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Cultured peritoneal mesothelial cells exhibit apical primary cilia
Stephen D Bird1, Michael Legge, Robert J Walker
1Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand. sdbird@hotmail.com
Cell Biology International
|February 27, 2004
Summary
L-cysteine supplementation enhances primary cilia expression on human and rabbit peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMC). Calcium-free conditions reduce cilia, indicating their sensitivity to ionic environment changes.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Microscopy Techniques
Background:
- Primary cilia are crucial cellular organelles involved in signaling.
- Peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMC) play a role in the peritoneum.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate primary cilia expression on human and rabbit PMC.
- To identify factors influencing ciliary expression in PMC.
Main Methods:
- Indirect immunocytochemistry, laser scanning confocal microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used.
- Ciliary expression was quantified in PMC cultures treated with L-cysteine or calcium-free solutions.
- NIH Image software normalized cilia counts to total cell counts.
Main Results:
- Primary cilia were identified on both human and rabbit PMC.
- L-cysteine treatment significantly increased cilia expression compared to controls.
- Calcium-free conditions significantly reduced cilia expression on PMC.
Conclusions:
- PMC possess apical primary cilia whose expression can be modulated.
- L-cysteine can augment ciliary expression on PMC, independent of cell density.
- Ciliary expression is sensitive to the extracellular calcium concentration.