scholarly journals Hemodynamic flow improves rat hepatocyte morphology, function, and metabolic activity in vitro

2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (11) ◽  
pp. C1053-C1063 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Dash ◽  
M. B. Simmers ◽  
T. G. Deering ◽  
D. J. Berry ◽  
R. E. Feaver ◽  
...  

In vitro primary hepatocyte systems typically elicit drug induction and toxicity responses at concentrations much higher than corresponding in vivo or clinical plasma Cmax levels, contributing to poor in vitro-in vivo correlations. This may be partly due to the absence of physiological parameters that maintain metabolic phenotype in vivo. We hypothesized that restoring hemodynamics and media transport would improve hepatocyte architecture and metabolic function in vitro compared with nonflow cultures. Rat hepatocytes were cultured for 2 wk either in nonflow collagen gel sandwiches with 48-h media changes or under controlled hemodynamics mimicking sinusoidal circulation within a perfused Transwell device. Phenotypic, functional, and metabolic parameters were assessed at multiple times. Hepatocytes in the devices exhibited polarized morphology, retention of differentiation markers [E-cadherin and hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF-4α)], the canalicular transporter [multidrug-resistant protein-2 (Mrp-2)], and significantly higher levels of liver function compared with nonflow cultures over 2 wk (albumin ∼4-fold and urea ∼5-fold). Gene expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes was significantly higher (fold increase over nonflow: CYP1A1: 53.5 ± 10.3; CYP1A2: 64.0 ± 15.1; CYP2B1: 15.2 ± 2.9; CYP2B2: 2.7 ± 0.8; CYP3A2: 4.0 ± 1.4) and translated to significantly higher basal enzyme activity (device vs. nonflow: CYP1A: 6.26 ± 2.41 vs. 0.42 ± 0.015; CYP1B: 3.47 ± 1.66 vs. 0.4 ± 0.09; CYP3A: 11.65 ± 4.70 vs. 2.43 ± 0.56) while retaining inducibility by 3-methylcholanthrene and dexamethasone (fold increase over DMSO: CYP1A = 27.33 and CYP3A = 4.94). These responses were observed at concentrations closer to plasma levels documented in vivo in rats. The retention of in vivo-like hepatocyte phenotype and metabolic function coupled with drug response at more physiological concentrations emphasizes the importance of restoring in vivo physiological transport parameters in vitro.

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 450-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manil Chouhan ◽  
Juliana Puppi ◽  
Estela Solanas ◽  
Ragai R. Mitry ◽  
Anil Dhawan ◽  
...  

Background: Hepatocyte transplantation is a promising alternative to orthotopic liver transplantation, however, the fate of transplanted hepatocytes is not well defined. 99mTc-galactosyl-serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) is a clinical scintigraphic agent which is specifically taken up by the hepatocyte asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). Aims: To investigate labeling of fresh and cryopreserved human hepatocytes and fresh rat hepatocytes in vitro using 99mTc-GSA Methods: Human and rat hepatocytes were isolated from liver tissue by collagenase perfusion. The ASGPR were characterized using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Hepatocytes were incubated with 99mTc-GSA in suspension at 4°C and 37°C. Cell viability and function was determined using cell mitochondrial dehydrogenase (MTS) and sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assays. Results: Fresh and cryopreserved human hepatocytes expressed the ASGPR. Incubation of hepatocytes in suspension with 99mTc-GSA reduced the viability of hepatocytes, but this was similar to unlabeled control cells. Greater loss of viability was seen on incubation at 37°C compared to 4°C, but there was a significantly greater uptake of 99mTc-GSA at the physiological temperature (6.6 ± SE 0.6-fold increase, p<0.05) consistent with ASGPR-mediated endocytosis. MTS and SRB assays were not significantly affected by labeling with 99mTc-GSA in all three cell types. A mean of 18.5% of the radioactivity was released over 120 min when 99mTc-GSA - labeled hepatocytes were shaken in vitro at 37°C. Conclusions: Human and rat hepatocytes can be labeled with 99mTc-GSA, which may have potential application for in vivo imaging after hepatocyte transplantation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renee Fleeman ◽  
Kurt S. Van Horn ◽  
Megan M. Barber ◽  
Whittney N. Burda ◽  
David L. Flanigan ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We previously reported a series of N 2,N 4-disubstituted quinazoline-2,4-diamines as dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors with potent in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. In this work, we extended our previous study to the Gram-negative pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. We determined that optimized N 2,N 4-disubstituted quinazoline-2,4-diamines are strongly antibacterial against multidrug-resistant A. baumannii strains when the 6-position is replaced with a halide or an alkyl substituent. Such agents display potent antibacterial activity, with MICs as low as 0.5 μM, while proving to be strongly bactericidal. Interestingly, these compounds also possess the potential for antibiofilm activity, eradicating 90% of cells within a biofilm at or near MICs. Using serial passage assays, we observed a limited capacity for the development of resistance toward these molecules (4-fold increase in MIC) compared to existing folic acid synthesis inhibitors, such as trimethoprim (64-fold increase) and sulfamethoxazole (128-fold increase). We also identified limited toxicity toward human cells, with 50% lethal doses (LD50s) of ≤23 μM for lead agents 4 and 5. Finally, we demonstrated that our lead agents have excellent in vivo efficacy, with lead agent 5 proving more efficacious than tigecycline in a murine model of A. baumannii infection (90% survival versus 66%), despite being used at a lower dose (2 versus 30 mg kg−1). Together, our results demonstrate that N 2,N 4-disubstituted quinazoline-2,4-diamines have strong antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against both Gram-positive organisms and Gram-negative pathogens, suggesting strong potential for their development as antibacterial agents.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-206
Author(s):  
Brognara Lorenzo ◽  
Salmaso Luca ◽  
Mazzotti Antonio ◽  
Di M. Alberto ◽  
Faldini Cesare ◽  
...  

Background: Chronic wounds are commonly associated with polymicrobial biofilm infections. In the last years, the extensive use of antibiotics has generated several antibiotic-resistant variants. To overcome this issue, alternative natural treatments have been proposed, including the use of microorganisms like probiotics. The aim of this manuscript was to review current literature concerning the application of probiotics for the treatment of infected chronic wounds. Methods: Relevant articles were searched in the Medline database using PubMed and Scholar, using the keywords “probiotics” and “wound” and “injuries”, “probiotics” and “wound” and “ulcer”, “biofilm” and “probiotics” and “wound”, “biofilm” and “ulcer” and “probiotics”, “biofilm” and “ulcer” and “probiotics”, “probiotics” and “wound”. Results: The research initially included 253 articles. After removal of duplicate studies, and selection according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 research articles were included and reviewed, accounting for 12 in vitro, 8 in vivo studies and 2 human studies (three articles dealing with animal experiments included also in vitro testing). Most of the published studies about the effects of probiotics for the treatment of infected chronic wounds reported a partial inhibition of microbial growth, biofilm formation and quorum sensing. Discussion: The application of probiotics represents an intriguing option in the treatment of infected chronic wounds with multidrug-resistant bacteria; however, current results are difficult to compare due to the heterogeneity in methodology, laboratory techniques, and applied clinical protocols. Lactobacillus plantarum currently represents the most studied strain, showing a positive application in burns compared to guideline treatments, and an additional mean in chronic wound infections. Conclusions: Although preliminary evidence supports the use of specific strains of probiotics in certain clinical settings such as infected chronic wounds, large, long-term clinical trials are still lacking, and further research is needed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 7202
Author(s):  
Tamara Bruna ◽  
Francisca Maldonado-Bravo ◽  
Paul Jara ◽  
Nelson Caro

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been imposed as an excellent antimicrobial agent being able to combat bacteria in vitro and in vivo causing infections. The antibacterial capacity of AgNPs covers Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including multidrug resistant strains. AgNPs exhibit multiple and simultaneous mechanisms of action and in combination with antibacterial agents as organic compounds or antibiotics it has shown synergistic effect against pathogens bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The characteristics of silver nanoparticles make them suitable for their application in medical and healthcare products where they may treat infections or prevent them efficiently. With the urgent need for new efficient antibacterial agents, this review aims to establish factors affecting antibacterial and cytotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles, as well as to expose the advantages of using AgNPs as new antibacterial agents in combination with antibiotic, which will reduce the dosage needed and prevent secondary effects associated to both.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Yuan ◽  
Jiaojiao Liu ◽  
Zhixiong Deng ◽  
Lin Wei ◽  
Wenwen Li ◽  
...  

AbstractAddressing the devastating threat of drug-resistant pathogens requires the discovery of new antibiotics with advanced action mechanisms and/or novel strategies for drug design. Herein, from a biophysical perspective, we design a class of synthetic antibacterial complexes with specialized architectures based on melittin (Mel), a natural antimicrobial peptide, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a clinically available agent, as building blocks that show potent and architecture-modulated antibacterial activity. Among the complexes, the flexibly linear complex consisting of one Mel terminally connected with a long-chained PEG (e.g., PEG12k–1*Mel) shows the most pronounced improvement in performance compared with pristine Mel, with up to 500% improvement in antimicrobial efficiency, excellent in vitro activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens (over a range of minimal inhibitory concentrations of 2–32 µg mL−1), a 68% decrease in in vitro cytotoxicity, and a 57% decrease in in vivo acute toxicity. A lipid-specific mode of action in membrane recognition and an accelerated “channel” effect in perforating the bacterial membrane of the complex are described. Our results introduce a new way to design highly efficient and low-toxicity antimicrobial drugs based on architectural modulations with clinically available agents.


Mobile DNA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin M. Waldern ◽  
Dorie Smith ◽  
Carol Lyn Piazza ◽  
E. Jake Bailey ◽  
Nicholas J. Schiraldi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Group II introns are mobile retroelements, capable of invading new sites in DNA. They are self-splicing ribozymes that complex with an intron-encoded protein to form a ribonucleoprotein that targets DNA after splicing. These molecules can invade DNA site-specifically, through a process known as retrohoming, or can invade ectopic sites through retrotransposition. Retrotransposition, in particular, can be strongly influenced by both environmental and cellular factors. Results To investigate host factors that influence retrotransposition, we performed random insertional mutagenesis using the ISS1 transposon to generate a library of over 1000 mutants in Lactococcus lactis, the native host of the Ll.LtrB group II intron. By screening this library, we identified 92 mutants with increased retrotransposition frequencies (RTP-ups). We found that mutations in amino acid transport and metabolism tended to have increased retrotransposition frequencies. We further explored a subset of these RTP-up mutants, the most striking of which is a mutant in the ribosomal RNA methyltransferase rlmH, which exhibited a reproducible 20-fold increase in retrotransposition frequency. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that ribosomes in the rlmH mutant were defective in the m3Ψ modification and exhibited reduced binding to the intron RNA. Conclusions Taken together, our results reinforce the importance of the native host organism in regulating group II intron retrotransposition. In particular, the evidence from the rlmH mutant suggests a role for ribosome modification in limiting rampant retrotransposition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S669-S669
Author(s):  
Dung N Nguyen ◽  
Xiusheng Miao ◽  
Mindy Magee ◽  
Guoying Tai ◽  
Peter D Gorycki ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Fostemsavir (FTR) is an oral prodrug of the first-in-class attachment inhibitor temsavir (TMR) which is being evaluated in patients with multidrug resistant HIV-1 infection. In vitro studies indicated that TMR and its 2 major metabolites are inhibitors of organic cation transporters (OCT)1, OCT2, and multidrug and toxin extrusion transporters (MATEs). To assess the clinical relevance, of OCT and MATE inhibition, mechanistic static DDI prediction with calculated Imax,u/IC50 ratios was below the cut-off limits for a DDI flag based on FDA guidelines and above the cut-off limits for MATEs based on EMA guidelines. Methods Metformin is a commonly used probe substrate for OCT1, OCT2 and MATEs. To predict the potential for a drug interaction between TMR and metformin, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for TMR was developed based on its physicochemical properties, in vitro and in vivo data. The model was verified and validated through comparison with clinical data. The TMR PBPK model accurately described AUC and Cmax within 30% of the observed data for single and repeat dose studies with or without food. The SimCYP models for metformin and ritonavir were qualified using literature data before applications of DDI prediction for TMR Results TMR was simulated at steady state concentrations after repeated oral doses of FTR 600 mg twice daily which allowed assessment of the potential OCT1, OCT2, and MATEs inhibition by TMR and metabolites. No significant increase in metformin systemic exposure (AUC or Cmax) was predicted with FTR co-administration. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was conducted for either hepatic OCT1 Ki, or renal OCT2 and MATEs Ki values. The model output indicated that, a 10-fold more potent Ki value for TMR would be required to have a ~15% increase in metformin exposure Conclusion Based on mechanistic static models and PBPK modeling and simulation, the OCT1/2 and MATEs inhibition potential of TMR and its metabolites on metformin pharmacokinetics is not clinically significant. No dose adjustment of metformin is necessary when co-administered with FTR Disclosures Xiusheng Miao, PhD, GlaxoSmithKline (Employee) Mindy Magee, Doctor of Pharmacy, GlaxoSmithKline (Employee, Shareholder) Peter D. Gorycki, BEChe, MSc, PhD, GSK (Employee, Shareholder) Katy P. Moore, PharmD, RPh, ViiV Healthcare (Employee)


2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 559-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Xu ◽  
Feng Zhi ◽  
Guangming Xu ◽  
Xiaolei Tang ◽  
Sheng Lu ◽  
...  

MDR (multidrug-resistance) represents a major obstacle to successful cancer chemotherapy and is usually accomplished by overexpression of P-gp (P-glycoprotein). Much effort has been devoted to developing P-gp inhibitors to modulate MDR. However, none of the inhibitors on the market have been successful. 1416 [1-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenylethylamino)propane hydrochloride (phenoprolamine hydrochloride)] is a new VER (verapamil) analogue with a higher IC50 for blocking calcium channel currents than VER. In the present paper, we examined the inhibition effect of 1416 on P-gp both in vitro and in vivo. 1416 significantly enhanced cytotoxicity of VBL (vinblastine) in P-gp-overexpressed human multidrug-resistant K562/ADM (adriamycin) and KBV cells, but had no such effect on the parent K562 and KB cells. The MDR-modulating function of 1416 was further confirmed by increasing intracellular Rh123 (rhodanmine123) content in MDR cells. Human K562/ADM xenograft-nude mice model verified that 1416 potentiates the antitumour activity of VBL in vivo. RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-PCR) and FACS analysis demonstrated that the expression of MDR1/P-gp was not affected by 1416 treatment. All these observations suggest that 1416 could be a promising agent for overcoming MDR in cancer chemotherapy.


Endocrinology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 152 (12) ◽  
pp. 4800-4812 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Córdoba-Chacón ◽  
Manuel D. Gahete ◽  
Ana I. Pozo-Salas ◽  
Antonio J. Martínez-Fuentes ◽  
Luis de Lecea ◽  
...  

Cortistatin (CST) and somatostatin (SST) evolve from a common ancestral gene and share remarkable structural, pharmacological, and functional homologies. Although CST has been considered as a natural SST-analogue acting through their shared receptors (SST receptors 1–5), emerging evidence indicates that these peptides might in fact exert unique roles via selective receptors [e.g. CST, not SST, binds ghrelin receptor growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a)]. To determine whether the role of endogenous CST is different from SST, we characterized the endocrine-metabolic phenotype of male/female CST null mice (cort−/−) at hypothalamic-pituitary-systemic (pancreas-stomach-adrenal-liver) levels. Also, CST effects on hormone expression/secretion were evaluated in primary pituitary cell cultures from male/female mice and female primates (baboons). Specifically, CST exerted an unexpected stimulatory role on prolactin (PRL) secretion, because both male/female cort−/− mice had reduced PRL levels, and CST treatment (in vivo and in vitro) increased PRL secretion, which could be blocked by a GHS-R1a antagonist in vitro and likely relates to the decreased success of female cort−/− in first-litter pup care at weaning. In contrast, CST inhibited GH and adrenocorticotropin-hormone axes in a gender-dependent fashion. In addition, a rise in acylated ghrelin levels was observed in female cort−/− mice, which were associated with an increase in stomach ghrelin/ghrelin O-acyl transferase expression. Finally, CST deficit uncovered a gender-dependent role of this peptide in the regulation of glucose-insulin homeostasis, because male, but not female, cort−/− mice developed insulin resistance. The fact that these actions are not mimicked by SST and are strongly gender dependent offers new grounds to investigate the hitherto underestimated physiological relevance of CST in the regulation of physiological/metabolic processes.


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