Preparation and in vitro release of zein microparticles loaded with prednisolone for oral delivery

Zein has been proposed as a polymer for targeted-drug delivery via the oral route. Zein microparticles were loaded with prednisolone and evaluated as an oral delivery system. Microparticles were formulated using phase separation. Starting quantities of zein and prednisolone, along with the agitation method and temperature were found to significantly impact drug loading and loading efficiency. Vortex mixing produced the highest drug loading and loading efficiency. Drug release was measured in simulated conditions of the stomach and small intestine using the microparticles made with the method that best improved drug loading. In simulated stomach and small intestine conditions, prednisolone release reached almost 70 over 3 and 4h, respectively. While a clinically relevant dose may be delivered using c. 100mg of zein microparticles, prednisolone release from the microparticles indicates that they may not be suited as a controlled-or targeted-delivery system.

A comparative study of the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells cultured on β-TCP ceramics and demineralized bone matrix with or without osteogenic inducers in vitro

The repair of bone defects that result from periodontal diseases remains a clinical challenge for periodontal therapy. β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) ceramics are biodegradable inorganic bone substitutes with inorganic components that are similar to those of bone. Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) is an acid-extracted organic matrix derived from bone sources that consists of the collagen and matrix proteins of bone. A few studies have documented the effects of DBM on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of inorganic and organic elements of bone on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs using three-dimensional porous β-TCP ceramics and DBM with or without osteogenic inducers. Primary hPDLCs were isolated from human periodontal ligaments. The proliferation of the hPDLCs on the scaffolds in the growth culture medium was examined using a Cell‑Counting kit‑8 (CCK-8) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the osteogenic differentiation of the hPDLCs cultured on the β-TCP ceramics and DBM were examined in both the growth culture medium and osteogenic culture medium. Specific osteogenic differentiation markers were examined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). SEM images revealed that the cells on the β-TCP were spindle-shaped and much more spread out compared with the cells on the DBM surfaces. There were no significant differences observed in cell proliferation between the β-TCP ceramics and the DBM scaffolds. Compared with the cells that were cultured on β-TCP ceramics, the ALP activity, as well as the Runx2 and osteocalcin (OCN) mRNA levels in the hPDLCs cultured on DBM were significantly enhanced both in the growth culture medium and the osteogenic culture medium. The organic elements of bone may exhibit greater osteogenic differentiation effects on hPDLCs than the inorganic elements.

In vitro investigations on the effect of dermal fibroblasts on keratinocyte responses to ultraviolet B radiation

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is closely linked to the development of skin cancers in humans. The ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation wavelength (280-320 nm), in particular, causes DNA damage in epidermal keratinocytes, which are linked to the generation of signature premalignant mutations. Interactions between dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes play a role in epidermal repair and regeneration after UVB-induced damage. To investigate these processes, established two and three-dimensional culture models were utilized to study the impact of fibroblast-keratinocyte crosstalk during the acute UVB response. Using a coculture system it was observed that fibroblasts enhanced keratinocyte survival and the repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) after UVB radiation exposure. These findings were also mirrored in irradiated human skin coculture models employed in this study. Fibroblast coculture was shown to play a role in the expression and activation of members of the apoptotic cascade, including caspase-3 and Bad. Interestingly, the expression and phosphorylation of p53, a key player in the regulation of keratinocyte cell fate postirradiation, was also shown to be influenced by fibroblast-produced factors. This study highlights the importance of synergistic interactions between fibroblasts and keratinocytes in maintaining a functional epidermis while promoting repair and regeneration following UVB radiation-induced damage.

Mitochondrial membrane potential in a small subset of artemisinin-induced dormant plasmodium falciparum parasites in vitro

Artemisinin induced dormancy is a proposed mechanism for failures of mono-therapy and is linked with artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum. The biological characterization and dynamics of dormant parasites are not well understood. Here we report that following dihydroartemisinin (DHA) treatment in vitro, a small subset of morphologically dormant parasites was stained with rhodamine 123 (RH), a mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) marker, and persisted to recovery. FACS sorted RH-positive parasites resumed growth at 10,000/well while RH-negative parasites failed to recover at 5 million/well. Furthermore, transcriptional activity for mitochondrial enzymes was only detected in RH-positive dormant parasites. Importantly, after treating dormant parasites with different concentrations of atovaquone, a mitochondrial inhibitor, the recovery of dormant parasites was delayed or stopped. This demonstrates that mitochondrial activity is critical for survival and regrowth of dormant parasites and that RH staining provides a means of identifying these parasites. These findings provide novel paths for studying and eradicating this dormant stage.

Elucidating the host-pathogen interactions between in vitro human cells and enterovirus 71 in Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD)

This study has provided further understanding of the pathogenesis of EV71, one of the major etiological agents associated with significant mortality in Hand, Foot and Mouth disease. Elucidating the host-pathogen interaction and the mechanism that the virus uses to bypass host defence systems to establish infection will aid in the development of potential antiviral therapeutics against EV71.

Three dimensional in-vitro models for studying cancer angiogenesis

Introduction Hydrogels prepared from star-shaped poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and maleimide-functionalized heparin provide a potential matrix for use in developing three dimensional (3D) models. We have previously demonstrated that these hydrogels support the cultivation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We extend this body of work to study the ability to create an extracellular matrix (ECM)-like model to study breast and prostate cancer cell growth in 3D. Also, we investigate the ability to produce a tri-culture mimicking tumour angiogenesis with cancer spheroids, HUVECs and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Materials and Methods The breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, and prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP and PC3, were seeded into starPEG-heparin hydrogels and grown for 14 Days to analyze the effects of varying hydrogel stiffness on spheroid development. Resulting hydrogel constructs were analyzed via proliferation assays, light microscopy, and immunostaining. Cancer cell lines were then seeded into starPEG-heparin hydrogels functionalized with growth factors as spheroids with HUVECs and MSCs and grown as a tri-culture. Cultures were analyzed via immunostaining and observed using confocal microscopy. Results Cultures prepared in MMP-cleavable starPEG-heparin hydrogels display spheroid formation in contrast to adherent growth on tissue culture plastic. Small differences were visualized in cancer spheroid growth between different gel stiffness across the range of cell lines. Cancer cell lines were able to be co-cultivated with HUVECs and MSC. Interaction was visualized between tumours and HUVECs via confocal microscopy. Further studies intend to further optimize and mimic the ECM environment of in-situ tumour angiogenesis. Discussion Our results confirm the suitability of hydrogels constructed from starPEG-heparin for HUVEC and MSC co-cultivation with cancer cell lines to study cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in a 3D environment. This represents a step forward in the development of 3D culture models to study the pathomechanisms of breast and prostate cancer.

Developing a three-dimensional in-vitro cell culture model for studying breast and prostate cancer using starPEG-heparin hydrogels

Introduction Hydrogels prepared from poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and maleimide-functionalized heparin provide a potential matrix for use in developing three dimensional (3D) models. We have previously demonstrated that these hydrogels support the cultivation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) (1). We extend this body of work to study the ability to create an extracellular matrix (ECM)-like model to study breast and prostate cancer cell growth in 3D. Also, we investigate the ability to produce a tri-culture mimicking tumour angiogenesis with cancer spheroids, HUVECs and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Materials and Methods The breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, and prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP and PC3, were seeded into starPEG-heparin hydrogels and grown for 14 Days to analyse the effects of varying hydrogel stiffness on spheroid development. Resulting hydrogel constructs were analyzed via Alamar Blue assays, light microscopy, and immunofluorescence staining for cytokeratin 8/18, Ki67 and E-Cadherin. Cancer cell lines were then pre-grown in hydrogels for 5-7 days and then re-seeded into starPEG-heparin hydrogels functionalised with RGD, SDF-1, bFGF and VEGF as spheroids with HUVECs and MSC and grown for 14 days as a tri-culture in Endothelial Cell Growth Medium (ECGM; Promocell). Cell lines were also seeded as a single cell suspension into the functionalised tri-culture system. Cultures were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and analysed via immunostaining for Von Willebrand Factor and CD31, as well as the above mentioned markers, and observed using confocal microscopy. Results Cultures prepared in MMP-cleavable starPEG-heparin hydrogels display spheroid formation in contrast to adherent growth on tissue culture plastic. Small differences were visualised in cancer spheroid growth between different gel stiffness across the range of cell lines. Cancer cell lines were able to be co-cultivated with HUVECs and MSC. HUVEC tube formation and cancer line spheroid formation occured after 3-4 days. Interaction was visualised between tumours and HUVECs via confocal microscopy. Slightly increased interaction was seen between cancer tumours and micro-vascular tubes when seeded as single cells compared with the pre-formed spheroid approach. Further studies intend to utilise cytokine gradients to further optimise the ECM environment of in situ tumour angiogenesis. Discussion and Conclusions Our results confirm the suitability of hydrogels constructed from starPEG-heparin for HUVECs and MSC co-cultivation with cancer cell lines to study cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in a 3D environment. This represents a step forward in the development of 3D culture models to study the pathomechanisms of breast and prostate cancer. References 1. Tsurkan MV, Chwalek K, Prokoph S, Zieris A, Levental KR, Freudenberg U, Werner C. Advanced Materials. 25, 2606-10, 2013. Disclosures The authors declare no conflicts of interest

In vitro microenvironments to study breast cancer bone colonisation

Bone metastasis occurs frequently in patients with advanced breast cancer and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. In order to advance current therapies, the mechanisms leading to the formation of bone metastases and their pathophysiology have to be better understood. Several in vitro models have been developed for systematic studies of interactions between breast cancer cells and the bone microenvironment. Such models can provide insights into the molecular basis of bone metastatic colonisation and also may provide a useful platform to design more physiologically relevant drug testing assays. This review describes different in vitro approaches and discusses their advantages and disadvantages.

Multi-parametric hydrogels support 3D in vitro bioengineered microenvironment models of tumour angiogenesis

Tumour microenvironment greatly influences the development and metastasis of cancer progression. The development of three dimensional (3D) culture models which mimic that displayed in vivo can improve cancer biology studies and accelerate novel anticancer drug screening. Inspired by a systems biology approach, we have formed 3D in vitro bioengineered tumour angiogenesis microenvironments within a glycosaminoglycan-based hydrogel culture system. This microenvironment model can routinely recreate breast and prostate tumour vascularisation. The multiple cell types cultured within this model were less sensitive to chemotherapy when compared with two dimensional (2D) cultures, and displayed comparative tumour regression to that displayed in vivo. These features highlight the use of our in vitro culture model as a complementary testing platform in conjunction with animal models, addressing key reduction and replacement goals of the future. We anticipate that this biomimetic model will provide a platform for the in-depth analysis of cancer development and the discovery of novel therapeutic targets.

Graphene-oxide-modified β-tricalcium phosphate bioceramics stimulate in vitro and in vivo osteogenesis

Graphene oxide (GO) has attracted much interest for applications in bone tissue engineering; however, until now the interaction between GO and stem cells, and the in vivo bone-forming ability of GO has not been explored. The aim of this study was to produce a GO-modified β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP-GRA) biceramics and then explore the material’s osteogenic capacity in vitro and in vivo, as well as unravel some of the molecular mechanisms behind this. β-TCP-GRA disks and scaffolds were successfully prepared by a simple GO/water suspension soaking method in combination with heat treatment. These scaffolds were found to significantly enhance the proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity and osteogenic gene expression of human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs), when compared to β-TCP without GO modification (controls). Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in hBMSCs appears to be the mechanism behind this osteogenic induction by β-TCP-GRA. β-TCP-GRA scaffolds led to an increased rate of in vivo new bone formation compared to β-TCP controls, indicative of the stimulatory effect of GO on in vivo osteogenesis, making GO modification of β-TCP a very promising method for applications in bone tissue engineering, in particular for the regeneration of large bone defects.