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Martinelli S, Cantini G, Propato AP, Bani D, Guasti D, Nardini P, Calosi L, Mello T, Bechmann N, Danza G, Villanelli F, Canu L, Maggi M, Mannelli M, Rapizzi E, Luconi M. The 3D in vitro Adrenoid cell model recapitulates the complexity of the adrenal gland. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8044. [PMID: 38580769 PMCID: PMC10997590 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58664-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The crosstalk between the chromaffin and adrenocortical cells is essential for the endocrine activity of the adrenal glands. This interaction is also likely important for tumorigenesis and progression of adrenocortical cancer and pheochromocytoma. We developed a unique in vitro 3D model of the whole adrenal gland called Adrenoid consisting in adrenocortical carcinoma H295R and pheochromocytoma MTT cell lines. Adrenoids showed a round compact morphology with a growth rate significantly higher compared to MTT-spheroids. Confocal analysis of differential fluorescence staining of H295R and MTT cells demonstrated that H295R organized into small clusters inside Adrenoids dispersed in a core of MTT cells. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the strict cell-cell interaction occurring between H295R and MTT cells in Adrenoids, which displayed ultrastructural features of more functional cells compared to the single cell type monolayer cultures. Adrenoid maintenance of the dual endocrine activity was demonstrated by the expression not only of cortical and chromaffin markers (steroidogenic factor 1, and chromogranin) but also by protein detection of the main enzymes involved in steroidogenesis (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, and CYP11B1) and in catecholamine production (tyrosine hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase). Mass spectrometry detection of steroid hormones and liquid chromatography measurement of catecholamines confirmed Adrenoid functional activity. In conclusion, Adrenoids represent an innovative in vitro 3D-model that mimics the spatial and functional complexity of the adrenal gland, thus being a useful tool to investigate the crosstalk between the two endocrine components in the pathophysiology of this endocrine organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Martinelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy.
- European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors (ENS@T) Center of Excellence, 50139, Florence, Italy.
- Centro Di Ricerca E Innovazione Sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, AOU Careggi, 50139, Florence, Italy.
| | - Giulia Cantini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
- European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors (ENS@T) Center of Excellence, 50139, Florence, Italy
- Centro Di Ricerca E Innovazione Sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, AOU Careggi, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Arianna Pia Propato
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniele Bani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniele Guasti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Patrizia Nardini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Calosi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Tommaso Mello
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Nicole Bechmann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Giovanna Danza
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Villanelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Letizia Canu
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
- European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors (ENS@T) Center of Excellence, 50139, Florence, Italy
- Centro Di Ricerca E Innovazione Sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, AOU Careggi, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Mario Maggi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
- European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors (ENS@T) Center of Excellence, 50139, Florence, Italy
- Centro Di Ricerca E Innovazione Sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, AOU Careggi, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Massimo Mannelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
- European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors (ENS@T) Center of Excellence, 50139, Florence, Italy
- Centro Di Ricerca E Innovazione Sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, AOU Careggi, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Rapizzi
- European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors (ENS@T) Center of Excellence, 50139, Florence, Italy
- Centro Di Ricerca E Innovazione Sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, AOU Careggi, 50139, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Michaela Luconi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy.
- European Network for the Study of Adrenal Tumors (ENS@T) Center of Excellence, 50139, Florence, Italy.
- Centro Di Ricerca E Innovazione Sulle Patologie Surrenaliche, AOU Careggi, 50139, Florence, Italy.
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Luca E, Zitzmann K, Bornstein S, Kugelmeier P, Beuschlein F, Nölting S, Hantel C. Three Dimensional Models of Endocrine Organs and Target Tissues Regulated by the Endocrine System. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4601. [PMID: 37760571 PMCID: PMC10526768 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Immortalized cell lines originating from tumors and cultured in monolayers in vitro display consistent behavior and response, and generate reproducible results across laboratories. However, for certain endpoints, these cell lines behave quite differently from the original solid tumors. Thereby, the homogeneity of immortalized cell lines and two-dimensionality of monolayer cultures deters from the development of new therapies and translatability of results to the more complex situation in vivo. Organoids originating from tissue biopsies and spheroids from cell lines mimic the heterogeneous and multidimensional characteristics of tumor cells in 3D structures in vitro. Thus, they have the advantage of recapitulating the more complex tissue architecture of solid tumors. In this review, we discuss recent efforts in basic and preclinical cancer research to establish methods to generate organoids/spheroids and living biobanks from endocrine tissues and target organs under endocrine control while striving to achieve solutions in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edlira Luca
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kathrin Zitzmann
- Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 München, Germany
| | - Stefan Bornstein
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Felix Beuschlein
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Endocrine Research Unit, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der Universität München, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Svenja Nölting
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Medicine IV, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 München, Germany
| | - Constanze Hantel
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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Laporte E, Vankelecom H. Organoid models of the pituitary gland in health and disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1233714. [PMID: 37614709 PMCID: PMC10442803 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1233714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The pituitary gland represents the hub of our endocrine system. Its cells produce specific hormones that direct multiple vital physiological processes such as body growth, fertility, and stress. The gland also contains a population of stem cells which are still enigmatic in phenotype and function. Appropriate research models are needed to advance our knowledge on pituitary (stem cell) biology. Over the last decade, 3D organoid models have been established, either derived from the pituitary stem cells or from pluripotent stem cells, covering both healthy and diseased conditions. Here, we summarize the state-of-the-art of pituitary-allied organoid models and discuss applications of these powerful in vitro research and translational tools to study pituitary development, biology, and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Laporte
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hugo Vankelecom
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Butz H, Saskői É, Krokker L, Vereczki V, Alpár A, Likó I, Tóth E, Szőcs E, Cserepes M, Nagy K, Kacskovics I, Patócs A. Context-Dependent Role of Glucocorticoid Receptor Alpha and Beta in Breast Cancer Cell Behaviour. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050784. [PMID: 36899920 PMCID: PMC10000936 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. The dual role of GCs has been observed in breast cancer; however, due to many concomitant factors, GR action in cancer biology is still ambiguous. In this study, we aimed to unravel the context-dependent action of GR in breast cancer. Methods. GR expression was characterized in multiple cohorts: (1) 24,256 breast cancer specimens on the RNA level, 220 samples on the protein level and correlated with clinicopathological data; (2) oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive and -negative cell lines were used to test for the presence of ER and ligand, and the effect of the GRβ isoform following GRα and GRβ overexpression on GR action, by in vitro functional assays. Results. We found that GR expression was higher in ER- breast cancer cells compared to ER+ ones, and GR-transactivated genes were implicated mainly in cell migration. Immunohistochemistry showed mostly cytoplasmic but heterogenous staining irrespective of ER status. GRα increased cell proliferation, viability, and the migration of ER- cells. GRβ had a similar effect on breast cancer cell viability, proliferation, and migration. However, the GRβ isoform had the opposite effect depending on the presence of ER: an increased dead cell ratio was found in ER+ breast cancer cells compared to ER- ones. Interestingly, GRα and GRβ action did not depend on the presence of the ligand, suggesting the role of the "intrinsic", ligand-independent action of GR in breast cancer. Conclusions. Staining differences using different GR antibodies may be the reason behind controversial findings in the literature regarding the expression of GR protein and clinicopathological data. Therefore, caution in the interpretation of immunohistochemistry should be applied. By dissecting the effects of GRα and GRβ, we found that the presence of the GR in the context of ER had a different effect on cancer cell behaviour, but independently of ligand availability. Additionally, GR-transactivated genes are mostly involved in cell migration, which raises GR's importance in disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriett Butz
- Department of Molecular Genetics and the National Tumour Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Oncology Biobank, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary
- Hereditary Tumours Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
- Correspondence:
| | - Éva Saskői
- Department of Oncology Biobank, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lilla Krokker
- Hereditary Tumours Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Viktória Vereczki
- Department of Molecular Genetics and the National Tumour Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Alán Alpár
- Department of Anatomy, Semmelweis University, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Likó
- Hereditary Tumours Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Erika Tóth
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Erika Szőcs
- Department of Oncology Biobank, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mihály Cserepes
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | - Attila Patócs
- Department of Molecular Genetics and the National Tumour Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Oncology Biobank, National Institute of Oncology, H-1122 Budapest, Hungary
- Hereditary Tumours Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
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Teplický T, Gregorová M, Kalafutová A, Hanzel O, Mateašík A, Filová B, Čunderlíková B. Characterisation of collagen type I matrices for pathophysiologically relevant spatial cancer cell cultures. Biophys Chem 2023; 293:106944. [PMID: 36527999 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2022.106944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Specific cues provided to cells by the extracellular matrix (ECM) are determined by its composition. Except of collagens other naturally occurring ECM components should be considered in designing 3D models of diseases. We used spectrophotometric and rheological measurements and confocal imaging to characterise collagen matrices of human origin that can be modified by clinically relevant ECM components. pH of the neutralising solution, but not incubation of solidified collagen matrices in serum-free culture medium with pH 5.0-9.0 affected distribution of collagen fibres. Admixture of fibronectin or tenascin-C influenced assembly kinetics and resulted in slight increase in the Young's moduli of the matrices, indicating their incorporation into the collagen matrices. Co-localization of fibronectin with collagen fibres was confirmed by fluorescence imaging. Various cell types relevant for tumour tissue were able to proliferate within the matrices suggesting that they can be used to study role of ECM components in cancer in spatial models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Teplický
- Institute of Medical Physics, Biophysics, Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martina Gregorová
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Adriana Kalafutová
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Ondrej Hanzel
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Anton Mateašík
- International Laser Centre, Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical Information, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Barbora Filová
- Institute of Medical Physics, Biophysics, Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Beata Čunderlíková
- Institute of Medical Physics, Biophysics, Informatics and Telemedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia; International Laser Centre, Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical Information, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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RC-4BC cells express nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0279284. [PMID: 36525419 PMCID: PMC9757584 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine is one of the most important endogenous neurotransmitters in a range of organisms spanning different animal phyla. Within pituitary gland it acts as autocrine and paracrine signal. In a current study we assessed expression profile of the different subunits of nicotinic as well as muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in RC-4BC cells, which are derived from rat pituitary gland tumor. Our findings indicate that β2, δ, and M2 subunits are expressed by the cells with the lowest Ct values compared to other tested subunits. The detected Ct values were 26.6±0.16, 27.95±0.5, and 28.8±0.25 for β2, δ, and M2 subunits, respectively.
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Abu-Bonsrah KD, Newgreen DF, Dottori M. Development of Functional Thyroid C Cell-like Cells from Human Pluripotent Cells in 2D and in 3D Scaffolds. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112897. [PMID: 34831120 PMCID: PMC8616516 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma contributes to about 3–4% of thyroid cancers and affects C cells rather than follicular cells. Thyroid C cell differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells has not been reported. We report the stepwise differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into thyroid C cell-like cells through definitive endoderm and anterior foregut endoderm and ultimobranchial body-like intermediates in monolayer and 3D Matrigel culture conditions. The protocol involved sequential treatment with interferon/transferrin/selenium/pyruvate, foetal bovine serum, and activin A, then IGF-1 (Insulin-like growth factor 1), on the basis of embryonic thyroid developmental sequence. As well as expressing C cell lineage relative to follicular-lineage markers by qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) and immunolabelling, these cells by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay) exhibited functional properties in vitro of calcitonin storage and release of calcitonin on calcium challenge. This method will contribute to developmental studies of the human thyroid gland and facilitate in vitro modelling of medullary thyroid carcinoma and provide a valuable platform for drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwaku Dad Abu-Bonsrah
- The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Correspondence: (K.D.A.-B.); (D.F.N.); (M.D.)
| | - Donald F. Newgreen
- The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Correspondence: (K.D.A.-B.); (D.F.N.); (M.D.)
| | - Mirella Dottori
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Correspondence: (K.D.A.-B.); (D.F.N.); (M.D.)
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