Epithelial Monolayer Cultures Research Articles

Equine enteroid-derived monolayers recapitulate key features of parasitic intestinal nematode infection

Stem cell-derived organoid cultures have emerged as attractive experimental models for infection biology research regarding various types of gastro-intestinal pathogens and host species. However, the large size of infectious nematode larvae and the closed structure of 3-dimensional organoids often hinder studies of the natural route of infection. To enable easy administration to the apical surface of the epithelium, organoids from the equine small intestine, i.e. enteroids, were used in the present study to establish epithelial monolayer cultures. These monolayers were functionally tested by stimulation with IL-4 and IL-13, and/or exposure to infectious stage larvae of the equine nematodes Parascaris univalens, cyathostominae and/or Strongylus vulgaris. Effects were recorded using transcriptional analysis combined with histochemistry, immunofluorescence-, live-cell- and scanning electron microscopy. These analyses revealed heterogeneous monolayers containing both immature and differentiated cells including tuft cells and mucus-producing goblet cells. Stimulation with IL-4/IL-13 increased tuft- and goblet cell differentiation as demonstrated by the expression of DCLK1 and MUC2. In these cytokine-primed monolayers, the expression of MUC2 was further promoted by co-culture with P. univalens. Moreover, live-cell imaging revealed morphological alterations of the epithelial cells following exposure to larvae even in the absence of cytokine stimulation. Thus, the present work describes the design, characterization and usability of an experimental model representing the equine nematode-infected small intestinal epithelium. The presence of tuft cells and goblet cells whose mucus production is affected by Th2 cytokines and/or the presence of larvae opens up for mechanistic studies of the physical interactions between nematodes and the equine intestinal mucosa.

High Acetate Concentration Protects Intestinal Barrier and Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Organoid-Derived Epithelial Monolayer Cultures from Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.

Short-chain fatty acids as well as their bacterial producers are of increasing interest in inflammatory bowel diseases. Although less studied compared to butyrate, acetate might also be of interest as it may be less toxic to epithelial cells, stimulate butyrate-producing bacteria by cross-feeding, and have anti-inflammatory and barrier-protective properties. Moreover, one of the causative factors of the probiotic potency of Saccharomyces cerevisae var. boulardii is thought to be its high acetate production. Therefore, the objective was to preclinically assess the effects of high acetate concentrations on inflammation and barrier integrity in organoid-based monolayer cultures from ulcerative colitis patients. Confluent organoid-derived colonic epithelial monolayers (n = 10) were exposed to basolateral inflammatory stimulation or control medium. After 24 h, high acetate or control medium was administered apically for an additional 48 h. Changes in TEER were measured after 48 h. Expression levels of barrier genes and inflammatory markers were determined by qPCR. Pro-inflammatory proteins in the supernatant were quantified using the MSD platform. Increased epithelial resistance was observed with high acetate administration in both inflamed and non-inflamed conditions, together with decreased expression levels of IL8 and TNFα and CLDN1. Upon high acetate administration to inflamed monolayers, upregulation of HIF1α, MUC2, and MKI67, and a decrease of the majority of pro-inflammatory cytokines was observed. In our patient-derived human epithelial cell culture model, a protective effect of high acetate administration on epithelial resistance, barrier gene expression, and inflammatory protein production was observed. These findings open up new possibilities for acetate-mediated management of barrier defects and inflammation in IBD.

Alterations to microbial secretome by estrogen may contribute to sex bias in irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a female predominant functional gastrointestinal disorder, underpinned by microbial dysbiosis and microinflammation. We suggest that changes in trace amine (TA) load and metabolism may link together diet, inflammation and sex in this context. The effect of E2 treatment on microbial growth and TA generation was assessed using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry methodology. To investigate the effects of TAs on the gut, WST-1, prostaglandin E2 and tight junction protein dynamics were investigated in TA treated (HT-29) colon epithelial monolayer cultures. Differential E2-dependent alterations of the TA production capabilities of microbes were observed. Significantly, E2 treatment resulted in a 50% increase in tryptamine secretion from a probiotic microbe (p < 0.0001). Moreover, in vitro experiments indicated that TA treatment exerted type-specific effects in the gut, e.g., reducing mitochondrial functionality, even at low doses of tryptamine (p < 0.0001) and ρ-tyramine (p < 0.001). Additionally, prostaglandin E2 levels were significantly increased following ρ-tyramine and agmatine treatment (p < 0.05). In terms of functionality, all investigated TAs resulted in occludin redistribution and loss of zona occludens-1 and occludin co-localization. Increases in the gastrointestinal TA load may contribute to a relatively pro-inflammatory outcome in the intestine, along with tight junction protein disruption. Additionally, fluctuating levels of endogenous E2 may modulate microbially-derived TA levels, potentially explaining exaggerating gastrointestinal symptomology in females during low E2 phases. Thus, current data warrants subsequent investigations in appropriate in vivo models to fully elucidate the role of the trace aminergic system in the sex bias observed in IBS.

P082 Assessment of anti-inflammatory effect of high acetate administration in UC patient-derived epithelial monolayer cultures

Abstract Background Human organoid-based intestinal monolayer cultures provide an interesting tool to preclinically assess new therapeutic properties in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recently, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) such as acetate and butyrate have gained interest for their potential beneficial effects in IBD therapy. Most studies have focused on butyrate, given its beneficial effects on gut microbiome composition, intestinal barrier function and the immune system1. Effects of acetate are less well known, despite its lower toxicity to epithelial cells and its potential to support growth of butyrate-producing bacteria by metabolic cross-feeding2. In fact, a recent report suggested that the probiotic potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii might be related to its high acetic acid production3. We here studied the effect of acetate on organoid-derived epithelial monolayer cultures from ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Methods Colonic biopsies were obtained from non-inflamed regions in 3 patients with UC. Crypts were isolated, cultured and expanded as 3D-organoids. These organoids were then dissociated and transferred to transwell inserts as monolayer cultures. Upon confluency of the monolayer, evaluated by Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), cells were basolaterally stimulated with control medium (CTRL) or an inflammatory mix (INFL) containing 100 ng/ml TNF-α, 20 ng/ml IL-1β and 1 µg/ml Flagellin (Fig. 1). After 24h, cells were apically stimulated with control medium or high acetate (HA) (100mM). TEER was measured at 0, 24 and 48h stimulation. After 48h, cells were subjected to RNA extraction followed by reverse transcriptase qPCR targeting a selection of key diagnostic marker genes. The apical and basolateral media were collected for cytokine determination by Mesoscale (Proinflammatory panel 1). Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 9 (D’Agostino &amp; Pearson test for normality followed by a Friedman test). Results A protective effect (Fig. 2) of high acetate administration on TEER values (HA vs INFL: p=0˒017) was observed, together with a trend towards decrease in IL8 (p=0˒11), TNFA (INFL vs INFL+HA: p=0˒68) and CLDN2 (CTRL vs HA: p=0˒03). Moreover, this was confirmed by a decrease of most proinflammatory cytokines (Fig. 3) in the apical and basolateral media upon HA stimulation e.g., IFN-γ (INFL vs INFL+HA: p=0˒25) and IL 10 (CTRL vs HA: p=0˒11). Conclusion In this patient-derived human epithelial cell culture model, a protective effect of high acetate administration on TEER-values, gene expression and cytokine production was observed. Ongoing experiments are expanding the number of patients to 10. References

Regulation of Enteroendocrine Cell Networks by the Major Human Gut Symbiont Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron.

Gut microbes have critical roles in maintaining host physiology, but their effects on epithelial chemosensory enteroendocrine cells (EEC) remain unclear. We investigated the role that the ubiquitous commensal gut bacterium Bacteriodes thetaiotaomicron (Bt) and its major fermentation products, acetate, propionate, and succinate (APS) have in shaping EEC networks in the murine gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The distribution and numbers of EEC populations were assessed in tissues along the GIT by fluorescent immunohistochemistry in specific pathogen free (SPF), germfree (GF) mice, GF mice conventionalized by Bt or Lactobacillus reuteri (Lr), and GF mice administered APS. In parallel, we also assessed the suitability of using intestinal crypt-derived epithelial monolayer cultures for these studies. GF mice up-regulated their EEC network, in terms of a general EEC marker chromogranin A (ChrA) expression, numbers of serotonin-producing enterochromaffin cells, and both hormone-producing K- and L-cells, with a corresponding increase in serum glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels. Bt conventionalization restored EEC numbers to levels in SPF mice with regional specificity; the effects on ChrA and L-cells were mainly in the small intestine, the effects on K-cells and EC cells were most apparent in the colon. By contrast, Lr did not restore EEC networks in conventionalized GF mice. Analysis of secretory epithelial cell monolayer cultures from whole small intestine showed that intestinal monolayers are variable and with the possible exclusion of GIP expressing cells, did not accurately reflect the EEC cell makeup seen in vivo. Regarding the mechanism of action of Bt on EECs, colonization of GF mice with Bt led to the production and accumulation of acetate, propionate and succinate (APS) in the caecum and colon, which when administered at physiological concentrations to GF mice via their drinking water for 10 days mimicked to a large extent the effects of Bt in GF mice. After withdrawal of APS, the changes in some EEC were maintained and, in some cases, were greater than during APS treatment. This data provides evidence of microbiota influences on regulating EEC networks in different regions of the GIT, with a single microbe, Bt, recapitulating its role in a process that may be dependent upon its fermentation products.

Human Nasal Epithelial Organoids for Therapeutic Development in Cystic Fibrosis.

We describe a human nasal epithelial (HNE) organoid model derived directly from patient samples that is well-differentiated and recapitulates the airway epithelium, including the expression of cilia, mucins, tight junctions, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and ionocytes. This model requires few cells compared to airway epithelial monolayer cultures, with multiple outcome measurements depending on the application. A novel feature of the model is the predictive capacity of lumen formation, a marker of baseline CFTR function that correlates with short-circuit current activation of CFTR in monolayers and discriminates the cystic fibrosis (CF) phenotype from non-CF. Our HNE organoid model is amenable to automated measurements of forskolin-induced swelling (FIS), which distinguishes levels of CFTR activity. While the apical side is not easily accessible, RNA- and DNA-based therapies intended for systemic administration could be evaluated in vitro, or it could be used as an ex vivo biomarker of successful repair of a mutant gene. In conclusion, this highly differentiated airway epithelial model could serve as a surrogate biomarker to assess correction of the mutant gene in CF or other diseases, recapitulating the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of the population.

Synthesis, Structure⁻Activity Relationships and In Vitro Toxicity Profile of Lactose-Based Fatty Acid Monoesters as Possible Drug Permeability Enhancers.

Permeability enhancers are receiving increased attention arising from their ability to increase transepithelial permeability and thus, bioavailability of orally or pulmonary administered biopharmaceutics. Here we present the synthesis and the in vitro assaying of a series of lactose-based non-ionic surfactants, highlighting the relationship between their structure and biological effect. Using tensiometric measurements the critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) of the surfactants were determined and demonstrate that increasing hydrophobic chain length reduces surfactant CMC. In vitro testing on Caco-2 intestinal and Calu-3 airway epithelia revealed that cytotoxicity, assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays, is presented for most of the surfactants at concentrations greater than their CMCs. Further biological study demonstrates that application of cytotoxic concentrations of the surfactants is associated with depolarizing mitochondrial membrane potential, increasing nuclear membrane permeability and activation of effector caspases. It is, therefore, proposed that when applied at cytotoxic levels, the surfactants are inducing apoptosis in both cell lines tested. Importantly, through the culture of epithelial monolayers on Transwell® supports, the surfactants demonstrate the ability to reversibly modulate transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), and thus open tight junctions, at non-toxic concentrations, emphasizing their potential application as safe permeability enhancers in vivo.

Mouse- and Human-derived Primary Gastric Epithelial Monolayer Culture for the Study of Regeneration

Mouse- and Human-derived Primary Gastric Epithelial Monolayer Culture for the Study of Regeneration

Mouse- and Human-derived Primary Gastric Epithelial Monolayer Culture for the Study of Regeneration.

In vitro studies of gastric wound repair typically involves the use of gastric cancer cell lines in a scratch-wound assay of cellular proliferation and migration. One critical limitation of such assays, however, is their homogenous assortment of cellular types. Repair is a complex process which demands the interaction of several cell types. Therefore, to study a culture devoid of cellular subtypes, is a concern that must be overcome if we are to understand the repair process. The gastric organoid model may alleviate this issue whereby the heterogeneous collection of cell types closely reflects that of the gastric epithelium or other native tissues in vivo. Demonstrated here is a novel, in vitro scratch-wound assay derived from human or mouse 3-dimensional organoids which can then be transferred to a gastric epithelial monolayer as either intact organoids or as a single cell suspension of dissociated organoids. The goal of the protocol is to establish organoid-derived gastric epithelial monolayers that can be used in a novel scratch-wound assay system to study gastric regeneration.

Epithelial monolayer culture system for real-time single-cell analyses.

Many epithelial cells form polarized monolayers under in vivo and in vitro conditions. Typically, epithelial cells are cultured for differentiation on insert systems where cells are plated on a porous filter membrane. Although the cultured monolayers have been a standard system to study epithelial physiology, there are some limits: The epithelial cells growing inside the commercial inserts are not optimal to visualize directly through lenses on inverted microscopes. The cell images are optically distorted and background fluorescence is bright due to the filter membrane positioned between the cells and the lens. In addition, the cells are not easily accessible by electrodes due to the presence of tall side walls. Here, we present the design, fabrication, and practical applications of an improved system for analysis of polarized epithelial monolayers. This new system allows (1) direct imaging of cells without an interfering filter membrane, (2) electrophysiological measurements, and (3) detection of apical secretion with minimal dilution. Therefore, our culture method is optimized to study differentiated epithelial cells at the single‐cell and subcellular levels, and can be extended to other cell types with minor modifications.

In vitro and in vivo interaction of moxidectin with BCRP/ABCG2

The study characterizes the interaction between BCRP/ABCG2 and moxidectin by means of cellular transport, and pharmacokinetic studies in Bcrp1 (−/−) and wild-type mice. Milbemycin moxidectin ([ 3H]-moxidectin) was tested for its ability to be transported across MCDK-II epithelial monolayer cultures transfected with BCRP. In a second approach, accumulation assays by BCRP-expressing Xenopus laevis oocytes were carried out. Finally, pharmacokinetic studies were performed in order to establish the role of the transporter in milk secretion and tissue distribution. The efflux was negligible in polarized cells but moxidectin was efficiently transported in BCRP-expressing X. laevis oocytes. The transport was blocked by an acridone derivative, a novel BCRP inhibitor. Moxidectin secretion into breast milk was decreased in Bcrp1-knockout mice and the milk to plasma ratio was 2-fold higher in wild-type mice after i.v. administration. Drug accumulation in intestinal content, bile, and intestine was higher in wild-type mice but the plasma concentration was not different. Moxidectin is identified as a BCRP substrate since its Bcrp1-mediated secretion into breast milk and the involvement of Bcrp1 in intestinal and bile secretion has been demonstrated. This interaction has pharmacokinetic and toxicological consequences. The most important toxicological consequences of the interaction between BCRP and moxidectin may be related with the presence of drug residues in milk.

Lymphostatin – ein Multitalent

Gastrointestinal infections are a significant cause of diarrhea and a worldwide problem with annually one billion illnesses and 3 to 4 million deaths. Gram negative bacteria like Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) in developing countries and Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) in the developed world are responsible for the majority of acute diarrheal episodes, especially among children less than three years of age. Pathogenic E. coli are supplied with an arsenal of effector proteins to modify and neutralize specific cellular functions of the host organism.Based on personal and extensively published results we provide a selected overview of Gram negative virulence functions with a focus on lymphostatin.Lymphostatin is an effector protein encoded by lifA/efa-1 (lymphocyte inhibitory factor A/ EHEC factor for adherence). lifA/efa-1 and homologous genes have been identified in EPEC, EHEC, and mouse pathogen Citrobacter rodentium, as well as various Chlamydia strains. Multiple groups have shown that in various EHEC strains lifA/efa-1 is part of a larger pathogenicity island responsible for increased virulence. Statistically, DNA Microarray analysis associated lifA/efa-1 as the single most imortant gene with diarrhea caused by EPEC. Interestingly, lifA/efa-1 encodes for two critical enzymatic activities that have been identified in other pathogenic bacteria: glucosyltransferase- in Clostridium- and protease activity in Yersinia strains. In vitro studies identified lymphostatin as an effector protein with an immunosuppressive effect on peripheral blood and gastrointestinal mucosa T lymphocytes. Further, lymphostatin regulates the barrier function of epithelial monolayer cultures: activation of small GTPase RhoA and inhibition of Cdc42 lead to disassembly of adherens junctions and tight junctions, respectively. Besides an effect on immune and epithelial barrier function, lymphostatin also functions as an adhesion factor for EPEC and EHEC, is essential for colonization of mouse and calf intestine, and regulates bacterial effector proteins.Lymphostatin is a common toxin in Gram negative bacteria with multiple functions: cell adhesion, immunosuppression, disruption of epithelial barrier function, and intestinal colonization.

Expression, Localisation and Activity of ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) Family of Drug Transporters in Human Amnion Membranes

Placental ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters limit fetal exposure to xenobiotics by regulating transplacental passage into the fetal circulation; their expression and function in fetal membranes, however, has not been studied. In the present study the expression, localisation and function of ABC transporters in human amnion was examined to explore their potential role in modulating amniotic fluid drug disposition in pregnancy. Single-assay oligo-microarrays were used to profile amnion gene expression, and drug transporters expressed at significant levels were identified and selected for further studies. The expression of ABCG2/breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRP) 1 (ABCC1), 2 (ABCC2) and 5 (ABCC5) was detected on the arrays, and verified by RT-PCR and immunoblotting. On confocal microscopy of fetal membrane cryosections, MRP1 and MRP5 were immunolocalised to both apical and basolateral surfaces of the amniotic epithelium, while MRP2 was expressed at low levels only in the apical membrane. BCRP in contrast showed cytoplasmic staining throughout the amniotic epithelium. In addition to the amnion, MRP1 and BCRP immunostaining was observed in the chorion and the decidua. Cell accumulation studies using selective MRP and BCRP inhibitors showed the transporters to be functionally active in amnion epithelial monolayer cultures. In contrast, transwell transport studies using intact amnion membranes did not show significant vectorial transport. These findings identify the amnion as a novel site of ABC drug transporter expression. Functional studies indicate that they may act primarily to prevent cellular xenobiotic accumulation, rather than to confer fetal protection through reduced accumulation in amniotic fluid.

Epithelial cell cultures from Botryllus schlosseri palleal buds: accomplishments and challenges

This study focuses on recent improvement in epithelial monolayer cultures originating from whole extirpated Botryllus schlosseri (Urochordata) buds. Buds (n = 2,000) were taken at different ('A' to 'D') blastogenic stages. We tested the suitability of 35 combinations of various substrates and media on attachment, cell spread, epithelial growth frequencies and on monolayer lifespans. Under favorable conditions, cultured buds at blastogenic stages 'B' to 'D' (but not stage 'A') started to attach to the substrates following a 3-day transient period that leads to formation of spheres and attached monolayers. Substrate type is important for the attachment and the development of monolayers. Under various culture conditions, some of stages 'B' and 'C' buds develop (3-20 days) one or more large (1 mm diameter) spheres. Stage 'D' buds develop monolayers (up to 20% of buds) without going through a sphere phase. Neither spheres nor attached monolayers of epithelium were observed in stage 'A' bud cultures. Spheres grew at a rate of 60 microm in diameter per day using specific medium types and did not attach unless the appropriate substrate was present. When attached, epithelial monolayers expanded at a rate of 200 microm in diameter per day, for 3-15 days, and subsequently detached and died. Sixteen types of media were tested. Medium and substrate combinations were found to determine epithelial lifespan. These results revealed significant improvements in the culture of epithelial monolayers from Botryllus palleal buds. However, an early senescence of the developed epithelial sheets (up to two weeks from onset of appearance) may indicate an internal ageing clock that should be taken into consideration in future approaches.

Demonstration of Intermediate Cells during Human Prostate Epithelial Differentiation In Situ and In Vitro Using Triple-Staining Confocal Scanning Microscopy

In human prostate epithelium, morphologically basal and luminal cells can be discriminated. The basal cell layer that putatively contains progenitor cells of the secretory epithelium is characterized by the expression of keratins (K) 5 and 14. Luminal cells represent the secretory compartment of the epithelium and express K8 and 18. We developed a technique for the simultaneous analysis of K5, 14, and 18 to identify intermediate cell stages in the prostate epithelium and to study the dynamic aspects of its differentiation in vitro. Nonmalignant prostate tissue and primary epithelial cultures were immunohistochemically characterized using triple staining with antibodies for K5, K14, and K18. Antibodies for K18 and K5 were conjugated directly with fluorochromes Alexa 488 and 546. K14 was visualized indirectly with streptavidin-Cy5. Keratin expression was analyzed by confocal scanning microscopy. The occurrence of exocrine and neuroendocrine differentiation in culture was determined via antibodies to prostate-specific antigen (PSA), chromogranin A, and serotonin. We found that basal cells expressed either K5++/14++/18+ or K5++/18+. The majority of luminal cells expressed K18++, but colocalization of K5+/18++ were recognized. Epithelial monolayer cultures predominantly revealed the basal cell phenotype K5++/14++/18+, whereas intermediate subpopulations expressing K5+/14+/18++ and K5+/18++ were also identified. On confluence, differentiation was induced as multicellular gland-like buds, and extensions became evident on top of the monolayer. These structures were composed of K18++- and K5+/18+-positive cell clusters surrounded by phenotypically basal cells. Few multicellular structures and cells in the monolayer showed exocrine differentiation (PSA+), but expression of chromogranin A and serotonin was absent. We conclude that simultaneous evaluation of keratin expression is useful for analyzing epithelial differentiation in the prostate. During this process, putative stem cells phenotypically resembling K5++/14++/18+ differentiate toward luminal cells (K18++) via intermediate cell stages, as identified by up-regulation of K18 and down-regulation of K5 and 14.

Cell lines of pulmonary and non‐pulmonary origin as tools to study the effects of house dust mite proteinases on the regulation of epithelial permeability

Allergenic and non-allergenic proteinases from house dust mites (HDM) cause loss of adhesion between airway epithelial cells that may result in a loss of functional cohesion between the cells and thus assist in allergen presentation. Improved cellular assay systems are needed to ascertain the mechanisms involved. To survey a series of epithelial cell lines (Calu-3, 16HBE14o-, NCI-H292 and A549 from human airways, and MDCK from dog kidney) and establish their utility for studies of the effects of HDM proteinases from D. pteronyssinus on epithelial permeability. To develop an improved method for measuring changes in epithelial permeability induced by HDM proteinases and other provocants. The permeability of epithelial monolayer cultures to mannitol was calculated from measurements of clearance using a technique that permits mathematical estimation and reduction of non-cellular diffusional constraints. Permeability was studied under control conditions and after perturbation of monolayers with HDM proteinases (separated into serine- and cysteine-proteinase classes) or chelation of extracellular Ca2+. Fluorescent antibody staining was used to investigate whether the cells expressed tight junctions (staining of ZO-1), desmosomes (staining of desmoplakin) and zonulae adherentes (staining of E-cadherin). The Calu-3 line was identified as an airway cell line that expressed functional tight junctions, desmosomes and zonulae adherentes. Calu-3 monolayers exhibited a low clearance and permeability to mannitol, similar to that seen in the extensively characterized MDCK cell line. Clearance and permeability were significantly increased by treatment with either HDM proteinase fraction or by calcium chelation. 16HBE14o- cells also had a low permeability to mannitol under control conditions and expressed a similar repertoire of functional proteins from major intercellular junctions. In contrast, NCI-H292 and A549 cell lines were functionally deficient in tight junctions, although they did express desmosomes and zonulae adherentes to a greater extent. Epithelial permeability was found to be a more appropriate and sensitive index of epithelial perturbation than was tracer clearance. These results suggest that the Calu-3 and 16HBE14o- cell lines are useful tools in studying the mechanism of HDM proteinases on airway epithelial cell function. HDM proteinases of both cysteine and serine mechanistic classes were found to perturb epithelial adhesion and function.

Selective release of apical membrane enzymes from cultured renal epithelia by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C.

Membrane proteins can be attached to the plasma membrane in several ways. Recently, a mechanism has been described, by which a number of cell surface proteins are anchored to the exoplasmic side of the plasma membrane by covalent linkage to glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI). The growth properties of renal epithelial cells in tissue culture enable free access to apical cell surface and brush border membrane proteins. To study the nature of membrane anchoring of apical plasma membrane enzymes in cultured renal epithelial cells, confluent LLC-PK1, OK, NRK, and MDCK epithelia were treated in tissue culture dishes with bacterial phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), and the PI-PLC-specific release into the tissue culture medium of the apical membrane enzymes alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, leucine aminopeptidase, trehalase, and maltase was determined. Of the five enzymes tested, AP and trehalase, already described as GPI-anchored membrane proteins, were specifically released by PI-PLC from intact cell monolayers. Of the four cell lines investigated, LLC-PK1 cells express AP and trehalase which were released by PI-PLC. In OK cells, which lack AP activity, only trehalase was found to have PI-PLC-releaseable enzyme activity. MDCK cells, on the other hand, express AP activity, releaseable by PI-PLC, but no trehalase activity. In studies on the time course of synthesis and reinsertion of AP into the apical membrane of LLC-PK1 cells after removal by PI-PLC, a 60% recovery of AP activity was obtained only after 7 days. Analysis of protein release by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of culture supernatants after surface labeling with biotin and subsequent Western blotting with streptavidin revealed four protein bands at approximately 130, 90, 30, and 20 kD in LLC-PK1 cells and five GPI-anchored proteins at 110, 85, 65, 40, and 26 kD in OK cultures. The finding of a PI-PLC-specific release of apical membrane enzymes from renal tubular cell lines of different species (pig, opossum, rat, and dog) and of different nephron origin indicates a high conservation of the GPI anchor of renal brush border membrane proteins and further proves the high degree of differentiation retained by the cell lines in tissue culture. In addition, this method may provide a possible tool for isolating GPI-anchored apical membrane proteins from intact epithelial monolayer cultures.

Isolation of Colonic Crypts That Maintain Structural and Metabolic Viability In Vitro

The aim of this study was to develop a method by which colonic epithelial cells can be isolated from resected mucosa or colonoscopic biopsy specimens and viability maintained in the short term. The principles of the technique are to digest the lamina propria from the epithelium with Dispase and collagenase, to disrupt the epithelium by trituration, and to purify the epithelial cells by seiving and differential sedimentation. Whole and partial crypts were isolated with consistently high purity of 93.5% +/- 1.2% (excluding red cells). Structural integrity was confirmed by light and electron microscopy, exclusion of trypan blue, minimal leakage of lactic dehydrogenase over 5 h (4.1% +/- 1.7%), and 51Cr leakage of less than 2% per hour over 16 h. Functional integrity was supported by continued deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis [( 3H]thymidine uptake) over 16 h and the formation of epithelial monolayer cultures on plastic. Thus, this simple method yields a highly enriched cell population that maintains high viability in vitro for at least 16 h. Such cells may be useful for the study of the biology of colonic epithelial cells.

Rat kidney epithelial cell culture for metal toxicity studies.

Evaluation of the potential adverse human health effects of low-level chronic exposure to heavy metals is dependent on the basic knowledge of the cellular and molecular toxicology of these metals. The use of various cell culture systems has greatly facilitated our knowledge of the cellular effects. Inasmuch as most of the acute and chronic toxic effects of metals occur primarily on the renal proximal tubules, the development of a rat kidney epithelial cell culture has provided a unique system to study the uptake and mechanism of toxicity of metals and their intracellular binding ligands. In the presence of D-valine, fibroblast growth was retarded and a primary epithelial monolayer culture was selectively grown from rat kidney cells. A distinct difference in the uptake of chemically similar divalent metals, such as Pb2+, Hg2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+, was observed in these cells. Both Pb2+ and Hg2+ were more avidly taken up by kidney cells than Cd2+ and Zn2+ salts and they also showed increased toxicity. On the other hand, the cellular uptake of Cd from cadmium-metallothionein (CdMT) was much less than from CdCl2, but CdMT was about seven times more toxic than CdCl2 when added to the renal cell culture. The cytotoxicity of CdCl2 was decreased significantly with pretreatment of the cells with CdCl2, although this had no effect on the toxicity of CdMT. The cellular toxicity of CdMT occurred probably during the process of its transport across the plasma membrane whereas that of CdCl2 occurred after it had entered the cell. Thus rat kidney epithelial cells may be a useful tool to study the mechanism of renal toxicity of environmental chemicals and drugs.

Demonstration of an intrathymic defect in a case of severe combined immunodeficiency disease.

An in vitro system has been developed to elucidate the nature of the cellular defect in primary immunodeficiency diseases. Incubation, on human thymic epithelial monolayer cultures, of peripheral blood lymphocytes and bone-marrow cells from a child with documented severe combined immunodeficiency disease resulted in the appearance of a population of cells that formed rosettes with sheep erythrocytes. The same cell preparation permitted the synthesis of antigen-specific, complement-dependent antibodies after in vitro education, as demonstrated in a plaque assay system. In addition, thymic tissue from the same child gave morphologic and functional evidence of maturation when cultured in vitro. The experimental results suggest that in this case, lymphoid precursor cells were present in the bone marrow but failed to differentiate to functional maturity due to a defect in maturation of thymic tissue.