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.

HINWEIS: Alle Experimente wurden von der Institutional Animal Care und Use Committee an der Universität von North Carolina in Chapel Hill genehmigt. 1. Verbrauch der Aortenklappe <ol><li> Mit einem zugelassenen Euthanasie Technik für die embryonalen Stadium von Interesse, einschläfern eine schwangere Maus mit Welpen an der gewünschten embryonalen Tag (E) der Entwicklung. </li><li> Verwenden 70% Ethanol, um den Bauch der Schwangeren zu sterilisieren. Heben Sie die Haut und Muskeln des Unterleibs oben und weg von den inneren Organen und sezieren unteren Bauchhöhle des Weibchens offen für den Zugang zum Uterushorn zu ermöglichen. </li><li> Um die Uterushorn abzurufen, halten Sie die Zervix mit einer Pinzette und sorgfältig geschnitten kaudal der Zange. Heben Sie die Uterushorn, Schneiden jede Bindegewebe, das Horn an Ort und Stelle hält, und füllen Sie die Entfernung, indem die Kreuzung der Uterushorn mit den Eileiter. </li><li> Legen Sie die seziert Uterushorn in eine Petrischale mit cold 0,1 M Tris-Puffer (pH 7,6) und spülen Sie nach Bedarf. Dann schneiden Sie die Uterushorn offen in Längsrichtung, um die embryonalen Säcke aus. </li><li> , Um den Embryo zu belichten, schnitt eine Fruchtblase an der Kreuzung von der Plazenta und des Embryos und schneiden Sie die Nabelgefässe, um den Embryo zu befreien. Legen Sie die seziert Embryo in einer zweiten Petrischale mit kaltem 0,1 M Tris-Puffer. Bringen Sie die ersten Petrischale mit den restlichen unzer Embryonen Eis, bis sich bereit für den nächsten Embryo. </li><li> Um Zugang Brustwand innerhalb des Embryos zu verbessern, den Embryo zu enthaupten. Wenn Genotypisierung notwendig ist, zu entfernen und speichern eine zusätzliche Gewebestück in ein Eppendorf-Röhrchen auf Eis gestellt. </li><li> Legen Sie den Embryo auf dem Rücken, und schneiden Sie die Brustwand vertikal entlang der Seite des Brustkorbs, in der Nähe einer Vordergliedmaße, und horizontal über der Membran, um das Herz zu visualisieren. Öffnen Sie dann die Brustwand, um das Herz freizulegen. </li><li> Mit einer Pinzette hoch entlang der großen Gefäße zu halten, heben Sie das Herz mit einer Pinzette und schneiden Sie die Gefäße unten. Dien, vor der Zange geschnitten, um das Herz zu befreien. Wenn die Lungengefäße bleiben ungeschnitten, kann die Lunge mit dem Herzen entfernt werden und sollte, bevor Sie fortfahren entfernt werden. </li><li> Schneiden und entfernen Sie die Lungenarterie über dem Niveau des Ventils; bei der hier beschriebenen Embryonalstadien, die Lungenarterie leicht opak, die in ihrer Unterscheidung von den Ventilbereich unterstützt. Kurz unterhalb der Pulmonalklappe, die Vermeidung der trabekulierte Myokard und sammeln, wie in Schritt 1.10 beschrieben, wenn diese Region ist auch von Interesse. Hier und im nächsten Schritt verwendet Kapillarwirkung, um überschüssiges Tris-Puffer von dem interessierenden Bereich vor dem Sammeln in Lysepuffer ziehen. </li><li> Die Aorta distal sorgfältig zu entfernen, um die Aortenklappe, gerade über dem Niveau des Ventils; wie die Lungenarterie, bleibt der Aorta bei diesen embryonalen Stadien leicht opake, Beihilfe in seiner Entfernung. Kurz unterhalb der Aortenklappe, wieder die Vermeidung der trabekulierte Myokard, und übertragen Sie dieVentil mit einer Pinzette in ein Eppendorf-Röhrchen mit 2 ul Lysepuffer (in der Material Tabelle beschrieben) mit Protease und Phosphatase-Inhibitoren auf Eis. </li><li> Wiederholen Sie die Schritte, bis 1,6-1,10 die Ventile aus allen Embryonen herausgeschnitten worden, sammeln jedes Ventil in einem separaten Eppendorf-Röhrchen. Wenn alle Embryonen haben den gleichen Genotyp, können alle Ventile in einem Eppendorf-Röhrchen gesammelt werden. </li><li> Wenn die Genotypisierung durchgeführt werden, um zu bestimmen, welche zu bündeln Ventile sollten sofort Proben in Lyse-Puffer bei -80 ° C bis zur weiteren Verwendung. Proben können dann nach Genotypisierung (Schritt 2.1.1) zusammengefasst werden. </li></ol> 2. Proteinextraktion <ol><li> Auftauen gesammelten Gewebe auf Eis und Zentrifugieren bei 13.100 × g für 1 Minute, um das Gewebe in Lysepuffer am Boden des Röhrchens zu sammeln. <ol><li> Wenn Embryonen wurden genotypisiert, mit einer Pipette vorsichtig sammeln und Pool-Lyse-Puffer, der die Ventilbereiche aus Embryonen mit ähnlichen Genotypen. Eine starke b gewährleistenund die Bündelung 3-4 Ventilbereiche von E13.5 Embryonen pro Probe wird empfohlen. </li><li> Wenn alle Embryonen wurden aus dem gleichen Genotyp und alle Ventilbereiche in Schritt 1.10 zusammen gesammelt, lysiert die gesamte Probe, wie in Schritt 2.2 beschrieben. </li></ol></li><li> Überprüfen Sie die Lautstärke des resultierenden Mischprobe und fügen Lyse-Puffer auf ein Gesamtvolumen von 40 ul; dann, und homogenisieren Proben unter Verwendung von 5 mm Edelstahlkugeln in Eppendorf-Röhrchen. Betreiben Sie das lyser für 2-4 min bei 50 Hz, nach den Anweisungen des Herstellers. Spin Röhrchen kurz (~ 13.100 × g für 1 min), und die Übertragung Proben in neue Röhrchen, so dass hinter dem unlöslichen Rückstand. </li><li> Vorbereitung und getrennte Proben für SDS-PAGE und Transfer zur anschließenden Western-Blot-Analyse nach einem Protokoll wie Eslami et al 9. Blotting für eine Ladekontrollprotein ist von wesentlicher Bedeutung für die Proteinquantifizierung. </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. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Co-ordinating+Notch,+BMP,+and+TGF-beta+signaling+during+heart+valve+development.">Co-ordinating Notch, BMP, and TGF-beta signaling during heart valve development.</a> Cell Mol Life Sci. 70, 2899-2917 (2013).</li><li>Jiang, X., Rowitch, D. H., Soriano, P., McMahon, A. P., Sucov, H. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fate+of+the+mammalian+cardiac+neural.">Fate of the mammalian cardiac neural.</a> Development. 127, 1607-1616 (2000).</li><li>Scherptong, R. 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.

Die Fähigkeit, Proteinspiegel in der frühen embryonalen Maus quantifizieren und Küken Herzklappen Regionen bietet ein zusätzliches Werkzeug für das Verständnis der kritischen zellulären Signalereignisse für Ventil Entwicklung. Unsere hier beschriebenen Protokoll nicht wesentlich von Standardproteinisolierungsverfahren abweichen. Jedoch durch Änderung einiger Schlüsselschritte, haben wir erfolgreich erhalten phosphoryliert Proteine ​​aus extrem kleinen Probengrößen. Um dieses Ergebnis zu erreichen, sind d...

Die Möglichkeit zur Identifizierung und Quantifizierung Proteinexpressionsniveaus ist eine Standardtechnik für tier- und zellbasierten Experimenten. Doch trotz langjähriger Interesse an der frühen embryonalen Herzklappen Entwicklung, Bewertung Proteinexpression in diesem speziellen Gewebe während der Entwicklung ist derzeit sowohl in der Immunhistochemie Küken und Maus 1,2 begrenzt. Ein Teil der Schwierigkeit der Quantifizierung der Proteinexpression in den Entwicklungs Ventile aller Modellorganismen (beispielsweise Küken und Maus) ist die geringe Größe der Ventile, die die Menge an Protein, die erhalten werden können, begrenzt. So für quantitative Analysen, die Forscher der Regel verlassen sich auf die RNA-Extraktion und Amplifikation für die anschließende quantitative PCR oder Microarray-Analyse 2-5. Jedoch sind RNA-und Protein-Expressionsniveaus nicht vollständig korrelativen 6, so sich auf RNA-Expression nicht eine strenge aufgrund der zahlreichen Änderungen, die in einem gegebenen Signalisierungs auftretenWegs zu verschiedenen Zeiten während Entwicklungen. Basierend auf dieser Grenze in der gegenwärtig verfügbaren Methoden, das Ziel dieses Verfahrens war es, ein Protokoll für die zuverlässige, ausreichende Mengen des Proteins aus den Entwicklungs embryonalen Maus Herzklappenbereiche für die quantitative Analyse der Änderungen, die in verschiedenen Signalwegen, die in wichtig auftreten entwickeln Die Reifung des Gewebes. Embryonale Ventile sind bereits häufig von Mäusen für die RNA-Isolierung und anschließende Genexpressionsanalyse 2-5 seziert. Allerdings haben diese Studien mit Gen-Expression als ein Auslesen der Signalwegs-Aktivierung, die nicht den Nachweis erkennen posttranslationalen Proteinmodifikationen, die nachgeschalteten Signal beeinflussen können zulässt beschränkt. Mit Hilfe der RNA-Isolierung Techniken als Ausgangspunkt, begannen wir mit sezieren die Regionen von Interesse. Da unser Interesse wurde phosphoryliert Proteine, die indikativ Erkennen von Signal pat warenHWAY Aktivität während einer bestimmten Zeit Aortenklappe Entwicklung (E13.5-14.5), führten wir alle Sektionen in phosphatfreien Tris-Puffer und die Ventile in einem Tris-Lyse-Puffer mit Phosphatase und Protease-Inhibitoren gesammelt. In unserem speziellen Fall nur die Aortenklappe Regionen wurden gesammelt, aber der Pulmonalklappe Bereich leicht zur gleichen Zeit erhalten werden. Die Ventilbereiche wurden dann homogenisiert und in Kombination mit einem Probenpuffer, der derzeit verwendet wird, um die Proteinexpression in adulten Herzklappen 7 zu untersuchen. Durch die Verwendung von kleinen Probenmengen (beispielsweise 2 ul) und Vereinigen Ventilbereiche von Embryonen mit dem gleichen Genotyp, waren wir in der Lage, phosphorylierte und nicht-phosphorylierte Proteine ​​an embryonalen Tag 8 13,5 erfassen. Da die Ventilbereiche können eingefroren und in Lyse-Puffer gespeichert werden können, wenn Embryonen vor Pooling benötigt genotypisiert werden. Diese Technik erweitert den Satz von Tools, die für die Auswertung zur Verfügung stehen Zelle signaling Wege während der Entwicklung und eine quantitative Kompliment Immunhistochemie, die speziell für die Entwicklung von Herzklappen. Diese Technik sollte der Nutzen nicht nur für Entwicklungs Kardiologen, aber auch für alle Entwicklungsbiologen, die mit frühen Embryonen arbeiten, sind interessiert in Regionen, die begrenzte Gewebe enthalten sein.

<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.

Mit dieser Präparationstechnik, waren wir in der Lage, im Einzel Aortenklappe Regionen aus E13.5 Embryonen erkennen phosphoryliert Smad 1,5,8 (pSmad). Wie in 1A gezeigt, ist das Protein von sogar einer einzigen Ventilbereich isoliert ausreicht, um eine schwache pSmad Band zu erfassen. Signalintensität nimmt proportional zur Anzahl der Ventilbereiche, die gebündelt sind. Wichtig ist, bleibt die pSmad / β-Actin-Verhältnis in den verschiedenen Stichprobengrößen (Abbildung 1c)</str...

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.

Proteinisolierung aus den Entwicklungs embryonalen Mäuseherzklappen Region

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 Aufrufe.  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.

Serie: 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.

Micro-Dissektion Rattenhirns RNA oder Protein Extraction von bestimmten Hirnregion

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

Forschung

Biologie

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.

Isolation und Ableitung von embryonalen Maus-Keimzellen

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.

Isolierung und Kultivierung von Zellen aus dem Nephrogene Zone der embryonalen Maus Niere

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.

Immunfärbung von Dissected Zebrafisch embryonale Herz

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.

Generation der Mäuse aus induzierten pluripotenten Stammzellen

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;

Isolieren Primäre Melanozyten-ähnlichen Zellen aus der Maus Herz

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.

A Novel<em&gt; Ex vivo</em&gt; Kultur Verfahren zur embryonalen Maus Herz

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.

Isolierung von embryonalen ventrikuläre Endothelzellen

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.

Zellmarkierung und Einspritzung in Entwicklungs embryonalen Maus-Herzen

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.

Isolierung von murinen Ventil Endothelzellen

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