Modified Boyden Chamber (modified + boyden_chamber)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Zinc, copper and manganese enhanced keratinocyte migration through a functional modulation of keratinocyte integrins

EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2000
I. Tenaud
Abstract: The migration of keratinocytes plays an important role in the re-epithelialization of cutaneous wounds. Zinc, copper and manganese are used in vivo for their healing properties and their mechanism of action is still only partially known. Thus, they have been shown both to promote keratinocyte proliferation and to modulate integrins expression. The aim of this study was to determine if trace elements induce an increase of the migration of keratinocytes and if this effect is related to the modulation of integrins. Two independent migration assays were used to study keratinocyte migration: the scratch assay using normal human keratinocytes and the modified Boyden chamber using HaCaT cells. Inhibition studies using function-blocking antibodies directed to ,3, ,6, ,V and ,1 subunits were performed to investigate the modulator effect of trace elements on integrin function. In this way, zinc and copper gluconates increased ,3, ,V and ,1 function whereas manganese gluconate seems mainly able to modulate the function of ,3 and ,1. The stimulating effect of these trace elements on keratinocyte migration does not appear related to ,6 subunit. Thus, zinc, copper and manganese enhanced keratinocyte migration and one of the mechanisms was going through a modulation of integrin functions. [source]


The effect of skeletal maturity on the regenerative function of intrinsic ACL cells

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 5 2010
Ashley N. Mastrangelo
Abstract Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are an important clinical problem, particularly for adolescent patients. The effect of skeletal maturity on the potential for ACL healing is as yet unknown. In this study, we hypothesized that fibroblastic cells from the ACLs of skeletally immature animals would proliferate and migrate more quickly than cells from adolescent and adult animals. ACL tissue from skeletally immature, adolescent, and adult pigs and sheep were obtained and cells obtained using explant culture. Cell proliferation within a collagen,platelet scaffold was measured at days 2, 7, and 14 of culture using AM MTT assay. Cellular migration was measured at 4 and 24 h using a modified Boyden chamber assay, and cell outgrowth from the explants also measured at 1 week. ACL cells from skeletally immature animals had higher proliferation between 7 and 14 days (p,<,0.01 for all comparisons) and higher migration potential at all time points in both species (p,<,0.01 for all comparisons). ACL cells from skeletally immature animals have greater cellular proliferation and migration potential than cells from adolescent or adult animals. These experiments suggest that skeletal maturity may influence the biologic repair capacity of intrinsic ACL cells. © 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:644,651, 2010 [source]


Identification and Characterisation of a Platelet GPIb/V/IX-like Complex on Human Breast Cancers: Implications for the Metastatic Process

CANCER SCIENCE, Issue 10 2001
Catherine M. Suter
The glycoprotein (GP) Ib/V/IX receptor complex is an important adhesion molecule, originally thought to be unique to the megakaryocytic lineage. Recent evidence now indicates that GPIb/V/IX may be more widely expressed. In this study we report the presence of all subunits of the complex on four breast cancer cell lines, and 51/80 primary breast tumours. The surface expression of GPIb/V/IX was confirmed by flow cytometry, and by immunoprecipitation of biotin surface-labelled tumour cells. Western blotting of cell lysates under reducing conditions revealed that tumour cell-GPIba had a relative molecular weight of 95 kDa as compared to 135 kDa on platelets. Despite the discrepant protein size, molecular analyses on the tumour cell-GPIba subunit using RT-PCR and DNA sequencing revealed 100% sequence homology to platelet GPIba. Tumour cell-GPIb/V/IX was capable of binding human von Willebrand factor (vWf), and this binding caused aggregation of tumour cells in suspension. Tumour cells bound to immobilised vWf in the presence of EDTA and demonstrated prominent filapodial extensions indicative of cytoskeletal reorganisation. Furthermore, in a modified Boyden chamber assay, prior exposure to vWf or a GPIba monoclonal antibody, AK2, enhanced cell migration. The presence of a functional GPIb/V/IX-like complex in tumour cells suggests that this complex may participate in the process of haematogenous breast cancer metastasis [source]


3- O -Methylfunicone, a metabolite produced by Penicillium pinophilum, modulates ERK1/2 activity, affecting cell motility of human mesothelioma cells

CELL PROLIFERATION, Issue 2 2010
E. Buommino
Objectives:, 3- O -methylfunicone (OMF), a secondary metabolite produced by Penicillium pinophilum, affects cell proliferation and motility in a variety of human solid tumours. The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether OMF has the ability to arrest cell division and motility, in a human mesothelioma cell line. Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that does not respond to standard therapies the cells of which are considered to be highly resistant to apoptosis. Material and methods:, Cell motility and invasion were measured using a modified Boyden chamber. Gene expression was examined by RT-PCR, while ERK1/2 was investigated by Western blot analysis. All experiments were also performed on primary cultures of mesothelial cells. Results:, The present study shows that OMF inhibited motility of the NCI mesothelioma cell line by modulating ERK signalling activity, and affected ,V,5 integrin and MMP-2 expression, inducing marked downregulation at both mRNA and protein levels. Substantial downregulation of VEGF gene expression was also demonstrated. These effects were not observed in normal mesothelial cell cultures. Conclusion:, OMF may have potential as a naturally derived anti-tumour drug for treatment of mesothelioma. [source]