We would like to acknowledge the Stanford Functional Genomics Facility (SFGF), particularly Dhananjay Wagh and John Coller, and 10x Genomics for their assistance with optimizing our experiments. We would also like to thank Drs. George Poultsides, Monica Dua, Brendan Visser, and Byrne Lee for their assistance in acquiring patient specimens. We would like to acknowledge Art and Elaine Taylor, the Rantz Foundation, and Warren and Judy Kaplan for their generous support of our research efforts. Funding sources include NIH grants 1F32CA23931201A1 (D.S.F.), 1R01GM116892 (M.T.L.), 1R01GM136659 (M.T.L), Goldman Sachs Foundation (J.A.N., D.S.F., M.T.L.), the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation (D.D., M.T.L.), the Gunn/Olivier Fund, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Stinehart/Reed Foundation, and the Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine. Sequencing was obtained using machines purchased with NIH funds (S10OD025212, S10OD018220, and 1S10OD01058001A1).

Human pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) samples were acquired according to an IRB-approved protocol in our laboratory. Informed consent was obtained from patients for tissue collection. Tissue was transported from the operating room to the laboratory and then processed as follows.
1. Tissue dissociation (digestion)
<ol>
	<li>Prepare Digest Buffer (see Table of Materials).</li>
	<li>Obtain the tissue of interest as soon as possible after tumor excision and transport the specimen in quench buffer (DMEM F-12 with ~5% fetal bovine serum) or 1x PBS on ice.</li>
	<li>Mince the tissue using clean forceps and scissors in 3-5 mL of Digest Buffer in a 90 mm Petri dish (Figure 2A).</li>
	<li>Transfer the minced tissue to a 50 mL conical tube and dissociate in ~10 mL of Digest Buffer for 30 min at 37 &#176;C using a water bath with shaking function or a dry agitator.</li>
	<li>Remove from the agitator and quench with ~20 mL of quench medium. Filter the solution through a 100 &#181;m cell strainer into a clean conical tube.</li>
	<li>Collect any remaining solid tissue from the strainer (re-mince remaining tissue pieces if needed), and place in ~10 mL of fresh Digest Buffer for another 30 min at 37 &#176;C with agitation. Repeat until all tumor tissue has been dissociated.</li>
	<li>Pool cell suspension aliquots and filter through a 70 &#181;m followed by a 40 &#181;m cell strainer into a clean conical tube on ice.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge to pellet cells at 500 &#215; g for 5 min at 4 &#176;C and then decant the supernatant.</li>
</ol>
2. Cryopreservation
<ol>
	<li>Rinse the cells by resuspending the pellet in 1 mL of 1x PBS.</li>
	<li>Transfer the cell suspension (~1-10 million cells/tube for optimal freezing) to a 1.5 mL cryovial on ice.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge to pellet cells at 500 &#215; g for 5 min at 4 &#176;C and then decant the supernatant.</li>
	<li>Resuspend the cells in 1 mL of Bambanker solution, transfer to a 1.5 or 2 mL cryovial (Figure 2B), and freeze using a -1 &#176;C/min cooling rate freezing container (containing 100% isopropyl alcohol) at -80 &#176;C, or transfer to liquid nitrogen if longer-term storage of the sample is anticipated.</li>
</ol>
3. Nuclei isolation
<ol>
	<li>Rapidly thaw the cryovial of cell suspension and place it on wet ice.</li>
	<li>Transfer the thawed cell suspension to a 2 mL microcentrifuge tube and top up the vial to 2 mL solution with 1x PBS to rinse the cells.</li>
	<li>Obtain a manual cell count using a hemocytometer to assess both the quantity and quality of the cells (Figure 2C).</li>
	<li>Centrifuge to pellet cells at 500 &#215; g for 5 min at 4 &#176;C and then gently decant the supernatant using progressively smaller pipette tips to leave behind a dry pellet and maintain it on ice.
	<ol>
		<li>Use a swing-bucket rotor for all centrifugation steps. For maximum cell yield, place the tubes in the centrifuge with the hinge facing outwards and then decant with the pipette tip directed towards the opposite side of the tube (Figure 2D). 
		NOTE: For decanting the supernatant, use progressively smaller pipette tips to remove fluid to limit disruption of the pellet while maximizing the volume of fluid decanted. This strategy is particularly helpful later in the protocol following nuclei extraction since the nuclei pellet is generally not visible.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Prepare 1x Cell Lysis Buffer, Cell Lysis Dilution Buffer, and Wash Buffer (Figure 3A) according to the published protocol with the following modifications (see Table 1,&#160;Table of Materials): 
	NOTE: Place the Digitonin on a heating block at 65 &#176;C prior to use to dissolve the precipitate (Figure 3B). This typically takes about 10 min.</li>
	<li>Prepare the 0.1x Cell Lysis Buffer by combining 100 &#181;L of 1x Cell Lysis Buffer and 900 &#181;L of Cell Lysis Dilution Buffer, pipette gently to mix, and place it on ice.</li>
	<li>Resuspend the cell pellet in 100 &#181;L of chilled 0.1x Cell Lysis Buffer and gently pipette to mix 5x.</li>
	<li>Incubate on ice for 3 min (Figure 3C).</li>
	<li>Add 1 mL of chilled Wash Buffer and pipette up and down to gently mix 5x.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge to pellet the nuclei at 500 &#215; g for 5 min at 4 &#176;C, gently decant the supernatant to a dry pellet, and maintain on ice. 
	NOTE: If the starting cell number is low (100,000-200,000 cells), perform the cell lysis and wash steps in a 200 &#181;L PCR tube instead of a 2 mL microcentrifuge tube to decrease the tube surface area and minimize losses. In this case, adjust the Wash Buffer volume down to accommodate the smaller tube volume.</li>
	<li>Repeat Steps 3.9-3.10 2x for a total of three washes.</li>
	<li>Manually count the nuclei using a hemocytometer slide under the microscope. Use trypan blue dye if desired to provide contrast for viewing the nuclei and to help discern nuclei from unlysed cells.</li>
	<li>Prepare the 1x Nuclei Buffer per the published protocol: 20x Nuclei Buffer stock, 1 mM DTT, 1 U/&#181;L RNase Inhibitor in nuclease-free water and keep on ice (see Table of Materials).</li>
	<li>Resuspend the nuclei pellet in 1x Nuclei Buffer based on goal-targeted nuclei recovery. 
	NOTE: If the concentration is high enough, aim for a targeted recovery of 10,000 or slightly higher at this step (3,230-8,060 nuclei/&#181;L) when determining the starting resuspension volume, given the anticipated volume loss of 25 &#181;L and the 20% decrease in concentration with filtering (Step 3.15).</li>
	<li>Gently pass the resuspended nuclei volume through a 40 &#181;m Pipette Tip Cell Strainer and place the nuclei on ice (Figure 3D).</li>
	<li>Recount the nuclei (Figure 4A-C). Dilute the final solution further with Nuclei Buffer if needed.</li>
	<li>Transport the nuclei on ice and immediately proceed with nuclei capture per published protocols.</li>
</ol>

Isolation of Nuclei for Multiome Sequencing in Solid Tumor Specimen

<ol>
	<li>Jain, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single-cell+RNA+sequencing+and+spatial+transcriptomics+reveal+cancer-associated+fibroblasts+in+glioblastoma+with+protumoral+effects.">Single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics reveal cancer-associated fibroblasts in glioblastoma with protumoral effects.</a> J Clin Invest. 133 (5), e147087 (2023).</li><li>Sahai, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+framework+for+advancing+our+understanding+of+cancer-associated+fibroblasts.">A framework for advancing our understanding of cancer-associated fibroblasts.</a> Nat Rev Cancer. 20 (3), 174-186 (2020).</li><li>Foster, D. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiomic+analysis+reveals+conservation+of+cancer-associated+fibroblast+phenotypes+across+species+and+tissue+of+origin.">Multiomic analysis reveals conservation of cancer-associated fibroblast phenotypes across species and tissue of origin.</a> Cancer Cell. 40 (11), 1392-1406 (2022).</li><li>Hasan, S., Buechler, M. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=What's+in+a+name?+An+emerging+framework+for+cancer-associated+fibroblasts,+myofibroblasts,+and+fibroblasts.">What's in a name? An emerging framework for cancer-associated fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and fibroblasts.</a> Cancer Cell. 40 (11), 1273-1275 (2022).</li><li>. Nuclei isolation from complex tissues for single cell multiome ATAC + gene expression sequencing Available from: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.10xgenomics.com/support/single-cell-multiome-atac-plus-gene-expression/documentation/steps/sample-prep/nuclei-isolation-from-complex-tissues-for-single-cell-multiome-atac-plus-gene-expression-sequencing">https://www.10xgenomics.com/support/single-cell-multiome-atac-plus-gene-expression/documentation/steps/sample-prep/nuclei-isolation-from-complex-tissues-for-single-cell-multiome-atac-plus-gene-expression-sequencing</a> (2022)</li><li>. Nuclei isolation from embryonic mouse brain tissue for single cell multiome ATAC + gene expression sequencing Available from: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.10xgenomics.com/support/single-cell-multiome-atac-plus-gene-expression/documentation/steps/sample-prep/nuclei-isolation-from-embryonic-mouse-brain-tissue-for-single-cell-multiome-atac-plus-gene-expression-sequencing">https://www.10xgenomics.com/support/single-cell-multiome-atac-plus-gene-expression/documentation/steps/sample-prep/nuclei-isolation-from-embryonic-mouse-brain-tissue-for-single-cell-multiome-atac-plus-gene-expression-sequencing</a> (2022)</li><li>Januszyk, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+diabetic+and+non-diabetic+foot+ulcers+using+single-cell+RNA-sequencing.">Characterization of diabetic and non-diabetic foot ulcers using single-cell RNA-sequencing.</a> Micromachines (Basel). 11 (9), 815 (2020).</li><li>Foster, D. S., Jones, R. E., Ransom, R. C., Longaker, M. T., Norton, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+evolving+relationship+of+wound+healing+and+tumor+stroma.">The evolving relationship of wound healing and tumor stroma.</a> JCI Insight. 3 (18), e99911 (2018).</li><li>Nott, A., Schlachetzki, J. C. M., Fixsen, B. R., Glass, C. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nuclei+isolation+of+multiple+brain+cell+types+for+omics+interrogation.">Nuclei isolation of multiple brain cell types for omics interrogation.</a> Nat Protoc. 16 (3), 1629-1646 (2021).</li><li>Foster, D. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Integrated+spatial+multiomics+reveals+fibroblast+fate+during+tissue+repair.">Integrated spatial multiomics reveals fibroblast fate during tissue repair.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 118 (41), e2110025118 (2021).</li><li>Leiz, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nuclei+isolation+from+adult+mouse+kidney+for+single-nucleus+RNA-sequencing.">Nuclei isolation from adult mouse kidney for single-nucleus RNA-sequencing.</a> J Vis Exp. (175), (2021).</li><li>Narayanan, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nuclei+isolation+from+fresh+frozen+brain+tumors+for+single-nucleus+RNA-seq+and+ATAC-seq.">Nuclei isolation from fresh frozen brain tumors for single-nucleus RNA-seq and ATAC-seq.</a> J Vis Exp. (162), e61542 (2020).</li></ol>

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Untangling the heterogeneous cell populations present in the tumor microenvironment is an active area of focus in cancer biology. Similarly, complex tissues exist in benign pathologies such as wound healing and fibrosis. Multiome sequencing has emerged as a powerful tool permitting the acquisition of same-cell paired scRNA- and ATAC-seq data. This protocol describes the isolation of nuclei, which demands optimization in the setting of processing fresh, fragile, small tumor specimens. Here we provide a protocol for nuclei...

As our knowledge of tumor biology grows, the importance of analyzing heterogeneous cells across the tumor microenvironment has also increased1,2. The ability to acquire single-cell RNA and the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-sequencing) data from the same cell in a paired-cell fashion (multiome sequencing) provides a significant advance towards this end3,4. These experiments are expensive and time-consuming, however, and the quality and impact of the data acquired are highly dependent on the quality of the experimental conditions and materials. Standardized protocols for nuclei isolation have been published5,6. Fresh and heterogeneous tissues require protocol optimization since freshly isolated cells from solid tumor specimens are more fragile than those isolated from cell lines.
Another consideration is that for solid tumors, surgical specimens are often not available from the operating room until late in the day. As such, it is generally not feasible to proceed directly from sample acquisition to nuclei capture without a cryopreservation step. In our experience, freezing a single-cell suspension yields the highest-quality nuclei (rather than flash-frozen whole tissue or other modalities of preservation). This is particularly true for enzymatic tissue types with high RNase content such as the pancreas.
Tissue digestion conditions also need to be designed to maximize cell yield without sacrificing quality7. In the context of solid tumor types with dense desmoplastic matrices8, the extracellular matrix must be gently broken down for cell release. Additionally, because the cell types isolated are heterogeneous, conditions should be adjusted to support the total cell population. Human pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma) samples are used in the described protocol. Pancreatic cancer represents a highly desmoplastic tumor type, which portends relatively sticky tissue and cells. Moreover, as pancreatic tumor specimens available for research also tend to be relatively small, efforts are made to maximize the quantity of cells captured.
Isolation of nuclei requires the most optimization in terms of cell lysis conditions and timing, as well as reagent types and ratios. Handling the nuclei over the course of isolation also requires great care. In this article, we describe our experience optimizing nuclear isolation for the 10x Genomics multiome sequencing platform from solid tumor tissue (Figure 1). We provide recommendations for tissue digestion, cryopreservation of single-cell suspensions (if desired), and nuclear isolation.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>100, 70, and 40 &#956;m Falcon cell strainers&#160;</td>
			<td>&#160;ThermoFisher</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10x Genomics Nuclei Buffer (20x)</td>
			<td>10x Genomics</td>
			<td>2000153/2000207</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bambanker&#160;</td>
			<td>Wako, Fisher Scientitic</td>
			<td>NC9582225&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-091-376</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Calcium Chloride</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>499609</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagenase (Collagenase Type IV)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>17104019</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Digitonin</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>BN2006</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DNase I</td>
			<td>Worthington</td>
			<td>LS006330</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DTT</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>646563</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dulbecco&#8217;s Modified Eagle Medium F-12</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>11320082</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>10438026</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flowmi 40 &#956;m&#160; Pipette Tip Cell Strainer&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>BAH136800040</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>H3375</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Histopaque-1119 Gradient Cell Separation solution</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>11191</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Medium 199</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>M2520</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MgCl2</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>M1028</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Miltenyi GentleMACSTM digest kit&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>59222C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nalgene Cryo &#34;Mr. Frosty&#34; Freezing Container</td>
			<td>&#160;ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>5100-0001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nonident P40 Substitute</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>74385</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poloxamer 188</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P5556</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rnase inhibitor&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>3335399001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tris-HCl</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>T2194</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tween-20</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>85113</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

optimized nuclei isolation from fresh and frozen solid tumor specimens for multiome sequencing

Multiome sequencing, which provides same-cell/paired single-cell RNA- and the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-sequencing) data, represents a breakthrough in our ability to discern tumor cell heterogeneity-a primary focus of translational cancer research at this time. However, the quality of sequencing data acquired using this advanced modality is highly dependent on the quality of the input material. 
Digestion conditions need to be optimized to maximize cell yield without sacrificing quality. This is particularly challenging in the context of solid tumors with dense desmoplastic matrices that must be gently broken down for cell release. Freshly isolated cells from solid tumor tissue are more fragile than those isolated from cell lines. Additionally, as the cell types isolated are heterogeneous, conditions should be selected to support the total cell population. 
Finally, nuclear isolation conditions must be optimized based on these qualities in terms of lysis times and reagent types/ratios. In this article, we describe our experience with nuclear isolation for the 10x Genomics multiome sequencing platform from solid tumor specimens. We provide recommendations for tissue digestion, storage of single-cell suspensions (if desired), and nuclear isolation and assessment.

To isolate high-quality nuclei from patient solid tumor specimens for multiome sequencing (Figure 1), the tumor tissue was dissociated and a single-cell suspension was cryopreserved (Figure 2A-D). The cell suspension was then thawed at the time of planned multiome capture. Nuclei capture was conducted with optimized lysis buffer reagents and timing to maximize both quality and yield (Figure 3A<stron...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Author Spotlight: Enhancing Nuclei Isolation for Multiome Sequencing in Challenging Tumor Microenvironments at JoVE.com

Author Spotlight: Enhancing Nuclei Isolation for Multiome Sequencing in Challenging Tumor Microenvironments

The protocol provides a reliable and optimized approach to the isolation of nuclei from solid tumor specimens for multiome sequencing using the 10x Genomics platform, including recommendations for tissue dissociation conditions, cryopreservation of single-cell suspensions, and assessment of isolated nuclei.

Optimized Nuclei Isolation from Fresh and Frozen Solid Tumor Specimens for Multiome Sequencing

Multiome sequencing, which provides same-cell/paired single-cell RNA- and the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-sequencing) ...

optimized-nuclei-isolation-from-fresh-frozen-solid-tumor-specimens

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896 Views.  Stanford University. The protocol provides a reliable and optimized approach to the isolation of nuclei from solid tumor specimens for multiome sequencing using the 10x Genomics platform, including recommendations for tissue dissociation conditions, cryopreservation of single-cell suspensions, and assessment of isolated nuclei. 

Video: Author Spotlight: Enhancing Nuclei Isolation for Multiome Sequencing in Challenging Tumor Microenvironments

Next Generation Sequencing for the Detection of Actionable Mutations in Solid and Liquid Tumors

As our understanding of the driver mutations necessary for initiation and progression of cancers improves, we gain critical information on how specific molecular profiles of a tumor may predict responsiveness to therapeutic agents or provide knowledge about prognosis. At our institution a tumor genotyping program was established as part of routine clinical care, screening both hematologic and solid tumors for a wide spectrum of mutations using two next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels: a custom, 33 gene hematological malignancies panel for use with peripheral blood and bone marrow, and a commercially produced solid tumor panel for use with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue that targets 47 genes commonly mutated in cancer. Our workflow includes a pathologist review of the biopsy to ensure there is adequate amount of tumor for the assay followed by customized DNA extraction is performed on the specimen. Quality control of the specimen includes steps for quantity, quality and integrity and only after the extracted DNA passes these metrics an amplicon library is generated and sequenced. The resulting data is analyzed through an in-house bioinformatics pipeline and the variants are reviewed and interpreted for pathogenicity. Here we provide a snapshot of the utility of each panel using two clinical cases to provide insight into how a well-designed NGS workflow can contribute to optimizing clinical outcomes.

This manuscript describes clinical protocols for two next-generation sequencing panels. One panel interrogates hematologic malignancies while the other panel targets genes commonly mutated in solid tumors. Molecular classification of driver mutations in human malignancies offers valuable prognostic and predictive information.

As our understanding of the driver mutations necessary for initiation and progression of cancers improves, we gain critical information on how specific ...

Simple and Rapid Method to Obtain High-quality Tumor DNA from Clinical-pathological Specimens Using Touch Imprint Cytology

It is critical to determine the mutational status in cancer before administration and treatment of specific molecular targeted drugs for cancer patients. In the clinical setting, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues are widely used for genetic testing. However, FFPE DNA is generally damaged and fragmented during the fixation process with formalin. Therefore, FFPE DNA is sometimes not adequate for genetic testing because of low quality and quantity of DNA. Here we present a method of touch imprint cytology (TIC) to obtain genomic DNA from cancer cells, which can be observed under a microscope. Cell morphology and cancer cell numbers can be evaluated using TIC specimens. Furthermore, the extraction of genomic DNA from TIC samples can be completed within two days. The total amount and quality of TIC DNA obtained using this method was higher than that of FFPE DNA. This rapid and simple method allows researchers to obtain high-quality DNA for genetic testing (e.g., next generation sequencing analysis, digital PCR, and quantitative real time PCR) and to shorten the turnaround time for reporting results.

Obtaining high-quality genomic DNA from tumor tissues is an essential first step for analyzing genetic alterations using next generation sequencing. In this article, we present a simple and rapid method to enrich tumor cells and obtain intact DNA from touch imprint cytology specimens.

It is critical to determine the mutational status in cancer before administration and treatment of specific molecular targeted drugs for cancer patients. ...

Isolation and Characterization of Tumor-initiating Cells from Sarcoma Patient-derived Xenografts

The existence and importance of tumor-initiating cells (TICs) have been supported by increasing evidence during the past decade. These TICs have been shown to be responsible for tumor initiation, metastasis, and drug resistance. Therefore, it is important to develop specific TIC-targeting therapy in addition to current chemotherapy strategies, which mostly focus on the bulk of non-TICs. In order to further understand the mechanism behind the malignancy of TICs, we describe a method to isolate and to characterize TICs in human sarcomas. Herein, we show a detailed protocol to generate patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) of human sarcomas and to isolate TICs by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) using human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-1) as a negative marker. Also, we describe how to functionally characterize these TICs, including a sphere formation assay and a tumor formation assay, and to induce differentiation along mesenchymal pathways. The isolation and characterization of PDX TICs provide clues for the discovery of potential targeting therapy reagents. Moreover, increasing evidence suggests that this protocol may be further extended to isolate and characterize TICs from other types of human cancers.

We describe a detailed protocol for the isolation of tumor-initiating cells from human sarcoma patient-derived xenografts by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, using human leukocyte antigen-1 (HLA-1) as a negative marker, and for the further validation and characterization of these HLA-1-negative tumor-initiating cells.

The existence and importance of tumor-initiating cells (TICs) have been supported by increasing evidence during the past decade. These TICs have been ...

Detection of a CDH1 Rare Transcript Variant in Fresh-frozen Gastric Cancer Tissues by Chip-based Digital PCR

CDH1a, a non-canonical transcript of the CDH1 gene, has been found to be expressed in some gastric cancer (GC) cell lines, whereas it is absent in normal gastric mucosa. Recently, we detected CDH1a transcript variant in fresh-frozen tumor tissues obtained from patients with GC. The expression of this variant in tissue samples was investigated by the chip-based digital PCR (dPCR) approach presented here. dPCR offers the potential for an accurate, robust, and highly sensitive measurement of nucleic acids and is increasingly utilized for many applications in different fields. dPCR is capable of detecting rare targets; in addition, dPCR offers the possibility for absolute and precise quantification of nucleic acids without the need for calibrators and standard curves. In fact, the reaction partitioning enriches the target from the background, which improves amplification efficiency and tolerance to inhibitors. Such characteristics make dPCR an optimal tool for the detection of the CDH1a rare transcript.

Detection of a CDH1 Rare Transcript Variant in Fresh-frozen Gastric Cancer Tissues by Chip-based Digital PCR

The manuscript describes a chip-based digital PCR assay to detect a rare CDH1 transcript variant (CDH1a) in fresh-frozen normal and tumor tissues obtained from patients with gastric cancer.

CDH1a, a non-canonical transcript of the CDH1 gene, has been found to be expressed in some gastric cancer (GC) cell lines, whereas it is absent in normal ...

Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for the Genetic Variation in a Sporadic Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Patient Using the Chip-in-a-tube Format

The quantitative analysis of human genetic variation is crucial for understanding the molecular characteristics of serious medical conditions, such as tumors. Because digital polymerase chain reactions (PCR) enable the precise quantification of DNA copy number variants, they are becoming an essential tool for detecting rare genetic variations, such as drug-resistant mutations. It is expected that molecular diagnoses using digital PCR (dPCR) will be available in clinical practice in the near future; thus, how to efficiently conduct dPCR with human genetic material is a hot topic. Here, we introduce a method to detect Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) somatic mosaicism using dPCR with the chip-in-a-tube format, which allows eight dPCR reactions to be simultaneously conducted. Care should be taken when filling and sealing the reaction mixture on the chips. This article demonstrates how to avoid the over- and underestimation of positive partitions. Furthermore, we present a simple procedure for collecting the dPCR product from the partitions on the chips, which can then be used to confirm the specific amplification. We hope that this methods report will help promote the dPCR with the chip-in-a-tube method in genetic research.

Digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a useful tool for the high-sensitivity detection of single nucleotide variants and DNA copy number variants. Here, we demonstrate key considerations for measuring rare variants in the human genome using digital PCR with the chip-in-a-tube format.

The quantitative analysis of human genetic variation is crucial for understanding the molecular characteristics of serious medical conditions, such as ...

Unraveling Key Players of Humoral Immunity: Advanced and Optimized Lymphocyte Isolation Protocol from Murine Peyer's Patches

In the gut mucosa, immune cells constitute a unique immunological entity, which promotes immune tolerance while concurrently conferring immune defense against pathogens. It is well established that Peyer&#39;s patches (PPs) have an essential role in the mucosal immune network by hosting several effector T and B cell subsets. A certain fraction of these effector cells, follicular T helper (TFH) and germinal center (GC) B cells are professionalized in the regulation of humoral immunity. Hence, the characterization of these cell subsets within PPs in terms of their differentiation program and functional properties can provide important information about mucosal immunity. To this end, an easily applicable, efficient and reproducible method of lymphocyte isolation from PPs would be valuable to researchers. In this study, we aimed to generate an effective method to isolate lymphocytes from mouse PPs with high cell yield. Our approach revealed that initial tissue processing such as the use of digestive reagents and tissue agitation, as well as cell staining conditions and selection of antibody panels, have great influence on the quality and identity of the isolated lymphocytes and on experimental outcomes.
Here, we describe a protocol enabling researchers to efficiently isolate lymphocyte populations from PPs allowing reproducible flow cytometry-based assessment of T and B cell subsets primarily focusing on&#160;TFH and GC B cell subsets.

In this study, we present a novel and effective protocol for the isolation of lymphocytes from Peyer&#39;s Patches (PPs), which can be subsequently used for in vivo and in vitro functional assays as well as flow cytometric studies of follicular T helper and germinal center B cells.

In the gut mucosa, immune cells constitute a unique immunological entity, which promotes immune tolerance while concurrently conferring immune defense ...

Analysis of Side Population in Solid Tumor Cell Lines

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are an important cause of tumor growth, metastasis, and recurrence. Isolation and identification of CSCs are of great significance for tumor research. Currently, several techniques are used for the identification and purification of CSCs from tumor tissues and tumor cell lines. Separation and analysis of side population (SP) cells are two of the commonly used methods. The methods rely on the ability of CSCs to rapidly expel fluorescent dyes, such as Hoechst 33342. The efflux of the dye is associated with the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and can be inhibited by ABC transporter inhibitors. Methods for staining cultured tumor cells with Hoechst 33342 and analyzing the proportion of their SP cells by flow cytometry are described. This assay is convenient, fast, and cost-effective. Data generated in this assay can contribute to a better understanding of the effect of genes or other extracellular and intracellular signals on the stemness properties of tumor cells.

A convenient, fast, and cost-effective method to measure the proportion of side population cells in solid tumor cell lines is presented.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are an important cause of tumor growth, metastasis, and recurrence. Isolation and identification of CSCs are of great ...

Modeling Primary Bone Tumors and Bone Metastasis with Solid Tumor Graft Implantation into Bone

Primary bone tumors or bone metastasis from solid tumors result in painful osteolytic, osteoblastic, or mixed osteolytic/osteoblastic lesions. These lesions compromise bone structure, increase the risk of pathologic fracture, and leave patients with limited treatment options. Primary bone tumors metastasize to distant organs, with some types capable of spreading to other skeletal sites. However, recent evidence suggests that with many solid tumors, cancer cells that have spread to bone may be the primary source of cells that ultimately metastasize to other organ systems. Most syngeneic or xenograft mouse models of primary bone tumors involve intra-osseous (orthotopic) injection of tumor cell suspensions. Some animal models of skeletal metastasis from solid tumors also depend on direct bone injection, while others attempt to recapitulate additional steps of the bone metastatic cascade by injecting cells intravascularly or into the organ of the primary tumor. However, none of these models develop bone metastasis reliably or with an incidence of 100%. In addition, direct intra-osseous injection of tumor cells has been shown to be associated with potential tumor embolization of the lung. These embolic tumor cells engraft but do not recapitulate the metastatic cascade. We reported a mouse model of osteosarcoma in which fresh or cryopreserved tumor fragments (consisting of tumor cells plus stroma) are implanted directly into the proximal tibia using a minimally invasive surgical technique. These animals developed reproducible engraftment, growth, and, over time, osteolysis and lung metastasis. This technique has the versatility to be used to model solid tumor bone metastasis and can readily employ grafts consisting of one or multiple cell types, genetically-modified cells, patient-derived xenografts, and/or labeled cells that can be tracked by optical or advanced imaging. Here, we demonstrate this technique, modeling primary bone tumors and bone metastasis using solid tumor graft implantation into bone.

Bone metastasis models do not develop metastasis uniformly or with a 100% incidence. Direct intra-osseous tumor cell injection can result in embolization of the lung. We present our technique modeling primary bone tumors and bone metastasis using solid tumor graft implantation into bone, leading to reproducible engraftment and growth.

Primary bone tumors or bone metastasis from solid tumors result in painful osteolytic, osteoblastic, or mixed osteolytic/osteoblastic lesions. These ...

Nuclei Isolation from Fresh Frozen Brain Tumors for Single-Nucleus RNA-seq and ATAC-seq

Adult diffuse gliomas exhibit inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. Until recently, the majority of large-scale molecular profiling efforts have focused on bulk approaches that led to the molecular classification of brain tumors. Over the last five years, single cell sequencing approaches have highlighted several important features of gliomas. The majority of these studies have utilized fresh brain tumor specimens to isolate single cells using flow cytometry or antibody-based separation methods. Moving forward, the use of fresh-frozen tissue samples from biobanks will provide greater flexibility to single cell applications. Furthermore, as the single-cell field advances, the next challenge will be to generate multi-omics data from either a single cell or the same sample preparation to better unravel tumor complexity. Therefore, simple and flexible protocols that allow data generation for various methods such as single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and single nucleus Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (snATAC-seq) will be important for the field.
Recent advances in the single cell field coupled with accessible microfluidic instruments such as the 10x genomics platform have facilitated single cell applications in research laboratories. To study brain tumor heterogeneity, we developed an enhanced protocol for the isolation of single nuclei from fresh frozen gliomas. This protocol merges existing single cell protocols and combines a homogenization step followed by filtration and buffer mediated gradient centrifugation. The resulting samples are pure single nuclei suspensions that can be used to generate single nucleus gene expression and chromatin accessibility data from the same nuclei preparation.

Intra-tumoral heterogeneity is an inherent feature of tumors, including gliomas. We developed a simple and efficient protocol that utilizes a combination of buffers and gradient centrifugation to isolate single nuclei from fresh frozen glioma tissues for single nucleus RNA and ATAC sequencing studies.

Adult diffuse gliomas exhibit inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. Until recently, the majority of large-scale molecular profiling efforts have focused ...

Automated Dissection Protocol for Tumor Enrichment in Low Tumor Content Tissues

Tumor enrichment in low tumor content tissues, those below 20% tumor content depending on the method, is required to generate quality data reproducibly with many downstream assays such as next generation sequencing. Automated tissue dissection is a new methodology that automates and improves tumor enrichment in these common, low tumor content tissues by decreasing the user-dependent imprecision of traditional macro-dissection and time, cost, and expertise limitations of laser capture microdissection by using digital image annotation overlay onto unstained slides. Here, digital hematoxylin and eosin (H&#38;E) annotations are used to target small tumor areas using a blade that is 250 &#181;m2 in diameter in unstained formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) or fresh frozen sections up to 20 &#181;m in thickness for automated tumor enrichment prior to nucleic acid extraction and whole exome sequencing (WES). Automated dissection can harvest annotated regions in low tumor content tissues from single or multiple sections for nucleic acid extraction. It also allows for capture of extensive pre- and post-harvest collection metrics while improving accuracy, reproducibility, and increasing throughput with utilization of fewer slides. The described protocol enables digital annotation with automated dissection on animal and/or human FFPE or fresh frozen tissues with low tumor content and could also be used for any region of interest enrichment to boost adequacy for downstream sequencing applications in clinical or research workflows.

Digital annotation with automated tissue dissection provides an innovative approach to enriching tumor in low tumor content cases and is adaptable to both paraffin and frozen tissue types. The described workflow improves accuracy, reproducibility and throughput and could be applied to both research and clinical settings.

Tumor enrichment in low tumor content tissues, those below 20% tumor content depending on the method, is required to generate quality data reproducibly ...