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Forskolin-Induced Swelling Assays

Cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene and is highly variable between individuals, with over 1,900 CFTR mutations identified.1 CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) functions as an anion channel and is essential for normal fluid and electrolyte homeostasis at the epithelial surfaces of many organs. Although CFTR-specific drug targeting is promising, the degree of CFTR function restoration is still limited and would be facilitated by better in vitro drug compound screening cell models.2

Organoids are heterogeneous, self-organizing 3D cell culture models that are frequently derived from stem cells.3 Intestinal epithelium organoids, often referred to as enteroids or ā€œmini-gutsā€, maintain physiological characteristics of the gastrointestinal system, and have been a useful in vitro tool for modeling intestinal diseases including cystic fibrosis.4 Human colon organoids can be effective as a phenotypic drug screening tool to monitor CFTR function using a rapid and quantitative water-uptake swelling assay induced by forskolin.5, 6, 7

Mechanism of organoid-based forksolin-induced swelling assays

Figure 1. Mechanism of organoid-based forksolin-induced swelling assays.CFTR function can be assayed using patient-derived intestinal organoids by adding forskolin, a CFTR activator that stimulates adenylate cyclase and increases intracellular cAMP. Elevated cAMP levels activate protein kinase A (PKA) which phosphorylates CFTR, opening the CFTR channel leading to ion (Cl-/Na+) and water uptake (organoid swelling). CFTR wild type intestinal organoids will swell with forskolin addition within 2-3 hours, while cystic fibrosis-derived intestinal organoids will remain at baseline volume.

Forskolin-Induced Organoid Swelling Assay Protocol

  1. Culture and expand human colon organoids (SCC300) as per manufacturerā€™s recommendations.
  2. Seed human colon organoids into 25 ĀµL MatrigelĀ® GFR (Growth Factor Reduced) domes.
  3. Allow clumps or fragments of human colon organoids to reform into organoids in the presence of ROCKi, 10 ĀµM (SCM075) and 3dGROā„¢ Human Colon Organoid Expansion Medium (SCM304) for 2 days.
  4. Prepare concentrations of Forskolin (F6886) (2.5, 5.0, 10, and 20 ĀµM) in 3dGROā„¢ Human Colon Organoid Expansion Medium (SCM304).
  5. Add 1 mL of the desired concentration of Forskolin-supplemented media (from step 4) into each well of a 24-well plate containing a 25 ĀµL MatrigelĀ® GFR dome.
  6. Monitor and image approximately once per hour to capture the swelling of organoids. Swelling will typically begin at about 3 hours post-treatment and continue for up to 36 hours.

Forskolin Forskolin (20 ĀµM)


Figure 2. Time-course for forskolin-induced organoid swelling. Human colon organoids were incubated with/without forskolin (20 ĀµM) and captured over a 36 hour time period.

Morphology of colon organoids after forskolin-induced swelling

Figure 3. Morphology of colon organoids after forskolin-induced swelling.Wild-type human colon organoids (CFTR+) incubated with forskolin (20 ĀµM) begin to swell at hour three and reach maximal swelling volume at hour sixteen. Colon organoids derived from cystic fibrosis patients (CFTR-) do not swell at any timepoint when subjected to the same conditions.

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References

1.
Riordan JR. 2008. CFTR Function and Prospects for Therapy. Annu. Rev. Biochem.. 77(1):701-726. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.biochem.75.103004.142532
2.
Verkman A, Lukacs G, Galietta L. 2006. CFTR Chloride Channel Drug Discovery - Inhibitors as Antidiarrheals and Activators for Therapy of Cystic Fibrosis. CPD. 12(18):2235-2247. https://doi.org/10.2174/138161206777585148
3.
Clevers H. 2016. Modeling Development and Disease with Organoids. Cell. 165(7):1586-1597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2016.05.082
4.
van Mourik P, Beekman JM, van der Ent CK. 2019. Intestinal organoids to model cystic fibrosis. Eur Respir J. 54(1):1802379. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.02379-2018
5.
Boj SF, Vonk AM, Statia M, Su J, Vries RRG, Beekman JM, Clevers H. Forskolin-induced Swelling in Intestinal Organoids: An In Vitro Assay for Assessing Drug Response in Cystic Fibrosis Patients. JoVE.(120): https://doi.org/10.3791/55159
6.
Dekkers JF, Wiegerinck CL, de Jonge HR, Bronsveld I, Janssens HM, de Winter-de Groot KM, Brandsma AM, de Jong NWM, Bijvelds MJC, Scholte BJ, et al. 2013. A functional CFTR assay using primary cystic fibrosis intestinal organoids. Nat Med. 19(7):939-945. https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.3201
7.
Berkers G, van Mourik P, Vonk AM, Kruisselbrink E, Dekkers JF, de Winter-de Groot KM, Arets HG, Marck-van der Wilt RE, Dijkema JS, Vanderschuren MM, et al. 2019. Rectal Organoids Enable Personalized Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis. Cell Reports. 26(7):1701-1708.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2019.01.068
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