A major challenge in the use of HepG2 cell culture models for drug toxicity screening is their lack maturity 2D culture. 3D Matrigel promotes formation spheroids that express liver-relevant markers, yet they still various primary hepatocyte functions. Therefore, alternative matrices where chemical composition and materials properties are controlled to steer maturation remain desired. Herein, a ...

Endometrial cancer is characterized by alterations in the stromal cells and the supporting extracellular matrix in addition to the intrinsic alterations of the malignant epithelial cells. We have developed a cell culture model that demonstrates the role of stromal cells in the regulation of proliferation, hormone responsiveness, and differentiation of an endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line (Is...

BACKGROUND/AIMS There is a critical need for more noninvasive biomarkers to identify nephritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recent studies in a model mouse and an adult SLE patient cohort suggest that anti-basement membrane antibody levels correlate well with lupus activity and kidney injury. The purpose of this study was to assess the anti-basement membrane reactivity i...

We have previously shown that co-transplantation of islets and Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) improves islet graft function and revascularisation, which was associated with the maintenance of normal islet morphology. The aim of the current study was to determine whether maintaining islet morphology in the absence of additional islet-helper cells would improve transplantation outcome in diabetic ...

Background Human Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (HWJMSCs) isolated from medical waste product can be considered as an accessible source of cells in regenerative medicine. Stem cell-derived hepatocytes have poor function and need appropriate niche to reconstruct the liver structure. Therefore, we attempted to find a novel approach in differentiating HWJMSCs into functional hepatic cells ...

De novo adipogenesis at the implanted site of a basement membrane extract (Matrigel) was induced through controlled release of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). bFGF was incorporated into biodegradable gelatin microspheres for its controlled release. When the mixture of Matrigel and bFGF-incorporated gelatin microspheres was implanted subcutaneously into the back of mice, a clearly visible...

Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells undergoing cystogenesis in vitro is a scientifically useful model of epithelial morphogenesis. The cysts formed in collagen and Matrigel are qualitatively similar, consisting of a single layer of epithelial cells surrounding a hollow lumen. However, differences in key quantitative measures of cyst growth, including cell number and cyst and lumen size, indi...

Screening methods for chemotherapeutic agents usually rely on the cytotoxic properties of the drugs. However, agents that inhibit invasion may have more efficacy and cause fewer side effects. Various cellular invasion assays have been used to evaluate these types of compounds, including the modified Boyden chamber, monolayer wound models and Matrigel outgrowth assays. In this report, we have co...

UNLABELLED Matrigel, a mouse sarcoma-derived basement membrane protein mixture, is frequently used to facilitate human tumor xenograft growth in rodents. Despite its known effects on tumor growth and metastasis, its impact on tumor pathophysiology and preclinical evaluation of nanomedicines in tumor xenografts has not been reported previously. Herein bilateral MDA435 tumors were established ort...