Protective Effects of Quercetin on Cadmium-induced Cytotoxicity in Primary Cultures of Rat Proximal Tubular Cells

Objective To investigate the protective effects of quercetin on cadmium-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultures of rat proximal tubular （rPT） cells. Methods Primary cultures of rPT cells undergoing exponential growth were incubated with 1.0 ug/mL quercetin and/or cadmium （2.5, 5.0 umol/L）, in a serum-free medium at 37℃ at different time intervals. Commercial kits were used and flow cytometric analyses were performed on rPT cell cultures to assay apoptosis and oxidative stress. Results Exposure of rPT cells to cadmium acetate （2.5, 5.0 umol/L） induced a decrease in cell viability, caused an increase in apoptotic rate and apoptotic morphological changes. Simultaneously, elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and calcium levels, depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular glutathione, and inhibition of Na＋, K＋ -ATPase, Ca2＋ -ATPase, glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）, catalase （CAT）, and superoxide dismutase （SOD） activities were revealed during the cadmium exposure of rPT cells. However, simultaneous supplementation with 1 ug/mL quercetin protected rPT cells against cadmium-induced cytotoxicity through inhibiting apoptosis, attenuating lipid peroxidation, renewing mitochondrial function and elevating the intracellular antioxidants （non-enzymatic and enzymic） levels. Conclusion The present study has suggested that quercetin, as a widely distributed dietary antioxidant, contributes potentially to prevent cadmium-induced cytotoxicity in rPT cells.

Establishment of primary cultures of craniopharyngioma cells

Craniopharynigoma samples were collected from 36 patients. Out of the 36 samples, 29 achieved successful sub-culturing, with a success rate of 80.6%. Immunohistochemistry staining showed that cytokeratin-7 was positively expressed in the cytomembrane and cytoplasm of craniopharyngioma cells at 6-8 passages, confirming that all cultured cells were squamous epithelial cells. The doubling time of craniopharyngioma cells was 3 days, as confirmed by the 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. In this study, craniopharyngioma cells cultured in vitro were established; however, establishment of immortalized craniopharyngioma cell lines requires further research.

Transplantation of primary cultured embryonic mesencephalic neural precursor cells for treating Parkinsonian rats

BACKGROUND： Choosing proper donor cells is one of keys in experimental and clinical studies on cell replacement therapy （CRT） for treating Parkinson disease （PD）. Embryonic mesencephalic precursor cells （MPCs） can stably differentiate into dopaminergic neuron after in vitro proliferated culture. As compared with embryonic stem cell and neural stem cell strains, cell composition of embryonic MPCs after primary culture is also the most close to that of embryonic mesencephalic ventral cell suspension without proliferated culture. Successful experience accumulated in the latter suggests that primary cultured embryonic MPCs might be the most potential donor cells in clinical application with CRT for treating PD so far. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the feasibility of primary cultured embryonic precursor cells cultured primarily as donor cells in CRT for treating PD in rats. DESIGN ： A randomized and controlled trial taking SD rats as experimental animals.SETTING： Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University.MATERIALS： This experiment was carried out at the Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institute for Biological Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences from July 2003 to June 2004. Totally 26 female SD rats, with body mass of 200 to 220 g, were provided by Shanghai Experimental Animal Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences. METHODS ： Stereotaxic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the medial forebrain bundle were perfored to develop PD model rat. Among 26 SD rats, 20 rats achieved a more than 5 turns/min in apomorphine induced rotation test, reaching the standard of PD model rats. Immunohistochemical detection was performed on 1 out of 20 model rats after execution, and the other 19 rats were randomly divided into control group （n=5）, sham transplantation group （n=5）and cell grafted group （n=9）. Primary cultured E12 MPC cell suspension （1.2×10^11 L^-1）were used as donor cells. 4μL primary cultured E12 MPC cell suspension prepared freshly was injected into the lesioned corpus striatum of rats in cell grafted group, and 4μL D-Hank＇s solution was injected in sham transplantation group in the same way. There was no injection in control group. Apomorphine-induced rotation rate of PD rats were recorded respectively in cell grafted group and sham transplantation group pre-operation （initial value） and at postoperative 2, 4, 6 and 16 weeks. Apomorphine-induced rotation rate of PD rats was recorded in control group at postoperative 2 months （initial value） and following 2,4,6 and 16 weeks. To determine TH antigen with immunohistological ABC method （DAB developing） at 6 months post-transplantation to investigate the differentiation and survival of donor cells in the host body.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Apomorphine-induced rotation behavior before and after transplantation and the survival and differentiation of implanted cells in the host body at 6 months post-transplantation. RESULTS： Among 19 model rats, one rat died after transplantation respectively in the cell grafted group and sham transplantation group; finally 17 model rats entered the stage of result analysis. Relative apomorphine-induced rotation rate was significantly decreased in the cell grafted group as compared with that before transplantation , with significant difference （P 〈 0.01 .P 〈 0.05）;the mean value of relative apomorphine-induced rotation rate was significantly decreased at postoperative 16 weeks in cell grafted group as compared with that of corresponding relative rotation rate in control group , also with significant difference （P 〈 0.05）.Immunohistological results showed that donor cells could differentiate into large and multi-polar dopaminergic neurons in the host body. CONCLUSION ： Primary cultured embryonic MPCs can be used as the donor cells in CRT for treating PD.

Bis(7)-Tacrine, a Promising Anti-Alzheimer's Agent,Attenuates Glutamate-Induced Cell Injury in Primary Cultured Cerebrocortical Neurons of Rats

The effects of bis(7) tacrine, a novel dimeric acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, on glutamate induced cell injury were investigated in primary cerebral cortical neurons of rats. Exposure of cultured neurons (12 days after plating) to 0.5 mmol/L glutamate for 30 min resulted in significant cell damage. Pretreatment with bis(7) tacrine (0.03 1.0 μmol/L) reduced the glutamate induced neurotoxicity in a concentration dependent manner and the maximal response was seen at 1 μmol/L with approximately 30% protection. A receptor binding assay showed that bis(7) tacrine can completely displace MK 801 binding to rat cortical membrane with an IC 50 of 0.57 μmol/L. These findings suggest that bis(7) tacrine can directly interact with N methyl D aspartate receptor channel complex, which may contribute to the inhibitor's protective effects against glutamate induced excitotoxicity. Thus, it is possible that anti glutamate/anti AChE synergism is responsible for potentially better Alzheimer's therapy of bis(7) tacrine relative to tacrine.

Manganese enhances the expression of the manganese superoxide dismutase in cultured primary chick embryonic myocardial cells

In the present study, the effect of manganese（Mn） on antioxidant status and the expression of the manganese superoxide dismutase（MnSOD） gene in cultured primary myocardial cells collected from the chick embryos was investigated. The hypothesis that Mn supplementation would enhance the expression of MnSOD in cultured primary myocardial cells of chick embryos was tested. Eggs collected from Mn-depleted Arbor Acres laying breeder hens were incubated for 10 days and then myocardial cells were isolated and cultivated for 8 days. The embryonic myocardial cells on day 6 were treated with Mn in the cell culture medium at different time points when the proportion of cells showing spontaneous contraction was over 95% after the 3-day primary culture. A completely randomized design involving a 3 Mn levels（0, 0.5 and 1.0 mmol L^（-1））×3 incubation time points（12, 24 and 48 h） factorial arrangement of treatments（n=6） was used in the current experiment. The results showed that MnSOD activity and m RNA expression level were induced by Mn and increased with incubation time, which supported the hypothesis that Mn would enhance the expression of the MnSOD gene, and thus might protect myocardial cells from oxidative stress during the chick embryonic development.

Primary Culture of Alveolar Epithelial Type Ⅱ Cells and Its Bionomic Study

To establish a better method of primary culture for alveolar epithelial type Ⅱ cells （AEC Ⅱ ） and to study its bionomics, alveolar epithelial type Ⅱ cells were isolated by digestion with trypsin and collagenase, which were then purified by plated into culture flask coated with rat immunoglobulin （i The purified AEC Ⅱ were identified by alkaline phosphatase staining, electron mi- croscopy, immunocytochemical staining of pulmonary surfactant protein A （SPA）. The SPA expression and transfection characteristics were compared with those of A549 cell line. The results showed that AEC Ⅱ could be isolated by digestion with trysin and collagenase and purified by adhesive purification by using IgG, with a yield of about 2-3 × 10^7, and a purity of about 75%-84 %. Cells could be quickly identified with AKP staining. AEC Ⅱ were different from A549 cell line in terms of SPA expression and transfection characteristics. It is concluded that adhesive purification with IgG can improve the purity of AEC Ⅱ, and AKP staining is simple in cell identification. AEC Ⅱ can not be completely replaced by A549 cells in some studies because the differences between them, such as SPA expression.

Determinants of PHGPx Expression in a Cultured Endothelial Cell Line

Selenoprotein biosynthesis may not only be affected by the availability of selenium and the transcription rate of pertinent genes but also by the activity of components of the selenocysteine incorporation complex, SelA, B, C, or D. Incorporation of selenocysteine into selenoproteins requires a complex co-translational mechanism guaranteeing the correct recoding of the termination codon TGA as selenocysteine codon. A particular tRNASer(Sec) is enzyrnatically transformed by selenophosphate into tRNAsec which recognizes the UGA codon by means of a specific elongation factor (SelB) and a peculiar mRNA secondary structure. Selenophosphate is formed from selenide and ATP by the SelD gene product, selenophosphate synthase (SelD). To further elucidate the biological role of phospholipid hydroperoxide GPx (PHGPx), we transformed cells with a heterologous (pig) PHGPx gene and/or an additional (human) SelD gene and studied the behaviour of these cells under selenium depletion and repletion. Transfection of the endothelial cell line ECV 304 with either PHGPx cDNA or SelD cDNA did not result in a substantial increase of PHGPx activities, independent of selenium supply. However, cells co-trans fected with both, PHGPx and SelD cDNA, expressed significantly higher PHGPx activlty. This effect was much more pronounced under selenium limiting conditions. The enhanced PHGPx activity correlated with two functional pararneters, increased capability to reduce hydroperoxides and less sensitivity against H2O2-induced cytotoxicity. Thus, the ECV cells, stably transfected with PHGPx and SelD cDNA, provide a model to specifically investigate the role of PHGPx in endothelial cell function

Effect of the gene silencing of phosphorus transporters on phosphorus absorption across primary cultured duodenal epithelial cell monolayers of chick embryos

The aim of the study was to investigate whether phosphorus(P) transporters, type IIb sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter(NaP-IIb) and inorganic phosphate transporter 2(PiT2), were directly involved in P absorption across primary cultured duodenal epithelial cell monolayers of chick embryos. The siRNAs against NaP-IIb or PiT2 were designed, synthesized and transfected into primary cultured duodenal epithelial cells of chick embryos. Then, the inhibitory efficiency of siRNAs against NaP-IIb or PiT2 was analyzed, and the most efficacious siRNAs were selected to be used for subsequent P absorption experiments. Briefly, primary cultured duodenal epithelial cells of chick embryos were transfected with either NaP-IIb or PiT2 siRNAs and grown in confluent monolayers on transwell plates. The untransfected or transfected cell monolayers were then incubated in an uptake medium containing 0 or 0.25 mmol L^(–1) of P as KH_(2) PO_(4) to measure the P absorption across duodenal epithelial cell monolayers. The results showed that among the siRNAs designed, si-1372 and si-890 were demonstrated to be the most effective in inhibiting the NaPIIb and PiT2 expressions, respectively. Supplemental P increased(P=0.065) the protein abundance of PiT2 and enhanced(P<0.0001) P absorption in primary cultured duodenal epithelial cell of chick embryos. Furthermore, NaPIIb silencing decreased(P=0.07) P absorption across duodenal epithelial cell monolayers, while PiT2 silencing had no effect(P=0.345). It is concluded that the NaP-IIb, but not PiT2, might be directly involved in the P absorption of chick duodenal epithelial cells.

Primary culture and identification about brain microvascular endothelial cells of rabbits

Objective:To establish a simple and efficient culture method of primary rabbit brain microvascular endothelial cells,provide important carriers and tool cells for the research of related cerebrovascular diseases.Methods:The cerebral cortexes of rabbits were collected aseptic and inoculated after cutting,passing through cell sieve,bovine serum albumin density gradient centrifugation,typeⅡcollagenase digestion,finally inoculated and cultured.The cultured cells were identified by cell morphological observation and angiogenesis experiment.Results:Under the inverted microscope,the cells were short fusiform or polygonal,and grew in clusters and adhere to the wall.After the cells were densely fused,they would be in a typical monolayer flat,“pebbled"mosaic arrangement.Tube formation test had the ability to form tubes structure.Conclusion:This method can successfully separate and cultivate primary rabbit brain microvascular endothelial cells.

Comparison of two methods used to culture and purify rat retinal Mller cells

AIM:To study two methods for culturing and purifying Sprague-Dawley(SD)rat retinal Muller cells and determine which one is better.METHODS:The passage culture method of Muller cells was respectively carried out by complete pancreatic enzyme digestion method and repeated incomplete pancreatic enzyme digestion method.After culturing retinal cells for one month through these two methods,fluorescence-activated cell sorter(FACS),RT-PCR,and immunohistochemistry technology were performed to examine the enrichment and purity of Muller glial cells,and carried out two-sample approximate t test using SSPS 13.0 to further compare the Muller cell positive rate in both methods.RESULTS:The statistical results showed that the purity of Muller cells was 83.2%±5.16%in group A,and the purity was 98.5%±1.08%in group B.The two-sample approximate t test analysis demonstrated that the difference between group A and group B was statistically significant(t=-9.178,P【0.005).The results clearly exhibited a difference between the purity of Muller cells cultured by the complete pancreatic enzyme digestion method(group A)and the repeated incomplete pancreatic enzyme digestion method(group B).CONCLUSION:Compared with the complete pancreatic enzyme digestion method,this novel method was more efficient and a higher purity of Muller cells could be obtained using this approach.

Simplified methods to isolate,culture and purify olfactory ensheathing cells

Conventional methods for harvesting, culturing and purifying olfactory ensheathing cells are complicated, time-consuming, and poorly reproducible. Olfactory bulbs were detached from adult Sprague Dawley rats and olfactory ensheathing cells were isolated using shearing, dispersion processes. After the primary cultures reached confluence, the cells were purified using a three-step process. The olfactory ensheathing cells attached and grew rapidly. The purity of the olfactory ensheathing cells increased following the three purification steps, eventually exceeding 95%. These cells could be maintained for an extended period time in culture. This simple, inexpensive, reproducible method of harvesting, culturing and purifying olfactory ensheathing cells shortens the culture cycle and provides sufficient olfactory ensheathing cells of controllable purity.

INFLUENCE OF ZINC，MANGANESE AND SELENIUM ONSUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE ACTIVITY IN LUNGCANCER TISSUE AND CELL IN CULTURE

In this experiment,the cancer tissues and cells,Which were derived from Lewis lung cancer and A549 lung Cancer cell line,were respectively divided into four groups and zinc, manganese and selenium were respectively added to the medium for 24 hours. The superoxide dismutase activity in the tissues and the cells was estimated. It was found that the SOD activity was enhanced by zinc and manganese and the effect of zinc on SOD activity was superior to that of manganese. We supposed that the enhance of the SOD activity was relative to the activation of the SOD apoenzymes. This experimental result indicated that the inhibitory effect of zinc and manganese on carcinogenesis was achieved by SOD and the elements might be considered a SOD activator.

Cytotoxicity of Modified Nonequilibrium Plasma with Chlorhexidine Digluconate on Primary Cultured Human Gingival Fibroblasts

The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxicity of modified nonequilibrium plasma with chlorhexidine digluconate（CHX） on human gingival fibroblasts（HGFs）, and to evaluate the biosecurity of modified nonequilibrium plasma with 2% CHX as a new method of root canal treatment. Tissue samples taken from human gingiva were primarily cultured and passaged. Cells from passages 3–7 were used. HGFs were treated by modified nonequilibrium plasma with 2% CHX for 0 min（control group）, 30 s, 1 min, 1.5 min, 3 min, 5 min, and 10 min, respectively, and then they were incubated for 0, 24, and 48 h. After that, cell counting kit-8（CCK-8） assay was applied to analyze the cytotoxicity of modified nonequilibrium plasma with 2% CHX on HGFs. There was no significant difference between the 0 h group treated with the modified nonequilibrium plasma for 1 min and the control group（P〉0.05）. However, there were significant differences between all the other treated groups and the control group（P〈0.05）. When treated for 1.5 min or shorter, the cell viability was obviously increased; while treated for 3 min or longer, it was obviously reduced. Moreover, when successively cultured for 0, 24, and 48 h, cell viability was decreased at first and then increased in the 3-min-treated and 5-min-treated groups. The modified nonequilibrium plasma with 2% CHX was of no influence on cell viability in 1.5 min treatment, and it could be safely used on root canal treatment.

Mammalian cell cultures as models for Mycobacterium tuberculosis-human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) interaction studies:A review

Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) and human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) co-infections have remained a major public health concern worldwide,particularly in Southern Africa.Yet our understanding of the molecular interactions between the pathogens has remained poor,primarily due to lack of suitable preclinical models for such studies.We reviewed the use,this far,of mammalian cell culture models in HIV-MTB interaction studies.Studies have described the use of primary human cell cultures,including monocyte-derived macrophage(MDM) fractions of peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC),alveolar macrophages(AM),cell lines such as the monocyte-derived macrophage cell line(U937),T lymphocyte cell lines(CEMx174,ESAT-6-specific CD4+ T-cells) and an alveolar epithelial cell line(A549) and special models such as stem cells,three dimensional(3D) or organoid cell models [including a blood-brain barrier(BBB) cell model] in HIV-MTB interaction studies.The use of cell cultures from other mammals,including:mouse cell lines [macrophage cell lines RAW 264.7 and J774.2,fibroblast cell lines(NIH 3T3,C3 H clones),embryonic fibroblast cell lines and T-lymphoma cell lines(S1A.TB,TIMI.4 and R1.1)]; rat(T cells:Rat2,RGE,XC and HH16,and alveolar cells:NR8383) and primary guinea pigs derived AMs,in HIV-MTB studies is also described.Given the spectrum of the models available,cell cultures offer great potential for host-HIV-MTB interactions studies.

Which form of collagen is suitable for nerve cell culture?

In this study, we investigated the effects of hydrolyzed and non-hydrolyzed collagen and two-di- mensional and three-dimensional collagen matrices on cell survival, attachment and neurite out- growth of primary cultured nerve cells using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide （MTT） colorimetric assay and inverted microscopy. Hydrolyzed collagen facilitated nerve cell survival and neurite outgrowth, but it had no obvious influences on cell attachment. In contrast, non-hydrolyzed two-dimensional collagen matrix had no obvious effects on neurite outgrowth. These findings suggest that hydrolyzed collagen is an ideal nerve cell culture media.

Effects of Hypoxia on the Growth and Development of the Fetal Ovine Hepatocytes in Primary Culture

Objective To investigate the development and characterizations of the hepatocytes isolated from fetal ovine and to determine the effect of hypoxia on their growth and metabolism.Methods Fresh hepatocytes were isolated from the liver of fetal ovine at late gestation, cultured in specific media, and exposed to normoxia(21% O2) or hypoxia(2% O2).The cellular characteristics and population purity were identified by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry(FCM).The effects of hypoxia on cell cycle and apoptosis of the hepatocytes were evaluated by FCM, whereas the cellular ultrastructure changes were examined with a transmission electron microscope.Results The cell purity of hepatocytes was over 95%.Under hypoxia exposure, the hepatocytes showed a gradual increase in proportion at the S phase and in proliferative index, followed with a compatible increase in apoptosis and progressively decreased cell viability.Additionally, the organelles of the hepatocytes demonstrated dramatic changes, including swelling of mitochondria, disorder in cristae arrangement, expansion of endoplasmic reticulum, and a large number of circular lipid droplets emerging in the cytoplasm.Conclusion Fetal ovine hepatocytes could be primarily cultured in a short-term culture system with a high purity of over 95% and with their preserved original characteristics.Hypoxia could induce changes in ultrastructural and inhibit the proliferation of cultured fetal ovine hepatocytes through apoptotic mechanisms.

Reversing effect of Tanshinone on malignant phenotypes of human hepatocarcinoma cell line

AIM To study the reversing effect of Chinese drug tanshinone on malignant phenotype of cancer cells.METHODS Human hepatocarcinoma cell line (SMMC-7721) was treated in vitro with 0.5mg/L tanshinone for 4 days, and variation in cell differentiation was detected.RESULTS The morphology of cancer cells was tended toward well differentiation and cell growth was markedly inhibited. BrdU uptake assay and immunohistochemical stain of PCNA showed that the BrdU labeling rate and PCNA positive rate were lower than the controls, but no difference was found statistically as compared with all transretinoic acid. Flow cytometric assay demonstrated that S phase cells decreased and G0/G1 phase cells increased. Expression of c-myc oncogene protein decreased but the c-fos oncogene protein markedly increased.CONCLUSION Tanshinone could reverse the inducing differentiation in human hepatocarcinoma cells (SMMC-7721). It may become a new prospective inducer of cell differentiation to treat cancers.

Effects of Aconitine on [Ca^(2+)] Oscillation in Cultured Myocytes of Neonatal Rats

In order to investigate the effects of aconitine on [Ca2＋] oscillation patterns in cultured myocytes of neonatal rats, fluorescent Ca2＋ indicator Fluo-4 NW and laser scanning confocal micro- scope （LSCM） were used to detect the real-time changes of [Ca2＋] oscillation patterns in the cultured myocytes before and after aconitine （1.0 μmol/L） incubation or antiarrhythmic peptide （AAP） and aconitine co-incubation. The results showed under control conditions, [Ca2＋] oscillations were irregu- lar but relatively stable, occasionally accompanied by small calcium sparks. After incubation of the cultures with aconitine, high frequency [Ca2＋] oscillations emerged in both nuclear and cytoplasmic regions, whereas typical calcium sparks disappeared and the average [Ca2＋] in the cytoplasm of the cardiomyocyte did not change significantly. In AAP-treated cultures, intracellular [Ca2＋] oscillation also changed, with periodic frequency, increased amplitudes and prolonged duration of calcium sparks. These patterns were not altered significantly by subsequent aconitine incubation. The basal value of [Ca2＋] in nuclear region was higher than that in the cytoplasmic region. In the presence or absence of drugs, the [Ca2＋] oscillated synchronously in both the nuclear and cytoplasmic regions of the same cardiomyocyte. It was concluded that although oscillating strenuously at high frequency, the average [Ca2＋] in the cytoplasm of cardiomyocyte did not change significantly after aconitine incuba- tion, compared to the controls. The observations indicate that aconitine induces the changes in [Ca2＋] oscillation frequency other than the Ca2＋ overload.

Dynamic Investigation on Chromosome Aberration of a Human Retinoblastoma Cell Line SO-Rb_(50)

G-banding and karyotype analyses of cells in seventeen passages of SO-Rb_(50) during a long period of culture for about four years were performed. Three chromosome markers 13q14^-, 1p36^+ and 12p13^+ were found. Cells possessed 13q14^- reduced to zero after the 200th passage while 1p^+ and 12p^+ cells increased to 100% after 30 and 200 passages respectively. Abnormal chromosomes, ring chromosomes, chromosome radiuses and double minutes were also observed. These chromosomal changes were more often seen b...