In vitro culture and evaluation of bovine mammary epithelial cells from Ukraine dairy cows

Background: Mammary epithelial cells (MECs) have been widely-used over the years as models to understand the physiological function of mammary disease. Aims: This study aimed to establish a culture system and elucidate the unique characteristics of bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) from the milk of Ukraine Holstein dairy cows in order to develop a general in vitro model. Methods: The milk from a three-year-old lactating dairy cow was used as a source of the epithelial cell, characteristics of BMECs were examined using real time cell assay (RTCA), immunocytochemistry (ICC), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Western blot (WB). Results: The results showed that BMECs can be recovered from milk, grown in culture, and exhibit the characteristic cobblestone morphology of epithelial cells. Conclusion: The established BMECs retained MEC characteristics and secreted β-caseins even when grew on plastic substratum. Thus, the established cell line had normal morphology, growth characteristics, as well as secretory characteristics, and it could be considered as a model system and useful tool for understanding the biology of dairy cow mammary glands.