Donor-to-donor variability of a human three-dimensional bronchial epithelial model: A case study of cigarette smoke exposure

• Published in: Toxicology in vitro Vol. 82; p. 105391
• Main Authors: Mori, Sakura, Ishimori, Kanae, Matsumura, Kazushi, Ishikawa, Shinkichi, Ito, Shigeaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2022; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Bronchi - metabolism; Cell differentiation; Cigarette smoke; Cigarette Smoking; Cigarettes; Cytokines; Cytokines - genetics; Cytokines - metabolism; Epithelial cells; Epithelial Cells - metabolism; Epithelium; Evaluation; Gene expression; Histology; Histopathology; Humans; Inflammation; Inter-donor variation; Interleukin 8; Nicotiana - toxicity; Organotypic cultures; Outliers (statistics); Oxidative stress; Pathogenesis; Smoke; Three dimensional models; Toxicity; Transcriptome; Transcriptomics; Variability; Oxidative stress; Inter-donor variation; MCP-1; CBA; CBF; Transcriptome; PXR; DMEM; NF-κB; FDR; GM-CSF; Nrf2; US EPA; IL; ISO; VEGF; DEG; GO; Inflammation; AhR; AK; PCA; CS; 3D; Organotypic cultures; AqE; CAR; ND; NAM; COPD
• ISSN: 0887-2333; 1879-3177
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2022.105391

Three-dimensional (3D) cultured primary cells are used to predict the toxicity of substances towards humans because these 3D cultures closely mimic the physiological architecture of tissues. Nonetheless, it is important to consider primary-cell-specific variability for endpoint selection and appropriate evaluation of toxicity because donor-dependent characteristics may be retained even in in vitro cell cultures. In this report, 3D differentiated bronchial epithelial cells from three donors were used to investigate donor-to-donor variability, with an aqueous extract of cigarette smoke (CS) used as the test substance. Ciliary function, cytokine secretion, and histopathology, which are affected by CS, were examined, and transcriptomic analysis was also performed. The results revealed that interleukin-8 secretion and oxidative stress-related gene expression were consistently altered for all donors; however, their amplitudes varied. Moreover, one of the donors showed unique responses to CS, suggesting that this donor was an outlier. This donor showed intrinsic differences in histology, cytokine secretion, and gene expression profile. Such donors may help evaluate potential toxicological concerns and aid our understanding of disease pathogenesis. Conversely, these donors may confound toxicological assessment and endpoint selection. Fit-for-purpose handling of inter-donor variability is warranted. •3D bronchial epithelial cells were used to examine donor-to-donor variability.•Cigarette smoke-inducible responses with varying amplitude were observed.•Tissue from a donor showed distinct differences even under non-exposure conditions.