Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Zhuhao Wu, Bin Chen, Yue Wu, Yu Xia, Hui Chen, Zhiyi Gong, Hang Hu, Zhao Ding, Shishang Guo
Summary: A scaffold-free acoustofluidic device was developed to fabricate heterotypic cell spheroids with complexity over cell architectures and components, demonstrating potential in various areas such as tumor research, tissue engineering, developmental biology, and drug discovery.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zuyan Lu, Shiny Amala Priya Rajan, Qianqian Song, Yu Zhao, Meimei Wan, Julio Aleman, Aleksander Skardal, Colin Bishop, Anthony Atala, Baisong Lu
Summary: Generating human induced hepatocytes from fibroblasts provides a potential solution for the shortage of primary hepatocytes, enabling personalized drug prediction. Combining 3D scaffold-free microliver spheroids with a microfluidic system allows for drug evaluation and interaction studies between liver cells and tumor cells.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Anna Gryadunova, Jesil Kasamkattil, Max Hans Peter Gay, Boris Dasen, Karoliina Pelttari, Vladimir Mironov, Ivan Martin, Stefan Schaeren, Andrea Barbero, Olga Krupkova, Arne Mehrkens
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of scaffold-free spheroids derived from human nasal chondrocytes for nucleus pulposus regeneration, showing good injectability and biochemical properties under suitable culture conditions, making it a promising strategy for degenerative disc disease treatment.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Liyuan Liu, Haixia Liu, Xiaowen Huang, Xiaoli Liu, Chengyun Zheng
Summary: Cell culture is a significant life science technology. Compared to traditional two-dimensional cell culture, three-dimensional cell culture can mimic the natural environment and structure specificity of in vivo cell growth, making it a research hotspot. However, existing techniques for three-dimensional cell culture, such as the hanging drop method and spinner flask method, face challenges in obtaining uniform cell spheroids during high-throughput processes. In this study, a method for amplifying cell spheroids with the advantages of rapid scale-up and uniform morphology, with a survival rate of over 95%, is reported. This method is easy to operate and allows for convenient substance changes, suggesting its potential in cell-cell, cell-stroma, cell-organ interaction research, tissue engineering, and anti-cancer drug screening.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gilda Aiello, Francesca Rescigno, Marisa Meloni, Giovanna Baron, Giancarlo Aldini, Marina Carini, Alfonsina D'Amato
Summary: This study investigated the mechanism of action of carnosine on the human skin proteome using a 3D scaffold-free spheroid model. The results showed that carnosine prevented the aging process of dermis spheroids by downregulating functional modules related to oxidative stress.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Gyunggyu Lee, Hyemin Kim, Ji Young Park, Gyeongmin Kim, Jiyou Han, Seok Chung, Ji Hun Yang, Jang Su Jeon, Dong-Hun Woo, Choongseong Han, Sang Kyum Kim, Han-Jin Park, Jong-Hoon Kim
Summary: Advances in pluripotent stem cell technology have led to the efficient and reproducible generation of hepatocyte-like cell spheroids in various sizes using microwell culture platforms. These spheroids show high expressions of hepatic marker genes, enhanced drug-metabolizing activity, and increased sensitivity to hepatotoxicants compared to traditional hepatocytes. This imaging-based toxicity screening system holds promise for predicting drug-induced hepatotoxicity in the early stages of drug discovery.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Teresa Franchi-Mendes, Nuno Lopes, Catarina Brito
Summary: Endothelial cells (ECs) play crucial roles in the tumor microenvironment, and through the use of long-term cultures of triple heterotypic spheroids, we identified the importance of in vitro culture conditions for maintaining ECs.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Xiao Zhang, Hero Robles, Kristann L. Magee, Madelyn R. Lorenz, Zhaohua Wang, Charles A. Harris, Clarissa S. Craft, Erica L. Scheller
Summary: Bone marrow adipocytes accumulate with age and in diverse disease states. A novel secondary adipogenesis pathway unique to the bone marrow is activated with age and in states of metabolic stress, resulting in compromised lipid mobilization and cytokine expression within regions traditionally devoted to hematopoiesis. This finding further contributes to our understanding of bone marrow adipocyte origins, adaptations, and relationships with surrounding tissues.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Rongfeng Zhu, Guangqian Jiang, Wanyu Tang, Xiaobao Zhao, Fan Chen, Xiaoya Zhang, Na Ye
Summary: Aporphine alkaloids embedded in 4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline four-ring structures are a major subclass of isoquinoline alkaloids. Aporphine is a privileged scaffold used in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry for discovering new therapeutic agents for CNS diseases, cancer, metabolic syndrome, and other diseases. It has been widely studied as selective or multitarget directed ligands (MTDLs) targeting various CNS receptors and enzymes, serving as valuable pharmacological probes and potential leads for drug discovery.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Ann M. Buysse, John Herbert, William T. Lambert, Frank J. Wessels
Summary: A series of 4-pyridyl dihydroisobenzofuran(ones) were designed and synthesized to test scaffold-hopping hypotheses and discovered new chemically active areas against key sap-feeding insect pests. These compounds showed strong activity against Bemisia tabaci and some activity against Myzus persicae.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Yichao Wan, Jiabing Long, Han Gao, Zilong Tang
Summary: Cancer is the second leading health killer in human society, and there is an urgent need to develop new anticancer agents with high activity and low toxicity due to multi-drug resistance and side effects. 2-Aminothiazole, as an important scaffold with potential anti-cancer activity, plays a crucial role in the discovery of anti-cancer agents.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xifeng Liu, Linli Li, Bipin Gaihre, Sungjo Park, Yong Li, Andre Terzic, Benjamin D. Elder, Lichun Lu
Summary: Functional spheroids engineered with two-dimensional heteronano-layers consisting of black phosphorus and graphene oxide show promising potential for bone tissue engineering. These spheroids successfully support osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells, neovascularization, and bone regeneration in vivo, as well as achieve outstanding in vivo osteogenic induction and bone regrowth without prior in vitro culture of osteogenic factor. The shortened overall culture time could be advantageous for clinical translation.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Viktoria M. S. Kjaer, Loukas Ieremias, Viktorija Daugvilaite, Michael Luckmann, Thomas M. Frimurer, Trond Ulven, Mette M. Rosenkilde, Jon Vabeno
Summary: The research found that the agonist activity of the G protein-coupled receptor GPR183/EBI2 is influenced by the substitution pattern of one of the two distal phenyl rings, acting as a molecular efficacy-switch.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Deyan Wu, Xuehua Zheng, Runduo Liu, Zhe Li, Zan Jiang, Qian Zhou, Yue Huang, Xu-Nian Wu, Chen Zhang, Yi-You Huang, Hai-Bin Luo
Summary: This study employed a free energy perturbation (FEP)-guided scaffold-hopping strategy to identify potent PDE5 inhibitors with a novel scaffold. The FEP approach showed advantages in accurately predicting binding potencies, and the discovered lead compound exhibited a different binding pattern compared to a famous starting drug. The findings highlight the potential of the FEP-guided scaffold hopping strategy in rational molecular design and drug discovery.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Oyku Sarigil, Muge Anil-Inevi, Burcu Firatligil-Yildirir, Yagmur Ceren Unal, Ozden Yalcin-Ozuysal, Gulistan Mese, H. Cumhur Tekin, Engin Ozcivici
Summary: The study used magnetic levitation to create 3D scaffold-free adipocyte structures for cell culture and tissue repair. Results showed potential for drug testing and cell therapy applications in soft tissue damage.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Siming Liu, Brianna R. Brennecke, Useong Yang, James A. Ankrum, Yumi Imai
Review
Immunology
Lauren Boland, Laura Melanie Bitterlich, Andrew E. Hogan, James A. Ankrum, Karen English
Summary: Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy is a potential option to treat inflammatory conditions, but its effectiveness may be affected in obese environments. This review discusses the impact of obesity on MSC immunomodulatory function and proposes strategies to enhance MSC efficacy in obese microenvironments.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Toxicology
Francoise A. Gourronc, Brynn K. Helm, Larry W. Robertson, Michael S. Chimenti, Hans Joachim-Lehmler, James A. Ankrum, Aloysius J. Klingelhutz
Summary: In this study, we found that the dioxin-like PCB126 disrupts transcriptional levels of genes associated with inflammation in a time-dependent manner, particularly in the pathways related to cytokine-cytokine-receptor signaling and the AGE-RAGE diabetic complications pathway. These findings provide valuable insights into how PCB126 and other AhR agonists interfere with adipogenesis.
TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Riley M. Behan-Bush, Jesse N. Liszewski, Michael V. Schrodt, Bhavya Vats, Xueshu Li, Hans-Joachim Lehmler, Aloysius J. Klingelhutz, James A. Ankrum
Summary: This study investigates the effects of PCB mixtures found in U.S. schools on the health and function of human adipose MSCs. The results show that exposure to these mixtures leads to cell death and phenotypic changes in MSCs. Additionally, exposure to these mixtures leads to impaired adipogenesis and decreased immunosuppressive capabilities of MSCs. Therefore, PCB mixtures found in schools have a negative impact on the health and function of adipose MSCs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francoise A. Gourronc, Brynn K. Helm, Larry W. Robertson, Michael S. Chimenti, Hans-Joachim Lehmler, James A. Ankrum, Aloysius J. Klingelhutz
Summary: This study investigated the effects of PCB126 on gene transcription in human preadipocytes using RNAseq. The results showed that exposure to PCB126 caused changes in gene expression, which may be associated with the development of metabolic syndrome. These findings provide important insights into the impact of PCB126 and other dioxin-like compounds on health.
Article
Toxicology
Francoise A. Gourronc, Michael S. Chimenti, Hans-Joachim Lehmler, James A. Ankrum, Aloysius J. Klingelhutz
Summary: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are linked to obesity and diabetes as they accumulate in adipose tissue. PCB52, a congener of PCBs, is found at high levels in school air. This study investigated the transcript changes in human preadipocytes exposed to PCB52 or its hydroxylated form, 4-OH-PCB52, and found that 4-OH-PCB52 caused more changes in gene expression compared to PCB52. The two compounds also affected different pathways, suggesting their potential roles in causing adipose dysfunction and disease.
TOXICOLOGY IN VITRO
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Michael V. Schrodt, Riley M. Behan-Bush, Jesse N. Liszewski, Madeleine E. Humpal-Pash, Lauren K. Boland, Sabrina M. Scroggins, Donna A. Santillan, James A. Ankrum
Summary: This study found that monocytes efficiently clear mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) through efferocytosis process, and only viable MSCs can induce immunosuppressive response in monocytes. Furthermore, monocytes that engulf viable MSCs secrete IL-10 and produce kynurenine, which is associated with immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francoise A. Gourronc, Michael S. Chimenti, Hans-Joachim Lehmler, James A. Ankrum, Aloysius J. Klingelhutz
Summary: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were extensively used in building materials, including schools, and exposure to PCBs is associated with various health issues. In this study, the authors explored the changes in gene transcript levels in human preadipocytes exposed to two PCB compounds, PCB52 and 4-OH-PCB52. The datasets generated provide a comprehensive transcriptional profile and allow for comparisons between the parent compound and its metabolite. These findings can contribute to understanding the impact of PCBs on biological pathways and potential disease development.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mariam Y. El-Hattab, Noah Sinclair, Jesse N. Liszewski, Michael V. Schrodt, Jacob Herrmann, Aloysius J. Klingelhutz, Edward A. Sander, James A. Ankrum
Summary: Adipocytes regulate tissues through the production of adipokines that act locally and systemically. They also play a critical role in regulating the healing process. In this study, a three-dimensional human adipocyte spheroid system was developed to understand how mature adipocytes signal to dermal fibroblasts to induce myofibroblast conversion. It was found that a factor secreted by mature adipocytes, identified as adiponectin, induces fibroblast to myofibroblast conversion through a pathway independent of TGF-beta 1.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Riley M. Behan-Bush, Jesse N. Liszewski, Michael V. Schrodt, Bhavya Vats, Xueshu Li, Hans-Joachim Lehmler, Aloysius J. Klingelhutz, James A. Ankrum
Summary: This study found that exposure to PCB mixtures in schools negatively affects the growth and function of adipose mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). Different levels of toxicity were observed when MSCs were exposed to Aroclor 1016, Aroclor 1254, and Cabinet Mixture. The findings have important implications for human health, considering the role of MSCs in supporting and maintaining adipose tissue.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Michael V. Schrodt, Riley M. Behan-Bush, Jesse N. Liszewski, Lauren K. Boland, Madeleine E. Humpal-Pash, James A. Ankrum
Meeting Abstract
Cell & Tissue Engineering
G. Moll, J. A. Ankrum, S. D. Olsen, J. A. Nolta
Meeting Abstract
Cell & Tissue Engineering
M. V. Schrodt, R. Behan-Bush, J. Liszewski, L. Boland, M. E. Humpal-Pash, J. A. Ankrum
