Open Access

A tryptophan derivative, ITE, enhances liver cell metabolic functions in vitro

  • Authors:
    • Xiaoqian Zhang
    • Juan Lu
    • Bin He
    • Lingling Tang
    • Xiaoli Liu
    • Danhua Zhu
    • Hongcui Cao
    • Yingjie Wang
    • Lanjuan Li
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 9, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2016.2825
  • Pages: 101-112
  • Copyright: © Zhang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Cell encapsulation provides a three-dimensional support by incorporating isolated cells into microcapsules with the goal of simultaneously maintaining cell survival and function, as well as providing active transport for a bioreactor in vitro similarly to that observed in vivo. However, the biotra­nsformation and metabolic functions of the encapsulated cells are not satisfactory for clinical applications. For this purpose, in this study, hepatoma-derived Huh7 cells/C3A cells were treated with 2-(1'H-indole-3'-carbonyl)-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE), an endogenous non-toxic ligand for aryl hydrocarbon receptor, in monolayer cultures and on microspheres. The mRNA and protein levels, as well as the metabolic activities of drug metabolizing enzymes, albumin secretion and urea synthesis were determined. When the Huh7 and C3A cells cultured in a monolayer on two‑dimensional surfaces, ITE enhanced the protein levels and the metabolic activities of the major cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP1B1, and slightly increased albumin secretion and urea synthesis. Moreover, when cultured on microspheres, ITE also substantially increased the protein levels and metabolic activities of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP1B1 in both liver cell lines. On the whole, our findings indicate that ITE enhances the enzymatic activities of major CYP450 enzymes and the metabolic functions of liver cells cultured in monolayer or on microspheres, indicating that it may be utilized to improve the functions of hepatocytes. Thus, it may be used in the future for the treatment of liver diseases.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

January-2017
Volume 39 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Zhang X, Lu J, He B, Tang L, Liu X, Zhu D, Cao H, Wang Y and Li L: A tryptophan derivative, ITE, enhances liver cell metabolic functions in vitro. Int J Mol Med 39: 101-112, 2017
APA
Zhang, X., Lu, J., He, B., Tang, L., Liu, X., Zhu, D. ... Li, L. (2017). A tryptophan derivative, ITE, enhances liver cell metabolic functions in vitro. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 39, 101-112. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2016.2825
MLA
Zhang, X., Lu, J., He, B., Tang, L., Liu, X., Zhu, D., Cao, H., Wang, Y., Li, L."A tryptophan derivative, ITE, enhances liver cell metabolic functions in vitro". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 39.1 (2017): 101-112.
Chicago
Zhang, X., Lu, J., He, B., Tang, L., Liu, X., Zhu, D., Cao, H., Wang, Y., Li, L."A tryptophan derivative, ITE, enhances liver cell metabolic functions in vitro". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 39, no. 1 (2017): 101-112. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2016.2825