Cell line development and characterization

Cell lines are cultures of cells that originate from an organism and are able to proliferate for extended periods of time (months, years, or even, to our knowledge, indefinitely). In theory, cell lines can be originated from any organism. They are very valuable for studying the physiology and behavior of certain types of cells whose interactions are difficult to decipher in an animal because of the organisms’ complexity [1]. Further, cell lines are very useful for identifying mechanisms of toxicity: any interaction of the organism with a chemical occurs on the level of the cells! In this regard, cell lines have the potential to reduce or even replace the use of animals in the risk assessment of chemicals [2].

In our current research, we work with mammalian and fish cell lines. If a new cell line is established, it is vital that it is properly characterized. One such new cell lines is the Rainbow trout gut cell line, RTgut-GC1, which Kristin S. started at the University of Waterloo and which is now clearly established as a cell line [3]. Our goal is to culture this cell line in a way that may allow it to differentiate into an intestinal epithelium with an apical (gut lumen) and a basolateral (internal bodily fluid) side. If successful, this model can be used to study pathogen invasion and nutrient and toxicant transport and metabolism, thereby providing fundamental information for fish physiology, nutrition, health and toxicology.

[1] Bols, N.C., Dayeh, V.R., Lee, L.E.J., Schirmer, K. (2005) Use of fish cell lines in the toxicology and ecotoxicology of fish. In T.W. Mohn and T.P. Mommsen (eds.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Fishes, Vol. 6, Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, Netherlands, ISBN=0444518339.

[2] Schirmer, K. (2006). Proposal to improve vertebrate cell cultures to establish them as substitutes for the regulatory testing of chemicals and effluents using fish. Toxicology 224, 163-183.

[3] Kawano, A., Haiduk, C., Schirmer, K., Hanner, R., Lee, L.E.J., Dixon, B., Bols., N.C. Development of a rainbow trout intestinal epithelial cell line and its response to lipopolysaccharide. submitted to Aquaculture Nutrition.