LDEV Testing

LDEV-Free Hydrogels

To all Glycosan Biosystems Extracel™ users:

In response to recent concern over lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDEV) contamination, we would like to assure our customers that our products have always been and will continue to be LDEV-free. Our hydrogels are semi-synthetic and are not derived from murine sources; this, combined with the way we prepare our materials, eliminates the possibility of LDEV, and testing has confirmed this.

Extracel™ Composition

Extracel™ hydrogels are composed of three main products: Glycosil™ (thiol-modified hyaluronan derived from bacterial fermentation), Gelin-S™ (thiol-modified, denatured collagen derived from either bovine or porcine skin), and Extralink™ (a polyethylene glycol diacrylate crosslinker ). Additionally, some of our kits contain Heprasil™ (thiol-modified hyaluronan combined with thiol-modified heparin derived from porcine intestinal mucosa) for the slow release of growth factors.

Risks

The presence of LDEV is a concern for researchers because it alters the host mouse physiology and immune system1. In certain types of mice, it may also trigger autoantibody-mediated anemia or thrombocytopenia2; induce age-dependent poliomyelitis3,4, which results in neuroparalysis; and alter the immune system, leading to IgG2a-restricted hypergammaglobulinaemia5. In addition to these complications, it has been suggested that LDEV infection may affect the take rate of human tumors in immunocompromised mice1.

Transmission

Transmission occurs primarily through parenteral exposure and inoculation of LDEV-contaminated tissues or cells. Natural infections are usually subclinical, but lifelong viremia and elevation of specific liver enzymes can occur.

Detection

The presence of LDEV can be detected directly using PCR or indirectly by detecting increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). We are committed to the testing of our products; if you have any questions regarding our testing methods or test results, please contact Technical Support at (801) 583-8212.

www.glycosan.com

  1. Charles River Laboratories, personal communication, www.criver.com.
  2. M. Meite, L. Detalle, S. Franquin, F. Cormont, V. Préat, S. Izui, J. P. Coutelier. Enhancement of autoantibody pathogenicity by viral infections in mouse models of anemia and thrombocytopenia. Autoimmun Rev., 2005, Apr(4):247-52.
  3. E. H. Schlenker, Q. A. Jones, R. R. Rowland, M. Steffen-Bien, W. A. Cafruny. Age-dependent poliomyelitis in mice is associated with respiratory failure and viral replication in the central nervous system and lung. J Neurovirol. 2001 Jun;7(3):265-71.
  4. N. L. Zitterkopf, D. W. McNeal, K. M. Eyster, D. S. Bradley, W. A. Cafruny.Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus induces apoptosis in cultured macrophages and in spinal cords of C58 mice coincident with onset of murine amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Virus Res. 2004 Nov;106(1):35-42.
  5. D. Markine-Goriaynoff, X. Hulhoven, C. L. Cambiaso, P. Monteyne, T. Briet, M. D. Gonzalez, P. Coulie, J. P. Coutelier. Natural killer cell activation after infection with lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus. J Gen Virol. 2002 Nov;83(Pt 11):2709-16.