Name: isolation of double negative &#945;&#946; t cells from the kidney
Uploaded: 2014-05-16T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation of Double Negative Î±Î² T Cells from the Kidney at JoVE.com

This work is supported by NIH PBS (R21 AI095484). We thank NHI tetramer core facility for CD1d tetramer.

1. Preparation of Instruments, Culture Media and Reagents
<ol>
	<li>Instruments: Prepare the reagents under sterile conditions and use under a laminar flow hood.</li>
	<li>Prepare 1 L of RPMI tissue culture medium, add 5% of fetal bovine serum, 2.1 g of bicarbonate, 10 ml glutamate 100x, 10 mg of HEPES, 1 mg sodium pyruvate and 10 ml of 100x penicillin/streptomycin. 
	Note: the recommended tissue culture medium, RPMI, is interchangeable with DMEM.</li>
	<li>Prepare 5% collagenase &#8220;D&#8221; solution (5 ml of ...

<ol>
	<li>Zhang, Z. X., Yang, L., Young, K. J., DuTemple, B., Zhang, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+a+previously+unknown+antigen-specific+regulatory+T+cell+and+its+mechanism+of+suppression.">Identification of a previously unknown antigen-specific regulatory T cell and its mechanism of suppression.</a> Nat Med. 6, 782-789 (2000).</li><li>Ford, M. S., Young, K. J., Zhang, Z., Ohashi, P. S., Zhang, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+immune+regulatory+function+of+lymphoproliferative+double+negative+T+cells+in+vitro+and+in+vivo.">The immune regulatory function of lymphoproliferative double negative T cells in vitro and in vivo.</a> J Exp Med. 196, 261-267 (2002).</li><li>Ford McIntyre, M. S., Young, K. J., Gao, J., Joe, B., Zhang, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cutting+edge:+in+vivo+trogocytosis+as+a+mechanism+of+double+negative+regulatory+T+cell-mediated+antigen-specific+suppression.">Cutting edge: in vivo trogocytosis as a mechanism of double negative regulatory T cell-mediated antigen-specific suppression.</a> J Immunol. 181, 2271-2275 (2008).</li><li>Young, K. J., Yang, L., Phillips, M. J., Zhang, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Donor-lymphocyte+infusion+induces+transplantation+tolerance+by+activating+systemic+and+graft-infiltrating+double-negative+regulatory+T+cells.">Donor-lymphocyte infusion induces transplantation tolerance by activating systemic and graft-infiltrating double-negative regulatory T cells.</a> Blood. 100, 3408-3414 (2002).</li><li>Chen, W., Ford, M. S., Young, K. J., Zhang, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Infusion+of+in+vitro-generated+DN+T+regulatory+cells+induces+permanent+cardiac+allograft+survival+in+mice.">Infusion of in vitro-generated DN T regulatory cells induces permanent cardiac allograft survival in mice.</a> Transplant Proc. 35, 2479-2480 (2003).</li><li>Young, K. J., DuTemple, B., Phillips, M. J., Zhang, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inhibition+of+graft-versus-host+disease+by+double-negative+regulatory+T+cells.">Inhibition of graft-versus-host disease by double-negative regulatory T cells.</a> J Immunol. 171, 134-141 (2003).</li><li>Mohamood, A. 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=Gld+mutation+of+Fas+ligand+increases+the+frequency+and+up-regulates+cell+survival+genes+in+CD25+CD4++TR+cells.">Gld mutation of Fas ligand increases the frequency and up-regulates cell survival genes in CD25+CD4+ TR cells.</a> Int Immunol. 18, 1265-1277 (2006).</li><li>Ascon, D. B., 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=Normal+mouse+kidneys+contain+activated+and+CD3+CD4-+CD8-+double-negative+T+lymphocytes+with+a+distinct+TCR+repertoire.">Normal mouse kidneys contain activated and CD3+CD4- CD8- double-negative T lymphocytes with a distinct TCR repertoire.</a> J Leukoc Biol. 84, 1400-1409 (2008).</li><li>Hamad, A. R., 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=B220++double-negative+T+cells+suppress+polyclonal+T+cell+activation+by+a+Fas-independent+mechanism+that+involves+inhibition+of+IL-2+production.">B220+ double-negative T cells suppress polyclonal T cell activation by a Fas-independent mechanism that involves inhibition of IL-2 production.</a> J Immunol. 171, 2421-2426 (2003).</li><li>Rabb, H., 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=Pathophysiological+role+of+T+lymphocytes+in+renal+ischemia-reperfusion+injury+in+mice.">Pathophysiological role of T lymphocytes in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice.</a> Am J Physiol-Renal. 279, 525-531 (2000).</li><li>Burne, M. 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=Identification+of+the+CD4(+)+T+cell+as+a+major+pathogenic+factor+in+ischemic+acute+renal+failure.">Identification of the CD4(+) T cell as a major pathogenic factor in ischemic acute renal failure.</a> J Clin Invest. 108, 1283-1290 (2001).</li><li>Yokota, N., Daniels, F., Crosson, J., Rabb, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Protective+effect+of+T+cell+depletion+in+murine+renal+ischemia-reperfusion+injury.">Protective effect of T cell depletion in murine renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.</a> Transplantation. 74, 759-763 (2002).</li><li>Crispin, J. C., 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=Expanded+double+negative+T+cells+in+patients+with+systemic+lupus+erythematosus+produce+IL-17+and+infiltrate+the+kidneys.">Expanded double negative T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus produce IL-17 and infiltrate the kidneys.</a> J Immunol. 181, 8761-8766 (2008).</li><li>Igarashi, S., Takiguchi, M., Kariyone, A., Kano, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phenotypic+and+functional+analyses+on+T-cell+subsets+in+lymph+nodes+of+MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr+mice.">Phenotypic and functional analyses on T-cell subsets in lymph nodes of MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr mice.</a> Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol. 86, 249-255 (1988).</li><li>Dowdell, K. C., 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=Somatic+FAS+mutations+are+common+in+patients+with+genetically+undefined+autoimmune+lymphoproliferative+syndrome.">Somatic FAS mutations are common in patients with genetically undefined autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome.</a> Blood. 115, 5164-5169 (2010).</li><li>Juvet, S. C., 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=FcRgamma+promotes+T+cell+apoptosis+in+Fas-deficient+mice.">FcRgamma promotes T cell apoptosis in Fas-deficient mice.</a> J Autoimmun. 42, 80-93 (2013).</li><li>Thomson, C. 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=FcR+gamma+presence+in+TCR+complex+of+double-negative+T+cells+is+critical+for+their+regulatory+function.">FcR gamma presence in TCR complex of double-negative T cells is critical for their regulatory function.</a> J Immunol. 177, 2250-2257 (2006).</li></ol>

There is increasing interest in DN T cells since they are being implicated in different pathologic conditions such as autoimmune disorders, cancer, graft tolerance, and primary diseases of the kidney including acute kidney injury (AKI), glomerulonephritis8,13. Therefore, there is need to better understand and characterize the pathophysiologic functions of DN T cells. However, currently there is a lack in understanding of these cells&#8217; function as compared to CD4 and CD8 T cells. A ma...

A correction was made to: <a href="http://www.jove.com/video/51192/isolation-of-double-negative-t-cells-from-the-kidney">Isolation of Double Negative &#945;&#946; T Cells from the Kidney</a>.
There was an error with an author's name. The author's given name had a typo, this was corrected to:
Samatha Bandapelle
instead of:
Samantha Bandapelle

A correction was made to: Isolation of Double Negative &#945;&#946; T Cells from the Kidney.

Erratum: Isolation of Double Negative &#945;&#946; T Cells from the Kidney

Peripheral &#945;&#946;TCR+CD3+CD4-CD8-double-negative (DN) T cells are divided into various subsets that possess distinct phenotypes and functions1-4. DN T cells are poorly understood but increasingly being implicated in pathophysiological immune responses in different disease models4-6.
DN T cells are a unique immune cell type that is increasingly implicated in the regulation of various immune and autoimmune responses and the modulation of allotransplant tolerance. 4-6,9 They are rare in the peripheral blood and secondary lymphoid organs (spleen and lymph nodes). However, they are major residents of the normal kidney and gut epithelium10-12. Very little is known about their function7 in the kidney in the steady state and under pathological conditions such as acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with kidney transplant.
Because of the intricate roles of different immune cells in regulating immune responses including alloresponses, defining the role of each player is critical in understanding alloresponses and designing new therapeutics. Given the significant numbers of DN T cells present in the kidney under physiologic and different disease conditions, DN T cells are likely to play a critical role in regulating immune and autoimmune responses in mice and humans, and alloresponses in transplant recipients. Accumulating though still scattered evidence implicates DN T cells in both pathogenic and immunosuppressive functions but it is poorly understood why and how they exhibit a specific harmful or suppressive function and how the environment influences them.
Due to their low abundance in the kidney, improved methods of isolation are necessary.
There is currently no standard protocol for isolation of DN T cells from the non-lymphoid tissues. Our protocol describes a novel method for isolation of DN T cells from the kidney; however, the method can also be used for various non-lymphoid tissues.

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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">Laminar flow hood&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:257px;">Baker Company, Inc</td>
			<td style="width:276px;"></td>
			<td style="width:200px;">Or equivalent equipment&#160;</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">Centrifuge</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Or equivalent equipment&#160;</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">Hemocytometer</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">63514-11</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">Atmosphere-controlled incubator</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:200px;">&#160;(37&#176;C with 5% CO2)</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">Microscope&#160;</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Or equivalent equipment&#160;</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">Analytical flow cytometer</td>
			<td style="width:257px;">LSR II&#160;</td>
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			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:439px;">Name of the reagent</td>
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			<td style="width:276px;">Catalog&#160; Number</td>
			<td style="width:200px;">Comments&#160;</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">RPMI 1640</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">Fetal bovine serum&#160;</td>
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			<td>35-011-CV</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">0.1% sodium azide (NaN3)</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">PBS 10X</td>
			<td>Mediatech</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">LS columns&#160;</td>
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			<td style="width:276px;">130-042-401</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">CD45+ microbeads</td>
			<td style="width:257px;">MiltenyiBiotec</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">6.78E-51</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">Biotin microbeads&#160;</td>
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			<td style="width:276px;">130-090-485</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">anti-CD45 (clone: 30-F11)&#160; PerCP&#160;</td>
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			<td style="width:276px;">G1397</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">anti-CD45 (clone: 30-F11)&#160; APC-Cy7</td>
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			<td style="width:276px;">103116</td>
			<td style="width:200px;"></td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">anti-TCR Pacific Blue&#160; (ab-chain, clone: H57-597)</td>
			<td style="width:257px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">HM3628</td>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">anti-CD4 PE</td>
			<td style="width:257px;">eBioscience&#160;</td>
			<td>12-0043</td>
			<td style="width:200px;"></td>
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		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">anti-CD8 FITC</td>
			<td style="width:257px;">eBioscience&#160;</td>
			<td>8011-0087</td>
			<td style="width:200px;"></td>
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		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">anti-CD4 biotinylated (GK1.5)</td>
			<td style="width:257px;">BD</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">553728</td>
			<td style="width:200px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">anti-CD8 biotinylated&#160; (clone 53-6.7)</td>
			<td style="width:257px;">BD</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">553029</td>
			<td style="width:200px;"></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">anti-Fc receptor (CD16/32) biotinylated</td>
			<td style="width:257px;">BD</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">553143</td>
			<td style="width:200px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">anti-MHC class II (I-A d) biotinylated</td>
			<td style="width:257px;">BD</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">553609</td>
			<td style="width:200px;"></td>
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		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:439px;">anti-CD1d PBS-57 tetramer</td>
			<td style="width:257px;">NHI tetramer&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">lote # 15621-PBS57</td>
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			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:439px;">AutoMACS Running Buffer-&#160; MACS Separation Buffer&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:257px;">MIlteny I Biotec</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">130-091-221</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">C57BL/6J mice</td>
			<td>Jackson Labs</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">000664</td>
			<td>Kidneys - Lymph Nodes</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">Petri dish&#160;</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">356517</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">70mc filter&#160;</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>22363548</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">Plunger&#160;</td>
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			<td>Or equivalent equipment&#160;</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">GeneMate Tubes 50 ml</td>
			<td>Bioexpress</td>
			<td>C-3394-3</td>
			<td>Or equivalent equipment&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">GeneMate Tubes 15 ml</td>
			<td>Bioexpress</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">C-3394-1</td>
			<td>Or equivalent equipment&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">Petri Dish&#160;</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">S33580</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:439px;">Plate 24 wells&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:257px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td style="width:276px;">354723</td>
			<td style="width:200px;"></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

isolation of double negative &#945;&#946; t cells from the kidney

There is currently no standard protocol for the isolation of DN T cells from the non-lymphoid tissues despite their increasingly reported involvement in various immune responses. DN T cells are a unique immune cell type that has been implicated in regulating immune and autoimmune responses and tolerance to allotransplants1-6. DN T cells are, however, rare in peripheral blood and secondary lymphoid organs (spleen and lymph nodes), but are major residents of the normal kidney. Very little is known about their pathophysiologic function7 due to their paucity in the periphery. We recently described a comprehensive phenotypic and functional analysis of this population in the kidney8 in steady state and during ischemia reperfusion injury. Analysis of DN T cell function will be greatly enhanced by developing a protocol for their isolation from the kidney.
Here, we describe a novel protocol that allows isolation of highly pure ab CD4+ CD8+ T cells and DN T cells from the murine kidney. Briefly, we digest kidney tissue using collagenase and isolate kidney mononuclear cells (KMNC) by density gradient. This is followed by two steps to enrich hematopoietic T cells from 3% to 70% from KMNC. The first step consists of a positive selection of hematopoietic cells using a CD45+ isolation kit. In the second step, DN T cells are negatively isolated by removal of non-desired cells using CD4, CD8, and MHC class II monoclonal antibodies and CD1d &#945;-galcer tetramer. This strategy leads to a population of more than 90% pure DN T cells. Surface staining with the above mentioned antibodies followed by FACs analysis is used to confirm purity.

Wild type C57BL/6 (B6) kidney contains approximately 1.5-2.1 x 106 mononuclear cells per kidney. Approximately less than 10% are hematopoietic CD45+ cells. For the preparation of kidney mononuclear cells (KMNC), the kidneys are cut into small pieces as shown in Figure 1 followed by digestion using 5% collagenase.
This is followed by performing a density gradient centrifugation to collect KMNC layer (Figure&#160;2, left panel). KMNC were t...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation of Double Negative Î±Î² T Cells from the Kidney at JoVE.com

Isolation of Double Negative &amp;#945;&amp;#946; T Cells from the Kidney

DNabT cells are rare among peripheral T cells; however, they are abundant in certain non-lymphoid tissues. Difficulty of isolating DN T cells from non-lymphoid tissue hinders their functional analysis despite increasing recognized pathophysiologic significance. We describe a novel protocol for isolation of highly purified DN T cells from murine kidney.

Isolation of Double Negative &#945;&#946; T Cells from the Kidney

There is currently no standard protocol for the isolation of DN T cells from the non-lymphoid tissues despite their increasingly reported involvement in ...

isolation-of-double-negative-t-cells-from-the-kidney

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

Generation of Induced Regulatory T Cells from Primary Human Na&iuml;ve and Memory T Cells

The development and maintenance of immunosuppressive CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) contribute to the peripheral tolerance needed to remain in immunologic homeostasis with the vast amount of self and commensal antigens in and on the human body. Perturbations in the balance between Tregs and inflammatory conventional T cells can result in immunopathology or cancer. Although therapeutic injection of Tregs has been shown to be efficacious in murine models of colitis1 , type I diabetes2 , rheumatoid arthritis and graft versus host disease,4 several fundamental differences in human versus mouse Treg biology5 has thus far precluded clinical use. The lack of sufficient number, purity, stability and homing specificity of therapeutic Tregs necessitated a dynamic platform of human Treg development on which to optimize conditions for their ex vivo expansion6.
Here we describe a method for the differentiation of induced Tregs (iTregs) from a single human peripheral blood donor which can be broken down into four stages: isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, magnetic selection of CD4+ T cells, in vitro cell culture and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) of T cell subsets. Since the Treg signature transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) is an activation-induced transcription factor in humans7 and no other unique marker exists, a combinatorial panel of markers must be used to identify T cells with suppressor activity. After six days in culture, cells in our system can be demarcated into na&iuml;ve T cells, memory T cells or iTregs based on their relative expression of CD25 and CD45RA. As memory and na&iuml;ve T cells have different reported polarization requirements and plasticities8 , pre-sorting of the initial T cell population into CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ subsets can be used to examine these discrepancies. Consistent with others, our CD25HiCD45RA- iTregs express high levels of FoxP39 , GITR and CTLA-411 and low levels of CD12712 . Following FACS of each population, resultant cells can be used in a suppressor assay which evaluates the relative ability to retard the proliferation of carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-labeled autologous T cells.

Generation of Induced Regulatory T Cells from Primary Human Na&amp;#239;ve and Memory T Cells

We describe a method for generating regulatory, memory and na&#239;ve T cells from a single human blood donor. Polarized Tregs can be then compared to other subsets in a variety of genetic and functional applications with genetic homogeneity, including a suppression assay also detailed here.

The development and maintenance of immunosuppressive CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) contribute to the peripheral tolerance needed to remain in ...

Isolation and Characterization of Dendritic Cells and Macrophages from the Mouse Intestine

Within the intestine reside unique populations of innate and adaptive immune cells that are involved in promoting tolerance towards commensal flora and food antigens while concomitantly remaining poised to mount inflammatory responses toward invasive pathogens1,2. Antigen presenting cells, particularly DCs and macrophages, play critical roles in maintaining intestinal immune homeostasis via their ability to sense and appropriately respond to the microbiota3-14. Efficient isolation of intestinal DCs and macrophages is a critical step in characterizing the phenotype and function of these cells. While many effective methods of isolating intestinal immune cells, including DCs and macrophages, have been described6,10,15-24, many rely upon long digestions times that may negatively influence cell surface antigen expression, cell viability, and/or cell yield. Here, we detail a methodology for the rapid isolation of large numbers of viable, intestinal DCs and macrophages. Phenotypic characterization of intestinal DCs and macrophages is carried out by directly staining isolated intestinal cells with specific fluorescence-labeled monoclonal antibodies for multi-color flow cytometric analysis. Furthermore, highly pure DC and macrophage populations are isolated for functional studies utilizing CD11c and CD11b magnetic-activated cell sorting beads followed by cell sorting.

Here, we detail a methodology for the rapid isolation of mouse intestinal dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages. Phenotypic characterization of intestinal DCs and macrophages is performed using multi-color flow cytometric analysis while magnetic bead enrichment followed by cell sorting is used to yield highly pure populations for functional studies.

Within the intestine reside unique populations of innate and adaptive immune cells that are involved in promoting tolerance towards commensal flora and ...

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Na&iuml;ve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Th17 cells are a distinct subset of T cells that have been found to produce interleukin 17 (IL-17), and differ in function from the other T cell subsets including Th1, Th2, and regulatory T cells. Th17 cells have emerged as a central culprit in overzealous inflammatory immune responses associated with many autoimmune disorders. In this method we purify T lymphocytes from the spleen and lymph nodes of C57BL/6 mice, and stimulate purified CD4+ T cells under control and Th17-inducing environments. The Th17-inducing environment includes stimulation in the presence of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies, IL-6, and TGF-&#946;. After incubation for at least 72 hours and for up to five days at 37 &#176;C, cells are subsequently analyzed for the capability to produce IL-17 through flow cytometry, qPCR, and ELISAs. Th17 differentiated CD4+CD25- T cells can be utilized to further elucidate the role that Th17 cells play in the onset and progression of autoimmunity and host defense. Moreover, Th17 differentiation of CD4+CD25- lymphocytes from distinct murine knockout/disease models can contribute to our understanding of cell fate plasticity.

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Na&amp;#239;ve CD4 T Lymphocytes

With effector functions distinct from other T cell subsets, Th17 cells have been centrally implicated in inflammatory autoimmunity. This in vitro Th17 differentiation protocol provides a means to determine whether na&#239;ve CD4+ T lymphocytes can differentiate into Th17 cells, and to further examine their role in autoimmunity and host response.

Th17 cells are a distinct subset of T cells that have been found to produce interleukin 17 (IL-17), and differ in function from the other T cell subsets ...

Derivation of T Cells In Vitro from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

The OP9/OP9-DL1 co-culture system has become a well-established method for deriving differentiated blood cell types from embryonic and hematopoietic progenitors of both mouse and human origin. It is now used to address a growing variety of complex genetic, cellular and molecular questions related to hematopoiesis, and is at the cutting edge of efforts to translate these basic findings to therapeutic applications. The procedures are straightforward and routinely yield robust results. However, achieving successful hematopoietic differentiation in vitro requires special attention to the details of reagent and cell culture maintenance. Furthermore, the protocol features technique sensitive steps that, while not difficult, take care and practice to master. Here we focus on the procedures for differentiation of T lymphocytes from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC). We provide a detailed protocol with discussions of the critical steps and parameters that enable reproducibly robust cellular differentiation in vitro. It is in the interest of the field to consider wider adoption of this technology, as it has the potential to reduce animal use, lower the cost and shorten the timelines of both basic and translational experimentation.

Derivation of T Cells In Vitro from Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Mouse embryonic stem cells can be differentiated to T cells in vitro using the OP9-DL1 co-culture system. Success in this procedure requires careful attention to reagent/cell maintenance, and key technique sensitive steps. Here we discuss these critical parameters and provide a detailed protocol to encourage adoption of this technology.

The OP9/OP9-DL1 co-culture system has become a well-established method for deriving differentiated blood cell types from embryonic and hematopoietic ...

Generation of Human Alloantigen-specific T Cells from Peripheral Blood

The study of human T lymphocyte biology often involves examination of responses to activating ligands. T cells recognize and respond to processed peptide antigens presented by MHC (human ortholog HLA) molecules through the T cell receptor (TCR) in a highly sensitive and specific manner. While the primary function of T cells is to mediate protective immune responses to foreign antigens presented by self-MHC, T cells respond robustly to antigenic differences in allogeneic tissues. T cell responses to alloantigens can be described as either direct or indirect alloreactivity. In alloreactivity, the T cell responds through highly specific recognition of both the presented peptide and the MHC molecule. The robust oligoclonal response of T cells to allogeneic stimulation reflects the large number of potentially stimulatory alloantigens present in allogeneic tissues. While the breadth of alloreactive T cell responses is an important factor in initiating and mediating the pathology associated with biologically-relevant alloreactive responses such as graft versus host disease and allograft rejection, it can preclude analysis of T cell responses to allogeneic ligands. To this end, this protocol describes a method for generating alloreactive T cells from naive human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) that respond to known peptide-MHC (pMHC) alloantigens. The protocol applies pMHC multimer labeling, magnetic bead enrichment and flow cytometry to single cell in vitro culture methods for the generation of alloantigen-specific T cell clones. This enables studies of the biochemistry and function of T cells responding to allogeneic stimulation.

This article describes a method for the generation and propagation of human T cell clones that specifically respond to a defined alloantigen. This protocol can be adapted for cloning human T cells specific for a variety of peptide-MHC ligands.

The study of human T lymphocyte biology often involves examination of responses to activating ligands. T cells recognize and respond to processed peptide ...

Mouse Na&#239;ve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets

Antigen inexperienced (na&#239;ve) CD4+ T cells undergo expansion and differentiation to effector subsets at the time of T cell receptor (TCR) recognition of cognate antigen presented on MHC class II. The cytokine signals present in the environment at the time of TCR activation are a major factor in determining the effector fate of a na&#239;ve CD4+ T cell. Although the cytokine environment during na&#239;ve T cell activation may be complex and involve both redundant and opposing signals in vivo, the addition of various cytokine combinations during naive CD4+ T cell activation in vitro can readily promote the establishment of effector T helper lineages with hallmark cytokine and transcription factor expression. Such differentiation experiments are commonly used as a first step for the evaluation of targets believed to promote or inhibit the development of certain CD4+ T helper subsets. The addition of mediators, such as signaling agonists, antagonists, or other cytokines, during the differentiation process can also be used to study the influence of a particular target on T cell differentiation. Here, we describe a basic protocol for the isolation of na&#239;ve T cells from mouse and the subsequent steps necessary for polarizing na&#239;ve cells to various T helper effector lineages in vitro.

Mouse Na&amp;#239;ve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets

Na&#239;ve CD4+ T cells polarize to various subsets depending on the environment at the time of activation. The differentiation of na&#239;ve CD4+ T cells to various effector subsets can be achieved in vitro through the addition of T cell receptor stimuli and specific cytokine signals.

Antigen inexperienced (na&#239;ve) CD4+ T cells undergo expansion and differentiation to effector subsets at the time of T cell receptor (TCR) recognition ...

T Cells Capture Bacteria by Transinfection from Dendritic Cells

Recently, we have shown, contrary to what is described, that CD4+ T cells, the paradigm of adaptive immune cells, capture bacteria from infected dendritic cells (DCs) by a process called transinfection. Here, we describe the analysis of the transinfection process, which occurs during the course of antigen presentation. This process was unveiled by using CD4+ T cells from transgenic OTII mice, which bear a T cell receptor (TCR) specific for a peptide of ovoalbumin (OVAp), which therefore can form stable immune complexes with infected dendritic cells loaded with this specific OVAp. The dynamics of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing bacteria during DC-T cell transmission can be monitored by live-cell imaging and the quantification of bacterial transinfection can be performed by flow cytometry. In addition, transinfection can be quantified by a more sensitive method based in the use of gentamicin, a non-permeable aminoglycoside antibiotic killing extracellular bacteria but not intracellular ones. This classical method has been used previously in microbiology to study the efficiency of bacterial infections. We hereby explain the protocol of the complete process, from the isolation of the primary cells to the quantification of transinfection.

Here a protocol is presented to measure bacterial capture by CD4+ T cells which occurs during antigen presentation via transinfection from pre-infected dendritic cells (DC). We show how to perform the necessary steps: isolation of primary cells, infection of DC, DC/T cell conjugate formation, and measurement of bacterial T cell transfection.

Recently, we have shown, contrary to what is described, that CD4+ T cells, the paradigm of adaptive immune cells, capture bacteria from infected dendritic ...

Efficient Isolation Protocol for B and T Lymphocytes from Human Palatine Tonsils

Tonsils form a part of the immune system providing the first line of defense against inhaled pathogens. Usually the term &#8220;tonsils&#8221; refers to the palatine tonsils situated at the lateral walls of the oral part of the pharynx. Surgically removed palatine tonsils provide a convenient accessible source of B and T lymphocytes to study the interplay between foreign pathogens and the host immune system. This video protocol describes the dissection and processing of surgically removed human palatine tonsils, followed by the isolation of the individual B and T cell populations from the same tissue sample. We present a method, which efficiently separates tonsillar B and T lymphocytes using an antibody-dependent affinity protocol. Further, we use the method to demonstrate that human adenovirus infects specifically the tonsillar T cell fraction. The established protocol is generally applicable to efficiently and rapidly isolate tonsillar B and T cell populations to study the role of different types of pathogens in tonsillar immune responses.

Palatine tonsils are a rich source of B and T lymphocytes. Here we provide an easy, efficient and rapid protocol to isolate B and T lymphocytes from human palatine tonsils. The method described has been specifically adapted for studies of the viral etiology of tonsil inflammation known as tonsillitis.

Tonsils form a part of the immune system providing the first line of defense against inhaled pathogens. Usually the term &#8220;tonsils&#8221; refers to ...

Isolation and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Gamma Delta T Cells

The female reproductive tract (FRT) mucosal immune system serves as the first line of defense. Better knowledge of the genital mucosa is therefore essential for understanding pathogenicity of different pathogens including HIV. Gamma delta (GD) T cells are the prototype of &#39;unconventional&#39; T cells and represent a relatively small subset of T cells defined by their expression of heterodimeric T-cell receptors (TCRs) composed of gamma and delta chains. This sets them apart from the classical and much better known CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells that are defined by alpha-beta TCRs. GD T cells often show tissue-specific localization and are enriched in epithelium. GD T cells orchestrate immune responses in inflammation, tumor surveillance, infectious disease, and autoimmunity.
Here, we present a method to reproducibly isolate and analyze human endocervical intraepithelial GD T lymphocytes. We have used endocervical cytobrush samples from women participating in the Women&#39;s Interagency HIV Infection Study (WIHS). Knowledge about GD T cells interactions during conditions in which there is an insult to the vaginal mucosal could be applied to any clinical study in which mucosal vulnerability is addressed, including the development of vaginal microbicides.In addition, knowledge about mucosal GD T cell responses has potential for application of GD T cell-based immune therapy in treating infectious diseases.

We describe here an isolation method to obtain human endocervical intraepithelial lymphocytes for the analysis of intraepithelial gamma delta T cells. This protocol can be extended for the purification of endocervical gamma delta T cells by magnetic beads or by cell sorting.

The female reproductive tract (FRT) mucosal immune system serves as the first line of defense. Better knowledge of the genital mucosa is therefore ...

Assessment of the Synaptic Interface of Primary Human T Cells from Peripheral Blood and Lymphoid Tissue

The current understanding of the dynamics and structural features of T-cell synaptic interfaces has been largely determined through the use of glass-supported planar bilayers and in vitro-derived T-cell clones or lines1,2,3,4. How these findings apply to the primary human T cells isolated from blood or lymphoid tissues is not known, partly due to significant difficulties in obtaining a sufficient number of cells for analysis5. Here we address this through the development of a technique exploiting multichannel flow slides to build planar lipid bilayers containing activating and adhesion molecules. The low height of the flow slides promotes rapid cell sedimentation in order to synchronize cell:bilayer attachment, thereby allowing researchers to study the dynamic of the synaptic interface formation and the kinetics of the granules release. We apply this approach to analyze the synaptic interface of as few as 104 to 105 primary cryopreserved T cells isolated from lymph nodes (LN) and peripheral blood (PB). The results reveal that the novel planar lipid bilayer technique enables the study of the biophysical properties of primary human T cells derived from blood and tissues in the context of health and disease.

The protocol describes a technique to study the ability of primary polyclonal human T cells to form synaptic interfaces using planar lipid bilayers. We use this technique to show the differential synapse formation capability of human primary T cells derived from lymph nodes and peripheral blood.