Primary Cell Culture Techniques Flashcards
Where are cells obtained from in primary cell cultures?
Cells derived directly from tissues; contrast to cell line which has either spontaneously been transformed or genetically manipulated
Describe the difference in primary cell cultures between patients
Interpatient variability (cell lines are absolutely identical; reproducibility) `
How long do cells from primary cell cultures survive?
Finite lifespan - cell lines are immortal
How do primary cell cultures differ from cell lines?
Cells divide and/or differentiate (cell lines are clones)
Cells carry out normal functions
(cell lines are non-functional)
Give examples of non-haematopoietic primary cultures
Non-hematopoietic
- Liver
- Muscle
- Skin
- Nerves
- Fibroblasts
- Endothelial cells
Name examples of haemopoietic primary cultures
Stem, Progenitor cells T and B cells Monocyte, Macrophages Osteoblasts Dendritic cells Neutrophils, Eosinophils,Basophils, Mast cells Erythrocytes Megakaryocytes, Platelets
What is the purpose of cell disaggregation?
Cells allowed to migrate out of an explant
What is cell disaggregation?
Breaking up of a total (aggregate), integrated whole, into smaller elements, parts, or units, usually for easier handling
What are the different ways of disaggregating cells?
Mechanical dissociation (mincing,sieving,pipetting)
Enzymatic dissociation (trypsin,collagenase, hyaluronidase, protease, DNAase)
What cells don’t require disaggregation?
Exception – Haemopoietic cells don’t need to be disaggregated as they already are
What are the sources of stem cells?
- Bone marrow aspirate
- Umbilical cord blood (enriched)
- Mobilised peripheral blood
Why may stem cells be found in the peripheral blood?
Normally stem cells aren’t found in peripheral blood but treating patients with growth factors causes them to move out
What happens in red bone marrow?
Red bone Marrow is where hematopoiesis occurs
Where is red bone marrow found?
Children contain red bone marrow in all bones; Adult red bone marrow retreats and only occurs in specific areas
Outline the specific ares red bone marrow is found in children?
all bones, liver and spleen
Where is red bone marrow found in adults (20+)?
Ends of long bones (femur, humerus)
skull, vertebrae, ribs, sternum,, pelvis
Describe the different layers of bone
Hard periosteum around the outside, on the endomysium (inside) is where haematopoiesis is occurring
Where are blood vessels found in bone?
Blood vessels travel through the middle - haemopoiesis occurs here
Describe the structure of bone
Hard exterior and a fibrous mesh in the middle where haematopoiesis occurs
3D environment
How does a bone marrow film and blood film differ?
Peripheral blood stains show a variety of maturity in cells present
whereas bone marrow has densely packed areas of immature cells
Describe the features of a bone marrow slide under a mciroscope
In a concentrated area of active haematopoiesis
Pink blobs are blood vessels
White areas are fat
What are the stages of cell development from stem cells?
- Stem cells
- Early progenitors
- Late progenitors
- Immature precursors
- Mature cell types - RBC, WBC
Describe the structure of early and late progenitors
Early & late progenitors are identical to stem cells as they are undifferentiated
What happens to immature precursors?
Immature precursors begin to differentiate and commit to a certain lineage - can identify and tell them apart from one another and their homogenous precursors
What makes mature cell types identifiable?
Mature cell types have very distinct morphology under the microscope - easily distinguishable
How is stem cell development regulated?
This process is tightly regulated by negative and positive growth factors