This study presents a comprehensive genetic characterization of the H9c2 cell line, a widely used model for cardiac myoblast research. We established a short tandem repeat (STR) profile for H9c2 that is useful to confirm the identity and stability of the cell line. Additionally, we prepared H9c2 metaphase chromosomes and performed karyotyping and molecular cytogenetics to further investigate chromosomal characteristics. The genetic analysis showed that H9c2 cells exhibit chromosomal instability, which may impact experimental reproducibility and data interpretation. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to analyze the transcriptome, revealing gene expression patterns relevant to cardiac biology. Western blot analysis further validated the expression levels of selected cardiac genes identified through NGS. Additionally, Phalloidin staining was used to visualize cytoskeletal organization, highlighting the morphological features of these cardiac myoblasts. Our findings collectively support that H9c2 cells are a reliable model for studying cardiac myoblast biology, despite some genetic alterations identified resembling sarcoma cells. The list of genes identified through NGS analysis, coupled with our comprehensive genetic analysis, will serve as a valuable resource for future studies utilizing this cell line in cardiovascular medicine.

The protease ADAM17 plays an important role in inflammation and cancer and is regulated by iRhom2. Mutations in the cytosolic N-terminus of human iRhom2 cause tylosis with oesophageal cancer (TOC). In mice, partial deletion of the N-terminus results in a curly hair phenotype (cub). These pathological consequences are consistent with our findings that iRhom2 is highly expressed in keratinocytes and in oesophageal cancer. Cub and TOC are associated with hyperactivation of ADAM17-dependent EGFR signalling. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not understood. We have identified a non-canonical, phosphorylation-independent 14-3-3 interaction site that encompasses all known TOC mutations. Disruption of this site dysregulates ADAM17 activity. The larger cub deletion also includes the TOC site and thus also dysregulated ADAM17 activity. The cub deletion, but not the TOC mutation, also causes severe reductions in stimulated shedding, binding, and stability of ADAM17, demonstrating the presence of additional regulatory sites in the N-terminus of iRhom2. Overall, this study contrasts the TOC and cub mutations, illustrates their different molecular consequences, and reveals important key functions of the iRhom2 N-terminus in regulating ADAM17.

The 25 kDa glycoprotein lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is widely expressed and has diverse functions, ranging from physiological to pathophysiological processes. In the liver, LCN2 is primarily associated with inflammatory processes and is considered a potential biomarker in metabolic disorders. However, a significant challenge is the absence of a suitable human in vitro model for studying LCN2 and its associated signaling pathways. Therefore, we have successfully generated patient-derived liver organoids of both male and female origin, providing a novel in vitro model for LCN2 research. Our data show that the self-renewing organoids mimic essential architectural features of hepatocytes, as demonstrated by electron microscopy and F-actin staining. Consistent with the expression profile observed in liver tissue, the isolated 3D organoids exhibit minimal endogenous LCN2 levels. Next, the LCN2 expression was studied at the protein and mRNA levels under inflammatory conditions by treating the organoids with various cytokines and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Our results show that LCN2 expression is significantly upregulated by IL-1β and TNF-α in an NF-κB-dependent manner, but remains unchanged with IL-6 or LPS. In conclusion, we have established human patient-derived liver organoids as a valuable model for investigating LCN2 signaling mechanisms. This study lays the foundation for future research on the role of LCN2 in liver pathologies, aiding in disease progression understanding and facilitating patient-specific treatment predictions.

The immortal murine hepatic stellate cell line Col-GFP HSC was comprehensively characterized using genetic and molecular approaches. Short tandem repeat (STR) profiling and karyotyping combined with multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH) confirmed the identity of the cell line and revealed no contamination. Col-GFP HSCs showed a near tetraploid karyotype. Additionally, next-generation sequencing (NGS) data, quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and Western blot analyses demonstrated robust expression of genes and proteins associated with hepatic stellate cells, including those involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and fibrogenic pathways. Phalloidin staining revealed filamentous actin patterns characteristic of stellate cells, providing additional support for their cytoskeletal organization and functional status. These findings provide strong evidence that the Col-GFP HSC cell line originates from hepatic stellate cells and can serve as a reliable in vitro model to study stellate cell biology and related pathophysiological processes.

Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) is a 25 kDa glycoprotein that has been shown to be a multifunctional player in the metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In physiological contexts, LCN2 exhibits bacteriostatic properties and plays key roles in iron homeostasis and the transport of hydrophobic molecules. However, several studies have shown that aberrant LCN2 expression is associated with poor prognosis in various malignancies, including breast cancer, which is the most common cancer in women worldwide and can be classified into four molecular subtypes. Among these, TNBC represents a disproportionately aggressive subtype characterized by poor prognosis and high metastatic potential. Although LCN2 has been extensively studied in breast cancer overall, its specific role in TNBC progression and metastasis is only beginning to be understood. Recent evidence suggests that LCN2 contributes to several tumor-promoting processes such as angiogenesis, therapy resistance and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, LCN2 appears to influence organ-specific metastasis, particularly to the lung and brain, while its role in liver and bone dissemination remains unclear. Collectively, current data identify LCN2 as a critical mediator of TNBC progression and highlight its potential as a prognostic factor and modulator of disease progression. This review aims to summarize insights from both in vitro and in vivo studies, with particular focus on the role of LCN2 in the metastatic cascade, while also addressing existing research gaps and critically evaluating the current findings.

The murine Alpha Mouse Liver 12 (AML12) cell line, established over four decades ago, is one of the most commonly used non-transformed hepatocyte models in basic and pre-clinical liver research. Despite its widespread use, a comprehensive and current molecular characterization has been lacking. In this study, we combined cytogenetics with high-resolution genomic technologies to establish a detailed genetic reference profile of AML12. Inverted DAPI banding and multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (m-FISH) revealed a complex yet stable, near-tetraploid karyotype featuring double X-chromosome deletions [del(X)(A3)×2], a recurrent derivative chromosome der(3)t(2;3)(A2;H4), biallelic deletions of 17D1, two dicentric chromosomes dic(X;17), and multiple whole-chromosome gains (e.g., +1, +6, +15, +19×4) and losses (e.g., −4, −12, −16, −18). Multicolor banding (mcb) further pinpointed cryptic inversions on chromosomes 7 and 11. Copy number imbalances were visualized as in silico array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH)-style profiles inferred from these metaphase-based assays, and no independent array- or sequencing-based copy number variation (CNV) experiment was performed in this study. Short tandem repeat (STR) profiling created a unique 16-locus authentication barcode that unambiguously distinguishes AML12 from other murine cell lines in public databases. Bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) further demonstrated a transcriptional profile in AML12 cells that is indicative of hepatocyte origin while also revealing partial de-differentiation and reduced expression of selected urea cycle, gluconeogenic, and xenobiotic-metabolizing transcripts, consistent with limited mature hepatocyte functions. These functional inferences are likely based on gene expression patterns rather than on direct physiological assays. In summary, our study provides (i) the first integrated cytogenetic, STR, and next-generation sequencing dataset for AML12, (ii) a practical authentication panel for routine laboratory use, and (iii) reference information that will enhance the interpretation, reproducibility, and translational relevance of future studies using this versatile hepatocyte model.