A Novel Fluidic Platform for Semi-Automated Cell Culture into Multiwell-like Bioreactors.

In this work, we developed and characterized a novel fluidic platform that enables long-term in vitro cell culture in a semi-automated fashion. The system is constituted by a control unit provided with a piezoelectric pump, miniaturized valves, and a microfluidic network for management and fine control of reagents' flow, connected to a disposable polymeric culture unit resembling the traditional multiwell-like design. As a proof of principle, Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC) and Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSC) were seeded and cultured into the cell culture unit. The proliferation rate of HUVEC and the osteogenic differentiation of hMSC were assessed and compared to standard culture in Petri dishes. The results obtained demonstrated that our approach is suitable to perform semi-automated cell culture protocols, minimizing the contribution of human operators and allowing the standardization and reproducibility of the procedures. We believe that the proposed system constitutes a promising solution for the realization of user-friendly automated control systems that will favor the standardization of cell culture processes for cell factories, drug testing, and biomedical research.

Effects of supplementation with different Mg salts in cells: is there a clue?

The differing bioavailability of magnesium salts remains an open question, both at the cellular and systemic level. However, this issue is relevant for identifying the most effective magnesium supplement. We compared the effects of three widely used magnesium salts: MgSO4, MgCl2 and Mg pidolate, on the proliferation of four human cell types: promyelocytic leukaemia HL60, osteoblast-like Saos-2 and U-2 OS, and endothelial cells from the umbilical vein. The three magnesium salts had no effect on endothelial and leukemic cell growth, but magnesium pidolate impaired cell growth in osteoblast-like cells. In particular, in Saos-2 cells, 1 mM pidolate induced a slight accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and, in parallel, an early rise in intracellular calcium and a late decrease in intracellular magnesium content. Interestingly, when cultured in 5 mM magnesium pidolate, Saos-2 cells grew as fast as the controls. Moreover, intracellular magnesium and calcium concentrations did not vary. These results suggest a lower bioavailability of magnesium pidolate in osteoblast-like cells.

The challenging environment on board the International Space Station affects endothelial cell function by triggering oxidative stress through thioredoxin interacting protein overexpression: the ESA-SPHINX experiment.

Exposure to microgravity generates alterations that are similar to those involved in age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular deconditioning, bone loss, muscle atrophy, and immune response impairment. Endothelial dysfunction is the common denominator. To shed light on the underlying mechanism, we participated in the Progress 40P mission with Spaceflight of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs): an Integrated Experiment (SPHINX), which consisted of 12 in-flight and 12 ground-based control modules and lasted 10 d. Postflight microarray analysis revealed 1023 significantly modulated genes, the majority of which are involved in cell adhesion, oxidative phosphorylation, stress responses, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Thioredoxin-interacting protein was the most up-regulated (33-fold), heat-shock proteins 70 and 90 the most down-regulated (5.6-fold). Ion channels (TPCN1, KCNG2, KCNJ14, KCNG1, KCNT1, TRPM1, CLCN4, CLCA2), mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, and focal adhesion were widely affected. Cytokine detection in the culture media indicated significant increased secretion of interleukin-1α and interleukin-1ß. Nitric oxide was found not modulated. Our data suggest that in cultured HUVECs, microgravity affects the same molecular machinery responsible for sensing alterations of flow and generates a prooxidative environment that activates inflammatory responses, alters endothelial behavior, and promotes senescence.