Cell composition of the primary culture of fetal liver.

Fetal liver is known as a source of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells. These cells are routinely isolated by adhesion to plastic, but thus prepared culture is contaminated by other cells. For instance, primary cell culture of from rat fetal liver, apart from fibroblasts with phenotypic characteristics of mesenchymal stromal cells, contained skeletal muscle precursors, myofibroblasts, and epitheliocytes expressing cytokeratin-19 (the latter was also detected in some fibroblast-like cells probably undergoing epithelio-mesenchymal transition).

Comparative analysis of the expression of neural stem cell-associated genes during neocortex and retina development in human.

We compared the expression of Sox2, Oct4, Nanog, Pax6, Prox1 genes associated with plasticity of neural stem and progenitor cells during human neocortex and retina development and in cell cultures. At the analyzed stages of neurogenesis, Pax6 gene is expressed in the neocortex and retina at constant levels, the expression is by one order of magnitude higher in the retina. The dynamics of Sox2 and Pax6 expression in the neocortex was similar.

Synthesis and antineoplastic properties of (1-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)furazans.

A method of 3-amino-4-[5-aryl(heteroaryl)-1-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)]furazan synthesis was optimized. Condensation of these compounds with 2,5-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran resulted in a series of previously unknown 4-[5-aryl(heteroaryl)-1-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)]-3-(pyrrol-1-yl)furazans. All target compounds were evaluated for both antimitotic microtubule destabilizing effect in a phenotypic sea urchin embryo assay and cytotoxicity in a panel of 60 human cancer cell lines.

Development of experimental tumors formed by mouse and human embryonic stem and teratocarcinoma cells after subcutaneous and intraperitoneal transplantations into immunodeficient and immunocompetent mice.

Pluripotent stem cells represent an attractive cell source for regenerative medicine. However, the risk of teratoma formation after transplantation restricts their clinical application. Therefore, to adequately evaluate the potential risk of tumorigenicity after cell transplantation into human tissues, effective animal transplantation assays need to be developed.

Effect of recombinant erythropoietin on functional activity of cultured human cells.

We studied the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on functional activity of skin cells in vitro. It was found that erythropoietin stimulated proliferation of mesenchymal and epithelial cells and effectively protected epidermal HaCaT cells from apoptosis. Insignificant effect of erythropoietin on contraction of collagen gel by mesenchymal cells was revealed.

Study of wound-healing activity of bioregulators isolated from eye tissues and bovine serum in the model of experimental corneal injury in rabbits in vivo.

We compared wound-healing activity of bioregulators isolated from cattle cornea, serum, and retinal pigment epithelium on in vivo model of experimental corneal injury in rabbits. Bioregulators were instilled into the eye as solutions at a concentration corresponding to 10(-12) mg protein/ml. The animals were sacrificed on day 21 after injury and the corneas were examined histologically.

Expression of multipotent and retinal markers in pigment epithelium of adult human in vitro.

Immunoperoxidase and molecular genetic analysis showed that retinal pigment epithelial cells from adult human eye undergo morphogenetic changes in vitro. They lose expression of tissue-specific protein RPE65 and start to express stem cell markers: Oct4 (POU5F1), Nanog, Prox1, Musashi 1, and Pax6, which indicates their differentiation. Expression of Musashi 1 and Pax6 attest to neural differentiation, which is also confirmed by the expression of βIII-tubulin, a neuroblast marker, and markers of differentiated neuronal cells, tyrosine hydroxylase and neurofilament proteins.

Phenotypic plasticity of retinal pigment epithelial cells from adult human eye in vitro.

Phenotypic plasticity of retinal pigment epithelial cells from adult human eye was studied by immunohistochemical methods under different culturing conditions. It was found that retinal pigment epithelium in adult human eye is a heterogeneous population of cells demonstrating different behavior in vitro. Some cells retain epithelial morphology for a long time in culture, while others are rapidly transformed into fibroblast-like cells and synthesize proteins typical of proneural, neural, glial, and photoreceptor cells.

Experimental modeling of preclinical and clinical stages of Parkinson's disease.

Degeneration of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons of the nigrostriatal system is the key stage in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. The first symptoms of this disease are observed after degeneration of 70-80% neurons, which occurs over 20-30 years. The clinical stage of Parkinson's disease begins after this period.

Expression patterns of cancer-testis antigens in human embryonic stem cells and their cell derivatives indicate lineage tracks.

Pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into various lineages but undergo genetic and epigenetic changes during long-term cultivation and, therefore, require regular monitoring. The expression patterns of cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) MAGE-A2, -A3, -A4, -A6, -A8, -B2, and GAGE were examined in undifferentiated human embryonic stem (hES) cells, their differentiated derivatives, teratocarcinoma (hEC) cells, and cancer cell lines of neuroectodermal and mesodermal origin. Undifferentiated hES cells and embryoid body cells expressed MAGE-A3, -A6, -A4, -A8, and GAGEs while later differentiated derivatives expressed only MAGE-A8 or MAGE-A4.

Experimental models for culturing of eye tissues of Pleurodeles waltl for evaluation of specific effects of sclera bioregulator in ultra-low doses.

Experiments on stationary culture of posterior eye and roll-bottle culture of the whole eye from adult water lizards Pleurodeles waltl showed that sclera bioregulator produces a stabilizing effects on adhesion interactions between the sclera, choroid, and pigment epithelium and on the maintenance of viability of sclera fibroblasts and pigment epithelium cells.

Transcutaneus photophoresis of metal ions using emitters of band spectrum of chemical elements.

Local exposure to light with hollow cathode lamp radiating band spectrum typical of manganese, copper, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium enhances migration of these elements from the solution applied to the skin to the blood in rats. This effect is most pronounced at low initial blood level of manganese. Its serum concentration increased 17-fold after application of manganese salts and exposure to hollow cathode lamp radiating manganese spectrum.

Effect of bioregulators isolated from the liver, blood serum, and bile of mammals on the state of newt liver tissue in organotypic culture.

We developed models of in vitro organotypic culturing of newt liver tissue with and without adhesion to the substrate. The effects of bioregulators isolated from mammalian liver, blood serum, and bile were studied on the developed models and their specificity was demonstrated. The state of the liver was evaluated by the area of clusters of pigmented cells and by the number of mitoses in the connective tissue cells of the cortical layer.

Expression of transforming growth factor-β2in vitreous body and adjacent tissues during prenatal development of human eye.

Expression of transforming growth factor-β2 was detected by PCR in the vitreous body, lens, retina, and ciliary-iris complex of human eye at early stages of fetal development. Immunochemical assay of the corresponding protein in eye tissues revealed a correlation between the localization of transforming growth factor-β2 and the development of intraocular hyaloid vascular network, its regression, formation of the vitreous body, and development of definite retinal vessels.