HepG2 cell model for genotoxicity and steatosis assessment

Julian BURSZTYKA1 & Nathalie Maubon1

1 HCS Pharma, 6 rue Pierre Joseph Colin, 35000 Rennes

Abstract

Early detection of toxic events induced by drug cantidats is mandatory in order to avoid late attrition in the processof R&D. Here we present two assays that can be done with the HepG2 human hepatoma cell line: genotoxicity assay(DNA double strand break) and steatosis.

MethodsResults

Conclusions & Perspectives- HepG2 cells grown in 2D are a suitable model for DNA double strand break and steatosis assay, when incubated

with well known inducers (respectively Etoposide and cyclosporin A).- This cell line is however well known for lacking phase I enzymes expression (CYP), thus raising the question of its

inability to detect active or toxic metabolites.- Studies have found better expression or inducibility of CYP when HepG2 were grown in 3D systems. HepG2 cells in

spheroids are also able to form bile canaliculi and express MRP2 transporter. - The next step will be to perform these assays, including cholestasis assay, with more test compounds and in 3D

culture.

Cell culture: HepG2 (ATCC) were grown in MEM + glutamine,supplemented with 10% fœtal bovine serum, 1% nonessential amino-acids and 1% penicilline/streptomycine. Forall assays, cells were plated at 25000 cells per well.

DNA double strand break assay: Cells were exposed toetoposide and camptothecin (0.003 to 100µM), rotenone(0.001 to 30 µM) and RO-3306 (0.0015 to 50µM) for 1 to 24h.Cells were stained by using the HCS DNA damage kit from lifetechnologies.

Steatosis assay: Cells were treated with Cyclosporine A(0.0015 to 50 µM), chlorpromazine (0.015 to 500 µM) andketoconazole (0.0015 to 50 µM) for 48h. Cells were stainedwith the HCS LipidTOX from Life Technologies. Imaging wasdone on a Cellomics ArrayScan (ImpaCcell platform, Rennes).Image analysis was performed in-house with Columbussoftware (Perkin Elmer).

- Genotoxicity assay

Fig.3: after 48h of treatment, HepG2 cells were stained with Hoechst (blue) and LipidTOX (green). A) Cyclosporine A, 50 µM. B) Ketoconazole , 50 µM. C) CTRL

A B C

CTRL

Hoechst Necrosis dye P-H2AX P-HistoneH3 Combination

Camptothecin30 µM

Etoposide100 µM

RO330650 µM

Roténone3 µM

Fig.1: Staining of HepG2 cells after 4h of treatment. Etoposide at 100µM induced double strandbreak (P-H2AX) during mitosis (P-HistoneH3 staining of the same nuclei), and then a loss of cellviability.

Fig.2: % of nuclei with phosphoH2AX foci after 4 hours of treatment with etoposide, camptothecin, RO-3306 and Rotenone, indicating DNA double strand breaks.

Fig.4: HepG2 cells after 48h of treatment: A) Mean of the total spot area per cell (intensity of steatosis). B) Cell viability

- Steatosis assay

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