Highly purified lipoteichoic acid induced pro-inflammatory signalling in primary culture of rat microglia through Toll-like receptor 2: selective potentiation of nitric oxide production by muramyl dipeptide.

In contrast to the role of lipopolysaccharide from Gram-negative bacteria, the role of Gram-positive bacterial components in inducing inflammation in the CNS remains controversial. We studied the potency of highly purified lipoteichoic acid and muramyl dipeptide isolated from Staphylococcus aureus to activate primary cultures of rat microglia. Exposure of pure microglial cultures to lipoteichoic acid triggered a significant time- and dose-dependent production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumour-necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6) and nitric oxide.

The value of alternative testing for neurotoxicity in the context of regulatory needs.

Detection and characterisation of chemical-induced toxic effects in the central and peripheral nervous system represent a major challenge for employing newly developed technologies in the field of neurotoxicology. Precise cellular predictive test batteries for chemical-induced neurotoxicity are increasingly important for regulatory decision making, but also the most efficient way to keep costs and time of testing within a reasonable margin. Current in vivo test methods are based on behavioural and sensory perturbations coupled with routine histopathological investigations.

Induction of blood-brain barrier properties in cultured brain capillary endothelial cells: comparison between primary glial cells and C6 cell line.

The communication between glial cells and brain capillary endothelial cells is crucial for a well-differentiated blood-brain barrier (BBB). It has been suggested that in vitro primary glial cells (GCs) be replaced by the glial C6 cell line to standardise the model further. This study compares directly the structural and functional differentiation of bovine brain capillary endothelial cells (BBCECs) induced by co-culture with rat primary GCs or C6 cells, for the first time.

Culturing cells without serum: lessons learnt using molecules of plant origin.

To successfully grow cells in serum-free medium is an interesting challenge to cell biology. The use of such media for in vitro cell culture work would be a key contribution to the 3Rs concept, enabling the avoidance of the use of animals and animal products at all stages of the experiment. In addition, numerous problems related to virus infections transmitted by animal serum would be avoided, thus increasing reproducibility.

New insights into the mechanisms involved in renal proximal tubular damage induced in vitro by ochratoxin A.

The mycotoxin ochratoxin A is a contaminant of human and animal food products. It is a potent nephrotoxin known to damage the proximal tubule. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of ochratoxin A on a porcine renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (LLC-PK1), and to identify sensitive endpoints revealing damage at the epithelial barrier level and at the molecular level.

Comparison of the sensitivity of different toxicological endpoints in Caco-2 cells after cadmium chloride treatment.

The human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2 is a widely used in vitro model of the intestinal barrier. Cadmium chloride (CdCl(2)) is a highly toxic metal compound, ubiquitous in the biosphere, able to enter the food chain and to reach the intestinal epithelium, causing structural and functional damages. The aim of this work was to characterise cadmium toxicity in Caco-2 cells and, in particular, to compare the sensitivity of different endpoints revealing damage both on the epithelial barrier and at the cellular or molecular level.

Sensitive endpoints for evaluating cadmium-induced acute toxicity in LLC-PK1 cells.

Cadmium chloride (CdCl(2)) is a nephrotoxicant that causes damage to the proximal tubular epithelium. In vivo, it increases the permeability of epithelial surfaces, while in vitro, it acts on active trans-epithelial ion transport. The purpose of this study was to investigate CdCl(2) effects on a porcine renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (LLC-PK1), and, in particular, to identify sensitive endpoints revealing damage both at the epithelial barrier level and at the molecular level.