Ex vivo 3D osteocyte network construction with primary murine bone cells

Osteocytes reside as three-dimensionally（3D） networked cells in the lacunocanalicular structure of bones and regulate bone and mineral homeostasis. Despite of their important regulatory roles, in vitro studies of osteocytes have been challenging because：（1） current cell lines do not sufficiently represent the phenotypic features of mature osteocytes and（2） primary cells rapidly differentiate to osteoblasts upon isolation. In this study, we used a 3D perfusion culture approach to：（1） construct the 3D cellular network of primary murine osteocytes by biomimetic assembly with microbeads and（2） reproduce ex vivo the phenotype of primary murine osteocytes, for the first time to our best knowledge. In order to enable 3D construction with a sufficient number of viable cells, we used a proliferated osteoblastic population of healthy cells outgrown from digested bone chips. The diameter of microbeads was controlled to：（1） distribute and entrap cells within the interstitial spaces between the microbeads and（2） maintain average cell-to-cell distance to be about 19 mm. The entrapped cells formed a 3D cellular network by extending and connecting their processes through openings between the microbeads. Also, with increasing culture time, the entrapped cells exhibited the characteristic gene expressions（SOST and FGF23） and nonproliferative behavior of mature osteocytes. In contrast, 2D-cultured cells continued their osteoblastic differentiation and proliferation. This 3D biomimetic approach is expected to provide a new means of：（1） studying flow-induced shear stress on the mechanotransduction function of primary osteocytes,（2） studying physiological functions of 3D-networked osteocytes with in vitro convenience,and（3） developing clinically relevant human bone disease models.

Inactivated Sendai Virus Induces Apoptosis in Murine Melanoma Cells by IGF-1R Down-regulation

The mortality of cancer patients has considerably improved due to progress in surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, some types of cancers, such as melanoma, remain refractory to conventional strategies. Although melanoma accounts for only 4% of all dermatological malignancies, it is responsible for 80% of mortalities from skin tumors[11. The reported survival rate of melanoma over 5 years is not yet encouraging due to its chemo-resistance and rapid metastasis. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new drugs with potent activity and weak side-effect against melanoma.

Cytotoxic effect of specific T cells from mice with experimental autoimmune uveitis on murine photoreceptor cells

AIM:To investigate the cytotoxic effect of specific T cells from mice with experimental autoimmune uveitis(EAU)as well as their secreted interferon(IFN)-γand interleukin(IL)-17A on murine photoreceptor(661 W)cells.METHODS:An EAU model was established in female mice by injection of interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein(IRBP)emulsion supplemented with complete Freund’s adjuvant(CFA)and Mycobacterium tuberculosis(TB).On day 12 after induction of EAU,specific T cells from spleen and lymph node tissues were isolated and cultured for 4 d and the levels of IFN-γand IL-17A in the supernatants were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISAs).T cells and their supernatants were added to 661 W cells to observe the alteration of cell morphology;IFN-γand IL-17A were separately added to 661 W cells to observe the effect of IFN-γand IL-17A on cell proliferation.RESULTS:The levels of IFN-γand IL-17A in the T cell supernatants were 1568.64±38.79 pg/m L and 1456.57±46.98 pg/mL,respectively.The supernatants apparently inhibited 661 W cell proliferation(P<0.05).T cells could also attach to the surface of 661 W cells,and IFN-γshowed a more serious cytotoxic effect on 661 W cells than IL-17A,inhibiting cell proliferation(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:IFN-γand IL-17A from T cells of EAU mice model can exert cytotoxic effects on murine photoreceptor cell proliferation,and IFN-γshows more serious cytotoxic effects on murine photoreceptor cells than IL-17A.

THE PRELIMINARY STUDY ON HMBA-INDUCED DIFFERENTIATION OF THE DRUG-PRETREATED MURINE ERYTHROLEUKEMIA CELLS

Several drug-resistant variants have been developed by growing the parental MEL cells in presence of colchicine, adriamycin and vincristine respectively with stepwise increasing concentration. Both the colchicine-resistant Sc9(ColO) and vincristine-resis-tant Sc9(VCR5) cells displayed an accelerated HMBA-induced commitment to terminal cell differentiation, whereas the adriamycin-resistant SC9 (A 120) showed no acceleration but rather a substantial delay in HMBA-induced differentiation. The studies provide more clues as well as experimental models for further study on the mechanism of induced differentiation of MEL cells.

In vivo anti-tumor activity of murine hematopoietic stem cells expressing a p185HER2-specific chimeric T-cell receptor gene

We have confirmed efficient anti-tumor activities of the peripheral lymphocytes transduced with a p185HEH2-specific chimeric T-cell receptor gene both in murine and in human in our previous studies. To further test the feasibility of chimeric T-cell receptor in a bone marrow transplantation model, we first, made two routine tumor cell lines： MT901 and MCA-205, to express human p185HER2 by retroviral gene transduction. Murine bone marrow cells were retrovirally transduced to express the chimeric T-cell receptor and gene-modified bone marrow cells were transplanted into lethally irradiated mouse. Six months post transplantation, p185HER2-positive tumor ceils： MT-901/HER2 or MCA-205/ HER2 was subcutaneously or intravenously injected to make mouse models simulating primary breast cancer or pulmonary metastasis. The in vivo anti-tumor effects were monitored by the size of the subcutaneous tumor or counting the tumor nodules in the lungs after India ink staining. The size of the subcutaneous tumor was significantly inhibited and the number of pulmonary nodules were significantly decreased in mouse recipients transplanted with chimeric T-cell receptor modified bone marrow cells compared with the control group. Our results suggest the efficient in vivo anti-tumor activities of chimeric T-cell receptor gene modified bone marrow cells.

A cost-effective method to enhance adenoviral transduction of primary murine osteoblasts and bone marrow stromal cells

We report here a method for the use of poly-L-lysine （PLL） to markedly improve the adenoviral transduction efficiency of primary murine osteoblasts and bone marrow stromal cells （BMSCs） in culture and in situ, which are typically difficult to transduce. We show by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry that the addition of PLL to the viral-containing medium significantly increases the number of green fluorescence protein （GFP）-positive osteoblasts and BMSCs transduced with an enhanced GFP-expressing adenovirus. We also demonstrate that PLL can greatly enhance the adenoviral transduction of osteoblasts and osteocytes in situ in ex vivo tibia and calvaria, as well as in long bone fragments. In addition, we validate that PLL can improve routine adenoviral transduction studies by permitting the use of low multiplicities of infection to obtain the desired biologic effect. Ultimately, the use of PLL to facilitate adenoviral gene transfer in osteogenic cells can provide a cost-effective means of performing efficient gene transfer studies in the context of bone research.

Effects of Low Concentrations of Di-(2-ethylhexyl) and Mono-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate on Steroidogenesis Pathways and Apoptosis in the Murine Leydig Tumor Cell Line MLTC-1

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low concentrations of DEHP and MEHP on steroidogenesis in a murine Leydig tumor cell line （MLTC-1） in vitro. The result of flow cytometry analysis revealed that the proportion of apoptotic cells was significantly increased after the exposure to DEHP. All three genes （P450scc, P450c17, and 38HSD） under study showed an increased expression following exposure to DEHP or MEHP, although some insignificant inhibitory effects appeared in the 10μmol/L treatment group as compared with the controls. It was also found that DEHP or MEHP stimulated INSL3 mRNA and protein especially in the 0.001 μmol/L treatment group. Testosterone secretions were stimulated after the exposure to DEHP or MEHP. Alterations of steroidogenic enzymes and INSL3 in MLTC-1 cells might be involved in the biphasic effects of DEHP/MEHP on androgen production.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A MURINE ASCITES HEPATOMA CELL LINE H_(22)-F_(25)/L AND ITS BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Having been passed for 160 generations, a cell linedesignated as H22-F25/L was established from a murine tumorlymphatic metastatlc model H22-F25 which had been set up in our college. The cell line was in suspension culture with a rapid proliferation and stable growth. The peak tune of cell division and proliferation was 48 and 96 hours after culture. In a week, the cell number was Increased by 25 tunes. H22-F25/L still keeps the features of a poorly differentiated cancer. Its tumor inducing rate (in vivo)was 100% in 615 mice. Lymph node metastasis rate was 50% and pulmonary metastasis rate 10%. H22- F25/ L Is a population of heterogenetlc tumor cells Including 2 stem cell lines (the model number of chromosomes being 43 in 40% tumor cells and 86 in 32%) and some side lines. The common marker chromosomes M1, M2, M3 and M4 were present in all stem and side lines.

Thymosinβ4 Impeded Murine Stem Cell Proliferation with an Intact Cardiovascular Differentiation

Thymosin β4（Tβ4） is a key factor in cardiac development, growth, disease, epicardial integrity, blood vessel formation and has cardio-protective properties. However, its role in murine embryonic stem cells（m ESCs） proliferation and cardiovascular differentiation remains unclear. Thus we aimed to elucidate the influence of Tβ4 on m ESCs. Target genes during m ESCs proliferation and differentiation were detected by real-time PCR or Western blotting, and patch clamp was applied to characterize the m ESCs-derived cardiomyocytes. It was found that Tβ4 decreased m ESCs proliferation in a partial dose-dependent manner and the expression of cell cycle regulatory genes c-myc, c-fos and c-jun. However, m ESCs self-renewal markers Oct4 and Nanog were elevated, indicating the maintenance of self-renewal ability in these m ESCs. Phosphorylation of STAT3 and Akt was inhibited by Tβ4 while the expression of RAS and phosphorylation of ERK were enhanced. No significant difference was found in BMP2/BMP4 or their downstream protein smad. Wnt3 and Wnt11 were remarkably decreased by Tβ4 with upregulation of Tcf3 and constant ？-catenin. Under m ESCs differentiation, Tβ4 treatment did not change the expression of cardiovascular cell markers α-MHC, PECAM, and α-SMA. Neither the electrophysiological properties of m ESCs-derived cardiomyocytes nor the hormonal regulation by Iso/Cch was affected by Tβ4. In conclusion, Tβ4 suppressed m ESCs proliferation by affecting the activity of STAT3, Akt, ERK and Wnt pathways. However, Tβ4 did not influence the in vitro cardiovascular differentiation.

OPTIMIZATION OF ELECTROPORATION PARAMETERS FOR TRANSFECTION OF PLASMID DNA INTO MURINE BONE MARROW-DERIVED DENDRITIC CELL

Objective To explore the optimal electroporation parameters for transfection of plasmid DNA into murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Methods Murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells （DCs） were electroporated with plasmid DNA in varied conditions, such as electrical voltage, pulse time ,pre-electroporation cell condition and serum concentration in electrical buffer, lnverted fluorescence microscope and flow cytometer were used to determine the transfection efficiency. Some of the DCs genetically modified under different conditions were stained with trypan-blue and its viability was observed microscopically 48h after electroporation. Results Highest transfection efficiency （22.10%） could be reached when electrical voltage was 250V and pulse time was 20ms. Refreshing the culture medium pre-electroporation may help the cells recover more easily from gene transfer. Besides, electrical buffer containing serum may benefit the viability of DC after electroporation and temperature may has little influence on transfection efficiency. Conclusion Our observations demonstrated plasmid DNA could be efficiently transferred into murine bone marrow-derived DCs by electroporation. These data may helpful for cancer research related to murine DC transfection.

In Vitro and In Silico Studies of Lunacridine from Lunasia Amara Blanco as Anticancer

Lunasia amara Blanco is a famous plant in South Sulawesi. It was used largely by local people as antibacteria and aphrodisiac. Quinoline alkaloid lunacridine was known as the active principle from Lunasia amara Blanco. Its activity was reported as a DNA Intercalating Topoisomerase II inhibitor. In this study, we have isolated and assayed the cytotoxic activity of lunacridine on P388 murine leukemia cells by MTT colorimetric assay （in vitro）. Lunacridine showed the less cytotoxic activity with the IC50 of 39.52 μg/mL. With the aim to explore the structural determinants responsible for this activity, molecular docking study have been carried out with DNA model using AutoDock 4.0 software with various total of energy evaluations （in silico）. The best docking reached at the total energy evaluations of 2.5 × 107 with the binding free energy of-6.63 kcal/mol. Analysis of the docking results was in accordance with the ability of lunacridine to intercalate between base pairs of DNA. Cytotoxic activity of lunacridine is less probably due to low affinity and molecular interaction. Therefore this study suggests to design and to develop lunacridine as a lead compound for anticancer drug.

Essential Gene(s) Targeted by Peptide Nucleic Acids Kills <i>Mycobacterium smegmatis</i>in Culture and in Infected Macrophages

Background: Antisense peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) exhibit growth inhibitory effects on bacteria by inhibiting the expression of essential genes and could be promising therapeutic agents for treating bacterial infections. A study was carried out to determine the efficacy of several antisense PNAs in inhibiting extracellular and intracellular growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis. Methods: Six PNAs obtained from a commercial supplier were tested to evaluate the inhibitory effect on bacterial growth by inhibiting the expression of the following essential genes: inhA (a fatty acid elongase), rpsL (ribosomal S12 protein), gyrA (DNA gyrase), pncA (pyrazinamidase), polA (DNA polymerase I) and rpoC (RNA polymerase β subunit) of M. smegmatis. Each PNA was tested at 20 μM, 10 μM, 5 μM and 2.5 μM concentrations to determine whether they caused a dose dependent killing of M. smegmatis cultured in Middlebrook 7H9 broth or in a J774A.1 murine macrophage cell line. Results: In Middlebrook broth, the strong growth inhibitory effect against M. smegmatis was observed by PNAs targeting the inhA and rpsL genes at all four concentrations. The PNAs targeting the pncA, polA and rpoC genes were found to exhibit strong growth inhibition against M. smegmatis but only at 20 μM concentration. No growth inhibition of M. smegmatis was seen in pure culture when treated with PNAs targeting gyrA and a mismatch PNA targeting dnaG (DNA primase). All six PNAs showed killing of M. smegmatis in J774A.1 macrophage cell line that were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It may be concluded from this study that PNAs could be potential therapeutics for mycobacterial infections.

Effect of Trichosanthin on Cell Cycle and Apoptosis of Murine Melanoma Cells

Objective:To study thei nhibitory effect of purified trichosanthin component on the proliferation of malignant melanoma.Methods:The effect of purified trichosanthin componenton the DNA synthesis,cell cycle and cell apoptos is of murinemelanomacellsweredetected by flow cytometry when culture dinvitro.Results:The significantG0/G1phasearrest was revealed by the inc rease of cellsinG0/G1 phase and decrease of cell sinS phase.The obviousapoptosis of melanoma cells was in duced bypuri fied trichos anthin component.G0/G1phase arrest was high lycorrelated withapop to sis(r=0.8705).Conclusion:The purified trichos anthin component can markedly inhibit melanoma cells by the suppression of DNA syn the sisin S phaseand cell mitosisas well as induction of cell apoptosis.

Establishment and drug sensitivity evaluation of murine ascites hepatocarcinoma cell line with high lymphatic metastatic potential (Hca-P/L_(6))

In order to provide a sensitive cell line model for investigating the mechanisms underlying the lymphatic metastasis of tumors and the effect of medicine against cells,a new murine ascites hepatocarcinoma cell line with high lymphatic metastatic potential(Hca-P/L_(6))was established and the effect of curcumin on biological behavior of Hca-P/L_(6) was observed.Murine ascites hepatocarcinoma cell strain with low lymphatic metastatic potential(Hca-P)was subcutaneously inoculated into the medioventral line of a mouse 615 and thefirst generation of metastatic tumor cells of inguinal lymph node(Hca-P/L_(1))was obtained.Then,Hca-P/L_(1) was screened by the route of mouse foot pad subcutaneously!lymph node!scale-up culture in vitro!mouse foot pad subcuta-neously forfive times consecutively.The sensitivity of two murine ascites hepatocarcinoma cell lines(Hca-P and Hca-P/L_(6))and two anchorage-dependent human hepato-carcinoma cell lines(SMC7721 and HepG_(2))to curcumin were studied by use of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT)assay after these cells had been pretreated by curcumin at the concentration of 15–240μmol/L for 48 h.After pretreatment by curcumin at the maximum non-cytotoxic dose of 15μmol/L in vitro,the effect of curcumin against cell proliferation of Hca-P and Hca-P/L6 was observed by inverted micro-scope,cell growth curve and cell population doubling time;the effects of curcumin on cell cycles of Hca-P/L6 and Hca-P were studied byflow cytometry(FCM).The results showed Hca-P/L_(6) spreading to the lymph nodes at multiple sites in mice was screened from Hca-P.The lymph node metastatic rate was 100%.Curcumin had significant growth inhibiting effect on both murine ascites and human hepatocarcinoma cell lines in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.05).At concentrations of 30–120μmol/L,curcu-min had more inhibition on murine ascites hepatocarci-noma cell lines than on human anchorage-dependent hepatocarcinoma cell lines.At concentrations of 60–240μmol/L,curcumin had more inhibition on Hca-P/L_(6) with the 50%inhibitory concentration(IC50)of 51.48μmol/L than on Hca-P with IC50 of 90.87μmol/L.After pretreatment by curcumin at the maximum non-cytotoxic dose of 15 mol/L for 7 days,the proliferations of Hca-P/L_(6) and Hca-P were inhibited(P<0.05)in a time-dependent manner(P<0.01)and the population doubling time of Hca-P/L6 and Hca-P was prolonged(P<0.01),and curcumin had more inhibition on Hca-P/L6 than on Hca-P(P<0.05).After pretreatment by 15μmol/L curcumin for 48 h,the morphous of Hca-P/L_(6) was influenced more seriously than that of Hca-P and the cell cycle was redistributed with Hca-P/L6 being blocked in the S phase and Hca-P in the S and G_(2)/M phases.Hca-P/L_(6) was validated to be more sensitive to curcumin than Hca-P.Hca-P/L_(6) is a novel sensitive cell line model for investigating the mechanisms underlying tumor lymphatic metastasis and the effect of the medicine against cells.

First molecular cytogenetic characterisation of tracheal squamous cell carcinoma cell line KLN 205

Aim:Murine tumour cell lines have been used in thousands of studies.Strikingly,it is rather the rule than exception for most of them that not much is known about their genetic characteristics.The squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)cell line KLN 205 is such an example.KLN 205 cells have not been studied yet for karyotype or acquired copy number variations(CNVs),but they have been used as models for(metastatic)lung cancer,lung-SCC,non-small cell lung cancer,tongue cancer and subcutaneous SCC.Here,it was characterised cytogenomically for the first time.Methods:The cell line KLN 205 was characterised comprehensively by molecular cytogenetics using multicolour banding as well as molecular karyotyping.Based on these results,a map of the imbalances and breakpoints determined in the murine genome was translated to the human genome.Results:Here,it could be shown that this>40-year-old cell line has a stable,approximately tetraploid karyotype comprising 77-82 chromosomes.However,there are few structural chromosomal aberrations:only six derivatives involving chromosomes 2,3,5,9,10 and/or 19 could be found.According to the literature,SCCs derived from different human tissues,as well as lung SCC and non-small cell lung cancer,display overall similar CNV patterns.Conclusion:Thus,according to the genetic profile found here,KLN 205 can be applied as a general model for human SCC;it is also suited as a model for lung cancer in general.Further molecular genetic characterisation of KLN 205 cell line may find more lung-and/or SCC-specific alterations.