Isolation of equine bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells: a comparison between three protocols

Reason for performing the study: There is a need to assess and standardise equine bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) isolation protocols in order to permit valid comparisons between therapeutic trials at different sites. Objective: To compare 3 protocols of equine BM MSC isolation: adherence to a plastic culture dish (Classic) and 2 gradient density separation protocols (Percoll and Ficoll). Materials and methods: BM aspirates were harvested from the sternum of 6 mares and MSCs isolated by all 3 protocols. The cell viability after isolation, MSC yield, number of MSCs attained after 14 days of culture and the functional characteristics (self‐renewal (CFU) and multilineage differentiation capacity) were determined for all 3 protocols. Results: The mean ± s.d. MSC yield from the Percoll protocol was significantly higher (6.8 ± 3.8%) than the Classic protocol (1.3 ± 0.7%). The numbers of MSCs recovered after 14 days culture per 10 ml BM sample were 24.0 ± 12.1, 14.6 ± 9.5 and 4.1 ± 2.5 × 10 ⁶ for the Percoll, Ficoll and Classic protocols, respectively, significantly higher for the Percoll compared with the Classic protocol. Importantly, no significant difference in cell viability or in osteogenic or chondrogenic differentiation was identified between the protocols. At Passage 0, cells retrieved with the Ficoll protocol had lower self‐renewal capacity when compared with the Classic protocol but there was no significant difference between protocols at Passage 1. There were no significant differences between the 3 protocols for the global frequencies of CFUs at Passage 0 or 1. Conclusions and clinical relevance: These data suggest that the Percoll gradient density separation protocol was the best in terms of MSC yield and self‐renewal potential of the MSCs retrieved and that MSCs retrieved with the Ficoll protocol had the lowest self‐renewal but only at passage 0. Then, the 3 protocols were equivalent. However, the Percoll protocol should be considered for equine MSC isolation to minimise culture time.     

桑树原生质体分离条件的优化试验

为了分离获取高产量、高活力的桑树原生质体,分别以桑树的组培苗细切叶片、胚性悬浮培养细胞、粗切愈伤组织和细切愈伤组织等为材料,采用正交试验和单因素试验的方法对桑树原生质体酶解分离条件中的分离酶液组合、渗透压调节剂、酶解温度、酶解时间等因素进行优化。最佳分离酶液组合为100 U/mL纤维素酶R-10+150 U/mL果胶酶Y-23+6 U/mL离析酶R-10+细胞-原生质体洗液(1 480 mg/L CaCl2.2H2O,27.2 mg/L KH2PO4),以0.6 mol/L甘露醇为渗透压调节剂,在28℃酶解温度条件下酶解6 h,用桑树胚性悬浮培养细胞作分离材料可获得7.8×106个/g的原生质体产量,且原生质体活力达91.4%。研究结果显示,选择合适的分离材料以及酶解分离条件是高效获取高活力桑树原生质体的关键。     

Effects of corticotropin releasing factor on the production of adrenocorticotropic hormone by leukocyte populations

1. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a neuropeptide with immunomodulating properties, is known to stimulate avian splenic leukocytes to produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). 2. The present study was to determine which avian splenic leukocyte subpopulation(s) produce ACTH in response to CRF stimulation. 3. Splenic leukocytes from 8-week-old male chickens were isolated on Histopaque 1077 and macrophages were separated from lymphocytes by adherence to a polystyrene surface. 4. Different concentrations of CRF (0, 5, 50, 500 or 1000 ng/m) were incubated with the different leukocyte populations, supernatants were collected and ACTH was measured using a radioimmunoassay. 5. Isolated macrophages, stimulated with CRF, produced significantly more ACTH than either unstimulated macrophages or CRF-stimulated lymphocytes, suggesting that ACTH may be produced by a particular subset of leukocytes, the macrophages (and monocytes), in response to CRF stimulation.     

Evaluation of elutriation and magnetic microbead purification of canine monocytes

An elutriation technique was developed to obtain large quantities of pure canine monocytes. Firstly, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from whole blood by Ficoll gradient. Then, the PBMC were separated by an elutriation procedure. We demonstrated that these techniques allow the isolation of canine peripheral blood monocytes with a purity of 64% +/- 7.9 when labelled with anti-CD14 antibody. This purity increased to 83% +/- 2.2 after separation by magnetic anti-CD14 microbeads. The cell viability was more than 95% and apoptotic cells were less than 10%. The monocytes purified by these methods were functionally active in a mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). A lymphocyte fraction was obtained directly only by elutriation with an average of 79.9% +/- 10.7 of CD5+, 7.9% +/- 3.5 of CD21+ and 1.78% +/- 2.53 of CD14+. Our results indicate that this elutriation procedure is a safe method to purify monocytes as well as lymphocytes, useful in MLR.     

鸭胚成纤维细胞培养、传代及保存方法的研究

本研究旨在建立鸭胚成纤维细胞离体培养、传代以及冷冻保存体系,为鸭胚胎或生殖干细胞的离体培养奠定基础。利用胰酶-EDTA消化鸭胚胎组织,10% FBS+DEME营养液培养,获得原代和传代成纤维细胞。分别用DMSO、甘油以及乙二醇作为冷冻保护剂对F1代鸭胚成纤维细胞进行冷冻保存,检测复苏后细胞的生长情况。利用此方法可以获得高活性的鸭胚成纤维细胞,并可成功传至第三代。其中F1代与F2代细胞活力最好,达到90%以上。3种冷冻剂保存的细胞复苏后均与F1代细胞的活力存在明显差异,均小于80%,其中用DMSO冷冻保存的细胞复苏后活力最强,生长密度保持较好。     

Enrichment of T lymphocytes from bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells using an immuno-affinity depletion technique ("panning")

A simple and efficient method to enrich bovine T lymphocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by immuno-affinity depletion ("panning") has been developed. The PBMC were initially separated by density gradient centrifugation on Histopaque of density 1.077 g/ml. The T lymphocyte subset was then separated from PBMC by depletion of membrane immunoglobulin (Ig) bearing cells which had an affinity for anti-Ig antibodies bound to polystyrene tissue culture flasks. An average of 95% of the nonadherent "panned" cells were identified as T lymphocytes using a label of peanut agglutinin conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (PNA-FITC). Two percent of the PNA negative cells were Ig bearing cells. The average yield was 50% of the original T lymphocytes found in the PBMC population, and the cell viability as assessed by trypan blue exclusion was greater than 95%. The separation took approximately 2 hours, and the total number of T lymphocytes recovered from 40 ml of blood was in the range of 20-40 X 10(6).     

第十九期鸡胚原始生殖细胞的冷冻保存

采用Ficoll密度梯度离心,提取第 19期(孵化 72h)性腺中的PGCs,对其应用不同的冷冻保护液和不同的平衡方法进行冷冻保存,并于复苏后进行体外培养。复苏后的PGCS用台盼蓝染色检测其存活率,结果发现:从第 19期性腺中获取的PGCs在同一种冷冻保护液下,采用不同的平衡方法进行冷冻,对PGCs的存活率有显著影响(P<0.05)或极显著影响(P<0.01);平衡方法相同,在不同冷冻保护液之间存在显著(P<0.05)或极显著 (P<0.01)差异。PGCs经体外培养 24h后再进行冷冻保存,复苏后其存活率、体外培养存活时间均极显著(P<0.01)短于分离后直接冷冻的PGCs。     

小鼠肝实质细胞的分离、鉴定及原代培养

为分离、培养高纯度原代小鼠肝实质细胞,并鉴定其纯度及生物活性,试验采用原位两步循环灌流法及多次低速差速离心法分离纯化肝实质细胞,促贴壁培养基原代培养,台盼蓝检测其存活率,PAS反应检测其糖原合成能力,免疫荧光化学检测细胞中CK18表达情况。结果表明:每只小鼠可获取约1.5×10^6个细胞,存活率>97%;镜下发现细胞在接种后6h开始贴壁,72h贴壁细胞生长状态良好,胞体变大、不规则,细胞间相互靠拢呈岛状或条索状连接;肝细胞出现成片紫红色糖原颗粒,CK18在细胞中均匀分布;糖原反应联合CK18免疫荧光显示细胞纯度在90%以上。说明该试验所用方法分离出肝实质细胞数量和存活率高,促贴壁培养基培养的肝实质细胞纯度高,为细胞代谢、细胞毒性等的研究奠定了基础。     

Measurement of phagocytosis and oxidative burst of canine neutrophils: high variation in healthy dogs

Quantitative analysis of phagocytosis and oxidative burst in canine polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells was performed by flow cytometry techniques. Different concentrations of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were used to modulate PMN phagocytosis. A low concentration of PMA (3 nmol) resulted in increased phagocytic activity of canine PMN, which could not be enhanced by higher dosages. Experiments with a reference cell population showed high losses of PMN, most probably by adherence to plastic material. It was possible to avoid this loss by layering all ingredients on cushions of Histopaque. However, Histopaque had a negative influence on the phagocytic activity of canine PMN. The use of PMA led to a dosage-dependent increase in the oxidative burst measured by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cushions of Histopaque were used to avoid cell loss. There was no negative influence of Histopaque on ROS formation. Storage of canine PMN for 24 h at room temperature had no negative influence on phagocytosis or oxidative burst measurements. Variations in the ROS assays conducted by two different examiners could be eliminated by use of a Histopaque-cushion.     

Isolation of granulocytes and mononuclear cells from the blood of dogs, cats, horses and cattle

A simple discontinuous Percoll density-gradient technique was adapted for isolation of granulocytes and mononuclear cells from cats, dogs, horses and cattle. Separation was accomplished at low speeds using a standard tabletop centrifuge. Cell purity was 100% for both granulocytes and mononuclear cells and cell viability exceeded 95%. Percent recovery of leukocytes ranged from 69 to 83%.     

Development of a method of measuring cellular stress in cattle and sheep

In the current studies, flow cytometric methods were used to demonstrate that heat shock protein (hsp) 70 is constitutively expressed in ovine and bovine leukocytes but that the level of expression varies considerably between different leukocyte types and between species. We also show that expression of hsp70 is upregulated in response to an in vitro heat shock treatment. The optimal temperature for heat shock of leukocytes from sheep and cattle is 43.5 degrees C. In sheep and cattle, the relative susceptibility of leukocyte type to upregulation of hsp70 expression, as assayed as percent positive cells, by in vitro heat shock was cell type specific. Best results were obtained from fresh samples; after storage at room temperature for 24h upregulation was highly variable between animals and less than in fresh samples. These studies demonstrate that evaluation of leukocyte hsp70 expression by flow cytometry is a robust, reproducible method for use in the evaluation of cellular stress responses in cattle and sheep. The application of the methods described may be a valuable tool in assessing in vivo stress responses in livestock species.     

匍匐翦股颖叶肉细胞原生质体瞬时表达体系的建立

为了建立稳定、高效的匍匐翦股颖(A grostis stoloni f era L.)叶肉细胞原生质体瞬时表达体系,本研究以匍匐翦股颖'Penn-A4'的叶片为材料,分析不同因素对其叶肉细胞原生质体分离的影响,确定其原生质体分离的最佳条件.结果表明:苗龄为4周的翦股颖无菌苗叶片在甘露醇为0.6 mol·L-1的酶解液中...     

Proteomic identification of cryostress in epididymal spermatozoa

Background: Cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa is important in cases in which it is not possible to collect semen using normal methods, as the sudden death of an animal or a catastrophic injury. However, the freezing and thawing processes cause stress to spermatozoa, including cold shock, osmotic damage, and ice crystal formation,thereby reducing sperm quality. We assessed the motility(%), motion kinematics, capacitation status, and viability of spermatozoa using computer-assisted sperm analysis and Hoechst 33258/chlortetracycline fluorescence staining.Moreover, we identified proteins associated with cryostress using a proteomic approach and performed western blotting to validate two-dimensional electrophoresis(2-DE) results using two commercial antibodies.Results: Cryopreservation reduced viability(%), motility(%), straight-line velocity(VSL), average path velocity(VAP), amplitude of lateral head displacement(ALH), and capacitated spermatozoa, whereas straightness(STR)and the acrosome reaction increased after cryopreservation(P 0.05). Nine proteins were differentially expressed(two proteins decreased and seven increased)(3 fold, P 0.05) before and after cryopreservation. The proteins differentially expressed following cryopreservation are putatively related to several signaling pathways, including the ephrinR-actin pathway, the ROS metabolism pathway, actin cytoskeleton assembly, actin cytoskeleton regulation,and the guanylate cyclase pathway.Conclusion: The results of the current study provide information on epididymal sperm proteome dynamics and possible protein markers of cryo-stress during cryopreservation. This information will further the basic understanding of cryopreservation and aid future studies aiming to identify the mechanism of cryostress responses.     

Female scent mobilizes leukocytes to airways in BALB/c male mice

The scent of receptive females as a signal to reproduction stimulates male mice to olfactory search of a potential breeding partner. This searching behavior is coupled with infection risk due to bacterial contamination of the fecal and urine scent marks. We hypothesized that sniffing of female soiled bedding induced the migration of immuno‐competent cells into airways as a possible adaptation to breeding‐related infection. Using bronchoalveolar lavage in a study on mice, we found the number of leukocytes to be significantly higher in male mice that were provided new portions of soiled bedding daily from female cages, in comparison with male mice that were kept in isolation from female scent. The number of leukocytes in blood was equal in both groups. However, monocytes were fewer in number in male mice exposed to female scent than in male mice isolated from female mice. Scent‐induced migration of leukocytes was accompanied by typical behavioral (increased sniffing activity and aggressiveness) and morphological (increase preputial glands and seminal vesicles) responses to olfactory sexual stimulus.     

Actin polymerization enhances Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxicity

Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin is cytotoxic to bovine leukocytes, causing increased cell membrane permeability, osmotic swelling, release of cytosolic proteins and cell lysis. These studies were designed to test if leukotoxin causes release of the cytoskeletal protein, actin, from bovine leukemia cells and if purified actin-influenced bacterial growth or leukotoxin production. Culture supernatants caused a 7-fold decrease in viability of bovine leukemia cells and increased cell permeability that was accompanied by release of beta-actin into the cell culture supernatant. Exposing P. haemolytica to purified actin solutions induced the conversion of monomeric G-actin to polymerized F-actin. This conversion was partially inhibited by bovine P. haemolytica immune, but not pre-immune, serum. Loss of streptomycin resistance following treatment of the organism with acridine orange ablated the polymerizing activity. Incubation of P. haemolytica in the presence of purified F-actin did not affect growth but resulted in culture supernatant that had 3.0-3.9-fold greater leukotoxicity compared to medium alone or medium containing G-actin, heat-denatured actin or albumin. The effect of actin on leukotoxicity was concentration-dependent and directly associated with increases in secreted leukotoxin. The interaction between P. haemolytica and actin is potentially detrimental to the host by inducing polymerization of actin into insoluble filaments and by enhancing leukotoxicity.     

Isolation, characterization and in vitro mitogenic stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes from an American buffalo.

A rapid and reproducible method is described for the isolation and characterization of leukocytes from the peripheral blood of an American buffalo (bison). Centrifugation of the buffy coat cells on a Percoll gradient (1.079 g/mL) at 650 x g for 20 min resulted in the separation and high yields of pure viable leukocytes. The sheep erythrocyte-rosetting technique (ER) showed that 59% of the cells were ER+ (T lymphocytes). Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated peanut agglutinin and FITC-conjugated concanavalin A revealed 77% and 89% positive cells, respectively. The isolated leukocytes contained adherent accessory cells and functionally active T and B lymphocytes which proliferated in response to both T and B cell mitogens and to exogenous recombinant bovine interleukin-2 in the absence and/or presence of the thiol compound 2-mercaptoethanol.     

鸡胚胎生殖嵴中原始生殖细胞的分离培养研究

在鸡胚孵化的 19期以Ficoll密度梯度离心和酶解离两种方法分离生殖嵴中的原始生殖细胞 (PGCs)。探索在生殖嵴中PGCs分离、培养的适宜方法 ,以获得较多数量 ,较高活力的PGCs作介导生产转基因鸡。在倒置显微镜下进行形态观察 ,台盼兰染色比较存活时间 ,PAS特异染色法识别鉴定PGCs。结果表明两种分离方法均能分离到一定数量的PGCs细胞。与Ficoll密度梯度离心法相比 ,酶解离法分离到的PGCs的相对数量较多 ,存活时间较长 ,是一种较可行的分离方法。在鸡胚孵化的第 19期 ,PGCs大量聚集在肢体后端的生殖嵴原基处 ,此时的生殖嵴大小已达一定程度 ,分离其中的PGCs操作简便 ,有较强的可操作性 ;提取出的PGCs为转基因鸡的生产提供了介导材料     

Functional Activity of Frozen Thawed Chinchilla lanigera Spermatozoa Cryopreserved with Glycerol or Ethylene Glycol

The cryopreservation of spermatozoa constitutes a valuable tool for the captive breeding management of valuable and/or threatened species. Chinchilla lanigera is a species almost extinct in the wild, and the domestic counterpart has one of the most valuable pelts in the world. The objectives of this study were to: (i) compare the functional activity of post‐thawed chinchilla spermatozoa cryopreserved at ?196°C either with glycerol (G) or ethylene glycol (EG) as cryoprotectants (1 m final concentration) and (ii) investigate the effects of incubating the gametes for 4 h in the presence or in the absence of the cryoprotectants; evaluations were performed taking into account motility, viability, response to hypo‐osmotic shock and acrosome integrity of the cells. Parameters reflecting post‐thaw (0 h) sperm functional activity were significantly lower than those of freshly ejaculated gametes. When comparing the cryoprotectant efficiency of G vs EG, neither cryoprotectant agent offered appreciable advantages. After 4 h of incubation, in the presence or absence of the cryoprotectant agent, a rapid and significant decrease was found in all functional parameters and remained at ～ 20–30% motile, viable and viable acrosome intact cells. Viability was significantly lower when the cryoprotectant was removed from the media (possibly due to the centrifugation process). With respect to the maintenance of sperm membrane integrity, only ～ 10% of cells showed membrane resistance to hypo‐osmotic conditions after the 4 h incubation period. These results constitute new insights for cryopreservation protocols and the development of assisted reproductive techniques in this species.     

The influence of different doses of α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid on selected oxidative stress parameters in in vitro culture of leukocytes isolated from transported calves

The objective of the study was to assess in vitro the influence of various doses of two different antioxidants, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid, on protective mechanisms against ROS in white blood cells obtained from calves exposed to transport, and to compare these results with those obtained from non-transported animals.The concentrations of lipid peroxidation products in leukocytes and in the retained medium were assessed by determining the level of ThioBarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS). Total antioxidant status in the leukocytes and the medium were estimated using a ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay. Leukocyte viability was determined using the trypan blue reduction test.The study demonstrated that after bovine leukocytes (WBC) were incubated in vitro with α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid, peroxidation intensity decreased and total antioxidant capacity increased. The results of the study reveal that these antioxidants in concentrations over 0.1 mg/ml have a major impact on free radical activity on bovine white blood cells and on cell viability during transport of animals.Based on this study, we suggest that incubation of the leukocytes with antioxidants decreases the oxidative stress development, which can be helpful in protection of the immunological cells during bovine respiratory disease.