ABSTRACT
In this study, we examined the development of the upper eyelids to provide a basic understanding of gross anatomical structures and information relative to mechanisms of congenital anomalies in the upper eyelids. We studied the upper eyelids by external and histological observation in 48 human embryos and in fetuses from 5 to 36 weeks postfertilization. The upper eyelid fold began to develop at Stage 18. Upper and lower eyelids fused from the lateral cantus at Stage 22, and fusion was complete by 9 weeks of development. Mesenchymal condensations forming the orbital part of the orbicularis oculi (OO), tarsal plate, and the eyelashes and their appendages, were first seen at Week 9. Definite muscle structures of the upper eyelid, such as the orbital part of the OO and the levator palpebrae superioris and its aponeurosis, and the Müller's muscle were observed at 12 and 14 weeks, respectively. In addition, orbital septum, arterial arcade and orbital fat pad, and tarsal gland (TG) were apparent at 12, 14, and 18 weeks, respectively. Opening of the palpebral fissure was observed at Week 20. In addition, we defined the directional orientation between the levator aponeurosis and orbital septum and the growth pattern of the TG. Our results will be helpful in understanding the normal development of the upper eyelid and the origins of upper eyelid birth defects.
Subject(s)
Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Eyelids/anatomy & histology , Eyelids/growth & development , Fetus/cytology , Humans , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are a family of proteins that mediate angiogenesis. VEGF165 is a VEGF-A isoform and has been extensively studied owing to its potential use in therapeutic angiogenesis. This study established Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells overexpressing recombinant human VEGF165 (rhVEGF165) protein. The production rate of the established CHO cells was over 80 mg/l of rhVEGF165 protein from a 7-day batch culture process using a 7.5-l bioreactor with a 5-l working volume and serum-free medium. The rhVEGF165 protein was purified to homogeneity from the culture supernatant using a two-step chromatographic procedure that resulted in a 48% recovery rate. The purified rhVEGF165 protein was a glycosylated homodimeric protein with a higher molecular weight (MW) than the protein expressed from insect cells, suggesting that the glycosylation of the rhVEGF165 protein in CHO cells differed from that in insect cells. The purified rhVEGF165 protein in this study was functionally active with a half-maximal effective concentration of 3.8 ng/ ml and specific activity of 2.5 x 105 U/mg.
Subject(s)
Biotechnology/methods , CHO Cells/metabolism , Recombinant Proteins/metabolism , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism , Animals , Bioreactors , Cells, Cultured , Cricetinae , Cricetulus , Culture Media , Endothelial Cells , Endothelium, Vascular/cytology , Humans , Recombinant Proteins/genetics , Recombinant Proteins/isolation & purification , Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology , Umbilical Veins , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/isolation & purification , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Sodium butyrate (NaBu) is used as a productivity enhancer for the production of therapeutic recombinant proteins in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. However, NaBu is well-known for having a cytotoxic effect, thereby inducing apoptosis. As an endeavor to reduce this defect, we studied 11 antioxidants known for inhibiting apoptosis, according to a Plackett-Burman statistical design on CHO cells producing recombinant interferon-beta-1a (IFN-beta). None of the antioxidants that we tested were as effective as N-acetylcystein (NAC) from the point of view of maintaining long-term survival of CHO cells and increasing the production of IFN-beta. In 7.5-L perfusion bioreactor cultures, the addition of NaBu and NAC elongated the culture period to almost 200 h throughout production phase and increased the production yield by 2-fold compared to control cultures containing only NaBu. Glycosylation patterns of produced IFN-beta at each run were also compared in IEF analysis. IEF profiles of where NaBu and NAC were added showed to be more isoforms with a lower pI than those of the control run. The sialic acid content was also increased by 17.7% according to HPLC analysis. Taken together, the data obtained demonstrate that the addition of NAC has positive effects on the elongation of the culture period, improving the production and increasing the sialylation of IFN-beta in NaBu-treated CHO cells.
