0000000000278051
AUTHOR
Roque Bort
Modeling a Novel Variant of Glycogenosis IXa Using a Clonal Inducible Reprogramming System to Generate "Diseased" Hepatocytes for Accurate Diagnosis.
The diagnosis of inherited metabolic disorders is a long and tedious process. The matching of clinical data with a genomic variant in a specific metabolic pathway is an essential step, but the link between a genome and the clinical data is normally difficult, primarily for new missense variants or alterations in intron sequences. Notwithstanding, elucidation of the pathogenicity of a specific variant might be critical for an accurate diagnosis. In this study, we described a novel intronic variant c.2597 + 5G > T in the donor splice sequence of the PHKA2 gene. To investigate PHKA2 mRNA splicing, as well as the functional consequences on glycogen metabolism, we generated hepatocyte-like ce…
MOESM2 of Direct conversion of human fibroblast to hepatocytes using a single inducible polycistronic vector
Additional file 2: Table S1. Primers used for qRT-PCR.
MOESM1 of Direct conversion of human fibroblast to hepatocytes using a single inducible polycistronic vector
Additional file 1: Figure S1. Cell sorting strategy using BDFACSAriaIIIâ ˘ cell sorter. Figure S2. Validation of the polycistroniclentiviral vector in HDF.
Dysfunctional mitochondrial fission impairs cell reprogramming
We have recently shown that mitochondrial fission is induced early in reprogramming in a Drp1-dependent manner; however, the identity of the factors controlling Drp1 recruitment to mitochondria was unexplored. To investigate this, we used a panel of RNAi targeting factors involved in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and we observed that MiD51, Gdap1 and, to a lesser extent, Mff were found to play key roles in this process. Cells derived from Gdap1-null mice were used to further explore the role of this factor in cell reprogramming. Microarray data revealed a prominent down-regulation of cell cycle pathways in Gdap1-null cells early in reprogramming and cell cycle profiling uncovered…
Silencing of hepatic fate-conversion factors induce tumorigenesis in reprogrammed hepatic progenitor-like cells
Abstract Background Several studies have reported the direct conversion of mouse fibroblasts to hepatocyte-like cells with different degrees of maturation by expression of hepatic fate-conversion factors. Methods We have used a combination of lentiviral vectors expressing hepatic fate-conversion factors with Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and Myc to convert mouse embryonic fibroblasts into hepatic cells. Results We have generated hepatic cells with progenitor-like features (iHepL cells). iHepL cells displayed basic hepatocyte functions but failed to perform functions characteristic of mature hepatocytes such as significant Cyp450 or urea cycle activities. iHepL cells expressed multiple hepatic-specific …
Direct conversion of human fibroblast to hepatocytes using a single inducible polycistronic vector
Abstract Background Human fibroblasts can be reprogrammed into induced hepatocyte-like cells through the expression of a set of transcription factors. Although the generation of induced hepatocyte-like cells by HNF4A, HNF1A, and FOXA3 expression has proven to be a robust experimental strategy, using multiple lentivirus results in a highly variable heterogeneous population. Methods We designed and implemented a novel approach based on the delivery of reprogramming factors and green fluorescent protein in a single doxycycline-inducible lentiviral vector using 2A self-cleaving peptides. Results Fibroblasts infected with the lentiviral vector can be amplified in basic fibroblast culture media i…
Hepatic metabolism of diclofenac: role of human CYP in the minor oxidative pathways.
The aim of this study was to re-examine the human hepatic metabolism of diclofenac, with special focus on the generation of minor hydroxylated metabolites implicated in the idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of the drug. Different experimental approaches were used: human hepatocytes, human microsomes, and engineered cells expressing single human CYP (cytochromes P450). Human hepatocytes formed 3'-hydroxy-, 4'-hydroxy-, 5-hydroxy- 4',5-dihydroxy-, and N,5-dihydroxydiclofenac, as well as several lactams. Formation of 4'- and 5-hydroxydiclofenac by human liver microsomes followed a Michaelis-Menten kinetics (Km 9 +/- 1 microM; Vmax 432 +/- 15 pmol/min/mg and Km 43 +/- 5 microM; and Vmax 15.4 +/- 0.6…
Transfection of Primary Hepatocytes with Liver-Enriched Transcription Factors Using Adenoviral Vectors
Primary cultured hepatocytes are probably the best model to study endogenous metabolic pathways, toxicity, or drug metabolism. Many of these studies require expression of ectopic genes. It would be desirable to use a method of transfection that allows dose-response studies, high efficiency of transfection, and the possibility to express several genes at the same time. Adenoviral vectors fulfill these requirements, becoming a valuable tool for primary hepatocyte transfection. Moreover, they are easy to generate and do not require a high level of biocontainment. In the present chapter, we describe the generation, cloning, amplification, and purification of an adenoviral vector capable of infe…
Cytochrome P450 regulation by hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 in human hepatocytes: A study using adenovirus-mediated antisense targeting
Abstract Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 (HNF4) is a member of the nuclear receptor super-family that has shown activating effects on particular cytochrome P450 (CYP) promoters from several species. However, its role in the regulation of human CYPs in the liver is still poorly understood, as no comprehensive studies in human-relevant models have been performed. In the present study, we have investigated whether HNF4 plays a general role in the expression of 7 major CYP genes in primary cultured human hepatocytes. To this end, we developed an adenoviral vector for efficient expression of HNF4 antisense RNA. Transduction of human hepatocytes with the recombinant adenovirus resulted in a time-depe…
Gata4 Blocks Somatic Cell Reprogramming By Directly Repressing Nanog
Abstract Somatic cells can be reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells by ectopic expression of the four factors Oct4, Klf4, Sox2, and Myc. Here, we investigated the role of Gata4 in the reprogramming process and present evidence for a negative role of this family of transcription factors in the induction of pluripotency. Coexpression of Gata4 with Oct4, Klf4, and Sox2 with or without Myc in mouse embryonic fibroblasts greatly impaired reprogramming and endogenous Nanog expression. The lack of Nanog upregulation was associated with a blockade in the transition from the initiation phase of reprogramming to the full pluripotent state characteristic of iPS cells. Addition of Nanog …
Early ERK1/2 activation promotes DRP1-dependent mitochondrial fission necessary for cell reprogramming.
During the process of reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, somatic cells switch from oxidative to glycolytic metabolism, a transition associated with profound mitochondrial reorganization. Neither the importance of mitochondrial remodelling for cell reprogramming, nor the molecular mechanisms controlling this process are well understood. Here, we show that an early wave of mitochondrial fragmentation occurs upon expression of reprogramming factors. Reprogramming-induced mitochondrial fission is associated with a minor decrease in mitochondrial mass but not with mitophagy. The pro-fission factor Drp1 is phosphorylated early in reprogramming, and its knockdown and inhibition…
Re-expression of C/EBP alpha induces CYP2B6, CYP2C9 and CYP2D6 genes in HepG2 cells.
Cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity is very low or even absent in human hepatomas, a phenomenon that is accompanied by low levels of some liver transcription factors, notably C/EBP alpha. To investigate a possible link between this transcription factor and hepatic CYP expression, we have stably transfected HepG2 cells with a C/EBP alpha vector containing a Zn-inducible metallothionein promoter. Expression of functional C/EBP alpha up to liver levels concomitantly increased the mRNAs of several members of the CYP2 family (2B6, 2C9 and 2D6), suggesting that this transcription factor may play a relevant role in controlling the hepatic expression of CYP enzymes.
Long-term expression of differentiated functions in hepatocytes cultured in three-dimensional collagen matrix.
Hepatocytes entrapped in collagen gel and cultured in serum-free conditions survived longer than cells cultured on plastic (5 days vs. 3 weeks), showed fewer signs of early cell senescence (no increase in c-fos oncoprotein expression), and maintained the expression of differentiated hepatic metabolic functions over a longer period of time. Cells cultured in collagen gels retained their ability to respond to hormones. The insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis rate remained fairly constant during 18 days in culture (between 5.4 +/- 0.37 and 9 +/- 2.7 nmol glucose/h/microg DNA). Collagen-cultured hepatocytes recovered glycogen stores to levels similar to those found in liver, or in hepatocytes…
Increased toxicity of cocaine on human hepatocytes induced by ethanol: role of GSH.
Increased toxicity of cocaine to human hepatocytes is observed when cells are simultaneously incubated with ethanol. Ethanol might exacerbate cocaine hepatocyte toxicity by three different pathways: a) by increasing the oxidative metabolism of cocaine and hence the oxidative damage; b) by the formation of a more toxic metabolite, namely cocaethylene; or c) by decreasing the defence mechanisms of the cell (i.e. GSH). In the present study, experiments were conducted to investigate the feasibility of these hypotheses. In hepatocytes preincubated for 48 hr with ethanol, neither significant changes in cocaine metabolism nor cytotoxicity were found despite differences in hepatocyte p-nitrophenol …
Down-regulation of human CYP3A4 by the inflammatory signal interleukin-6: molecular mechanism and transcription factors involved.
The hepatic drug-metabolizing cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzymes are down-regulated during inflammation. In vitro studies with hepatocytes have shown that the cytokines released during inflammatory responses are largely responsible for this CYP repression. However, the signaling pathways and the cytokine-activated factors involved remain to be properly identified. Our research has focused on the negative regulation of CYP3A4 (the major drug-metabolizing human CYP) by interleukin 6 (IL-6) (the principal regulator of the hepatic acute-phase response). CYP3A4 down-regulation by IL-6 requires activation of the glycoprotein receptor gp130; however, it does not proceed through the JAK/STAT pathway, a…
Biotransformation in vitro of the 22R and 22S epimers of budesonide by human liver, bronchus, colonic mucosa and skin.
The pharmacological effects of glucocorticoids are greatly influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties. In the present report, the in vitro biotransformation of the 22R and 22S epimers of the topical steroid budesonide was studied in the S-9 fraction of human liver, bronchus, skin and colonic mucosa. The disappearance of unchanged epimers of budesonide was measured during 90 min of incubation by high performance liquid chromatography. The rate of disappearance was high in human liver while little biotransformation occurred in bronchial tissue and colonic mucosa, and none was detected in the skin. A marked decay of the initial concentration of unchanged budesonide epimers was noticed afte…
The use of cultured hepatocytes to investigate the metabolism of drugs and mechanisms of drug hepatotoxicity.
Hepatotoxins can be classified as intrinsic when they exert their effects on all individuals in a dose-dependent manner, and as idiosyncratic when their effects are the consequence of an abnormal metabolism of the drug by susceptible individuals (metabolic idiosyncrasy) or of an immune-mediated injury to hepatocytes (allergic hepatitis). Some xenobiotics are electrophilic, and others are biotransformed by the liver into highly reactive metabolites that are usually more toxic than the parent compound. This activation process is the key to many hepatotoxic phenomena. Mitochondria are a frequent target of hepatotoxic drugs, and the alteration of their function has immediate effects on the ene…
Transcriptional Regulation of Human CYP3A4 Basal Expression by CCAAT Enhancer-Binding Protein α and Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-3γ
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) is involved in the metabolism of more than 50% of currently used therapeutic drugs, yet the mechanisms that control CYP3A4 basal expression in liver are poorly understood. Several putative binding sites for CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) and hepatic nuclear factor 3 (HNF-3) were found by computer analysis in CYP3A4 promoter. The use of reporter gene assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and site-directed mutagenesis revealed that one proximal and two distal C/EBP alpha binding sites are essential sites for the trans-activation of CYP3A4 promoter. No trans-activation was found in similar reporter gene experiments with a HNF-3 gamma expression vec…
A robust reprogramming strategy for generating hepatocyte-like cells usable in pharmaco-toxicological studies.
Abstract Background High-throughput pharmaco-toxicological testing frequently relies on the use of established liver-derived cell lines, such as HepG2 cells. However, these cells often display limited hepatic phenotype and features of neoplastic transformation that may bias the interpretation of the results. Alternate models based on primary cultures or differentiated pluripotent stem cells are costly to handle and difficult to implement in high-throughput screening platforms. Thus, cells without malignant traits, optimal differentiation pattern, producible in large and homogeneous amounts and with patient-specific phenotypes would be desirable. Methods We have designed and implemented a no…
Testing chemical carcinogenicity by using a transcriptomics HepaRG-based model?
The EU FP6 project carcinoGENOMICS explored the combination of toxicogenomics and in vitro cell culture models for identifying organotypical genotoxic- and non-genotoxic carcinogen- specific gene signatures. Here the performance of its gene classifier, derived from exposure of metabolically competent human HepaRG cells to prototypical non-carcinogens (10 compounds) and hepatocarcinogens (20 compounds), is reported. Analysis of the data at the gene and the pathway level by using independent biostatistical approaches showed a distinct separation of genotoxic from non-genotoxic hepatocarcinogens and non-carcinogens (up to 88 % correct prediction). The most characteristic pathway responding to …
Additional file 1: of Silencing of hepatic fate-conversion factors induce tumorigenesis in reprogrammed hepatic progenitor-like cells
Supplementary information. (PDF 923 kb)
Role of hepatocyte nuclear factor 3γ in the expression of human CYP2C genes
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 3 gamma (HNF-3 gamma) is an important transcription factor for the maintenance of specific liver functions. However, its relevance in the expression of human cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes has not yet been explored. Several HNF3 putative binding sites can be identified in human CYP2C 5'-flanking regions. Gene reporter experiments with proximal promoters revealed that HNF-3 gamma transactivated CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 (25-, 4-, and 4-fold, respectively), but it did not transactivate CYP2C18. However, overexpression of HNF-3 gamma in hepatoma cells by means of a recombinant adenovirus induced CYP2C9, CYP2C18, and CYP2C19 mRNA (4.5-, 20-, and 50-fold, respectively) b…
High Expression of Human CYP2C in Immortalized Human Liver Epithelial Cells
Cell lines stably expressing high levels of single isozymes of human CYP2C genes (CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C18 and CYP2C19) have been successfully generated by transfecting liver epithelial human cells (THLE) with an appropriate expression vector. To this aim, cDNAs encoding for each CYP2C gene were inserted by blunt-ended cloning into the unique insertion site of the singular expression vector pCMVneo. The recombinant pCMV2C8, pCMV2C9, pCMV2C18 and pCMV2C19 vectors were liposome-mediated transfected into THLE cells. The resulting transgenic cells, designated as T5-2C8, T5-2C9, T5-2C18 and T5-2C19, were cloned and the expression of the ectopic gene, mRNA and protein, was investigated by RT-PCR a…
Transcriptomic responses generated by hepatocarcinogens in a battery of liver-based in vitro models
As the conventional approach to assess the potential of a chemical to cause cancer in humans still includes the 2-year rodent carcinogenicity bioassay, development of alternative methodologies is needed. In the present study, the transcriptomics responses following exposure to genotoxic (GTX) and non-genotoxic (NGTX) hepatocarcinogens and non-carcinogens (NC) in five liver-based in vitro models, namely conventional and epigenetically stabilized cultures of primary rat hepatocytes, the human hepatoma-derived cell lines HepaRG and HepG2 and human embryonic stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells, are examined. For full characterization of the systems, several bioinformatics approaches are emp…
MOESM1 of Direct conversion of human fibroblast to hepatocytes using a single inducible polycistronic vector
Additional file 1: Figure S1. Cell sorting strategy using BDFACSAriaIIIâ ˘ cell sorter. Figure S2. Validation of the polycistroniclentiviral vector in HDF.
Dysfunctional mitochondrial fission impairs cell reprogramming
We have recently shown that mitochondrial fission is induced early in reprogramming in a Drp1-dependent manner; however, the identity of the factors controlling Drp1 recruitment to mitochondria was unexplored. To investigate this, we used a panel of RNAi targeting factors involved in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and we observed that MiD51, Gdap1 and, to a lesser extent, Mff were found to play key roles in this process. Cells derived from Gdap1-null mice were used to further explore the role of this factor in cell reprogramming. Microarray data revealed a prominent down-regulation of cell cycle pathways in Gdap1-null cells early in reprogramming and cell cycle profiling uncovered…