Abstract:

Objective To compare the effects of four substrata in cell culture of rabbit tracheal epithelium ciliated cells and to explore the more suitable substratum for the cell model established in vitro. Methods Self-made rat tail collagen, commercial rat tail collagen, poly-L-lysine and gelatin were coated on glass coverslip respectively for explants culture of rabbit tracheal mucosal specimens.Results The anchorage rates of rabbit tracheal mucosal specimens on the four substrata respectively are: selfmade rat tail collagen 89.1%, commercial rat tail collagen 43.5%, poly-L-lysine 36.9% and gelatin 21.7%. The maximal monolayer radius of anchorage tissues on four substrata respectively are: selfmade rat tail collagen(1 432.2±383.2)μm, commercial rat tail collagen(928.9±390.3)μm, poly-L-lysine(889±229.2)μm and gelatin(651±221.2)μm. The maximal ciliary beat frequency and duration respectively are: self-made rat tail collagen(10.0±1.5)Hz 11 days, commercial rat tail collagen(8.5±0.6)Hz 5 days, poly-L-lysine(8.9±0.5)Hz 3 days and gelatin(5.9±0.3)Hz 2 days. Under the electron microscope, self-made rat tail collagen fibers show a reticulate pattern, which may play an active role in ciliary cell anchorage and growth. Conclusion Our study indicates that self-made rat tail collagen is the most suitable substratum among the four in explants culture of rabbit tracheal epithelium ciliated cells in vitro and could be a reliable cellattracting substance for ciliary function study.

Key words: extracellular matrix, cilia, epithelia cells, rat tail collagen