FITC-labelled antibody staining of tropomyosin-containing fibrils in smooth,cardiac and skeletal muscle cells,prefusion myoblasts,fibroblasts, endothelial cells and 3T3 cells in culture

Summary FITC-labelled antibodies to purified chicken gizzard smooth muscle tropomyosin were prepared and used to stain muscle and non-muscle cells in culture.Skeletal muscle myoblasts stained both diffusely throughout the cytoplasm and in fine filamentous structures. Once myotubes developed the staining was localized exclusively in the I-band region of the myofibrils. Similarly, cardiac muscle cells stained in the I-band alone.Primary and subcultured smooth muscle cells, irrespective of their state of differentiation, stained exclusively in long, straight fibrils. The staining of the fibrils was interrupted with stained regions 1–2 m long and unstained spacings 0.5 m.Interrupted fibrils were also observed in fibroblasts and endothelial cells, however their staining reaction was very weak (almost indistinguishable from that with pre-immune serum) and they were few in number.3T3 cells demonstrated moderate staining in interrupted fibrils. Sheaths of very fine fibrils staining with a similar intensity were also found throughout the cytoplasm. Interruptions in these fine fibrils were often aligned to give the whole cell a striated appearance. Sheaths of fibrils were not found in the other cell types studiedJ.C-C. holds a John Halliday Travelling Fellowship with the Life Insurance Medical Research Fund of Australia and New Zealand; G.R.C. holds and Overseas research Fellowship with the National Heart Foundation of Australia; U.G.-S. and G.B. are supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemein-schaft and the Wellcome Trust (London) respectively. We wish to thank Janet D. McConnell and Christine Mahlmeister for excellent technical assistance     

Paranodal dysmyelination and increase in tetrodotoxin binding sites in the sciatic nerve of the motor end-plate disease (med/med) mouse during postnatal development

Motor end-plate disease (med), in the mouse, is a hereditary neuromuscular defect, caused by a single gene mutation and characterized by a progressive muscle weakness. +Med/+med mice die 21-23 days after birth and the neurobiological abnormalities already reported are nerve terminal sprouting and swelling and neurotransmission failures. We studied +med/+med mice at preclinical (9-11 days after birth) as well as at clinically recognized stages of the disease. The nonmyelinated gaps of the nodes of Ranvier in the +med/+med sciatic nerve are found to be significantly widened in +med/+med animals compared to control littermates, even in the preclinical stage, although the nodes of Ranvier are not yet ultrastructurally mature. The maximal binding capacity for [3H]ethylene-diamine tetrodotoxin, expressed in femtomoles per milligram of protein, is significantly increased in +med/+med sciatic nerves. Thus, Na+ channels, which are known to be located mainly at the nodes of Ranvier in normal myelinated axons, are increased in number in +med/+med mice even before the disease becomes clinically established. Both the ultrastructural and biochemical developmental abnormalities of the node of Ranvier rapidly approach their maximal expression as the behavioral signs develop. Such nerve abnormalities may be closely related to the physiological impairment of nerve impulse conduction which leads to the pathophysiological expression of motor end-plate disease.     

Comparison of vascular smooth muscle cells from adult human,monkey and rabbit in primary culture and in subculture

Summary A method is presented for growing large numbers of pure isolated smooth muscle cells from adult human, monkey, and rabbit blood vessels in primary culture.In the first few days in culture these cells closely resembled those in vivo and could be induced to contract with angiotensin II, noradrenaline and mechanical stimulation. They stained intensely with antibodies against smooth muscle actin and myosin. Fibroblasts and endothelial cells did not stain with these antibodies thereby allowing the purity of each batch of cultures to be monitored. This was consistently found to be better than 99%. The smooth muscle cells modified or dedifferentiated after about 9 days in culture to morphologically resemble fibroblasts. At this stage cells could no longer be induced to contract and did not stain with the myosin antibodies. Intense proliferation of these cells soon resulted in a confluent monolayer being formed at which stage some differentiated characteristics returned. The modification or dedifferentiation process could be inhibited by the presence of a feeder layer of fibroblasts or endothelial cells, or the addition of cAMP to the culture medium.Smooth muscle cells which had migrated from explants in primary culture, and cells in subculture, had morphological and functional properties of dedifferentiated cells at all times.The advantages of differentiated rather than dedifferentiated smooth muscle cells in culture for the study of mitogenic agents in atherosclerosis is discussed.The authors wish to thank Professor H.H. Bentall of the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, for making available human material, and Dr. S. Zeki of Department of Anatomy, University College London for material from monkeys. We are also extremely grateful to Professor G. Burnstock for the use of his laboratory facilitiesHolder of a John Halliday Travelling Fellowship from the Life Insurance Medical Research Fund of Australia and New ZealandResearch Fellow with the National Heart Foundation of AustraliaSupported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

Intense ultraterminal sprouting from motor nerves and ultrastructural aspects of the neuromuscular junction and non-junctional sarcolemma of the soleus (slow-twitch) muscle in motor endplate disease in the mouse

Motor end-plate disease (med) in the mouse is an hereditary defect of the neuromuscular system, with partial functional denervation and muscle inactivity in late stages of the disease. Motor end-plate disease is characterized by an intense ultraterminal sprouting of the motor nerves from swollen nerve terminal branches in the soleus muscle. At the ultrastructural level, the neuromuscular junctions extend to very wide territories, often outside the original motor end-plate, in regions where the nerve sprouts are in simple apposition to the muscle fiber, with no secondary synaptic folds. The nerve terminals are rich in neurofilaments and poor in synaptic vesicles.Freeze fracture analysis of the pre-synaptic and post-synaptic membrane specializations fails to reveal any important structural alteration which could suggest a defect in acetylcholine release or in muscle membrane excitability. However, the non-junctional sarcolemmal specializations (the so-called ‘square arrays’) arc found with a frequency slightly higher than in normal muscle.The nerve abnormalities at the neuromuscular junction may be either a consequence of muscle inactivity or the morphological expression of some primary nerve abnormality. Further studies of the soleus muscle at early stages of the disease may provide evidence in favor of either possibility.     

Cytoplasmic effects on the tissue culture response of wheat (Triticum aestivum) callus

Summary Calli were initiated from immature embryos of eight lines of hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em. Thell) with different cytoplasms, the euplasmic nuclear donor Chinese Spring and seven alloplasmic lines derived from wild relative species of the genera Triticum and Aegilops. The calli were found to differ in their initial growth rates, their sensitivity to 2,4-D and their ability to organise shoot primordia, demonstrating that the cytoplasm can significantly affect the behaviour of tissues in culture. The potential for improving the responses of tissues in culture by cytoplasmic changes is noted.     

Metabolic and temporal studies on pancreatic exocrine cells in culture

Summary An approach is described whereby cells with definitive markers are followed from their source through dissociation and fractionation, then during long-term maintenance in vitro. Such sequential studies should enable investigators to define factors regulating proliferation and function of specific cells since ambiguity concerning identity is readily avoided.Pancreatic cells of guinea pigs were isolated by enzymic dissociation, and exocrine cells were enriched by centrifugation with solutions of serum albumin. Resulting populations consisting of up to 95% exocrine cells were then incubated with gyration to produce aggregates, and these were seeded to standard culture plates for further study. Colonial aggregates of exocrine epithelia develop in culture and can be maintained for 20–30 days. The cells exhibit changes with time that are qualitatively similar to those known to occur during serial cultivation of diploid fibroblastlike cells from human and other species. The uptake of tritiated thymidine decreases with maintenance time. Autoradiographic examination indicates that this is due to a reduction in the number of epithelial cells incorporating the isotope. Cell diameters increase from an average of 21 m at day 0 to 44 m by day 26, and a marked increase in heterogeneity of this parameter is also evident. Cellular DNA and protein accumulate during the same interval. Incorporation of tritiated leucine during 24-h exposures increases until about the 10th day in vitro and remains relatively constant for at least 2 weeks thereafter.The data are consistent with the hypothesis that exocrine pancreatic cells like other diploid cells in culture, progress to terminal differentiation under the culture conditions employed. The role of physical, nutritional, and humoral evironmental factors on this process will be the subject of future reports.Supported in part by National Cancer Institute Contracts NO1-CP-43231 and NO1-CP-65751     

Peptide influences on the development and regeneration of motor performance

ACTH 1-39 (0.2 U IP daily for up to 18 days) has a beneficial effect on the functional reorganization of regenerating motor units of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) in the adrenalectomized adult rat following crushing of the peroneal nerve. Motor unit activity (maximum twitch tension amplitude/mean increment in twitch tension as voltage is increased by 0.1 V gradations) and nerve-muscle efficiency (tetanic tension from indirect stimulation/tetanic tension from direct stimulation of EDL) were enhanced by ACTH 1-39. Other electrophysiological and contractile parameters were unaffected by the peptide. Spontaneous motor activity in cold stressed 13 day old rats was prolonged by Org 2766, a substituted analogue of ACTH/MSH 4-9, (0.1 microgram/kg daily) but unaffected by the same dosage of ACTH/MSH 4-10. The responsiveness of developing and regenerating motor systems to neuropeptides indicates a plasticity of neuronal connections, which depends on peptide sequence, dosage and the physiological state of the animal (normal, depressed, regenerating or developing, at rest or stressed).     

Effects of culture milieus on the development of mouse blastocysts in vitro

Summary Various culture milieus were examined for their support of mouse blastocyst development. Two important variables were the time at which human cord serum was added to the medium and the concentration of amino acids. In the best medium, Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium (fortified with six times the usual amino-acid concentration plus 20% fetal bovine serum, replaced after 48 hr with human cord serum), 83% of the blastocysts shed the zona pellucida, 58% developed to the early egg cylinder stage, 42% to the advanced egg cylinder stage and 22% attained the primitive streak stage after 6 to 8 days of culture. A preliminary account was given at the Tissue Culture Association Meeting in 1976 and the abstract published in its proceedings (1). This work was supported by MRC Grant No. MA4235.     

In-ovulo embryo culture and seedling development of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

A convenient and reliable method for culturing cotton embryos is needed to obtain interspecific hybrids of this genus. C.A. Beasley and I.P. Ting (Amer. J. Bot. 60, 130, 1973) developed a phytohormone-supplemented medium (BTP) upon which the growth of ovules was similar that of in situ ovules. This medium was examined for in-ovulo embryo culture. Although good ovule growth occurred on BTP no embryos developed to maturity. However, when the medium was supplemented with NH ₄ ⁺ , more than 50% of the ovules produced mature embryos, and many of these germinated precociously after 8–10 weeks of culture. After germination seedlings were established on a separate medium designed to give balanced root and shoot growth. Subsequently young plants could be transferred to pots for greenhouse culture.     

Distribution of the cell substratum attachment (CSAT) antigen on myogenic and fibroblastic cells in culture

Previous studies (Neff et al., 1982, J. Cell. Biol. 95:654-666; Decker et al., 1984. J. Cell. Biol. 99:1388-1404) have described a monoclonal antibody (CSAT Mab) directed against a complex of three integral membrane glycoproteins of 120,000-160,000 mol wt (CSAT antigen [ag]) involved in the cell matrix adhesion of myoblasts and fibroblasts. In localization studies on fibroblasts presented here, CSAT ag has a discrete, well-organized distribution pattern. It co-aligns with portions of stress fibers and is enriched at the periphery of, but not directly beneath vinculin-rich focal contacts. In this last location, it co-distributes with fibronectin, consistent with the suggestion that the CSAT ag participates in the mechanism by which fibroblasts attach to fibronectin. In prefusion myoblasts, which are rapidly detached by CSAT Mab, CSAT ag is distributed diffusely as are vinculin, laminin, and fibronectin. After fusion, myotubes become more difficult to detach with CSAT Mab. The CSAT ag and vinculin are organized in a much more discrete pattern on the myotube surface, becoming enriched at microfilament bundle termini and in lateral lamellae which appear to attach myotubes to the substratum. These results suggest that the organization of CSAT ag-adhesive complexes on the surface of myogenic cells can affect the stability of their adhesive contacts. We conclude from the sum of the studies presented that, in both myogenic and fibroblastic cells, the CSAT ag is localized in sites expected of a surface membrane mediator of cell adhesion to extracelluon of CSAT ag-adhesive complexes on the surface of myogenic cells can affect the stability of their adhesive contacts. We conclude from the sum of the studies presented that, in both myogenic and fibroblastic cells, the CSAT ag is localized in sites expected of a surface membrane mediator of cell adhesion to extracellular matrix. The results from studies that use fibroblasts in particular suggest the involvement of CSAT ag in the adhesion of these cells to fibronectin.     

An ultrastructural and electrophysiological study of the development of neuro-muscular junctions between previously dissociated foetal rat cells in vitro

Summary The development of neuro-muscular junctions between previously dissociated foetal rat spinal cord and somatic muscle has been investigated. The first indications of junction formation, both ultrastructurally and electrophysiologically, were observed after circa 18 days in vitro. The junctions contained numerous vesicles, but no secondary folds were developed even after 6 weeks in culture, and synaptic densities were not well marked. Functional endplates were found, and action potentials, endplate potentials and miniature endplate potentials recorded.The authors wish to thank Mr. D. Fraser, B. Sc., for valued technical help, and Mr. S. Waterman for photographic printing.     

Determination of human factor VIII (AHG-associated protein)-antigen in endothelial cells from Xenopus laevis (XTH cells)

Summary AHG-associated protein (AHG-a.p.), the antigen of the blood-clotting factor VIII complex, is a specific endothelial cell marker. Primary (p-XTH) and established (XTH-2) endothelial cells from the hearts of Xenopus laevis tadpoles were assayed for the presence of this marker by means of immunological cross-reaction (recognition of common antigenic sites) with antiserum against human AHG-a.p. Radial imtnunodiffusion and rocket immunoelectrophoresis proved to be insufficiently sensitive, whereas immunofluorescence and a newly evaluated ELISA technique gave positive results. The very high sensitivity of the ELISA (less than 1/240000 of the AHG-a.p. in 0.1 ml human standard plasma can be detected) and the removal of interfering proteins by gel filtration also revealed the presence of AHG-a.p. in the fetal calf serum used in the culture medium; earlier investigations into this subject by a one-step radioimmunoassay had reported negative results. Specially adapted XTH-2 cells were grown in a proteinand serum-free hydrolysate medium in order to demonstrate the presence of a Xenopus-derived antigen that was immunoreactive with the anti-human AHG-a.p.     

Enhancing effect of mouse peritoneal exudate cells and their products on antibody productivity of hybridoma cells: Application of in vivo factors to in vitro culture

Mouse peritoneal exudate cells induced by casein enhanced in vitro antibody production rate per cell of a hybridoma in co-culture. Culture supernatant of the exudate cells also enhanced three-fold the antibody productivity when added to cultures of a hybridoma at 10% (v/v). Hence the enhancement of antibody productivity by the exudate cells seemed to be caused by soluble enhancing factors secreted by the exudate cells. The exudate cells maximally secreted the enhancing factors when harvested from mice on day 4 of the induction period following the injection of casein. A semi-continuous culture of the hybridoma demonstrated the applicability of the culture supernatant to enhance antibody production by producing a two-fold increase over the control for seven days when supplemented with the supernatant at 5%. Significant amounts of interleukin-6 were detected in culture supernatant of the exudate cells. Interleukin-6 obtained from other sources enhanced the antibody productivity two-fold when added to the hybridoma culture at the concentration of 5 unit/ml. Interleukin-6, therefore, is expected to be one of the principal antibody enhancing factors secreted by the exudate cells. Other interleukins examined, that is, interleukin-1 to-5 did not enhance the antibody productivity.     

人羊膜间充质细胞分离培养及其干细胞特性研究

目的：研究人羊膜间充质细胞（Humanamnioticmesenchymalcells,HAMCs）的分离、培养及其干细胞特性,为羊膜间充质细胞在再生医学的潜在应用奠定实验基础。方法：无菌条件下取正常足月剖腹产胎儿的羊膜剪成碎片,经胰酶胶原酶序贯消化,DMEM/F12培养,倒置显微镜下观察其形态,MTT法检测其生长规律,免疫荧光的方法对细胞进行鉴定,定向诱导方法检测细胞的多向分化潜能。结果：来源于羊膜的间充质细胞,细胞免疫荧光显示SSEA-4,OCT-4阳性,具有很强的增殖能力,并且具有一定的多向分化能力,在特定条件下可分化为脂肪细胞和成骨细胞;结论：羊膜间充质细胞能够在体外分离、培养、扩增,并且具有干细胞特性。羊膜间充质细胞在再生医学和组织工程应用有很好的前景。     

Whole-embryo culture of Drosophila : development of embryonic tissues in vitro

Summary We have devised techniques to culture whole, dissected embryos of Drosophila melanogaster. We examine multiple aspects of the morphological and physiological development of the epidermis, musculature, nervous system, and internal organs in this cultured preparation, and show that in vitro development closely parallels normal embryogenesis. These techniques permit a wide range of experimental manipulations during embryogenesis and allow us to extend observations through late embryonic stages, after cuticle deposition. Applications of this technique are presented.     

人羊膜间充质细胞分离培养及其干细胞特性研究

目的:研究人羊膜间充质细胞(Humanamnioticmesenchymalcells,HAMCs)的分离、培养及其干细胞特性,为羊膜间充质细胞在再生医学的潜在应用奠定实验基础。方法:无菌条件下取正常足月剖腹产胎儿的羊膜剪成碎片,经胰酶胶原酶序贯消化,DMEM/F12培养,倒置显微镜下观察其形态,MTT法检测其生长规律,免疫荧光的方法对细胞进行鉴定,定向诱导方法检测细胞的多向分化潜能。结果:来源于羊膜的间充质细胞,细胞免疫荧光显示SSEA-4,OCT-4阳性,具有很强的增殖能力,并且具有一定的多向分化能力,在特定条件下可分化为脂肪细胞和成骨细胞;结论:羊膜间充质细胞能够在体外分离、培养、扩增,并且具有干细胞特性。羊膜间充质细胞在再生医学和组织工程应用有很好的前景。     

The development and ultrastructure of previously dissociated foetal human cerebral cortical cells in vitro

Summary Cells from foetal human cerebral cortex were mechanically dissociated and subsequently maintained in vitro for periods ranging between three and twenty-eight days.The ultrastructure of these cells at different stages of their development in culture was extensively examined. Nuclear and cytoplasmic features were extremely variable and a wide range of cell types was evidently represented. Of the three principal cell types found i.e. neurons, neuroglia and mesenchymal cells, only a minority of cells was classified with confidence, particularly during the first two weeks in culture.Extensive intercellular junctions of the adhaerens variety, common after 14 days in vitro were present at an earlier stage of development than synaptic profiles. First indications of synapse formation were observed after 21 days in vitro and after 24 days presynaptic sites filled with synaptic vesicles and with well defined presynaptic and postsynaptic thickenings were found. The significance of some of the features observed are both considered and discussed.     

小鼠原生殖细胞体外培养及其应用研究

原生殖细胞（ｐｒｉｍｏｒｄｉａｌｇｅｒｍｃｅｌｌ,ＰＧＣ）是胚胎生殖谱系最原始形式的细胞,在体胚胎迁移期ＰＧＣ增殖极为旺盛。体外培养的小鼠迁移期ＰＧＣ在饲养层细胞和三种生长因子（干细胞生长因子、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子及白血病抑制因子）的共同作用下,可发展为长期增殖并维持不分化状态的胚胎性干细胞,即胚胎生殖细胞（ｅｍｂｒｙｏｎｉｃｇｅｒｍｃｅｌｌ,ＥＧ）,具全能性发育潜能。ＥＧ建系成功对于研究生殖细胞发育以及寻找新的转基因动物操作的有效载体具有重要价值。     

Induction of transforming growth factor-beta 1 on dentine pulp cells in different culture patterns

Recent studies have documented that TGF-beta1 takes part in dental pulp tissue repair. Moreover, dental pulp cells have the potential to differentiate into odontoblast-like cells and produce reparative dentine in this process. However, the molecular mechanisms and potential interactions between TGF-beta1 and dental pulp cells are not clear due to the complexity of the pulp/dentine microenvironment. In this study, we investigated the induction of TGF-beta1 on the dental pulp cells in cell culture, tissue culture and three-dimensional culture patterns. These results demonstrated that TGF-beta1 significantly increased the proliferation of cells and activity of ALPase. Dental pulp cells cultured in the presence of TGF-beta1 formed mineralization nodules. In the organ culture, dental pulp cells treated with TGF-beta1 differentiated into odontoblast-like cells and formed a pulp-dentinal complex; and TGF-beta1 significantly induced synthesis of dentine relative proteins DSPP, DMP-1. The dental pulp cells share some characteristics of the odontoblast, such as a parallel arrangement with columnar form and a unilateral cell process. Together, these data indicate that TGF-beta1 can make dental pulp cells differentiated into odontoblast-like cells and form the pulp-dentinal complex. Moreover, these results suggest that TGF-beta1 is an important regulatory factor in odontoblast differentiation during tooth development and pulp repair.