Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
11:56
A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
Published on: April 11, 2014
Ascorbic acid modulates proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation of hyalocytes
Florian Sommer1, Karin Kobuch, Ferdinand Brandl
1Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
Tissue Engineering
|May 24, 2007
Summary
Ascorbic acid significantly boosts hyalocyte proliferation and collagen production in cell cultures. This vitamin, found in the vitreous body, is crucial for maintaining hyalocyte function in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Ascorbic acid is vital for cell function and widely used in tissue engineering.
- Hyalocytes are crucial cells within the vitreous body of the eye.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of ascorbic acid on hyalocyte proliferation and function.
- To determine optimal ascorbic acid concentrations for hyalocyte culture.
Main Methods:
- Hyalocytes were cultured in 2-D and 3-D systems with varying ascorbic acid concentrations.
- Cell proliferation, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen accumulation, and mRNA expression (COL11A1) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Ascorbic acid enhanced hyalocyte proliferation dose-dependently up to 150 microg/mL; higher concentrations (500 microg/mL) were toxic.
- Collagen production increased significantly with ascorbic acid supplementation, while GAG production per cell remained unchanged.
- Ascorbic acid upregulated COL11A1 mRNA expression in hyalocytes.
Conclusions:
- Ascorbic acid positively modulates hyalocyte proliferation and collagen synthesis.
- The findings highlight ascorbic acid's importance for in vitro hyalocyte culture, consistent with its high concentration in the vitreous body.
Related Concept Videos
01:01Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
01:23Glycosaminoglycans
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), also known as mucopolysaccharides, are long and linear polymers comprising of specific repeating disaccharides - the amino sugar that can be N-acetylglucosamine or N-acetylgalactosamine, and a uronic acid that is usually glucuronic acid or iduronic acid.
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
GAGS are found in the extracellular matrix of vertebrates, invertebrates, and bacteria. Due to their polar nature they attract water, and serve as excellent lubricants or shock absorbers in an animal body.
Hyaluronic...
01:26Extracellular Matrix
Unlike epithelial tissue, which is composed of cells closely packed with little or no extracellular space in between, connective tissue cells are dispersed in a matrix. This extracellular matrix (ECM) is composed of fibrous proteins like collagen, elastin, and fibronectin in a ground substance consisting of interstitial fluid, cell adhesion proteins, and proteoglycans. The proteoglycans form a gel-like material in the spaces between cells and provide hydration, buffering, binding, and force...