Autotaxin May Have Lysophosphatidic Acid-Unrelated Effects on Three-Dimension (3D) Cultured Human Trabecular Meshwork (HTM) Cells

Purpose: The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of the autotaxin (ATX)–lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling axis on the human trabecular meshwork (HTM) in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures of HTM cells. Methods: The effects were characterized by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and FITC-dextran permeability (2D), measurements of size and stiffness (3D), and the expression of several genes, including extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, their modulators, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related factors. Results: A one-day exposure to 200 nM LPA induced significant down-sizing effects of the 3D HTM spheroids, and these effects were enhanced slightly on longer exposure. The TEER and FITC-dextran permeability data indicate that LPA induced an increase in the barrier function of the 2D HTM monolayers. A one-day exposure to a 2 mg/L solution of ATX also resulted in a significant decrease in the sizes of the 3D HTM spheroids, and an increase in stiffness was also observed. The gene expression of several ECMs, their regulators and ER-stress related factors by the 3D HTM spheroids were altered by both ATX and LPA, but in different manners. Conclusions: The findings presented herein suggest that ATX may have additional roles in the human TM, in addition to the ATX–LPA signaling axis.

Pan-ROCK and ROCK2 Inhibitors Affect Dexamethasone-Treated 2D- and 3D-Cultured Human Trabecular Meshwork (HTM) Cells in Opposite Manners

Effects of a pan-ROCK-inhibitor, ripasudil (Rip), and a ROCK2 inhibitor, KD025 on dexamethasone (DEX)-treated human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells as a model of steroid-induced glaucoma were investigated. In the presence of Rip or KD025, DEX-treated HTM cells were subjected to permeability analysis of 2D monolayer by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and FITC–dextran permeability, physical properties, size and stiffness analysis (3D), and qPCR of extracellular matrix (ECM), and their modulators. DEX resulted in a significant increase in the permeability, as well as a large and stiff 3D spheroid, and those effects were inhibited by Rip. In contrast, KD025 exerted opposite effects on the physical properties (down-sizing and softening). Furthermore, DEX induced several changes of gene expressions of ECM and their modulators were also modulated differently by Rip and KD025. The present findings indicate that Rip and KD025 induced opposite effects toward 2D and 3D cell cultures of DEX-treated HTM cells.

Diverse effects of pan-ROCK and ROCK2 inhibitors on 2 D and 3D cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells treated with TGFβ2

A pan-ROCK-inhibitor, ripasudil (Rip), and a ROCK2 inhibitor, KD025, were used To study the effects of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK)1 and 2 on two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures of a TGFβ2-treated human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. In the presence of 5 ng/mL TGFβ2, the effects of these inhibitors were characterized by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), FITC-dextran permeability, and the size and stiffness of 3D sphenoids, the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) including collagen1, 4 and 6, and fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin, a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)1–4, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, 9 and 14. TGFβ2 caused a significant increase in the TEER values, and decrease in FITC-dextran permeability, as well as a decrease in the sizes and stiffness of the 3D sphenoids. In the presence of ROCK inhibitors, the TGFβ2-induced effects of the TEER and FITC-dextran permeability were inhibited, especially by KD025. Rip induced a significant increase in sizes and a decrease in the stiffness of the TGFβ2-treated 3D sphenoids, although the effects of KD025 were weaker. Gene expressions of most of the ECMs, TIMP2 and MMP9 of 2D and 3D HTM cells were significantly up-regulated by TGFβ2. Those were significantly and differently modulated by Rip or KD025.

Rosiglitasone and ROCK Inhibitors Modulate Fibrogenetic Changes in TGF-β2 Treated Human Conjunctival Fibroblasts (HconF) in Different Manners

Purpose: The effects of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) 1 and 2 inhibitor, ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate (Rip), ROCK2 inhibitor, KD025 or rosiglitazone (Rosi) on two-dimension (2D) and three-dimension (3D) cultured human conjunctival fibroblasts (HconF) treated by transforming growth factor (TGFβ2) were studied. Methods: Two-dimension and three-dimension cultured HconF were examined by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER, 2D), size and stiffness (3D), and the expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM) including collagen1 (COL1), COL4 and COL6, fibronectin (FN), and α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) by quantitative PCR (2D, 3D) in the presence of Rip, KD025 or Rosi. Results: TGFβ2 caused a significant increase in (1) the TEER values (2D) which were greatly reduced by Rosi, (2) the stiffness of the 3D organoids which were substantially reduced by Rip or KD025, and (3) TGFβ2 induced a significant up-regulation of all ECMs, except for COL6 (2D) or αSMA (3D), and down-regulation of COL6 (2D). Rosi caused a significant up-regulation of COL1, 4 and 6 (3D), and down-regulation of COL6 (2D) and αSMA (3D). Most of these TGFβ2-induced expressions in the 2D and αSMA in the 3D were substantially inhibited by KD025, but COL4 and αSMA in 2D were further enhanced by Rip. Conclusion: The findings reported herein indicate that TGFβ2 induces an increase in fibrogenetic changes on the plane and in the spatial space, and are inhibited by Rosi and ROCK inhibitors, respectively.

Transendothelial Electrical Resistance Measurement across the Blood–Brain Barrier: A Critical Review of Methods

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) represents the tightest endothelial barrier within the cardiovascular system characterized by very low ionic permeability. Our aim was to describe the setups, electrodes, and instruments to measure electrical resistance across brain microvessels and culture models of the BBB, as well as critically assess the influence of often neglected physical and technical parameters such as temperature, viscosity, current density generated by different electrode types, surface size, circumference, and porosity of the culture insert membrane. We demonstrate that these physical and technical parameters greatly influence the measurement of transendothelial electrical resistance/resistivity (TEER) across BBB culture models resulting in severalfold differences in TEER values of the same biological model, especially in the low-TEER range. We show that elevated culture medium viscosity significantly increases, while higher membrane porosity decreases TEER values. TEER data measured by chopstick electrodes can be threefold higher than values measured by chamber electrodes due to different electrode size and geometry, resulting in current distribution inhomogeneity. An additional shunt resistance at the circumference of culture inserts results in lower TEER values. A detailed description of setups and technical parameters is crucial for the correct interpretation and comparison of TEER values of BBB models.

Spatial Trans-Epithelial Electrical Resistance (S-TEER) Integrated in Organs-on-Chips

Transepithelial/transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) is a label-free assay that is commonly used to assess tissue barrier integrity. TEER measurement systems have been embedded in Organ-on-a-Chip devices to provide live readouts...

Measuring barrier function in organ-on-chips with cleanroom-free integration of multiplexable electrodes

A cleanroom-free method to integrate electrodes for transepithelial/transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements in Organ-on-Chips (OoCs) is presented and validated for a gut and a blood-brain barrier model.

Development of Real-Time Transendothelial Electrical Resistance Monitoring for an In Vitro Blood-Brain Barrier System

Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures and organs-on-a-chip have been developed to construct microenvironments that resemble the environment within the human body and to provide a platform that enables clear observation and accurate assessments of cell behavior. However, direct observation of transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) has been challenging. To improve the efficiency in monitoring the cell development in organs-on-a-chip, in this study, we designed and integrated commercially available TEER measurement electrodes into an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB)-on-chip system to quantify TEER variation. Moreover, a flowing culture medium was added to the monolayered cells to simulate the promotion of continuous shear stress on cerebrovascular cells. Compared with static 3D cell culture, the proposed BBB-on-chip integrated with electrodes could measure TEER in a real-time manner over a long period. It also allowed cell growth angle measurement, providing instant reports of cell growth information online. Overall, the results demonstrated that the developed system can aid in the quantification of the continuous cell-pattern variations for future studies in drug testing.

The Effects of Multiple Exposure Ethanol on Barrier Tightness and Passive Permeability in a Human Stem Cell Derived Blood-Brain Barrier Model.

Background and Hypothesis: Numerous animal studies have shown the negative aspects of ethanol at sustained concentrations as well as the intense depressive effects of multiple ethanol exposures on the central nervous system. Chronic ethanol use as a possible contributor to earlier onset neurocognitive decline has been indicated. A portion of these studies have implicated that ethanol exposure induces blood-brain barrier (BBB) impairment; however, these effects are not completely understood. In humans the BBB serves as a protective barrier that restricts the passage of nutrients, metabolites, and pathogens into the central nervous system from the blood and is essential in protecting the brain tissue from harmful substances. We hypothesize that multiple doses of pathologically-relevant ethanol will cause decreased BBB tightness and increase passive permeability. Experimental Design: In this study, we utilized brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to assess the effects ethanol has on barrier tightness and passive permeability through the BBB. BMECs were treated with multiple exposures of 50mM ethanol and transendothelial electrical resistance and sodium fluorescein permeabilities were measured. Trolox, a free radical scavenger, was used to identify if ethanol-induced barrier damage could be salvaged by reducing its oxidative impact. Results: Upon multiple exposure treatment with ethanol, iPSC-derived BMECs displayed diminished transendothelial electrical resistance and elevated sodium fluorescein permeability when compared to non-treated BMECs. Additionally, BMECs that were treated simultaneously with Trolox and ethanol had reduced barrier damage compared to ethanol treatment alone. Conclusion and Potential Impact: From these results, we conclude that multiple ethanol exposure-induced barrier damage in iPSC-derived BMECs, is in part due to elevated oxidative stress. Disruption of the BBB can potentiate a number of negative effects on the brain parenchyma and can lead to earlier onset neurocognitive decline. Alcohol’s impact on the BBB must be studied to ensure we limit these effects.

ROCK inhibitors beneficially alter the spatial configuration of TGFβ2-treated 3D organoids from a human trabecular meshwork (HTM)

To elucidate molecular pharmacology of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase inhibitors (ROCK-i, Ripasudil and Y27632) on their efficiency for aqueous outflow, 2D or 3D cultures of a human trabecular meshwork (HTM) were prepared in the presence of TGFβ2. Those were examined by transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER, 2D), electronic microscopy (EM, 2D and 3D), expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM) including collagen1 (COL1), COL4 and COL6, and fibronectin (FN) by immunolabeling and/or quantitative PCR (3D), and solidity of 3D organoids by a micro-squeezer. TGFβ2 significantly increased the TEER values in 2D cultures, and the ECM expression indicated that the 3D organoids assumed a more densely packed shape. ROCK-i greatly reduced the TGFβ2-induced enhancement of TEER and the immunolabeled ECM expression of the 3D organoids. In contrast, the mRNA expression of COL1 was increased, and those of COL4 and FN were unchanged. EM revealed that TGFβ2 caused the HTM cells to become more compact and abundant ECM deposits within the 3D organoids were observed. These were significantly inhibited by ROCK-i. The dense solids caused by the presence of TGFβ2 were significantly suppressed by ROCK-i. Current study indicates that ROCK-i cause beneficial effects toward the spatial configuration of TGFβ2-induced HTM 3D organoids.