We would like to thank Andrea Portbury and Davin Townley-Tilson for critical reading of the manuscript and the NIH (grant # R01HL061656) for funding support.

注：所有实验均批准的机构动物照顾及使用委员会在北卡罗莱纳大学教堂山分校。 1，消费税主动脉瓣<ol><li>使用经批准的安乐死技术感兴趣的萌芽阶段，安乐死怀孕小鼠幼崽的发展所需要的胚胎一天（五）。 </li><li>用70％乙醇消毒的怀孕雌性的腹部。抬起小腹向上并远离内脏器官的皮肤和肌肉，并解剖开女性的下腹腔内，以允许访问的子宫角。 </li><li>要检索的子宫角，保持宫颈钳，小心切尾的镊子。提起子宫角，切割任何结缔组织，保持号角到位，并通过切割角子宫交界处的输卵管完成删除。 </li><li>将解剖子宫角中含有培养皿山坳ð的0.1M Tris缓冲液（pH7.6）中，并根据需要冲洗。然后，切开子宫角开口长度明智揭露胚胎囊。 </li><li>揭露胚胎，剖开胚胎囊，在胎盘和胎儿的交界处剪断脐带的船只来释放胚胎。放置在第二个培养皿用冷的0.1M Tris缓冲液中的解剖胚胎。返回第一个培养皿与其余undissected胚胎至冰上直至准备进行下一次的胚胎。 </li><li>为了提高胚胎内胸壁访问，杀头的胚胎。如果基因分型是必要的，删除和保存额外的组织片在Eppendorf管置于冰上。 </li><li>将胚胎在它的后面，切断胸壁垂直沿左肋侧，靠近前肢和水平横膈膜以上的可视化的心脏。然后，打开胸壁暴露心脏。 </li><li>使用镊子举行沿大血管高，使用产钳提起心脏，减少血管下方。该N，上面剪钳释放的心脏。如果肺血管保持完整无缺，肺部可能与心脏取出，然后再继续应予删除。 </li><li>切割并去除肺动脉上述阀的电平;在本文所描述的胚胎阶段，肺动脉稍微不透明的，这有助于从阀地区的歧视。切略低于肺动脉瓣，避免了小梁心室肌，并收集在步骤1.10中描述，如果这个地区的利益也。这里和在下一步骤中，使用毛细作用收集在裂解缓冲液中之前绘制过量Tris缓冲远离感兴趣的区域。 </li><li>小心地取出主动脉远端的主动脉瓣，正上方的阀的水平;像肺动脉，主动脉保持略微不透明在这些胚胎阶段，协助在其去除。切略低于主动脉瓣，再次避免了小梁心肌，并传送阀用钳子向含有蛋白酶和磷酸酶抑制剂在冰上的Eppendorf管中加入2μl裂解缓冲液（在材料表中所述）。 </li><li>重复步骤1.6-1.10，直到阀门已切除所有的胚胎，收集在一个单独的Eppendorf管中各阀门。如果所有的胚胎具有相同的基因型，所有的阀可被收集在一个单一的Eppendorf管中。 </li><li>如果基因分型将被执行以确定哪些阀门汇集在一起​​，立即将样品在裂解缓冲液中于-80℃直至进一步使用。样品可以进行基因分型（步骤2.1.1）后汇集。 </li></ol> 2，蛋白提取<ol><li>在冰上融化并离心收集组织在13,100 xg离心1分钟以收集在裂解缓冲液中的组织在管的底部。 <ol><li>如果胚胎进行基因分型，用吸管轻轻收集和含游泳池裂解液阀地区的胚胎具有类似的基因型。为了确保一个强大的b并且，汇集来自E13.5胚胎3-4阀的区域，每个样品建议。 </li><li>如果所有的胚胎是相同的基因型和所有阀门区域收集一起在步骤1.10，裂解整个样品，如在步骤2.2中所描述。 </li></ol></li><li>检查所生成的合并的样品的体积并加入裂解缓冲液中，以40微升的总体积;然后，破坏和均匀化，使用5毫米的不锈钢珠在Eppendorf管中的样品。操作lyser为2-4分钟，在50赫兹，按照制造商的说明。旋管短暂地（〜13,100 xg离心1分钟），并转移样品至新管中，留下的不溶性碎片之后。 </li><li>准备和SDS-PAGE和转移的后续Western blot分析不同的样品，下面的协议，如伊斯拉米等[9]。印迹为上样对照蛋白为蛋白定量是必不可少的。 </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Wirrig, E. E., Hinton, R. B., Yutzey, K. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+expression+of+cartilage+and+bone-related+proteins+in+pediatric+and+adult+diseased+aortic+valves.">Differential expression of cartilage and bone-related proteins in pediatric and adult diseased aortic valves.</a> J Mol Cell Cardiol. 50, 561-569 (2011).</li><li>Chakraborty, 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=Twist1+promotes+heart+valve+cell+proliferation+and+extracellular+matrix+gene+expression+during+development+in+vivo+and+is+expressed+in+human+diseased+aortic+valves.">Twist1 promotes heart valve cell proliferation and extracellular matrix gene expression during development in vivo and is expressed in human diseased aortic valves.</a> Dev Biol. 347, 167-179 (2010).</li><li>Lee, M. P., Yutzey, K. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Twist1+directly+regulates+genes+that+promote+cell+proliferation+and+migration+in+developing+heart+valves.">Twist1 directly regulates genes that promote cell proliferation and migration in developing heart valves.</a> PLoS One. 6 (e29758), (2011).</li><li>Peacock, J. D., Huk, D. J., Ediriweera, H. N., Lincoln, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sox9+transcriptionally+represses+Spp1+to+prevent+matrix+mineralization+in+maturing+heart+valves+and+chondrocytes.">Sox9 transcriptionally represses Spp1 to prevent matrix mineralization in maturing heart valves and chondrocytes.</a> PLoS One. 6 (e26769), (2011).</li><li>Chakraborty, S., Cheek, J., Sakthivel, B., Aronow, B. J., Yutzey, K. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Shared+gene+expression+profiles+in+developing+heart+valves+and+osteoblast+progenitor+cells.">Shared gene expression profiles in developing heart valves and osteoblast progenitor cells.</a> Physiol Genomics. 35, 75-85 (2008).</li><li>Vogel, C., Marcotte, E. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Insights+into+the+regulation+of+protein+abundance+from+proteomic+and+transcriptomic+analyses.">Insights into the regulation of protein abundance from proteomic and transcriptomic analyses.</a> Nat Rev Genet. 13, 227-232 (2012).</li><li>Meng, X., 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=Expression+of+functional+Toll-like+receptors+2+and+4+in+human+aortic+valve+interstitial+cells:+potential+roles+in+aortic+valve+inflammation+and+stenosis.">Expression of functional Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 in human aortic valve interstitial cells: potential roles in aortic valve inflammation and stenosis.</a> Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 294, 29-35 (2008).</li><li>Dyer, L. A., Wu, Y., Moser, M., Patterson, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=BMPER-induced+BMP+signaling+promotes+coronary+artery+remodeling.">BMPER-induced BMP signaling promotes coronary artery remodeling.</a> Developmental Biology. 386, 385-394 (2014).</li><li>Eslami, A., Lujan, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Western+blotting:+sample+preparation+to+detection.">Western blotting: sample preparation to detection.</a> J Vis Exp. (44), (2010).</li><li>Garside, V. C., Chang, A. C., Karsan, A., Hoodless, P. 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W., 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=Morphogenesis+of+outflow+tract+rotation+during+cardiac+development:+the+pulmonary+push+concept.">Morphogenesis of outflow tract rotation during cardiac development: the pulmonary push concept.</a> Dev Dyn. 241, 1413-1422 (2012).</li><li>Mohler, E. R., Adam 3rd, L. P., McClelland, P., Graham, L., Hathaway, D. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Detection+of+osteopontin+in+calcified+human+aortic+valves.">Detection of osteopontin in calcified human aortic valves.</a> Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 17, 547-552 (1997).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

量化蛋白质水平在早期胚胎小鼠和鸡胚心脏瓣膜区域的能力提供了理解的关键细胞信号传递活动阀发展的额外工具。我们这里所描述的协议不从标准蛋白分离方法有很大的不同。然而，通过修改某些关键步骤，我们已经成功地从非常小的样品尺寸相加得到的磷酸化蛋白。为实现这一结果，下面的步骤是特别重要的。以确保得到的优质蛋白，关键的是要保持样品冷却，不论在冰上或用冰冷却的缓冲?...

能够识别并量化蛋白表达水平是一个标准技术，动物 - 和基于细胞的实验。然而，尽管一个长期的兴趣在早期胚胎心脏瓣膜的开发，在开发过程中评估蛋白表达在这个特定的组织目前仅限于免疫组化在两个小鸡和鼠标1,2。在大多数模型生物体（ 如小鸡和小鼠）的显影阀定量蛋白表达的难度的部分是阀，从而限制了蛋白质，可以得到的数量的小尺寸。因此，为了定量分析，研究人员通常依靠RNA提取和扩增用于随后定量PCR或微阵列分析2-5。然而，RNA和蛋白的表达水平是不完全相关6，所以着眼于RNA的表达不能提供一个严格的帐户中发生的任何给定的信号的许多改变在发展途径，在不同的时间。基于此限制，在目前可用的方法，该方法的目标是开发一种协议，用于可靠地获得足够量的蛋白质从显影小鼠胚胎心脏瓣膜的区域为所发生的各种信号通路是在重要的变化的定量分析这个组织的成熟。 胚胎瓣膜已普遍从老鼠RNA分离和后续基因表达分析2-5解剖。然而，这些研究已不限于使用基因表达作为一个读出信号通路的激活，它不允许检测翻译后蛋白修饰，其可能会影响下游信号的检测。利用RNA分离技术为出发点，我们开始与解剖感兴趣的区域。因为我们关心的是检测磷酸化蛋白质，都说明信号拍拍在主动脉瓣发展（E13.5-14.5）的一个特定时期hway活性，我们进行的所有解剖在无磷酸盐的Tris缓冲液和收集的阀门与磷酸酶和蛋白酶抑制剂的Tris-基的裂解缓冲液。在我们的具体情况下，仅收集主动脉瓣区域，但肺动脉瓣区域可以很容易地在相同的时间来获得。该阀的区域分别然后均质化并结合当前用于研究在成年心脏瓣膜7蛋白表达的样品缓冲液。通过使用小样品体积（ 例如 ，2微升），并从胚胎中具有相同的基因型汇集阀的区域，我们能够检测磷酸化和未磷酸化的蛋白质在13.5 8天胚胎。因为阀的区域可以被冻结并存储在裂解缓冲液中，胚胎可以在需要集中之前进行基因分型。 这种技术拓宽了一套工具，可用于评估细胞signalin在开发过程中克途径，并提供了定量的恭维免疫组化，专门为开发心脏瓣膜。这种技术应该是有益的，不仅要发展心脏病，也给所有谁与早期胚胎的工作有兴趣，包含有限的组织区域发育生物学家。

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="972">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Name of Reagent/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:512px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Timed-pregnant mouse</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>To be dissected at the embryonic stage of interest</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Stereoscopic microscope</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Nikon</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">SMZ645</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">0.1 M Tris, pH 7.6</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Microscissors</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">15003-08</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Fine forceps, #5</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">11251-30</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Dissecting needle holders</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Ted Pella Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">13560</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Dissecting needles</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Ted Pella Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">13561-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Micropipette, 20 &#956;l, with tips</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Lysis buffer</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM EDTA, 1% Triton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">PhosSTOP</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Roche</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4906845001</td>
			<td>Add 1 tablet to 10 ml lysis buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">TissueLyser LT</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Qiagen</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">85600</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Stainless steel beads</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Qiagen</td>
			<td align="right">69989</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Microcentrifuge</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

protein isolation from the developing embryonic mouse heart valve region

Western blot analysis is a commonly employed technique for detecting and quantifying protein levels. However, for small tissue samples, this analysis method may not be sufficiently sensitive to detect a protein of interest. To overcome these difficulties, we examined protocols for obtaining protein from adult human cardiac valves and modified these protocols for the developing early embryonic mouse counterparts. In brief, the mouse embryonic aortic valve regions, including the aortic valve and surrounding aortic wall, are collected in the minimal possible volume of a Tris-based lysis buffer with protease inhibitors. If required based on the breeding strategy, embryos are genotyped prior to pooling four embryonic aortic valve regions for homogenization. After homogenization, an SDS-based sample buffer is used to denature the sample for running on an SDS-PAGE gel and subsequent western blot analysis. Although the protein concentration remains too low to quantify using spectrophotometric protein quantification assays and have sample remaining for subsequent analyses, this technique can be used to successfully detect and semi-quantify phosphorylated proteins via western blot from pooled samples of four embryonic day 13.5 mouse aortic valve regions, each of which yields approximately 1 &#956;g of protein. This technique will be of benefit for studying cell signaling pathway activation and protein expression levels during early embryonic mouse valve development.

采用这种制备技术，我们能够从E13.5胚胎检测磷酸化的Smad 1,5,8（pSmad）在单一主动脉瓣区域。 如图1A所示 ，从甚至一个单一的阀区域分离的蛋白是足以检测微弱pSmad带。信号强度成比例地增大到汇集阀的区域的数量。重要的是，pSmad /β-肌动蛋白的比值保持在不同的样本大小（ 图1C）几乎恒定。由于可用的蛋白质的水平低，同样的印迹无法剥离，并再次探测总Smad蛋...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Protein Isolation from the Developing Embryonic Mouse Heart Valve Region at JoVE.com

Protein Isolation from the Developing Embryonic Mouse Heart Valve Region

The analysis of protein expression in young embryonic mouse valves has been hampered by the limited tissue available. This manuscript provides a protocol for preparing protein from developing embryonic mouse valve regions for western blot analysis.

从发展胚胎小鼠心脏瓣膜区蛋白分离

Western blot analysis is a commonly employed technique for detecting and quantifying protein levels. However, for small tissue samples, this analysis ...

protein-isolation-from-developing-embryonic-mouse-heart-valve

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

9.3K 次观看.  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The analysis of protein expression in young embryonic mouse valves has been hampered by the limited tissue available. This manuscript provides a protocol for preparing protein from developing embryonic mouse valve regions for western blot analysis.

视频: Protein Isolation from the Developing Embryonic Mouse Heart Valve Region

Micro-dissection of Rat Brain for RNA or Protein Extraction from Specific Brain Region

Micro-dissection of rat brain into various regions is extremely important for the study of different neurodegenerative diseases. This video demonstrates micro-dissection of four major brain regions include olfactory bulb, frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus in fresh rat brain tissue. Useful tips for quick removal of respective regions to avoid RNA and protein degradation of the tissue are given.

Micro-dissection of rat brain into various regions is extremely important for the study of different neurodegenerative diseases. This video demonstrates micro-dissection of four major brain regions include olfactory bulb, frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus in fresh rat brain tissue. Useful tips for quick removal of respective regions to avoid RNA and protein degradation of the tissue are given.

从特定的大脑区域的RNA或蛋白质提取大鼠脑微解剖

Micro-dissection of rat brain into various regions is extremely important for the study of different neurodegenerative diseases. This video demonstrates ...

科研

生物学

Isolation and Derivation of Mouse Embryonic Germinal Cells

The ability of embryonic germinal cells (EG) to differentiate into primordial germinal cells (PGCs) and later into gametes during early developmental stages is a perfect model to address our hypothesis about cancer and infertility. This protocol shows how to isolate primordial germinal cells from developing gonads in 10.5-11.5 days post coitum (dpc) mouse embryos.  Developing gonadal ridges from mouse embryos (C57BL6J) were dissociated by mechanical disruption with collagenase, then plated in a mouse embryo fibroblast feeder layer (MEF-CF1) that was previously mitotically inactivated with mitomycin C in the presence of knockout media and supplemented with Leukemia Inhibitor Factor (LIF), basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF), and Stem Cell Factor (SCF).  Using these optimized methods for PCG identification, isolation, and establishment of culture conditions permits long term cultures of EG cells for more than 40 days.  The embryonic germinal cell lines showed embryonic phenotype and expression of common used markers of the pluripotent state.  Isolation and derivation of germinal cells in culture provide a tool to understand their development in vitro and offer the opportunity to monitor cumulative damage at genetic and epigenetic levels after exposure to oxidative stress.

The ability of embryonic germinal cells to differentiate into primordial germinal cells during early development stages is a perfect model to address our hypothesis about cancer and infertility. This protocol shows how to isolate primordial germinal cells from developing gonads in 10.5-11.5 days post coitum mouse embryos.

小鼠胚胎生殖细胞的分离和推导

The ability of embryonic germinal cells (EG) to differentiate into primordial germinal cells (PGCs) and later into gametes during early developmental ...

Isolation and Culture of Cells from the Nephrogenic Zone of the Embryonic Mouse Kidney

Embryonic development of the kidney has been extensively studied both as a model for epithelial-mesenchymal interaction in organogenesis and to gain understanding of the origins of congenital kidney disease. More recently, the possibility of steering na&iuml;ve embryonic stem cells toward nephrogenic fates has been explored in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. Genetic studies in the mouse have identified several pathways required for kidney development, and a global catalog of gene transcription in the organ has recently been generated <a href="http://www.gudmap.org/">http://www.gudmap.org/</a>, providing numerous candidate regulators of essential developmental functions. Organogenesis of the rodent kidney can be studied in organ culture, and many reports have used this approach to analyze outcomes of either applying candidate proteins or knocking down the expression of candidate genes using siRNA or morpholinos. However, the applicability of organ culture to the study of signaling that regulates stem/progenitor cell differentiation versus renewal in the developing kidney is limited as cultured organs contain a compact extracellular matrix limiting diffusion of macromolecules and virus particles. To study the cell signaling events that influence the stem/progenitor cell niche in the kidney we have developed a primary cell system that establishes the nephrogenic zone or progenitor cell niche of the developing kidney ex vivo in isolation from the epithelial inducer of differentiation. Using limited enzymatic digestion, nephrogenic zone cells can be selectively liberated from developing kidneys at E17.5. Following filtration, these cells can be cultured as an irregular monolayer using optimized conditions. Marker gene analysis demonstrates that these cultures contain a distribution of cell types characteristic of the nephrogenic zone in vivo, and that they maintain appropriate marker gene expression during the culture period. These cells are highly accessible to small molecule and recombinant protein treatment, and importantly also to viral transduction, which greatly facilitates the study of candidate stem/progenitor cell regulator effects. Basic cell biological parameters such as proliferation and cell death as well as changes in expression of molecular markers characteristic of nephron stem/progenitor cells in vivo can be successfully used as experimental outcomes. Ongoing work in our laboratory using this novel primary cell technique aims to uncover basic mechanisms governing the regulation of self-renewal versus differentiation in nephron stem/progenitor cells.

In this report we describe a method for the isolation and culture of the progenitor cell niche from the embryonic mouse kidney that can be used to study signaling pathways regulating stem/progenitor cells of the developing kidney. These cultured cells are highly accessible to small molecule and recombinant protein treatment, and importantly also to viral transduction, which allows efficient manipulation of candidate pathways.

从小鼠胚胎肾肾区细胞的分离和培养

Embryonic development of the kidney has been extensively studied both as a model for epithelial-mesenchymal interaction in organogenesis and  to gain ...

Immunostaining of Dissected Zebrafish Embryonic Heart

Zebrafish embryo becomes a popular in vivo vertebrate model for studying cardiac development and human heart diseases due to its advantageous embryology and genetics 1,2. About 100-200 embryos are readily available every week from a single pair of adult fish. The transparent embryos that develop ex utero make them ideal for assessing cardiac defects 3. The expression of any gene can be manipulated via morpholino technology or RNA injection 4. Moreover, forward genetic screens have already generated a list of mutants that affect different perspectives of cardiogenesis 5. 
Whole mount immunostaining is an important technique in this animal model to reveal the expression pattern of the targeted protein to a particular tissue 6. However, high resolution images that can reveal cellular or subcellular structures have been difficult, mainly due to the physical location of the heart and the poor penetration of the antibodies. 
 Here, we present a method to address these bottlenecks by dissecting heart first and then conducting the staining process on the surface of a microscope slide. To prevent the loss of small heart samples and to facilitate solution handling, we restricted the heart samples within a circle on the surface of the microscope slides drawn by an immEdge pen. After the staining, the fluorescence signals can be directly observed by a compound microscope. 
Our new method significantly improves the penetration for antibodies, since a heart from an embryonic fish only consists of few cell layers. High quality images from intact hearts can be obtained within a much reduced procession time for zebrafish embryos aged from day 2 to day 6. Our method can be potentially extended to stain other organs dissected from either zebrafish or other small animals.

A rapid way to conduct immunostaining of zebrafish embryonic heart is described. Compared to the whole mount immunostaining approach, this method dramatically increases the penetration of the antibodies, which allows obtaining high resolution images that reveal cellular/subcellular structures in the heart within a much reduced processing time.

免疫染色的解剖斑马鱼胚胎心脏

Zebrafish embryo becomes a popular in vivo vertebrate model for studying cardiac development and human heart diseases due to its advantageous embryology ...

Generation of Mice Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

The production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells provides a means to create valuable tools for basic research and may also produce a source of patient-matched cells for regenerative therapies. iPSCs may be generated using multiple protocols and derived from multiple cell sources. Once generated, iPSCs are tested using a variety of assays including immunostaining for pluripotency markers, generation of three germ layers in embryoid bodies and teratomas, comparisons of gene expression with embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and production of chimeric mice with or without germline contribution2. Importantly, iPSC lines that pass these tests still vary in their capacity to produce different differentiated cell types2. This has made it difficult to establish which iPSC derivation protocols, donor cell sources or selection methods are most useful for different applications.
The most stringent test of whether a stem cell line has sufficient developmental potential to generate all tissues required for survival of an organism (termed full pluripotency) is tetraploid embryo complementation (TEC)3-5. Technically, TEC involves electrofusion of two-cell embryos to generate tetraploid (4n) one-cell embryos that can be cultured in vitro to the blastocyst stage6. Diploid (2n) pluripotent stem cells (e.g. ESCs or iPSCs) are then injected into the blastocoel cavity of the tetraploid blastocyst and transferred to a recipient female for gestation (see Figure 1). The tetraploid component of the complemented embryo contributes almost exclusively to the extraembryonic tissues (placenta, yolk sac), whereas the diploid cells constitute the embryo proper, resulting in a fetus derived entirely from the injected stem cell line.
Recently, we reported the derivation of iPSC lines that reproducibly generate adult mice via TEC1. These iPSC lines give rise to viable pups with efficiencies of 5-13%, which is comparable to ESCs3,4,7 and higher than that reported for most other iPSC lines8-12. These reports show that direct reprogramming can produce fully pluripotent iPSCs that match ESCs in their developmental potential and efficiency of generating pups in TEC tests. At present, it is not clear what distinguishes between fully pluripotent iPSCs and less potent lines13-15. Nor is it clear which reprogramming methods will produce these lines with the highest efficiency. Here we describe one method that produces fully pluripotent iPSCs and "all- iPSC" mice, which may be helpful for investigators wishing to compare the pluripotency of iPSC lines or establish the equivalence of different reprogramming methods.

Generating induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines produces lines of differing developmental potential even when they pass standard tests for pluripotency. Here we describe a protocol to produce mice derived entirely from iPSCs, which defines the iPSC lines as possessing full pluripotency1.

诱导多能干细胞来源于小鼠的生成

The production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells provides a means to create valuable tools for basic research and may also ...

Isolating Primary Melanocyte-like Cells from the Mouse Heart

We identified a novel population of melanocyte-like cells (also known as cardiac melanocytes) in the hearts of mice and humans that contribute to atrial arrhythmia triggers in mice. To investigate the electrical and biological properties of cardiac melanocytes we developed a procedure to isolate them from mouse hearts that we derived from those designed to isolate neonatal murine cardiomyocytes. In order to obtain healthier cardiac melanocytes suitable for more extensive patch clamp or biochemical studies, we developed a refined procedure for isolating and plating cardiac melanocytes based on those originally designed to isolate cutaneous melanocytes. The refined procedure is demonstrated in this review and produces larger numbers of healthy melanocyte-like cells that can be plated as a pure population or with cardiomyocytes.

In this protocol, we identified a novel population of melanocyte-like cells (also known as cardiac melanocytes) in the hearts of mice and humans that contribute to atrial arrhythmia triggers in mice.&#160;

从小鼠心脏中分离主黑素细胞样细胞

We identified a novel population of melanocyte-like cells (also known as cardiac melanocytes) in the hearts of mice and humans that contribute to atrial ...

A Novel Ex vivo Culture Method for the Embryonic Mouse Heart

Developmental studies in the mouse are hampered by the inaccessibility of the embryo during gestation. Thus, protocols to isolate and culture individual organs of interest are essential to provide a method of both visualizing changes in development and allowing novel treatment strategies. To promote the long-term culture of the embryonic heart at late stages of gestation, we developed a protocol in which the excised heart is cultured in a semi-solid, dilute Matrigel. This substrate provides enough support to maintain the three-dimensional structure but is flexible enough to allow continued contraction. In brief, hearts are excised from the embryo and placed in a mixture of cold Matrigel diluted 1:1 with growth medium. After the diluted Matrigel solidifies, growth medium is added to the culture dish. Hearts excised as late as embryonic day 16.5 were viable for four days post-dissection. Analysis of the coronary plexus shows that this method does not disrupt coronary vascular development. Thus, we present a novel method for long-term culture of embryonic hearts.

A Novel Ex vivo Culture Method for the Embryonic Mouse Heart

Developmental studies in the mouse are hampered by the inaccessibility of the embryo during gestation. To promote the long-term culture of the embryonic heart at late stages of gestation, we developed a protocol in which the excised heart is cultured in a semi-solid, dilute Matrigel.

一种新型的<em&gt;体外</em小鼠胚胎心脏的培养方法

Developmental studies in the mouse are hampered  by the inaccessibility of the embryo during gestation. Thus, protocols to  isolate and culture individual ...

Isolation of Embryonic Ventricular Endothelial Cells

Cell culture has greatly enhanced our ability to assess individual populations of cells under myriad culture conditions. While immortalized cell lines offer significant advantages for their ease of use, these cell lines are unavailable for all potential cell types. By isolating primary cells from a specific region of interest, particularly from a transgenic mouse, more nuanced studies can be performed. The basic technique involves dissecting the organ or partial organ of interest (e.g. the heart or a specific region of the heart) and dissociating the organ to single cells. These cells are then incubated with magnetic beads conjugated to an antibody that recognizes the cell type of interest. The cells of interest can then be isolated with the use of a magnet, with a short trypsin incubation dissociating the cells from the beads. These isolated cells can then be cultured and analyzed as desired. This technique was originally designed for adult mouse organs but can be easily scaled down for use with embryonic organs, as demonstrated herein. Because our interest is in the developing coronary vasculature, we wanted to study this population of cells during specific embryonic stages. Thus, the original protocol had to be modified to be compatible with the small size of the embryonic ventricles and the low potential yield of endothelial cells at these developmental stages. Utilizing this scaled-down approach, we have assessed coronary plexus remodeling in transgenic embryonic ventricular endothelial cells.

Primary cell culture is a useful technique for analyzing specific populations of cells, particularly from transgenic mouse embryos at specific developmental stages. Herein, embryonic ventricles are dissected and dissociated, and antibody-conjugated beads recognize and separate out the endothelial cells for further analysis.

胚胎心室血管内皮细胞的分离

Cell culture has greatly enhanced our ability to assess individual populations of cells under myriad culture conditions. While immortalized cell lines ...

Cell Labeling and Injection in Developing Embryonic Mouse Hearts

Testing the fate of embryonic or pluripotent stem cell-derivatives in in vitro protocols has led to controversial outcomes that do not necessarily reflect their in vivo potential. Preferably, these cells should be placed in a proper embryonic environment in order to acquire their definite phenotype. Furthermore, cell lineage tracing studies in the mouse after labeling cells with dyes or retroviral vectors has remained mostly limited to early stage mouse embryos with still poorly developed organs. To overcome these limitations, we designed standard and ultrasound-mediated microinjection protocols to inject various agents in targeted regions of the heart in mouse embryos at E9.5 and later stages of development. &#160;Embryonic explant or embryos are then cultured or left to further develop in utero. These agents include fluorescent dyes, virus, shRNAs, or stem cell-derived progenitor cells. Our approaches allow for preservation of the function of the organ while monitoring migration and fate of labeled and/or injected cells. These technologies can be extended to other organs and will be very helpful to address key biological questions in biology of development.

We describe a series of methods to inject dyes, DNA vectors, virus, and cells in order to monitor both cell fate and phenotype of endogenous and grafted cells derived from embryonic or pluripotent cells within mouse embryos at embryonic day (E)9.5 and later stages of development.

细胞标记和注射胚胎发展小鼠心脏

Testing the fate of embryonic or pluripotent stem cell-derivatives in in vitro protocols has led to controversial outcomes that do not necessarily reflect ...

Isolation of Murine Valve Endothelial Cells

Normal valve structures consist of stratified layers of specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) interspersed with valve interstitial cells (VICs) and surrounded by a monolayer of valve endothelial cells (VECs). VECs play essential roles in establishing the valve structures during embryonic development, and are important for maintaining life-long valve integrity and function. In contrast to a continuous endothelium over the surface of healthy valve leaflets, VEC disruption is commonly observed in malfunctioning valves and is associated with pathological processes that promote valve disease and dysfunction. Despite the clinical relevance, focused studies determining the contribution of VECs to development and disease processes are limited. The isolation of VECs from animal models would allow for cell-specific experimentation. VECs have been isolated from large animal adult models but due to their small population size, fragileness, and lack of specific markers, no reports of VEC isolations in embryos or adult small animal models have been reported. Here we describe a novel method that allows for the direct isolation of VECs from mice at embryonic and adult stages. Utilizing the Tie2-GFP reporter model that labels all endothelial cells with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), we have been successful in isolating GFP-positive (and negative) cells from the semilunar and atrioventricular valve regions using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). Isolated GFP-positive VECs are enriched for endothelial markers, including CD31 and von Willebrand Factor (vWF), and retain endothelial cell expression when cultured; while, GFP-negative cells exhibit molecular profiles and cell shapes consistent with VIC phenotypes. The ability to isolate embryonic and adult murine VECs allows for previously unattainable molecular and functional studies to be carried out on a specific valve cell population, which will greatly improve our understanding of valve development and disease mechanisms.

The ability to isolate heart valve endothelial cells (VECs) is critical for understanding mechanisms of valve development, maintenance, and disease. Here we describe the isolation of VECs from embryonic and adult Tie2-GFP mice using FACS that will allow for studies determining the contribution of VECs in developmental and disease processes.

鼠阀门内皮细胞的分离

Normal valve structures consist of stratified layers of specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) interspersed with valve interstitial cells (VICs) and ...