Name: a novel ex ovo banding technique to alter intracardiac hemodynamics in an embryonic chicken system
Uploaded: 2016-05-13T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Novel Ex Ovo Banding Technique to Alter Intracardiac Hemodynamics in an Embryonic Chicken System at JoVE.com

The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Robert Price and the staff of the Instrumentation Resource Facility at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. This work was partially supported by a SPARC Graduate Research Grant from the Office of the Vice President for Research at the University of South Carolina (JDP/VM). In addition this work was supported by Cook Biotech research agreement (JDP) and by FirstString Research Inc (JDP) and NIH 2 P20-RR016434-06 (JDP). In addition, NIH IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) grant for South Carolina P20GM103499 (JE)

Avian embryos are not considered vertebrate animals under IUCAC regulations.
1. Obtaining Embryos for Surgery
<ol>
	<li>Incubate 80 - 90 fertilized Bovan chicken eggs (blunt end up) in a humidified (60%) rocker incubator at 40 &#176;C for approximately 72 hr to obtain embryos at Hamilton and Hamburger (HH) stage 17. Determine exact number of eggs based on power analysis and survival rate of embryos 17. Use plastic egg trays for incubation to allow adequate air circulation.</li>
	<...

<ol>
	<li>Neeb, Z., Lajiness, J., Bolanis, E., Conway, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cardiac+outflow+tract+anomalies.">Cardiac outflow tract anomalies.</a> Wiley Interdiscip Rev Dev Biol. 2 (4), 499-530 (2013).</li><li>Combs, M., Yutzey, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heart+valve+development:+regulatory+networks+in+development+and+disease.">Heart valve development: regulatory networks in development and disease.</a> Circ Res. 105 (5), 408-421 (2009).</li><li>Hinton, R., Yutzey, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heart+valve+structure+and+function+in+development+and+disease.">Heart valve structure and function in development and disease.</a> Annu Rev Physiol. 73, 29-46 (2011).</li><li>von Gise, A., Pu, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endocardial+and+epicardial+epithelial+to+mesenchymal+transitions+in+heart+development+and+disease.">Endocardial and epicardial epithelial to mesenchymal transitions in heart development and disease.</a> Circ Res. 110 (12), 1628-1645 (2012).</li><li>Person, A., Klewer, S., Runyan, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+biology+of+cardiac+cushion+development.">Cell biology of cardiac cushion development.</a> Int Rev Cytol. 243, 287-335 (2005).</li><li>de Vlaming, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Atrioventricular+valve+development:+new+perspectives+on+an+old+theme.">Atrioventricular valve development: new perspectives on an old theme.</a> Differentiation. 84 (1), 103-116 (2012).</li><li>Butcher, J., McQuinn, T., Sedmera, D., Turner, D., Markwald, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transitions+in+early+embryonic+atrioventricular+valvular+function+correspond+with+changes+in+cushion+biomechanics+that+are+predictable+by+tissue+composition.">Transitions in early embryonic atrioventricular valvular function correspond with changes in cushion biomechanics that are predictable by tissue composition.</a> Circ Res. 100 (10), 1503-1511 (2007).</li><li>Hove, 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=Intracardiac+fluid+forces+are+an+essential+epigenetic+factor+for+embryonic+cardiogenesis.">Intracardiac fluid forces are an essential epigenetic factor for embryonic cardiogenesis.</a> Nature. 421 (6919), 172-177 (2003).</li><li>Tan, 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=Fluid+flow+forces+and+rhoA+regulate+fibrous+development+of+the+atrioventricular+valves.">Fluid flow forces and rhoA regulate fibrous development of the atrioventricular valves.</a> Dev Biol. 374 (2), 345-356 (2013).</li><li>Biechler, 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=The+impact+of+flow-induced+forces+on+the+morphogenesis+of+the+outflow+tract.">The impact of flow-induced forces on the morphogenesis of the outflow tract.</a> Front Physiol. 5, (2014).</li><li>Hu, N., Clark, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hemodynamics+of+the+stage+12+to+stage+29+chick+embryo.">Hemodynamics of the stage 12 to stage 29 chick embryo.</a> Circ Res. 65 (6), 1665-1670 (1989).</li><li>Hogers, B., DeRuiter, M., Gittenberger-de Groot, A., Poelmann, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Unilateral+vitelline+vein+ligation+alters+intracardiac+blood+flow+patterns+and+morphogenesis+in+the+chick+embryo.">Unilateral vitelline vein ligation alters intracardiac blood flow patterns and morphogenesis in the chick embryo.</a> Circ Res. 80 (4), 473-481 (1997).</li><li>Hogers, B., DeRuiter, M., Gittenberger-de Groot, A., Poelmann, R. <a target="_blank" 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href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acutely+altered+hemodynamics+following+venous+obstruction+in+the+early+chick+embryo.">Acutely altered hemodynamics following venous obstruction in the early chick embryo.</a> J Exp Biol. 206 (pt 6), 1051-1057 (2003).</li><li>Lucitti, J., Tobita, K., Keller, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Arterial+hemodynamics+and+mechanical+properties+after+circulatory+intervention+in+the+chick+embryo.">Arterial hemodynamics and mechanical properties after circulatory intervention in the chick embryo.</a> J Exp Biol. 208 (pt 10), 1877-1885 (2005).</li><li>Menon, V., Eberth, J., Goodwin, R., Potts, J. <a target="_blank" 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This technique is relatively quick and easy to perform, however certain key points need to be kept in mind so as to get accurate downstream results. Embryos should be maintained ex ovo in a petri dish that contains Tyrode&#39;s buffer to provide adequate rehydration. It is also important to hydrate the yolk post-surgery with Tyrode&#39;s buffer and to make sure the incubation chamber is adequately hydrated. Surgeries should not be performed on an embryo if any bleeding is visible or the yolk is even slightly bro...

Abnormally formed outflow valves are the most common type of congenital heart defects 1. However, defective cardiac valve structure and function, even though present at birth, may become symptomatic only in adulthood. In fact, several adult valve diseases can be attributed to a congenital origin. Treatment of such patients often involves replacing defective valves, and, importantly, replaced aortic valves have been shown to have congenital anomalies 2. Given the fact that critical processes involved in valve development begin early during embryogenesis, the importance of better understanding the mechanisms that regulate these events is highlighted. 
The primitive heart tube, which is the first functioning organ in an embryo, exhibits two distinct layers - an endothelial endocardium surrounded by myocardium - separated by extracellular matrix (cardiac jelly) which is mostly produced and secreted by the myocardium 3-5. As development continues, valve primordia (endocardial cushions) are formed, after rightward looping of the embryonic heart, by local expansion of the cardiac jelly at the atrioventricular (AV) canal and the outflow tract (OFT) 4,6. This expansion is mediated by the highly regulated process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), during which the cardiac jelly becomes populated by endocardially-derived mesenchymal cells 6. In addition to the mesenchymal population derived through EMT, neural crest cells are also involved in valvulogenesis of the OFT 3. 
Hemodynamic stimuli, such as shear stress, are important epigenetic factors that regulate heart development in the embryo 7,8. Using a 3D in vitro system, we have previously shown shear stress to be a factor influencing the expression and deposition of fibrous extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in AV and OFT cushions 9,10. Moreover, studies carried out by several researchers have demonstrated that altered blood flow leads to improper valves and septa formation 11-16. Recently, using the novel banding procedure presented here, we have shown that changing hemodynamics in the embryonic chick heart affects the early processes involved in OFT valve formation 17.
The technique described here provides a novel model for altering hemodynamics in the developing chick heart by partially constricting the OFT ex ovo. This reproducible procedure is relatively quick and allows researchers to obtain a sufficient number of embryos/whole hearts/OFT tissue, etc. for downstream analyses including gene expression studies. Moreover, this new model can be used to study 'chronic' effects of altered hemodynamics on OFT valve development.

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		<tr height="105">
			<td height="105" style="height:105px;width:216px;">Fertilized Bovan chicken eggs</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Clemson University, Clemson, SC</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td style="width:195px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">11/0 Nylon suture</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Ashaway</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">S30001</td>
			<td>UV sterilize knots before surgery</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">100 x 26 mm petri dish</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">25387-030</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Transfer pipettes</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Thermo Scientific&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">232-20S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">Scalpel handle #3</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">91003-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Straight scissor</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Roboz</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">RS-6702</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">Dumont #5 fine forceps</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">11254-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Tyrodes buffer</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">2145-10L</td>
			<td>Filter sterlize before use&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Sodium bicarbonate</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">S233-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Vevo 770 Ultrasound Imaging system</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">VisualSonics, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">VS-11392</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">708 Ultrasound transducer&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:71px;">VisualSonics, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">VS-11171</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a novel ex ovo banding technique to alter intracardiac hemodynamics in an embryonic chicken system

The new model presented here can be used to understand the influence of hemodynamics on specific cardiac developmental processes, at the cellular and molecular level. To alter intracardiac hemodynamics, fertilized chicken eggs are incubated in a humidified chamber to obtain embryos of the desired stage (HH17). Once this developmental stage is achieved, the embryo is maintained ex ovo and hemodynamics in the embryonic heart are altered by partially constricting the outflow tract (OFT) with a surgical suture at the junction of the OFT and ventricle (OVJ). Control embryos are also cultured ex ovo but are not subjected to the surgical intervention. Banded and control embryos are then incubated in a humidified incubator for the desired period of time, after which 2D ultrasound is employed to analyze the change in blood flow velocity at the OVJ as a result of OFT banding. Once embryos are maintained ex ovo, it is important to ensure adequate hydration in the incubation chamber so as to prevent drying and eventually embryo death. Using this new banded model, it is now possible to perform analyses of changes in the expression of key players involved in valve development and to understand the role of hemodynamics on cellular responses in vivo, which could not be achieved previously.

Shown in Figure 1 are recommended instruments needed for OFT banding. The petri dish (Figure 1A) containing the embryo ex ovo should be deep enough so as to not destroy the embryo when covered with the lid. Deep petri dishes (Figure 1C) should also be used for ultrasound imaging to allow an adequate volume of Tyrode&#39;s buffer to be poured atop the yolk.
A single 1 cm...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Novel Ex Ovo Banding Technique to Alter Intracardiac Hemodynamics in an Embryonic Chicken System at JoVE.com

A Novel Ex Ovo Banding Technique to Alter Intracardiac Hemodynamics in an Embryonic Chicken System

For the first time we present here a reproducible banding procedure to alter hemodynamics in the developing heart ex ovo. This is achieved by partially constricting the outflow tract (OFT).

A Novel Ex Ovo Banding Technique to Alter Intracardiac Hemodynamics in an Embryonic Chicken System

The new model presented here can be used to understand the influence of hemodynamics on specific cardiac developmental processes, at the cellular and ...

The overall goal of this Ex Ovo banding procedure is to create a reproducible, nonlethal alteration in cardiac hemodynamics to study the resulting genetic consequences. This method can help answer key questions in the cardiovascular development field, such as the development of cardiac valves, and associated disease states. The power of this system is that it can be used to study genetic pathways that respond to changing hemodynamics in the developing heart and valves and also in help finding a tipping point at which rescuing a heart does not have any long-term deleterious effects.So demonstrating the procedure will be Lorain Junor, a technician from my laboratory, and Mr.Vinal Menon, a PhD student in the laboratory, who will be demonstrating the handling of the eggs and the use of the ultrasound machine. Incubate 80 to 90 fertilized, Bovan chicken eggs with their blunt ends up on plastic egg trays in a humidified rocker incubator set to 40 degrees Celsius. Let them develop for approximately 72 hours to HH 17.Once at Stage 17, pour about 20 milliliters of warm Tyrode's Buffer, supplemented with sodium bicarbonate into a 100 millimeter by 26 millimeter dish. Next, remove an egg from the incubator and sterilize it with 70%ethanol. Then, gently crack the shell using a scalpel handle and carefully release its contents into the dish.Now, check the embryo under a dissection microscope. Discard the embryo if it appears abnormal, such as being at the wrong developmental stage, being improperly oriented on the yolk, or if there is any bleeding. Be sure to look for the appropriate folding and bending of the vasculature.Keep some embryos not subjected to OFT Banding at 40 degrees Celsius as control embryos. In preparation, tweeze out individual one centimeter long threads from a single 11 to zero nylon surgical suture and form them into loose knots. UV sterilize all the preformed knots three times at 1, 200 by 100 micro joules.Under a dissection microscope, visually ensure that the heart of the embryo is beating at a normal rate, and if not, discard the embryo. Just before the surgery, pipet five to six milliliters of warm Tyrode's Buffer onto the embryo's surface. Then, pass one free end of a preformed knot under the OFT.Position the suture at the OVJ or any other desired location and pass the free end into the knot to constrict the OFT, including the membranes surrounding the heart. Then, wet the surface of the yolk with Tyrode's Buffer, as before. Transfer all the manipulated embryos to the developmental incubator, along with the non-banded control embryos, and let them develop for a set amount of time.Later, excise the embryo from the yolk using straight scissors. Then, dissect the heart with fine forceps and proceed with downstream studies, such as examination of the cardiac morphology. The parse constriction caused by the banding intervention leads to an increase in blood flow at the OVJ.This hemodynamic parameter is conveniently assessed using 2D ultrasound imaging. After removing a single embryo from the incubator for ultrasound imaging, place its dish on a heating pad set to 40 degrees Celsius that is on an adjustable stand. Then, slowly and carefully fill the dish to the brim with warm Tyrode's Buffer.Do not disturb the yolk. If the yolk is compromised, discard the embryo. Now, orient the embryo to the ultrasound probe by adjusting the stand.Orient the embryo such that the central axis of the embryo is perpendicular to the ultrasound probe. With the ultrasound machine operating in B mode, obtain a 2D image of the beating heart. Then adjust the position of the embryo so that the OFT, ventricle, and OVJ are clearly visible in the ultrasound.Next, switch to the pulse wave mode, set the desired pulse repetition frequency, and collect velocity data exactly at the OVJ. If the heart rate of the embryo decreases during imaging, velocity data obtained should not be used for analysis. All embryos used for velocity measurements should preferably not be used for any other experiments after ultrasound imaging.Embryos were developed to HH 17 and a suture was placed at the OVJ as described. 48 hours later, the embryos were examined with 2D ultrasound to measure changes in blood flow velocity at the OVJ. As expected, the velocity at the OVJ is higher in the banded embryo relative to the control.Once mastered, this technique can be done in less than five minutes, from cracking the egg to banding of the embryonic heart, if it is performed properly. While attempting this procedure, it's important to remember to have the band already created and to be careful in not damaging surrounding tissue when placing the band around the heart. Following this procedure, other methods like real-time PCR, Immunohistochemistry, and Insitu Hybridization can be performed to answer additional questions, like how are key genes and proteins affected by the altered hemodynamics.

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Efficient Gene Transfer in Chick Retinas for Primary Cell Culture Studies: An Ex-ovo Electroporation Approach

The cone photoreceptor-enriched cultures derived from embryonic chick retinas have become an indispensable tool for researchers around the world studying the biology of retinal neurons, particularly photoreceptors. The applications of this system go beyond basic research, as they can easily be adapted to high throughput technologies for drug development. However, genetic manipulation of retinal photoreceptors in these cultures has proven to be very challenging, posing an important limitation to the usefulness of the system. We have recently developed and validated an ex&#160;ovo plasmid electroporation technique that increases the rate of transfection of retinal cells in these cultures by five-fold compared to other currently available protocols1. In this method embryonic chick eyes are enucleated at stage 27, the RPE is removed, and the retinal cup is placed in a plasmid-containing solution and electroporated using easily constructed custom-made electrodes. The retinas are then dissociated and cultured using standard procedures. This technique can be applied to overexpression studies as well as to the downregulation of gene expression, for example via the use of plasmid-driven RNAi technology, commonly achieving transgene expression in 25% of the photoreceptor population. The video format of the present publication will make this technology easily accessible to researchers in the field, enabling the study of gene function in primary retinal cultures. We have also included detailed explanations of the critical steps of this procedure for a successful outcome and reproducibility.

Efficient Gene Transfer in Chick Retinas for Primary Cell Culture Studies: An Ex-ovo Electroporation Approach

Embryonic chick retinal cell cultures constitute valuable tools for the study of photoreceptor biology. We have developed an efficient gene transfer technique based on ex&#160;ovo plasmid electroporation of the retinas prior to culture. This technique considerably increases transfection efficiencies over currently available protocols, making genetic manipulation feasible for this system.

The cone photoreceptor-enriched cultures derived from embryonic chick retinas have become an indispensable tool for researchers around the world studying ...

Optimized Ex-ovo Culturing of Chick Embryos to Advanced Stages of Development

Research in anatomy, embryology, and developmental biology has largely relied on the use of model organisms. In order to study development in live embryos model organisms, such as the chicken, are often used. The chicken is an excellent model organism due to its low cost and minimal maintenance, however they present observational challenges because they are enclosed in an opaque eggshell. In order to properly view the embryo as it develops, the shell must be windowed or removed. Both windowing and ex ovo techniques have been developed to assist researchers in the study of embryonic development. However, each of the methods has limitations and challenges. Here, we present a simple, optimized ex ovo culture technique for chicken embryos that enables the observation of embryonic development from stage HH 19 into late stages of development (HH 40), when many organs have developed. This technique is easy to adopt in both undergraduate classes and more advanced research laboratories where embryo manipulations are conducted.

Optimized Ex-ovo Culturing of Chick Embryos to Advanced Stages of Development

Viewing and accessing the chicken embryo during development can be challenging. We have developed an ex ovo method that is simple, cost effective, and can easily be used in a classroom or research setting. This method provides access to the embryo into late stages of embryonic development (HH 40).

Research in anatomy, embryology, and developmental biology has largely relied on the use of model organisms. In order to study development in live embryos ...

An Optogenetic Approach for Assessing Formation of Neuronal Connections in a Co-culture System

Here we describe a protocol to generate a co-culture consisting of 2 different neuronal populations. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are reprogrammed from human fibroblasts using episomal vectors. Colonies of iPSCs can be observed 30 days after initiation of fibroblast reprogramming. Pluripotent colonies are manually picked and grown in neural induction medium to permit differentiation into neural progenitor cells (NPCs). iPSCs rapidly convert into neuroepithelial cells within 1 week and retain the capability to self-renew when maintained at a high culture density. Primary mouse NPCs are differentiated into astrocytes by exposure to a serum-containing medium for 7 days and form a monolayer upon which embryonic day 18 (E18) rat cortical neurons (transfected with channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2)) are added. Human NPCs tagged with the fluorescent protein, tandem dimer Tomato (tdTomato), are then seeded onto the astrocyte/cortical neuron culture the following day and allowed to differentiate for 28 to 35 days. We demonstrate that this system forms synaptic connections between iPSC-derived neurons and cortical neurons, evident from an increase in the frequency of synaptic currents upon photostimulation of the cortical neurons. This co-culture system provides a novel platform for evaluating the ability of iPSC-derived neurons to create synaptic connections with other neuronal populations.

A protocol to generate a co-culture system consisting of neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), primary cortical neurons and astrocytes is described. This co-culture system allows detection of the formation of synaptic contacts and circuits between new, iPSC-derived neurons and pre-existing cortical neurons expressing channelrhodopsin-2.

Here we describe a protocol to generate a co-culture consisting of 2 different neuronal populations. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are ...

Technique to Target Microinjection to the Developing Xenopus Kidney

The embryonic kidney of Xenopus&#160;laevis (frog), the pronephros, consists of a single nephron, and can be used as a model for kidney disease. Xenopus embryos are large, develop externally, and can be easily manipulated by microinjection or surgical procedures. In addition, fate maps have been established for early Xenopus embryos. Targeted microinjection into the individual blastomere that will eventually give rise to an organ or tissue of interest can be used to selectively overexpress or knock down gene expression within this restricted region, decreasing secondary effects in the rest of the developing embryo. In this protocol, we describe how to utilize established Xenopus fate maps to target the developing Xenopus kidney (the pronephros), through microinjection into specific blastomere of 4- and 8-cell embryos. Injection of lineage tracers allows verification of the specific targeting of the injection. After embryos have developed to stage 38 - 40, whole-mount immunostaining is used to visualize pronephric development, and the contribution by targeted cells to the pronephros can be assessed. The same technique can be adapted to target other tissue types in addition to the pronephros.

Technique to Target Microinjection to the Developing Xenopus Kidney

Here, we present a protocol to use fate maps and lineage tracers to target injections into individual blastomeres that give rise to the kidney of Xenopus laevis embryos.

The embryonic kidney of Xenopus&#160;laevis (frog), the pronephros, consists of a single nephron, and can be used as a model for kidney disease. Xenopus ...

Gene Transfer into the Chicken Auditory Organ by In Ovo Micro-electroporation

Chicken embryos are ideal model systems for studying embryonic development as manipulations of gene function can be conducted with relative ease in ovo. The inner ear auditory sensory organ is critical for our ability to hear. It houses a highly specialized sensory epithelium that consists of mechano-transducing hair cells (HCs) and surrounding glial-like supporting cells (SCs). Despite structural differences in the auditory organs, molecular mechanisms regulating the development of the auditory organ are evolutionarily conserved between mammals and aves. In ovo electroporation is largely limited to early stages at E1 - E3. Due to the relative late development of the auditory organ at E5, manipulations of the auditory organ by in ovo electroporation past E3 are difficult due to the advanced development of the chicken embryo at later stages. The method presented here is a transient gene transfer method for targeting genes of interest at stage E4 - E4.5 in the developing chicken auditory sensory organ via in ovo micro-electroporation. This method is applicable for gain- and loss-of-functions with conventional plasmid DNA-based expression vectors and can be combined with in ovo cell proliferation assay by adding EdU (5-ethynyl-2&#180;-deoxyuridine) to the whole embryo at the time of electroporation. The use of green or red fluorescent protein (GFP or RFP) expression plasmids allows the experimenter to quickly determine whether the electroporation successfully targeted the auditory portion of the developing inner ear. In this method paper, representative examples of GFP electroporated specimens are illustrated; embryos were harvested 18 - 96 hr&#160;after electroporation and targeting of GFP to the pro-sensory area of the auditory organ was confirmed by RNA in situ hybridization. The method paper also provides an optimized protocol for the use of the thymidine analog EdU to analyze cell proliferation; an example of an EdU based cell proliferation assay that combines immuno-labeling and click EdU chemistry is provided.

Gene Transfer into the Chicken Auditory Organ by In Ovo Micro-electroporation

The auditory organ mediates hearing. Here we present a modified in ovo micro-electroporation method optimized for studying auditory progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation in the developing chicken auditory organ.

Chicken embryos are ideal model systems for studying embryonic development as manipulations of gene function can be conducted with relative ease in ovo. ...

A Submerged Filter Paper Sandwich for Long-term Ex Ovo Time-lapse Imaging of Early Chick Embryos

Due to its availability, low cost, flat geometry, and transparency, the ex ovo chick embryo has become a major vertebrate animal model for the study of morphogenetic events, such as gastrulation2, neurulation3-5, somitogenesis6, heart bending7,8, and brain formation9-13, during early embryogenesis. Key to understanding morphogenetic processes is to follow them dynamically by time-lapse imaging. The acquisition of time-lapse movies of chick embryogenesis ex ovo has been limited either to short time windows or to the need for an incubator to control temperature and humidity around the embryo14. Here, we present a new technique to culture chick embryos ex ovo for high-resolution time-lapse imaging using transmitted light microscopy. The submerged filter paper sandwich is a variant of the well-established filter paper carrier technique (EC-culture)1 and allows for the culturing of chick embryos without the need for a climate chamber. The embryo is sandwiched between two identical filter paper carriers and is kept fully submerged in a simple, temperature-controlled medium covered by a layer of light mineral oil. Starting from the primitive streak stage (Hamburger-Hamilton stage 5, HH5)15 up to at least the 28-somite stage (HH16)15, embryos can be cultured with either their ventral or dorsal side up. This allows the acquisition of time-lapse movies covering about 30 hr of embryonic development. Representative time-lapse frames and movies are shown. Embryos are compared morphologically to an embryo cultured in the standard EC-culture.
The submerged filter paper sandwich provides a stable environment to study early dorsal and ventral morphogenetic processes. It also allows for live fluorescence imaging and micromanipulations, such as microsurgery, bead implantation, microinjection, gene silencing, and electroporation, and has a strong potential to be combined with immersion objectives for laser-based imaging (including light-sheet microscopy).

A Submerged Filter Paper Sandwich for Long-term Ex Ovo Time-lapse Imaging of Early Chick Embryos

Here, we present a new technique to culture chick embryos ex ovo for time-lapse imaging using transmitted light and fluorescence microscopy. The submerged filter paper sandwich is a variant of the well-established filter paper carrier technique1 that allows for the culturing of chick embryos fully-submerged in a liquid culture medium.

Due to its availability, low cost, flat geometry, and transparency, the ex ovo chick embryo has become a major vertebrate animal model for the study of ...

In Ovo Electroporation in the Chicken Auditory Brainstem

Electroporation is a method that introduces genes of interest into biologically relevant organisms like the chicken embryo. It is long established that the chicken embryo is an effective research model for studying basic biological functions of auditory system development. More recently, the chicken embryo has become particularly valuable in studying gene expression, regulation and function associated with hearing. In ovo electroporation can be used to target auditory brainstem regions responsible for highly specialized auditory functions. These regions include the chicken nucleus magnocellularis (NM) and nucleus laminaris (NL). NM and NL neurons arise from distinct precursors of rhombomeres 5 and 6 (R5/R6). Here, we present in ovo electroporation of plasmid-encoded genes to study gene-related properties in these regions. We show a method for spatial and temporal control of gene expression that promote either gain or loss of functional phenotypes. By targeting auditory neural progenitor regions associated with R5/R6, we show plasmid transfection in NM and NL. Temporal regulation of gene expression can be achieved by adopting a tet-on vector system. This is a drug inducible procedure that expresses the genes of interest in the presence of doxycycline (Dox). The in ovo electroporation technique &#8211; together with either biochemical, pharmacological, and or in vivo functional assays &#8211; provides an innovative approach to study auditory neuron development and associated pathophysiological phenomena.

In Ovo Electroporation in the Chicken Auditory Brainstem

Auditory brainstem neurons of avians and mammals are specialized for fast neural encoding, a fundamental process for normal hearing functions. These neurons arise from distinct precursors of embryonic hindbrain. We present techniques utilizing electroporation to express genes in the hindbrain of chicken embryos to study gene function during auditory development.

Electroporation is a method that introduces genes of interest into biologically relevant organisms like the chicken embryo. It is long established that ...

A Novel Mammary Fat Pad Transplantation Technique to Visualize the Vessel Generation of Vascular Endothelial Stem Cells

Endothelial cells (ECs) are the fundamental building blocks of the vascular architecture and mediate vascular growth and remodeling to ensure proper vessel development and homeostasis. However, studies on endothelial lineage hierarchy remain elusive due to the lack of tools to gain access as well as to directly evaluate their behavior in vivo. To address this shortcoming, a new tissue model to study angiogenesis using the mammary fat pad has been developed. The mammary gland develops mostly in the postnatal stages, including puberty and pregnancy, during which robust epithelium proliferation is accompanied by extensive vascular remodeling. Mammary fat pads provide space, matrix, and rich angiogenic stimuli from the growing mammary epithelium. Furthermore, mammary fat pads are located outside the peritoneal cavity, making them an easily accessible grafting site for assessing the angiogenic potential of exogenous cells. This work also describes an efficient tracing approach using fluorescent reporter mice to specifically label the targeted population of vascular endothelial stem cells (VESCs) in vivo. This lineage tracing method, coupled with subsequent tissue whole-mount microscopy, enable the direct visualization of targeted cells and their descendants, through which the proliferation capability can be quantified and the differentiation commitment can be fate-mapped. Using these methods, a population of bipotent protein C receptor (Procr) expressing VESCs has recently been identified in multiple vascular systems. Procr+ VESCs, giving rise to both new ECs and pericytes, actively contribute to angiogenesis during development, homeostasis, and injury repair. Overall, this manuscript describes a new mammary fat pad transplantation and in vivo lineage tracing techniques that can be used to evaluate the stem cell properties of VESCs.

This work demonstrates a novel approach to assess the proliferation, differentiation, and vessel-forming potential of vascular endothelial stem cells (VESCs) through mammary fat pad transplantation followed by whole-mount tissue preparation for microscopic observation. A lineage tracing strategy to investigate the behavior of VESCs in vivo is also presented.

Endothelial cells (ECs) are the fundamental building blocks of the vascular architecture and mediate vascular growth and remodeling to ensure proper ...

Organotypic Culture Method to Study the Development Of Embryonic Chicken Tissues

The embryonic chicken is commonly used as a reliable model organism for vertebrate development. Its accessibility and short incubation period makes it ideal for experimentation. Currently, the study of these developmental pathways in the chicken embryo is conducted by applying inhibitors and drugs at localized sites and at low concentrations using a variety of methods. In vitro tissue&#160;culturing is a technique that enables the study of tissues separated from the host organism, while simultaneously bypassing many of the physical limitations present when working with whole embryos, such as the susceptibility of embryos to high doses of potentially lethal chemicals. Here, we present an organotypic culturing protocol for culturing the embryonic chicken half head in vitro, which presents new opportunities for the examination of developmental processes beyond the currently established methods.

Here, we present an organotypic culturing protocol to grow embryonic chicken organs in vitro. Using this method, the development of embryonic chicken tissue can be studied, while maintaining a high degree of control over the culture environment.

The embryonic chicken is commonly used as a reliable model organism for vertebrate development. Its accessibility and short incubation period makes it ...

An In Vitro Model of a Parallel-Plate Perfusion System to Study Bacterial Adherence to Graft Tissues

Various valved conduits and stent-mounted valves are used for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) valve replacement in patients with congenital heart disease. When using prosthetic materials however, these grafts are susceptible to bacterial infections and various host responses.
Identification of bacterial and host factors that play a vital role in endovascular adherence of microorganisms is of importance to better understand the pathophysiology of the onset of infections such as infective endocarditis (IE) and to develop preventive strategies. Therefore, the development of competent models to investigate bacterial adhesion under physiological shear conditions is necessary. Here, we describe the use of a newly designed in vitro perfusion chamber based on parallel plates that allows the study of bacterial adherence to different components of graft tissues such as exposed extracellular matrix, endothelial cells and inert areas. This method combined with colony-forming unit (CFU) counting is adequate to evaluate the propensity of graft materials towards bacterial adhesion under flow. Further on, the flow chamber system might be used to investigate the role of blood components in bacterial adhesion under shear conditions. We demonstrated that the source of tissue, their surface morphology and bacterial species specificity are not the major determining factors in bacterial adherence to graft tissues by using our in-house designed in vitro perfusion model.

An In Vitro Model of a Parallel-Plate Perfusion System to Study Bacterial Adherence to Graft Tissues

We describe an in-house designed in vitro flow chamber model, which allows the investigation of bacterial adherence to graft tissues.

Various valved conduits and stent-mounted valves are used for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) valve replacement in patients with congenital heart ...