Suter-Dick, Laura
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Implementation of a human renal proximal tubule on a chip for nephrotoxicity and drug interaction studies
Proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTEC) are susceptible to drug-induced kidney injury (DIKI). Cell-based, two-dimensional (2D) in vitro PTEC models are often poor predictors of DIKI, probably due to the lack of physiological architecture and flow. Here, we assessed a high throughput, 3D microfluidic platform (Nephroscreen) for the detection of DIKI in pharmaceutical development. This system was established with four model nephrotoxic drugs (cisplatin, tenofovir, tobramycin and cyclosporin A) and tested with eight pharmaceutical compounds. Measured parameters included cell viability, release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), barrier integrity, release of specific miRNAs, and gene expression of toxicity markers. Drug-transporter interactions for P-gp and MRP2/4 were also determined. The most predictive read outs for DIKI were a combination of cell viability, LDH and miRNA release. In conclusion, Nephroscreen detected DIKI in a robust manner, is compatible with automated pipetting, proved to be amenable to long-term experiments, and was easily transferred between laboratories. This proof-of-concept-study demonstrated the usability and reproducibility of Nephroscreen for the detection of DIKI and drug-transporter interactions. Nephroscreen it represents a valuable tool towards replacing animal testing and supporting the 3Rs (Reduce, Refine and Replace animal experimentation).
Nephroscreen. A robust and versatile renal tubule-on-a-chip platform for nephrotoxicity assessment
Proximal tubule epithelial cells are the main driver of renal transport and secretion of xenobiotics, making them susceptible to drug-induced kidney injury. Cell-based assays are a meaningful alternative to animal testing to detect nephrotoxicity and contribute to the 3Rs (refine, reduce, replace animal experimentation). Here we report on a high-throughput, three-dimensional microfluidic platform (Nephroscreen) to detect drug-induced nephrotoxicity. Toxicologically relevant parameters were used to assess cell viability, functional epithelial barrier integrity, and interactions with specific transporters (P-glycoprotein: P-gp and multidrug resistance–associated protein 2/4: MRP2/4). Nephroscreen allowed the combination of a variety of read-outs, including imaging, extracellularly released markers, intracellular markers, and functional assays. Nephroscreen is compatible with automated pipetting, proved to be amenable to long-term experiments (at least 11 days), and was easily transferred between laboratories. The compelling data originate from several published reports on the development and implementation of this platform to detect nephrotoxicity and drug–transporter interactions. The reports demonstrate that Nephroscreen could be used to detect the nephrotoxic liabilities of the tested compounds. Future directions should include additional test compounds and thorough validation of its performance.
Nephrotoxicity and Kidney Transport Assessment on 3D Perfused Proximal Tubules
Proximal tubules in the kidney play a crucial role in reabsorbing and eliminating substrates from the body into the urine, leading to high local concentrations of xenobiotics. This makes the proximal tubule a major target for drug toxicity that needs to be evaluated during the drug development process. Here, we describe an advanced in vitro model consisting of fully polarized renal proximal tubular epithelial cells cultured in a microfluidic system. Up to 40 leak-tight tubules were cultured on this platform that provides access to the basolateral as well as the apical side of the epithelial cells. Exposure to the nephrotoxicant cisplatin caused a dose-dependent disruption of the epithelial barrier, a decrease in viability, an increase in effluent LDH activity, and changes in expression of tight-junction marker zona-occludence 1, actin, and DNA-damage marker H2A.X, as detected by immunostaining. Activity and inhibition of the efflux pumps P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance protein (MRP) were demonstrated using fluorescence-based transporter assays. In addition, the transepithelial transport function from the basolateral to the apical side of the proximal tubule was studied. The apparent permeability of the fluorescent P-gp substrate rhodamine 123 was decreased by 35% by co-incubation with cyclosporin A. Furthermore, the activity of the glucose transporter SGLT2 was demonstrated using the fluorescent glucose analog 6-NBDG which was sensitive to inhibition by phlorizin. Our results demonstrate that we developed a functional 3D perfused proximal tubule model with advanced renal epithelial characteristics that can be used for drug screening studies.