Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-OR029

A New Spheroid Model of the Glomerulus

Session Information

• Cellular Crosstalk in Glomerular Diseases
  October 26, 2018 | Location: 25A, San Diego Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 04:42 PM - 04:54 PM

Category: Glomerular Diseases

• 1201 Glomerular Diseases: Fibrosis and Extracellular Matrix

Authors

• Tuffin, Jack P., University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom

Jack P. Tuffin

• Welsh, Gavin Iain, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom

Gavin Iain Welsh,

• Johnson, Timothy Scott, Sheffield kidney Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

Timothy Scott Johnson,

• Satchell, Simon C., University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom

Simon C. Satchell,

• Lennon, Rachel, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom

Rachel Lennon,

• Hosawi, Salman, King Abdulaziz University, Manchester, United Kingdom

Salman Hosawi,

• Saleem, Moin, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom

Moin Saleem,

Background

2D models of glomerular cells are limited in their ability to recreate accurate morphology and protein expression. The purpose of this project was to produce a 3D co-culture of conditionally immortalised human podocytes and glomerular endothelial cells (GEnCs), more translationally representative of glomerular health and disease for medium-throughput pharmaceutical compound screening.

Methods

Magnetic spheroid bio-printing was used to assemble podocytes and GEnCs into organised 3D structures. Fluorescence IHC techniques were used to stain and samples were imaged using confocal, lightsheet and transmission electron microscopy. Western blotting, mass spectrometry-based proteomics and transcriptomics techniques were applied.

Results

Podocytes and GEnCs in spheroid co-culture self-assembled into a glomerulus-like structure, whereby peripheral podocytes wrapped a core of endothelial cells. An organised layer of extracellular matrix formed between the two cell types. A combination of TGFβ and adriamycin caused significant podocyte effacement. TGFβ alone was sufficient to induce a significant increase in expression of the GBM protein collagen IV. Incubation with an antifibrotic compound (Nintedanib) significantly reduced both of these effects.

Conclusion

An in-vitro spheroid model demonstrating two key aspects of glomerulosclerosis (foot-process effacement and matrix dysregulation) has been developed. This model is more physiologically relevant than 2D cultures, whilst being reproducible and scalable.

Funding

• Commercial Support –