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  • An Automated Multiplexed Hepatotoxicity and CYP Induction Assay Using HepaRG Cells in 2D and 3D.

An Automated Multiplexed Hepatotoxicity and CYP Induction Assay Using HepaRG Cells in 2D and 3D.

SLAS discovery : advancing life sciences R & D (2017-03-28)
Lindsey M Ott, Karthik Ramachandran, Lisa Stehno-Bittel
ABSTRACT

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are concerns when developing safe and efficacious compounds. We have developed an automated multiplex assay to detect hepatotoxicity (i.e., ATP depletion) and metabolism (i.e., cytochrome P450 1A [CYP1A] and cytochrome P450 3A4 [CYP3A4] enzyme activity) in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures. HepaRG cells were cultured in our proprietary micromold plates and produced spheroids. HepaRG cells, in 2D or 3D, expressed liver-specific proteins throughout the culture period, although 3D cultures consistently exhibited higher albumin secretion and CYP1A/CYP3A4 enzyme activity than 2D cultures. Once the spheroid hepatic quality was assessed, 2D and 3D HepaRGs were challenged to a panel of DILI- and CYP-inducing compounds for 7 days. The 3D HepaRG model had a 70% sensitivity to liver toxins at 7 days, while the 2D model had a 60% sensitivity. In both the 2D and 3D HepaRG models, 83% of compounds were predicted to be CYP inducers after 7 days of compound exposure. Combined, our results demonstrate that an automated multiplexed liver spheroid system is a promising cell-based method to evaluate DILI and DDI for early-stage drug discovery.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
HepaRG Thawing and Plating Medium Supplement
Sigma-Aldrich
HepaRG Maintenance and Metabolism Medium Supplement
Sigma-Aldrich
HepaRG Induction Medium Supplement
Sigma-Aldrich
HepaRG Serum Free Induction Medium Supplement
Sigma-Aldrich
HepaRG Serum Free Induction Medium Supplement with Antibiotics
Sigma-Aldrich
Troglitazone, ≥98% (HPLC)
Sigma-Aldrich
Rosiglitazone, ≥98% (HPLC)
Sigma-Aldrich
Rifampicin, ≥95% (HPLC), powder or crystals
Sigma-Aldrich
Differentiated HepaRG Cells Cryopreserved
Sigma-Aldrich
HepaRG Thawing and Plating Medium Supplement with Antibiotics
Sigma-Aldrich
HepaRG Maintenance and Metabolism Medium Supplement with Antibiotics
Sigma-Aldrich
HepaRG Induction Medium Supplement with Antibiotics