Evaluation of co-cultured spermatogonial stem cells encapsulated in alginate hydrogel with Sertoli cells and their transplantation into azoospermic mice

Zygote ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Mohammad Veisi ◽  
Kamran Mansouri ◽  
Vahideh Assadollahi ◽  
Cyrus Jalili ◽  
Afshin Pirnia ◽  
...  

Summary An in vitro spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) culture can serve as an effective technique to study spermatogenesis and treatment for male infertility. In this research, we compared the effect of a three-dimensional alginate hydrogel with Sertoli cells in a 3D culture and co-cultured Sertoli cells. After harvest of SSCs from neonatal mice testes, the SSCs were divided into two groups: SSCs on a 3D alginate hydrogel with Sertoli cells and a co-culture of SSCs with Sertoli cells for 1 month. The samples were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) tracing, haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) staining after transplantation into an azoospermic testis mouse. The 3D group showed rapid cell proliferation and numerous colonies compared with the co-culture group. Molecular assessment showed significantly increased integrin alpha-6, integrin beta-1, Nanog, Plzf, Thy-1, Oct4 and Bcl2 expression levels in the 3D group and decreased expression levels of P53, Fas, and Bax. BrdU tracing, and H&E and PAS staining results indicated that the hydrogel alginate improved spermatogenesis after transplantation in vivo. This finding suggested that cultivation of SSCs on alginate hydrogel with Sertoli cells in a 3D culture can lead to efficient proliferation and maintenance of SSC stemness and enhance the efficiency of SSC transplantation.

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 1263-1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengxia Ding ◽  
Bo Liu ◽  
Wenjing Zou ◽  
Daiyin Tian ◽  
Qubei Li ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Previous studies have shown that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure may have a protective effect on asthma by reducing airway hyper-responsiveness, airway inflammation and serum IgE levels. However, there are few studies investigating the effect of LPS on mucous secretion in asthma. In this study, we evaluate the relationship between LPS pre-treatment in infant mice and airway mucus hypersecretion in an OVA (ovalbumin)-induced asthma model, and further explore the mechanisms behind this effect. Methods: Mice were pre-treated with LPS by intranasal instillation (i.n.) from the 3rd day of life for 10 consecutive days before the OVA-induced asthma model was established. In order to detect mucus secretion, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was carried out, and the expression of Muc5ac was detected. The IL-13 levels in Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were also detected. In vitro, the expression of Muc5ac mRNA and protein was quantified in IL-13-stimulated 16HBE cells with or without LPS pre-treatment. In addition, proteins in the JAK2/STAT6 pathway, transcription factors (forkhead box transcription factor A2 (FOXA2), activation protein-1(AP-1), NF-κB), and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also measured in vivo and in vitro. Results: LPS pre-treatment reduced mucus secretion, as demonstrated by decreased PAS staining and muc5ac expression. Further exploration of the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon revealed that LPS pre-treatment decreased the production of IL-13, IL-13 induced ROS synthesis was reduced, and the JAK2/STAT6 pathway was inhibited. Decreased stat6 increased transcription factor FOXA2, and the relatively increased FOXA2 further decreased the level of Muc5ac and mucous hypersecretion in OVA-induced asthma. Conclusions: LPS pre-treatment ameliorated mucus hypersecretion in an OVA-induced asthma model by inhibition of IL-13 production and by further inhibiting the JAK2/STAT6 pathway and ROS activity, and up-regulating expression of FOXA2.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1186
Author(s):  
Bárbara Pinto ◽  
Ana C. Henriques ◽  
Patrícia M. A. Silva ◽  
Hassan Bousbaa

Most cancer biologists still rely on conventional two-dimensional (2D) monolayer culture techniques to test in vitro anti-tumor drugs prior to in vivo testing. However, the vast majority of promising preclinical drugs have no or weak efficacy in real patients with tumors, thereby delaying the discovery of successful therapeutics. This is because 2D culture lacks cell–cell contacts and natural tumor microenvironment, important in tumor signaling and drug response, thereby resulting in a reduced malignant phenotype compared to the real tumor. In this sense, three-dimensional (3D) cultures of cancer cells that better recapitulate in vivo cell environments emerged as scientifically accurate and low cost cancer models for preclinical screening and testing of new drug candidates before moving to expensive and time-consuming animal models. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of 3D tumor systems and highlight the strategies for spheroid construction and evaluation tools of targeted therapies, focusing on their applicability in cancer research. Examples of the applicability of 3D culture for the evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of nanomedicines are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 699-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Xu ◽  
Man Luo ◽  
Lulu He ◽  
Yuan Cao ◽  
Wen Li ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Necroptosis, a form of programmed necrosis, is involved in the pathologic process of several kinds of pulmonary diseases. However, the role of necroptosis in particulate matter (PM)–induced pulmonary injury remains unclear. The objective of this study is to investigate the involvement of necroptosis in the pathogenesis of PM-induced toxic effects in pulmonary inflammation and mucus hyperproduction, both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: PM was administered into human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells or mouse airways, and the inflammatory response and mucus production were assessed. The mRNA expressions of IL6, IL8 and MUC5AC in HBE cells and Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Gm-csf in the lung tissues were detected by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The secreted protein levels of IL6 and IL8 in culture supernatants and Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Gm-csf in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We used Western blot to measure the protein expressions of necroptosis-related proteins (RIPK1, RIPK3, and Phospho-MLKL), NF-κB (P65 and PP65), AP-1 (P-c-Jun and P-c-Fos) and MUC5AC. Cell necrosis and mitochondrial ROS were detected using flow cytometry. In addition, pathological changes and scoring of lung tissue samples were monitored using hemoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic acid-schiff (PAS) and immunohistochemistry staining. Results: Our study showed that PM exposure induced RIP and MLKL-dependent necroptosis in HBE cells and in mouse lungs. Managing the necroptosis inhibitor Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) and GSK’872, specific molecule inhibitors of necroptosis, markedly reduced PM-induced inflammatory cytokines, e.g., IL6 and IL8, and MUC5AC in HBE cells. Similarly, administering Nec-1 significantly reduced airway inflammation and mucus hyperproduction in PM-exposed mice. Mechanistically, we found PM–induced necroptosis was mediated by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species-dependent early growth response gene 1, which ultimately promoted inflammation and mucin expression through nuclear factor κB and activator protein-1 pathways, respectively. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that necroptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of PM–induced pulmonary inflammation and mucus hyperproduction, and suggests that it may be a novel target for treatment of airway disorders or disease exacerbations with airborne particulate pollution.


2012 ◽  
Vol 303 (8) ◽  
pp. C862-C871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinita Takiar ◽  
Kavita Mistry ◽  
Monica Carmosino ◽  
Nicole Schaeren-Wiemers ◽  
Michael J. Caplan

The polarized organization of epithelial cells is required for vectorial solute transport and may be altered in renal cystic diseases. Vesicle integral protein of 17 kDa (VIP17/MAL) is involved in apical vesicle transport. VIP17/MAL overexpression in vivo results in renal cystogenesis of unknown etiology. Renal cystogenesis can occur as a consequence of defects of the primary cilium. To explore the role of VIP17/MAL in renal cystogenesis and ciliogenesis, we examined the polarization and ciliary morphology of wild-type and VIP17/MAL overexpressing Madin-Darby canine kidney renal epithelial cells grown in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cyst culture. VIP17/MAL is apically localized when expressed in cells maintained in 2D and 3D culture. VIP17/MAL overexpressing cells produce more multilumen cysts compared with controls. While the distributions of basolateral markers are not affected, VIP17/MAL expression results in aberrant sorting of the apical marker gp135 to the primary cilium. VIP17/MAL overexpression is also associated with shortened or absent cilia. Immunofluorescence analysis performed on kidney sections from VIP17/MAL transgenic mice also demonstrates fewer and shortened cilia within dilated lumens ( P < 0.01). These studies demonstrate that VIP17/MAL overexpression results in abnormal cilium and cyst development, in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that VIP17/MAL overexpressing mice may develop cysts secondary to a ciliary defect.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 741-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Ding ◽  
Tingyan Liu ◽  
Xiao Bi ◽  
Zhiling Zhang

Background/Aims: Growing evidence suggests mitochondrial dysfunction (MtD) and the Nlrp3 inflammasome play critical roles in chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. We previously reported that Aldosterone (Aldo)-induced renal injury in vitro is directly caused by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS)-mediated activation of the Nlrp3 inflammasome. Here we aimed to determine whether a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant (Mito-Tempo) could prevent Aldo-induced kidney damage in vivo. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were treated with Aldo and/or Mito-Tempo (or ethanol as a control) for 4 weeks. Renal injury was evaluated by Periodic Acid-Schiff reagent or Masson’s trichrome staining and electron microscopy. ROS were measured by DCFDA fluorescence and ELISA. MtD was determined by real-time PCR and electron microscopy. Activation of the Nlrp3 inflammasome and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) was detected via western blot. Results: Compared with control mice, Aldo-infused mice showed impaired renal function, increased mtROS production and MtD, Nlrp3 inflammasome activation, and elevated ERS. We showed administration of Mito-Tempo significantly improved renal function and MtD, and reduced Nlrp3 inflammasome activation and ERS in vivo. Conclusion: Mitochondria-targeted antioxidants may attenuate Aldo-infused renal injury by inhibiting MtD, the Nlrp3 inflammasome, and ERS in vivo. Therefore, targeting mtROS might be an effective strategy for preventing CKD.


Reproduction ◽  
2003 ◽  
pp. 855-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Albihn ◽  
RO Waelchli ◽  
J Samper ◽  
JG Oriol ◽  
BA Croy ◽  
...  

A novel xenogeneic transplantation approach was used to determine whether it is embryonic or maternal tissue that produces the material that gives rise to the mucin-like glycoprotein of the equine embryonic capsule. Endometrial biopsy samples and conceptuses from six mares at days 13-15 after ovulation were prepared as 1 mm(3) grafts of endometrium, trophoblast and capsule for transplantation, alone or in combination, into various sites in 88 immunodeficient (severe combined immunodeficient or RAG2/gamma(c) double mutant) mice. The overall recovery rate of grafts was over 50%, reaching 100% with experience and use of the renal subcapsular space exclusively. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining demonstrated capsule-like extracellular glycoprotein secretions at the graft site in 11 of 22 sites examined. Strong PAS-positive reactions (5-7 microm thick) were found in four of six sites containing trophoblast alone, five of six endometrium plus trophoblast sites, and zero of eight grafts of endometrium alone. Two recovered grafts of capsule were also PAS-positive. The secreted glycoprotein was identified as equine embryonic capsule material by using a monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific to equine capsule (mAb OC-1) in two experiments. In the first, in cryosections, this antibody bound to 19 of 19 recovered trophoblast graft secretions (including those in 12 from mice that had not received endometrium at any site), ten of ten recovered endometrium plus trophoblast grafts, and zero of 12 recovered endometrial grafts from mice in which trophoblast had been grafted to the same site or another site in the same mouse. In the second experiment, in paraformaldehyde-fixed sections of grafts from 11 mice, specific staining, identical to that shown by grafted capsule, was obtained with grafts of trophoblast (both alone and in combination with endometrium) but not with grafts of endometrium. These results support the contention that trophoblast is the principal source of equine embryonic capsule. In addition, they demonstrate that xenogeneic grafting is a useful means of culturing endometrium and conceptus tissues outside the mare when in vitro techniques do not suffice.


Bioimpacts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-117
Author(s):  
Elaheh Dalir Abdolahinia ◽  
Behzad Jafari ◽  
Sepideh Parvizpour ◽  
Jaleh Barar ◽  
Samad Nadri ◽  
...  

Introduction: Cell aggregation of three-dimensional (3D) culture systems (the so-called spheroids) are designed as in vitro platform to represent more accurately the in vivo environment for drug discovery by using semi-solid media. The uniform multicellular tumor spheroids can be generated based on the interaction of cells with extracellular matrix (ECM) macromolecules such as collagen and integrin. This study aimed to investigate the possible interactions between the cellulose family and collagen using both in vitro and in silico approaches. Methods: The 3D microtissue of JIMT-1 cells was generated using hanging drop method to study the effects of charge and viscosity of the medium containing cellulose family. To determine the mode of interaction between cellulose derivatives (CDs) and collagen-integrin, docking analysis and molecular simulation were further performed using open source web servers and chemical simulations (GROMACS), respectively. Results: The results confirmed that the addition of CDs into the 3D medium can promote the formation of solid spheroids, where methylcellulose (MC) yielded uniform spheroids compared to carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Moreover, the computational analysis showed that MC interacted with both integrin and collagen, while sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) only interacted with collagen residues. The stated different behaviors in the 3D culture formation and collagen interaction were found in the physicochemical properties of CDs. Conclusion: Based on in vitro and in silico findings, MC is suggested as an important ECM-mimicking entity that can support the semi-solid medium and promote the formation of the uniform spheroid in the 3D culture.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Liu ◽  
Ken Chen ◽  
Huaixiang Wang ◽  
Ye Zhang ◽  
Xudong Duan ◽  
...  

Ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury is the primary cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Gastrin, a gastrointestinal hormone, is involved in the regulation of kidney function of sodium excretion. However, whether gastrin has an effect on kidney I/R injury is unknown. Here we show that cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR), the gastrin receptor, was significantly up-regulated in I/R-injured mouse kidneys. While pre-administration of gastrin ameliorated I/R-induced renal pathological damage, as reflected by the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, hematoxylin and eosin staining and periodic acid-Schiff staining. The protective effect could be ascribed to the reduced apoptosis for gastrin reduced tubular cell apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro studies also showed gastrin preserved the viability of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-treated human kidney 2 (HK-2) cells and reduced the lactate dehydrogenase release, which were blocked by CI-988, a specific CCKBR antagonist. Mechanistically, the PI3K/Akt/Bad pathway participates in the pathological process, because gastrin treatment increased phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt and Bad. While in the presence of wortmannin (1 μM), a PI3K inhibitor, the gastrin-induced phosphorylation of Akt after H/R treatment was blocked. Additionally, wortmannin and Akt inhibitor VIII blocked the protective effect of gastrin on viability of HK-2 cells subjected to H/R treatment. These studies reveals that gastrin attenuates kidney I/R injury via a PI3K/Akt/Bad-mediated anti-apoptosis signaling. Thus, gastrin can be considered as a promising drug candidate to prevent AKI.


Cartilage ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 194760351987086
Author(s):  
Natalia Viana Tamiasso ◽  
Carla Maria Osório Silva ◽  
Amanda Maria Sena Reis ◽  
Natália Melo Ocarino ◽  
Rogéria Serakides

Objective We sought to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of ethanol on phenotype and activity of articular chondrocyte synthesis of neonatal rats in 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) culture. Methods Chondrocytes were cultured in chondrogenic medium with different concentrations of ethanol: 0.0% v/v (control); 0.05% v/v (8.6 mM); 0.25% v/v (42.9 mM), and 0.5% v/v (85.7 mM). Chondrocytes under 2D culture were subjected to MTT assay, while chondrocytes under 3D culture were processed for paraffin inclusion and stained by periodic acid Schiff (PAS) to evaluate mean chondrocyte diameter and percentages of cells, nucleus, cytoplasm, well-differentiated matrix, and PAS+ areas. The expression of gene transcripts for aggrecan, Sox9, and type II collagen was evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results There was no difference between groups by the MTT assay. PAS staining revealed that chondrocytes treated with 0.5% v/v ethanol had higher percentages of cytoplasm and nuclear areas, but with a reduction in PAS+ matrix area. The mean diameter of chondrocytes was similar between groups. The expression of aggrecan in the group treated with 0.5% v/v ethanol was lower in comparison to that in the control. In the groups treated with 0.25% v/v and 0.5% v/v ethanol, the percentage of differentiated cartilage was lower in comparison with that in the control. The group treated with 0.05% v/v ethanol was similar to the control in all parameters. Conclusions Ethanol acted directly on in vitro cultured articular chondrocytes of newborn rats, altering the chondrocyte phenotype and its synthesis activity, and these effects were dose dependent.


2019 ◽  
Vol 101 (5) ◽  
pp. 906-915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Wilsterman ◽  
Xinmiao Bao ◽  
Allegra D Estrada ◽  
Pierre Comizzoli ◽  
George E Bentley

Abstract Successful implantation requires complex signaling between the uterine endometrium and the blastocyst. Prior to the blastocyst reaching the uterus, the endometrium is remodeled by sex steroids and other signals to render the endometrium receptive. In vitro models have facilitated major advances in our understanding of endometrium preparation and endometrial–blastocyst communication in mice and humans, but these systems have not been widely adapted for use in other models which might generate a deeper understanding of these processes. The objective of our study was to use a recently developed, three-dimensional culture system to identify specific roles of female sex steroids in remodeling the organization and function of feline endometrial cells. We treated endometrial cells with physiologically relevant concentrations of estradiol and progesterone, either in isolation or in combination, for 1 week. We then examined size and density of three-dimensional structures, and quantified expression of candidate genes known to vary in response to sex steroid treatments and that have functional relevance to the decidualization process. Combined sex steroid treatments recapitulated organizational patterns seen in vivo; however, sex steroid manipulations did not induce expected changes to expression of decidualization-related genes. Our results demonstrate that sex steroids may not be sufficient for complete decidualization and preparation of the feline endometrium, thereby highlighting key areas of opportunity for further study and suggesting some unique functions of felid uterine tissues.


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