Hepatocyte-based in vitro model for drug-induced cholestasis

Commonly used acronym: DICI-MODEL

Scope of the method

The Method relates to
  • Human health
The Method is situated in
  • Translational - Applied Research
Type of method
  • In vitro - Ex vivo
This method makes use of
  • Human derived cells / tissues / organs
Specify the type of cells/tissues/organs
Human liver tissue (from resections during surgery)

Description

Method keywords
  • bile acids
  • sandwich-cultured human hepatocytes
  • in vitro model
Scientific area keywords
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Drug-induced liver injury (DILI)
  • Drug-induced cholestasis
Method description

Sandwich-cultured hepatocytes are exposed to test compounds (e.g. drug candidates) or known hepatotoxicants (as controls) both in the absence and in the presence of a mixture of physiologically relevant bile acids. After 24h, decreased hepatocyte viability and functionality in the presence of bile acids is expressed as a drug-induced cholestasis index (DICI) value. DICI values < 0.8 are indicative of possible cholestatic liabilities and a safety margin can be calculated provided in vivo therapeutic exposure data (or estimates) are available.

Lab equipment
  • Biosafety cabinet ;
  • Plate reader (absorbance) ;
  • Incubator.
Method status
  • Internally validated
  • Published in peer reviewed journal

Pros, cons & Future potential

Advantages

Early detection of cholestasis potential of medicines and environmental toxicants.

Challenges

Availability and characterisation of plateable human hepatocytes.

Modifications

Additional endpoints (ATP instead or urea, bile acid profiles) are under development.

Future & Other applications

Could extrapolate concept of co-incubation with endogenous compounds to other organs / tissues.

References, associated documents and other information

References

Chatterjee S, Richert L, Augustijns P, Annaert P. Hepatocyte-based in vitro model for assessment of drug-induced cholestasis. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2014 Jan 1;274(1):124-36. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2013.10.032. Epub 2013 Nov 7. PubMed PMID: 24211272.

Chatterjee S, Richert L, Augustijns P, Annaert P. Hepatocyte-based in vitro model for assessment of drug-induced cholestasis. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2014 Jan 1;274(1):124-36. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2013.10.032. Epub 2013 Nov 7. PubMed PMID: 24211272.

Oorts M, Baze A, Bachellier P, Heyd B, Zacharias T, Annaert P, Richert L. Drug-induced cholestasis risk assessment in sandwich-cultured human hepatocytes. Toxicol In Vitro. 2016 Aug;34:179-186. doi: 10.1016/j.tiv.2016.03.008. Epub 2016 Apr 2. PubMed PMID: 27046439.

Links
Link to initial publication on this topic

Contact person

Pieter Annaert

Organisations

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL)
Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences
Belgium
Flemish Region