Generating bat primary and immortalised cell-lines from wing biopsies

Area of Science:

• Comparative genomics
• Mammalian longevity research
• Infectious disease modeling

Background:

• Bats are recognized as models for studying extended healthspan and disease tolerance.
• Research is hindered by a lack of specific cellular resources for bats.
• Understanding bat biology can offer insights into aging and disease resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish an optimized protocol for developing primary and immortalized fibroblast cell lines from bats.
• To create essential cellular resources for studying bat longevity and disease tolerance.
• To enable research on bat species, including those of conservation concern.

Main Methods:

• Developed primary and immortalized fibroblast cell lines using wing biopsy punches from Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus).
• Assessed proliferative capacity and response to oxidative stress in both cell types.
• Evaluated NF-κB immune response to Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, including SARS-CoV-2.

Main Results:

• Established functional primary and immortalized fibroblast cell lines from Rousettus aegyptiacus.
• Demonstrated similar proliferative capacity and oxidative stress responses between primary and immortalized cells.
• Observed comparable NF-κB immune responses to TLR agonists and SARS-CoV-2 in both cell types.

Conclusions:

• The developed protocol allows for non-lethal generation of bat fibroblast cell lines, applicable to various species.
• These cellular resources are crucial for functional validation of bat longevity and disease tolerance mechanisms.
• This work expands the scope of bat species available for research, aiding conservation efforts and biomedical insights.