Human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line (NCI-H295R): An in vitro screening model for the assessment of endocrine disruptors' actions on steroidogenesis with an emphasis on cell ultrastructural features

Cell lines as an in vitro model for xenobiotic screening and toxicity studies provide a very important tool in the field of scientific research at the level of molecular pathways and gene expression. Good cell culture practice and intracellular characterization, as well as physiological properties of the cell line are of critical importance for in vitro reproductive toxicity testing of various endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The NCI-H295R, human adrenocarcinoma cell line, is the most widely used in vitro cellular system to study the human adrenal steroidogenic pathway at the level of hormone production and gene expression, as it expresses genes that encode for all the key enzymes for steroidogenesis. In this review, we aim to highlight the information considering the origin, development, physiological and ultrastructural characteristics of the NCI-H295R cell line. The review also creates a broad overview of the cell line usage in various range of studies related to the steroidogenesis issues. To our best knowledge, the paper provides the first report of quantitative data (ex novo) from stereological estimates of component (volume, surface) densities of nuclei, mitochondria, and lipid droplets of the NCI-H295R cells. Such ultrastructural measurements can be valuable in the assessment of underlying mechanisms of changes in the cell steroid hormone production induced by the action of diverse endocrine disruptors. Thus, they can significantly contribute to complexity of structure-function relationships in association with steroidogenesis.

Rabbit Endothelial Progenitor Cells Derived From Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow: An Ultrastructural Comparative Study

The present study was designed to compare the ultrastructure of early endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from rabbit peripheral blood (PB-EPCs) and bone marrow (BM-EPCs). After the cells had been isolated and cultivated up to passage 3, microphotographs obtained from transmission electron microscope were evaluated from qualitative and quantitative (unbiased stereological approaches) points of view. Our results revealed that both cell populations displayed almost identical ultrastructural characteristics represented by abundant cellular organelles dispersed in the cytoplasm. Moreover, the presence of very occasionally occurring mature endothelial-specific Weibel–Palade bodies (WPBs) confirmed their endothelial lineage origin. The more advanced stage of their differentiation was also demonstrated by the relatively low nucleus/cytoplasm (N/C) ratios (0.41 ± 0.19 in PB-EPCs; 0.37 ± 0.25 in BM-EPCs). Between PB-EPCs and BM-EPCs, no differences in proportions of cells occupied by nucleus (28.13 ± 8.97 versus 25.10 ± 11.48%), mitochondria (3.71 ± 1.33 versus 4.23 ± 1.00%), and lipid droplets (0.65 ± 1.01 versus 0.36 ± 0.40%), as well as in estimations of the organelles surface densities were found. The data provide the first quantitative evaluation of the organelles of interest in PB-EPCs and BM-EPCs, and they can serve as a research framework for understanding cellular function.

MICROGREENS AS A FUNCTIONAL COMPONENT OF THE HUMAN DIET: A REVIEW

The alarming growth of chronic diseases is a major problem in Europe, and current data suggest an even greater burden in the future. Although genetic predispositions remain important determinants in the development of certain disorders, the appropriate diet can considerably minimize the risk of many diseases. Many plant species do, in fact, have health-promoting properties due to their high levels of physiologically active chemicals. Glucosinolates, vitamins, tocopherols, saponins, tannins, and other polyphenols have been shown to have beneficial impacts on human health, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, kidney, and Alzheimer's disease prevention. A new plant category known as microgreens has evolved as a rich source of vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and physiologically active chemicals against these backdrops. Microgreens could have 10 to 100 times more effective phytochemical concentrations than adult equivalents. Furthermore, they are environmentally cultured in regulated environments with no dirt, harmful residues, or excessive water use. However, existing limitations include uncertain methods of action, varying bioaccessibility, and a paucity of published clinical research. Indeed, microgreens could be a viable new food source for people who are interested in consuming healthy diets.

Human Adrenocortical Carcinoma (NCI-H295R) Cell Line as an In Vitro Cell Culture Model for Assessing the Impact of Iron on Steroidogenesis

The aim of this in vitro study was to examine the dose-dependent effects of iron as a potential endocrine disruptor in relation to the release of sexual steroid hormones by a human adrenocortical carcinoma (NCI-H295R) cell line. The cells were exposed to different concentrations (3.90, 62.50, 250, 500, 1000 μM) of FeSO4.7H2O and compared with the control group (culture medium without FeSO4.7H2O). Cell viability was measured by the metabolic activity assay. Quantification of sexual steroid production was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Following 48 h culture of the cells in the presence of FeSO4.7H2O, significantly (P < 0.001) increased production of progesterone was observed at the lowest concentration (3.90 μM) of FeSO4.7H2O, whereas the lowest release of progesterone by NCIH295R cells was noted after addition of 1000 μM of FeSO4.7H2O, which did not elicit cytotoxic action (P > 0.05). Testosterone production was substantially increased at the concentrations ≤ 62.50 μM of FeSO4.7H2O. Lower levels of testosterone were recorded in the groups with higher concentrations (≥ 250 μM) of FeSO4.7H2O (P > 0.05). The presented data suggest that iron has no endocrine disruptive effect on the release of sexual steroid hormones, but its toxicity may be reflected at other points of the steroidogenesis pathway.

Mitochondria: A worthwhile object for ultrastructural qualitative characterization and quantification of cells at physiological and pathophysiological states using conventional transmission electron microscopy

Mitochondria are highly dynamic intracellular organelles with ultrastructural heterogeneity reflecting the behaviour and functions of the cells. The ultrastructural remodelling, performed by the counteracting active processes of mitochondrial fusion and fission, enables the organelles to respond to diverse cellular requirements and cues. It is also an important part of mechanisms underlying adaptation of mitochondria to pathophysiological conditions that challenge the cell homeostasis. However, if the stressor is constantly acting, the adaptive capacity of the cell can be exceeded and defective changes in mitochondrial morphology (indicating the insufficient functionality of mitochondria or development of mitochondrial disorders) may appear. Beside qualitative description of mitochondrial ultrastructure, stereological principles concerning the estimation of alterations in mitochondrial volume density or surface density are invaluable approaches for unbiased quantification of cells under physiological or pathophysiological conditions. In order to improve our understanding of cellular functions and dysfunctions, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) still remains a gold standard for qualitative and quantitative ultrastructural examination of mitochondria from various cell types, as well as from those experienced to different stimuli or toxicity-inducing factors. In the current study, general morphological and functional features of mitochondria, and their ultrastructural heterogeneity related to physiological and pathophysiological states of the cells are reviewed. Moreover, stereological approaches for accurate quantification of mitochondrial ultrastructure from electron micrographs taken from TEM are described in detail.

WT1 Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood Before and After Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation is a Clinically Relevant Prognostic Marker in AML - A Single-center 14-year Experience

BACKGROUND

This work summarizes our experience with WT1 monitoring before and after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of WT1 gene was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood according to the European Leukemia Net recommendations. Between May 2005 and August 2019, we analyzed 147 consecutive patients with acute myeloid leukemia with high WT1 expression at diagnosis, transplanted in first (CR1) or second (CR2) complete remission.

RESULTS

At the time of allo-HSCT, 107 patients had WT1-normal expression (WT1 ≤ 50 copies), and 40 patients had WT1-high expression. The median follow-up was 21 months. The estimated 5-year overall survival and event-free survival was significantly better in the WT1-normal cohort (65% and 57% vs. 37% and 25%; P = .0003 and P < .0001, respectively) and 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse was significantly lower in the WT1-normal group (19% vs. 53%; P < .0001). Five-year non-relapse mortality was not significantly different (20% and 23%). Multivariate analysis revealed WT1-high expression and acute graft-versus-host disease grade 3/4 as significantly negative prognostic factors for OS. Overall, 49 patients developed WT1 molecular relapse in the post-transplant period; in 14 cases, the therapeutic intervention was done. In all but 1 relapsed patient where WT1 minimal residual disease (MRD) was monitored (38 patients), we detected WT1-high levels (sensitivity of 97%).

CONCLUSION

The results of the analysis confirmed our previous experience that WT1 status before allo-HSCT is a strong prognostic factor for both OS and relapse risk. In addition, we confirmed the usefulness of this marker for MRD monitoring after allo-HSCT. The main advantage is the possibility of frequent MRD monitoring in peripheral blood and early bone marrow examination based on WT1-high expression.

The quality of life following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation - a multicenter retrospective study

Although allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) offers a unique curative potential, it may be connected with high treatment-related morbidity and mortality. Besides many organ complications, allo-HSCT may significantly affect quality of life (QOL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2011 and December 2012, five hundred and ninety patients (pts) from 6 transplant centers in the Czech Republic filled in the questionnaire for the quantitative measurement of QOL using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) version 4. Study cohort characteristics were as follows: 325 males, 340 pts received myeloablative conditioning, 383 pts received PBPC, representation of diagnoses; acute leukemia (n=270), bone marrow failure (n=36), chronic myeloid leukemia (n=74), myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative syndrom (n=110), lymphoproliferative disease (n=93). The median age at allo-HSCT was 43 years (range: 1.7 - 71.0), the median time from allo-HSCT to questionnaire completing was 3.8 years (range: - 0.2 - 21.6). The earliest allo-HSCT was performed in November 1989, the last in September 2012. In this retrospective study, we investigated the impact of various factors on the QOL after allo-HSCT: age, gender, diagnosis, type of conditioning, time from diagnosis to allo-HSCT, disease stage, graft type, donor type, time from allo-HSCT to questionnaire completing, GVHD, relapse. Only data from patients who were more than 3 months after allo-HSCT were used for the multivariate analysis. The overall results of the total FACT-G score (median=85.0; range: 29-108) as well as the results of each specific dimension - PWB (median=23.0; range: 5-28), SWB (median=24.0; range: 7-28), EWB (median= 19.0; range: 4-24), FWB (mean=21.0; range: 2-28) showed a value in the highest quartile of the possible evaluation. In multivariate analysis, an inferior QOL score was reported for patients with aGVHD (p=0.002), cGVHD (p<0.001), QOL decreased with increasing age (p=0.048) and increased with time elapsed since allo-HSCT (p<0.001).Allogeneic HSCT represents an important intervention into the overall integrity of the organism. In particular, the development of GVHD can cause very serious organ, but also mental problems which can significantly reduce the QOL. The QOL is steadily increasing with increasing interval from allo-HSCT but improvement and disappearance of these complications may take many years, and sometimes these effects may probably persist permanently.

Minimal residual disease prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in acute myeloid leukemia: a meta-analysis

Minimal residual disease prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation has been associated with increased risk of relapse and death in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, but detection methodologies and results vary widely. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the prognostic role of minimal residual disease detected by polymerase chain reaction or multiparametric flow cytometry before transplant. We identified 19 articles published between January 2005 and June 2016 and extracted hazard ratios for leukemia-free survival, overall survival, and cumulative incidences of relapse and non-relapse mortality. Pre-transplant minimal residual disease was associated with worse leukemia-free survival (hazard ratio=2.76 [1.90-4.00]), overall survival (hazard ratio=2.36 [1.73-3.22]), and cumulative incidence of relapse (hazard ratio=3.65 [2.53-5.27]), but not non-relapse mortality (hazard ratio=1.12 [0.81-1.55]). These associations held regardless of detection method, conditioning intensity, and patient age. Adverse cytogenetics was not an independent risk factor for death or relapse. There was more heterogeneity among studies using flow cytometry-based than WT1 polymerase chain reaction-based detection (I²=75.1% vs. <0.1% for leukemia-free survival, 67.8% vs. <0.1% for overall survival, and 22.1% vs. <0.1% for cumulative incidence of relapse). These results demonstrate a strong relationship between pre-transplant minimal residual disease and post-transplant relapse and survival. Outcome heterogeneity among studies using flow-based methods may underscore site-specific methodological differences or differences in test performance and interpretation.

Quantitative monitoring of WT1 expression in peripheral blood before and after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia - a useful tool for early detection of minimal residual disease

Overexpressed Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT1) has been found in a majority of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The aim of this study was to confirm the applicability of WT1 expression measurement as a marker of minimal residual disease (MRD). The expression of WT1 gene was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood (PB) according to European Leukemia Net (ELN) recommendations. The WT1 expression was related to the expression of a reference gene Abelson (ABL) and the results were calculated as a number of WT1 copies related to 104 copies of ABL gene. The upper normal limit of WT1 expression was set at 50 copies of WT1 to 104 copies of ABL. Morphological, flow cytometry and chimerism examinations were evaluated according to standard protocols.A total of 51 AML patients with overexpressed WT1 gene were analyzed. The median follow-up after transplantation was 14 (2-72) months. WT1 expression levels exceeding the upper normal limit were considered as a sign of impending hematological relapse, in accord with morphological, flow cytometry and chimerism data, as well as with the expression of the specific fusion genes. Moreover, in 7 patients the rise of WT1 expression preceded all other standard methods. Patients with high WT1 expression before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) had significantly worse outcome than patients with low WT1 level. Examination of WT1 expression in PB of patients with AML is a useful tool for MRD monitoring. Moreover, the WT1 gene expression before stem cell transplantation seems to be of prognostic significance.

Rituximab based therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation leads to superior outcome and high rates of PCR negativity in patients with indolent B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and rituximab based therapy represent effective treatments of indolent B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (B-LPDs) that often induce molecular remission (MR). We assessed the impact of MR after treatment on prognosis of 57 patients with indolent B-LPDs. We also evaluated the impact of therapy on patients' outcome. Failure to achieve MR was identified as an independent risk factor regardless of treatment modality. PCR positive patients had shorter progression free survival (PFS) in contrast with patients in MR after rituximab (median 0.75 and 2.5 years respectively; p=0.006) or patients in MR after rituximab followed by ASCT (median 3.3 years; p=0.0032). PCR positive patients had a 5-year overall survival (OS) of only 40% compared to a 5-year OS of 76% for PCR negative patients after rituximab (p=0.0186) and 86% PCR negative patients after rituximab with ASCT (p=0.003). All nine patients transplanted with PCR positive graft relapsed (p=0.0023) with shorter PFS (p=0.0008). Rituximab based therapy induced MR in 25 (64%) compared to 18 (100%) patients after rituximab followed by ASCT (p=0.0025). We observed no difference in PFS between the transplant group (3.3 years) and rituximab based treatment (1.9 years), but the 5-year OS of patients with transplant was 85 and 59% respectively (p=0.0271). Patients with indolent B-LPDs who achieve MR have better prognosis. Rituximab based therapy induces MR in high number of patients, which can be further improved by ASCT and patients have an excellent outcome. PCR positive harvest represents a high risk of relapse after ASCT.