP-1 cells and a significant reduction of TNF-α in suspension over 14 days for both hydrogels. Thus, the developed approach showed potential for use as personalized medicine to obtain better therapeutic outcomes and decreased adverse effects.

Advances in removing mass transport limitations for more physiologically relevant in vitro 3D cell constructs

Spheroids and organoids are promising models for biomedical applications ranging from human disease modeling to drug discovery. A main goal of these 3D cell-based platforms is to recapitulate important physiological parameters of their in vivo organ counterparts. One way to achieve improved biomimetic architectures and functions is to culture cells at higher density and larger total numbers. However, poor nutrient and waste transport lead to low stability, survival, and functionality over extended periods of time, presenting outstanding challenges in this field. Fortunately, important improvements in culture strategies have enhanced the survival and function of cells within engineered microtissues/organs. Here, we first discuss the challenges of growing large spheroids/organoids with a focus on mass transport limitations, then highlight recent tools and methodologies that are available for producing and sustaining functional 3D in vitro models. This information points toward the fact that there is a critical need for the continued development of novel cell culture strategies that address mass transport in a physiologically relevant human setting to generate long-lasting and large-sized spheroids/organoids.

Factors Affecting Mass Transport Properties of Poly(ε-caprolactone) Membranes for Tissue Engineering Bioreactors

High porosity and mass transport properties of microfiltration polymeric membranes benefit nutrients supply to cells when used as scaffolds in interstitial perfusion bioreactors for tissue engineering. High nutrients transport is assumed when pore size and porosity of the membrane are in the micrometric range. The present work demonstrates that the study of membrane fouling by proteins present in the culture medium, though not done usually, should be included in the routine testing of new polymer membranes for this intended application. Two poly(ε-caprolactone) microfiltration membranes presenting similar average pore size (approximately 0.7 µm) and porosity (>80%) but different external surface porosity and pore size have been selected as case studies. The present work demonstrates that a membrane with lower surface pore abundance and smaller external pore size (approximately 0.67 µm), combined with adequate hydrodynamics and tangential flow filtration mode is usually more convenient to guarantee high flux of nutrients. On the contrary, having large external pore size (approximately 1.70 µm) and surface porosity would incur important internal protein fouling that could not be prevented with the operation mode and hydrodynamics of the perfusion system. Additionally, the use of glycerol in the drying protocols of the membranes might cause plasticization and a consequent reduction of mass transport properties due to membrane compaction by the pressure exerted to force perfusion. Therefore, preferentially, drying protocols that omit the use of plasticizing agents are recommended.

iTRAQ Quantitative Proteomic Profiling and MALDI-MSI of Colon Cancer Spheroids Treated with Combination Chemotherapies in a 3D Printed Fluidic Device

For a patient with metastatic colorectal cancer there are limited clinical options aside from chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the development of new chemotherapeutics is a long and costly process. New methods are needed to identify promising drug candidates earlier in the drug development process. Most chemotherapies are administered to patients in combinations. Here, an in vitro platform is used to assess the penetration and metabolism of combination chemotherapies in three-dimensional colon cancer cell cultures, or spheroids. Colon carcinoma HCT 116 cells were cultured and grown into three-dimensional cell culture spheroids. These spheroids were then dosed with a common combination chemotherapy, FOLFIRI (folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, and irinotecan) in a 3D printed fluidic device. This fluidic device allows for the dynamic treatment of spheroids across a semipermeable membrane. Following dosing, the spheroids were harvested for quantitative proteomic profiling to examine the effects of the combination chemotherapy on the colon cancer cells. Spheroids were also imaged to assess the spatial distribution of administered chemotherapeutics and metabolites with MALDI-imaging mass spectrometry. Following treatment, we observed penetration of folinic acid to the core of spheroids and metabolism of the drug in the outer proliferating region of the spheroid. Proteomic changes identified included an enrichment of several cancer-associated pathways. This innovative dosing device, along with the proteomic evaluation with iTRAQ-MS/MS, provides a robust platform that could have a transformative impact on the preclinical evaluation of drug candidates. This system is a high-throughput and cost-effective approach to examine novel drugs and drug combinations prior to animal testing.

Drug penetration and metabolism in 3D cell cultures treated in a 3D printed fluidic device: assessment of irinotecan via MALDI imaging mass spectrometry

Realistic in vitro models are critical in the drug development process. In this study, a novel in vitro platform is employed to assess drug penetration and metabolism. This platform, which utilizes a 3D printed fluidic device, allows for dynamic dosing of three dimensional cell cultures, also known as spheroids. The penetration of the chemotherapeutic irinotecan into HCT 116 colon cancer spheroids was examined with MALDI imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). The active metabolite of irinotecan, SN-38, was also detected. After twenty-four hours of treatment, SN-38 was concentrated to the outside of the spheroid, a region of actively dividing cells. The irinotecan prodrug localization contrasted with SN-38 and was concentrated to the necrotic core of the spheroids, a region containing mostly dead and dying cells. These results demonstrate that this unique in vitro platform is an effective means to assess drug penetration and metabolism in 3D cell cultures. This innovative system can have a transformative impact on the preclinical evaluation of drug candidates due to its cost effectiveness and high throughput.

Cell cultures in drug discovery and development: The need of reliable in vitro-in vivo extrapolation for pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics assessment

For ethical and cost-related reasons, use of animals for the assessment of mode of action, metabolism and/or toxicity of new drug candidates has been increasingly scrutinized in research and industrial applications. Implementation of the 3 "Rs"¹; rule (Reduction, Replacement, Refinement) through development of in silico or in vitro assays has become an essential element of risk assessment. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK²) modeling is the most potent in silico tool used for extrapolation of pharmacokinetic parameters to animal or human models from results obtained in vitro. Although, many types of in vitro assays are conducted during drug development, use of cell cultures is the most reliable one. Two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures have been a part of drug development for many years. Nowadays, their role is decreasing in favor of three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures and co-cultures. 3D cultures exhibit protein expression patterns and intercellular junctions that are closer to in vivo states in comparison to classical monolayer cultures. Co-cultures allow for examinations of the mutual influence of different cell lines. However, the complexity and high costs of co-cultures and 3D equipment exclude such methods from high-throughput screening (HTS).³In vitro absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion assessment, as well as drug-drug interaction (DDI), are usually performed with the use of various cell culture based assays. Progress in in silico and in vitro methods can lead to better in vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE⁴) outcomes and have a potential to contribute towards a significant reduction in the number of laboratory animals needed for drug research. As such, concentrated efforts need to be spent towards the development of an HTS in vitro platform with satisfactory IVIVE features.

Hepatocyte-based flow analytical bioreactor for online xenobiotics metabolism bioprediction

The research for new in vitro screening tools for predictive metabolic profiling of drug candidates is of major interest in the pharmaceutical field. The main motivation is to avoid late rejection in drug development and to deliver safer drugs to the market. Thanks to the superparamagnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles, a flow bioreactor has been developed which is able to perform xenobiotic metabolism studies. The selected cell line (HepaRG) maintained its metabolic competencies once iron oxide nanoparticles were internalized. Based on magnetically trapped cells in a homemade immobilization chamber, through which a flow of circulating phase was injected to transport nutrients and/or the studied xenobiotic, off-line and online (when coupled to a high-performance liquid chromatography chain) metabolic assays were developed using diclofenac as a reference compound. The diclofenac demonstrated a similar metabolization profile chromatogram, both with the newly developed setup and with the control situation. Highly versatile, this pioneering and innovative instrumental design paves the way for a new approach in predictive metabolism studies.

Protocol for Isolation of Primary Human Hepatocytes and Corresponding Major Populations of Non-parenchymal Liver Cells

Beside parenchymal hepatocytes, the liver consists of non-parenchymal cells (NPC) namely Kupffer cells (KC), liver endothelial cells (LEC) and hepatic Stellate cells (HSC). Two-dimensional (2D) culture of primary human hepatocyte (PHH) is still considered as the "gold standard" for in vitro testing of drug metabolism and hepatotoxicity. It is well-known that the 2D monoculture of PHH suffers from dedifferentiation and loss of function. Recently it was shown that hepatic NPC play a central role in liver (patho-) physiology and the maintenance of PHH functions. Current research focuses on the reconstruction of in vivo tissue architecture by 3D- and co-culture models to overcome the limitations of 2D monocultures. Previously we published a method to isolate human liver cells and investigated the suitability of these cells for their use in cell cultures in Experimental Biology and Medicine(1). Based on the broad interest in this technique the aim of this article was to provide a more detailed protocol for the liver cell isolation process including a video, which will allow an easy reproduction of this technique. Human liver cells were isolated from human liver tissue samples of surgical interventions by a two-step EGTA/collagenase P perfusion technique. PHH were separated from the NPC by an initial centrifugation at 50 x g. Density gradient centrifugation steps were used for removal of dead cells. Individual liver cell populations were isolated from the enriched NPC fraction using specific cell properties and cell sorting procedures. Beside the PHH isolation we were able to separate KC, LEC and HSC for further cultivation. Taken together, the presented protocol allows the isolation of PHH and NPC in high quality and quantity from one donor tissue sample. The access to purified liver cell populations could allow the creation of in vivo like human liver models.

Hollow fiber bioreactor technology for tissue engineering applications

Hollow fiber bioreactors are the focus of scientific research aiming to mimic physiological vascular networks and engineer organs and tissues in vitro. The reason for this lies in the interesting features of this bioreactor type, including excellent mass transport properties. Indeed, hollow fiber bioreactors allow limitations to be overcome in nutrient transport by diffusion, which is often an obstacle to engineer sizable constructs in vitro. This work reviews the existing literature relevant to hollow fiber bioreactors in organ and tissue engineering applications. To this purpose, we first classify the hollow fiber bioreactors into 2 categories: cylindrical and rectangular. For each category, we summarize their main applications both at the tissue and at the organ level, focusing on experimental models and computational studies as predictive tools for designing innovative, dynamic culture systems. Finally, we discuss future perspectives on hollow fiber bioreactors as in vitro models for tissue and organ engineering applications.

Featured Article: Isolation, characterization, and cultivation of human hepatocytes and non-parenchymal liver cells

Primary human hepatocytes (PHH) are considered to be the gold standard for in vitro testing of xenobiotic metabolism and hepatotoxicity. However, PHH cultivation in 2D mono-cultures leads to dedifferentiation and a loss of function. It is well known that hepatic non-parenchymal cells (NPC), such as Kupffer cells (KC), liver endothelial cells (LEC), and hepatic stellate cells (HSC), play a central role in the maintenance of PHH functions. The aims of the present study were to establish a protocol for the simultaneous isolation of human PHH and NPC from the same tissue specimen and to test their suitability for in vitro co-culture. Human PHH and NPC were isolated from tissue obtained by partial liver resection by a two-step EDTA/collagenase perfusion technique. The obtained cell fractions were purified by Percoll density gradient centrifugation. KC, LEC, and HSC contained in the NPC fraction were separated using specific adherence properties and magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS®). Identified NPC revealed a yield of 1.9 × 10(6) KC, 2.7 × 10(5) LEC and 4.7 × 10(5) HSC per gram liver tissue, showing viabilities >90%. Characterization of these NPC showed that all populations went through an activation process, which influenced the cell fate. The activation of KC strongly depended on the tissue quality and donor anamnesis. KC became activated in culture in association with a loss of viability within 4-5 days. LEC lost specific features during culture, while HSC went through a transformation process into myofibroblasts. The testing of different culture conditions for HSC demonstrated that they can attenuate, but not prevent dedifferentiation in vitro. In conclusion, the method described allows the isolation and separation of PHH and NPC in high quality and quantity from the same donor.

Metabolic study of Angelica dahurica extracts using a reusable liver microsomal nanobioreactor by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Highly active and recoverable nanobioreactors prepared by immobilizing rat liver microsomes on magnetic nanoparticles (LMMNPs) were utilized in metabolic study of Angelica dahurica extracts. Five metabolites were detected in the incubation solution of the extracts and LMMNPs, which were identified by means of HPLC-MS as trans-imperatorin hydroxylate (M1), cis-imperatorin hydroxylate (M2), imperatorin epoxide (M3), trans-isoimperatorin hydroxylate (M1') and cis-isoimperatorin hydroxylate (speculated M2'). Compared with the metabolisms of imperatorin and isoimperatorin, it was found that the five metabolites were all transformed from these two major compounds present in the plant. Since no study on isoimperatorin metabolism by liver microsomal enzyme system has been reported so far, its metabolites (M1' and M3') were isolated by preparative HPLC for structure elucidation by (1) H-NMR and MS(2) analysis. M3' was identified as isoimperatorin epoxide, which is a new compound as far as its chemical structure is concerned. However, interestingly, M3' was not detected in the metabolism of the whole plant extract. In addition, a study with known chemical inhibitors on individual isozymes of the microsomal enzyme family revealed that CYP1A2 is involved in metabolisms of both isoimperatorin and imperatorin, and CYP3A4 only in that of isoimperatorin.