Metabolic capacities in cultured human hepatocytes obtained by a new isolating procedure from non-wedge small liver biopsies

Toll-like receptor dual-acting agonists are potent inducers of PBMC-produced cytokines that inhibit hepatitis B virus production in primary human hepatocytes

Recombinant interferon-α (IFN-α) treatment functionally cures chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in some individuals and suppresses virus replication in hepatocytes infected in vitro. We studied the antiviral effect of conditioned media (CM) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with agonists of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2, 7, 8 and 9. We found that CM from PBMCs stimulated with dual-acting TLR7/8 (R848) and TLR2/7 (CL413) agonists were more potent drivers of inhibition of HBe and HBs antigen secretion from HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes (PHH) than CM from PBMCs stimulated with single-acting TLR7 (CL264) or TLR9 (CpG-B) agonists. Inhibition of HBV in PHH did not correlate with the quantity of PBMC-produced IFN-α, but it was a complex function of multiple secreted cytokines. More importantly, we found that the CM that efficiently inhibited HBV production in freshly isolated PHH via various cytokine repertoires and mechanisms did not reduce covalently closed circular (ccc)DNA levels. We confirmed our data with a cell culture model based on HepG2-NTCP cells and the plasmacytoid dendritic cell line GEN2.2. Collectively, our data show the importance of dual-acting TLR agonists inducing broad cytokine repertoires. The development of poly-specific TLR agonists provides novel opportunities towards functional HBV cure.

Assessment of CYP-Mediated Drug Interactions for Evocalcet, a New Calcimimetic Agent, Based on In Vitro Investigations and a Cocktail Study in Humans

Evocalcet is a novel calcimimetic agent for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). This study evaluated the effects of evocalcet on inhibition and induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes. Although drug interactions arising from reversible inhibition of CYP isozymes by evocalcet were considered unlikely based on the results of in vitro studies and static model analyses, the potential for evocalcet to cause time‐dependent inhibition of CYP3A or induction of several CYP isozymes could not be ruled out. Therefore, a clinical drug‐drug interaction (DDI) study to evaluate the effects of evocalcet on the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of probe substrates for CYP isozymes (CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP3A) was conducted in healthy male volunteers using a novel cocktail combination. Evocalcet did not significantly affect the PKs of the probe substrates, confirming that CYP‐mediated interactions were unlikely.

Cryopreservation-induced nonattachment of human hepatocytes: role of adhesion molecules

Good quality cryopreserved human hepatocytes are becoming an important source for clinical hepatocyte transplantation. However, the process of cryopreservation leads to both structural and functional impairment of hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of cryopreservation-induced nonattachment in human hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were cryopreserved after isolation from unused donor liver tissue. Cell attachment to collagen-coated plates was measured. A cDNA gene array system for 96 cell adhesion-related molecules was used to determine mRNA expression in fresh and cryopreserved hepatocytes. Two cell adhesion molecule proteins were investigated further: beta1-integrin, a cell-matrix adhesion molecule, and E-cadherin, a cell-cell adhesion molecule. Attachment efficiency was significantly decreased after cryopreservation of human hepatocytes. Twenty-two genes were downregulated after cryopreservation including integrins, cadherins, catenins, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Beta1-Integrin gene and protein expression were significantly decreased in cultured cryopreserved hepatocytes compared to fresh hepatocytes. There was a significant correlation between loss of beta1-integrin and attachment in cryopreserved cells. Degradation of E-cadherin was increased in cryopreserved hepatocytes. The process of cryopreservation leads to downregulation of cell adhesion molecules at the gene and the cellular level. New cryopreservation protocols are needed to prevent these effects on cell attachment.

Entry of hepatitis C virus pseudotypes into primary human hepatocytes by clathrin-dependent endocytosis

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis worldwide. Studies of the early steps of HCV infection have been hampered by the lack of convenient in vitro or in vivo models. Although several cell-surface molecules that mediate the binding of HCV envelope proteins to target cells have been identified, mechanisms of viral entry into human hepatocytes are still poorly understood. Vesicular stomatitis virus/HCV pseudotyped viruses expressing the HCV envelope glycoproteins on the viral envelope were generated and it was found that their entry into human hepatocytes required co-expression of E1 and E2 on the pseudotype surface. Neutralization of pseudotype infection by anti-HCV antibodies suggested that cellular entry was mediated by HCV envelope glycoproteins and by previously characterized cell-surface molecules, including CD81. An entry assay based on the release of a fluorochrome from labelled HCV pseudotypes provided evidence for a pH-dependent fusion of the pseudotype envelope with a cellular compartment. By using a panel of endocytosis inhibitors, it is postulated that penetration of HCV into primary cultures of hepatocytes takes place by clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

The effects of cryopreservation on human hepatocytes obtained from different sources of liver tissue

Successful cryopreservation of human hepatocytes is important to establish hepatocyte banks for clinical use or in vitro research. The availability of donor tissue from unused liver segments/lobes and non-heart-beating donors (NHBD) has provided newer sources of hepatocytes. The quality of hepatocytes at the time of cryopreservation is important as cells isolated from liver tissue of borderline quality may not withstand the stresses associated with cryopreservation and subsequent thawing. Human hepatocytes were cryopreserved after isolation from mainly donor tissues (n = 40). In vitro assessment of the viability and function of the fresh and thawed cryopreserved hepatocytes was performed. Viability, attachment efficiency, enzyme activity, and albumin production of hepatocytes were all significantly decreased, and LDH leakage significantly increased, on thawing after cryopreservation. The viability of cryopreserved hepatocytes isolated from tissue rejected for orthotopic liver transplantation (36 +/- 15%) was significantly lower than those isolated from tissue where part was used for liver transplantation (47 +/- 14%, p = 0.002), but there were no significant differences in functional parameters. The viability of cryopreserved hepatocytes isolated from NHBD tissue (29 +/- 9%, p = 0.001) and from steatotic donor tissue (35 +/- 11%, p = 0.019) was significantly lower than those isolated from normal donor tissue (49 +/- 14%). There was no difference in functional parameters, except for albumin production of hepatocytes from NHBD tissue (2.9 +/- 1.0 microg/h/mg protein) being significantly lower than those from normal donor tissue (4.8 +/- 2.8 microg/h/mg protein, p = 0.03). The viability and attachment efficiency of cryopreserved hepatocytes isolated from liver tissue from resections for tumors was significantly higher, and the LDH leakage significantly lower, than those isolated from all donor tissue. Hepatocytes isolated from NHBD and steatotic tissue were more vulnerable to the effects of cryopreservation. Further research is required to improve hepatocyte isolation and cryopreservation protocols for different types of liver tissue.

Liver grafts preserved in Celsior solution as source of hepatocytes for drug metabolism studies: comparison with surgical liver biopsies

Suitability of human liver grafts preserved in Celsior solution (CS) for preparing metabolically competent hepatocyte cultures has been examined. To this end, basal and induced activity and mRNA levels of major hepatic cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes have been measured. By 24 h in culture, measurable levels of the 10 P450 mRNAs studied were found in all hepatocyte preparations examined, with CYP2E1, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 mRNAs being the most abundant. Compared with hepatocytes obtained from surgical liver resections (SLRs), lower content of each P450 mRNA was found in hepatocytes from the CS group; however, the relative distribution of individual P450 mRNAs was similar. Similar results were observed after measuring P450 activities. CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4 activities in hepatocytes from CS-flushed grafts were lower than but comparable with those of cultures prepared from SLRs. No differences in the metabolite profile of testosterone were found. Treatment of hepatocytes from CS-preserved grafts with model P450 inducers shows that 2 microM methylcholanthrene only increased CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 mRNAs (>100-fold over control), 1 mM phenobarbital markedly increased CYP2A6, CYP2B6, and CYP3A4 mRNA content (>7-fold), and 50 microM rifampicin highly increased CYP3A4 mRNA levels (>10-fold), whereas minor effects (<3-fold) were observed in CYP2A6, CYP2B6, and CYP2C9 mRNAs. This induction pattern of P450s was similar, in terms of magnitude, reproducibility, and specificity, to that shown in primary hepatocytes from surgical biopsies. Overall, our results indicate that, cold-preserved in CS, liver grafts constitute a valuable source of human hepatocytes for drug metabolism studies.

Hepatocytes from alpha1B-adrenoceptor knockout mice reveal compensatory adrenoceptor subtype substitution

1 Alpha1-adrenoceptors (ARs) play an important functional role in the liver; yet little is known about their cellular location. We identified the subtypes present in wild-type (WT) and alpha1B-AR knockout (KO) mice livers at 3 and 4 months of age, and investigated their distribution in hepatocytes. 2 The fluorescent alpha1-AR antagonist quinazolinyl piperazine borate-dipyrromethene (QAPB) was used to visualise hepatic alpha1-ARs and radioligand binding with [3H]-prazosin was used to quantify the alpha1-AR population. 3 QAPB and [3H]-prazosin bound specifically to hepatic alpha1-ARs with nanomolar affinity. The cellular distribution of alpha1-ARs was similar in WT and alpha1B-AR KO hepatocytes; QAPB binding was distributed diffusely throughout the cell with no binding evident on the plasma membrane. Radioligand binding produced Bmax values as follows: 3-month WT - 76+/-3.3 fmol mg(-1); 4-month WT - 50+/-3.1 fmol mg(-1); 3-month alpha1B-AR KO - 7.4+/-0.73 fmol mg(-1); 4-month alpha1B-AR KO - 30+/-2.0 fmol mg(-1). 4 In 3- and 4-month WT liver, all antagonists acted competitively. RS100329 (alpha1A-selective) and BMY7378 (alpha1D-selective) bound with low affinities, indicating the presence of alpha1B-ARs. In 4-month alpha1B-AR KO liver prazosin produced a biphasic curve, whereas RS100329 and BMY7378 produced monophasic curves of high and low affinity, respectively, indicating the presence of alpha1A-ARs. 5 In conclusion, we have made the novel observation that alpha1-ARs can compensate for one another in the absence of the endogenously expressed receptor; yet there appears to be no subtype-specific subcellular location of alpha1-ARs; the WT livers express alpha1B-ARs, while alpha1B-AR KO livers express alpha1A-ARs. This study provides new insights into both hepatocyte and alpha1-AR biology.

Strategies and molecular probes to investigate the role of cytochrome P450 in drug metabolism: focus on in vitro studies

Drug metabolism is the major determinant of drug clearance and, because of polymorphic or inducible expression of drug-metabolising cytochrome P450s (CYPs), is the factor most frequently responsible for interindividual differences in pharmacokinetics. A number of well characterised CYP substrates and inhibitors have been identified that allow precise measurements of individual CYP isoforms. Their use, alone or in combination, facilitates the phenotype characterisation of hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo. Two procedures are used for in vitro investigation of the metabolic profile of a drug: incubation with microsomes and incubation with metabolically competent cells. The major limitation of microsomes is that they express phase I activities, but only part of phase II activities, and can only be used for short incubation times. When intact cells are used, gene expression, metabolic pathways, cofactors/enzymes and plasma membrane are largely preserved, but fully differentiated cells such as primary cultured hepatocytes need to be used, since hepatoma cell lines have only very low and partial CYP expression. CYP-engineered cells or their microsomes ('supersomes') have made the identification of the CYPs involved in the metabolism of a drug candidate straightforward and easier. Inhibition of CYP is an undesirable feature for a drug candidate, and needs to be addressed by examining whether the drug candidate inhibits the metabolism of other compounds or whether other compounds inhibit the metabolism of the drug candidate. Such experiments can be conducted both with microsomes and in cells. The major limitation of microsomes is that inhibition parameters may not accurately reflect the situation in vivo, since the contribution of drug transport is not considered. The best picture of a potential drug-drug interaction can be obtained in metabolically competent hepatocytes. Screening of CYP inducers cannot be done in microsomes. It requires the use of a cellular system fully capable of transcribing and translating CYP genes, and can be monitored in vitro as an increase in enzyme mRNA or activity. Human hepatocytes in primary culture respond well to enzyme inducers during the first few days; this ability is lost thereafter. Rat hepatocytes are much less stable and soon become unresponsive to inducers. Hepatoma cell lines respond poorly to inducers, although the induction of a few isoenzymes has been reported. Primary cultured hepatocytes are still the unique in vitro model that allows global examination of the inductive potential of a drug.

Strain difference (WKY, SPRD) in the hepatic antioxidant status in rat and effect of hypertension (SHR, DOCA). Ex vivo and in vitro data

We assessed the hepatic antioxidant status of spontaneously (SHR) and desoxicorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-induced hypertensive rats and that of respective normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and Sprague-Dawley (SPRD) rats. For this we evaluated, ex vivo in liver cytosols, reduced glutathione (GSH) content, glutathione-related enzyme (peroxidase, reductase and transferase) activities as well as the rate of lipid peroxidation in 9-11 week-old rats. The antioxidant status and the cytotoxicity of acetaminophen, a radical- and hydrogen peroxide-mediated hepatotoxic compound, were also assessed in vitro in cultured hepatocytes isolated from hypertensive (SHR, DOCA) and normotensive control (WKY, SPRD) rats. Our results suggest that a difference exists in the hepatic antioxidant status between rat strains, with GSH levels being lower (-15%) and lipid peroxidation rate higher (+30%) in WKY compared to SPRD rats. In hepatocyte cultures from WKY rats, both GSH content and catalase activity were lower (-30 and -70% respectively) compared to hepatocyte cultures from SPRD rats. This was associated with a 35% higher cytotoxicity of acetaminophen in cultured hepatocytes from WKY rats compared to that in hepatocytes from SPRD rats. Hypertension in DOCA rats (mmHg: 221+/-9 vs. 138+/-5 in control SPRD rats) was associated with decreases (about 30%) in both glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase activities, ex vivo in livers and in vitro in hepatocyte cultures. Hypertension in SHR (mmHg: 189+/-7 vs. 130+/-5 in control WKY rats) was also associated with decreases (about 50%) in GSH-Px activity, ex vivo in livers and in vitro in hepatocyte cultures but catalase activity was not modified. The IC50 of acetaminophen was also lower in hepatocytes from hypertensive rats compared to respective controls, which could be related to the weakened antioxidant status in hepatocytes from hypertensive rats. Our data thus suggest that hepatocyte cultures are appropriated tools in which to assess hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotection in hypertension.

Comparison of the effects of various peroxisome proliferators on peroxisomal enzyme activities, DNA synthesis, and apoptosis in rat and human hepatocyte cultures

Peroxisome proliferators (PPs) are a class of rodent nongenotoxic hepatocarcinogens that cause hepatocyte peroxisome proliferation, increased DNA synthesis, and decreased spontaneous apoptosis. We examined the effects of various PPs such as the hypolipidemic agents clofibric acid (CLO), bezafibrate (BEZA), ciprofibrate (CIPRO), and nafenopin (NAFE) and the plasticizer di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) on the various parameters in vitro in rat and human hepatocyte cultures. In rat hepatocyte cultures, after 72 h of treatment with the various PPs at 100-500 microM, a compound-dependent increase in acyl CoA oxidase (ACO) and carnitine acetyl transferase (CAT) activities, markers of peroxisome proliferation, was observed with the following potencies: CIPRO = NAFE > BEZA > CLO > DEHP. A minor (120-150%), but significant, no concentration-dependent increase in DNA synthesis and a marked, no compound-dependent and, with the exception of NAFE, no concentration-dependent 60-80% decrease in spontaneous apoptosis was observed with all tested compounds (50-250 microM) after 48 h of treatment. Inhibition of spontaneous apoptosis in PP-treated versus control rat hepatocyte cultures was also observed morphologically. Furthermore, PPs inhibited transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta)-induced apoptosis but not tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)/alpha Amanitine (alphaAma)-induced apoptosis in rat hepatocyte cultures. In human hepatocyte cultures, the various PPs at 50-500 microM did not affect peroxisomal enzyme activities, DNA synthesis, or spontaneous and induced (TGFbeta or TNFalpha/alphaAma) apoptosis. The compound-dependent peroxisome proliferation but no compound-dependent disruption of the mitogenic/apoptotic balance elicited by PPs in primary rat hepatocyte cultures supports the hypothesis that oxidative stress is directly linked to the hepatocarcinogenic potential of a given PP in rodents and that disruption of the mitogenic/apoptotic balance contributes to the development of PP-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. In addition, the absence of effects of all PPs on both peroxisome proliferation-associated parameters and mitogenic/apoptotic balance supports the hypothesis that human liver cells are refractory to PP-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.