Nos gustaría agradecer a Matilde Herschbach y Dech Anke por su excelente asistencia técnica.

Este documento describe el uso de una plataforma basada en el chip (fig. 1) para el cultivo en tres dimensiones de las líneas celulares y células primarias. Dado que muchas células se expresan las funciones organotípicos sólo en un entorno 3D, hemos desarrollado un chip de polímero que ofrece un andamio para que las células pueden adherirse en todas las direcciones espaciales, y que puede ser montado en una carcasa de biorreactor para el control del flujo de fluidos , etc tensión de oxígeno Dependiendo del diseño experimental, la superficie del polímero puede ser modificado por diversas técnicas, por ejemplo, radiación UV, PECVD, γ-injerto o química húmeda convencionales. <img src="/files/ftp_upload/old/564_2008_9_19_6/564_Figure-01.png" alt="564_Figure-01.png" width="546" height="386" /> Figura 01 1. Desaireación y hidrófilos del chip Antes de su uso, el chip tiene que ser desaireada y hydrophilized. Para ello, una serie de alcohol se lleva a cabo. Soluciones de isopropanol que consta de 100%, 70%, 50%, 30% de isopropanol en DMPC agua tratada se preparan y el chip se sumerge en cada concentración, a partir de la solución al 100%, para un máximo de 30 años. El paso final de la serie se compone de pirocarbonato pura de dimetilo (DMPC) de agua tratada. A partir de ahora, es importante para mantener húmedo el chip. 2. Colágeno I recubrimiento Después de la serie de alcohol, el chip es generalmente recubierto con una solución de colágeno I de la cola de rata. De la solución madre de colágeno de 2 mg / ml en el 0,2% de ácido acético una alícuota correspondiente al 30 mg de proteína de colágeno se diluye con agua tratada con DMPC a un volumen final de 150 microlitros. Esto da como resultado una capa de colágeno de la superficie del chip, con una densidad de 10 mg de colágeno I por cm 2 de superficie. 3. La inoculación de las células de carcinoma hepatocelular Células de carcinoma hepatocelular de la línea Hep G2 se trypsinized y contados. Para experimentos a corto plazo (1 a 6 días) 5 * 10 6 células se inoculan en cada chip y el correspondiente control de 6 cm placas de cultivo tisular petri. Para inoculte, el chip de 5 * 10 6 células se resuspenden en 150 l medio de cultivo y se coloca en la parte superior de la zona de microestructura del chip (fig. 2). Posteriormente, se coloca en una incubadora durante 2-3 horas. Durante este período de incubación de las células de los sedimentos en los contenedores de micro-y se adhieren al colágeno I recubierto de andamios. <img src="/files/ftp_upload/old/564_2008_9_19_7/564_Figure-02.png" alt="564_Figure-02.png" width="300" height="225" /> Figura 2 4. La inserción del chip en la caja del biorreactor Después del período de incubación, el chip se retira de la incubadora y montado en el alojamiento biorreactor. Para ello, bajo la mesa de trabajo limpia, el biorreactor premontados se retira del embalaje estéril y desmontado en un grado que permita la inserción del chip. El chip se manipulan con cuidado con una pinza estéril y se coloca en la ranura que contiene la junta que sella el chip y que se traduce en la generación de un compartimiento superior e inferior en el biorreactor. Entonces, el biorreactor se reunieron de nuevo y trasladado a la incubadora donde se encuentra conectado a la bomba, el suministro de gas y el analizador de oxígeno. 5. Llenado del sistema Tan pronto como el bio-reactor está conectado al depósito medio, la bomba y el suministro de gas del circuito cerrado de circulación se llena con el medio. Esto se realiza mediante la colocación de la forma de 3 conectores de tal manera que superfusión, que se define como el flujo del medio sobre la parte superior del chip, se logra. Esto lleva a una descarga de aire encerrado de la circulación biorreactor sin eliminar las células del andamio. Después de que el sistema esté completamente lleno con el medio, la forma de 3 conectores están conectados de tal manera que la perfusión, que se define como el flujo por debajo del chip a través del tejido, se consigue. En la configuración de la perfusión de la circulación se ajusta a las necesidades de la célula que normalmente oscila en los hepatocitos 60 hasta 500 l / min. 6. Muestreo Durante el experimento, las muestras de medio se pueden extraer. Para ello, las jeringas están conectadas a los puertos de estériles en la parte superior del depósito medio. Después de la toma de muestras, los puertos se esterilizan con isopropanol al 70%. 7. El aislamiento de las células intactas del chip para aplicaciones de aguas abajo Al final del experimento, los biorreactores están desconectados del suministro de gas y la bomba de rodillos, trasladado a la mesa de trabajo limpia y desmontada como se describió anteriormente. Con una pinza estéril el chip se retira de la vivienda biorreactor, puestoen un 3,5 cm placa de Petri y se enjuagaron con PBS. Posteriormente, el chip se incubaron con tripsina / EDTA (0,25% / 0,53 mm) durante 5-15 minutos en una incubadora para separar las células de la zona de microestructura. La suspensión de células recogidas se centrifuga durante 5 minutos a 600 g. Las células se pueden utilizar para las aplicaciones convencionales de aguas abajo, por ejemplo, el ARN, total o aislamiento de las proteínas. De manera rutinaria, se aísla el ARN total (PARIS kit, Ambion Inc., Austin, Texas, EE.UU.) para el análisis de microarrays y en tiempo real RT-PCR. Expresión de la proteína se analiza después de la tinción inmunohistoquímica de las células dentro del chip con un microscopio de barrido láser, pero también se puede analizar de otra manera, por ejemplo, mediante citometría de flujo.

<ol>
	<li>Berry, M. N., Friend, D. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-yield+preparation+of+isolated+rat+liver+parenchymal+cells:+A+biochemical+and+fine+structural+study.">High-yield preparation of isolated rat liver parenchymal cells: A biochemical and fine structural study.</a> J. Cell Biol. 53, 506-520 (1969).</li><li>Seglen, P. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preparation+of+rat+liver+cells.+3.+Enzymatic+requirements+for+tissue+dispersion.">Preparation of rat liver cells. 3. Enzymatic requirements for tissue dispersion.</a> Exp. Cell Res. 82, 391-398 (1973).</li><li>Giselbrecht, S., Gietzelt, T., Gottwald, E., Trautmann, C., Truckenmueller, R., Weibezahn, K. F., Welle, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=3D+tissue+culture+substrates+produced+by+microthermoforming+of+pre-processed+polymer+films.">3D tissue culture substrates produced by microthermoforming of pre-processed polymer films.</a> Biomed. Microdev. 8, 191-199 (2006).</li><li>Welle, A., Gottwald, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=UV-based+patterning+of+polymeric+substrates+for+cell+culture+applications.">UV-based patterning of polymeric substrates for cell culture applications.</a> Biomed. Microdev. 4, 33-41 (2002).</li><li>Gottwald, E., Giselbrecht, S., Augspurger, C., Lahni, B., Dambrowsky, N., Truckenmueller, R., Piotter, V., Gietzelt, T., Wendt, O., Pfleging, W., Welle, A., Rolletschek, A., Wobus, A. M., Weibezahn, K. -. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+chip-based+platform+for+the+in+vitro+generation+of+tissues+in+three-dimensional+organization.">A chip-based platform for the in vitro generation of tissues in three-dimensional organization.</a> Lab Chip. 7, 777-785 (2007).</li><li>Eschbach, E., Chatterjee, S. S., Noldner, M., Gottwald, E., Dertinger, H., Weibezahn, K. -. F., Knedlitschek, 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=Microstructured+scaffolds+for+liver+tissue+with+high+density:+Morphological+and+biochemical+characterization+of+tissue+aggregates.">Microstructured scaffolds for liver tissue with high density: Morphological and biochemical characterization of tissue aggregates.</a> J. Cell. Biochem. 95, 243-255 (2005).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Hemos desarrollado una plataforma basada en el chip para el cultivo en tres dimensiones de las células en biorreactores activamente perfusión micro. Los chips pueden ser fabricados a partir de no-biodegradables, así como polímeros biodegradables por moldeo por inyección micro, estampado en caliente y micro técnicas de termoformado 3. Dependiendo del diseño experimental, la superficie del polímero puede ser modificada por cuatro radiación UV. Líneas de hepatocitos celular, así como hepatocitos primarios de ra...

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		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>Cells</td>
<td>Other</td>
<td>ATCC</td>
<td>HB-8065</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Collagen I from rat tail</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Roche Diagnostics</td>
<td>11 179 179 001</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>PARIS kit</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Ambion Inc.</td>
<td>AM1921</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Syto16</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>S7578</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>anti cytokeratin 18</td>
<td>Antibody</td>
<td>Abcam plc</td>
<td>ab668</td>
<td>Primary Ab, Mouse monoclonal, used 1/100 in PBS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Anti E-cadherin</td>
<td>Antibody</td>
<td>Abcam plc</td>
<td>ab1416</td>
<td>Primary Ab, Mouse monoclonal, used 1/50 in PBS.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Goat anti-albumin</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Bethyl Laboratories</td>
<td>E80-129</td>
<td>Primary Ab, goat anti-human Albumin, used 1/200 in PBS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rabbit anti-mouse IgG1</td>
<td>Antibody</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>A11059</td>
<td>Secondary Ab, Alexa Flour 488 conjugated, used 1/100 in PBS + 0.5 % BSA</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cy3 anti-goat IgG</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Jackson ImmunoResearch Lab</td>
<td>705-165-003</td>
<td>Cy3 AffiniPure donkey a-goat IgG Ab, used 1/700 in PBS + 0.5% BSA</td>
</tr>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

chip-based three-dimensional cell culture in perfused micro-bioreactors

Hemos desarrollado un sistema de pila de chips basados ​​en la cultura para el cultivo en tres dimensiones de las células. El chip es normalmente fabricados a partir de polímeros no biodegradables, por ejemplo, policarbonato o polimetacrilato de metilo mediante moldeo por inyección micro, micro o estampado en caliente de termoformado micro. Sin embargo, también puede fabricarse a partir de polímeros biodegradables. Sus dimensiones son de 0.7 1 x 20 x 20 x 0,7 1 mm (hxwxl). Las principales características de los chips utilizados son una red de hasta 1.156 cúbicos micro-contenedores (cf-chip) cada uno del tamaño de 120 a 300 x 300 x 300 μ (hxwxl) o huecos redondos con un diámetro de 300 μ y una profundidad de 300 μ (r-chip). El andamio puede albergar a 10 millones. celdas en una configuración en tres dimensiones. Para un óptimo de nutrientes y suministro de gas, el chip se inserta en una carcasa de bio-reactor. El biorreactor es parte de un circuito cerrado de circulación de esterilización que, en la configuración más simple, es adicionalmente consta de una bomba de rodillo y un depósito medio de un suministro de gas. El biorreactor puede ser ejecutado en la perfusión, superfusión, o incluso un modo de operación mixta. Nos han cultivado con éxito líneas celulares y células primarias en períodos de varias semanas. Para las células de hígado de rata primaria que podría mostrar una preservación de las funciones organotípicos por más de 2 semanas. Para las líneas celulares de carcinoma hepatocelular que podría mostrar la inducción de genes específicos de hígado o no expresa sólo un poco en la cultura monocapa estándar. El sistema también podría ser útil como una célula madre del sistema de cultivo ya que los experimentos primera diferenciación con líneas de células madre fueron prometedores.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Chip-based Three-dimensional Cell Culture in Perfused Micro-bioreactors at JoVE.com

Chip-based Three-dimensional Cell Culture in Perfused Micro-bioreactors

Describimos una plataforma basada en el chip para el cultivo en tres dimensiones de las células de micro-biorreactores. Un chip puede albergar hasta 10 millones de euros. células que pueden ser cultivadas bajo condiciones definidas con precisión en lo que respecta al flujo de fluidos, etc tensión de oxígeno en un asa estéril, cerrado de circulación.

Basada en el chip tridimensional de cultivo celular en perfundido Micro-biorreactores

We have developed a chip-based cell culture system for the three-dimensional cultivation of cells. The chip is typically manufactured from ...

chip-based-three-dimensional-cell-culture-perfused-micro

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

11.2K vistas.  Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. Describimos una plataforma basada en el chip para el cultivo en tres dimensiones de las células de micro-biorreactores. Un chip puede albergar hasta 10 millones de euros. células que pueden ser cultivadas bajo condiciones definidas con precisión en lo que respecta al flujo de fluidos, etc tensión de oxígeno en un asa estéril, cerrado de circulación.

Video: Chip-based Three-dimensional Cell Culture in Perfused Micro-bioreactors

Microfabrication of Chip-sized Scaffolds for Three-dimensional Cell cultivation

Using microfabrication technologies is a prerequisite to create scaffolds of reproducible geometry and constant quality for three-dimensional cell cultivation. These technologies offer a wide spectrum of advantages not only for manufacturing but also for different applications. The size and shape of formed cell clusters can be influenced by the exact and reproducible architecture of the microfabricated scaffold and, therefore, the diffusion path length of nutrients and gases can be controlled.1 This is unquestionably a useful tool to prevent apoptosis and necrosis of cells due to an insufficient nutrient and gas supply or removal of cellular metabolites.
Our polymer chip, called CellChip, has the outer dimensions of 2 x 2 cm with a central microstructured area. This area is subdivided into an array of up to 1156 microcontainers with a typical dimension of 300 m edge length for the cubic design (cp- or cf-chip) or of 300 m diameter and depth for the round design (r-chip).2
So far, hot embossing or micro injection moulding (in combination with subsequent laborious machining of the parts) was used for the fabrication of the microstructured chips. Basically, micro injection moulding is one of the only polymer based replication techniques that, up to now, is capable for mass production of polymer microstructures.3 However, both techniques have certain unwanted limitations due to the processing of a viscous polymer melt with the generation of very thin walls or integrated through holes. In case of the CellChip, thin bottom layers are necessary to perforate the polymer and provide small pores of defined size to supply cells with culture medium e.g. by microfluidic perfusion of the containers.
In order to overcome these limitations and to reduce the manufacturing costs we have developed a new microtechnical approach on the basis of a down-scaled thermoforming process. For the manufacturing of highly porous and thin walled polymer chips, we use a combination of heavy ion irradiation, microthermoforming and track etching. In this so called "SMART" process (Substrate Modification And Replication by Thermoforming) thin polymer films are irradiated with energetic heavy projectiles of several hundred MeV introducing so-called "latent tracks" Subsequently, the film in a rubber elastic state is formed into three dimensional parts without modifying or annealing the tracks. After the forming process, selective chemical etching finally converts the tracks into cylindrical pores of adjustable diameter.

We present two processes for the microfabrication of porous polymer chips for three-dimensional cell cultivation. The first one is hot embossing combined with a solvent vapour welding process. The second one uses a recently developed microthermoforming process combined with ion track technology leading to a significant simplification of manufacture.

Microfabricación de chip del tamaño de andamios para el cultivo de células en tres dimensiones

Using microfabrication technologies is a prerequisite to create scaffolds of reproducible geometry and constant quality for three-dimensional cell ...

Investigación

Biología

Hi-C: A Method to Study the Three-dimensional Architecture of Genomes.

The three-dimensional folding of chromosomes compartmentalizes the genome and and can bring distant functional elements, such as promoters and enhancers, into close spatial proximity 2-6. Deciphering the relationship between chromosome organization and genome activity will aid in understanding genomic processes, like transcription and replication. However, little is known about how chromosomes fold. Microscopy is unable to distinguish large numbers of loci simultaneously or at high resolution. To date, the detection of chromosomal interactions using chromosome conformation capture (3C) and its subsequent adaptations required the choice of a set of target loci, making genome-wide studies impossible 7-10.
We developed Hi-C, an extension of 3C that is capable of identifying long range interactions in an unbiased, genome-wide fashion. In Hi-C, cells are fixed with formaldehyde, causing interacting loci to be bound to one another by means of covalent DNA-protein cross-links. When the DNA is subsequently fragmented with a restriction enzyme, these loci remain linked. A biotinylated residue is incorporated as the 5' overhangs are filled in. Next, blunt-end ligation is performed under dilute conditions that favor ligation events between cross-linked DNA fragments. This results in a genome-wide library of ligation products, corresponding to pairs of fragments that were originally in close proximity to each other in the nucleus. Each ligation product is marked with biotin at the site of the junction. The library is sheared, and the junctions are pulled-down with streptavidin beads. The purified junctions can subsequently be analyzed using a high-throughput sequencer, resulting in a catalog of interacting fragments.
Direct analysis of the resulting contact matrix reveals numerous features of genomic organization, such as the presence of chromosome territories and the preferential association of small gene-rich chromosomes. Correlation analysis can be applied to the contact matrix, demonstrating that the human genome is segregated into two compartments: a less densely packed compartment containing open, accessible, and active chromatin and a more dense compartment containing closed, inaccessible, and inactive chromatin regions. Finally, ensemble analysis of the contact matrix, coupled with theoretical derivations and computational simulations, revealed that at the megabase scale Hi-C reveals features consistent with a fractal globule conformation.

The Hi-C method allows unbiased, genome-wide identification of chromatin interactions (1). Hi-C couples proximity ligation and massively parallel sequencing. The resulting data can be used to study genomic architecture at multiple scales: initial results identified features such as chromosome territories, segregation of open and closed chromatin, and chromatin structure at the megabase scale.

Hi-C: Un método para estudiar la arquitectura tridimensional de los genomas.

The three-dimensional folding of chromosomes compartmentalizes the genome and and can bring distant functional elements, such as promoters and enhancers, ...

Isolation of Mammary Epithelial Cells from Three-dimensional Mixed-cell Spheroid Co-culture

While enormous efforts have gone into identifying signaling pathways and molecules involved in normal and malignant cell behaviors1-2, much of this work has been done using classical two-dimensional cell culture models, which allow for easy cell manipulation. It has become clear that intracellular signaling pathways are affected by extracellular forces, including dimensionality and cell surface tension3-4. Multiple approaches have been taken to develop three-dimensional models that more accurately represent biologic tissue architecture3. While these models incorporate multi-dimensionality and architectural stresses, study of the consequent effects on cells is less facile than in two-dimensional tissue culture due to the limitations of the models and the difficulty in extracting cells for subsequent analysis.
The important role of the microenvironment around tumors in tumorigenesis and tumor behavior is becoming increasingly recognized4. Tumor stroma is composed of multiple cell types and extracellular molecules. During tumor development there are bidirectional signals between tumor cells and stromal cells5. Although some factors participating in tumor-stroma co-evolution have been identified, there is still a need to develop simple techniques to systematically identify and study the full array of these signals6. Fibroblasts are the most abundant cell type in normal or tumor-associated stromal tissues, and contribute to deposition and maintenance of basement membrane and paracrine growth factors7.
Many groups have used three dimensional culture systems to study the role of fibroblasts on various cellular functions, including tumor response to therapies, recruitment of immune cells, signaling molecules, proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and invasion8-15. We have optimized a simple method for assessing the effects of mammary fibroblasts on mammary epithelial cells using a commercially available extracellular matrix model to create three-dimensional cultures of mixed cell populations (co-cultures)16-22. With continued co-culture the cells form spheroids with the fibroblasts clustering in the interior and the epithelial cells largely on the exterior of the spheroids and forming multi-cellular projections into the matrix. Manipulation of the fibroblasts that leads to altered epithelial cell invasiveness can be readily quantified by changes in numbers and length of epithelial projections23. Furthermore, we have devised a method for isolating epithelial cells out of three-dimensional co-culture that facilitates analysis of the effects of fibroblast exposure on epithelial behavior. We have found that the effects of co-culture persist for weeks after epithelial cell isolation, permitting ample time to perform multiple assays. This method is adaptable to cells of varying malignant potential and requires no specialized equipment. This technique allows for rapid evaluation of in vitro cell models under multiple conditions, and the corresponding results can be compared to in vivo animal tissue models as well as human tissue samples.

A simple method is described for analyzing effects of tissue fibroblasts on associated epithelial cells. The combination of this method and three-dimensional tissue culture can facilitate analysis of cells after isolation from 3D. The technique is applicable to cells of varying malignant potential, allowing systematic study of effects of tumor-associated stroma on tumor cells.

Aislamiento de células epiteliales mamarias de tridimensional mixto de células Esferoide Co-cultura

While enormous efforts have gone into identifying signaling pathways and molecules involved in normal and malignant cell behaviors1-2, much of this work ...

Two- and Three-Dimensional Live Cell Imaging of DNA Damage Response Proteins

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most deleterious DNA lesions a cell can encounter. If left unrepaired, DSBs harbor great potential to generate mutations and chromosomal aberrations1. To prevent this trauma from catalyzing genomic instability, it is crucial for cells to detect DSBs, activate the DNA damage response (DDR), and repair the DNA. When stimulated, the DDR works to preserve genomic integrity by triggering cell cycle arrest to allow for repair to take place or force the cell to undergo apoptosis. The predominant mechanisms of DSB repair occur through nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination repair (HRR) (reviewed in2). There are many proteins whose activities must be precisely orchestrated for the DDR to function properly. Herein, we describe a method for 2- and 3-dimensional (D) visualization of one of these proteins, 53BP1.
The p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) localizes to areas of DSBs by binding to modified histones3,4, forming foci within 5-15 minutes5. The histone modifications and recruitment of 53BP1 and other DDR proteins to DSB sites are believed to facilitate the structural rearrangement of chromatin around areas of damage and contribute to DNA repair6. Beyond direct participation in repair, additional roles have been described for 53BP1 in the DDR, such as regulating an intra-S checkpoint, a G2/M checkpoint, and activating downstream DDR proteins7-9. Recently, it was discovered that 53BP1 does not form foci in response to DNA damage induced during mitosis, instead waiting for cells to enter G1 before localizing to the vicinity of DSBs6. DDR proteins such as 53BP1 have been found to associate with mitotic structures (such as kinetochores) during the progression through mitosis10.
In this protocol we describe the use of 2- and 3-D live cell imaging to visualize the formation of 53BP1 foci in response to the DNA damaging agent camptothecin (CPT), as well as 53BP1's behavior during mitosis. Camptothecin is a topoisomerase I inhibitor that primarily causes DSBs during DNA replication. To accomplish this, we used a previously described 53BP1-mCherry fluorescent fusion protein construct consisting of a 53BP1 protein domain able to bind DSBs11. In addition, we used a histone H2B-GFP fluorescent fusion protein construct able to monitor chromatin dynamics throughout the cell cycle but in particular during mitosis12. Live cell imaging in multiple dimensions is an excellent tool to deepen our understanding of the function of DDR proteins in eukaryotic cells.

This protocol describes a method for visualizing a DNA double-strand break signaling protein activated in response to DNA damage as well as its localization during mitosis.

De dos y tres dimensiones imágenes de células vivas de las proteínas de respuesta al daño del ADN

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most deleterious DNA lesions a cell can encounter. If left unrepaired, DSBs harbor great potential to generate ...

Mouse Fetal Whole Intestine Culture System for Ex Vivo Manipulation of Signaling Pathways and Three-dimensional Live Imaging of Villus Development

Most morphogenetic processes in the fetal intestine have been inferred from thin sections of fixed tissues, providing snapshots of changes over developmental stages. Three-dimensional information from thin serial sections can be challenging to interpret because of the difficulty of reconstructing serial sections perfectly and maintaining proper orientation of the tissue over serial sections. Recent findings by Grosse et al., 2011 highlight the importance of three- dimensional information in understanding morphogenesis of the developing villi of the intestine1. Three-dimensional reconstruction of singly labeled intestinal cells demonstrated that the majority of the intestinal epithelial cells contact both the apical and basal surfaces. Furthermore, three-dimensional reconstruction of the actin cytoskeleton at the apical surface of the epithelium demonstrated that the intestinal lumen is continuous and that secondary lumens are an artifact of sectioning. Those two points, along with the demonstration of interkinetic nuclear migration in the intestinal epithelium, defined the developing intestinal epithelium as a pseudostratified epithelium and not stratified as previously thought1. The ability to observe the epithelium three-dimensionally was seminal to demonstrating this point and redefining epithelial morphogenesis in the fetal intestine. With the evolution of multi-photon imaging technology and three-dimensional reconstruction software, the ability to visualize intact, developing organs is rapidly improving. Two-photon excitation allows less damaging penetration deeper into tissues with high resolution. Two-photon imaging and 3D reconstruction of the whole fetal mouse intestines in Walton et al., 2012 helped to define the pattern of villus outgrowth2. Here we describe a whole organ culture system that allows ex vivo development of villi and extensions of that culture system to allow the intestines to be three-dimensionally imaged during their development.

Mouse Fetal Whole Intestine Culture System for Ex Vivo Manipulation of Signaling Pathways and Three-dimensional Live Imaging of Villus Development

Improved imaging technology is allowing three-dimensional imaging of organs during development. Here we describe a whole organ culture system that allows live imaging of the developing villi in the fetal mouse intestine.

Sistema de Cultura ratón fetal Whole Intestino para<em&gt; Ex Vivo</em&gt; Manipulación de vías de señalización y tridimensional de imágenes en vivo del desarrollo de vellosidades

Most morphogenetic processes in the fetal intestine have been inferred from thin sections of fixed tissues, providing snapshots of changes over ...

FRET Imaging in Three-dimensional Hydrogels

Imaging of F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET)&#160;is a powerful tool for examining cell biology in real-time. Studies utilizing FRET commonly employ two-dimensional (2D) culture, which does not mimic the three-dimensional (3D) cellular microenvironment. A method to perform quenched emission FRET imaging using conventional widefield epifluorescence microscopy of cells within a 3D hydrogel environment is presented. Here an analysis method for ratiometric FRET probes that yields linear ratios over the probe activation range is described. Measurement of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels is demonstrated in chondrocytes under forskolin stimulation using a probe for EPAC1 activation (ICUE1) and the ability to detect differences in cAMP signaling dependent on hydrogel material type, herein a photocrosslinking hydrogel (PC-gel, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate) and a thermoresponsive hydrogel (TR-gel). Compared with 2D FRET methods, this method requires little additional work. Laboratories already utilizing FRET imaging in 2D can easily adopt this method to perform cellular studies in a 3D microenvironment. It can further be applied to high throughput drug screening in engineered 3D microtissues. Additionally, it is compatible with other forms of FRET imaging, such as anisotropy measurement and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), and with advanced microscopy platforms using confocal, pulsed, or modulated illumination.

F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging is a powerful tool for real-time cell biology studies. Here a method for FRET imaging cells in physiologic three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel microenvironments using conventional epifluorescence microscopy is presented. An analysis for ratiometric FRET probes that yields linear ratios over the activation range is described.

FRET Imaging en hidrogeles tridimensionales

Imaging of F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET)&#160;is a powerful tool for examining cell biology in real-time. Studies utilizing FRET commonly ...

The Mouse Isolated Perfused Kidney Technique

The mouse isolated perfused kidney (MIPK) is a technique for keeping a mouse kidney under ex vivo conditions perfused and functional for 1 hr. This is a prerequisite for studying the physiology of the isolated organ and for many innovative applications that may be possible in the future, including perfusion decellularization for kidney bioengineering or the administration of anti-rejection or genome-editing drugs in high doses to prime the kidney for transplantation. During the time of the perfusion, the kidney can be manipulated, renal function can be assessed, and various pharmaceuticals administered. After the procedure, the kidney can be transplanted or processed for molecular biology, biochemical analysis, or microscopy.
This paper describes the perfusate and the surgical technique needed for the ex vivo perfusion of mouse kidneys. Details of the perfusion apparatus are given and data are presented showing the viability of the kidney&#39;s preparation: renal blood flow, vascular resistance, and urine data as functional, transmission electron micrographs of different nephron segments as morphological readouts, and western blots of transport proteins of different nephron segments as molecular readout.

The mouse isolated perfused kidney (MIPK) is a technique for keeping a mouse kidney under ex vivo conditions perfused and functional for 1 hr. The buffers and surgical technique are described in detail.

La Técnica del riñón perfundido aislado del ratón

The mouse isolated perfused kidney (MIPK) is a technique for keeping a mouse kidney under ex vivo conditions perfused and functional for 1 hr. This is a ...

Three-dimensional Reconstruction of the Vascular Architecture of the Passive CLARITY-cleared Mouse Ovary

The ovary is the main organ of the female reproductive system and is essential for the production of female gametes and for controlling the endocrine system, but the complex structural relationships and three-dimensional (3D) vasculature architectures of the ovary are not well described. In order to visualize the 3D connections and architecture of blood vessels in the intact ovary, the first important step is to make the ovary optically clear. In order to avoid tissue shrinkage, we used the hydrogel fixation-based passive CLARITY (Clear Lipid-exchanged Acrylamide-hybridized Rigid Imaging/ Immunostaining/In situ-hybridization-compatible Tissue Hydrogel) protocol method to clear an intact ovary. Immunostaining, advanced multiphoton confocal microscopy, and 3D image-reconstructions were then used for the visualization of ovarian vessels and follicular capillaries. Using this approach, we showed a significant positive correlation (P &#60;0.01) between the length of the follicular capillaries and volume of the follicular wall.

Here we present an adaptation of the passive CLARITY and 3D reconstruction method for visualization of the ovarian vasculature and follicular capillaries in intact mouse ovaries.

Reconstrucción tridimensional de la arquitectura Vascular del ovario de ratón pasivo claridad-despejado

The ovary is the main organ of the female reproductive system and is essential for the production of female gametes and for controlling the endocrine ...

Single-Cell Resolution Three-Dimensional Imaging of Intact Organoids

Organoid technology, in vitro 3D culturing of miniature tissue, has opened a new experimental window for cellular processes that govern organ development and function as well as disease. Fluorescence microscopy has played a major role in characterizing their cellular composition in detail and demonstrating their similarity to the tissue they originate from. In this article, we present a comprehensive protocol for high-resolution 3D imaging of whole organoids upon immunofluorescent labeling. This method is widely applicable for imaging of organoids differing in origin, size and shape. Thus far we have applied the method to airway, colon, kidney, and liver organoids derived from healthy human tissue, as well as human breast tumor organoids and mouse mammary gland organoids. We use an optical clearing agent, FUnGI, which enables the acquisition of whole 3D organoids with the opportunity for single-cell quantification of markers. This three-day protocol from organoid harvesting to image analysis is optimized for 3D imaging using confocal microscopy.

The entire 3D structure and cellular content of organoids, as well as their phenotypic resemblance to the original tissue can be captured using the single-cell resolution 3D imaging protocol described here. This protocol can be applied to a wide range of organoids varying in origin, size and shape.

Imagen tridimensional de resolución de una sola célula de organoides intactos

Organoid technology, in vitro 3D culturing of miniature tissue, has opened a new experimental window for cellular processes that govern organ development ...

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) reside in a supportive niche, constituting a microenvironment comprised of adjacent stromal cells, vessels, and extracellular matrix. The ability of CSCs to participate in the development of endothelium constitutes an important characteristic that directly contributes to the general understanding of the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and tumor metastasis. The purpose of this work is to establish a reproducible methodology to investigate the tumor-initiation capability of ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs). Herein, we examined the neovascularization mechanism between endothelial cells and OCSCs along with the morphological changes of endothelial cells using the in vitro co-culture model NICO-1. This protocol allows visualization of the neovascularization step surrounding the OCSCs in a time course manner. The technique can provide insight regarding the angiogenetic properties of OCSCs in tumor metastasis.

Ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSC) are responsible for cancer initiation, recurrence, therapeutic resistance, and metastasis. The OCSC vascular niche is considered to promote self-renewal of OCSCs, leading to chemoresistance. This protocol provides the basis for establishing a reproducible OCSC vascular niche model in vitro.

Evaluación de las propiedades angiogenéticas de las células madre similares al cáncer de ovario utilizando el sistema de cocultivo tridimensional, NICO-1

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) reside in a supportive niche, constituting a microenvironment comprised of adjacent stromal cells, vessels, and extracellular ...