Supravital fluorescent staining of the corneal endothelium with acridine orange and ethidium bromide

In vitro cytotoxicity, macromolecular interaction and antioxidant potential of dual coated selenium nanoparticles

The present research focuses on synthesizing selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) coated with Methionine and Folic acid. selenium-methionine-folate nanoparticles (Se-Met-Fa NPs) were prepared by the chemical precipitation method. These were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, Zeta potential, ICP-AES, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy. The average diameter of nanoparticles was determined by TEM was 50 nm. In Vitro viability of cells exposed to Se-Met-Fa NPs were studied using MTT and AO/EB assay. Approximately 80% of cells were viable at 100 μg/ml concentration after 24 h of incubation, suggestive of the safety of nanoparticles. Macromolecular interaction studies were carried out with plasmid DNA and Bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein. UV-Vis Spectroscopy showed ground state complex formation of Se-Met-Fa NPs with BSA. Intrinsic fluorescence of BSA was quenched by Se-met-Fa NPs via Static quenching and was observed under Spectro-fluorimetry. Conformational structural change in α-Helices of BSA was observed to be 4.4% after the interaction with Se-Met-Fa NPs, and it was studied using CD spectroscopy. At 250 μg/ml Se-Met-Fa NPs prevented oxidative damage of Plasmid DNA. The total antioxidant property of Se-Met-Fa NPs expressed in terms of scavenging of free DPPH radicals. Ten micrograms per milliliter could inhibit 41% of DPPH, proving its scavenger role at the lowest concentration. Nanoparticles comprising antioxidant semi-conducting cores and encapsulated by biomaterials that are highly bioavailable can be promising therapeutic agents for inflammation and oxidative stress disorders studies.

Cytochrome 450 metabolites of arachidonic acid (20-HETE, 11,12-EET and 14,15-EET) promote pheochromocytoma cell growth and tumor associated angiogenesis

The importance of cytochrome P450 (CYP)-derived arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) as tumor growth promotors has already been described in several cancer types. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of these compounds in the biology of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma. These tumors originate from chromaffin cells derived from adrenal medulla (pheochromocytomas) or extra-adrenal autonomic paraganglia (paragangliomas), and they represent the most common hereditary endocrine neoplasia. According to mutations in the driver genes, these tumors are divided in two clusters: pseudo-hypoxic and kinase-signaling EETs, but not 20-HETE, exhibited a potent ability to sustain growth in a murine pheochromocytoma cell line (MPC) in vitro, EETs promoted an increase in cell proliferation and a decrease in cell apoptosis. In a mouse model of pheochromocytoma, the inhibition of CYP-mediated AA metabolism using 1-aminobenzotriazol resulted in slower tumor growth, a decreased vascularization, and a lower final volume. Also, the expression of AA-metabolizing CYP monooxygenases was detected in tumor samples from human origin, being their apparent abundance and the production of both metabolites higher in tumors from the kinase-signaling cluster. This is the first evidence of the importance of CYP- derived AA metabolites in the biology and development of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma tumors.

NADPH Oxidase-mediated Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species is Critically Required for Survival of Undifferentiated Human Promyelocytic Leukemia Cell Line HL-60

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH oxidase) mediated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was originally identified as the powerful host defense machinery against microorganism in phagocytes. But recent reports indicated that some non-phagocytic cells also have the NADPH oxidase activity, and the ROS produced by it may act as cell signal molecule. But as far as today, whether the NADPH oxidase also plays similar role in phagocyte has not been paid much attention. Utilizing the undifferentiated HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells as a model, the aim of the present study was to determine whether NADPH oxidase plays a role on ROS generation in undifferentiated HL-60, and the ROS mediated by it was essential for cell's survival. For the first time, we verified that the release of ROS in undifferentiated HL-60 was significantly increased by the stimulation with Calcium ionophore or opsonized zymosan, which are known to trigger respiration burst in phagocytes by NADPH oxidase pathway. Diphenylene iodonium (DPI) or apocynin (APO), two inhibitors of NADPH oxidase, significantly suppressed the increasing of ROS caused by opsonized zymosan. Cell survival assay and fluorescence double dyeing with acridine orange and ethidium bromide showed that DPI and APO, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) concentration-dependently decreased the viability of undifferentiated HL-60 cells, whereas exogenous H2O2 can rescue the cells from death obviously. Our results suggested that the ROS, generated by NADPH oxidase play an essential role in the survival of undifferentiated HL-60 cells.

NADPH oxidase produces reactive oxygen species and maintains survival of rat astrocytes

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by activated astrocytes have been considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, while NADPH oxidase is an essential enzyme involved in ROS-mediated signal transduction. The goal of the present study was to determine whether NADPH oxidase plays a role in ROS generation and cell survival in rat astrocytes. We found that the release of ROS in rat astrocytes was significantly increased by stimulation with calcium ionophore or opsonized zymosan, which are known to trigger a respiration burst in phagocytes by the NADPH oxidase pathway. Further study indicated that diphenylene iodonium (DPI), an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, significantly suppressed the increase of ROS release caused by the calcium ionophore or opsonized zymosan. Cell survival assay and fluorescence double dyeing with acridine orange and ethidium bromide showed that DPI dose- and time-dependently decreased the viability of normal astrocytes, whereas exogenous supplementation of H2O2 can reverse the survival of DPI-treated astrocytes. For the first time, our results suggest that NADPH oxidase is an important enzyme for the generation of ROS in astrocytes, and the ROS generated by NADPH oxidase play an essential role in astrocyte survival.

Comparison of Optisol-GS and neomycin-polymyxin B-gramicidin ophthalmic solution for corneal storage in the dog

The objective of the research was to compare the efficacy of Optisol-GS (OGS, Bausch & Lomb Surgical, Irvine, CA, USA) with triple antibiotic ophthalmic solution (neomycin-polymyxin B-gramicidin, NPG; Bausch & Lomb, Tampa, FL, USA) in preserving the viability of corneal endothelial cells. The study subjects were thirty young to middle-aged dogs with no gross corneal pathology that had been euthanized by pentobarbital overdose for reasons unrelated to this project. Corneal tissues were harvested, analyzed, and randomly assigned to treatment groups: one of two media (OGS or NPG), and one of five storage times (1, 7, 14, 21, or 35 days). Six corneas were stored in each medium for each time period. Corneal endothelial cell viability was evaluated pre- and poststorage by vital staining (trypan blue and alizarin red S), and endothelial cell morphology was evaluated with scanning electron microscopy. Storage in NPG caused significant loss (100%) of endothelial cells after all storage times. OGS storage maintained a high level of endothelial cell viability up to 21 days (98.9% +/- 1.3% viability). A significant decrease in percentage viability was also found for OGS-stored corneas between 21 and 35 days, when endothelial cell viability decreased to 61.4% +/- 45.9%. The conclusions are that NPG storage at -20 degrees C is a very poor choice of media for corneal tissue banking if graft clarity is the goal. Storage in Optisol-GS at 4 degrees C for up to 21 days resulted in significantly higher percentages of viable endothelial cells. Optisol-GS storage should facilitate corneal preservation for canine keratoplasty patients.

Short term wear of high Dk soft contact lenses does not alter corneal epithelial cell size or viability

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Current contact lenses (CLs) when worn on an extended wear basis cause corneal epithelial alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in corneal epithelial cell morphology and physiology following short term (3 months) wear of highly oxygen permeable CLs and to compare this with disposable CLs.

METHODS

Subjects were wearers of highly oxygen permeable CLs (n=11, wearing CLs on a 30 night schedule), disposable CL users (n=6, wearing CLs on a 6 night schedule), and non-CL wearers (n=20). Mean CL wear experience was 3 months. Epithelial cells were harvested using corneal cytology and were stained using acridine orange and ethidium bromide. Epithelial cell size and viability were determined.

RESULTS

The majority of epithelial cells recovered were non-viable (71%), and the mean longest cell diameter was 38 (SD 8) microm. Disposable CLs caused an increase in cell size (42 (7) microm) compared with both non-wear (39 (7) microm, p=0.01) and wear of highly oxygen permeable CLs (37 (10) microm, p=0.0049). There was no difference in cell viability between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Extended wear of disposable CLs caused an 8% increase in cell diameter in harvested corneal epithelial cells following 3 months of CL wear. Cells harvested following 3 months' wear of highly oxygen permeable CLs were indistinguishable from those recovered from non-CL wearers.

Comparison of three methods for human corneal cryopreservation that utilize dimethyl sulfoxide

We compared endothelial cell survival in human corneas after cryopreservation by three methods that utilize dimethyl sulfoxide. Twenty-eight human cadaver corneas were cryopreserved by one of three methods, stored briefly over liquid nitrogen, thawed, cultured at 37 degrees C for 3 days, and fixed for scanning electron microscopy. Seventeen control corneas underwent identical cryoprotectant immersion and culture protocols but were not frozen. Endothelial photographs taken after 1 and 3 days of culture were analyzed. Endothelial cell losses in cryopreserved corneas by Methods 1, 2, and 3, respectively, were 36, 22, and 10% after 1 day of culture and 57, 36, and 27% after 3 days of culture. Cryopreservation by Method 3 had less cell loss than Methods 1 or 2 (P<0.02) but greater cell loss than the control corneas for Method 3 (P<0.001). No loss of cells occurred in the control corneas for Methods 1 and 3 but substantial cell loss (26%) occurred in the control corneas for Method 2. Polymegethism and pleomorphism of the endothelial cells were seen in the corneas that lost cells. The endothelial cell loss of 10% seen after 1 day of culture in human corneas cryopreserved by Method 3 is similar to the loss that occurs during organ culture storage as currently used clinically and therefore would be acceptable for clinical use. After 3 days of culture, however, the cell loss had increased significantly to 27%. This additional decrease in cell number that occurs in culture may represent latent cryodamage and must be understood and overcome in vivo before the technique can be used clinically.

Tolerance of human corneal endothelium to glycerol

As an initial step in the development of a method for corneal cryopreservation by vitrification, we attempted to establish the maximum concentration of glycerol to which human corneal endothelium could be exposed at 4 degrees C for 15 min without damage. Damage was defined as an increase in mean endothelial cell size or the inability to maintain corneal thickness for 1 week after exposure to glycerol. Using a system for long-term corneal perfusion, we perfused 24 paired human corneas with glycerol at 4 degrees C. The concentration of glycerol increased at a rate of 20% (w/v) (2.2 M) per hour until the desired maximum concentration was reached for that cornea, stabilized for 15 min, and then decreased at the same rate. The corneas were then perfused at 37 degrees C with Dulbecco's medium at a rate of 5 microliters/min under 18 mm Hg intracameral pressure for 7 days with daily measurements of corneal thickness. Endothelial morphology was examined by specular microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy. After 7 days of perfusion at 37 degrees C, there was a statistically significant direct relationship between the maximum concentration of glycerol to which the experimental eyes had been exposed and the increase in mean endothelial cell size. The mean endothelial cell size increased in corneas exposed to glycerol concentrations of 40, 50, and 60% (w/v), but did not differ significantly from baseline measurements in the corneas exposed to 30% glycerol or less. Thus, there was no detectable damage to human corneas exposed to 30% (w/v) (3.3 M) glycerol in this system. Tolerance of higher concentrations may be achieved by changes in the rates of addition and removal of glycerol or in the composition of the perfusate.

Corneal preservation

Significant advances in corneal preservation have been made over the past decade. The introduction of chondroitin sulfate-containing media for use at 4 degrees C allows storage of corneas for up to ten days prior to transplantation. Organ culture techniques have also been improved with the addition of chondroitin sulfate. There has been an increase in our understanding of preservation using McCarey-Kaufman medium. Studies have been published that compare these methods and help the clinician decide which method to use based on objective data. Also, our understanding of existing methods of evaluating endothelial viability has increased and new methods have been developed. Finally, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is having an increasing effect on eye-banking and the supply of donor corneas.

The evaluation of endothelial damage following corneal storage: a comparison of staining methods and the value of scanning electron microscopy

Staining techniques and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to assess damage to the endothelial cells following corneal storage. The aim was to establish whether these assays are useful in the assessment of endothelial integrity following corneal storage. Four groups ensured a range of normal and damaged endothelial cells: 1) fresh; 2) stored for 7 days in a moist chamber; 3) stored by the cryopreservation method of Capella and Kaufman; 4) damaged by rapid freezing with a cryoprobe. Trypan blue (TB), nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), acridine orange (AO), fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and ethidium bromide (EB), were used to stain the endothelial layer. SEM was carried out on duplicate samples. Staining with NBT resulted in low cell counts due to loss of cells. There was no significant difference between the extent of damage measured by TB, AO or FDA, but it was shown that staining with FDA and EB can distinguish between damaged and intact cells. Tissue stored for 7 days in a moist chamber had a reduced number of intact cells compared to fresh tissue, and tissue stored by the Capella and Kaufman technique gave a reduced number of intact cells compared to both these control and storage groups. SEM showed surface perforation was characteristic of injured cells, rather than complete disruption. FDA has a theoretical advantage over the other stains, and should provide a more accurate appraisal of defects of cell membrane integrity. For this reason, the use of FDA with EB to stain the endothelium, with SEM carried out on duplicate samples, were preferred as assays to use in the development of corneal storage.