Two-dimensional Porcine Intestinal Organoids Reflecting the Physiological Properties of Native Gut

Summary

This study outlines a protocol for generating 2D monolayers of porcine organoids derived from the small and large intestines. The growth of these monolayers is marked by increasing TEER values, indicating robust epithelial integrity. Additionally, these monolayers exhibit physiological secretory responses in Ussing chamber experiments following the application of forskolin.

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) serves both in the digestion of food and the uptake of nutrients but also as a protective barrier against pathogens. Traditionally, research in this area has relied on animal experiments, but there's a growing demand for alternative methods that adhere to the 3R principles-replace, reduce, and refine. Porcine organoids have emerged as a promising tool, offering a more accurate in vitro replication of the in vivo conditions than traditional cell models. One major challenge with intestinal organoids is their inward-facing apical surface and outward-facing basolateral surface. This limitation can be overcome by creating two-dimensional (2D) organoid layers on transwell inserts (from here on referred to as insert(s)), providing access to both surfaces. In this study, we successfully developed two-dimensional cultures of porcine jejunum and colon organoids. The cultivation process involves two key phases: First, the formation of a cellular monolayer, followed by the differentiation of the cells using tailored media. Cellular growth is tracked by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance, which stabilizes by day 8 for colon organoids and day 16 for jejunum organoids. After a 2-day differentiation phase, the epithelium is ready for analysis. To quantify and track active electrogenic transport processes, such as chloride secretion, we employ the Ussing chamber technique. This method allows for real-time measurement and detailed characterization of epithelial transport processes. This innovative in vitro model, combined with established techniques like the Ussing chamber, provides a robust platform for physiologically characterizing the porcine GIT within the 3R framework. It also opens opportunities for investigating pathophysiological mechanisms and developing potential therapeutic strategies.

Introduction

The GIT plays a central role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste excretion through feces¹. Additionally, it functions as a barrier against pathogens, a role supported by a diverse cellular composition, including stem cells, mucus-producing goblet cells, enteroendocrine cells, and absorptive enterocytes². Intestinal homeostasis can be disrupted by various factors, such as bacterial infections³ or inflammatory processes⁴, leading to severe consequences for the organism, such as malabsorption, diarrhea, or even death⁵. Investigating such pathop....

Protocol

For this protocol, two healthy pigs (Bentheim Blacked Pied pig; 1 male, 1 female; 4.5 months old; approximately 65 kg) were sacrificed by captive bolt shoot and bleeding. According to the Animal Protection Law, this (slaughter and removal of tissues) is not classified as an animal experiment but has to be announced to the animal welfare officer (registration no. TiHo-T-2023-15) of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation.

1. Coating of inserts

NOTE: All steps are carried out with sterile materials under a safety cabinet. All steps of the protocol are performed on ice if not stated ....

Discussion

This protocol describes a method for converting established porcine 3D organoids into single cells, which are then seeded onto transwell membranes to form an intact monolayer. This configuration grants access to the apical side of the cells, facilitating the use of Ussing chambers to monitor absorptive and secretory processes.

The initial and crucial step in this multi-step process is the precise disintegration of the 3D organoids. Achieving uniform seeding of the single cells is essential for.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
24 well plate	SARSTEDT AG & Co. KG	8,33,922
A83-01	MedChemExpress, New Jersey, USA	HY-10432	Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed
accujet S	Brand GmbH + Co KG, Wertheim, Germany	26351
Advanced DMEM/F12 Medium	Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, USA	12634010	Store at 4 °C
B27 supplement	Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, USA	17504044	Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed
CaCl2.2 H2O	Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany	C3306	Store at room temperature
D(+)-Glucose (wasserfrei)	Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany	1.08337	Store at room temperature
DAPT	MedChemExpress, New Jersey, USA	HY-13027	Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed
D-Mannitol	Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany	M4125	Store at room temperature
DMSO	Sigma-Aldrich, Schnelldorf, Germany	154938	Store at room temperature
Electrode-Set (AgCl/PtIr/Std.)	Scientific Instruments, Simmerath, Germany	#1316
Eppendorf Research plus	Eppendorf SE, Hamburg, Gemany	3123000063
Eppendorf Research plus	Eppendorf SE, Hamburg, Gemany	3123000047
EVOM3 Manual Epithelial Volt Ohm Meter	World precision instruments, Sarasota, USA	EVM-MT-03-01
FBS	Sigma-Aldrich, Schnelldorf, Germany	F7524	Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed
Forskolin	Sigma-Aldrich, Schnelldorf, Germany	F6886	Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed
gasprofi 1 SCS micro	WLD-TEC GmbH, Arsenhausen, Germany	60,04,000
Gastrin 1	MedChemExpress, New Jersey, USA	HY-P1097	Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed
Glutamax	Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, USA	35050061	Store at 4 °C.
HCl	Sigma-Aldrich, Schnelldorf, Germany	1090571000	Store at room temperature
HEPES	Sigma-Aldrich, Schnelldorf, Germany	H0887	Store at 4 °C
Herasafe 2025 Class II Biological Safety Cabinet	Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, USA	51033316
Incubator ICO105	Memmert GmbH + Co.KG, Schwabach, Germany	62,20,143
Indomethacin	Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany	I7378	Store at room temperature
KCl	Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany	1.04936	Store at room temperature
L-Glutamin	Sigma-Aldrich, Schnelldorf, Germany	G7513	Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed
LWRN Supernatant	selfmade		Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed. LWRN supplement is produced according to Miyoshi et al. (2012)
Matrigel Basement Membrane Matrix, LDEV-free, 10 mL	Corning Incorporated - Life Sciences	354234	Store at -20 °C. Thaw carefully on ice when needed
Megafuge 1.OR	Heraeus Instruments, Osterode, Germany	75003060
MgCl2.6 H2O	Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany	1.05833	Store at room temperature
Na2HPO4.2H2O	Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany	1.06580	Store at room temperature
N-Acetyl-L-cysteine	Sigma-Aldrich, Schnelldorf, Germany	A7250	Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed
NaCl	Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany	1.06404	Store at room temperature
NaH2PO4.H2O	Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany	1.06346	Store at room temperature
NaHCO3	Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany	1.06329	Store at room temperature
Neubauer improved chamber	Glaswarenfabrik Karl Hecht, Sondheim vor der Rhön, Germany	40442712
Olympus IX70 iverted Microscope	Olympus Corporation, Hamburg, Germany
Pen/Strep	Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, USA	15140122	Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed
PolymyxinB	Sigma-Aldrich, Schnelldorf, Germany	P4932-1MU	Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed
Primovert microscope stand with binocular phototube	Zeiss	415510-1101-000
rm EGF	Prepotech, New Jersey, USA	315-09	Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed
SB202190	MedChemExpress, New Jersey, USA	HY-10295	Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed
Snapwell 3801	Corning Incorporated - Life Sciences	3801
Trypsin/EDTA	Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, USA	25300054
Ussing Base System	Scientific Instruments, Simmerath, Germany	#1317
Ussing Diffusion Chamber	Scientific Instruments, Simmerath, Germany	SKU 1307
Voltage/Current Clamp VCC6	Scientific Instruments, Simmerath, Germany	SKU 1310
Y27632	MedChemExpress, New Jersey, USA	HY-10583	Store at -20 °C. Thaw when needed