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Transcriptional response patterns of Chlamydophila psittaci in different in vitro models of persistent infection.

The obligatory intracellular bacterium Chlamydophila psittaci is the causative agent of psittacosis in birds and humans. The capability of this zoonotic pathogen to develop a persistent phase is likely to play a role in chronicity of infections, as well as in failure of antibiotic therapy and immunoprophylaxis. To elucidate three different in vitro models for transition of C. psittaci to persistence (iron depletion, penicillin G treatment, and gamma interferon [IFN-gamma] exposure), a set of 27 genes was examined by mRNA expression analysis using quantitative real-time PCR. While the phenotypical characteristics were the same as in other chlamydiae, i.e., aberrant morphology of reticulate bodies, loss of cultivability, and rescue of infectivity upon removal of inducers, the transcriptional response of C. psittaci to persistence-inducing factors included several new and distinctive features. Consistent downregulation of membrane proteins, chlamydial sigma factors, cell division protein, and reticulate body-elementary body differentiation proteins from 24 h postinfection onward proved to be a general feature of C. psittaci persistence. However, other genes displayed considerable variations in response patterns from one model to another, which suggests that there is no persistence model per se. In contrast to results for Chlamydia trachomatis, late shutdown of essential genes in C. psittaci was more comprehensive with IFN-gamma-induced persistence, which is probably due to the absence of a functional tryptophan synthesis operon.

Animals↗

Cerebellar granular cell cultures as an in vitro model for antidepressant drug-induced neurogenesis.

Both preclinical and clinical evidence suggested that antidepressant drugs upregulate hippocampal cell proliferation and neurogenesis. In addition, direct evidence was recently published that hippocampal de novo cell proliferation is necessary for antidepressant action. Within this frame, we used primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule cells (CGC) as an in vitro model of central nervous system (CNS) to investigate whether a neurogenic response could be elicited also in the cerebellum, upon chronic treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Furthermore, we assayed the presence of neural precursor cells in CGC, possibly responsive to proliferation and differentiation stimuli. We found that 1 microM fluoxetine increased cell proliferation, as assayed by [3H]-thymidine incorporation. CGC immunocytochemical analysis with neural cell-specific markers revealed the presence of granule neurons, glial cells, and a cell component that we named "round cells." Because only round cells displayed proliferation ability, as revealed by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling, they were further characterized. For this purpose, round cells were isolated and expanded by culturing in a serum-free medium, containing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), before immunocytochemical analysis. We found that round cells were not immunoreactive for glial, neuronal, and oligodendrocyte markers, whereas they were immunoreactive for several immature neuronal markers. Accordingly, round cells could be induced to differentiate into astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendrocytes, either by withdrawing the mitogen bFGF or by exposing them to fluoxetine. These findings suggest that round cells in CGC possess the features and potentials of neural precursors, able to differentiate in mature neural cells upon a pharmacological simulum.

Animals↗

In-vitro models of cancer invasion and metastasis: recent developments.

Cancer metastasis is a process involving a number of related steps. Methods to mimic these individual steps have been established over past years in order to understand the cellular and molecular mechanism of tumour invasion and metastasis and design strategies for treatment. This review summarizes these in-vitro models.

Animals↗

One in vitro model for visceral adipose-derived fibroblasts in chronic inflammation.

One pathogenesis of the obesity-associated complications is that consistent with increased body fat mass, the elevation of adipose tissue-derived cytokines inflicts a low-grade chronic inflammation, which ultimately leads to metabolic disorders. Adipocytes and macrophages in visceral adipose (VA) have been confirmed to contribute to the chronic inflammation; however, the role of the resident fibroblasts is still unknown. We established one VA fibroblast cell line, termed VAFC. Morphological analysis indicated that there were large numbers of pits at the cell plasma membrane. In vitro VAFC cells promoted bone marrow cells to differentiate into macrophages and protected them from apoptosis in the serum-free conditions. Additionally, they also interfered in lymphocytes proliferation. On the basis of these results, this cell line might be an in vitro model for understanding the role of adipose-derived fibroblasts in obesity-associated chronic inflammation.

Adipose Tissue↗

Sodium lauryl sulphate penetration in an in vitro model using human skin.

Because of their ability to impair the skin barrier function, detergents constitute a major risk factor for the development of irritant contact dermatitis. Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is a commonly used detergent for experimental studies within the area of irritant contact dermatitis. In the present study, penetration of S35-labelled SLS was studied in an in vitro model using human cadaver skin. The investigations showed that SLS is capable of permeating the skin barrier when applied under occlusion. SLS could be detected in the dermis and the amount of SLS found here was shown to depend on the dose of SLS applied on the skin. Penetration of SLS continued after removal of the SLS applied as a patch test on the skin surface. Considerable inter-individual variation in the penetration of SLS was demonstrated between different donors.

Adult↗

Studies on dental erosion: an in vitro model of root surface erosion.

Most research on dental erosion has focused on erosion in enamel. However, the increasing retention of teeth into old age has increased the potential for root surface erosion. The nature and kinetics of root surface erosion have not yet been adequately explored. The objective of this project was to develop an in vitro model of root surface erosion in order to investigate the polarised light microscopy of controlled erosion and the histology and rate of demineralisation of this process in root cementum/dentine. The results demonstrate a process quite different in outcome from that in enamel erosion. Erosion results in loss of volume of enamel. However, it leaves a root surface softened though with little volume loss so long as the demineralised collagen remains hydrated. The polarised light histology was similar to that seen in root surface caries. The rate of erosive demineralisation of tooth roots by selected acids was investigated, with differing rates of demineralisation similar to that seen in enamel erosion observed. The process of erosion showed evidence of significant diffusion control.

Acetic Acid↗

Alternate aggregation pathways of the Alzheimer beta-amyloid peptide. An in vitro model of preamyloid.

Deposition of amyloid-beta (Abeta) aggregates in the brain is a defining characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Fibrillar amyloid, found in the cores of senile plaques, is surrounded by dystrophic neurites. In contrast, the amorphous Abeta (also called preamyloid) in diffuse plaques is not associated with neurodegeneration. Depending on the conditions, Abeta will also form fibrillar or amorphous aggregates in vitro. In this present study, we sought to characterize the properties of the amorphous aggregate and determine whether we could establish an in vitro model for amorphous Abeta. CD data indicated that Abeta40 assembled to form either a beta-structured aggregate or an unfolded aggregate with the structured aggregate forming at high peptide concentrations and the unstructured aggregate forming at low Abeta40 levels. The critical concentration separating these two pathways was 10 microm. Fluorescence emission and polarization showed the structured aggregate was tightly packed containing peptides that were not accessible to water. Peptides in the unstructured aggregate were loosely packed, mobile, and accessible to water. When examined by electron microscopy, the structured aggregate appeared as protofibrillar structures and formed classic amyloid fibrils over a period of several weeks. The unstructured aggregate was not visible by electron microscopy and did not generate fibrils. These findings suggest that the unstructured aggregate shares many properties with the amorphous Abeta of AD and that conditions can be established to form amorphous Abeta in vitro. This would allow for investigations to better understand the relationship between fibrillar and amorphous Abeta and could have significant impact upon efforts to find therapies for AD.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Characterization of the mechanisms of electrochemotherapy in an in vitro model for human cervical cancer.

Electrochemical treatment is among the most effective therapies in the management of cervical malignancy. However, the mechanism of action of this treatment remains largely unknown. Therefore, the purpose of the current project was to establish a suitable eletrochemotherapy regimen for cervical cancer and to investigate the mechanism of the therapy in an in vitro model for human cervical carcinoma. HeLa cells were used as a model for cervical cancer in this study, and the effect of electrochemical treatment on these cells was examined in four different dosage groups (5 V + 5 C, 10 V + 5 C, 5 V + 10 C and 10 V + 10 C). Our results showed that the combinations of lower voltage and higher current (5 V/10 V + 10 C) had a greater anticancer effect in this model as compared to other groups. In addition, we compared the cytotoxic effect between electrochemical treatment and different pH condition treatments in this system, and found that the efficacy of electrochemical treatment in cell killing was better than that of acidic or basic medium treatment. Moreover, we demonstrated that the efficacy of electrochemical treatment was correlated with the degree of ionization and alteration in pH scale. The electrodes were basic on the cathode side which elevated the cations K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, while the electrodes were acidic on the anode side which reduced the anion Cl-. We also assessed the effect of electrochemical treatment on cell cycle distribution in HeLa cells and showed that the percentage of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle was increased (G1 arrest), while the cell population in the S phase was decreased. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the levels of the cell cycle regulator cyclin D1 expression were dramatically reduced when 5 V/10 V + 10 C treatments were applied to these cells, as determined by RT-PCR analysis. By contrast, no significant changes in the levels of cyclin B1, CDK1 or CDK4 were detected. Based on these observations, we conclude that the combination of lower voltage and higher current may be a potentially effective eletrochemotherapy regimen for cervical cancer in the clinic, and that the antitumor effect of electrochemical treatment on cervical carcinoma cells is mediated partly via regulating ionization degree, pH state and cell cycle control.

Carcinoma↗

In vitro models for investigation of the effects of acute mechanical injury on cartilage.

Traumatic injury to a joint is known to increase the risk for the development of secondary osteoarthritis, but it is unclear how this process occurs. The existence of such a discrete event that can lead to an increased risk of osteoarthritis has spurred interest in developing in vitro models of traumatic joint injury. The current authors review some of the recent insights gained from these model systems into the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, including the evidence for an initial, irreversible insult to chondrocytes during mechanical injury, the occurrence of apoptotic chondrocyte death, and attempts to identify the effects of trauma on chondrocyte metabolic response. Results also are presented from the authors' ongoing studies of the degradative pathways initiated by traumatic mechanical loads, the mechanism by which chondrocytes are affected during compression, and possible contributions of the joint capsule to posttraumatic cartilage degradation.

Acute Disease↗

Expression of CDX2 in normal and neoplastic human colon tissue and during differentiation of an in vitro model system.

BACKGROUND: The Cdx genes are expressed in the colorectal epithelium and are frequently downregulated during tumorigenesis. Overexpression of Cdx genes has been shown previously to result in cellular differentiation. AIM: To study expression of CDX2 in normal and neoplastic human colon using a newly isolated monoclonal antibody. To define expression of CDX1 and CDX2 in an in vitro model system of colorectal tumour progression and to ascertain whether these are subject to regulation during differentiation. METHODS: Normal and neoplastic human colon was immunostained for CDX2. CDX1 and CDX2 expression was assayed in cell lines derived from premalignant colonic adenomas by western blotting. Differentiation was induced by sodium butyrate treatment or post confluent growth, and changes in CDX expression compared with carcinoma cell lines with low levels of CDX expression. RESULTS: CDX2 protein displayed no gradient of expression within the colonic crypt. Cell lines derived from adenomas, with high levels of CDX1 and CDX2, showed no regulation of these proteins when induced to differentiate by butyrate or confluency. CDX expression in these cell lines was independent of their APC or Ras status. CDX1 and CDX2 were expressed at very low levels in some carcinoma cell lines and were modestly upregulated on differentiation but were not restored to levels seen in adenoma cells. CONCLUSION: The lack of significant regulation on cellular differentiation and the absence of a detectable gradient in the crypt implies that CDX2 may confer tissue specificity but may not play the previously suggested role in crypt patterning.

Adenoma↗

Protective effect of triflusal and its main metabolite HTB in an in vitro model of anoxia-reoxygenation in rat brain slices: comparison with acetylsalicylic and salicylic acids.

Triflusal is a fluorinated derivative of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) with demonstrated antithrombotic activity. Recently, evidence for a neuroprotective effect has been obtained. The aim of this study was to compare the neuroprotective effects of the main metabolite of triflusal (2-hydroxy-4-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid, HTB) and the ASA metabolite salicylic acid (SA) in an in vitro model of anoxia-reoxygenation in rat brain slices. Rat brain slices (n=10 per group) were subjected to a period of anoxia followed by 180 min reoxygenation. We measured oxidative stress parameters (lipid peroxidation, glutathione system), prostaglandins (PGE(2)), nitric oxide pathway activity (NO) (nitrites+nitrates, constitutive and inducible NO synthase activity) and LDH efflux, a biochemical marker of cell death. Various concentrations (10, 100 and 1,000 microM) of triflusal, HTB, ASA or SA were tested. Triflusal at 10, 100 and 1,000 microM decreased LDH efflux in rat brain slices after anoxia/reoxygenation by 24%, 35% and 49% respectively. This effect was proportionately greater than that of ASA (0%, 13% and 32%). The results with HTB were similar to those with triflusal, whereas SA showed a greater protective effect than ASA (13%, 33% and 35%). The antioxidant effects of HTB and SA on the biochemical mechanisms of cell damage studied here were also greater than the effects of triflusal and ASA, a finding attributable mainly to the decrease in lipid peroxidation and to the ability of HTB to also increase glutathione levels. The triflusal metabolite reduced inducible NO synthase activity by 18%, 21% and 30%, whereas SA inhibited this activity by 9%, 17% and 23%. Triflusal and HTB led to greater increases in NO synthase than ASA or AS. In conclusion, the metabolite HTB plays an important role in the neuroprotective effect of triflusal, at least in the experimental model of anoxia-reoxygenation tested here.

Animals↗

In vitro model of parathyroid hormone-related protein secretion from mammary cells isolated from lactating cows.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is produced by the lactating mammary gland and is present in milk in a biologically active form. The goal of this investigation was to determine if cells cultured from the lactating mammary glands of cows would secrete PTHrP in vitro. Mammary acini were isolated from lactating cows at 1-6 wk after calving, and fresh or cryopreserved mammary acini were cultured for 14 d on Type I collagen. Cultures on thick layers of collagen (2.5 mm) were detached and allowed to contract on Day 6. PTHrP production was measured by N-terminal radioimmunoassay and bioassay (increased cAMP levels in ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells). The mammary cells reached confluence at Day 6. PTHrP production was low at Day 2 (< 0.5 ng/ml) but increased to peak production (2-4 ng/ml) at approximately Day 6 and remained constant until Day 14. Immunoreactive and bioactive PTHrP levels in the culture medium correlated well. The cultures produced lactoferrin (2,000-2,300 ng/ml and alpha s1-casein (14-19 ng/ml). Prolactin stimulated PTHrP production approximately 50% on Days 6-14. PTHrP production was increased approximately 100% by treatment with epidermal growth factor (10 ng/ml) for 2 d. Morphologic evaluation of cultures on thick, contracted collagen at Day 14 revealed an inner layer of mammary epithelial cells overlying myoepithelial cells and an outer layer of collagen containing stromal cells. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated positive staining for PTHrP and cytokeratin in both mammary epithelial and myoepithelial cells and alpha-smooth muscle actin in myoepithelial cells. These data demonstrated that cryopreserved mammary tissue from lactating cows could be cultured in vitro and secreted PTHrP in a regulated manner. This in vitro model will be useful to investigate the function and regulation of PTHrP in the lactating mammary gland.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Multicellular membranes as an in vitro model for extravascular diffusion in tumours.

Efficient extravascular diffusion is a critical requirement for hypoxic cell radiosensitisers, bioreductive drugs and hypoxic cell markers that must reach cells distant from functional blood vessels in tumours. The diffusion of simple nitroimidazoles with neutral (misonidazole, miso) and basic (pimonidazole, pimo) side chains, as well as 2-nitroimidazoles with acridine (NLA-1) and phenanthridine (2-NLP-3) DNA intercalating moieties was investigated using multicellular membranes (MMs), a new in vitro model for the extravascular compartment of tumours. The diffusion of miso through V79 MMs was concentration independent over the range 0.1-10 mM. Mathematical modelling of the flux kinetics provided a diffusion coefficient in MMs (DMM) of 5.5 x 10(-7) cm2 s-1 which was approximately 13-fold lower than in culture medium. Flux was little affected by the extent of hypoxia in MMs, indicating that hypoxic metabolism does not compromise diffusion of miso over distances in the order of 200 microns. The DMM for pimo was similar to miso, while those for 2-NLP-3 and NLA-1 were both lower. The results demonstrate compromised extravascular diffusion for DNA-intercalating nitroimidazoles, but indicate that this problem is more severe for the basic acridine derivative, NLA-1, than for the phenanthridine, 2-NLP-3. The MM model appears to be well suited to quantitative determination of drug diffusion in a multicellular environment.

Acridines↗

Using in vitro models for expression profiling studies on ethanol and drugs of abuse.

The use of expression profiling with microarrays offers great potential for studying the mechanisms of action of drugs of abuse. Studies with the intact nervous system seem likely to be most relevant to understanding the mechanisms of drug abuse-related behaviours. However, the use of expression profiling with in vitro culture models offers significant advantages for identifying details of cellular signalling actions and toxicity for drugs of abuse. This study discusses general issues of the use of microarrays and cell culture models for studies on drugs of abuse. Specific results from existing studies are also discussed, providing clear examples of relevance for in vitro studies on ethanol, nicotine, opiates, cannabinoids and hallucinogens such as LSD. In addition to providing details on signalling mechanisms relevant to the neurobiology of drugs of abuse, microarray studies on a variety of cell culture systems have also provided important information on mechanisms of cellular/organ toxicity with drugs of abuse. Efforts to integrate genomic studies on drugs of abuse with both in vivo and in vitro models offer the potential for novel mechanistic rigor and physiological relevance.

Alcoholism↗

Analysis of wound healing in an in vitro model: early appearance of laminin and a 125 x 10(3) Mr polypeptide during adhesion complex formation.

The adhesion complex, which plays an important role in cell-substratum attachment, consists of a cellular hemidesmosomal plaque, anchoring filaments, the basement membrane zone and anchoring fibrils. An analysis of the temporal sequence of assembly of the adhesion complex was undertaken in an in vitro model of epithelial cell wound healing by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. A monoclonal antibody directed against a 125K (K = 10(3) Mr) polypeptide (mAbHD), bullous pemphigoid (BP) autoantibodies, antibodies directed against collagen type VII and laminin antibodies were used as markers for anchoring filaments, the hemidesmosome, anchoring fibrils and the laminin component of the basement membrane zone, respectively. Fluorescence labeling could be detected with mAbHD before labeling with BP autoantibodies or collagen type VII antibodies. Laminin fluorescence was detected at the same time as mAbHD. Furthermore, the 125K polypeptide and laminin were located extracellularly prior to the appearance of BP antigen and collagen type VII. The appearance of the hemidesmosomal plaque at the electron microscope level succeeded the localization of BP antigen in basal cells detected by immunofluorescence microscopy. No evidence for the coordinated appearance of BP antigen, collagen type VII and laminin was observed in this model. We discuss the possibility that the 125K protein and laminin may play roles in the initiation of complex formation. Furthermore, although basement membrane zone components were detected early in adhesion complex re-formation, formation of the lamina densa region of the basement membrane zone followed the appearance of the hemidesmosomal plaque, indicating a role for the hemidesmosomal plaque in organizing the structure of the lamina densa.

Animals↗

Identification of equine cecal bacteria producing amines in an in vitro model of carbohydrate overload.

Acute laminitis has been associated with the overgrowth of gram-positive bacteria within the equine hindgut, causing the release of factor(s) leading to ischemia-reperfusion of the digits. The products of fermentation which trigger acute laminitis are, as yet, unknown; however, vasoactive amines are possible candidates. The objectives of this study were to use an in vitro model of carbohydrate overload to study the change in populations of cecal streptococci and lactobacilli and to establish whether certain species of these bacteria were capable of producing vasoactive amines from amino acids. Cecal contents from 10 horses were divided into aliquots and incubated anaerobically with either corn starch or inulin (fructan; both at 1 g/100 ml). Samples were taken at 6-h intervals over a 24-h period for enumeration of streptococci, lactobacilli, and gram-negative anaerobes by a dilution method onto standard selective growth media. The effects of the antibiotic virginiamycin (1 mg/100 ml) and calcium hydrogen phosphate (CaHPO(4); 0.3 g/100 ml) were also examined. Fermentation of excess carbohydrate was associated with increases in numbers of streptococci and lactobacilli (2- to 3.5-log unit increases; inhibited by virginiamycin) but numbers of gram-negative anaerobes were not significantly affected. A screening agar technique followed by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis enabled the identification of 26 different bacterial strains capable of producing one or more vasoactive amines. These included members of the species Streptococcus bovis and five different Lactobacillus spp. These data suggest that certain bacteria, whose overgrowth is associated with carbohydrate fermentation, are capable of producing vasoactive amines which may play a role in the pathogenesis of acute laminitis.

Acute Disease↗

In vitro models of tissue penetration and destruction by Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium that is considered the key etiologic agent of chronic periodontitis. Arg- and Lys-gingipain cysteine proteinases produced by P. gingivalis are key virulence factors and are believed to be essential for significant tissue component degradation, leading to host tissue invasion by periodontopathogens. Two in vitro models were used to determine the extent to which P. gingivalis can reach connective tissue. The tissue penetration potential of P. gingivalis was first investigated by using an engineered human oral mucosa model composed of normal human epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Internalized bacteria were assessed by transmission electron microscopy. Bacteria were observed within multilayered gingival epithelial cells and in the space between the stratified epithelium and the lamina propria. A gingipain-null mutant strain of P. gingivalis was found to be less potent in penetrating tissue than the wild-type strain. Proinflammatory responses to P. gingivalis infection were evaluated. P. gingivalis increased the secretion of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. In the second part of the study, the contribution of P. gingivalis gingipains to tissue penetration was investigated by using a reconstituted basement membrane model (Matrigel). The penetration of (14)C-labeled P. gingivalis cells through Matrigel was significantly reduced when leupeptin, a specific inhibitor of Arg-gingipain activity, was added or when a gingipain-null mutant was used. The results obtained with these two relevant models support the capacities of P. gingivalis to infiltrate periodontal tissue and to modulate the proinflammatory response and suggest a critical role of gingipains in tissue destruction.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

[A study on the pathogenesis of hepatolenticular degeneration using an in vitro model].

Hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD) as an autosomal recessively inherited disease has been known to be associated with by copper metabolic dysfunction. Its primary genetic defect is still not clear. The average copper content of HLD cells was found to be approximately threefold as much as that of normal cells in the authors previous studies. Cultured fibroblasts were used to serve as an in vitro model to investigate the primary molecular defects. The distribution of intracellular copper in the proteins of HLD cells were examined. The cell lysates were fractionated by gel chromatographic filtration. The copper concentration of the column fractions revealed that the copper binding character was altered in HLD cells. A decreased ratio of copper to proteins was observed in cytoplasmic proteins having a molecular weight greater than 300,000. There was more copper specifically bound to the lower molecular weight compounds in the HLD cells. The results of this laboratory technology suggested that this might serve as a method for establishing the early diagnosis of this disease.

Cells, Cultured↗