Canine corneal epithelial cells possess a sustained proliferative capacity and generate a spontaneously derived cell line.

We have previously reported characteristics of canine corneal epithelial cells in vitro and found that canine corneal epithelial cells could maintain their proliferative capacity even after continuous culture without the use of feeder cells and growth promoting additives. The objective of this study was to elucidate proliferative characteristics of canine corneal epithelial cells independent of feeder cells and growth promoting additives, with the aim of developing a spontaneously derived corneal epithelial cell line. Canine and rabbit corneal epithelial cells were harvested from the limbus and cultured with, or without, feeder cells and growth promoting additives, and both were passaged continuously until growth arrest.

Isolation and Characterization of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stem Cells Adhering to Adipocytes in Canine Bone Marrow.

The ceiling culture method has been used to isolate mature adipocytes from adipose tissue that can be dedifferentiated into fibroblastic cells, also known as dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells that self-renew and are multipotent, with much higher homogeneity and colony-forming efficiency than those of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells. We cultured adipocytes from canine bone marrow using this technique, with the expectation of obtaining DFAT cells. However, contrary to our expectations, continuous monitoring of ceiling cultures by time-lapse microscopy revealed many small cells adhering to adipocytes that proliferated rapidly into cells with a fibroblastic morphology and without any dedifferentiation from adipocytes.

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) degrade neurocan in injured spinal cord by secreting matrix metalloproteinase-2 in a rat contusion model.

The mechanism by which olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) exert their potential to promote functional recovery after transplantation into spinal cord injury (SCI) tissue is not fully understood, but the relevance of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been suggested. We evaluated the expression of MMPs in OECs in vitro and the MMP secretion by OECs transplanted in injured spinal cord in vivo using a rat SCI model. We also evaluated the degradation of neurocan, which is one of the axon-inhibitory chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, using SCI model rats.

Comparison of the canine corneal epithelial cell sheets cultivated from limbal stem cells on canine amniotic membrane, atelocollagen gel, and temperature-responsive culture dish.

Objective: The current study compared canine corneal epithelial cell sheets cultivated from limbal stem cells on amniotic membrane, atelocollagen gel, and temperature-responsive culture dish.

Procedures: We collected limbal epithelial cells from the intact eyes of beagles and cultivated the cells on denuded canine amniotic membranes, temperature-responsive cell culture labware, and collagen gel with 3T3 feeder cells. Immunofluorescence staining for Ki-67 was used to analyze the capacity of cell proliferation in the sheets.

Evaluation of ABCG2 and p63 expression in canine cornea and cultivated corneal epithelial cells.

Objective: To examine the expressions of ABCG2 and p63 in canine corneal epithelia and to evaluate their significance in corneal regeneration.

Procedures: Canine corneal and limbal epithelial cells were obtained from five healthy beagle dogs. We analyzed the morphological properties of cultivated limbal and corneal epithelial cells.