Primmorphs from archaeocytes‐dominant cell population of the sponge hymeniacidon perleve: improved cell proliferation and spiculogenesis

Abstract

Marine sponges (Porifera) possess an extraordinary diversity of bioactive metabolites for new drug discovery and development. In vitro cultivation of sponge cells in a bioreactor system is very attractive for the sustainable production of sponge-derived bioactive metabolites; however, it is still a challenging task. The recent establishment of sponge primmorphs, multicellular aggregates from dissociated mixed-cell population (MCP), has been widely acknowledged to hold great promise for cultivation in vitro. Here we present a new method to establish an in vitro sponge primmorph culture from archaeocyte-dominant cell population (ADCP) enriched by a Ficoll gradient, rather than a mixed-cell population (MCP). Our rationale is based upon the totipotency (the ability of a cell to differentiate into other cell types) of archaeocyte cells and the different biological functions of various sponge cell types. A sponge, Hymeniacidon perleve collected from the China Yellow Sea was used as a model system for this investigation. Distinct dynamics of primmorph formation were observed while significant increases in DNA synthesis, cell proliferation (up to threefold), and cell growth (up to fourfold) were achieved. Furthermore, a timedependent spiculogenesis was clearly demonstrated in our longterm culture, indicating high metabolic activity of primmorphs from the ADCP. This new method represents an important step forward to advance sponge cell culture in vitro that may lead to commercial exploitation of spongederived drugs. B

Large‐scale production of pharmaceuticals by marine sponges: Sea, cell, or synthesis?

“…This is probably explained by the occurrence of apoptosis that counterbalances cell division . The only exception is the case of rapid growth recorded for primmorphs of the Chinese sponge Hymeniacidon perleve (Zhang et al, 2003b). The authors measured a ninefold increase of the cell mass within 7 days, but observed death of the primmorphs after 10 days.…”

Reproduction of the Intertidal Sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis (Montagu)Along a Bathymetric Gradient

“…In order to produce sponge biomass that can be used as pharmaceutical potential, three-dimensional aggregates, and named primmorphs (multicellular aggregates from dissociated mixed-cell population) have been successfully used [5,6]. In H. perlevis, it has been proved that the addition of totipotent archaeocytes leads to be more stable primmorphs, thus suggesting a new method for the establishment of sponge cell culture in vitro [7].…”

Cultivation of Sponge Larvae: Settlement, Survival, and Growth of Juveniles

“…Chemical synthesis is too expensive and wild sponge collection has a negative impact on the environment and endangers the sustainable use of marine resources (according to convention on biological diversity rules). Sponge cultures have been assayed since the beginning of the last century (Moore, 1910); more recently, besides mariculture (in situ sponge culture; Pronzato et al, 1999;Duckworth and Battershill, 2003;Mendola, 2003), three methods for culturing sponges under controlled conditions have been used: explant culture (Osinga et al, 2001;de Caralt et al, 2003;Hoffmann et al, 2003;Nickel and Brü mmer, 2003), primmorphs (Mü ller et al, 1999;Zhang et al, 2003), and cells (Pomponi and Willoughby, 1994;Sipkema et al, 2003;De Rosa et al, 2003). However, most of these methods have encountered drawbacks with regard to survival and contamination (especially cell cultures) and/or growth rates (explants and primmorphs), and more research is required to make them suitable for scaling up sponge biomass production.…”

“…In adult sponges, the cells closer to stem cells are archeocytes, which are able to differentiate in several cell types (e.g., oocytes, sclerocytes, pinacocytes). Some authors have performed cell culture from archeocyte enriched cell fractions, which presented active DNA synthesis, but failed to obtain continuous cell proliferation because of an early cell death (Pomponi and Willoughby, 1994;Zhang et al, 2003).…”