Quantitation of collagen I,collagen II and aggrecan mRNA and expression of the corresponding proteins in human nucleus pulposus cells in monolayer cultures

Cells that are taken from the nucleus pulposus (NP) and that are allowed to proliferate in monolayer cultures often exhibit changes in their cell morphology and matrix-protein synthesis. However, whether concomitant alterations occur with respect to their mRNA levels for collagen I (CI), collagen II (CII) and aggrecan (AGG) is unclear. In this study, human NP cells from seven individuals were cultured in monolayers and specific mRNAs for CI, CII and AGG were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction in fresh NP tissue and during four passages of NP-cell culture. In addition, the presence of CI, CII and AGG protein was determined by immunofluorescence staining of NP cells. We found a significant reduction of CI, CII and AGG mRNA after the initiation of culture in DMEM compared with mRNA levels in fresh NP tissue. During passages 2–4, no further reduction of mRNA levels for CII and AGG was observed. The mRNA level for CI was reduced significantly with duration of culture. Immunofluorescence staining of cultured NP cells revealed expression of CI, CII and AGG protein during the whole culture period. Our data thus demonstrate a reduction of specific mRNA for matrix proteins during the initiation of NP-cell culture but the stable expression of the key matrix proteins, CII and AGG, during further expansion of the cells in monolayers, suggesting no functional changes occur in cultured NP cells. This work was supported by the Medizinisch-wissenschaftlicher Fonds des Buergermeisters der Stadt Wien (grant no. 2177).     

The vacuolated morphology of chordoma cells is dependent on cytokeratin intermediate filaments

Notochordal cells (NCs), characterized by their vacuolated morphology and coexpression of cytokeratin and vimentin intermediate filaments (IFs), form the immature nucleus pulposus (NP) of the intervertebral disc. As humans age, NCs give way to mature NP cells, which do not possess a vacuolated morphology and typically only express vimentin IFs. In light of their concomitant loss, we investigated the relationship between cytosolic vacuoles and cytokeratin IFs, specifically those containing cytokeratin-8 proteins, using a human chordoma cell line as a model for NCs. We demonstrate that the chemical disruption of IFs with acrylamide, F-actin with cytochalasin-D, and microtubules with nocodazole all result in a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in vacuolation. However, vacuole loss was the greatest in acrylamide-treated cells. Examination of the individual roles of vimentin and cytokeratin-8 IFs in the existence of vacuoles was accomplished using small interfering RNA–mediated RNA interference to knock down either vimentin or cytokeratin-8 expression. Reduction of cytokeratin-8 expression was associated with a less-vacuolated cell morphology. These data demonstrate that cytokeratin-8 IFs are involved in stabilizing vacuoles and that their diminished expression could play a role in the loss of vacuolation in NCs during aging. A better understanding of the NCs may assist in preservation of this cell type for NP maintenance and regeneration.     

Establishment and characterisation of a new cell line derived from Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Insect cell cultures are an important biotechnological tool for basic and applied studies. The objective of this work was to establish and characterise a new cell line from Culex quinquefasciatus embryonic tissues. Embryonated eggs were taken as a source of tissue to make explants that were seeded in L-15, Grace's, Grace's/L-15, MM/VP12, Schneider's and DMEM culture media with a pH range from 6.7-6.9 and incubated at 28oC. The morphological, cytogenetic, biochemical and molecular characteristics of the cell cultures were examined by observing the cell shapes, obtaining the karyotypes, using a cellulose-acetate electrophoretic system and performing random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction analysis, respectively. The Grace's/L-15 medium provided the optimal nutritional conditions for cell adhesion and proliferation. Approximately 40-60 days following the explant procedure, a confluent monolayer was formed. Cellular morphology in the primary cultures and the subcultures was heterogeneous, but in the monolayer the epithelioid morphology type predominated. A karyotype with a diploid number of six chromosomes (2n = 6) was observed. Isoenzymatic and molecular patterns of the mosquito cell cultures matched those obtained from the immature and adult forms of the same species. Eighteen subcultures were generated. These cell cultures potentially constitute a useful tool for use in biomedical applications.     

Development of a 3D Tissue‐Engineered Skeletal Muscle and Bone Co‐culture System

In vitro 3D tissue‐engineered (TE) structures have been shown to better represent in vivo tissue morphology and biochemical pathways than monolayer culture, and are less ethically questionable than animal models. However, to create systems with even greater relevance, multiple integrated tissue systems should be recreated in vitro. In the present study, the effects and conditions most suitable for the co‐culture of TE skeletal muscle and bone are investigated. High‐glucose Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (HG‐DMEM) supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum followed by HG‐DMEM with 2% horse serum is found to enable proliferation of both C2C12 muscle precursor cells and TE85 human osteosarcoma cells, fusion of C2C12s into myotubes, as well as an upregulation of RUNX2/CBFa1 in TE85s. Myotube formation is also evident within indirect contact monolayer cultures. Finally, in 3D co‐cultures, TE85 collagen/hydroxyapatite constructs have significantly greater expression of RUNX2/CBFa1 and osteocalcin/BGLAP in the presence of collagen‐based C2C12 skeletal muscle constructs; however, fusion within these constructs appears reduced. This work demonstrates the first report of the simultaneous co‐culture and differentiation of 3D TE skeletal muscle and bone, and represents a significant step toward a full in vitro 3D musculoskeletal junction model.     

Differentiation of Striated Muscle Fibers in Monolayer Cultures of Rat Anterior Pituitary

Striated muscle fibers appeared in monolayer cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells maintained in αMinimum Essential Medium (αMEM). As muscle differentiation in cultures of pituitary cells under ordinary conditions has not hitherto been reported, an in vitro study was undertaken to determine what factor(s) is responsible for this myogenesis. When dispersed anterior pituitary cells were culrured in three different media, αMEM, Medium 199 and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM), only αMEM induced a high incidence of striated muscles. The nature of the serum (fetal calf, calf and horse) and its concentration (1–10%) did not affect myogenesis.
In monolayers in αMEM, the sequence of differentiation of striated muscle was as follows: 1) Elongated cells, resembling myoblasts appeared; 2) these cells fused; and finally 3) cross striations appeared. Rhythmic contraction was most intense in striated muscle fibers, but it was also obsrved in myotubes without cross striations and even in myogenic cells before fusion. The possible origin of muscles in these pituitary cultures is discussed.     

Extracellular matrix ligand and stiffness modulate immature nucleus pulposus cell-cell interactions

The nucleus pulposus (NP) of the intervertebral disc functions to provide compressive load support in the spine, and contains cells that play a critical role in the generation and maintenance of this tissue. The NP cell population undergoes significant morphological and phenotypic changes during maturation and aging, transitioning from large, vacuolated immature cells arranged in cell clusters to a sparse population of smaller, isolated chondrocyte-like cells. These morphological and organizational changes appear to correlate with the first signs of degenerative changes within the intervertebral disc. The extracellular matrix of the immature NP is a soft, gelatinous material containing multiple laminin isoforms, features that are unique to the NP relative to other regions of the disc and that change with aging and degeneration. Based on this knowledge, we hypothesized that a soft, laminin-rich extracellular matrix environment would promote NP cell-cell interactions and phenotypes similar to those found in immature NP tissues. NP cells were isolated from porcine intervertebral discs and cultured in matrix environments of varying mechanical stiffness that were functionalized with various matrix ligands; cellular responses to periods of culture were assessed using quantitative measures of cell organization and phenotype. Results show that soft (<720 Pa), laminin-containing extracellular matrix substrates promote NP cell morphologies, cell-cell interactions, and proteoglycan production in vitro, and that this behavior is dependent upon both extracellular matrix ligand and substrate mechanical properties. These findings indicate that NP cell organization and phenotype may be highly sensitive to their surrounding extracellular matrix environment.     

Development of an animal‐component free medium for vero cells culture

This work describes the development of an animal‐component free medium (IPT‐AFM) that allows an optimal growth of Vero cells, an adherent cell line used for the production of viral vaccines. Statistical experimental design was applied to identify crucial nutrients that affect cell growth. Using Medium 199 or MEM as a basal medium, a serum‐free medium (SFM) referred as IPT‐SFM that only enclosed transferrin as a component of animal origin was developed at first. Then, the composition of IPT‐SFM was further improved to obtain an animal‐component free medium named IPT‐AFM. IPT‐AFM contains M199 as a basal medium, plant hydrolysates, epidermal growth factor, ethanolamine, ferric citrate, and vitamin C. Among various plant hydrolysates, specific combinations of soy (Hypep 1510) and wheat gluten (Hypeps 4601 and 4605) hydrolysates, were identified to promote cell growth; whereas individual Hypeps had a minor positive effect on cell growth. Nevertheless, the removal of serum did influence cell attachment. Coating tissue‐culture flasks with teleostean, a product extracted from cold water fish skin, had not only enhanced cell attachment but also improved cell growth performance in static cultures. Different non‐animal proteases were also assessed as an alternative to trypsin. TrypLE Select, a recombinant trypsin, gave the best cell growth performances. Kinetics of cell growth in IPT‐AFM were investigated in T‐flasks, cell growth was comparable with that obtained in MEM+10% fetal calf serum (FCS). A mean cell division number equal to 2.26 ± 0.18 and a specific growth rate μ 0.019 ± 0.003 h^?1 were achieved in IPT‐AFM. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009     

Growth and differentiation of alveolar bone cells in tissue-engineered constructs and monolayer cultures

The ability to enhance bone regeneration by implanting autologous osteoblasts in combination with an appropriate scaffold would be of great clinical interest. The aim of our study was to compare the growth and differentiation of alveolar bone cells in tissue-engineered constructs and in monolayer cultures, as the basis for developing procedures for routine preparation of bone-like tissue constructs. Alveolar bone tissue was obtained from four human donors and explant cultures of the cells were established. Expanded cells were seeded on macroporous hydroxyapatite granules, and cultured in medium supplemented with osteogenic differentiation factors for up to 3 weeks. Control monolayer cultures were established in parallel, and cultured in media with or without osteogenic supplements. Cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and gene expression of AP, osteopontin and osteocalcin were determined under different culture conditions at weekly intervals. Cells in tissue constructs exhibited growth patterns similar to those in control monolayer cultures: enhanced proliferation was noted during the first 2 weeks of cultivation, followed by a decrease in cell numbers. AP activity at 3 weeks was higher in all cultures in osteogenic medium than in control medium. Gene expression levels were stable in monolayer cultures in both types of media whereas, in tissue constructs, they exhibited patterns of osteogenic differentiation. Light and scanning electron microscopy examination of the cell-seeded constructs showed uniform cell distribution, as well as cell attachment and growth into the interior region of the hydroxyapatite granules. Our results show that bone-like constructs with viable cells exhibiting differentiated phenotype can be prepared by cultivation of alveolar-bone cells on the tested hydroxyapatite granules.     

Generation of stable cell lines by spontaneous immortalization of primary cultures of porcine granulosa cells

We report the generation of stable cell lines obtained by spontaneous immortalization of primary cultures of porcine granulosa cells. Three hundred stable cell lines were obtained from three independent immortalization trials. Two of these cell lines retained the steroidogenic capabilities characteristic of granulosa cells, such as de novo synthesis of progesterone and conversion of androstenedione into estradiol-17beta. All the stable cell lines expressed the P450arom and 3betaHSD genes, confirming their granulosa origin. Moreover, the steroidogenic stable granulosa cells also expressed StAR and P450scc genes. Stable cells were developed in cultures using Medium 199 supplemented with 5% newborn calf serum (NBCS). The surviving cells overcame the senescent phase and entered a stage of continuous growth for over one hundred generations. No stable colonies were obtained from cultures grown in MEM or DMEM or media supplemented with 10% NBCS or 5 and 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). Medium 199 is a formulation richer in nutrients compared to MEM or DMEM and the cell growth capability of NBCS is lower than that of FCS, probably due to deficiency of growth factors. We speculate that spontaneous immortalization of granulosa cells may be facilitated by using a rich culture formulation supplemented with low concentrations of serum deficient in growth factors. We have validated the stable cell lines for studying the effect of hormonal steroids on granulosa cell steroidogenesis and the expression of the steroidogenic genes. Therefore, we believe that they are useful models to study the molecular mechanism involved in granulosa cell differentiation and steroidogenesis.     

Influence of rimantadine, ribavirine and triazavirine on influenza A virus replication in human monolayer and lymphoblastoid cell lines

The influence of antivirals, such as rimantadine, ribavirine and triazavirine on influenza virus replication in human cell cultures was evaluated. All the antivirals inhibited viral nucleoprotein NP synthesis. The strongest effect was shown for ribavirine in lung carcinoma A-549 cells and endothelial ECV-304 cells. Hoechst-33258 staining revealed induction of apoptosis in all the cell lines. Rimantadine and ribavirine inhibited virus-induced apoptosis while ribavirine enhanced it. The effect was registered in monolayer cell cultures as well as in suspension cell cultures. The influence of the antiviral drugs on the virus-induced cell proliferation in the suspension cell cultures is also described.     

The Expression of Membrane-Associated 67-kDa Laminin Receptor (67LR) Is Modulated in Vitro by Cell-Contact Inhibition

The interaction of cells with their substratum is an important determinant of cell behaviour, influencing attachment, proliferation, and motility. Such interactions are mediated by cell surface receptors which bind to attachment factors, like the glycoprotein laminin in basement membranes. We have previously shown that expression of the 67-kDa laminin receptor (67LR) is elevated in proliferating retinal microvasculature compared with mature, quiescent vessels. Here, we examined 67LR mRNA and protein expression in primary cultures of retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMEC) and in the breast cancer cell-line T47D during stages of contact inhibition. In both cell types, the expression levels of 67LR mRNA and membrane-associated 67LR protein were significantly increased during the proliferative phases of monolayer formation. As the cells achieved contact inhibition, 67LR expression was reduced to comparatively low levels. Thus, the differential expression of 67LR between dividing and contact-inhibited cells may indicate a role for this receptor during proliferative processes.     

Tissue specific differentiation of dorsal mesoderm in Xenopus mid-gastrula embryos]

Genes involved in differentiation of notochord or muscle are expressed in specific regions of the involuted dorsal mesoderm in mid-gastrula Xenopus embryo. The presumptive notochord or the presomitic mesoderm have been cultured either in isolation or recombination to investigate whether these tissues have been determined. Cell differentiation was checked by specific markers of notochord (Shh) or muscle cell (desmin, myosin). The results show that the presumptive notochord can differentiate into vacuolated notochord with a weak expression of Shh, while the presomitic mesoderm differentiate into muscle cells with a normal expression of desmin and myosin in vitro. The same result was obtained when the two tissues have been cocultured. These data suggest that the cell fate of the involuted dorsal mesoderm in mid-gastrula has been determined, cells can differentiate according to their fates without further signals from the adjacent tissues, but no functional structures can be formed by these tissues in vitro.     

Neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells grown in monolayer

To drive neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells, various culture protocols have been previously developed that all require the formation of embryoid bodies, usually combined with a treatment by all-trans retinoic acid (aRA). Here, we investigated whether or not neural differentiation can also occur in a simplified monolayer culture. Mouse ES cells were plated in serum-containing DMEM media with and without aRA and grown under these conditions for 2 days. Then, the cells were transferred to fresh serum-containing DMEM media and/or to serum-free DMEM/F12 media supplemented with a mixture of insulin, transferrin, selenium, and fibronectin (ITSF) for further culture. The changes in cell morphology and in the expression of selected molecular markers were monitored. Generally, in contrast to all the others, the protocol consisting of a 2-day culture in serum-containing DMEM followed by continuous exposure to the ITSF supplement in DMEM/F12 drove a vast majority of ES cells to generate phenotypic signs of neural lineage. Altogether, neural differentiation can be achieved in vitro without the step involving the formation of embryoid bodies as well as the treatment by aRA.     

Epidermal growth factor induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of squamous carcinoma cells through reduction of cell adhesion

Most squamous epithelial cells are strictly anchorage-dependent cell types. We observed that epidermal growth factor (EGF) promoted the growth of A431 squamous carcinoma cells in suspension cultures but suppressed cell growth and induced apoptosis in monolayer cultures, suggesting that loss of adhesion is responsible for the effects observed in monolayer culture, before cell death. Consistent with this finding, we demonstrated that EGF reduced cell attachment, cell-cell interaction, and cell spreading. Treatment with EGF increased cell adhesion-regulated expression of p21 but suppressed expressions of cyclin A, D1, cdk2, and retinoblastoma protein (pRb), leading to cell cycle arrest and adhesion-regulated programmed cell death. To test directly whether promoting cell adhesion could reduce the effects of EGF, we grew cultures on plates coated with type II collagen. On these plates, cell adhesion was enhanced and EGF treatment had little effect on cell adhesion and apoptosis when cells were attached to the collagen. The collagen effects were dose dependent, and cell cycle and cell cycle-associated proteins were altered accordingly. Finally, when cultures were plated on bacterial Petri dishes, which completely disrupted cell attachment to substratum, the level of apoptosis was greatly higher and cell cycle was arrested as compared with monolayer cultures. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that the EGF-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in monolayer cultures was the result of a decline in cell adhesion.     

Unravelling the retention of proliferation and differentiation potency in extensive culture of human subcutaneous fat‐derived mesenchymal stem cells in different media

Objectives

This study has intended to investigate longevity of subcutaneous fat‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (SF‐MSCs) under extensive culturing. It has also focused on optimization of culture media for them over prolonged periods in vitro.

Materials and methods

We evaluated SF‐MSCs with reference to phenotypic characterization, proliferative ability, karyotype stability and differentiation potency with early (P3) and late passage (P20) conditions, using four different media, DMEM‐LG, ALPHA‐MEM, DMEM‐F12 and DMEM‐KO.

Results

This study unravels retention of SF‐MSC characteristics in facets of phenotypic expression profile (CD 90, CD 105, CD 73, CD 34, CD 29, CD 54, CD 49d, CD 117, HLA‐DR, CD 166, CD 31, CD 44), proliferative characteristics, karyotyping and differentiation potency prolonged culturing to P25 in all media. Population doubling time (PDT) in Alpha MEM, DMEM LG, DMEM F 12, DMEM KO were identified to be (1.81, 1.84, 1.9, 2.08 days) at early passage and (2.93, 2.94, 3.12, 3.06 days) at late passage. As a corollary, Alpha MEM and DMEM LG serve as appropriate basal media for SF‐MSC when proliferative potency is considered.

Conclusions

In research, it is imperative that SF‐MSC uphold their expansion potency in the aforesaid attributes in all media over extensive culturing, thereby transforming their colossal in vitro potency, with the aim of curing a wide horizon of diseases.     

Restricted amino acid nutrition induces attachment to glass and spreading of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells

Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT) cells were cultured in vitro in Eagle's MEM and Medium 199 with a lowered amino-acid content. Under these conditions EAT cells lose their rounded shape typical of highly malignant cancer cells, and begin to spread on the substratum. The changes in EAT cell morphology are preceded by a decrease in the rate of protein synthesis. These changes were maintained for three days after returning the cells to Eagle's MEM with a normal amino-acid content, but the return to control media did not cause reasumption of growth in the once spread cells. The increase in glucose content (up to five-fold) or the presence of inhibitors of DNA synthesis did not prevent the attachment and flattening of EAT cells in media with a lowered amino acid content. Several possible mechanisms of the influence of restricted amino-acid availability on the changes in EAT cell surface properties are pointed out and the need for study of cancer cell responses to restricted nutrition is discussed.     

Long‐term culture optimization of human omentum fat‐derived mesenchymal stem cells

Recent scientific explorations in search of novel sources for autologous transplantation transpired an alternative source of MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) derived from omentum fat. The scarcity of experimental evidences probing into the biosafety concerns of omentum fat‐derived MSC under prolonged culture conditions limits its applicability as an efficient tool in regenerative medicine. This study, thus, aims to optimize human omentum fat‐derived MSC in four different media [DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium) LG (low glucose), DMEM KO (knock out), α‐MEM (α‐minimal essential media) and DMEM F12] in the facets of phenotypic characterization, growth kinetics, differentiation and karyotyping under prolonged culture. The cells exhibited a similarity in expression profile for the majority of markers with evidential variations in certain markers. The relevance of omentum fat‐derived MSCs became evident from its triumphant differentiation potential and karyotypic stability substantiated even at later passage. The results obtained from growth curve and PDT (population doubling time) lead to optimization of appropriate media for omentum fat‐derived stem cell research, thereby bringing omentum fat into the forefront of regenerative medicine.