Development and characterization of Xl1, a Xenopus laevis chondrocyte-like cell culture. | - CCMAR -

Journal Article

TitleDevelopment and characterization of Xl1, a Xenopus laevis chondrocyte-like cell culture.
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsConceição, N, Viegas, M, Fidalgo, J, M. Cancela, L
Year of Publication2013
JournalMol Cell Biochem
Volume373
Issue1-2
Date Published2013 Jan
Pagination41-51
ISSN1573-4919
KeywordsAlkaline Phosphatase, Animals, Calcification, Physiologic, Calcium-Binding Proteins, Cell Line, Chondrocytes, Collagen, Extracellular Matrix, Gene Expression, Genes, Reporter, Glycosaminoglycans, Green Fluorescent Proteins, Luciferases, Phenotype, Transcriptional Activation, Transfection, Tretinoin, Xenopus laevis, Xenopus Proteins
Abstract

We describe the development and characterization of a new cell line, designated Xl1, derived from vertebra and long bones of Xenopus laevis. These cells can mineralize their extracellular matrix upon addition of an inorganic phosphate donor and vitamin C, as characterized by von Kossa staining. In addition they express genes such as matrix gla protein (mgp), alkaline phosphatase, type II collagen, and retinoic acid receptors, representing a valuable tool to analyze expression and regulation of Xenopus cartilage-associated genes. Continuous treatment with retinoic acid (RA) inhibited mineralization, alkaline phosphatase expression and its activity, suggesting that RA is a potential negative regulator of Xl1 cell differentiation. These cells are receptive to efficient transfer of DNA using conventional methods including calcium phosphate, liposome-mediated transfer or electroporation and were found to express basal levels of mgp at least 50-fold higher than the routinely used Xenopus A6 cell line, as seen by transcription assays with the distal X. laevis mgp promoter. Being the first amphibian cell line derived from bone tissue, the Xl1 culture provides an excellent in vitro tool for functional promoter studies, being suitable, among other uses, for identifying promoter elements mediating cartilage-expressed genes as shown here for mgp.

DOI10.1007/s11010-012-1473-x
Sapientia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23054192?dopt=Abstract

Alternate JournalMol. Cell. Biochem.
PubMed ID23054192