As raízes de Pfaffia paniculata (Ginseng brasileiro) são comercialmente encontradas como cápsulas contendo as raízes pulverizadas, misturadas ou não ao extrato etanólico destas raízes. Estas raízes são popularmente recomendadas para vários propósitos, e têm sido utilizadas na terapia contra o câncer pela medicina popular. Os principais componentes encontrados nestas raízes já isolados incluem o ácido pfáffico e os pfaffosideos A, C, D, E e F; estes componentes inibiram o crescimento de células do melanoma B-16, demonstrado em um outro estudo. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos dos extratos etanólico, butanólico ou aquoso das raízes de Pfaffia paniculata sobre o crescimento das linhagens tumorais de células mamárias humanas MCF-7 e SKBR-3, utilizando método colorimétrico (cristal violeta) e quantificação das células que incorporaram bromodeoxiuridina (BrdU). A coloração por laranja de acridina/brometo de etídeo foi utilizada para avaliar morte celular, e as alterações subcelulares foram avaliadas por microscopia eletrônica. O extrato butanolico apresentou efeitos citotóxicos nas linhagens MCF-7 e SKBR-3. Morte celular foi observada pelo tratamento com o extrato butanólico por 1 h; alterações morfológicas foram observadas com 500µg/mL deste extrato, após 24 h de tratamento. Após o tratamento por 48 h com o extrato butanólico nesta mesma concentração, foi observado degeneração de componentes citoplasmáticos e alterações morfológicas sugestivas de morte celular. O tratamento com 1000µg/mL deste extrato levou a profundas alterações citoplasmáticas e nucleares, incompatíveis com a viabilidade celular. O tratamento com o extrato etanólico não causou efeitos significantes no crescimento das células MCF-7 e SKBR-3; o extrato aquoso, por outro lado, estimulou o crescimento das células MCF-7, após o tratamento por 1 h. Estes resultados indicam efeitos citotóxicos exercidos pelo extrato butanólico das raízes de Pfaffia paniculata em linhagens celulares de tumor de mama humano / The roots of Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng) are commercially available as capsules containing the powdered roots, mixed or not with the ethanolic extract of the roots. These roots have been populary recommended for many purposes, and have also been used on cancer therapy by folk medicine. The main components found in these roots that have already been isolated include pfaffic acid and pfaffosides A, C, D, E and F; these components inhibited the growth of melanoma B-16 cells, as shown in another study. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ethanolic, butanolic or aqueous extract of the roots of Pfaffia paniculata on the growth of human breast tumor cell lines MCF-7 and SKBR-3, using a colorimetric method (crystal violet) and quantification of bromodeoxiuridine (BrdU) positive cells. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining was utilized to evaluate cell death, and subcellular alteration was evaluated by electron microscopy. The butanolic extract presented cytotoxic effects in MCF-7 and SKBR-3 cell lines. Cell death was observed following treatment with the butanolic extract for 1 h; morphologic alterations were observed with 500µg/mL of this extract, after 24 and 48 h of treatment. Following treatment for 48 h with the butanolic extract with this same concentration, degeneration of cytoplasmic components and morphological alterations suggestive of cell death were observed. Treatment with 1000µg/mL of this extract lead to profound cytoplasmic and nuclear alterations, incompatible with cell viability. The treatment with ethanolic extract didn´t lead to significant effects on the growth of MCF-7 and SKBR-3 cells; the aqueous extract, on the other hand, stimulated the growth of MCF-7 cells, following treatment for 1 hour. These results point to cytotoxic effects exerted by the butanolic extract from the roots of Pfaffia paniculata on human breast tumor cell lines

Diversos estudos têm demonstrado que os implantes de titânio são altamente biocompatíveis e passíveis de osseointegrar, contudo os mecanismos moleculares que atuam por trás da osseointegração permanecem largamente inexplorados. Uma das possibilidades é que o implante exposto ao sangue do paciente durante a cirurgia absorve proteínas relacionadas com a adesão celular, como a fibronectina e vitronectina presentes no plasma. Células como osteoblastos podem então aderir a estas proteínas através dos mecanismos mediadas pelas integrinas. No presente estudo, utilizamos a imunofluorescência para marcação dos anticorpos contra integrinas α2, α3, α5, α6, αv e β1 em células OsA-CL cultivadas sobre lamínulas de vidro e superfície de titânio modificada por radiação à laser no período de 1h à 24 horas. As células aderidas na superfície lisa das lamínulas de vidro tiveram um maior espalhamento durante as primeiras 3 horas, porém nos outros períodos estudados o espalhamento ocorreu de maneira similar em ambas as superfícies. A expressão de integrinas na superfície rugosa dos implantes manteve-se uniforme em todos os períodos estudados, contudo no grupo controle a expressão de integrinas diminuiu na avaliação de 24 horas. Concluiu-se que as características de superfície dos diferentes biomateriais podem afetar o comportamento celular durante a interação inicial das células com a superfície de material utilizado como substrato. / Many studies have been demonstrate that titanium implants are highly biocompatible, however the molecular mechanisms that are behind of the osseointegration process are still largely unexplored. One of the possibilities is that the implant exposed to the patient blood during the surgery, adsorb proteins related to the cellular adhesion. Cells like the osteoblasts can adhere to these proteins trough the mechanisms mediated by integrins. In the present study, we used the immunofluorescence for marking antibodies against α2, α3, α5, α6,, αv and β1 integrins on culture of OsA-CL cells on laminulas of glass and modified titanium surface modified by laser radiation in the period of 1h to 24 hs. Cells adhered in the smooth surface of laminulas of glass had a bigger spreading during the first 3 hours, however in the other studied periods the spreading occurred in a similar way in both surfaces. The expression of integrins in the roughness surface of the implants remained uniform in all the studied periods, but on the control group the integrins expression decreased in the 24-hours evaluation. We concluded that the characteristics of surface of the different biomaterials can affect the cellular behavior during the initial interaction of the cells with the surface of the used material as substratum.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a permeação iontoforética da Doxorrubicina (DOX) em formulações semi-sólidas e testar a citotoxicidade destas formulações em cultura de células de melanoma com e sem a aplicação de corrente elétrica de baixa intensidade. O estudo de liberação da DOX das formulações (gel de Hidroxietilcelulose ? HEC, gel de quitosana e solução aquosa) mostrou que o gel de quitosana possuiu uma velocidade de liberação quase três vezes maior do que nas demais formulações. Os estudos de permeação passiva mostraram que o fármaco não atravessa a pele em quantidades detectáveis. No entanto, a iontoforese contribui significativamente não só na permeação da DOX, mas também na sua retenção cutânea. O gel de HEC foi o que levou a uma maior retenção cutânea do fármaco em comparação com as demais formulações. Nos estudos de citotoxicidade realizados em células de melanoma de camundongos, verificou-se que as formulações contendo DOX possuíram citotoxicidade maior comparadas ao controle (solução de DOX). Isso significa que os componentes de cada formulação contribuem no poder de citotoxicidade contra as células de melanoma. A solução de monoleína 5% em propilenoglicol apresentou maior atividade citotóxica dentre todas as formulações estudadas. Seus componentes, monoleína e propilenoglicol contribuem sinergicamente para sua atividade citotóxica, a qual é de aproximadamente 90% quando a concentração de DOX é de 20 ng/mL. Enquanto que em solução de DOX sua citotoxicidade é de aproximadamente 34% na mesma concentração. Foi feita a padronização dos estudos de aplicação de corrente elétrica em cultura de células, quanto a placa de cultura, número de células, volume do meio de cultura e ponte salina (utilizada para a passagem da corrente para o meio de cultura). A aplicação de 0,1 a 0,5 mA/cm2 de corrente elétrica não causou morte significativa para as células de melanoma quando aplicada por um período de 10 a 60 minutos. A citotoxicidade das formulações com e sem aplicação de corrente elétrica por 10 minutos não apresentaram diferença significativa. Porém, a aplicação de 20 minutos de corrente elétrica aumentou significativamente a citotoxicidade da DOX em solução aquosa. Conclui-se, resumidamente, que a aplicação de corrente elétrica de baixa intensidade aumentou a penetração da DOX através da pele e auxiliou a entrada do fármaco nas células tumorais, quando esta é dissolvida em solução aquosa. / The aim of this work was to study the iontophoretic delivery of Doxorubicin (DOX) dispersed in semi-solid formulations and test its citotoxicity activity on melanoma cell lines, with or without the application of a low intensity electrical current. The release study of DOX from the formulations (hydroxyethylcellulose ? HEC, chitosan gel and aqueous solution) showed that chitosan gel increased almost 3 times the diffusion coefficient of the drug when compared to a water solution. Passive permeation studies showed that the drug does not cross the skin in detected amounts. However, iontophoresis of DOX increased significantly not only the permeation but also the skin retention of the drug. HEC gel improved DOX skin retention when compared to other formulations. Cytotoxicity studies, performed in rat melanoma cell culture indicated that formulations containing DOX have high citotoxicity compared to the control (DOX solution). These results means that the components of the formulations probably contribute to melanoma cells death. Monoolein 5% solution in propileneglicol showed high citotoxicity compared to the other formulations. Its components act sinergically and produce a great citotoxicity: approximately 90% when the concentration of DOX is 20 ng/mL, whereas in DOX solution its citotoxicity is approximately 34% on this concentration. Standardization of the electrical current studies has been made as matter as the culture plate, number of cells, volume of culture medium and agar bridge (used to pass electrical current for the culture medium). The application of 0,1 to 0,5 mA/cm2 of electrical current during 10 to 60 minutes did not kill melanoma cell lines significantly. The cytotoxicity of DOX incorporated in water and semi-solid formulations are not statistical different in the presence or not of an electrical current for 10 minutes. However, 20 minutes of an electrical current raised significantly the citotoxicity effects of DOX in aqueous solution. In summary, the application of low intensity electrical current increases the penetration of DOX through the skin and helps the drug to enter into the tumor cells, when dispersed in water solution

The complete requirements for early embryo development in vitro of the ovine and other domestic species remain unknown. Many studies have concentrated on new media, supplementation, and gas atmosphere formulations. A newer approach is to coculture early embryos with different cell types to provide the physico-chemical requirements for their development. In this study, oviduct epithelial (OEC) and dissociated embryo cell (DEC) growth were tested in minimum essential media (MEM) and RPMI. Media were supplemented with fetal calf serum (FCS) and equine derived serum (EDS). Fetal calf serum supported maximum cell confluence in OEC collected on day 3 and day 13 post-estrus. Although at a slower growth rate, DEC developed faster in FCS-supplemented media. Cell growth was slower for EDSsupplemented media in all treatments. As a result, FCS-supplemented media were used to evaluate early embryo growth in various coculture systems. In MEM + OEC, 67% of 1- to 1 0- cell embryos developed to the hatched blastocyst stage (following 8 days of culture). In MEM+DEC, 66% hatched after the same time period. In control treatments (no exogenous cell layers), all embryos degenerated. When early embryo development was compared between St.Croix and Targhee-type breeds in MEM+OEC and RPMI+OEC, no significant differences were observed. The improved results obtained with coculture systems may provide an important method for assessing the viability of embryos following micromanipulation techniques (such as splitting, gene transfer, or following long periods of freezing). The nature of the beneficial action of these coculture systems remains unknown.

A common problem observed in large-scale cell cultivation is reduced culture performance compared with small-scale processes due to the existence of concentration gradients caused by poor mixing. Small-scale simulations using microbial cell suspensions have shown that circulation of cells through concentration gradients of oxygen, pH and glucose can result in reduction of cell growth and product formation similar to the effects observed in large-scale bioreactors. This study was aimed at using scale-down studies to investigate poor mixing in large-scale bioreactors used for suspended plant and animal cell culture. Two plant cell suspensions and a hybridoma cell line were used in this work. The range of oxygen transfer coefficients achieved in the hybridoma and plant suspensions were about 50???20 h-1 and 12???6 h-1, respectively. One-vessel simulation was developed to induce fluctuations of dissolved oxygen tension in a 2-L bioreactor using intermittent sparging of air and nitrogen. The effect of dissolved oxygen fluctuations on the cells was examined by comparing the performance of the cultures with those operated at constant dissolved oxygen tension. In the hybridoma suspension culture, only slight effects on cell growth were observed at circulation times above 300 s. No effect on the specific glucose uptake rate or antibody production was observed at the circulation times tested. Analysis of gene expression for selected hypoxia-related genes also suggested that the overall effect was limited. In plant cell suspensions, the specific growth rates and biomass yields on total sugar in the cultures under fluctuating dissolved oxygen tension were essentially the same as those at constant dissolved oxygen tension for both transgenic Nicotiana tabacum and Thalictrum minus. Under fluctuating dissolved oxygen tension, no effect on antibody accumulation was observed in transgenic N. tabacum suspensions, but a decrease in berberine accumulation was observed in T. minus. From the results, it can be concluded that only minimal effects due to the development of concentration gradients would be expected in large-scale bioreactors used for the cultivation of the hybridoma and plant cell suspensions tested in this work.

Influenza B viruses are a significant cause of disease and influenza B antigens are present in all human vaccines. Achieving suitable yields of seed viruses is often difficult for vaccine manufacturers. With influenza A viruses increases in yields have been achieved by the preparation of reassortants between a high-yielding donor strain and an epidemic strain. However, reassortment of influenza B viruses for the preparation of seeds has not been usually undertaken due to the lack suitable donor strains. Such an approach, which formed the basis of this thesis, could improve vaccine yields, lower costs and introduce a further element of predictability to vaccine manufacture. Potential donor strains were prepared from B/Lee/40 (B/Lee) by two approaches involving the selection of stable cold- and high- temperature mutants. Initial passaging was undertaken in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicken embryo kidney (CEK) cultures and later passage in SPF embryonated chicken eggs. Both approaches were successful, although a smaller number of viable progeny could be isolated from plaques obtained at 38„aC. Potential donor strains, isolated by selection at either 25 or 38„aC and plaque-purified in SPF CEK cultures, were tested for haemagglutinin and infectious titre, in comparison with the original parental strain by three methods, and for differences in antigenicity by cross-haemagglutination-inhibition tests. Potential donor strains selected at temperatures of 25„aC (C25) and 38„aC (H38) produced haemagglutination titres of 320 units/50ƒÝL and infectivities of 8.57 and 8.39 50% egg infectious doses, respectively, when grown in eggs at the permissive temperature (34„aC). Reassorting experiments using the B/Lee-derived potential donor strains C25 and H38 and the epidemic strain, B/Johannesburg/5/99 (B/Johannesburg), showed that the preparation of reassortant progeny with both epidemic strain HA and NA was difficult. Only 1/24 of the resulting reassortants possessed both the HA and NA of the epidemic strain. None of the reassortant progeny produced in reassorting experiments using C25 and H38 and the epidemic strain B/Panama/45/90 (B/Panama) possessed the desired 6:2 gene constellation (i.e. genes for the two surface antigens of the epidemic strain and the remainder from the donor strain). The infectious titre of selected progeny from the reassortment experiments were determined by three methods and compared with their respective epidemic parents. Yields of several influenza B epidemic strains and potential donor strains were measured after growth in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells prepared in serum-containing (SC) and animal- and human-derived protein-free (AHPF) media. Optimal multiplicities of infection were determined for B/Panama, B/Johannesburg and C25 in MDCK cultures grown in SC medium. A series of experiments were then undertaken to determine the maximum virus yields in MDCK cells grown in SC medium, followed by a further experiment using C25, B/Panama, B/Johannesburg, and selected reassortants after preparation in AHPF medium. Cell culture yields from 5/6 viruses grown in MDCK cells prepared in AHPF medium were higher than in cells prepared in SC medium and approached those obtained in eggs.

This project developed methodology for in vitro toxicity assessment of contaminated sites using the Promega?? MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxy-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] assay performed on human cells (HepG2 and Skin fibroblasts). The project included the development of a method for extracting contaminants from soil based on leaching and centrifugation. A number of solvents and surfactants were assessed for their suitability as extracting agents. The Zwitterionic surfactant CHAPS ({3[(3-Cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio] propanesulphonic acid}), which is an irritant in vivo, was found suitable for in vitro toxicity assessment applications. CHAPS was found to be the least toxic surfactant in vitro when tested on skin fibroblasts (NOEC: 1800??577 ppm, IC50: 4000??577 ppm) and HepG2 cells (NOEC: 833??289 ppm, IC50: 5300??287 ppm). The chosen surfactant was used in three different methods for extraction of Toluene and Xylene spiked in 2 g and 10g soil. The combination comprising of 0.1% (s/w) CHAPS and cosolvent 1% (w/w) Isopropanol, at their respective NOEC (No Observed Effective Concentration) toxicity values, showed good recovery of the nonpolar organic compounds in comparison to the recovery by 0.1% CHAPS and 0.5% CHAPS. The study found additive interactions to be the most common form of toxicity for 16 concentration combinations of Formaldehyde (polar), Toluene and Xylene (nonpolar) when compared to predicted toxicity (R2=0.943, P&lt0.0001). When assessing the in vitro toxicity of unknown (blind) contaminated soil samples, the Hazard Index (HI) predicted from the chemical analyses results showed a relatively good correlation (R2&gt0.7062, n=26) when compared to the experimental toxicity results on HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the comparison of Australian Health Investigation Levels (HIL) with in vitro toxicity testing gave similar correlation (R2&gt0.6882, n=26) on HepG2 cells. The overall project suggests the potential application of the zwitterionic surfactant (CHAPS) in sampling contaminants from soils in an in vitro toxicity assessment. This study demonstrates the application of in vitro toxicity assessment using human cells for the prediction of toxic risk as a sentinel to human toxicity from a contaminated site.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

A common problem observed in large-scale cell cultivation is reduced culture performance compared with small-scale processes due to the existence of concentration gradients caused by poor mixing. Small-scale simulations using microbial cell suspensions have shown that circulation of cells through concentration gradients of oxygen, pH and glucose can result in reduction of cell growth and product formation similar to the effects observed in large-scale bioreactors. This study was aimed at using scale-down studies to investigate poor mixing in large-scale bioreactors used for suspended plant and animal cell culture. Two plant cell suspensions and a hybridoma cell line were used in this work. The range of oxygen transfer coefficients achieved in the hybridoma and plant suspensions were about 50???20 h-1 and 12???6 h-1, respectively. One-vessel simulation was developed to induce fluctuations of dissolved oxygen tension in a 2-L bioreactor using intermittent sparging of air and nitrogen. The effect of dissolved oxygen fluctuations on the cells was examined by comparing the performance of the cultures with those operated at constant dissolved oxygen tension. In the hybridoma suspension culture, only slight effects on cell growth were observed at circulation times above 300 s. No effect on the specific glucose uptake rate or antibody production was observed at the circulation times tested. Analysis of gene expression for selected hypoxia-related genes also suggested that the overall effect was limited. In plant cell suspensions, the specific growth rates and biomass yields on total sugar in the cultures under fluctuating dissolved oxygen tension were essentially the same as those at constant dissolved oxygen tension for both transgenic Nicotiana tabacum and Thalictrum minus. Under fluctuating dissolved oxygen tension, no effect on antibody accumulation was observed in transgenic N. tabacum suspensions, but a decrease in berberine accumulation was observed in T. minus. From the results, it can be concluded that only minimal effects due to the development of concentration gradients would be expected in large-scale bioreactors used for the cultivation of the hybridoma and plant cell suspensions tested in this work.

The bio-manufacturing of recombinant proteins from mammalian cell cultures requires robust processes that can maximize protein yield while ensuring the efficacy of these proteins as human therapeutics. Recognizing that the challenge of improving protein yield and quality can be met through various approaches, this paper presents three strategies currently being developed in our group. A method for rapidly selecting subpopulations of cells with high production characteristics is proposed. This method combines the efficiency of green fluorescent protein/fluorescence-activated cell sorting (GFP/FACS)–based screening with homologous recombination to generate and select high-producing subclones. Next, the development of chemically defined, protein-free media for enhancing monoclonal antibody production is described. Analysis of culture media effects on the genome-wide transcriptional program of the cell is presented as a means to optimize the culture media and identify potential targets for genetic manipulation. Finally, we propose a method for increasing the extent of intracellular sialylation by improving the transport of CMP-sialic acid into the trans-Golgi. This is hypothesized to increase the sialic acid availability, and may enhance the degree of sialylation in the glycoprotein product. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)