We were supported with expert technical assistance by the HSCI-CRM Flow Cytometry facility at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Bauer Core Facility at Harvard University. T.K and K. G were supported by the Swedish Research Council and C.M. by the German Research Foundation. We thank Sergey Isaev and I-Hsiu Lee for assistance in analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data.

All work with human tissue was conducted after approval by the Massachusetts General Hospital Internal Review Board (IRB). All animal procedures were conducted in accordance with the Massachusetts General Hospital Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) guidelines. C57Bl/6 mice, 8-10 weeks old, and both males and females, were used for the present study. The animals were obtained from a commercial source (see Table of Materials).
1. Preparation of murine thym...

Optimizing Stromal Cell Isolation from Thymus and Bone Marrow

<ol>
	<li>Baryawno, N., 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=A+cellular+taxonomy+of+the+bone+marrow+stroma+in+homeostasis+and+leukemia.">A cellular taxonomy of the bone marrow stroma in homeostasis and leukemia.</a> Cell. 177 (7), 1915-1932 (2019).</li><li>Severe, N., 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=Stress-induced+changes+in+bone+marrow+stromal+cell+populations+revealed+through+single-cell+protein+expression+mapping.">Stress-induced changes in bone marrow stromal cell populations revealed through single-cell protein expression mapping.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 25 (4), 570-583 (2019).</li><li>Han, J., Zuniga-Pflucker, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+2020+view+of+thymus+stromal+cells+in+t+cell+development.">A 2020 view of thymus stromal cells in t cell development.</a> J Immunol. 206 (2), 249-256 (2021).</li><li>Park, J. E., 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=A+cell+atlas+of+human+thymic+development+defines+t+cell+repertoire+formation.">A cell atlas of human thymic development defines t cell repertoire formation.</a> Science. 367 (6480), (2020).</li><li>Denisenko, E., 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=Systematic+assessment+of+tissue+dissociation+and+storage+biases+in+single-cell+and+single-nucleus+rna-seq+workflows.">Systematic assessment of tissue dissociation and storage biases in single-cell and single-nucleus rna-seq workflows.</a> Genome Biol. 21 (1), 130 (2020).</li><li>Lischetti, U., 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=Dynamic+thresholding+and+tissue+dissociation+optimization+for+cite-seq+identifies+differential+surface+protein+abundance+in+metastatic+melanoma.">Dynamic thresholding and tissue dissociation optimization for cite-seq identifies differential surface protein abundance in metastatic melanoma.</a> Commun Biol. 6 (1), 830 (2023).</li><li>Ding, L., Saunders, T. 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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=progenitor+dysfunction+induces+myelodysplasia+and+secondary+leukaemia.">progenitor dysfunction induces myelodysplasia and secondary leukaemia.</a> Nature. 464 (7290), 852-857 (2010).</li><li>Himburg, H. 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=Distinct+bone+marrow+sources+of+pleiotrophin+control+hematopoietic+stem+cell+maintenance+and+regeneration.">Distinct bone marrow sources of pleiotrophin control hematopoietic stem cell maintenance and regeneration.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 23 (3), 370-381 (2018).</li><li>Zhou, B. O., 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=marrow+adipocytes+promote+the+regeneration+of+stem+cells+and+haematopoiesis+by+secreting+scf.">marrow adipocytes promote the regeneration of stem cells and haematopoiesis by secreting scf.</a> Nat Cell Biol. 19 (8), 891-903 (2017).</li><li>Steinmann, G. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Changes+in+the+human+thymus+during+aging.">Changes in the human thymus during aging.</a> Curr Top Pathol. 75, 43-88 (1986).</li><li>Steinmann, G. G., Klaus, B., Muller-Hermelink, H. 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M., 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=Osteoblastic+cells+regulate+the+haematopoietic+stem+cell+niche.">Osteoblastic cells regulate the haematopoietic stem cell niche.</a> Nature. 425 (6960), 841-846 (2003).</li><li>Kode, 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=Leukaemogenesis+induced+by+an+activating+beta-catenin+mutation+in+osteoblasts.">Leukaemogenesis induced by an activating beta-catenin mutation in osteoblasts.</a> Nature. 506 (7487), 240-244 (2014).</li><li>Agarwal, P., 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=Mesenchymal+niche-specific+expression+of+cxcl12+controls+quiescence+of+treatment-resistant+leukemia+stem+cells.">Mesenchymal niche-specific expression of cxcl12 controls quiescence of treatment-resistant leukemia stem cells.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 24 (5), 769-784 (2019).</li><li>Duarte, 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=Inhibition+of+endosteal+vascular+niche+remodeling+rescues+hematopoietic+stem+cell+loss+in+aml.">Inhibition of endosteal vascular niche remodeling rescues hematopoietic stem cell loss in aml.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 22 (1), 64-77 (2018).</li><li>O'flanagan, C. 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=Dissociation+of+solid+tumor+tissues+with+cold+active+protease+for+single-cell+rna-seq+minimizes+conserved+collagenase-associated+stress+responses.">Dissociation of solid tumor tissues with cold active protease for single-cell rna-seq minimizes conserved collagenase-associated stress responses.</a> Genome Biol. 20 (1), 210 (2019).</li><li>Stoeckius, M., 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=Cell+hashing+with+barcoded+antibodies+enables+multiplexing+and+doublet+detection+for+single+cell+genomics.">Cell hashing with barcoded antibodies enables multiplexing and doublet detection for single cell genomics.</a> Genome Biol. 19 (1), 224 (2018).</li></ol>

Stromal cells in hematopoietic organs are critical for normal blood production and hematopoietic stroma perturbations can result in severe impairments in hematopoietic maintenance and response to stress9,23,24. Insight into hematopoietic stromal cells is essential for understanding hematological diseases7,9,10,<sup class="xre...

In the healthy adult, de novo production of blood cells occurs in the bone marrow and the thymus. Stromal cells at these sites are essential for maintenance of hematopoiesis, but stroma constitutes less than 1% of the tissue1,2,3,4. Obtaining pure isolates of hematopoiesis supporting stroma therefore constitutes a significant challenge, particularly for single-cell multiomics that requires expedient processing to obtain samples of high quality. Components of different digestion cocktails may interfere with certain steps in multiomics analysis5,6. The protocols presented here detail the isolation of a wide variety of stromal cells from bone marrow and thymic tissues.
Perturbations of stromal constituents in both bone marrow and thymus result in profound disruption in blood cell development and can result in malignancies7,8,9. Hematopoiesis supporting stroma is damaged following cytotoxic conditioning and bone marrow transplantation, resulting in reduced secretion of cytokines and growth factors that sustain hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs)2,10,11. Furthermore, aging affects bone marrow and thymus stromal cells likely contributing to aged hematopoietic phenotypes. The thymus is the first organ to undergo extensive age-associated involution. Fat and fibrotic tissue start replacing T cell supportive stroma as early as the onset of puberty12,13. In the bone marrow, adipocyte content increases with age and the vascular and endosteal niches are significantly remodeled14,15,16.
To enable study of hematopoiesis supportive stroma across multiple stress states and in the case of the thymus of both human and murine tissue, we have optimized previously published digestion protocols1,2,8,17,18. These protocols ensure efficient and reproducible isolation of cells, and they are compatible with single-cell RNAsequencing (scRNAseq) and other types of multiomics.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>0.25% Trypsin-EDTA</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>25200-072</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>7AAD (7-aminoactinomycin D)</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>559925</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Human Lineage Cocktail 3-FITC</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>643510</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine Serum Albumin</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>A9647</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>C57Bl/6 mice</td>
			<td>Jackson</td>
			<td>664</td>
			<td>Males or females, 8-12 weeks old</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Calcein&#160;</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>65-0853-78</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagenase IV</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>C5138</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corning Sterile Cell Strainers, White, Mesh Size: 70 &#181;m</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>08-771-2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DAPI (4&#39;,6-Diamidino-2-Phenylindole, Dilactate)</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>422801</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dispase II</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>17105041</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dnase I Solution</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>90083</td>
			<td>&#160;2500 U/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Easysep mouse streptavidin RapidSpheres Isolation kit</td>
			<td>StemCell Technologies</td>
			<td>19860</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>A31605-01</td>
			<td>Qualified One Shot</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human Fc Block</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>564220</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Liberase TM&#160;</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>5401127001</td>
			<td>Research Grade</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Medium 199</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>12350</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse anti-human CD235a-BV77</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>740785</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse anti-human CD31-PE/Dazzle594</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>303130</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse anti-human CD45-BV77</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>304050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse anti-human CD4-BV605</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>562658</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse anti-human CD66b-FITC</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>555724</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse anti-human CD8-APC/Cy7</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>557760</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse anti-human EpCam-BV421</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>324220</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Protector RNase Inhibitor</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>3335402001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse CD105-PE /dazzle594</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>120424</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse CD11b-Biotin</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>101204</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse CD140a-APC</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>17-1401-81</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat Anti-Mouse CD16/CD32 (Mouse BD Fc Block)</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>553142</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse CD31-BUV737</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>612802</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse CD31-BV421</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>102424</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse CD3-Biotin</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>100244</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse CD45.2-Biotin</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>109804</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse CD45-PE/Cy7</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>103114</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse CD45-PE/Cy7</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>103114</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse CD45R/B220-Biotin</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>103204</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse CD51-PE</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>104106</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse EpCam-BV711</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>563134</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse Ly-6A/E(Sca-1)-AF700</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>108142</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse Ly-6G/Ly-6C(Gr1)-Biotin</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>108404</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse Ter119-Biotin</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>116204</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse Ter119-PE</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>116208</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rat anti-mouse Ter119-PE/Cy7</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>116222</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stemxyme&#160;</td>
			<td>Worthington Biochemical</td>
			<td>LS004107</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

stromal cell isolation from hematopoietic organs

Single-cell sequencing has enabled the mapping of heterogeneous cell populations in the stroma of hematopoietic organs. These methodologies provide a lens through which to study previously unresolved heterogeneity at steady state, as well as changes in cell type representation induced by extrinsic stresses or during aging. Here, we present step-wise protocols for the isolation of high-quality stromal cell populations from murine and human thymus, as well as murine bone and bone marrow. Cells isolated through these protocols are suitable for generating high-quality single-cell multiomics datasets. The impacts of sample digestion, hematopoietic lineage depletion, FACS analysis/sorting, and how these factors influence compatibility with single-cell sequencing are discussed here. With examples of FACS profiles indicating successful and inefficient dissociation and downstream stromal cell yields in post-sequencing analysis, recognizable pointers for users are provided. Considering the specific requirements of stromal cells is crucial for acquiring high-quality and reproducible results that can advance knowledge in the field.

Author Spotlight: Advancing Hematopoietic Research Using Stromal Cell Isolation for Single Cell Sequencing

Stromal Cell Isolation From Hematopoietic Organs

Development of hematic cells in bone marrow and thymus is highly dependent on stromal cells for support. Perturbations of hematopoietic stromal cell function can lead to inefficient or even malignant blood production. Our lab is focused on understanding stromal cell regulation of hematopoiesis and how it can be manipulated for therapeutic benefits.The advent of single cell sequencing has driven a cascade of recent advances in many research fields. This is also the case in our field where single cell resolution has enabled the identification of heterogeneous stromal cell populations in hematopoietic organs that were previously unknown. Our protocols are optimized to address this, and we hope they will enable more research on stromal cells to tackle critical questions in the field.

These protocols yield reproducible stromal cell varieties from the thymus and bone marrow suitable for flow cytometric analysis, as well as single-cell multiomics, such as scRNA sequencing. Murine thymic tissue undergoes significant remodeling in response to stressors, such as the cytotoxic conditioning that precedes bone marrow transplantation or the natural aging process. As a consequence, thymic cellularity is drastically reduced in both of these settings (Figure 1A). While a thymus from ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Stromal Cell Isolation From Hematopoietic Organs at JoVE.com

Here we present protocols that enable isolation of stromal cells from murine bone, bone marrow, thymus and human thymic tissue compatible with single-cell multiomics.

Single-cell sequencing has enabled the mapping of heterogeneous cell populations in the stroma of hematopoietic organs. These methodologies provide a lens ...

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Immunology and Infection

Isolation of Stromal Cells from Murine Thymic Tissue for Generating High&#45;Quality Single Cell Multiomics Datasets

To begin, position the euthanized mouse on a surgical platform and open the chest cavity. Using surgical scissors, make a transverse incision below the rib cage and cut ribs on each side of the mouse to the clavicle. Then cut the diaphragm to release the chest wall And lift ribs with forceps to expose the thoracic cavity.Hold the thymus with forceps, and gently cut the connective tissue holding the thymus in place. To perform enzymatic dissociation of murine thymic tissue, place the cleaned thymus in a 15 milliliter tube cap and use sterile surgical scissors to finely mince the tissue. Add two milliliters of murine dissociation cocktail to the tube.Attach the cap containing the thymus pieces and invert the tube five times to re-suspend the tissue. Wrap the tube cap in paraffin film. After incubation, place the tube in a rack and allow the tissue to settle.Remove the supernatant and pass it over a 70 micrometer cell strainer into a 50 milliliter ice cold tube. Then, add 20 milliliters of M1 99 with 2%FBS medium to the cell suspension. Centrifuge the tube at 500 G for five minutes at four degrees Celsius.After discarding the supernatant, re-suspend the pellet in M1 99 and 2%FBS medium.

Stromal Cell Extraction from Mouse Bone and Bone Marrow for Superior Single Cell Multi&#45;Omics Data

To begin, take the femur, tibia, pelvis, and humerus bones isolated from a mouse. Use a scalpel to cut through the growth plates of long bones, removing the epiphysis. Place it in a 10-centimeter dish with M199 medium plus 2%FBS on ice.Next, use a 28-gauge needle and a 10-milliliter syringe filled with M199 medium plus 2%FBS to flush the marrow into a 15-milliliter tube on ice. Place the flushed bone in the dish with the epiphysis. Leave the 15-milliliter tube upright on ice until the marrow settles.Then remove the M199 medium plus 2%FBS Add four milliliters of the B&M dissociation cocktail to the 15-milliliter tube and incubate in a 37 degree Celsius water bath. After incubation, collect the supernatant and filter through a 70-micrometer cell strainer into a cold 50-milliliter tube. Add two milliliters of fresh B&M dissociation cocktail to the remaining bone marrow pellet and return it to the water bath.Using a one-milliliter pipette, vigorously pipette any remaining bone marrow pieces. Collect all cell suspension in the same tube as before. Add 20 milliliters of M199 medium with 0.5%BSA, and two-millimolar EDTA to the cell suspension.Afterward, centrifuge the cells at 500 G for five minutes at four degrees Celsius. Resuspend the pellet in 500 microliters of PBS with a 0.5%BSA and biotin antibodies. Incubate on an orbital shaker for 10 minutes at room temperature in the dark.Next, vortex the magnetic beads thoroughly. Add 25 microliters of the beads to the tube and incubate again on the orbital shaker. Place the tube in a matching magnet for two to three minutes and collect the supernatant in a fresh tube.Break the bones into smaller pieces in the 10-centimeter dish using the flat cap end of a 50-milliliter tube. Filter the supernatant through a 70-micrometer cell strainer to isolate bone fragments. Cut the bone fragments in the cell strainer with scissors.Place the filter with the bone fragments on a 50-milliliter tube and open the filter with the scalpel. With tweezers, transfer the bone fraction to five milliliters of murine B&M dissociation mix. Then place the tube horizontally in a 37 degree Celsius water bath with 120 RPM shaking for 30 minutes.After digestion, add 25 milliliters of M199 medium with 0.5%BSA and two-millimolar EDTA. Filter the supernatant containing stromal cells through a 70-micron cell strainer into a cold 50-milliliter tube.

636 Views.  Massachusetts General Hospital.  Here we present protocols that enable isolation of stromal cells from murine bone, bone marrow, thymus and human thymic tissue compatible with single-cell multiomics.

Optimizing Stromal Cell Isolation from Thymus and Bone Marrow

Summary