Name: isolation of human endometrial stromal cells for in vitro decidualization
Uploaded: 2018-09-01T12:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization at JoVE.com

The authors have nothing to disclose.

All human endometrium biopsies collected for this study were attained from the Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology using an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved written consent form.
1. Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Prepare 500 mL of 1x Hank&#39;s Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) by adding 100 U/mL penicillin and 100 &#181;g/mL streptomycin to the media containing bottle (further referenced as HBSS+ medium).</li>
	<li>Prepare 500 mL of Dulbecco&#39;s Modifie...

<ol>
	<li>Maruyama, T., Yoshimura, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+and+cellular+mechanisms+for+differentiation+and+regeneration+of+the+uterine+endometrium.">Molecular and cellular mechanisms for differentiation and regeneration of the uterine endometrium.</a> Endocrine Journal. 55, 795-810 (2008).</li><li>Yu, 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=Endometrial+Stromal+Decidualization+Responds+Reversibly+to+Hormone+Stimulation+and+Withdrawal.">Endometrial Stromal Decidualization Responds Reversibly to Hormone Stimulation and Withdrawal.</a> Endocrinology. 157, 2432-2446 (2016).</li><li>Ahn, J. I., 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=cAMP-Response+Element-Binding+3-Like+Protein+1+(CREB3L1)+is+Required+for+Decidualization+and+its+Expression+is+Decreased+in+Women+with+Endometriosis.">cAMP-Response Element-Binding 3-Like Protein 1 (CREB3L1) is Required for Decidualization and its Expression is Decreased in Women with Endometriosis.</a> Current Molecular Medicine. 16, 276-287 (2016).</li><li>Gellersen, B., Brosens, J. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cyclic+decidualization+of+the+human+endometrium+in+reproductive+health+and+failure.">Cyclic decidualization of the human endometrium in reproductive health and failure.</a> Endocrine Reviews. 35, 851-905 (2014).</li><li>Telgmann, R., Gellersen, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Marker+genes+of+decidualization:+activation+of+the+decidual+prolactin+gene.">Marker genes of decidualization: activation of the decidual prolactin gene.</a> Human Reproduction Update. 4, 472-479 (1998).</li><li>Camden, A. 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=Growth+regulation+by+estrogen+in+breast+cancer+1+(GREB1)+is+a+novel+progesterone-responsive+gene+required+for+human+endometrial+stromal+decidualization.">Growth regulation by estrogen in breast cancer 1 (GREB1) is a novel progesterone-responsive gene required for human endometrial stromal decidualization.</a> Molecular Human Reproduction. 23, 646-653 (2017).</li><li>Kommagani, 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=The+Promyelocytic+Leukemia+Zinc+Finger+Transcription+Factor+Is+Critical+for+Human+Endometrial+Stromal+Cell+Decidualization.">The Promyelocytic Leukemia Zinc Finger Transcription Factor Is Critical for Human Endometrial Stromal Cell Decidualization.</a> PLoS Genetics. 12, e1005937 (2016).</li><li>Large, M. J., DeMayo, F. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+regulation+of+embryo+implantation+and+endometrial+decidualization+by+progesterone+receptor+signaling.">The regulation of embryo implantation and endometrial decidualization by progesterone receptor signaling.</a> Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 358, 155-165 (2012).</li><li>Zhang, X. 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=The+mesenchymal-epithelial+transition+during+in+vitro+decidualization.">The mesenchymal-epithelial transition during in vitro decidualization.</a> Reproductive Sciences. 20, 354-360 (2013).</li><li>Kommagani, 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=Acceleration+of+the+glycolytic+flux+by+steroid+receptor+coactivator-2+is+essential+for+endometrial+decidualization.">Acceleration of the glycolytic flux by steroid receptor coactivator-2 is essential for endometrial decidualization.</a> PLoS Genetics. 9, e1003900 (2013).</li><li>Ramathal, C. Y., Bagchi, I. C., Taylor, R. N., Bagchi, M. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endometrial+decidualization:+of+mice+and+men.">Endometrial decidualization: of mice and men.</a> Seminars in Reproductive Medicine. 28, 17-26 (2010).</li><li>Tamura, I., 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=Novel+Function+of+a+Transcription+Factor+WT1+in+Regulating+Decidualization+in+Human+Endometrial+Stromal+Cells+and+Its+Molecular+Mechanism.">Novel Function of a Transcription Factor WT1 in Regulating Decidualization in Human Endometrial Stromal Cells and Its Molecular Mechanism.</a> Endocrinology. 158, 3696-3707 (2017).</li><li>Vinketova, K., Mourdjeva, M., Oreshkova, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+Decidual+Stromal+Cells+as+a+Component+of+the+Implantation+Niche+and+a+Modulator+of+Maternal+Immunity.">Human Decidual Stromal Cells as a Component of the Implantation Niche and a Modulator of Maternal Immunity.</a> Journal of Pregnancy. , 8689436 (2016).</li><li>Wu, D., 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=Chronic+endometritis+modifies+decidualization+in+human+endometrial+stromal+cells.">Chronic endometritis modifies decidualization in human endometrial stromal cells.</a> Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. 15, 16 (2017).</li><li>Garcia-Elias, 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=Defining+quantification+methods+and+optimizing+protocols+for+microarray+hybridization+of+circulating+microRNAs.">Defining quantification methods and optimizing protocols for microarray hybridization of circulating microRNAs.</a> Scientific Reports. 7, 7725 (2017).</li><li>Brosens, J. 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=Human+endometrial+fibroblasts+immortalized+by+simian+virus+40+large+T+antigen+differentiate+in+response+to+a+decidualization+stimulus.">Human endometrial fibroblasts immortalized by simian virus 40 large T antigen differentiate in response to a decidualization stimulus.</a> Endocrinology. 137, 2225-2231 (1996).</li><li>Koukouritaki, S. B., Margioris, A. N., Gravanis, A., Hartig, R., Stournaras, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dexamethasone+induces+rapid+actin+assembly+in+human+endometrial+cells+without+affecting+its+synthesis.">Dexamethasone induces rapid actin assembly in human endometrial cells without affecting its synthesis.</a> Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. 65, 492-500 (1997).</li></ol>

The female reproductive menstrual cycle is characterized by a rise in progesterone levels throughout the luteal phase, thereby inducing the decidualization of ESC into round, epithelial-like secretory cells3,8. The initiation of decidualization is species dependent. In humans, decidualization occurs spontaneously upon the rise of progesterone concentration, whereas mice require blastocyst presence10,11. T...

Between the stages of menarche and menopause, women of reproductive age undergo monthly cycles of hormone-regulated endometrial proliferation, differentiation, and subsequent shedding in preparation for pregnancy in a process known as menstruation1,2. Such physical modifications of the human endometrium are necessary for proper embryo implantation into the uterine wall1. Alterations of the endometrium, including both morphological and biochemical adaptations, are mediated throughout the menstrual cycle via ovarian steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone (P4)3,4,5. Within the proliferative (or follicular) phase, preovulatory estrogen levels increase, initiating endometrium thickening. Following ovulation, the secretory (or luteal) phase promotes a significant rise in P4 concentrations, inducing the morphological transformation of endometrial stromal cells (ESC) from fibroblast-like appearance to rounded, epithelial-like decidual cells in a process known as decidualization4,6. Improper decidualization has been established as a root cause for implantation failure and subsequent early embryo miscarriage4,7,8. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying decidualization is advantageous to the diagnosis and treatment of early pregnancy loss.
Currently, several methodologies are utilized to explore the underlying effects of decidualization on endometrial stromal cells. In vivo, the mouse uterus can be artificially induced for decidualization via mechanical stimulation (i.e.,, scratching) or oil injection in a hormonally primed uterus9. Distinct from humans, this synthetic stimulation promotes the differentiation of the uterine lumen by providing the appearance of blastocyst presence, a step that is required for the initiation of decidualization in rodents10,11. Accordingly, due to the translational complications associated with animal models and the ethical dilemmas surrounding in vivo based studies in humans, decidualization based models are most successfully studied in vitro.
In this study, subjects are recruited through the placement of advertisements in both local English and Spanish newspapers. Subjects identified as suitable candidates for this study are brought in to meet with the research coordinator, in which a full disclosure of potential risks are discussed. Upon confirmation of a complete understanding of potential risks involved, subjects&#39; consent is attained in both written and verbal forms. Subject consent includes permission to (1) undergo phlebotomy (2) long-term storage of their tissues for future research purposes and (3) agree to the creation of primary cultures from collected tissue specimens. Following consent, subjects are given a form to complete in which permitted self-identification of race/ethnicity and/or the right for nondisclosure. A subsequent visit is scheduled to attain the endometrium biopsy based on the subject&#39;s menstrual cycle. Volunteers recruited to this study reflect both the ethnic and racial demographics of the St. Louis metropolitan region as documented by the 2012 Census and did not involve the participation of any vulnerable population including pregnant women, fetuses, embryos, children under 18 years of age, or other vulnerable groups. Eligibility requirements for participation in the biopsy sample collection include (1) being between the ages of 18-45 years (2) having regular menstrual cycles (25-32 days) (3) having no current pregnancy or use of hormonal/intrauterine device contraceptives for 30 days prior to enrollment (4) having no current vaginal infection or sexually transmitted diseases (5) having no current antibiotic treatments, and (6) having no current abnormal Pap smear.
Within this study, human endometrial stromal cells (HESC) are cultured and artificially induced to undergo in vitro decidualization through the supplementation of hormones (estradiol (E2), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)) to the medium. In this method, the degree of decidualization is altered based on the total number of days of hormonal treatment. In conjunction with cytoskeletal rearrangement, hormonal supplementation induces biochemical adaptations in which the decidual cells experience secretory-like qualities2,4. The expression of hallmark genes, such as prolactin (PRL) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1), can be utilized to confirm and quantify the degree of HESC decidualization5,12,13,14. Importantly, the viability of this protocol to conduct gene specific knockdown is also demonstrated.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:935px;" width="934">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Opti-MEM I (1X) Reduced Serum Medium</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">31985-070</td>
			<td style="width:271px;">For decidualization media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">DMEM / F12 (1:1) (1X)</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">11330-032</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Trypan Blue Stain (0.4%)</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">15250-061</td>
			<td>For cell count</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">PureLink RNA Mini Kit</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">12183018A</td>
			<td>For RNA Isolation/Purification</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">TaqMan 2X Universal PCR Master Mix</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Applied Biosystems</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">4304437</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">High Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription Kit</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Applied Biosystems</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">4374967</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Eukaryotic 18S rRNA Endogenous Control</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">4319413E</td>
			<td>For qPCR internal control</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">TaqMan Gene Expression Assay Prolactin Probe</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Applied Biosystems</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">4331182</td>
			<td>For qPCR internal control</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">TaqMan Gene Expression Assay IGFBP1 Probe</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Applied Biosystems</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">4331182</td>
			<td>For qPCR internal control</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Phalloidin-iFluor 488 Reagent - CytoPainter</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Abcam</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">ab176753</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Human Prolactin ELISA Kit</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">EHIAPRL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">16% Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Alfa Aesar</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">30525-89-4</td>
			<td>Fixative</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Lipofectamine RNAiMAX</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">13778150</td>
			<td>Transfection Reagent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">ProLong Gold antifade reagent with DAPI</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">P36935</td>
			<td>For mounting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">0.25% Trypsin-EDTA (1X)</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">25200-056</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Penicillin Streptomycin</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">15140-122</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Charcoal Stripped Fetal Bovine Serum</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">F6765-500ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Sodium Bicarbonate (7.5%)</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">25080-094</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Ficoll-Paque PLUS Reagent</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">45001749</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Collagenase from Clostridium histolyticum</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">C0130-1G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Deoxyribonuclease I from bovine pancreas</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">DN25-100MG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Medroxyprogesterone 17-acetate</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">M1629-1G</td>
			<td>For EPC Media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Estradiol</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">E1024-1G</td>
			<td>For EPC Media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">cAMP</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">A6885-100MG</td>
			<td>For EPC Media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Fine straight stitch scissors</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">15396-00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">TaqMan Gene Expression Assay NCOA2 Probe</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Applied Biosystems</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">4351372</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Fetal Bovine Serum, heat inactivated</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">10-082-147</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Antibiotic-antimycotic</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">15240062</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Hank&#8217;s Balanced Salt Solution&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">21-021-cv</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">50 mL conical polypropylene Falcon tube</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">352098</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Dumont #5/45 Forceps</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">11251-35</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">100 x 15 mm Glass Petri dish</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">75845-546</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">40 micron cell strainer</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Midsci</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">229481</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Isotemp 215 Water bath</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">FS-215</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">LSE Centrifuge&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">6755</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Human NCOA2 siRNA&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Dharmacon</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">L-020159-00</td>
			<td>Gene specific qPCR probe</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Steri-cycle i160 CO2 Incubator&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">51030301</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">NanoDrop 2000</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">ND-2000</td>
			<td>For RNA quantification</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Phosphate Buffered Saline&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">50146771</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">75 cm Canted Neck Cell Culture flask</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">430641U</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">6 well Non-Pyrogenic Cell Culture Plate</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">3506</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Pipet Controller Ultra</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">4099</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Photoshop</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Adobe</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">19.0.1.334</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">25 cm Canted Neck Cell Culture flask</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">7200876</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Triton X-100</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">X100-1L</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">15 mL conical polypropylene Falcon tube</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">352099</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">10 mL Syringe</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">BD</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">302995</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">1300 Series A2 Biological Safety Hood</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">1377</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">accuspin Micro17 centrifuge</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">13100675</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">7500 Fast real time PCR system</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Applied Biosystems</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">3052632</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">EVOS FL Immunofluorescence Microscope</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">01414-155G-291</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Leica Inverted Light Microscope</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Leica</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">DMi1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Illrustrator</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Adobe</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">22.0.1.253</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Excel Spreadsheets</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Microsoft</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">2016</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Deckglaser 18 mm cover glasses</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">NeuVitro</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">GG-18</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Reichert Bright-Line Hemacytometer</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">Z359629-1EA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">2-mercaptoethanol</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Fisher Bioreagents</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">BP176-100</td>
			<td>For RNA lysis buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:367px;">1.2mL External Threaded Polypropylene Cryogenic Vial</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">430658</td>
			<td>For freezing HESC cells&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:367px;">Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:131px;">D2650-100mL</td>
			<td>For freezing media</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

isolation of human endometrial stromal cells for in vitro decidualization

The differentiation of human endometrial stromal cells (HESC) from fibroblast-like appearance into secretory decidua is a transformation required for embryo implantation into the uterine lining of the maternal womb. Improper decidualization has been established as a root cause for implantation failure and subsequent early embryo miscarriage. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying decidualization is advantageous to improving the rate of successful births. In vivo based studies of artificial decidualization are often limiting due to ethical dilemmas associated with human research, as well as translational complications within animal models. As a result, in vitro assays through primary cell culture are often utilized to explore the modulation of decidualization via hormones. This study provides a detailed protocol for the isolation of HESC and subsequent artificial decidualization via the supplementation of hormones to the culturing medium. Further, this study provides a well-designed method to knockdown any gene of interest by utilizing lipid-based siRNA transfections. This protocol permits the optimization of culture purity as well as product yield, thereby maximizing the ability to utilize this model as a reliable method to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying decidualization, and the subsequent quantification of secreted agents by decidualized endometrial stromal cells.

Decidualization in HESC Culture
Following isolation, human endometrial stromal cells were cultured to a monolayer formation with 80-90% confluency and induced for in vitro decidualization by treating with 10 nM E2, 1 &#181;M MPA, and 50 &#181;M cAMP (EPC). Morphological shifts associated with in vitro decidualization were visualized in Figure 1A. Upon decidualizati...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Isolation of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization at JoVE.com

Isolation of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization

This study presents a validated and optimized procedure for the isolation and culture of human endometrial stromal cells to conduct in vitro decidualization assay. Further, this study provides a detailed method to efficiently knockdown a specific gene using siRNAs in human endometrial stromal cells.

Isolation of Human Endometrial Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization

The differentiation of human endometrial stromal cells (HESC) from fibroblast-like appearance into secretory decidua is a transformation required for ...

This method can be used to answer key questions in the reproductive medicine field about regarding the underlying molecular mechanisms of decidualization, and understanding the roles of specific genes in endometrial stromal cell decidualization. This study provides a detailed protocol for the isolation of human endometrial stromal cells and subsequent artificial decidualization by the supplementation of hormones to the culturing media. The expression of hormonal change, such as prolactin and insulin-like growth factor binding protein one can be utilized to confirm and quantify the degree of decidualization.Importantly, the viability of this protocol to conduct gene specific knockdown is also demonstrated. Transfer the biopsy with sterilized forceps into a 50 milliliter tube containing ten milliliters fresh HBSF, followed by centrifugation at 500x G for 90 seconds. Using a one mL pipette, remove the media and add three mL pre-warmed hES isolation media.Decant the biopsy into a 10 centimeter dish containing five mL of hES isolation media, and begin chopping using Dumont 5 forceps and fine straight stitch scissors for about 20 minutes. Using one mL pipette, transfer the chopped biopsy into a new 50 mL tube, and add an additional seven mL of hES isolation media to the dish, to transfer the remaining pieces to the 50 mL tube. Then centrifuge the sample for two minutes at 800x G, and remove the supernatant using a one mL pipette.Next filter the DNase-1 and collagenase digestion mix through a 0.2 micron filter attached to a 10 milliliter syringe directly onto the pellet. Then vortex the tube for 10 seconds to resuspend the pellet, and incubate for 90 minutes in a water bath. After every 10 minutes, vortex the tube for 10 seconds to make sure the tissue is properly digested.After incubation, filter the suspension through a 40 micron cell strainer stacked over a new 50 milliliter tube to recover the stromal cells, then centrifuge the collected cells at 800x G for 2.5 minutes. Following centrifugation, gently remove the supernatant by using a one milliliter pipette, making sure not to disturb the cell pellet. Then resuspend the cell pellet in 10 milliliters of fresh hES isolation media, followed by centrifugation at 800x G for 2.5 minutes.After centrifugation, aspirate the supernatant carefully, and resuspend the cells in six milliliters fresh hES media. Next, to remove blood cells, slowly layer resuspended cells onto three milliliters of density gradient media, and centrifuge the sample at 400x G for 30 minutes. Following centrifugation, collect the supernatant without disturbing the density gradient media.Then add hES media to make the total volume up to 10 milliliters, and centrifuge the sample again at 800x G for 2.5 minutes. After centrifugation, remove the supernatant and resuspend the cells in six milliliters of hES media. Next plate the cells in a 75 centimeter flask by adding six milliliters of the cell resuspension and 10 milliliters of hES media to the flask, followed by gentle mixing through rocking the flask.After plating, check the cell density under the microscope, then culture the cells in a 5%carbon dioxide incubator for three to five days, making sure to change the hES media every two days. After 48 hours, the cells should grow as a monolayer. Generally after five days, cells achieve 80 to 90%confluency in a 75 centimeter flask.For siRNA transfection, begin by plating 800, 000 cells per well in a six well plate in triplicates for each condition, and incubate the cells in a 5%carbon dioxide incubator for two days to prepare for transfection. After two days, add 150 microliters of Opti-MEM serum free media in a five mL tube, followed by the addition of five microliters of transfection reagent. Mix well by inversion, and incubate for five minutes.Next add 100 microliters of Opti-MEM serum free media in a new five mL tube, followed by the addition of 16 nanomoles of SRC-2 siRNA. Then add 100 microliters of Opti-MEM serum free media in a five mL tube, followed by the addition of 16 nanomoles control siRNA. After incubation, combine the diluted transfection reagent with the SRC-2 siRNA and mix well by pipetting forward and reverse.Then combine the diluted transfection reagent with the control siRNA and mix well by pipetting forward and reverse. Then incubate the complexes for five minutes. During this incubation, aspirate out the hES media, and add one milliliter of change media to each well.After five minutes of incubation, centrifuge the complexes at 500x G for two minutes to collect the solution. Then add 250 microliters of the siRNA transfection reagent complexes to each well containing cells and media, and mix by gentle rocking, followed by incubation in a 5%carbon dioxide incubator for five hours at 37 degrees Celsius. After five hours, aspirate the media and change to hES media, and continue incubation for two days in preparation for an in-vitro decidualization assay.Post 48-hour transfection and prior to initiating the in vitro decidualization assay, collect the day zero control siRNA and SRC-2 siRNA transfected cells. First, aspirate the media and wash with one mL PBS per well. Then remove the PBS, and add 300 microliters of RNA lysis buffer per well and incubate for three minutes.After three minutes of incubation, collect the cells in RNA lysis buffer into a 1.5 ml tube for later downstream analysis. Then prepare the EPC media by aliquoting the appropriate volume of decidualization media, and add 10 nanomolar estradiol, one micromolar medroxyprogesterone acetate, and 50 micromolar cyclic adenosine monophosphate in a 50 milliliter tube. For remaining day six wells, add two milliliters of EPC media into each well, and incubate the cells in a 5%carbon dioxide incubator at 37 degrees Celsius for six days, changing the EPC media every 48 hours.After the sixth day, collect the day six control siRNA and day six SRC-2 siRNA transfected cell pellets in RNA lysis buffer for downstream analysis using real-time PCR. The induction of decidualization by estrogen medroxyprogesterone acetate and cyclic adenosine monophosphate, results in the cytoskeletal rearrangement of stromal cells from elongated fibroblastic cells to rounded epitheliod cells. Phalloidin staining of endometrial stromal cells further reveals the active fiber cytoskeleton reorganization characteristic of hES decidualization.In vehicle treated hES, cells remain fibroblastic in appearance, whereas in EPC treated cells, hES appeared epithelioid like. To confirm the efficacy of the in-vitro decidualization assay, mRNA transcript levels of decidualization markers prolactin and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 were assessed over a 6 day period. Upon decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells, prolactin and IGFBP1 levels increased in a time-dependent fashion.The time-dependent increase of secreted prolactin levels was also confirmed by examining the hES tissue culture media via ELISA method. Gene specific knockdown effects on the cellular and molecular changes of human endometrial stromal cell decidualization were assessed on the sixth day of culture post 48-hour siRNA transfection, with control or steroid receptor co-activator 2 siRNA. Control siRNA transfected hES demonstrated cellular and molecular changes, consistent with proper decidualization, including a cobblestone morphological change and increased transcript levels of decidualization markers PRL and IGFBP1.In SRC-2 siRNA knockdown, hES remained fibroblastic in appearance as compared to the control siRNA transfected hES, and showed significantly decreased PRL and IGFBP1 transcript levels. SRC-2 transcript levels were significantly decreased in SRC-2 siRNA transfected hES when compared to control siRNA, indicating the viability of this method for gene silencing. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to isolate primary stromal cells from endometrial biopsies for the purpose of in-vitro decidualization and knockdown a specific gene of interest using siRNA transfection.

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Research

JoVE Journal

Developmental Biology

Isolation and Enrichment of Human Adipose-derived Stromal Cells for Enhanced Osteogenesis

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) are considered the gold standard for stem cell-based tissue engineering applications. However, the process by which they must be harvested can be associated with significant donor site morbidity. In contrast, adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are more readily abundant and more easily harvested, making them an appealing alternative to BM-MSCs. Like BM-MSCs, ASCs can differentiate into osteogenic lineage cells and can be used in tissue engineering applications, such as seeding onto scaffolds for use in craniofacial skeletal defects. ASCs are obtained from the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of digested adipose tissue, which is a heterogeneous mixture of ASCs, vascular endothelial and mural cells, smooth muscle cells, pericytes, fibroblasts, and circulating cells. Flow cytometric analysis has shown that the surface marker profile for ASCs is similar to that for BM-MSCs. Despite several published reports establishing markers for the ASC phenotype, there is still a lack of consensus over profiles identifying osteoprogenitor cells in this heterogeneous population. This protocol describes how to isolate and use a subpopulation of ASCs with enhanced osteogenic capacity to repair critical-sized calvarial defects.

The transcriptional heterogeneity within human adipose-derived stromal cells can be defined on the single cell level using cell surface markers and osteogenic genes. We describe a protocol utilizing flow cytometry for the isolation of cell subpopulations with increased osteogenic potential, which may be used to enhance craniofacial skeletal reconstruction.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) are considered the gold standard for stem cell-based tissue engineering applications. However, the ...

Isolation and Expansion of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Derived from Human Placenta Tissue

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) are promising candidates for use in cell-based therapies. In most cases, therapeutic response appears to be cell-dose dependent. Human term placenta is rich in MSC and is a physically large tissue that is generally discarded following birth. Placenta is an ideal starting material for the large-scale manufacture of multiple cell doses of allogeneic MSC. The placenta is a fetomaternal organ from which either fetal or maternal tissue can be isolated. This article describes the placental anatomy and procedure to dissect apart the decidua (maternal), chorionic villi (fetal), and chorionic plate (fetal) tissue. The protocol then outlines how to isolate MSC from each dissected tissue region, and provides representative analysis of expanded MSC derived from the respective tissue types. These methods are intended for pre-clinical MSC isolation, but have also been adapted for clinical manufacture of placental MSC for human therapeutic use.

Herein we describe methods for the dissection of fetal and maternal tissues from human term placenta, followed by isolation and expansion of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) from these tissues.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) are promising candidates for use in cell-based therapies. In most cases, therapeutic response appears to be cell-dose ...

Rapid Isolation of BMPR-IB+ Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells for Use in a Calvarial Defect Healing Model

Invasive cancers, major injuries, and infection can cause bone defects that are too large to be reconstructed with preexisting bone from the patient's own body. The ability to grow bone de novo using a patient's own cells would allow bony defects to be filled with adequate tissue without the morbidity of harvesting native bone. There is interest in the use of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) as a source for tissue engineering because these are obtained from an abundant source: the patient's own adipose tissue. However, ASCs are a heterogeneous population and some subpopulations may be more effective in this application than others. Isolation of the most osteogenic population of ASCs could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a bone engineering process. In this protocol, ASCs are obtained from subcutaneous fat tissue from a human donor. The subpopulation of ASCs expressing the marker BMPR-IB is isolated using FACS. These cells are then applied to an in vivo calvarial defect healing assay and are found to have improved osteogenic regenerative potential compared with unsorted cells.

Adipose-derived stromal cells may be useful for engineering new tissue from a patient's own cells. We present a protocol for the isolation of a subpopulation of human adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) with increased osteogenic potential, followed by application of the cells in an in vivo calvarial healing assay.

Invasive cancers, major injuries, and infection can cause bone defects that are too large to be reconstructed with preexisting bone from the patient's own ...

Isolation of Mouse Endometrial Epithelial and Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization

Decidualization is a progesterone-dependent differentiation process of endometrial stromal cells and is a prerequisite for successful embryo implantation. Although many efforts have been made to reveal the underlying mechanisms of decidualization, the exact signaling between the epithelial cells that are in contact with the embryo and the underlying stromal cells remains poorly understood. Therefore, studying decidualization in a way that takes both the epithelial and stromal cells into account could improve our knowledge about the molecular details of decidualization. For this purpose, in vivo models of artificial decidualization are physiologically the most relevant; however, manipulation of intercellular communication is limited. Currently, in vitro cultures of endometrial stromal cells are being used to investigate the modulation of decidualization by several signaling molecules. Conventionally, human or mouse endometrial stromal cells are used. However, the availability of human samples is very often limited. Furthermore, the use of murine tissues is accompanied with variety in the method of culturing. This study presents a validated and standardized method to obtain pure Endometrial Epithelial Cell (EEC) and Stromal Cell (ESC) cultures using adult intact mice treated with estrogen for three consecutive days. The protocol is optimized to improve the yield, viability, and purity of the cells and was further extended in order to study decidualization in a coculture of EEC and ESC. This model may be suitable to exploit the importance of both cell types in decidualization and to evaluate the contribution of significant signaling molecules secreted by EEC or ESC during the intercellular communication.

Isolation of Mouse Endometrial Epithelial and Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization

This study presents a standardized and validated method for the isolation and culture of primary mouse endometrial stromal and epithelial cells, which can be used in a coculture system to study in vitro decidualization.

Decidualization is a progesterone-dependent differentiation process of endometrial stromal cells and is a prerequisite for successful embryo implantation. ...

Isolation and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Human Umbilical Cord and Fetal Placenta

The human umbilical cord (UC) and placenta are non-invasive, primitive and abundant sources of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) that have increasingly gained attention because they do not pose any ethical or moral concerns. Current methods to isolate MSCs from UC yield low amounts of cells with variable proliferation potentials. Since UC is an anatomically-complex organ, differences in MSC properties may be due to the differences in the anatomical regions of their isolation. In this study, we first dissected the cord/placenta samples into three discrete anatomical regions: UC, cord-placenta junction (CPJ), and fetal placenta (FP). Second, two distinct zones, cord lining (CL) and Wharton&#39;s jelly (WJ), were separated. The explant culture technique was then used to isolate cells from the four sources. The time required for the primary culture of cells from the explants varied depending on the source of the tissue. Outgrowth of the cells occurred within 3 - 4 days of the CPJ explants, whereas growth was observed after 7 - 10 days and 11 - 14 days from CL/WJ and FP explants, respectively. The isolated cells were adherent to plastic and displayed fibroblastoid morphology and surface markers, such as CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105, similarly to bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs. However, the colony-forming efficiency of the cells varied, with CPJ-MSCs and WJ-MSCs showing higher efficiency than BM-MSCs. MSCs from all four sources differentiated into adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic lineages, indicating that they were multipotent. CPJ-MSCs differentiated more efficiently in comparison to other MSC sources. These results suggest that the CPJ is the most potent anatomical region and yields a higher number of cells, with greater proliferation and self-renewal capacities in vitro. In conclusion, the comparative analysis of the MSCs from the four sources indicated that CPJ is a more promising source of MSCs for cell therapy, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering.

Here, we present a protocol for the dissection of human umbilical cord (UC) and fetal placenta sample into cord lining (CL), Wharton&#39;s jelly (WJ), cord-placenta junction (CPJ), and fetal placenta (FP) for the isolation and characterization of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) using the explant culture technique.

The human umbilical cord (UC) and placenta are non-invasive, primitive and abundant sources of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) that have increasingly ...

In Vitro Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Trophoblastic Cells

The placenta is the first organ to develop during embryogenesis and is required for the survival of the developing embryo. The placenta is comprised of various trophoblastic cells that differentiate from the extra-embryonic trophectoderm cells of the preimplantation blastocyst. As such, our understanding of the early differentiation events of the human placenta is limited because of ethical and legal restrictions on the isolation and manipulation of human embryogenesis. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are a robust model system for investigating human development and can also be differentiated in vitro into trophoblastic cells that express markers of the various trophoblast cell types. Here, we present a detailed protocol for differentiating hPSCs into trophoblastic cells using bone morphogenic protein 4 and inhibitors of the Activin/Nodal signaling pathways. This protocol generates various trophoblast cell types that can be transfected with siRNAs for investigating loss-of-function phenotypes or can be infected with pathogens. Additionally, hPSCs can be genetically modified and then differentiated into trophoblast progenitors for gain-of-function analyses. This in vitro differentiation method for generating human trophoblasts starting from hPSCs overcomes the ethical and legal restrictions of working with early human embryos, and this system can be used for a variety of applications, including drug discovery and stem cell research.

In Vitro Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Trophoblastic Cells

Here, we present a protocol to efficiently generate human trophoblastic cells from human pluripotent stem cells using bone morphogenic protein 4 and inhibitors of the Activin/Nodal pathways. This method is suitable for the efficient differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells and can generate large quantities of cells for genetic manipulation.

The placenta is the first organ to develop during embryogenesis and is required for the survival of the developing embryo. The placenta is comprised of ...

In Vitro Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Functional Cardiomyocyte-like Cells

Myocardial infarction and the subsequent ischemic cascade result in the extensive loss of cardiomyocytes, leading to congestive heart failure, the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising option for cell-based therapies to replace current, invasive techniques. MSCs can differentiate into mesenchymal lineages, including cardiac cell types, but complete differentiation into functional cells has not yet been achieved. Previous methods of differentiation were based on pharmacological agents or growth factors. However, more physiologically relevant strategies can also enable MSCs to undergo cardiomyogenic transformation. Here, we present a differentiation method using MSC aggregates on cardiomyocyte feeder layers to produce cardiomyocyte-like contracting cells.
Human umbilical cord perivascular cells (HUCPVCs) have been shown to have a greater differentiation potential than commonly investigated MSC types, such as bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs). As an ontogenetically younger source, we investigated the cardiomyogenic potential of first-trimester (FTM) HUCPVCs compared to older sources. FTM HUCPVCs are a novel, rich source of MSCs that retain their in utero immunoprivileged properties when cultured in vitro. Using this differentiation protocol, FTM and term HUCPVCs achieved significantly increased cardiomyogenic differentiation compared to BMSCs, as indicated by the increased expression of cardiomyocyte markers (i.e., myocyte enhancer factor 2C, cardiac troponin T, heavy chain cardiac myosin, signal regulatory protein &#945;, and connexin 43). They also maintained significantly lower immunogenicity, as demonstrated by their lower HLA-A expression and higher HLA-G expression. Applying aggregate-based differentiation, FTM HUCPVCs showed increased aggregate formation potential and generated contracting cells clusters within 1 week of co-culture on cardiac feeder layers, becoming the first MSC type to do so. 
Our results demonstrate that this differentiation strategy can effectively harness the cardiomyogenic potential of young MSCs, such as FTM HUCPVCs, and suggests that in vitro pre-differentiation could be a potential strategy to increase their regenerative efficacy in vivo.

In Vitro Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Functional Cardiomyocyte-like Cells

Here, we present a method to efficiently harness the cardiac differentiation potential of young sources of human mesenchymal stem cells in order to generate functional, contracting, cardiomyocyte-like cells in vitro.

Myocardial infarction and the subsequent ischemic cascade result in the extensive loss of cardiomyocytes, leading to congestive heart failure, the leading ...

Corneal Tissue Engineering: An In Vitro Model of the Stromal-nerve Interactions of the Human Cornea

Tissue engineering has gained substantial recognition due to the high demand for human cornea replacements with an estimated 10 million people worldwide suffering from corneal vision loss1. To address the demand for viable human corneas, significant progress in three-dimensional (3D) tissue engineering has been made2,3,4. These cornea models range from simple monolayer systems to multilayered models, leading to 3D full-thickness corneal equivalents2.
However, the use of a 3D tissue-engineered cornea in the context of in vitro disease models studied to date lacks resemblance to the multilayered 3D corneal tissue structure, function, and the networking of different cell types (i.e., nerve, epithelium, stroma, and endothelium)2,3. In addition, the demand for in vitro cornea tissue models has increased in an attempt to reduce animal testing for pharmaceutical products. Thus, more sophisticated models are required to better match systems to human physiological requirements, and the development of a model that is more relevant to the patient population is absolutely necessary. Given that multiple cell types in the cornea are affected by diseases and dystrophies, such as Keratoconus, Diabetic Keratopathy, and Fuchs, this model includes a 3D co-culture model of primary human corneal fibroblasts (HCFs) from healthy donors and neurons from the SH-SY5Y cell line. This allows us for the first time to investigate the interactions between the two cell types within the human corneal tissue. We believe that this model could potentially dissect the underlying mechanisms associated with the stromal-nerve interactions of corneal diseases that exhibit nerve damages. This 3D model mirrors the basic anatomical and physiological nature of the corneal tissue in vivo and can be used in the future as a tool for investigating corneal defects as well as screening the efficacy of various agents before animal testing.

Corneal Tissue Engineering: An In Vitro Model of the Stromal-nerve Interactions of the Human Cornea

This protocol describes a novel three-dimensional in vitro model, where corneal stromal cells and differentiated neuronal cells are cultured together to assist in the examination and understanding of the interactions of the two cell types.

Tissue engineering has gained substantial recognition due to the high demand for human cornea replacements with an estimated 10 million people worldwide ...

Isolation, Culture, and Differentiation of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and Osteoclast Progenitors from Mice

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) constitute a cell population routinely used as a representation of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. They reside within the bone marrow cavity alongside hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which can give rise to red blood cells, immune progenitors, and osteoclasts. Thus, extractions of cell populations from the bone marrow results in a very heterogeneous mix of various cell populations, which can present challenges in experimental design and confound data interpretation. Several isolation and culture techniques have been developed in laboratories in order to obtain more or less homogeneous populations of BMSCs and HSCs invitro. Here, we present two methods for isolation of BMSCs and HSCs from mouse long bones: one method that yields a mixed population of BMSCs and HSCs and one method that attempts to separate the two cell populations based on adherence. Both methods provide cells suitable for osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation experiments as well as functional assays.

In this article, we present methods to isolate and differentiate bone marrow stromal cells and hematopoietic stem cells from mouse long bones. Two different protocols are presented yielding different cell populations suitable for expansion and differentiation into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and osteoclasts.

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) constitute a cell population routinely used as a representation of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. They reside within ...

In Vitro Generation of Somite Derivatives from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

In response to signals such as WNTs, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), and sonic hedgehog (SHH) secreted from surrounding tissues, somites (SMs) give rise to multiple cell types, including the myotome (MYO), sclerotome (SCL), dermatome (D), and syndetome (SYN), which in turn develop into skeletal muscle, axial skeleton, dorsal dermis, and axial tendon/ligament, respectively. Therefore, the generation of SMs and their derivatives from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is critical to obtain pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) for application in regenerative medicine and for disease research in the field of orthopedic surgery. Although the induction protocols for MYO and SCL from PSCs have been previously reported by several researchers, no study has yet demonstrated the induction of SYN and D from iPSCs. Therefore, efficient induction of fully competent SMs remains a major challenge. Here, we recapitulate human SM patterning with human iPSCs in vitro by mimicking the signaling environment during chick/mouse SM development, and report on methods of systematic induction of SM derivatives (MYO, SCL, D, and SYN) from human iPSCs under chemically defined conditions through the presomitic mesoderm (PSM) and SM states. Knowledge regarding chick/mouse&#160;SM development was successfully applied to the induction of SMs with human iPSCs. This method could be a novel tool for studying human somitogenesis and patterning without the use of embryos and for cell-based therapy and disease modeling.

We present here a protocol for the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into each somite derivative (myotome, sclerotome, dermatome, and syndetome) in chemically defined conditions, which has applications in future disease modeling and cell-based therapies in orthopedic surgery.

In response to signals such as WNTs, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), and sonic hedgehog (SHH) secreted from surrounding tissues, somites (SMs) give ...