AMSBIO: Novel Organoid Matrix Enables Long-Term Culture of Human Hepatocytes

AMSBIO reports on the recent publication in Cell [1] by Dr Meritxell Huch, Prof Hans Clevers et al. of ground-breaking research using Cultrex BME2 reduced growth factor (organoid growth matrix) to enable long-term (>1 year) culture of genome-stable bipotent stem cells from adult human liver. These results open up new experimental avenues towards the use of human liver material expandedin vitro as an alternative cell source for disease modeling, toxicology studies, drug testing, regenerative medicine and gene therapy.

Liver diseases (ranging from genetic inherited disorders to viral hepatitis, liver cancer, and obesity-related fatty liver disease) are the twelfth-leading cause of death in the United States. Failure in the management of liver diseases can be attributed to the shortage of donor livers as well as to our poor understanding of the mechanisms behind liver pathology. The value of any cultured cell as a disease model or as a source for cell therapy transplantation depends on the fidelity and robustness of its expansion potential as well as its ability to maintain a normal genetic and epigenetic status.

The research by Huch, Clevers et al. shows that primary human bile duct cells can readily be expanded in vitro as bipotent stem cells into 3D liver organoids using AMSBIO’s reduced growth factor basement membrane extract Cultrex BME2 as extracellular matrix (ECM). In this novel culture system, adult liver stem cells maintain their ability of self-renewal; differentiating into functional hepatocyte cells in vitro and generating bona fide hepatocytes upon transplantation. Extensive analysis of the genetic stability of cultured organoids in vitro demonstrates that the expanded cells preserve their genetic integrity over months in culture (agreeing with the authors’ previous observations in a mouse model). Organoids derived from patients with genetic disorders can be used to model liver disease in vitro.

Commenting on this research, Dr. Huch said “We have obtained culture conditions that allow us to long-term expand genetically stable human donor liver cells in organoid culture. One of the clues to this success is the use of ECM that allows the cells to grow in 3D. BME2 has been our ECM of choice for these experiments.”

AMSBIO has been working with the variability of the cellular microenvironment and how it affects the physiological relevance of cell culture. Factors contributing to this variability include: organ specific stromal cells, growth factors, proteoglycan and protein composition, and stiffness or tensile strength of the basement membrane extract or extracellular matrix. Matrices from AMSBIO not only support cells and cell layers, but also play an essential role in tissue organization that affects cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. These aspects can be studied with kits from AMSBIO incorporating their wealth of experience in this area. Cultrex® Basement Membrane Extract (BME) is a soluble form of basement membrane purified from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumour. The extract gels at 37°C to form a reconstituted basement membrane. Major components of BME include laminin, collagen IV, entactin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan.  These extracted proteins can be used in multiple applications, under a variety of cell culture conditions, for maintaining growth or promoting differentiation of primary endothelial, epithelial, smooth muscle and stem cells. BME can also be utilized in cell attachment, neurite outgrowth, angiogenesis, in vitro cell invasion and in vivo tumorigenicity assays. The new BME 2 is a proprietary formulation that has a higher tensile strength than similar products such as Matrigel®.

For further information on Cultrex BME 2 please visit http://www.amsbio.com/Long-term-organoid-culture-on-BME2-RGF.aspx or contact AMSBIO now on +44-1235-828200 / +1-617-945-5033 or email info@amsbio.com.

Dr Meritxell Huch is based at the Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, UK; and Professor Hans Clevers is Professor and Director of the Hubrecht Institute and President of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Professor Clevers co-authored the seminal 2009 paper by Sato et al on mouse organoid culture; and Dr Huch recently won the NC3Rs 3Rs Prize for the advance with the most potential to reduce the use of animals in science for her work growing “mini-liver” organoids from adult mouse stem cells. Using the new method, cells from one mouse could be used to test 1000 drug compounds to treat liver disease, and reduce animal use by up to 50,000.

Founded in 1987, AMS Biotechnology (AMSBIO) is recognized today as a leading company contributing to the acceleration of discovery through the provision of cutting-edge life science technology, products and services for research and development in the medical, nutrition, cosmetics and energy industries. AMSBIO is able to draw upon in-depth expertise in extracellular matrices to provide elegant solutions for studying cell motility, migration, invasion and proliferation. Widely acknowledged as an expert in cell culture, AMSBIO partners with clients in tailoring cell systems to enhance organoid and spheroid type screening outcomes from a technological and cost-effective perspective. Custom services include stable cell line production, CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing, lentivirus and adenovirus production, large scale protein production and a comprehensive portfolio of antibody services.


Reference:  1. Cell, Volume 160, Issues 1-2,  p299–312, 15 January 2015 or http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674%2814%2901566-9

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