Frankenstein's followers. Maintenance of human cells outside the body. Issue 1.

Although science can endeavour to do a great many things, unachievable thus far, these activities should be, but seldom are, tempered with the question, should we really do it? This is not necessarily implying a moral code to scientific activity, but at least suggests that we probably should consider the long-term consequences of certain scientific activities to human society and the environment. Indeed, scientists have struggled with the consequences of their discoveries, not least Nobel himself, who set up the Nobel prize as a reaction to being called "The father of death", due to his discovery and financial success with dynamite. Here, we set out the basis for a series of articles entitled, Frankenstein's Followers, Maintenance and propagation of human cells outside the body.

Application of RPTEC/TERT1 cells for investigation of repeat dose nephrotoxicity: A transcriptomic study.

The kidney is a major target organ for toxicity. Incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing at an alarming rate due to factors such as increasing population age and increased prevalence of heart disease and diabetes. There is a major effort ongoing to develop superior predictive models of renal injury and early renal biomarkers that can predict onset of CKD.

A SAGE based approach to human glomerular endothelium: defining the transcriptome, finding a novel molecule and highlighting endothelial diversity.

Background: Large scale transcript analysis of human glomerular microvascular endothelial cells (HGMEC) has never been accomplished. We designed this study to define the transcriptome of HGMEC and facilitate a better characterization of these endothelial cells with unique features. Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) was used for its unbiased approach to quantitative acquisition of transcripts.

Evidence for a role of claudin 2 as a proximal tubular stress responsive paracellular water channel.

Claudins are the major proteins of the tight junctions and the composition of claudin subtypes is decisive for the selective permeability of the paracellular route and thus tissue specific function. Their regulation is complex and subject to interference by several factors, including oxidative stress. Here we show that exposure of cultured human proximal tubule cells (RPTEC/TERT1) to the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA) induces an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), a decrease in dome formation (on solid growth supports) and a decrease in water transport (on microporous growth supports).