Neurite Extension and Increased Expression of R1 Cyclic AMP-Binding Protein in Ouabain-Resistant Neuroblastoma Mutants

Morphological and biochemical parameters of neuroblastoma differentiation were assessed in 12 clonal derivatives of the N-18 mouse neuroblastoma cell line selected for their ouabain-resistant (ouar) property. When cultured in a normal growth medium, nine of the 12 ouar cell lines exhibited a more complex pattern of neurite outgrowth than the parental N-18 cells. The morphological pattern most frequently observed with the ouar cells was the extension of several branched processes per cell. This pattern of spontaneous neurite outgrowth in the ouar cell lines can be correlated with an increase in expression of the 47,000-dalton RI cyclic AMP (cAMP)-binding protein. The growth rate, intracellular level of cAMP, and acetylcholinesterase activity of the ouar cell lines were not significantly different from those of the parental N-18 neuroblastoma cells. Treatment of the parental and ouar neuroblastoma cell lines with 1 mM N6, O2-dibutyryl cAMP promoted an elaborate pattern of neurite outgrowth and marked increases in acetylcholinesterase and RI cAMP-binding activities. The distinctive pattern of differentiation phenotype exhibited by the ouar cells and the dibutyryl cAMP-induced differentiated neuroblastoma cell suggests that these two protocols yielded different degrees of differentiation. Furthermore, our results suggest a linkage of the biochemical events underlying ouabain resistance and expression of differentiation phenotypes in the mouse neuroblastoma cells.     

Newly established cell lines from mouse oral epithelium regenerate teeth when combined with dental mesenchyme

The present study attempted to examine whether clonal cell lines of the oral epithelium can differentiate into ameloblasts and regenerate tooth when combined with dental germ mesenchyme. Clonal cell lines with a distinct morphology were established from the oral epithelium of p53-deficient fetal mice at embryonic day 18 (E18). The strain of mouse is shown to be a useful source for establishing clonal and immortalized cell lines from various tissues and at various stages of development. Tooth morphogenesis is almost completed and the oral epithelium is segregated from the dental epithelium at E18. In RT-PCR analysis of cell lines, mucosal epithelial markers (cytokeratin 14) were detected, but ameloblast markers such as amelogenin and ameloblastin were not detected when cells were cultured on plastic dish. They formed stratified epithelia and expressed a specific differentiation marker (CK13) in the upper layer when cultured on feeder layer or on collagen gel for 1–3 wk, demonstrating that they are of oral mucosa origin. Next, bioengineered tooth germs were prepared with cell lines and fetal molar mesenchymal tissues and implanted under kidney capsule for 2–3 wk. Five among six cell lines regenerated calcified structures as seen in natural tooth. Our results indicate that some oral epithelial cells at E18 possess the capability to differentiate into ameloblasts. Furthermore, cell lines established in the present study are useful models to study processes in tooth organogenesis and tooth regeneration.     

Establishment and characterization of stromal cell lines that support differentiation of murine hematopoietic blast cells into osteoclast-like cells

Summary This study aimed to establish and characterize a new stromal cell line that supports the proliferation of hematopoietic blast cells and their differentiation into osteoclast-like cells. Cells isolated from the calvaria of neonatal Balb/c mice were subcultured every 2 to 4 days at 1.2×10⁴ cells/cm². After 18 passages the cells had become immortalized and were designated as MCHT-1. MCHT-1 cells were found to support the proliferation of hematopoietic blast cells and their differentiation into osteoclast-like cells when these two cells were co-cultured in the presence of 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ and dexamethasone. However, because the MCHT-1 cells showed heterogeneity, cloning was performed and each clone was characterized. All the clones obtained supported the proliferation of hematopoietic blast cells and their differentiation into osteoclast-like cells irrespective of their obvious differences in growth capacities and cytochemical characteristics. However, the time-course of the appearance of osteoclast-like cells differed among clones. The supportive effect of these clonal stromal cells on differentiation of hematopoietic blast cells into osteoclast-like cells was completely dependent on the presence of 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ and dexamethasone. These clonal MCHT-1 cells are expected to be useful for precise analysis of the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts.     

Regulation of glycolipid synthesis during differentiation of clonal murine muscle cells

The two clonal murine muscle cell lines G7 and G8, originally derived from the M114 line [20], represent unique models for comparative studies of myogenesis. Glycolipid synthesis was examined during differentiation using [³H]-galactose and [³H]-glucosamine as precursors. Upon G7 contact glucosylceramide labeling increased and nLcOse₅Cer labeling stopped. During membrane fusion, glucosylceramide labeling stopped and lactosylceramide became the major synthetic product. G8 cells presented a different pattern, with increased labeling of GbOse₃Cer during myogenesis. The major ganglioside synthesized by both myoblasts was GM3, and more complex structures were observed following completion of myotube formation. Total glycopeptide labeling increased when G8 myoblasts fused and remained elevated in myotubes, whereas no differences during fusion of G7 cells were noted. Upon comparison of the two clonal lines, the only consistent observation was a significant increase in the synthesis of total gangliosides and neutral glycolipid during cell contact and membrane fusion (p < 0.02). The results suggest that changes in the synthesis of specific glycolipid structures during myogenesis are unique to each muscle cell line examined. However, transient increases in synthesis of total myoblast gangliosides and neutral glycolipids may be a more general phenomenon, possibly by curbing proliferation or by altering myoblast membrane fluidity characteristics during differentiation.Abbreviations MG6 VI³NeuAc-V⁴Gal-IV³GlcNAc-nLcOse₄Cer - TLC thin-layer chromatography - HPTLC high performance thin-layer chromatography - Gal galactose - GlcNH glucosamine - PBS phosphate buffered saline - CK creatine kinase     

Identification of functional cAMP-dependent protein kinase in a 'neurite minus' mouse neuroblastoma cell line

We have characterized and quantitated the level of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the NS-20, N1E-115, N-18 and N1A-103 mouse neuroblastoma clonal cell lines, and we have correlated the occurrence of functional cAMP-dependent protein kinase with the dibutyryl cAMP-induced differentiated functions in these cells. Our results demonstrate the presence of functional cAMP-dependent protein kinase in extracts of all four cell lines examined, including the 'neurite minus' N1A-103 cell line. Dibutyryl cAMP induced neurite outgrowth and acetylcholinesterase activity in the NS-20, N1E-115 and N-18 neuroblastoma cell lines, but not in the N1A-103 cell line. However, dibutyryl cAMP caused a 2-3-fold increase in the R1 regulatory subunit protein and cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity in the 'neurite minus' N1A-103 cells in a manner similar to that of the other three 'neurite positive' cell lines. These results suggest that the biochemical lesion(s) subserving the neurite-minus phenotype of the N1A-103 cells may be distal to the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and is in a biochemical pathway distinct from the induction of R1 regulatory subunit protein and cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity.     

Biodistribution of N-alkyl and N-fluoroalkyl derivatives of spiroperidol; Radiopharmaceuticals for PET studies of dopamine receptors

There is great interest in the application of positron labeled ligands to map the dopamine receptor in vivo. A series of fluorine-18-labeled N-alkyl and N-fluoroalkyl spiroperidol (SP) derivatives N-methyl[¹⁸F]SP; N-ethyl[¹⁸F]SP; N-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl)SP; N-propyl[¹⁸F]SP; N-(3-[¹⁸F]fluoropropyl)SP; N-(3-fluoropropyl) [¹⁸F]SP; N-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoropropyl)SP; N-(2-[¹⁸F]fluorobutyl)SP; N-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoropentyl)SP; and N-(2-[¹⁸F]fluorohexyl) SP were synthesized. The lipophilicity of these ligands (log octanol/water partition coefficient) varies from 2.67 to 5.56 and the initial brain uptake in rats, measured at 2 min, was greatest with the methyl, ethyl, propyl, fluoroethyl, and fluoropropyl derivatives. The highest striatum/cerebellum values 1 h after administration were obtained with the N-methyl, N-propyl, and N-3-fluoropropyl derivatives, while that of N-2-fluoroethyl showed the greatest uptake of total activity in the brain at this time. The uptake of all these ligands in the striatum could be blocked by cold SP showing the striatal uptake to be by the dopamine receptors.     

Improved genetic manipulation of human embryonic stem cells

Low efficiency of transfection limits the ability to genetically manipulate human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), and differences in cell derivation and culture methods require optimization of transfection protocols. We transiently transferred multiple independent hESC lines with different growth requirements to standardized feeder-free culture, and optimized conditions for clonal growth and efficient gene transfer without loss of pluripotency. Stably transfected lines retained differentiation potential, and most lines displayed normal karyotypes.     

Evidence for chemically-induced structural gene mutations at the thymidine kinase locus in cultured L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells

L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells normally appear to possess two functional thymidine kinase alleles (TK^+/+). TK-deficient (TK^?/?) clonal lines can be derived from these cells by treatment with EMS or other mutagens. Mezger-Freed [12] has argued that such stable phenotypic variants do not arise as the result of gene mutations but instead represent epigenetic events such as normally occur during differentiation without any permanent gene alteration. If this be so, then rare TK^+/? revertants arising in TK^?/? cultures should possess TK enzyme identical with one of those present in the original TK^+/+ cells, since only depression of the TK gene is involved. Our studies show that this is not the case.Among the mutant TK enzymes analyzed in vitro (those from parental TK^+/? lines, each derived in turn from separate TK^?/? lines) differences were found in (1) solubility in saline; (2) solubility in3 M LiCl; (3) K_m′s; and (4) ATP-Mg²⁺ requirements. These findings were incompatible with a non-mutational model for the production of these stable variants and, in conjunction with reversion-rate data, they tended to favor either direct structural gene modifications or mutations affecting the expression of adult and fetal enzymes.     

Isolation of myoblastic, fibro-adipogenic, and fibroblastic clonal cell lines from a common precursor and study of their requirements for growth and differentiation

C17-S1-D-T984 (to be referred to as T984) is a myogenic clonal cell line isolated from a mouse teratocarcinoma. T984 exhibits phenotypic instability since it gives rise not only to myogenic but also to fibro-adipogenic and fibroblastic clones. A cell line of each clone type has been established and studied with respect to (1) phenotypic expression and stability; and (2) growth and differentiation in serum-free and serum-supplemented media. In both respects, marked differences between the three cell lines were observed. All three cell lines respond by increased growth in serum-free media to insulin, transferrin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and the serum-spreading factor of Holmes. The fibroblastic and the fibro-adipogenic cell lines can both be grown indefinitely in a serum-free medium which contains the above factors. The fibro-adipogenic cell line, which differentiates in serum-supplemented medium, exhibits very limited differentiation in the absence of serum; the serum factor(s) required for adipogenic differentiation is (are) probably proteins of molecular weight superior to 10 000. In direct contrast, the myogenic cell line exhibits limited growth in serum-free medium but readily differentiates under these conditions. Moreover, myogenic differentiation could be obtained in the defined medium at very low densities and was not influenced by the addition of medium conditioned by cells seeded at high densities. Thus, in this system, muscular differentiation is apparently independent of diffusible endogenous or exogenous factors and is probably triggered by the arrest of growth. While our results do not explain the reason why T984 exhibits phenotypic instability, they do indicate that this clonal cell line and its clonal derivatives could be used to identify the factors that influence the growth and the differentiation of cells of different mesenchymal phenotypes. The possible relationship of phenotypic instability to muscular dystrophies is also discussed.     

Immortalization and controlled in vitro differentiation of murine multipotent neural crest stem cells

To isolate mouse neural crest stem cells, we have generated a rat monoclonal antibody to murine neurotrophin receptor (p75). We have immortalized p75⁺ murine neural crest cells by expression of v-myc, and have isolated several clonal cell lines. These lines can be maintained in an undifferentiated state, or induced to differentiate by changing the culture conditions. One of these cell lines, MONC-1, is capable of generating peripheral neurons, glia, and melanocytic cells. Importantly, most individual MONC-1 cells are multipotent when analyzed at clonal density. The neurons that differentiate under standard conditions have an autonomic-like phenotype, but under different conditions can express markers of other peripheral neuronal lineages. These lines therefore exhibit a similar differentiation potential as their normal counterparts. Furthermore, they can be genetically modified or generated from mice of different genetic backgrounds, providing a useful tool for molecular studies of neural crest development. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neuroblol 32 : 722–746, 1997     

Clonal analysis for elucidating the lineage potential of embryonic NG2+ cells

Background aimsThe widespread NG2-expressing neural progenitors in the central nervous system (CNS) are considered to be multifunctional cells with lineage plasticity, thereby possessing the potential for treating CNS diseases. Their lineages and functional characteristics have not been completely unraveled. The present study aimed to disclose the lineage potential of clonal NG2⁺ populations in vitro and in vivo.MethodsTwenty-four clones from embryonic cerebral cortex-derived NG2⁺ cells were induced for oligodendrocyte, astrocyte, neuronal and chondrocyte differentiation. The expression profiles of neural progenitor markers chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (NG2), platelet-derived growth factor-α receptor (PDGFαR); nestin and neuronal cell surface antigen (A2B5) were subsequently sorted on cells with distinct differentiation capacity. Transplantation of these NG2⁺ clones into the spinal cord was used to examine their lineage potential in vivo.ResultsIn vitro differentiation analysis revealed that all the clones could differentiate into oligodendrocytes, and seven of them were bipotent (oligodendrocytes and astrocytes). Amazingly, one clone exhibited a multipotent capacity of differentiating into not only neuronal–glial lineages but also chondrocytes. These distinct subtypes were further found to exhibit phenotypic heterogeneity based on the examination of a spectrum of neural progenitor markers. Transplanted clones survived, migrated extensively and differentiated into oligodendrocytes, astrocytes or even neurons to integrate with the host spinal cord environmentConclusionsThese results suggest that NG2⁺ cells contain heterogeneous progenitors with distinct differentiation capacities, and the immortalized clonal NG2⁺ cell lines might provide a cell source for treating spinal cord disorders.     

Selenite-induced variation in glutathione peroxidase activity of three mammalian cell lines: no effect on radiation-induced cell killing or DNA strand breakage

The selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activities of three mammalian cell lines, HT29, P31, and N-18, cultured in medium with low serum content, increased about 2-, 5-, and 40-fold, respectively, after supplementation with 100 nM selenite. Catalase, CuZn superoxide dismutase, and Mn superoxide dismutase activities were not generally influenced by selenite supplementation, and there was only a minor nonselenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity in the investigated cell lines. Gamma-irradiated control and selenite-supplemented cells showed no changes in the surviving fractions, as estimated by clonogenic survival or [3H]-thymidine uptake, nor were there any significant differences between the two groups in the induction of DNA strand breaks after gamma irradiation under repairing (37 degrees C) or nonrepairing (0 degrees C) conditions. The results suggest that selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase does not contribute significantly to the radiation resistance of cultured mammalian cells.     

Genetics of the St Serotype System in TETRAHYMENA PYRIFORMIS, Syngen 1

Genetic analyses using lines of Tetrahymena pyroformis manifesting different serotypes indicate that the St serotypes are governed by alleles at a single genetic locus. These alleles are termed St^A and St^C. The St locus is not closely linked to any of the other well-studied loci examined. Differentiation in St^A/St^C heterozygotes follows a pattern very similar to that observed with lines heterozygous at the other loci. Initially both alleles are expressed, but as the synclone divides, lines develop that manifest one allele or the other but not both. The time of differentiation is very early in the clonal life cycle, and the output ratio is eccentric. The pattern of development of the St locus places it in a category with the mating type and H serotype loci.     

Establishment of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell lines from a p53-knockout mouse

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into a variety of cell types. MSCs exist in several tissues such as the bone marrow, adipose, muscle, cartilage, and tendon. This differentiation potential makes MSCs candidates for cell-based therapeutic strategies for mesenchymal tissue injuries. MSCs can be prepared from bone marrow (BM-MSCs) and adipose (AD-MSCs); however, these MSCs exhibit senescence-associated growth arrest and display inevitable heterogeneity. We established several AD-MSC cell lines from a p53-knockout (KO) mouse. These cell lines were immortalized, but no cell lines grew anchorage-independently, suggesting that they are not cancerous. They differentiated into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes by treatment with certain stimuli. Moreover, following injection into the tail vein, the cells migrated into the wounded region of the liver and differentiated into hepatocytes. We succeeded in establishing several AD-MSC clonal cell lines that maintain the tissue-specific markers and characteristics of the developmental phase. These clonal cell lines will serve as important tools to study the mechanism of differentiation of MSCs.     

Habitat use and ecological specialization within lake Daphnia populations

Many species of planktonic cladocerans display substantial variation in habitat use (mean depth and diel vertical migration), both among and within populations. We examined whether clonal segregation and specialization contributes to such behavioral variation within several lake populations of the cladoceran, Daphnia pulicaria. Electrophoretic and quantitative genetic analysis of clonal lines isolated from different depths at night revealed that clonal habitat specialization was common. Clones that utilized shallow water at night were genetically smaller at maturity and lower fecundity under standard laboratory conditions than the deep-water clones. The magnitude of this clonal habitat specialization varied among lakes: populations displaying broad use of depth habitats contained greater genetic variance than populations with more constrained habitat use. These results are consistent with known differences in selective factors in different depth habitats and suggest that substantial clonal specialization can occur within single populations. Since previous work has discovered a heritable basis to habitat selection in several Daphnia species, including D. pulicaria in our study lakes, it is likely that clonal/depth specialization is an important factor affecting the trophic ecology of Daphnia. Received: 18 April 1996 / Accepted: 25 September 1996     

Poly-N-Acetyllactosamine Glycans of Cellular Glycoproteins: Predominance of Linear Chains in Mouse Neuroblastoma and Rat Pheochromocytoma Cell Lines

To study the properties of protein-bound oligosaccharides in neuronally differentiating cells, two model systems were used: murine N1E-115 and N-18 neuroblastoma cells inducible by serum starvation and rat PC12 pheochromocytoma cells inducible by nerve growth factor. Glycopeptides were prepared from cells metabolically labeled with [3H]glucosamine and analyzed by gel filtration. The properties of the high-molecular-weight glycopeptides were studied using enzymatic digestion with neuraminidase and endo-beta-galactosidase. In contrast to other cell lines analyzed, the neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma lines contained predominantly glycopeptides completely cleavable with endo-beta-galactosidase, which indicated that they were linear-type poly-N-acetyllactosamine glycans. The proportion of these linear chains in the high-molecular-weight fraction increased during neuronal differentiation in both cell systems. The linear nature of the glycans was also correlated with positive anti-i and negative anti-I reactivity of the cells in immunofluorescence microscopy. Specific cell surface labeling for poly-N-acetyllactosamine glycans and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed several glycoprotein components, some of which showed changes during neuronal differentiation. The high proportion of linear poly-N-acetyllactosamine chains in these neuronal cell lines and its increase during neuronal differentiation suggests that these glycans may be a characteristic feature of neuronal or neuronally differentiating cells.     

Heat shock protein (HSP70) RNA expression differs among rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) clonal lines

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70, 70 kDa) is the most commonly expressed protein in response to thermal stress. The extent of its expression is associated with differences in environmental temperatures. We investigated the heat shock response in red blood cells collected from one-year-old rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Three different clonal lines of rainbow trout (Arlee, OSU and Whale Rock) were utilized, originating from habitats that likely experienced different thermal profile. The relative expression of HSP70 from blood cells treated at 13 °C, 16 °C, 18 °C, 20 °C, 22 °C, and 24 °C was quantified using real-time PCR. The use of red blood cells allows for the control and replication of HSP70 expression patterns.Relative expression of HSP70 differed significantly among the three clonal lines. The Arlee line had the lowest HSP70 response of the three clonal lines at any temperature; indicating a heritable difference. Maximum expression of HSP70 occurred at 22 °C in the OSU line and at 24 °C in the Whale Rock line. The discovery of variation in HSP70 expression among the clonal lines indicates that future studies to map the genetic control of HSP70 expression differences are possible.     

Saccharides on teratocarcinoma cell plasma membranes their investigation with radioactively labelled lectins

We have studied the interaction of five lectins differing in their sugar specificity, with the surface of clonal cell lines derived from transplantable murine teratocarcinoma. The results show that the differentiation from primitive embryonal carcinoma cells into parietal yolk sac cells is accompanied by changes in cell surface saccharides. These changes consist of a marked decrease in the total number of binding sites for the l-fucose-specific lectin of Lotus tetragonolobus and a large increase in the total number of binding sites for wax bean agglutinin. It is suggested that these differences can be used as markers in the study of this early embryonic differentiation. No agglutination of primitive embryonal carcinoma cells or of parietal yolk sac cells by low concentrations (10 μg/ml) of concanavalin A, soybean agglutinin or the fucose binding proteins was observed.     

Clonal erosion and genetic drift in cyclical parthenogens – the interplay between neutral and selective processes

The occurrence of alternating phases of clonal and sexual reproduction may strongly impact the interplay between neutral and selective genetic variation in populations. Using a physiologically structured model of the life history of Daphnia, we investigated to what extent clonal erosion associated with selection during the clonal phase affects the genetic structure as observed by neutral markers. Incorporating conservative levels of quantitative genetic variation at 11 physiological and life history traits induces strong clonal erosion, reducing clonal diversity (CD) near the end of the simulations (1000 days) to a level between 1 and 5, even in habitats with high initial CD (10⁸ clones). This strong clonal erosion caused by selection can result in reduced genetic diversity, significant excess of heterozygotes and significant genetic differentiation between populations as observed by neutral markers. Our results indicate that, especially in relatively small habitats, clonal selection may strongly impact the genetic structure and may contribute to the often observed high level of neutral genetic differentiation among natural populations of cyclical parthenogens.     

Squamous Cell Differentiation in a Clonal Teratocarcinoma Cell Line

Several clonal teratocarcinoma cell lines restricted to squamous cell differentiation have been established from a subculture of totipotential murine teratocarcinoma stem cells. These lines contain a continuum of cell types from less differentiated precursor cells to differentiated squamous cells. In contrast to their highly malignant progenitors, these cells are nontumorigenic. Chromosomally, the cells are near-tetraploid, and their DNA distributions are tetraploid. These cell lines may prove useful in the study of normal squamous cell differentiation and also will be important in studies concerning the conversion of malignant cells to non-malignant progeny.