Activation of human neutrophils after contact with cellulose-based haemodialysis membranes: intracellular calcium signalling in single cells.

Purpose Of Study: In vitro contact of human leukocytes with cellulose-based dialysis membranes under complement-independent conditions results in activation of various leukocyte functions. To analyse signals involved in the mechanism of cell activation, we measured changes in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in individual human blood neutrophils (PMN) upon contact with flat sheet haemodialysis membranes.

Results: By confocal laser-scanning microscopy (CLSM), changes in [Ca2+]i were monitored in Fluo-3-labelled cells up to 10 min after contact with a regenerated cellulose (RC) membrane.

Morphologic characteristics of the interaction between normal cytotrophoblasts and their malignant counterpart in the development of trophoblastic neoplasia.

Objectives: To define the biology of the tumor-host cell interaction with regard to cellular kinetics and morphologic changes during cell-cell interaction in an in vitro model of trophoblastic neoplasia.

Methods: Using a coculture in vitro system of cytotrophoblasts and choriocarcinoma cells, we investigated the cellular kinetics and the morphologic changes in these interacting cells. A fully automatic time-lapse image system was used to record phase contrast images of the cocultured cells in a tissue culture chamber.