Changes in elemental concentrations in K562 target cells after conjugation with human lymphocytes studied by X-ray microanalysis

Cell viability and proliferation capability of long-term human dental pulp stem cell cultures

BACKGROUND AIMS

Evaluation of cell viability is one of the most important steps of the quality control process for therapeutic use of cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term cell viability profile of human dental pulp stem cell (hDPSC) subcultures (beyond 10 passages) to determine which of these passages are suitable for clinical use and to identify the cell death processes that may occur in the last passages.

METHODS

Four different cell viability assays were combined to determine the average cell viability levels at each cell passage: trypan blue exclusion test, water-soluble tetrazolium 1 (WST-1), LIVE/DEAD Viability/Cytotoxicity Kit and electron probe x-ray microanalysis (EPXMA). Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and caspase 4 and BCL7C Western blotting, and cell proliferation was analyzed by WST-1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein detection.

RESULTS

hDPSCs showed high average cell viability levels from passages 11-14, with adequate cytoplasmic and mitochondrial functionality at these subcultures. A non-significant trend to decreased cell proliferation was found from passages 16-20. EPXMA and TUNEL analyses suggested that a pre-apoptotic process could be activated from passages 15-20 (P < 0.001), with a correlation with caspase 4 and BCL7C expression.

CONCLUSIONS

hDPSCs corresponding to passages 11-14 show adequate cell function, proliferation and viability. These cells could be considered as potentially useful for clinical applications.

A combined approach for the assessment of cell viability and cell functionality of human fibrochondrocytes for use in tissue engineering

Temporo-mandibular joint disc disorders are highly prevalent in adult populations. Autologous chondrocyte implantation is a well-established method for the treatment of several chondral defects. However, very few studies have been carried out using human fibrous chondrocytes from the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ). One of the main drawbacks associated to chondrocyte cell culture is the possibility that chondrocyte cells kept in culture tend to de-differentiate and to lose cell viability under in in-vitro conditions. In this work, we have isolated human temporo-mandibular joint fibrochondrocytes (TMJF) from human disc and we have used a highly-sensitive technique to determine cell viability, cell proliferation and gene expression of nine consecutive cell passages to determine the most appropriate cell passage for use in tissue engineering and future clinical use. Our results revealed that the most potentially viable and functional cell passages were P5–P6, in which an adequate equilibrium between cell viability and the capability to synthesize all major extracellular matrix components exists. The combined action of pro-apoptotic (TRAF5, PHLDA1) and anti-apoptotic genes (SON, HTT, FAIM2) may explain the differential cell viability levels that we found in this study. These results suggest that TMJF should be used at P5–P6 for cell therapy protocols.

Evaluation of the cell viability of human Wharton's jelly stem cells for use in cell therapy

Human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly stem cells (HWJSCs) are gaining attention as a possible clinical source of mesenchymal stem cells for cell therapy and tissue engineering due to their high accessibility, expansion potential, and plasticity. We employed a combination of highly sensitive techniques to determine the average cell viability levels and proliferation capabilities of 10 consecutive cell passages of cultured HWJSCs and then used RNA microarrays to identify genes associated with changes in cell viability levels. We found an initial decrease in cell viability from the first to the third cell passage followed by an increase until the sixth passage and a final decrease from the sixth to tenth cell passages. The highest cell viability levels corresponded to the fifth and sixth passages. The intracellular ionic contents of potassium, sodium, and chlorine suggest that the lower cell viability levels at passages 2, 3, and 8-10 may be associated with apoptotic cell death. In fact, gene expression analysis revealed that the average cell viability was significantly associated with genes with a function in apoptotic cell death, especially pro-apoptotic FASTKD2, BNIP3L genes and anti-apoptotic TNFAIP8 and BCL2L2 genes. This correlation with both pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes suggests that there may be a complex live-death equilibrium in cultured HWJSCs kept in culture for multiple cell passages. In this study, the highest cell viability levels corresponded to the fifth and sixth HWJSC passages, suggesting that these passages should be preferentially employed in cell therapy or tissue engineering protocols using this cell type.

Evaluation of the viability of cultured corneal endothelial cells by quantitative electron probe X-ray microanalysis

Construction of artificial organs and tissues by tissue engineering is strongly dependent on the availability of viable cells. For that reason, the viability and the physiological status of cells kept in culture must be evaluated before the cells can be used for clinical purposes. In this work, we determined the viability of isolated rabbit corneal endothelial cells by trypan blue staining and quantitative electron probe X-ray microanalysis. Our results showed that the ionic content of potassium in cultured corneal endothelial cells tended to rise initially, but significantly decreased in cells in the fifth (and final) subculture, especially in comparison to cells in the fourth subculture (P < 0.001). However, the concentration of sulfur was higher in the fifth subculture than in the fourth subculture (P < 0.001), with a nonsignificant increase in sodium in the fifth subculture (P = 0.031). These data imply a remarkable decrease in the K/Na ratio from the fourth to the fifth subculture. Our microanalytical results, along with the morphological differences between cells in the last two subcultures, are compatible with an early phase of the preapoptotic process in the fifth subculture, and suggest that cells of the first four subcultures would be better candidates for tissue engineering.

Effects of the cationic protein poly-L-arginine on airway epithelial cells in vitro

BACKGROUND

Allergic asthma is associated with an increased number of eosinophils in the airway wall. Eosinophils secrete cationic proteins, particularly major basic protein (MBP).

AIM

To investigate the effect of synthetic cationic polypeptides such as poly-L-arginine, which can mimic the effect of MBP, on airway epithelial cells.

METHODS

Cultured airway epithelial cells were exposed to poly-L-arginine, and effects were determined by light and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Poly-L-arginine induced apoptosis and necrosis. Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial damage and changes in the nucleus. The tight junctions were damaged, as evidenced by penetration of lanthanum. Scanning electron microscopy showed a damaged cell membrane with many pores. Microanalysis showed a significant decrease in the cellular content of magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chlorine, and an increase in calcium. Plakoglobin immunoreactivity in the cell membrane was decreased, indicating a decrease in the number of desmosomes

CONCLUSIONS

The results point to poly-L-arginine induced membrane damage, resulting in increased permeability, loss of cell-cell contacts and generalized cell damage.