• BMB Reports
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• 제56권4호
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• pp.225-233
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• 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very common form of cancer worldwide and is often fatal. Although the histopathology of HCC is characterized by metabolic pathophysiology, fibrosis, and cirrhosis, the focus of treatment has been on eliminating HCC. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) multicellular hepatic spheroid (MCHS) models have provided a) new therapeutic strategies for progressive fibrotic liver diseases, such as antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory drugs, b) molecular targets, and c) treatments for metabolic dysregulation. MCHS models provide a potent anti-cancer tool because they can mimic a) tumor complexity and heterogeneity, b) the 3D context of tumor cells, and c) the gradients of physiological parameters that are characteristic of tumors in vivo. However, the information provided by an multicelluar tumor spheroid (MCTS) model must always be considered in the context of tumors in vivo. This mini-review summarizes what is known about tumor HCC heterogeneity and complexity and the advances provided by MCHS models for innovations in drug development to combat liver diseases.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.246-254
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• 2022

Current studies have revealed the capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in term of immunomodulatory properties, and this distinct potential is downgraded according to the disease duration of patients-derived MSCs. In order to enhance the immunomodulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties of the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joints-derived MSCs, we aggregate synovial fluid-derived MSCs from RA joints (RA-hMSCs) into 3D-spheroids by the use of hanging drop culture method. Cells were isolated from synovial fluids of RA joints with longstanding active status over 13 years. For aggregation of RA-hMSCs into 3D-spheroids, cells were plated in hanging drops in 30 μL of advanced DMEM (ADMEM) containing 25,000-30,000 cells/drop and cultured for 48 h. To analyze the comparative immunomodulatory effects of 3D-spheroid and 2D monolayer cultured RA-hMSCs and then cells were cultured in ADMEM supplemented with 20% of synovial fluids of RA patients for 48 h and were evaluated by qRT-PCR for their expression of mRNA levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers. Cellular aggregation of RA-hMSCs was observed and cells were aggregate into a single sphere. Following treatment of RA patient's synovial fluids into the RA-hMSCs, spheroids formed RA-hMSCs showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher expression of TNFα stimulated gene/protein 6 (TSG-6) than the monolayer cultured RA-hMSCs. Therefore, the 3D-spheroid culture methods of RA-hMSCs were more effective than 2D monolayer cultures in suppressing inflammatory response treated with 20% of RA-synovial fluids by expression of TNFα (TSG-6) according to the immune response and enhanced secretion of inflammatory factors.

• Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry
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• 제67권
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• pp.80-91
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• 2018

Here, we engineered spheroids by using ECM mimicking nano-fragments (NFs) with fibroblasts and investigated their effect on proliferation and cell/ECM interactions. NF incorporation resulted in formation of a stable spheroid, which improved proliferation and viability of cells by assisting oxygen transport confirmed by LOX-1 staining. In addition, hypoxic and apoptotic genes were significantly downregulated in spheroids with PD-NFs. Furthermore, ECM and cell junction proteins were highly expressed. Overall, our findings suggest that incorporation of NFs within spheroids for assembly with various cell types can be an alternative approach for 3D cell culture in many applications.

• 대한기계학회논문집A
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.131-134
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• 2011

본 논문에서는 한시적 세포포집 구조물을 이용한 다세포 스페로이드의 형성 및 추출칩을 제안하였다. 종래의 웰 플레이트와 플라스크는 작은 스페로이드 형성이 어렵고, 기존 마이크로칩은 고정된 세포포집 구조물을 이용하여 스페로이드 추출이 어려운 단점이 있다. 반면, 제안된 칩은 한시적 세포포집 구조물을 이용하여 스페로이드의 형성과 추출이 모두 용이한 장점이 있다. 50kPa 의 박막압력으로 형성된 세포포집 구조물에 145~155Pa 의 세포입력압력으로 유입되는 세포를 포집한 후, 24 시간 배양하여 스페로이드를 형성하였다. 또한, 박막압력 제거 후 5kPa 의 세포입력압력으로 추출된 스페로이드의 지름과 활성도는 각각 $197{\pm}11.7Bm$, $80.3{\pm}7.7%$로 측정되었다. 제안된 칩은 스페로이드의 균일한 형성과 안정적 추출이 용이하여 스페로이드의 후처리에 적용될 수 있다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.321-329
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• 2019

Hair loss, also known as alopecia, is a common dermatological condition of psychosocial significance; development of therapeutic candidates for the treatment of this condition is, hence, important. Silibinin, a secondary metabolite from Silybum marianum, is an effective antioxidant that also prevents various cutaneous problems. In this study, we have investigated the effect of silibinin on hair induction using three-dimensional (3D) cultured, human dermal papilla (DP) spheroids. Silibinin was found to significantly increase viability through AKT serine/threonine kinase (AKT) activation in 3D DP spheroids. This was correlated with an increase in the diameter of the 3D DP spheroids. The activation of the wingless and INT-1 (Wnt)/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway, which is associated with hair growth induction in the DP, was evaluated using the T cell-specific transcription factor and lymphoid enhancer-binding factor (TCF/LEF) transcription factor reporter assay; results indicated significantly increased luciferase activity. In addition, we were able to demonstrate increased expression of the target genes, WNT5a and LEF1, using quantitative real-time PCR assay. Lastly, significantly elevated expression of signature genes associated with hair induction was demonstrated in the 3D DP spheroids treated with silibinin. These results suggest that silibinin promotes proliferation and hair induction through the AKT and Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathways in 3D DP spheroids. Silibinin can be a potential candidate to promote hair proliferation.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제45권4호
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• pp.197-203
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• 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells in the dental pulp exhibit a tendency for differentiation into various dental lineages and hold great potential as a major conduit for regenerative treatment in dentistry. Although they can be readily isolated from teeth, the exact characteristics of these stem cells have not been fully understood so far. When compared to two-dimensional (2D) cultures, three-dimensional (3D) cultures have the advantage of enriching the stem cell population. Hence, 3D-organoid culture and 3D-sphere culture were applied to dental pulp cells in the current study. Although the establishment of the organoid culture proved unsuccessful, the 3D-sphere culture readily initiated the stable generation of cell aggregates, which continued to grow and could be passaged to the second round. Interestingly, a significant increase in SOX2 expression was detected in the 3D-spheroid culture compared to the 2D culture. These results indicate the enrichment of the stemness-high population in the 3D-sphere culture. Thus, 3D-sphere culture may act as a link between the conventional and 3D-organoid cultures and aid in understanding the characteristics of dental pulp stem cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.90-95
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• 2006

CKD-602 exerts its antitumor effect via inhibition of topoisomerase I in cancer cells. Multicellular spheroid (MCS) and Multicellular layers (MCLs) are known as in vitro 3-dimensional models which closely represent tumor conditions in vivo. In order to investigate the potential of CKD-602 against human colorectal tumors, we evaluated the anti-proliferative activity and penetration ability of CKD-602 in MCS and MCL cultures of DLD-l human colorectal cancer cells, respectively. The maximum effects($E_{max}$) induced by CKD-602 were significantly lower in MCS compared to monolayers (48% vs 92%). With prolonged drug exposure, the $IC_{50's}$ of CKD-602 decreased to $23.5{\pm}1.0nM$ in monolayers after 24 h exposure and $42.3{\pm}1.7nM$ in MCS after 6 days, respectively. However, no further increase in effect was observed for exposure time longer than growth doubling time (Td) in both cultures. Activity of CKD-602 was significantly reduced after penetration through MCL and also with cell-free insert membrane. In conclusion, CKD-602 showed significantly decreased anti-proliferative activity in 3D cultures (MCS) of human colorectal cancer cells. Tumor penetration of CKD-602 could not be determined due to loss of activity after penetration through cell free insert membrane, which warrants further evaluation using a modified model.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제34권7호
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• pp.476-484
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• 2024

항암 활성 연구를 위한 최적의 모델로서 2-D culture 모델은 여전히 널리 사용되고 있으나, 종양 환경에 더 잘 근접할 수 있는 3D MTS 모델은 시험관 내 모델 연구와 동물 모델 연구 간의 격차를 해소하기 위한 대안이 될 수 있다. Isoalantolactone은 목향(木香: Elecampane, Inula helenium L.)을 포함한 약용 식물에서 발견되는 sesquiterpene lactone 중의 하나로서 항암 활성을 포함한 다양한 약리학적 활성을 가지고 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 HCC Hep3B 세포에서 유래된 2D 모델에서 관찰된 isoalantolactone의 항암 활성이 3D MTS 모델에서도 재현될 수 있는지를 조사하였다. 우리들의 결과에 의하면 isoalantolactone은 처리 농도 의존적으로 MTSs 형성을 억제하였으며, ROS 생성의 증가를 동반하였다. 특히 isoalantolactone 처리 및 배양 시간이 증가하면서 증식성 세포 영역이 세포사멸이 유발된 세포로 대체되었다. 또한, MTSs에서 isoalantolactone은 DR 관련 단백질들의 발현과 caspase-3의 활성을 증가시켰고, Bax/Bcl-2 발현 비율 및 총 PARP 단백질의 발현은 감소시켰다. 그러나 ROS의 생성을 인위적으로 차단하였을 경우, isoalantolactone에 의한 이러한 변화들이 모두 차단되면서 MTSs 구성 세포들의 세포 생존율을 회복시켰다. 따라서 본 연구의 결과는 isoalantolactone에 의한 Hep3B 세포 유래 MTSs의 세포사멸 유도는 외인성 및 내인성 경로의 활성화를 통하여 이루어지며 이는 ROS 의존적임을 시사한다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.205-210
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• 2021

Over 30 million prescriptions of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are issued every year. Considering that these drugs are available without a prescription as over the counter (OTC) drugs, their use will be astronomical. With the increasing use of NSAIDs, their adverse effects are drawing attention. Especially, stomach bleeding, kidney toxicity, liver toxicity, and neurological toxicity are reported as common. Ibuprofen, one of the extensively used NSAIDs along with aspirin, can also induce liver toxicity, but few studies are addressing this point. Here we examined the liver toxicity of ibuprofen and investigated whether co-exposure to ethanol can manifest synergistic effects. We employed 2D and 3D cultured human hepatoma cells, HepG2 to examine the synergistic hepatotoxicity of ibuprofen and alcohol concerning cell viability, morphology, and histology of 3D spheroids. As a result, ibuprofen and alcohol provoked synergistic hepatotoxicity against hepatocytes, and their toxicity increased prominently in 3D culture upon extended exposure. Oxidative stress appeared to be the mechanisms underlying the synergistic toxicity of ibuprofen and alcohol as evidenced by increased production of ROS and expression of the endogenous antioxidant system. Collectively, this study has demonstrated that ibuprofen and EtOH can induce synergistic hepatotoxicity, providing a line of evidence for caution against the use of ibuprofen in combination with alcohol.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.151-161
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• 2022

This study elucidates the anti-cancer potential of gallic acid (GA) as a promising therapeutic agent that exerts its effect by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. To prove our research rationale, we used diverse experimental methods such as cell viability assay, colony formation assay, tumor spheroid formation assay, cell cycle analysis, TUNEL assay, Western blot analysis, xenograft mouse model and histological analysis. Treatment with GA inhibited cell proliferation in dose-dependent manner as measured by cell viability assay at 48 h. GA and cisplatin (CDDP) also inhibited colony formation and tumor spheroid formation. In addition, GA and CDDP induced apoptosis, as determined by the distribution of early and late apoptotic cells and DNA fragmentation. Western blot analysis revealed that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway induced upregulation of p53 (tumor suppressor protein), which in turn regulated cell cycle related proteins such as p21, p27, Cyclin D1 and E1, and intrinsic apoptotic proteins such as Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3. The anti-cancer effect of GA was further confirmed in an in vivo mouse model. Intraperitoneal injection with GA for 4 weeks in an A549-derived tumor xenograft model reduced the size of tumor mass. Injection of them downregulated the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and p-Akt, but upregulated the expression of cleaved caspase-3 in tumor tissues. Taken together, these results indicated that GA hindered lung cancer progression by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, suggesting that GA would be a potential therapeutic agent against non-small cell lung cancer.