[From the bench to the clinic: The challenge of translating platelet production in vitro]

Platelet transfusions, which are currently totally dependent on altruistic donations, are absolutely necessary to the treatment of patients with thrombocytopenia following trauma, surgery or other pathologies (especially malignancies). Producing platelets in vitro represent a major technological and scientific breathrough that would address logistical issues (supply chain, stock holding…) and medical concerns (compatibility and biosafety). The translation of this innovation will need to be accompanied by rigorous quality control, harmonised between laboratory when it comes to functionality and biosafety for use in the clinic.

Validation of an in vitro 3D bone culture model with perfused and mechanically stressed ceramic scaffold

An engineered three dimensional (3D) in vitro cell culture system was designed with the goal of inducing and controlling in vitro osteogenesis in a reproducible manner under conditions more similar to the in vivo bone microenvironment than traditional two-dimensional (2D) models. This bioreactor allows efficient mechanical loading and perfusion of an original cubic calcium phosphate bioceramic of highly controlled composition and structure. This bioceramic comprises an internal portion containing homogeneously interconnected macropores surrounded by a dense layer, which minimises fluid flow bypass around the scaffold. This dense and flat layer permits the application of a homogeneous loading on the bioceramic while also enhancing its mechanical strength. Numerical modelling of constraints shows that the system provides direct mechanical stimulation of cells within the scaffold. Experimental results establish that under perfusion at a steady flow of 2 µL/min, corresponding to 3 ≤ Medium velocity ≤ 23 µm/s, mouse calvarial cells grow and differentiate as osteoblasts in a reproducible manner, and lay down a mineralised matrix. Moreover, cells respond to mechanical loading by increasing C-fos expression, which demonstrates the effective mechanical stimulation of the culture within the scaffold. In summary, we provide a "proof-of-concept" for osteoblastic cell culture in a controlled 3D culture system under perfusion and mechanical loading. This model will be a tool to analyse bone cell functions in vivo, and will provide a bench testing system for the clinical assessment of bioactive bone-targeting molecules under load.

Stability, toxicity and cytotoxicity of a cupric complex towards cultured CaCo-2 cells

The human colon adenocarcinoma-derived cell line CaCo-2 was used as a model system to study the effects of copper (II), tetradentate N-alkyl ligand (H2L) and their complex. The stimulatory effect of the complex was obtained with lower concentrations from 10(-7) to 10(-17) mol.L-1, while inhibiting effects occur from 10(-4) to 10(-6) mol.L-1. According to this study, copper (II) and free ligand were toxic for cultured cells. Our data suggested that the complex, according to our toxicity assays in mice, could be used as an antimitotic agent.

Stability constants of thiocyanato complexes of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) in methanol

A spectrophotometric study of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) thiocyanato complexes was carried out in methanol at 25 degrees C and at a constant ionic strength of 1 M. Under the experimental conditions, two mononuclear complexes are identified with each of the three metal ions. Their stability constants are determined with a recent PC program SIRKO and the calculated values are: for cobalt, log beta 1 = 1.6, log beta 2 = 2.7; for nickel, log beta 1 = 1.8, log beta 2 = 3.0; and for copper, log beta 1 = 3.0, log beta 2 = 3.6.

Potentiometric study of vitamin D3 complexes with manganese(II), iron(II), iron(III) and zinc(II) in water-ethanol medium

Vitamin D3 (LH) complexes with manganese(II), iron(II), iron(III) and zinc(II) were identified in water-ethanol medium (30/70). Their stability constants were determined at 298 K and at a constant ionic strength of 0.100 M using potentiometric methods. The computerisation of the experimental data showed the presence of ML (M = metal, L = deprotonated vitamin D3) and ML2 species in all cases; in addition, the ML3 iron(III) complex was detected. The calculated overall stability constants beta for MnIIL, FeIIL, FeIIIL and ZnIIL are, respectively, in logarithms, 12.4, 16.5, 28.5 and 16.5. Under the experimental conditions, the only protonated species MLH detected was with iron(III).