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In Vitro multinucleated giant cell-like cells formation: An observation
W X Kok1, S K Cheong2, P P Leong3
1Postgraduate Research Laboratories, M. Kandiah Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Kajang, Malaysia.
Introduction:
The formation of multinucleated giant cells (MGCs), is known to occur during chronic inflammations. However, the molecular mechanisms and cell signalling pathways by which they adhere are largely unknown. Most studies concerning the development of MGCs involve the stimulation of isolated monocytes or macrophages with infectious pathogens. However, such in vitro studies are limited, and the resulting MGCs do not accurately mimic MGC observed in vivo. In this report, we discuss an observation of the emergence of MGCs derived from umbilical cord blood in a modified methylcellulose culture.
Materials And Methods:
A 10-day colony-forming unit (CFU) assay (methylcellulose culture) using umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells resulted in the emergence of adherent epithelioid-like clusters.
Results:
During the latter stages of the culture timeline, monocytic-like cells were observed to emerge from within these adherent clusters, alongside the formation of large MGCs exhibiting their characteristic morphology of multiple nuclei.
Conclusions:
This observation could serve as a reference for cell culture studies and may present an alternative model of monocytic-lineage cell development, involving an intermediary stage rather than the conventional linear haematopoietic hierarchy of blood cell differentiation.
Insights
Multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) emerged from umbilical cord blood cells in a novel methylcellulose culture. This finding offers a new model for studying monocytic-lineage cell development and MGC formation in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Hematopoiesis
- Immunology
Background:
- Multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) are associated with chronic inflammation.
- Molecular mechanisms of MGC adhesion and signaling pathways remain largely unknown.
- Current in vitro models using isolated monocytes/macrophages do not fully replicate in vivo MGCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the novel emergence of MGCs from umbilical cord blood in a modified methylcellulose culture.
- To propose an alternative model for monocytic-lineage cell development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 10-day colony-forming unit (CFU) assay with umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells in methylcellulose culture.
- Observed the formation of adherent epithelioid-like clusters.
Main Results:
- Adherent clusters yielded monocytic-like cells and multinucleated giant cells (MGCs).
- MGCs exhibited characteristic multinucleated morphology.
- Cell emergence occurred during the later stages of the culture timeline.
Conclusions:
- This observation provides a reference for future cell culture studies.
- Presents a potential alternative model for monocytic-lineage cell development.
- Suggests an intermediary stage in differentiation, diverging from the linear hematopoietic hierarchy.
