scholarly journals Bringing the pancreas patient back to the bench: Ex vivo culture of intact human patient derived pancreatic tumour tissue

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Kokkinos ◽  
George Sharbeen ◽  
Koroush S. Haghighi ◽  
Rosa Mistica C. Ignacio ◽  
Chantal Kopecky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Personalised Medicine ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Human Patient ◽  
Pancreatic Tumours ◽  
Tissue Explants ◽  
Original Tumour ◽  
Tissue Manipulation ◽  
Pdac Tissue

AbstractThe poor prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is attributed to the highly fibrotic stroma and complex multi-cellular microenvironment that is difficult to fully recapitulate in pre-clinical human models. To fast-track translation of therapies and to inform personalised medicine, we aimed to develop a whole-tissue ex vivo explant model that maintains viability, 3D multicellular architecture, and microenvironmental cues present in human pancreatic tumours. Patient-derived surgically-resected PDAC tissue was cut into 2 mm explants, cultured on gelatin sponges, and grown for 12 days. Immunohistochemistry revealed that human PDAC tissue explants were viable for 12 days and maintained their original tumour, stromal and extracellular matrix architecture. As proof-of-principle, human PDAC tissue explants responded to Abraxane® treatment with a 3.7-fold increase in cell-death (p=0.0007). PDAC explants were also transfected with polymeric nanoparticles+Cy5-siRNA and we observed abundant cytoplasmic distribution of nanoparticle+Cy5-siRNA throughout the PDAC explant tissue. Our novel model retains the 3D architecture of human pancreatic tumours and has several advantages over standard organoids: presence of functional multi-cellular stroma and fibrosis and no tissue manipulation, digestion, or artificial propagation of organoids. This provides an unprecedented opportunity to study PDAC biology, tumour-stromal interactions and rapidly assess therapeutic response that could drive personalised treatment for PDAC.

scholarly journals Ex vivo culture of intact human patient derived pancreatic tumour tissue

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Kokkinos ◽  
George Sharbeen ◽  
Koroush S. Haghighi ◽  
Rosa Mistica C. Ignacio ◽  
Chantal Kopecky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Polymeric Nanoparticles ◽  
Personalised Medicine ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Human Patient ◽  
Original Tumour ◽  
Tissue Manipulation ◽  
Pdac Tissue ◽  
Ex Vivo Culture ◽  
Personalised Treatment

AbstractThe poor prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is attributed to the highly fibrotic stroma and complex multi-cellular microenvironment that is difficult to fully recapitulate in pre-clinical models. To fast-track translation of therapies and to inform personalised medicine, we aimed to develop a whole-tissue ex vivo explant model that maintains viability, 3D multicellular architecture, and microenvironmental cues of human pancreatic tumours. Patient-derived surgically-resected PDAC tissue was cut into 1–2 mm explants and cultured on gelatin sponges for 12 days. Immunohistochemistry revealed that human PDAC explants were viable for 12 days and maintained their original tumour, stromal and extracellular matrix architecture. As proof-of-principle, human PDAC explants were treated with Abraxane and we observed different levels of response between patients. PDAC explants were also transfected with polymeric nanoparticles + Cy5-siRNA and we observed abundant cytoplasmic distribution of Cy5-siRNA throughout the PDAC explants. Overall, our novel model retains the 3D architecture of human PDAC and has advantages over standard organoids: presence of functional multi-cellular stroma and fibrosis, and no tissue manipulation, digestion, or artificial propagation of organoids. This provides unprecedented opportunity to study PDAC biology including tumour-stromal interactions and rapidly assess therapeutic response to drive personalised treatment.

scholarly journals Modelling Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer: From Bench Side to Clinic

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3170
Author(s):  
Alexander Ney ◽  
Gabriele Canciani ◽  
J. Justin Hsuan ◽  
Stephen P. Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Neuroendocrine Differentiation ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Disease Models ◽  
Tissue Remodelling ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Original Tumour

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNETs) are a heterogeneous group of epithelial tumours with neuroendocrine differentiation. Although rare (incidence of <1 in 100,000), they are the second most common group of pancreatic neoplasms after pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). pNET incidence is however on the rise and patient outcomes, although variable, have been linked with 5-year survival rates as low as 40%. Improvement of diagnostic and treatment modalities strongly relies on disease models that reconstruct the disease ex vivo. A key constraint in pNET research, however, is the absence of human pNET models that accurately capture the original tumour phenotype. In attempts to more closely mimic the disease in its native environment, three-dimensional culture models as well as in vivo models, such as genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), have been developed. Despite adding significant contributions to our understanding of more complex biological processes associated with the development and progression of pNETs, factors such as ethical considerations and low rates of clinical translatability limit their use. Furthermore, a role for the site-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) in disease development and progression has become clear. Advances in tissue engineering have enabled the use of tissue constructs that are designed to establish disease ex vivo within a close to native ECM that can recapitulate tumour-associated tissue remodelling. Yet, such advanced models for studying pNETs remain underdeveloped. This review summarises the most clinically relevant disease models of pNETs currently used, as well as future directions for improved modelling of the disease.

scholarly journals Overexpression of DCLK1-AL Increases Tumor Cell Invasion, Drug Resistance, and KRAS Activation and Can Be Targeted to Inhibit Tumorigenesis in Pancreatic Cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongfeng Qu ◽  
Nathaniel Weygant ◽  
Jiannan Yao ◽  
Parthasarathy Chandrakesan ◽  
William L. Berry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Drug Resistance ◽  
Mouse Models ◽  
Pancreatic Tumor ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Human Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Pdac Tissue

Oncogenic KRAS mutation plays a key role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumorigenesis with nearly 95% of PDAC harboring mutation-activated KRAS, which has been considered an undruggable target. Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is often overexpressed in pancreatic cancer, and recent studies indicate that DCLK1+ PDAC cells can initiate pancreatic tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigate whether overexpressing DCLK1 activates RAS and promotes tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Human pancreatic cancer cells (AsPC-1 and MiaPaCa-2) were infected with lentivirus and selected to create stable DCLK1 isoform 2 (alpha-long, AL) overexpressing lines. The invasive potential of these cells relative to vector control was compared using Matrigel coated transwell assay. KRAS activation and interaction were determined by a pull-down assay and coimmunoprecipitation. Gemcitabine, mTOR (Everolimus), PI3K (LY-294002), and BCL-2 (ABT-199) inhibitors were used to evaluate drug resistance downstream of KRAS activation. Immunostaining of a PDAC tissue microarray was performed to detect DCLK1 alpha- and beta-long expression. Analysis of gene expression in human PDAC was performed using the TCGA PAAD dataset. The effects of targeting DCLK1 were studied using xenograft and Pdx1CreKrasG12DTrp53R172H/+ (KPC) mouse models. Overexpression of DCLK1-AL drives a more than 2-fold increase in invasion and drug resistance and increased the activation of KRAS. Evidence from TCGA PAAD demonstrated that human PDACs expressing high levels of DCLK1 correlate with activated PI3K/AKT/MTOR-pathway signaling suggesting greater KRAS activity. High DCLK1 expression in normal adjacent tissue of PDAC correlated with poor survival and anti-DCLK1 mAb inhibited pancreatic tumor growth in vivo in mouse models.

Alpha-Amylase/Trypsin Inhibitors, novel activators of innate immunity in ex-vivo tissue explants

2013 ◽  
Vol 51 (08) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Zevallos ◽  
P Olinga ◽  
Y Junker ◽  
PB Tung ◽  
N Volz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Trypsin Inhibitors ◽  
Alpha Amylase ◽  
Tissue Explants ◽  
Ex Vivo Tissue

Prostanoid Release from Ex Vivo Perfused Canine Arteries and Veins: Effects of Prolonged Perfusion, Intermittent Perfusion, as well as Exposure to Exogenous Arachidonic Acid, Thrombin and Bradykinin

1989 ◽  
Vol 62 (03) ◽  
pp. 1034-1039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan S Brunkwall ◽  
James C Stanley ◽  
Timothy F Kresowik ◽  
Linda M Graham ◽  
William E Burkel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arachidonic Acid ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Ex Vivo Perfusion ◽  
Cyclooxygenase Activity ◽  
Perfusion Model ◽  
Prostanoid Production ◽  
Slow Decline ◽  
Arteries And Veins ◽  
Nonpulsatile Flow

SummaryRegulation of prostanoid release from ex vivo perfused vessel segments is not fully understood. A series of perfusion experiments were performed with canine arteries and veins to define certain regulatory phenomena. Arteries were perfused with pulsatile flow of 90 ml/min at a pressure of 100 mmHg, and veins with nonpulsatile flow of 90 ml/min at a pressure of 7 mmHg. Segments were perfused with Hanks' balanced salt solution for five 15-min periods with the perfusate exchanged after each study period. With onset of perfusion, there was an initial burst of prostacyclin release to 127 ± 40 pg/mm2, declining to 32 ± 10 pg/mm2 after 60 minutes (p <0.005). If perfusion continued for 5.5 hours, there was a stable release period between 1 and 3 hours, followed by a very slow decline. At that time addition of arachidonic acid (AA) increased prostacyclin release six-fold (p <0.01). Vessels perfused for 1 hour and then rested for another hour, responded to reperfusion at the second onset of flow with a two-fold increase in prostacyclin release (p <0.01). Vessels perfused with thrombin, bradykinin or A A (either added to each perfusate or only to the last perfusate) exhibited greater prostacyclin release than did control segments. Release of thromboxane steadily declined with time in all parts of the study, and only increased with the addition of A A to the perfusate. These data indicate that vessel segments subjected to ex vivo perfusion do not maximally utilize enzyme systems responsible for prostanoid production, and after 1 hour perfusion have not depleted their phospholipids, and maintain functioning levels of phospholipase and cyclooxygenase activity. This perfusion model allows for the study of prostacyclin and thromboxane release from arteries and veins and their response to various drugs and other stimuli.

Monitoring Anticoagulant Therapy by Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time: Hirudin Assessment

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (05) ◽  
pp. 685-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T Nurmohamed ◽  
René J Berckmans ◽  
Willy M Morriën-Salomons ◽  
Fenny Berends ◽  
Daan W Hommes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Blood ◽  
Partial Thromboplastin Time ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Heparin Therapy ◽  
Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time ◽  
Recombinant Hirudin ◽  
Interindividual Differences ◽  
The Relationship

SummaryBackground. Recombinant hirudin (RH) is a new anticoagulant for prophylaxis and treatment of venous and arterial thrombosis. To which extent the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) is suitable for monitoring of RH has not been properly evaluated. Recently, a capillary whole blood device was developed for bed-side monitoring of the APTT and it was demonstrated that this device was suitable to monitor heparin therapy. However, monitoring of RH was not evaluated.Study Objectives. To evaluate in vitro and ex vivo the responsiveness and reproducibility for hirudin monitoring of the whole blood monitor and of plasma APTT assays, which were performed with several reagents and two conventional coagulometers.Results. Large interindividual differences in hirudin responsiveness were noted in both the in vitro and the ex vivo experiments. The relationship between the APTT, expressed as clotting time or ratio of initial and prolonged APTT, and the hirudin concentration was nonlinear. A 1.5-fold increase of the clotting times was obtained at 150-200 ng/ml plasma. However, only a 2-fold increase was obtained at hirudin levels varying from 300 ng to more than 750 ng RH/ml plasma regardless of the assays. The relationship linearized upon logarithmic conversion of the ratio and the hirudin concentration. Disregarding the interindividual differences, and presuming full linearity of the relationship, all combinations were equally responsive to hirudin.Conclusions. All assays were equally responsive to hirudin. Levels up to 300 ng/ml plasma can be reliably estimated with each assay. The manual device may be preferable in situations where rapid availability of test results is necessary.

scholarly journals A GATA6-centred gene regulatory network involving HNFs and ΔNp63 controls plasticity and immune escape in pancreatic cancer

Gut ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. gutjnl-2020-321397
Author(s):  
Bernhard Kloesch ◽  
Vivien Ionasz ◽  
Sumit Paliwal ◽  
Natascha Hruschka ◽  
Jaime Martinez de Villarreal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Immune Escape ◽  
Lung Metastases ◽  
Personalised Medicine ◽  
Molecular Taxonomy ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Basal Phenotype ◽  
Phenotype Switch

ObjectiveMolecular taxonomy of tumours is the foundation of personalised medicine and is becoming of paramount importance for therapeutic purposes. Four transcriptomics-based classification systems of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exist, which consistently identified a subtype of highly aggressive PDACs with basal-like features, including ΔNp63 expression and loss of the epithelial master regulator GATA6. We investigated the precise molecular events driving PDAC progression and the emergence of the basal programme.DesignWe combined the analysis of patient-derived transcriptomics datasets and tissue samples with mechanistic experiments using a novel dual-recombinase mouse model for Gata6 deletion at late stages of KRasG12D-driven pancreatic tumorigenesis (Gata6LateKO).ResultsThis comprehensive human-to-mouse approach showed that GATA6 loss is necessary, but not sufficient, for the expression of ΔNp63 and the basal programme in patients and in mice. The concomitant loss of HNF1A and HNF4A, likely through epigenetic silencing, is required for the full phenotype switch. Moreover, Gata6 deletion in mice dramatically increased the metastatic rate, with a propensity for lung metastases. Through RNA-Seq analysis of primary cells isolated from mouse tumours, we show that Gata6 inhibits tumour cell plasticity and immune evasion, consistent with patient-derived data, suggesting that GATA6 works as a barrier for acquiring the fully developed basal and metastatic phenotype.ConclusionsOur work provides both a mechanistic molecular link between the basal phenotype and metastasis and a valuable preclinical tool to investigate the most aggressive subtype of PDAC. These data, therefore, are important for understanding the pathobiological features underlying the heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer in both mice and human.

Abstract 5858: Role of Oxygen Tension and Oxidative Stress in Human Saphenous Vein Remodeling

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Binata Joddar ◽  
Rashmeet K Reen ◽  
Michael Firstenberg ◽  
Keith J Gooch
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Oxygen Tension ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Neointimal Hyperplasia ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
List Type ◽  
Saphenous Veins ◽  
Arterial Po2 ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Vessels cultured ex vivo maintain viability and vasoactivity for weeks and can remodel in response to mechanical cues. When cultured in the presence of 5% CO2/balance air veins develop neointimal hyperplasia (IH) while arteries do not suggesting that exposure to significant increases in pO2 levels might stimulate IH. Neointimal hyperplasia (IH) is a known mechanism by which saphenous veins have a decreased patency compared to arterial conduits when used for coronary artery bypass. We sought to explore the role of oxygen tension and oxidative stress in IH. Test the hypothesis that exposure of human saphenous veins (HSV) to arterial pO2 stimulates IH via ROS-mediated pathways. Almost 40 HSV remnants acquired following CABG were cultured ex vivo with arterial (~95mmHg) pO2 or venous (~40mmHg) pO2 for 14 days. All differences reported have a p<0.05 via Student’s t-test. Results: HSV cultured at arterial pO2 exhibited significant IH as evidenced by disruption of the IEL, invasion of cells from the media, and a 2.8-fold greater intimal area than fresh HSV, a 5.8-fold increase in cell proliferation compared to fresh HSV, increased ROS levels and oxidative stress as evidenced by 4-fold increase in 4-HNE level (a marker of oxidative stress), increased DHE staining (indicative of superoxide generation), and a progressive increase in total ROS levels with time as assessed by DCF fluorescence, and a 3-fold increase in phosphorylated p38-MAPK, which is implicated in SMC proliferation. In stark contrast vessels culture at arterial pO2, HSV cultured with venous pO2 did not develop increased IH and were indistinguishable from fresh vessels with respect to proliferation, markers of oxidative stress, and MAPK expression levels. Supplementing culture medium with antioxidants including Tiron or NAC blocked the pO2-induced changes. These data indicate that exposure to arterial pO2 increases cellular proliferation and stimulates IH, potentially via oxidative stress or ROS signaling and also suggest that exposure to elevated arterial pO2 might stimulate pathological remodeling of veins grafted into the arterial circulation. This research has received full or partial funding support from the American Heart Association, AHA Great Rivers Affiliate (Delaware, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania & West Virginia).

Hyaluronan heterogeneity in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, primary tumors, and sites of metastasis.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16231-e16231
Author(s):  
Veronica Placencio-Hickok ◽  
Marie Lauzon ◽  
Natalie Moshayedi ◽  
Michelle Guan ◽  
Sungjin Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overall Survival ◽  
Liver Metastasis ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
High Status ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Pdac Tissue ◽  
Treatment Naïve

e16231 Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive cancers with an estimated five-year survival rate of 10%. The dense desmoplastic stroma in PDAC contributes to its aggressive nature and treatment resistance. Among the components comprising the stroma, hyaluronan (HA) has been demonstrated to play a critical role in tumor progression and survival. Previous preliminary studies have suggested differences in HA expression in primary and metastatic foci in PDAC. However, the effects of treatment and location of HA expression as well as the role of CD44, a known receptor for HA, on HA as a biomarker signature remain unknown. Thus, we investigated the potential of HA as a biomarker in primary PDAC and metastases. Methods: PDAC tissue from primary (n = 43) and metastatic (n = 66) sites were obtained from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center along with associated clinical data. Tissue slides were stained with H&E, HA using a histochemical assay, and CD44 by immunohistochemistry. HA staining was scored according to the proportion of stromal staining at an intensity greater than the background stroma. HA status was defined as ≥ 50% staining being HA high and < 50% as being HA low. CD44 staining was recorded as an H-score (percentage of tumor cells staining multiplied by intensity of staining on a scale from 0 to 3). Associations between HA levels and the requested variables were examined with t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, or Cox regression model where appropriate. Kaplan-Meier curves were created to assess progression free survival and overall survival. Analyses were performed using SAS 9.4 with two-sided tests and a significance level of 0.05. Results: HA score was significantly higher in primary PDAC tissue compared to sites of metastases (p = 0.0148). Within the metastases, HA score was significantly higher in liver metastasis compared to other sites of metastasis (p = 0.0478). In the liver metastasis tissue, HA score trended lower in patients with previously treated tissue compared to treatment naïve tissue (p = 0.0622). In the treatment naive liver metastasis cohort, patients with HA high status had decreased progression free survival and overall survival compared to patients with HA low status (p = 0.0032 and p = 0.0478, respectively). Using HA score and CD44 in a Cox regression model demonstrated that for every one unit increase in HA score, the risk for recurrence/progression increased by 4.4% at any fixed point in time, adjusting for CD44 score (p = 0.0049). Conclusions: HA score is variable between primary PDAC, PDAC metastatic to the liver, and PDAC metastatic to other sites. Within liver metastases, patients with HA high status had decreased progression free survival and overall survival compared to patients with HA low status. HA levels can serve as a potential biomarker to guide pancreatic cancer treatments and trial design for agents targeting the stroma.

scholarly journals Randomised controlled trial of GM-CSF in critically ill patients with impaired neutrophil phagocytosis

Thorax ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 918-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma M Pinder ◽  
Anthony J Rostron ◽  
Thomas P Hellyer ◽  
Marie-Helene Ruchaud-Sparagano ◽  
Jonathan Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Personalised Medicine ◽  
Common Adverse Event ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Gm Csf ◽  
Hla Dr ◽  
Increased Risk

BackgroundCritically ill patients with impaired neutrophil phagocytosis have significantly increased risk of nosocomial infection. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) improves phagocytosis by neutrophils ex vivo. This study tested the hypothesis that GM-CSF improves neutrophil phagocytosis in critically ill patients in whom phagocytosis is known to be impaired.MethodsThis was a multicentre, phase IIa randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Using a personalised medicine approach, only critically ill patients with impaired neutrophil phagocytosis were included. Patients were randomised 1:1 to subcutaneous GM-CSF (3 μg/kg/day) or placebo, once daily for 4 days. The primary outcome measure was neutrophil phagocytosis 2 days after initiation of GM-CSF. Secondary outcomes included neutrophil phagocytosis over time, neutrophil functions other than phagocytosis, monocyte HLA-DR expression and safety.ResultsThirty-eight patients were recruited from five intensive care units (17 randomised to GM-CSF). Mean neutrophil phagocytosis at day 2 was 57.2% (SD 13.2%) in the GM-CSF group and 49.8% (13.4%) in the placebo group, p=0.73. The proportion of patients with neutrophil phagocytosis≥50% at day 2, and monocyte HLA-DR, appeared significantly higher in the GM-CSF group. Neutrophil functions other than phagocytosis did not appear significantly different between the groups. The most common adverse event associated with GM-CSF was fever.ConclusionsGM-CSF did not improve mean neutrophil phagocytosis at day 2, but was safe and appeared to increase the proportion of patients with adequate phagocytosis. The study suggests proof of principle for a pharmacological effect on neutrophil function in a subset of critically ill patients.

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