A new bead-based human platelet antigen antibodies detection assay versus the monoclonal antibody immobilization of platelet antigens assay.

Background: The performance of a newly developed Luminex bead-based platelet (PLT) antibody detection method (PAKLx) was compared with the monoclonal antibody immobilization of PLT antigens (MAIPA) assay and the LifeScreen Deluxe Luminex bead-based HLA Class I antibody detection method (LMX).

Study Design And Methods: Six sera containing anti-human PLT antigen (HPA)-1a (n=2), HPA-1b, HPA-2b, HPA-3a, or HPA-5b were tested in titration. A total of 194 sera, including HPA-1a, -1b, -2a, -2b, -3a, -5a, and -5b antibodies with or without HLA antibodies (n=63); glycoprotein (GP) IV antibodies (n=1); PLT autoantibodies (n=3); HLA antibodies (n=45); and samples with no PLT-reactive antibodies (n=82), were tested in both assays.

Novel immortalized human fetal liver cell line, cBAL111, has the potential to differentiate into functional hepatocytes.

Background: A clonal cell line that combines both stable hepatic function and proliferation capacity is desirable for in vitro applications that depend on hepatic function, such as pharmacological or toxicological assays and bioartificial liver systems. Here we describe the generation and characterization of a clonal human cell line for in vitro hepatocyte applications.

Results: Cell clones derived from human fetal liver cells were immortalized by over-expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase.

Time-related analysis of metabolic liver functions, cellular morphology, and gene expression of hepatocytes cultured in the bioartificial liver of the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam (AMC-BAL).

A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that underlie hepatic differentiation inside a bioartificial liver (BAL) device is obtained when functional, histological, and gene expression analyses can be combined. We therefore developed a novel cell-sampling technique that enabled us to analyze adherent hepatocytes inside a BAL device during a 5-day culture period, without the necessity of terminating the culture. Biochemical data showed that hepatocyte-specific functions were relatively stable, despite an increase in glycolytic activity.

In vitro functionality of human fetal liver cells and clonal derivatives under proliferative conditions.

Mature human hepatocytes are not suitable for large-scale in vitro applications that rely on hepatocyte function, due to their limited availability and insufficient proliferation capacity in vitro. In contrast, human fetal liver cells (HFLC) can be easily expanded in vitro. In this study we evaluated the hepatic function of HFLCs under proliferative conditions, to determine whether HFLCs can replace mature hepatocytes for in vitro applications.

MRP2 (ABCC2) transports taxanes and confers paclitaxel resistance and both processes are stimulated by probenecid.

ATP binding cassette (ABC) multidrug transporters such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) and BCRP (ABCG2) confer resistance against anticancer drugs and can limit their oral availability, thus contributing to failure of chemotherapy. Like P-gp and BCRP, another ABC transporter, MRP2 (ABCC2), is found in apical membranes of pharmacologically important epithelial barriers and in a variety of tumors. MRP2 transports several anticancer drugs and might thus have a similar impact on chemotherapy as P-gp and BCRP.

NEUROD1 acts in vitro as an upstream regulator of NEUROD2 in trophoblast cells.

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors NEUROD1, NEUROD2 and ATH2 are expressed during first trimester human placental development. We determined the transactivation potential of each of these factors in trophoblasts by measuring changes in the endogenous gene activity using absolute quantification by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after transient transfection. In these assays, NEUROD1 was found to transiently transactivate NEUROD2 in trophoblast cells.