Cultivation of Mycoplasmas on glass

Mycoplasma attachment to solid surfaces: a review

Mycoplasma attachment to glass in a protein-containing environment requires energization of the cells, probably to provide more accessibility of binding sites. The substance mediating attachment is of protein nature. Studies with monoclonal antibodies on M. pneumoniae suggest a concentration of the binding sites at the tip structure.

Electron microscopy of Mycoplasma pneumoniae microcolonies grown on solid surfaces

Mycoplasma pneumoniae sprain CL-8 was studied by using various surfaces for adherence and growth. Cells grown on Epon 812, Formvar, carbon, and glass were of similar morphology. Thin Epon pieces were good material for culturing the organisms and examining thin-sectioned microcolonies by transmission electron microscopy.

Oxygen consumption by trachea organ cultures infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Hamster trachea organ cultres were shown to consume measurable amounts of oxygen when incubated in a closed micro-chamber. Several simple and complex media were evaluated, and the optimal system involved incubating 2 to 4 mg of tracheal tissue in Tyrodes balanced salt solution at 37 C for 60 min, with oxygen activity measured with a Clark electrode. Tracheas infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae showed a significantly lower oxygen utilitzation than did uninfected controls. The effect was dose dependent when levels of 105 to 107 colony-forming units per ml were used to infect the tracheal rings. Virulent mycoplasmas caused significant decreases in relative ciliary activity and oxygen utilization, whereas attenuated mycoplasmas reduced ciliary activity and oxygen utilization levels to a lesser extent.

Cytotoxicity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Membranes

Organ cultures of adult hamster trachea were used to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of cell fractions of Mycoplasma pneumoniae . Cytoplasm was essentially devoid of activity, whereas viable cells and membrane preparations, at a level of 25 μg of protein per ml, induced necrosis. Damage, as revealed by light and electron microscopy, included ciliostasis, vacuolization, loss of ciliated respiratory epithelial cells, disorganization, and a loss of polarity. Dose response data indicated that the speed and degree of cytotoxicity was directly related to the concentration of membranes. Doses of 30 to 60 μg of protein per ml could reduce relative ciliary activity to 20% of the control level within 4 days. Membranes prepared after freeze-thaw lysis of cells were almost twice as active as those isolated after a combination of osmotic and sonic shock. Membranes of M. fermentans were inactive, though both the FH and M129 strains of M. pneumoniae were toxic. These data indicate that the toxic factor responsible for M. pneumoniae may be located in the cell membrane.

Cultivation of mycoplasmas on cellulose ester substrates

The ability of mycoplasmas to grow on cellulose ester substrates was evaluated. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, M. hominis, M. arthritidis, M. gallisepticum, and Acholeplasma laidlawii grew on Millipore (mixed cellulose ester) filters and Sepraphore III (cellulose polyacetate) membranes.