Comparison of MTT and ATP-based assays for the measurement of viable cell number

Cell viability assays are widely used to assess the effect of chemotherapeutic drugs and other agents on cell lines and have shown promise for the prediction of tumour chemosensitivity. In this study we have compared two viability assays using Daudi and CCRF-CEM cell lines over a range of 1500–100,000 cells/well of a microplate. The ATP assay was able to detect the lower limit of 1563 cells/well with luminescence values at least 100× background readings, while the MTT assay could not detect less than 25,000 cells/well above background readings. The ATP assay also showed better reproducibility and sensitivity when cells were grown in microtitre plates over several days, and is particularly useful for the measurement of viability with low cell numbers.     

Application of Colorimetric Assays to Assess Viability, Growth and Metabolism of Hydrogel-Encapsulated Cells

The applicability of the colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethylthiozol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays to measure cell growth and viability in hydrogel encapsulation systems was investigated using HepG2 liver cells encapsulated in alginate matrices. The MTT assay was effective in measuring viable cell density in alginate-encapsulated cell systems, demonstrating less variance and higher throughput capability than hemocytometry. The LDH assay was effective in measuring dead cell density in monolayer cultures and in alginate-encapsulated cells simply by measuring the LDH concentration secreted into the medium. Further validation of these assays was shown in two additional cell lines (rat muscle and mouse embryonic fibroblasts). The MTT and LDH assays are particularly significant in the rapid evaluation of in vitro cell encapsulation device design.     

The role of oxygen in the viability of probiotic bacteria with reference to L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp

The various therapeutic benefits of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp. have resulted in their increased incorporation into dairy foods such as yoghurts. Currently however, the efficacy of these probiotic bacteria is limited by their poor survival during the shelf life of yoghurt. Oxygen toxicity is widely considered to be responsible for the cell deaths of these bacteria. The intestinal origins and the microaerophilic and anaerobic characteristics of L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp. respectively, can render them susceptible to oxygen contained in the food products. This review discusses the influence of the dissolved oxygen in yogurt on the viability of these bacteria. Suggested techniques to protect these probiotic bacteria from oxygen toxicity are evaluated. Although the problem of oxygen toxicity in probiotic bacteria is regarded as significant, little is known however about the cellular interaction of these bacteria with oxygen. This review summarizes what is known about the biochemistry of oxygen toxicity in these bacteria. The various metabolic and biochemical responses of L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium to oxygen are examined. Additionally, the importance of NADH oxidase and NADH peroxidase in the oxygen tolerance of these bacteria is evaluated and assays used to measure their cellular concentrations are discussed.     

Mini-scale bioprocessing systems for highly parallel animal cell cultures

Animal cells have been used extensively in therapeutic protein production. The growth of animal cells and the expression of therapeutic proteins are highly dependent on the culturing environments. A large number of experimental permutations need to be explored to identify the optimal culturing conditions. Miniaturized bioreactors are well suited for such tasks as they offer high-throughput parallel operation and reduce cost of reagents. They can also be automated and be coupled to downstream analytical units for online measurements of culture products. This review summarizes the current status of miniaturized bioreactors for animal cell cultivation based on the design categories: microtiter plates, flasks, stirred tank reactors, novel designs with active mixing, and microfluidic cell culture devices. We compare cell density and product titer, for batch or fed-batch modes for each system. Monitoring/controlling devices for engineering parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and dissolved carbon dioxide, which could be applied to such systems, are summarized. Finally, mini-scale tools for process performance evaluation for animal cell cultures are discussed: total cell density, cell viability, product titer and quality, substrates, and metabolites profiles.     

Fluorescence-based cell viability screening assays using water-soluble oxygen probes

A simple luminescence-based assay for screening the viability of mammalian cells is described, based on the monitoring of cell respiration by means of a phosphorescent water-soluble oxygen probe that responds to changes in the concentration of dissolved oxygen by changing its emission intensity and lifetime. The probe was added at low concentrations (0.3 microM to 0.5 nM) to each sample containing a culture of cells in the wells of a standard 96-well plate. Analysis of oxygen consumption was initiated by applying a layer of mineral oil on top of each sample followed by monitoring of the phosphorescent signal on a prompt or time-resolved fluorescence plate reader. Rates of oxygen uptake could be determined on the basis of kinetic changes of the phosphorescence (initial slopes) and correlated with cell numbers (10(5) to 10(7) cells/mL for FL5.12 lymphoblastic cell line), cell viability, or drug/effector action using appropriate control samples. The assay is cell noninvasive, more simple, robust, and cost-effective than existing microplate-based cell viability assays; is compatible with existing instrumentation; and allows for high-throughput analysis of cell viability.     

Dual Neuroprotective and Neurotoxic Effects of Cannabinoid Drugs in Vitro

Either protective or toxic effects of cannabinoids on cell survival have been reported extensively in the literature; however, the factors that determine the direction of the effect are still obscured. In this study we have used the neuroblastoma cell line N18TG2 that expresses CB1 cannabinoid receptors to investigate several factors that may determine the consequences of exposure to cannabinoid agonists. Cells that were grown under optimal, stressful, or differentiating conditions were exposed to cannabinoid agonists and then assayed for cell viability by measuring MTT, LDH, and caspase-3 activity. Various cannabinoid agonists (CP 55,940, ∆9-THC, HU-210, and WIN 55,212-2) failed to affect cell viability when the cells were grown under optimal conditions. On the other hand, the same agonists significantly reduced cell viability when the cells were grown under stressful conditions (glucose- and serum-free medium), while enhancing the viability of cells grown in differentiation medium (0.5% serum and 1.5% DMSO). The toxic/protective profile was not dependent on the type or the concentration of the cannabinoid agonist that was applied. The cannabinoid agonist CP 55,940 similarly affected the non-neuronal HEK-293 cells that were grown under stressful conditions only when they expressed CB1 receptors. Our results shed light on the conflicting reports regarding the protective or toxic effects of cannabinoids in vitro and indicate that cannabinoids may activate different intracellular signaling mechanisms, depending on the state of the cell, thus leading to different physiological consequences.     

3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) causes Akt phosphorylation and morphological changes in intracellular organellae in cultured rat astrocytes

3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) is widely used for cell viability and cytotoxicity assays, but cell biological effects of MTT itself have not been investigated. In this paper we show that MTT induces a morphological change in an intracellular membranous compartment labeled with anti-Rab5 antibody, dissociation of early endosomal auto-antigen (EEA1) from the membrane fraction, and phosphorylation of Akt probably through a phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase [PI(3)K] pathway in cultured rat astrocytes. These findings suggest that MTT affects cellular functions and conditions to some extent, and such effects of MTT may cause some discrepancies of measurement of cell viability using MTT assay and other assays. That is, the effects of MTT on cells could influence the results of cell viability assay. Moreover, MTT or other tetrazolium salts could be used as interesting activators of Akt to investigate the mechanism by which Akt or PI(3)K is activated.     

Effects of dissolved oxygen concentration on hybridoma growth and metabolism in continuous culture

Oxygen transport is a major limitation in large-scale mammalian cell culture. The effects of the dissolved oxygen concentration (DO; from 0.1 to 100% saturation with air) on Sp2/0-derived mouse hybridomas were investigated using continuous culture. The steady-state concentration of viable cells increased with decreasing DO until a critical dissolved oxygen concentration of 0.5% of air saturation was reached. The cell concentration declined at lower DO because of incomplete glutamine oxidation, and the specific lactate production from glucose increased to offset the reduced energy production from glutamine. Cell viability increased as the DO was decreased; the viability continued to increase even when the DO was reduced below 0.5%. The specific oxygen uptake rate was essentially constant for DO greater than or equal to 10% of air saturation and then decreased with decreasing DO. The P/O ratio (ATP molecules produced per O atom consumed) appears to change from 2 to 3 between 10 and 0.5% DO. The specific ATP production rate calculated using this assumption decreases only slightly with decreasing DO. The optimum DO of 50% for antibody production is different than the optimum (approximately 0.5% DO) for cell growth.     

Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells for expression of heterologous genes: From gene cloning to bioprocess development

In the present review we discuss strategies that have been used for heterologous gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster Schneider 2 (S2) cells using plasmid vectors. Since the growth of S2 cells is not dependent on anchorage to solid substrates, these cells can be easily cultured in suspension in large volumes. The factors that most affect the growth and gene expression of S2 cells, namely cell line, cell passage, inoculum concentration, culture medium, temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, hydrodynamic forces and toxic metabolites, are discussed by comparison with other insect and mammalian cells. Gene expression, cell metabolism, culture medium formulation and parameters involved in cellular respiration are particularly emphasized. The experience of the authors with the successful expression of a biologically functional protein, the rabies virus glycoprotein (RVGP), by recombinant S2 cells is presented in the topics covered.     

Fluorescence Microscopy Methods for Determining the Viability of Bacteria in Association with Mammalian Cells

Central to the field of bacterial pathogenesis is the ability to define if and how microbes survive after exposure to eukaryotic cells. Current protocols to address these questions include colony count assays, gentamicin protection assays, and electron microscopy. Colony count and gentamicin protection assays only assess the viability of the entire bacterial population and are unable to determine individual bacterial viability. Electron microscopy can be used to determine the viability of individual bacteria and provide information regarding their localization in host cells. However, bacteria often display a range of electron densities, making assessment of viability difficult. This article outlines protocols for the use of fluorescent dyes that reveal the viability of individual bacteria inside and associated with host cells. These assays were developed originally to assess survival of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in primary human neutrophils, but should be applicable to any bacterium-host cell interaction. These protocols combine membrane-permeable fluorescent dyes (SYTO9 and 4'',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole [DAPI]), which stain all bacteria, with membrane-impermeable fluorescent dyes (propidium iodide and SYTOX Green), which are only accessible to nonviable bacteria. Prior to eukaryotic cell permeabilization, an antibody or fluorescent reagent is added to identify extracellular bacteria. Thus these assays discriminate the viability of bacteria adherent to and inside eukaryotic cells. A protocol is also provided for using the viability dyes in combination with fluorescent antibodies to eukaryotic cell markers, in order to determine the subcellular localization of individual bacteria. The bacterial viability dyes discussed in this article are a sensitive complement and/or alternative to traditional microbiology techniques to evaluate the viability of individual bacteria and provide information regarding where bacteria survive in host cells.     

Adhesion,Vitality and Osteogenic Differentiation Capacity of Adipose Derived Stem Cells Seeded on Nitinol Nanoparticle Coatings

Autologous cells can be used for a bioactivation of osteoimplants to enhance osseointegration. In this regard, adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) offer interesting perspectives in implantology because they are fast and easy to isolate. However, not all materials licensed for bone implants are equally suited for cell adhesion. Surface modifications are under investigation to promote cytocompatibility and cell growth. The presented study focused on influences of a Nitinol-nanoparticle coating on ASCs. Possible toxic effects as well as influences on the osteogenic differentiation potential of ASCs were evaluated by viability assays, scanning electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and alizarin red staining. It was previously shown that Nitinol-nanoparticles exert no cell toxic effects to ASCs either in soluble form or as surface coating. Here we could demonstrate that a Nitinol-nanoparticle surface coating enhances cell adherence and growth on Nitinol-surfaces. No negative influence on the osteogenic differentiation was observed. Nitinol-nanoparticle coatings offer new possibilities in implantology research regarding bioactivation by autologous ASCs, respectively enhancement of surface attraction to cells.     

High-throughput assays of phagocytosis, phagosome maturation, and bacterial invasion

Ingestion of foreign particles by macrophages and neutrophils and the fate of the vacuole that contains the ingested material are generally monitored by optical microscopy. Invasion of host cells by pathogenic bacteria and their intracellular proliferation are similarly studied by microscopy or by plating assays. These labor-intensive and time-consuming methods limit the number of assays that can be performed. The effort required to test multiple reagents or conditions can be prohibitive. We describe high-throughput assays of phagocytosis and of phagosomal maturation. An automated fluorescence microscope-based platform and associated analysis software were used to study Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized particles by cultured murine macrophages. Phagosomal acidification was measured as an index of maturation. The same platform was similarly used to implement high-throughput assays of invasion of mammalian cells by pathogenic bacteria. The invasion of HeLa cells by Salmonella and the subsequent intracellular proliferation of the bacteria were measured rapidly and reliably in large populations of cells. These high-throughput methods are ideally suited for the efficient screening of chemical libraries to select potential drugs and of small interference RNA libraries to identify essential molecules involved in critical steps of the immune response. Salmonella; phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; actin; vacuolar pH     

Acute toxicity of cadmium and copper in hepatopancreas cells from the Roman snail (Helix pomatia)

The toxic effects of cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) on cellular metabolism and cell morphology were investigated in isolated hepatopancreas cells from the Roman snail (Helix pomatia). Cell viability was unaffected during 1 h of incubation with 100 microM Cd, but was significantly reduced from 93% in controls to 87% and 85% with 100 microM Cu and 500 microM Cd, respectively. The adverse effect of 500 microM Cd on cell viability was not observed in cells isolated from Cd pretreated snails. Oxygen consumption remained constant in the presence of 100 microM Cu but was inhibited by 38% after 1 h of exposure to 500 microM Cd. Hepatopancreas cells showed enhanced formation of reactive oxygen species when exposed to 100 microM Cu, but not in the presence of Cd. Morphologically, an increase in cell volume of Cd-exposed cells was noted, while cell membrane bleb formation was induced by both metals. The latter may have been induced by metal effects on the actin filamentous network of the cells which showed distinct actin-staining within the blebs at the cell surface. Overall, our data indicate that both Cd and Cu are acutely toxic for hepatopancreas cells form the Roman snail with Cu being more toxic than Cd.     

A low-volume platform for cell-respirometric screening based on quenched-luminescence oxygen sensing

Cell viability assays represent an important technology in modern cell biology, drug discovery and biotechnology, where currently there is a high demand for simple, sensitive and cost-effective screening methods. We have developed a new methodology and associated tools for cell-based screening assays, which are based on the measurement of the rates of oxygen uptake in cells by luminescence quenching. Sealable microchamber devices matching the footprint of a standard 96-well plate were developed and used in conjunction with long-decay phosphorescent oxygen probes. These devices permit cell non-invasive, real-time monitoring of cellular respiration and a rapid, one-step, kinetic assessment of multiple samples for cell viability, drug/effector action. These assays can be carried out on conventional fluorescence plate readers, they are suitable for different types of cells, including adherent and slow-respiring cells, require small sample volumes and cell numbers, and are amenable for high throughput screening. Monitoring of as little as 300 mammalian cells in 3 microl volume has been demonstrated.     

Induction of apoptosis and necrosis in A549 cells by the cis-Pt(II) complex of 3-aminoflavone in comparison with cis-DDP

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) includes a group of tumors that respond poorly to drugs. cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cis-DDP) toxicity still remains problematic, and not completely solved by the improvement of supportive care. Therefore, the cis-Pt(II) complex of 3-aminoflavone was selected from cis-DDP analogues with a more favourable toxic profile towards normal cells and at least similar or better anti-tumor activity in comparison with cis-DDP. The aim of this research is to compare the ability of the cis-Pt(II) complex of 3-aminoflavone and cis-DDP to induce apoptosis and necrosis in the human non-small cancer cell line A549. Trypan blue dye exclusion, fluorochrome staining (acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining), MTT and TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling) assays were used. The results obtained show that the cis-Pt(II) complex of 3-aminoflavone is more active in inducing apoptosis and necrosis and in decreasing viability in A549 cells than cis-DDP, which suggests that it could be a potential chemotherapeutic drug.     

The effect of oxygen concentration on the teratogenicity of salicylate, niridazole, cyclophosphamide, and phosphoramide mustard in rat embryos in vitro

Comparisons were made of rat embryos cultured at 5% or 20% oxygen in the presence of salicylate (SAL), cyclophosphamide (CP), niridazole (NDZ), or phosphoramide mustard (PM). Multiple regression analyses were used to compare the effects of drug concentration, oxygen concentration, and the product of drug times oxygen concentration on malformation incidence, viability, and protein content of embryos cultured for 24 hours. Drug concentration significantly affected malformation incidence or severity and protein content (P less than 0.001) for the four drugs tested. Oxygen concentration significantly affected protein content for the four compounds (P less than 0.001) but affected malformation incidence only with NDZ. Furthermore, the interaction of oxygen concentration and drug concentration significantly affected the malformation incidence in the presence of NDZ (P less than 0.001), and protein content (P less than 0.001) and viability (P less than 0.001) in the presence of CP. The pattern of significant effects of the independent variables (drug concentration, oxygen concentration, and drug times oxygen concentration) is consistent with the hypotheses of oxygen-dependent metabolism (or lack of metabolism) of the drugs in question. NDZ, which is thought to be converted to reactive intermediates by an oxygen-inhibited nitroreductase, was more toxic at reduced oxygen tension. CP, which is activated by an oxygen-dependent P-450 system, was more toxic with increased oxygen tension. Significant effects of the independent variables on embryos exposed to SAL or PM were consistent with the effects on control embryos, notably, increased protein content with increased oxygen.     

氯化钾或谷氨酸对人神经母细胞瘤SH-SY5Y细胞钙离子通透性的影响

用人神经母细胞瘤SH-SY5Y细胞系作为研究对象,通过测定细胞存活率(MTT法)和脂质过氧化代谢产物丙二醛(MDA),探讨了氯化钾(KCl)或谷氨酸分别对入神经母细胞瘤SH-SY5Y细胞的损伤作用。结果发现在含Ca     

Characterization of heme protein expressed by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria under low dissolved oxygen conditions

We have recently reported that expression of an unidentified heme protein is enhanced in a nitrifying activated sludge community under low (0.1 mg O₂/L) dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions. A preliminary assessment suggested it may be a type of hemoglobin (Hb) or a lesser-known component of the energy-transducing pathways of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) (particularly an oxidase or peroxidase). Here, additional work was done to characterize this protein. Due to the unfeasibility of identifying the protein using gene-based methods, our approach was to carry out assays that target the activity and function of the protein, its location in the cell, and determination of the organisms that express it. Using CO-difference spectra, it was shown that the protein is expressed by AOB preferentially in the cytoplasm, while the pyridine hemochromogen method demonstrated that it has heme c as its prosthetic group. Peroxidase and oxidase assays were carried out on the soluble fraction of the low DO-grown cells; neither the peroxidase nor oxidase activities matched those of the CO-binding heme protein detected. Even though it is not possible to conclusively identify the protein detected as a Hb, all other known possibilities have been ruled out. Further work is needed to verify the identity of the heme protein as a Hb and to determine its type and biochemical role under low oxygen conditions.     

Characterization of hemin antibacterial action on Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract The mechanism of inactivation of Staphylococcas aureus cells by hemin is described. Protection experiments by sulfhydryl reagents such as cysteine, mercaptoethanol, glutathione or thioglycolate in their reduced form prevent S. aureus bacteria from inactivation by hemin (1.5 × 10⁻⁵ M). The treatment of bacteria by hemin in the presence of one of those reagents (1 × 10⁻² M) showed that the growth rate and viability of the culture remained unchaged. On the other hand sulfhydryl reagents did not prevent the binding of hemin to the bacteria. When cysteine or glutathione were introduced to a culture after exposure to hemin it could neither reverse the damage done to the cells nor shorten the time of the culture's recovery. Another type of protection was obtained by addition of serum albumin which prevented hemin molecules from binding to the bacterial envelopes. Furthermore, when albumin was introduced after the bacteria were treated by hemin it prevented further damage to the survivors and thus shortened the time required for recovery. None of the singlet oxygen quenchers or hydroxyl radical scavengers could protect the bacteria from hemin inactivation. The mechanism by which hemin affects S. aureus is assumed to be by oxidizing a major system within the cell.     

Application of the chemiluminescent assay to cytotoxicity test: detection of menadione-catalyzed H2O2 production by viable cells.

Menadione-catalyzed H2O2 production by viable cells is proportional to viable cell number. The correlations between the viable cell number and the concentration of H2O2 produced are determined with the rapid chemiluminescent assay (S. Yamashoji, T. Ikeda, and K. Yamashoji, 1989, Anal. Biochem. 181, 149-152). This chemiluminescent assay of viable cells requires only 10 min and is much faster than NR (neutral red) inclusion and MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) reduction assays, which require 3-5 h. When viable cells are incubated with antitumor drugs, detergents, mycotoxins, and glycoalkaloids for 24-48 h, a decrease in menadione-catalyzed H2O2 production in a dose- or incubation time-dependent manner is observed. In general, the 50% inhibition concentration determined by the chemiluminescent assay is lower than that determined by NR inclusion and MTT reduction assays, and the order of relative cytotoxic effects of agents is the same among these assays. Furthermore, clear cytotoxic effects are observed by the chemiluminescent assay after 1 h exposure of trypsinized cells to toxic compounds. Therefore, the chemiluminescent assay is expected to be more useful for the rapid detection of cytotoxic compounds than NR inclusion and MTT reduction assays.