Abstract

ARIOSTO, Ardila; ESCOVAR, Jesús  and  BELLO, Felio. Characteristics of new cell cultures derived from embryonic tissues of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) . Biomédica [online]. 2005, vol.25, n.1, pp.65-75. ISSN 0120-4157.

Introduction. Cell cultures from insects are a useful methodology in technological and biomedical studies. Objective. The present work was aimed at obtaining and characterizing cell cultures derived from Aedes aegypti embryonic tissues. Materials and methods. Embryonated eggs were used for embryonic tissue explants in L-15/Grace and MM/VP12 culture media, supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum and a mixture of 1% antimycotic and antibiotics, at a pH ranging from 6.8 to 7.0. The incubation temperature was 28^o C; a CO₂ atmosphere was not required. Results. Cell growth was obtained in L-15/Grace medium three weeks after embryonic tissues explants. Six months were required for achieving a confluent monolayer. Twenty eight serial cell subcultures were carried out from August 2003 to June 2004. Cell morphology was characterized as being epithelial in subcultures of high passages; karyotype morphometric characteristics were recognized and the molecular and isozymatic profiles were also established. The cultures were compared with adult samples from the species taken from the same colony and with cell lines derived from other insects. Discussion. These cells are an important in vitro system in applied and basic research.

Keywords : Aedes aegypti; cell cultures; vesicles; karyotypes; isozymes; RAPD-PCR.

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