Could fetal fluid and membranes be an alternative source for Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) in the feline species? A preliminary study

Domestic cats are preferred models for normal physiology and several human diseases. In the present study feline fetal fluids and membranes were evaluated as possible sources of MSCs. Samples were recovered from 4 pregnant queens after ovarian-hysterectomy. Gestational sacs were separated from uterine wall; after allantoic and amniotic fluids aspiration and chorion-allantois and amniotic membranes separation, all cell lineages were cultured into 25 cm(2) flasks, in DMEM/TCM199, in a 5% CO(2) incubator at 38.5 °C. At passage 3, chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation ability were evaluated by culturing cell monolayers in differentiating media for 21 days. Cellular characterization with CD90, CD44, CD105, CD73, CD34, CD14, CD45, was performed by flow cytometry. In all samples, adherent fibroblastoid spindle-shaped cells were observed. Positive von Kossa and Alizarin Red staining confirmed osteogenesis. Alcian blue staining of matrix glycosaminoglycans illustrated chondrogenesis, and positive Oil Red O lipid droplets within cell cytoplasm suggested adipogenesis. All cell lines isolated were positive for CD90, CD44, CD105 and negative for CD34, CD14 and CD45; as unexpected and different from human cells, feline cells resulted negative for CD73. Based on this preliminary results, fetal fluids and membranes could represent an alternative sources for mesenchymal stem cells in feline species.     

A Comparison of the Concentrations of C-reactive Protein and α1-Acid Glycoprotein in the Serum of Young and Adult Dogs with Acute Inflammation

The concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and ₁-acid glycoprotein (AAG) were evaluated in 1-, 3- and 18-month-old dogs (four of each age) that had been inoculated with turpentine oil. The CRP and AAG in 3-month-old and younger dogs subjected to surgery or inoculated with either Staphylococcus aureus or a viral vaccine were also evaluated. The average CRP concentration in the sera peaked 2 days after inoculation of turpentine oil. The peak CRP concentrations in 3- and 18-month-old dogs were significantly (p<0.05) greater than those in 1-month-old dogs. The average AAG concentration in the sera peaked 4 days after inoculation of turpentine oil. No significant difference was found in AAG concentrations between any of the age groups. When experimentally inoculated with S. aureus or subjected to oophorohysterectomy, the CRP and AAG concentrations increased in 3-month-old dogs, but they increased little in 1-month-old dogs. The CRP and AAG in dogs inoculated with the viral vaccine did not increase. In dogs with fractures or subjected to percutaneous gastrostomy, the CRP and AAG concentrations correlated with the condition of dogs.     

The Analysis for the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of TGF-β1 and Its Association with Reproduction in Different Sheep Breeds

A single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)of 805 bp region in the intron 6 of transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)gene was identified by polymerase chain reaction-single-strand composition polymorphism(PCR-SSCP)in 196 sheep among Small-tailed Han sheep,Tong sheep,Tan sheep and Oula sheep.Comparative sequence analysis of cloned products revealed an AGAC deletion at 294 bases upstream of exon 7 of the TGF-β1 gene(site 14201 in gi76871756).Statistical results of the genotype and allele frequencies in different breeds showed that genotype AB was dominant in the Small-tailed Han sheep.Genotype BB,however,was in majority in low-fecundity sheep.The results of a Chi-square test indicated that all the populations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.