Basic Research
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2005. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 14, 2005; 11(38): 5973-5977
Published online Oct 14, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i38.5973
Damaging effects of gliadin on three-dimensional cell culture model
Ersilia Dolfini, Luca Elli, Leda Roncoroni, Barbara Costa, Maria Pia Colleoni, Vito Lorusso, Simona Ramponi, Paola Braidotti, Stefano Ferrero, Maria Letizia Falini, Maria Teresa Bardella
Ersilia Dolfini, Leda Roncoroni, Department of Biology and Genetics for Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Luca Elli, Maria Teresa Bardella, Department of Gastroenterology, University of Milan, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena IRCCS, Milan, Italy
Barbara Costa, Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
Maria Pia Colleoni, Department of Pharmacology, Chemotherapy and Toxicology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Vito Lorusso, Simona Ramponi, Bracco Imaging SpA, Milan Research Centre, Milan, Italy
Paola Braidotti, Stefano Ferrero, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, S. Paolo Hospital and Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena IRCCS, Milan, Italy
Maria Letizia Falini, Department of Agrifood Molecular Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the San Paolo Foundation grant to “Centro per lo Studio della Celiachia”
Correspondence to: Maria Teresa Bardella, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena IRCCS, Via F. Sforza 35, Milan 20122, Italy. mariateresa.bardella@unimi.it
Telephone: +39-2-55033384 Fax: +39-2-50320403
Received: March 18, 2004
Revised: January 23, 2005
Accepted: January 26, 2005
Published online: October 14, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effects of gliadin on the oxidative environment in the “ in vivo-like ”model of a three-dimensional cell culture system.

METHODS: LoVo cell line (intestinal adenocarcinoma) multicellular spheroids were treated with digested gliadin (with albumin used as a control). Spheroid volumes, cell viability and morphology, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, content of reduced glutathione (GSH) and activity of GSH-related enzymes were examined. The data were statistically analyzed using the Student’s t-test (P<0.05). was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Gliadin reduced cell viability (from 20% to 60%) and led to morphological alterations characterized by apoptotic findings and cytoskeletal injuries. LDH activity increased. The content of GSH reduced (-20% vs controls), and activity of GSH-related enzymes was significantly inhibited.

CONCLUSION: Gliadin treatment induces an imbalance in the antioxidative mechanism of cells cultured by the three-dimensional technique. This alteration may explain the cell damage directly caused by gliadin and the subsequent morphological abnormalities.

Keywords: Gliadin; Celiac disease; Cytotoxicity; Multicellular spheroids