Establishment and characterization of Caspian horse fibroblast cell bank in Iran

Histological characteristics of hair follicles at different hair cycle and in vitro modeling of hair follicle-associated cells of yak (Bos grunniens)

To adapt to the extreme conditions of plateau environments, yaks have evolved thick hair, making them an ideal model for investigating the mechanisms involved in hair growth. We can gain valuable insights into how hair follicles develop and their cyclic growth in challenging environments by studying yaks. However, the lack of essential data on yak hair follicle histology and the absence of in vitro cell models for hair follicles serve as a limitation to such research objectives. In this study, we investigated the structure of skin tissue during different hair follicle cycles using the yak model. Additionally, we successfully established in vitro models of hair follicle-associated cells derived from yak skin, including dermal papilla cells (DPCs), preadipocytes, and fibroblasts. We optimized the microdissection technique for DPCs culture by simplifying the procedure and reducing the time required. Furthermore, we improved the methodology used to differentiate yak preadipocytes into mature adipocytes, thus increasing the differentiation efficiency. The introduction of yak as a natural model provides valuable research resources for exploring the mechanisms of hair growth and contributes to a deeper understanding of hair follicle biology and the development of regenerative medicine strategies.

Cryopreservation of Iranian Markhoz goat fibroblast cells as an endangered national genetic resource

Background

The continuous accessibility of local animals for sustainable use is being eroded annually. Thus, a strategic vision for the conservation of biodiversity is of far-reaching emphasis to deal with unprecedented challenges in the local population extension facing in the future. This study aimed to establish and cryopreserve endangered Markhoz goat (Capra hircus) fibroblast cell lines in vitro.

Methods and results

These primary fibroblast cells were isolated from 58 Iranian Markhoz goats and individually cultured by explant technique in DMEM medium supplemented with 10% FBS and 2 mM L-Glutamine, in the presence of Penicillin (200 U/ml)—Streptomycin (200 mg/ml) during the first passage number. The extracted cell lines were confirmed morphologically as fibroblast cells. The population doubling time for DMEM-cultured cells was 23 ± 0.5 h. Chromosomal analysis indicated a total chromosome number of 2n = 60 with > 95% frequency. The cultured cells were checked for bacteria, fungi, yeast, and mycoplasma contaminations and the results were reported negative. The efficiencies of the fluorescent protein encoded by VSV-G (pMDG) and lentiviral pCSGW vectors reported in a range of 65% value. According to the species identification analysis, the goat cell lines were banked and confirmed without any miss- and cross-contamination.

Conclusions

The significant issue in this paper can be concluded about the first report of the establishment of endangered Markhoz goat cell banking inside the country. This study demonstrated the successful establishment of a genetically stable fibroblast bank as a valuable genetic resource for the endangered Iranian Markhoz goat breed.

Establishment, characterization, and cryopreservation of cell lines derived from red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina Linnaeus, 1758) - A study in a wild rodent

Somatic cells can be used for rescuing wild mammals of ecological and economic importance, such as red-rumped agouti, through their application in advanced technologies. Thus, appropriate cell isolation, culture, and storage through cryopreservation can ensure the future safe use of these cells. We aimed to establish and evaluate the effects of culture time (second, fifth, and eighth passages) and cryopreservation on the morphology, viability, metabolism, proliferative activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and apoptosis on somatic cells derived from red-rumped agouti skin. Initially, we identified six dermal fibroblast lines by morphology, immunophenotyping, and karyotyping assays. In vitro culture after the second, fifth, and eighth passages, as well as the cryopreservation conditions used did not affect the metabolism or level of apoptosis. Nevertheless, cells in the fifth passage featured a reduction in proliferative activity and an increase in ROS levels when compared to second and eighth passage cells. Moreover, cryopreservation resulted in reduced ΔΨm when compared to non-cryopreserved cells. Additionally, cryopreserved cells showed a reduction in viability immediately after thawing; nevertheless, the viability of these cells was re-established after 11 days of in vitro culture and was similar to that of non-cryopreserved cells. In conclusion, we have shown that viable fibroblasts can be obtained from red-rumped agouti skin, featuring minimal changes after eight passages in in vitro culture systems. Additionally, adjustments to the cryopreservation protocol are necessary to reduce cellular oxidative stress caused by low temperatures.

Isolation, characterization, and cryopreservation of collared peccary skin-derived fibroblast cell lines

Background

Biobanking of cell lines is a promising tool of support for wildlife conservation. In particular, the ability to preserve fibroblast cell lines derived from collared peccaries is of significance as these wild mammals are unique to the Americas and play a large role in maintaining the ecosystem. We identified collared peccary fibroblasts by immunofluorescence and evaluated their morphology, growth and adherence capacity. Further, we monitored the viability and metabolic activity of the fibroblasts to determine the effects of passage number and cryopreservation on establishment of cell lines.

Methods

Skin biopsies were collected from the peripheral ear region from five adult animals in captivity. Initially, cells were isolated from fragments and cultured in the Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 2% antibiotic-antimycotic solution under a controlled atmosphere (38.5 °C, 5% CO₂). We evaluated the maintenance of primary cells for morphology, adherence capacity of explants, explants in subconfluence, cell growth and absence of contamination. Moreover, we identified the fibroblast cells by immunofluorescence. Additionally, to evaluate the influence of the number of passages (first, third and tenth passage) and cryopreservation on establishment of cell lines, fibroblasts were analysed for the viability, metabolic activity, population doubling time (PDT), levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm).

Results

All explants (20/20) adhered to the dish in 2.4 days ± 0.5 with growth around the explants in 4.6 days ± 0.7, and subconfluence was observed within 7.8 days ± 1.0. Moreover, by morphology and immunocytochemistry analyses, cells were identified as fibroblasts which presented oval nuclei, a fusiform shape and positive vimentin staining. No contamination was observed after culture without antibiotics and antifungals for 30 days. While there was no difference observed for cell viability after the passages (first vs. third: P = 0.98; first vs. tenth: P = 0.76; third vs. tenth: P = 0.85), metabolic activity was found to be reduced in the tenth passage (23.2 ± 12.1%) when compared to that in the first and third passage (100.0 ± 24.4%, P = 0.006). Moreover, the cryopreservation did not influence the viability (P = 0.11), metabolic activity (P = 0.77), or PDT (P = 0.11). Nevertheless, a greater ΔΨm (P = 0.0001) was observed for the cryopreserved cells (2.12 ± 0.14) when compared to that in the non-cryopreserved cells (1.00 ± 0.05). Additionally, the cryopreserved cells showed greater levels of intracellular ROS after thawing (1.69 ± 0.38 vs. 1.00 ± 0.22, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

This study is the first report on isolation, characterization and cryopreservation of fibroblasts from collared peccaries. We showed that adherent cultures were efficient for obtaining fibroblasts, which can be used as donor cells for nuclei for species cloning and other applications.

Establishment and Preservation of Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines from Fresh and Frozen Whole Blood and Mononuclear Cells

Although blood cells are interesting sources for genome investigations, one of the main problems in obtaining genomic DNA from blood is the restricted amount of DNA. This obstacle can be avoided by generating Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced B cell lines. This study investigates the efficiency of four different methods to generate lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Blood samples (n = 120) were obtained from donors and categorized into four groups: fresh whole blood, frozen whole blood, fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and frozen PBMCs. The samples were followed by EBV transformation to generate LCLs. Quality control and authentication of the cells were performed using multiplex PCR and short tandem repeat (STR) analyses. Finally, we assessed the success rate and amount of time to establish the cell lines in each group. The results showed that the cells were not contaminated nor were they misidentified or cross-contaminated with other cells. The success rate of LCLs generated from the whole blood groups was lower than the PBMC groups. The freezing procedures did not have any considerable effect on the establishment of lymphoblastoid cells. These established cells have been preserved in the human and animal cell bank of the Iranian Biological Resource Center (IBRC) and are available for researchers. Due to the management and transformation of a substantial number of blood samples, we recommend that researchers freeze PBMCs for further use with high efficiency and time-saving. We suggest that whole fresh blood should be directly transformed when the volume of the blood sample is less than 0.5 ml.

Establishment and characterization of a fibroblast cell line from postmortem skin of an adult Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi)

Isolation and culture of somatic cells from animals especially endangered species have raised great concerns as it is being an effective and convenient way to preserve genetic materials for future studies. As a species native to China, Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) is listed as a beneficial species with economic and scientific research values. To our knowledge, however, there have been no published reports on somatic cell preservation of this species to date. To conserve biological resources for sustainability of Chinese muntjacs' genetic diversity, we established a fibroblast cell line from the postmortem ear skin of an adult male Chinese muntjac. The cultured cells were adherent to the plastic and showed an elongated, thin, and spindle-like shape. Moreover, they were FSP1- and VIM-positive characterizing them to be fibroblastic. No microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, or mycoplasmas) were detected throughout the whole study. Cell viability was high although it declined somehow after passaging. The population doubling time was 21.28 h according to the growth curve. Chromosome analysis revealed that the established fibroblast cell line contained 23 pairs of chromosomes, one pair of which was sex chromosomes (XY). Mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase I gene of cultured cells shared 98.32% identity with those of Muntiacus reevesi registered in GenBank, which verified the cell line was derived from Muntiacus reevesi. In conclusion, we propagated and characterized fibroblast cells from a Chinese muntjac. We believe that this somatic cell line could facilitate animal cloning and breeding studies and become a useful in vitro model to address genetic questions.

Establishment and characterization of rough-tailed gecko original tail cells

Some of lizard species have the ability to lose their tail in order to defend against predators and regenerate the new tail. Lizard's regenerated tail has attracted scientists' attention for unraveling the regeneration process, but less information is known about the cellular characterization and cell growth properties of original tail. This research aimed to report cell culture and banking process of rough-tailed gecko or Cyrtopodion scabrum's original tail cell sample from inner tissue without skin using tissue explant technique. For banking reports, it is essential to analyze this cells' potential to proliferate, to investigate biological aspects such as cell culture features, differentiation and chromosome number and to report its species identification and quality control. To achieve optimal growth conditions, three different temperatures for incubation including 18, 23 and 37 °C and two different media including DMEM and L-15 were applied. The expanded cells were studied for their potential to adipose and osteoblast differentiation. Results indicated that lizard's original tail cells could be successfully obtained by explant technique. The cells demonstrated fibroblast like morphology with population doubling times of approximately 24 ± 0.5 h. Karyotyping analysis showed a distribution of 2n = 40 chromosome number for this cell line. The comparison of different incubation media and temperatures showed that cell growth is equally optimal in all mentioned conditions according to growth curves. Adipose and osteoblast differentiation was obviously observed in these cells which confirms the hint of stem-ness in the produced mixed cells. According to cell banking policies, produced cells were also checked for bacterial, fungal, yeast and mycoplasma contaminations and no contamination was observed. Multiplex PCR for identification of species confirmed the species of lizard with no cross-contamination with other cells in the cell bank. Establishment of authenticated and well-characterized lizard's original tail cell line will provide a valuable source for subsequent in vitro regenerative research and molecular studies which are not feasible in in vivo methods. This finding will allow us to get an opportunity to create and preserve a new collection of lizard cell lines in the future.

Identification of Bactrian camel cell lines using genetic markers

Iranian Bactrian camel population is less than 100 animals. Iranian biological resource center produced more than 50 Bactrian camel fibroblast cell lines as a somatic cell bank for conservation animal genetic resources. We compared two type markers performance, including 14 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs) (dominant) and eight microsatellite (co-dominant) for cell line identification, individual identification and investigation genetic structure of these samples. Based on clarity, polymorphism, and repeatability, four RAPD primers were selected for future analysis. Four RAPD primers and eight microsatellite markers have generated a total of 21 fragments and 45 alleles, respectively. RAPD primers revealed fragment size between 150 to 2000 bp and gene diversity since 0.27 (IBRD) to 0.46 (GC10), with an average of 0.37. Microsatellite markers generated number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 11, with an average of 5.62 alleles. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.359 (IBRC02) to 0.978 (YWLL08), and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.449 (IBRC02) to 0.879 (YWLL08). Bottleneck analysis and curve showed that Bactrian camel population did not experience a low diversity. RAPD profiles were especially suitable for investigation population genetics. All primers generated novel and polymorphic fragments. Briefly, our results show that a multiplex PCR based on these markers can still be valuable and suitable for authentication of cell lines, investigating gene diversity and conservation genetic resources in Bactrian camel, while new technologies are continuously developed.