Effects of cryopreservation on human mesenchymal stem cells attached to different substrates.

There is a need to preserve cell-seeded scaffolds or cell-matrix constructs for tissue-engineering and other applications. Cryopreservation is likely to be the most practical method. The aim of this study was to investigate how cryopreservation affects cells attached to different substrates and how they respond differently from those in suspension.

Chitosan/gelatin porous scaffolds containing hyaluronic acid and heparan sulfate for neural tissue engineering.

The novel chitosan (Cs)/gelatin (Gel) porous scaffolds containing hyaluronic acid (HA) and heparan sulfate (HS) were fabricated via freeze-drying technique, and their physicochemical characteristics including pore size, porosity, water absorption, and in vitro degradation and biocompatibility were investigated. It was demonstrated that the Cs/Gel/HA/HS composite scaffolds had highly homogeneous and interconnected pores with porosity above 96% and average pore size ranging from 90 to 140 μm and a controllable degradation rate. The scanning electron microscopic images, cell viability assay, and fluorescence microscopy observation revealed that the presence of HA and HS in the scaffolds significantly promoted initial neural stem and progenitor cells (NS/PCs) adhesion and supported long-time growth in three-dimensional environment.

Protocatechuic acid promotes the neuronal differentiation and facilitates survival of phenotypes differentiated from cultured neural stem and progenitor cells.

Protocatechuic acid (PCA), a phenolic compound isolated from the kernels of Alpinia (A.) oxyphylla, plays crucial roles in the proliferation and neuroprotection of cultured neural stem and progenitor cells (NS/PCs) in our previous study. However, whether PCA modulates the differentiation of NS/PCs has remained to be elucidated.

Slow-freezing cryopreservation of neural stem cell spheres with different diameters.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are of great value for clinical application and scientific research. The development of efficient cryopreservation protocols could significantly facilitate the storage and transportation for clinic applications. The objective of the present study is to improve the survival rate and viability of NSCs.

Effect of protocatechuic acid from Alpinia oxyphylla on proliferation of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells in vitro.

The effect of protocatechuic acid (PCA) from Alpinia oxyphylla and catapol from Rehmannia on the proliferation capacity of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (hADSCs) was investigated in vitro. Cell counts showed that treatment of hADSCs with PCA for 48 h increased the cell number in a dose-dependent manner, while no obvious effect of catapol on the proliferation of hADSCs was observed. In addition, the cell number of hADSCs treated by 1.

Vitrification of corneal endothelial cells in a monolayer.

An in vitro model was developed for bovine natural corneal endothelia. The cells were cultured to a confluent monolayer and vitrified using 25% (w/w) 1,2-propanediol-35% (w/w) trehalose as cryoprotective agents. Approximately, 61.

Protocatechuic acid promotes cell proliferation and reduces basal apoptosis in cultured neural stem cells.

Protocatechuic acid (PCA), a phenolic compound isolated from the kernels of Alpinia oxyphylla, showed anti-oxidant neuroprotective property in our previous study. However, it is still unknown whether PCA have effects on the cultured neural stem cells (NSCs). In this study, we investigated the roles of PCA in the survival and apoptosis of rat NSCs under normal conditions.

Comparison of different culture modes for long-term expansion of neural stem cells.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) can be cultured in two modes of suspension and monolayer in vitro. The cultured cells are different in both the ability to proliferate and heterogeneity. In order to find the appropriate methods for large-scale expansion of NSCs, we systematically compared the NSCs cultured in suspension with those cultured in monolayer.

Cryoprotectants for the vitrification of corneal endothelial cells.

The objective of this work was to select and test systematically possible cryoprotective agents (CPAs) and to obtain a suitable formula for vitrification of corneal endothelial cells (CECs). Fresh bovine CECs were isolated and tested with an optimized vitrification protocol with multi-step CPA loading and removal. Three types of CPAs components, i.

Protocatechuic acid from Alpinia oxyphylla promotes migration of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells in vitro.

Human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (hADSCs) demonstrate promising potential in various clinical applications, including the transplantation to regenerate injured or degenerative tissues. The migration of engrafted hADSCs to the correct site of injure is essential for the curative effect of stem cell therapy. We found that protocatechuic acid (PCA) from Alpinia (A.

Enhanced L-(+)-lactic acid production by an adapted strain of Rhizopus oryzae using corncob hydrolysate.

Corncob is an economic feedstock and more than 20 million tons of corncobs are produced annually in China. Abundant xylose can be potentially converted from the large amount of hemicellulosic materials in corncobs, which makes the crop residue an attractive alternative substrate for a value-added production of a variety of bioproducts. Lactic acid can be used as a precursor for poly-lactic acid production.

Three-dimensional expansion: in suspension culture of SD rat's osteoblasts in a rotating wall vessel bioreactor.

Objective: To study large-scale expansion of SD (Sprague-Dawley) rat's osteoblasts in suspension culture in a rotating wall vessel bioreactor (RWVB).

Methods: The bioreactor rotation speeds were adjusted in the range of 0 to 20 rpm, which could provide low shear on the microcarriers around 1 dyn/cm2. The cells were isolated via sequential digestions of neonatal (less than 3 days old) SD rat calvaria.

Effect of extracellular ph on matrix synthesis by chondrocytes in 3D agarose gel.

In cartilage tissue engineering, the determination of the most appropriate cell/tissue culture conditions to maximize extracellular matrix synthesis is of major importance. The extracellular pH plays an important role in affecting energy metabolism and matrix synthesis by chondrocytes. In this study, chondrocytes were isolated from bovine articular cartilage, embedded in agarose gel, and cultured at varied pH levels (7.

Numerical simulation of microcarrier motion in a rotating wall vessel bioreactor.

Objective: To analyze the forces of rotational wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor on small tissue pieces or microcarrier particles and to determine the tracks of microcarrier particles in RWV bioreactor.

Methods: The motion of the microcarrier in the rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor with both the inner and outer cylinders rotating was modeled by numerical simulation.

Results: The continuous trajectory of microcarrier particles, including the possible collision with the wall was obtained.

Development of PDMS microbioreactor with well-defined and homogenous culture environment for chondrocyte 3-D culture.

Perfusion cell culture is believed to provide a stable culture environment due to the continuous supply of nutrients and removal of waste. However, the culture scales used in most cases were large, where the culture conditions can not be regarded as homogenous because of chemical gradients. To improve this, the concept of miniaturization is applied to 3-D cell culture.

A SU-8/PDMS hybrid microfluidic device with integrated optical fibers for online monitoring of lactate.

A microfluidic device with integrated optical fibres was developed for online monitoring of lactate. The device consists of a SU-8 waveguide, microfluidic channels and grooves for the insertion of optic fibres. It was fabricated by one-step photolithography of SU-8 polymer resist.