This work was funded by the National Science Foundation (1554417) and National Institutes of Health (DE027769).

1. Preparation of buffers
<ol>
	<li>To prepare the ELISA wash buffer, add 3.94 g Tris-base, 8.77 g NaCl, and 1 g bovine serum albumin (BSA) to 1 L of deionized (DI) water. Add 500 &#181;L polysorbate-20. Adjust the pH to 7.2 using HCl or NaOH.</li>
	<li>To prepare the blocking buffer, add 3.94 g Tris-base, 8.77 g NaCl, and 10 g BSA. Add 500 &#181;L polysorbate-20 to 1 L of DI water. Adjust the pH to 7.2 using HCl or NaOH.</li>
	<li>To prepare the elution buffer (PBS), add 8.01 g NaCl, 2.7 g KCl, 1.42 g Na2HP...

<ol>
	<li>Kuehn, M. J., Kesty, N. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bacterial+outer+membrane+vesicles+and+the+host-pathogen+interaction.">Bacterial outer membrane vesicles and the host-pathogen interaction.</a> Genes and Development. 19, 2645-2655 (2005).</li><li>Kulp, A., Kuehn, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biological+functions+and+biogenesis+of+secreted+bacterial+outer+membrane+vesicles.">Biological functions and biogenesis of secreted bacterial outer membrane vesicles.</a> Annual Reviews Microbiology. 64, 163-184 (2010).</li><li>Kato, S., Kowashi, Y., Demuth, D. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Outer+membrane-like+vesicles+secreted+by+Actinobacillus+actinomycetemcomitans+are+enriched+in+leukotoxin.">Outer membrane-like vesicles secreted by Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans are enriched in leukotoxin.</a> Microbial Pathogenesis. 32 (1), 1-13 (2002).</li><li>Nice, J. B., 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=Aggregatibacter+actinomycetemcomitans+leukotoxin+is+delivered+to+host+cells+in+an+LFA-1-independent+manner+when+associated+with+outer+membrane+vesicles.">Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin is delivered to host cells in an LFA-1-independent manner when associated with outer membrane vesicles.</a> Toxins. 10 (10), 414 (2018).</li><li>Haurat, M. F., 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=Selective+sorting+of+cargo+proteins+into+bacterial+membrane+vesicles.">Selective sorting of cargo proteins into bacterial membrane vesicles.</a> Journal of Biological Chemistry. 286 (2), 1269-1276 (2011).</li><li>Horstman, A. L., Kuehn, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Enterotoxigenic+Escherichia+coli+secretes+active+heat-labile+enterotoxin+via+outer+membrane+vesicles.">Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli secretes active heat-labile enterotoxin via outer membrane vesicles.</a> The Journal of Biological Chemistry. 275 (17), 12489-12496 (2000).</li><li>Wai, S. 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=Vesicle-mediated+export+and+assembly+of+pore-forming+oligomers+of+the+Enterobacterial+ClyA+cytotoxin.">Vesicle-mediated export and assembly of pore-forming oligomers of the Enterobacterial ClyA cytotoxin.</a> Cell. 115, 25-35 (2003).</li><li>Balsalobre, C., 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=Release+of+the+Type+I+secreted+&#945;-haemolysin+via+outer+membrane+vesicles+from+Escherichia+coli.">Release of the Type I secreted &#945;-haemolysin via outer membrane vesicles from Escherichia coli.</a> Molecular Microbiology. 59 (1), 99-112 (2006).</li><li>Donato, G. 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=Delivery+of+Bordetella+pertussis+adenylate+cyclase+toxin+to+target+cells+via+outer+membrane+vesicles.">Delivery of Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase toxin to target cells via outer membrane vesicles.</a> FEBS Letters. 586, 459-465 (2012).</li><li>Kim, Y. 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=Outer+membrane+vesicles+of+Vibrio+vulnificus+deliver+cytolysin-hemolysin+VvhA+into+epithelial+cells+to+induce+cytotoxicity.">Outer membrane vesicles of Vibrio vulnificus deliver cytolysin-hemolysin VvhA into epithelial cells to induce cytotoxicity.</a> Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 399, 607-612 (2010).</li><li>Maldonado, R., Wei, R., Kachlany, S. C., Kazi, M., Balashova, N. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cytotoxic+effects+of+Kingella+kingae+outer+membrane+vesicles+on+human+cells.">Cytotoxic effects of Kingella kingae outer membrane vesicles on human cells.</a> Microbial Pathogenesis. 51 (1-2), 22-30 (2011).</li><li>Turner, L., 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=Helicobacter+pylori+outer+membrane+vesicle+size+determines+their+mechanisms+of+host+cell+entry+and+protein+content.">Helicobacter pylori outer membrane vesicle size determines their mechanisms of host cell entry and protein content.</a> Frontiers in Immunology. 9, 1466 (2018).</li><li>Zavan, L., Bitto, N. J., Johnston, E. L., Greening, D. W., Kaparakis-Liaskos, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Helicobacter+pylori+growth+stage+determines+the+size,+protein+composition,+and+preferential+cargo+packaging+of+outer+membrane+vesicles.">Helicobacter pylori growth stage determines the size, protein composition, and preferential cargo packaging of outer membrane vesicles.</a> Proteomics. 19 (1-2), 1800209 (2019).</li><li>Rompikuntal, P. K., 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=Perinuclear+localization+of+internalized+outer+membrane+vesicles+carrying+active+cytolethal+distending+toxin+from+Aggregatibacter+actinomycetemcomitans.">Perinuclear localization of internalized outer membrane vesicles carrying active cytolethal distending toxin from Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.</a> Infections and Immunity. 80 (1), 31-42 (2012).</li><li>Nice, J. B., 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=Aggregatibacter+actinomycetemcomitans+leukotoxin+is+delivered+to+host+cells+in+an+LFA-1-independent+manner+when+associated+with+outer+membrane+vesicles.">Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin is delivered to host cells in an LFA-1-independent manner when associated with outer membrane vesicles.</a> Toxins. 10 (10), 414 (2018).</li><li>Stevenson, T. C., 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=Immunization+with+outer+membrane+vesicles+displaying+conserved+surface+polysaccharide+antigen+elicits+broadly+antimicrobial+antibodies.">Immunization with outer membrane vesicles displaying conserved surface polysaccharide antigen elicits broadly antimicrobial antibodies.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 115 (14), 3106-3115 (2018).</li><li>Gujrati, V., 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=Bioengineered+bacterial+outer+membrane+vesicles+as+cell-specific+drug-delivery+vehicles+for+cancer+therapy.">Bioengineered bacterial outer membrane vesicles as cell-specific drug-delivery vehicles for cancer therapy.</a> ACS Nano. 8 (2), 1525-1537 (2014).</li><li>Huang, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+novel+nanoantibiotics+using+an+outer+membrane+vesicle-based+drug+efflux+mechanism.">Development of novel nanoantibiotics using an outer membrane vesicle-based drug efflux mechanism.</a> Journal of Controlled Release. 317, 1-22 (2020).</li><li>Chen, D. 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=Delivery+of+foreign+antigens+by+engineered+outer+membrane+vesicle+vaccines.">Delivery of foreign antigens by engineered outer membrane vesicle vaccines.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 107 (7), 3099-3104 (2010).</li><li>Chen, L., 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=Outer+membrane+vesicles+displaying+engineered+glycotopes+elicit+protective+antibodies.">Outer membrane vesicles displaying engineered glycotopes elicit protective antibodies.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 113 (26), 3609-3618 (2016).</li><li>Singorenko, P. 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=Isolation+of+membrane+vesicles+from+prokaryotes:+A+technical+and+biological+comparison+reveals+heterogeneity.">Isolation of membrane vesicles from prokaryotes: A technical and biological comparison reveals heterogeneity.</a> Journal of Extracellular Vesicles. 6 (1), 1324731 (2017).</li><li>Zeringer, E., Barta, T., Li, M., Vlassov, A. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Strategies+for+isolation+of+exosomes.">Strategies for isolation of exosomes.</a> Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. 2015 (4), 319-323 (2015).</li><li>Benedikter, B. 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=Ultrafiltration+combined+with+size+exclusion+chromatography+efficiently+isolates+extracellular+vesicles+from+cell+culture+media+for+compositional+and+functional+studies.">Ultrafiltration combined with size exclusion chromatography efficiently isolates extracellular vesicles from cell culture media for compositional and functional studies.</a> Science Reports. 7 (1), 15297 (2017).</li><li>Mol, E. A., Goumans, M. J., Doevendans, P. A., Sluijter, J. P. G., Vader, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Higher+functionality+of+extracellular+vesicles+isolated+using+size-exclusion+chromatography+compared+to+ultracentrifugation.">Higher functionality of extracellular vesicles isolated using size-exclusion chromatography compared to ultracentrifugation.</a> Nanomedicine. 13 (6), 2061-2065 (2017).</li><li>Lally, E. T., Golub, E. E., Kieba, I. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+and+immunological+characterization+of+the+domain+of+Actinobacillus+actinomycetemcomitans+leukotoxin+that+determines+its+specificity+for+human+target+cells.">Identification and immunological characterization of the domain of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin that determines its specificity for human target cells.</a> Journal of Biological Chemistry. 269 (49), 31289-31295 (1994).</li><li>Chang, E. H., Giaquinto, P., Huang, J., Balashova, N. V., Brown, A. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epigallocatechin+gallate+inhibits+leukotoxin+release+by+Aggregatibacter+actinomycetemcomitans+by+promoting+association+with+the+bacterial+membrane.">Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits leukotoxin release by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans by promoting association with the bacterial membrane.</a> Molecular Oral Microbiology. 35 (1), 29-39 (2020).</li><li>Klimentov&#225;, J., Stul&#237;k, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Methods+of+isolation+and+purification+of+outer+membrane+vesicles+from+gram-negative+bacteria.">Methods of isolation and purification of outer membrane vesicles from gram-negative bacteria.</a> Microbiological Research. 170, 1-9 (2015).</li><li>Dauros Singorenko, 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=Isolation+of+membrane+vesicles+from+prokaryotes:+a+technical+and+biological+comparison+reveals+heterogeneity.">Isolation of membrane vesicles from prokaryotes: a technical and biological comparison reveals heterogeneity.</a> Journal of Extracellular Vesicles. 6 (1), 1324731 (2017).</li><li>Mongui&#243;-Tortajada, M., G&#225;lvez-Mont&#243;n, C., Bayes-Genis, A., Roura, S., Borr&#224;s, F. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Extracellular+vesicle+isolation+methods:+rising+impact+of+size-exclusion+chromatography.">Extracellular vesicle isolation methods: rising impact of size-exclusion chromatography.</a> Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 76 (12), 2369-2382 (2019).</li></ol>

Here, we have provided a protocol for the simple, fast, and reproducible separation of bacterial OMV subpopulations. Although the technique is relatively straight-forward, there are some steps that must be performed extremely carefully to ensure that efficient separation occurs in the column. First, it is essential that the gel be loaded into the column carefully and slowly to avoid air bubbles. We have observed that leaving the gel at room temperature for several hours before loading the column allows the gel to equilib...

Gram-negative bacteria release vesicles derived from their outer membrane, so-called outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), throughout growth. These OMVs play important roles in cell-to-cell communication, both between bacteria and host as well as between bacterial cells, by carrying a number of important biomolecules, including DNA/RNA, proteins, lipids, and peptidoglycans1,2. In particular, the role of OMVs in bacterial pathogenesis has been extensively studied due to their enrichment in certain virulence factors and toxins3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11.
OMVs have been reported to range in size from 20 to 450 nm, depending on the parent bacteria and the growth stage, with several types of bacteria releasing heterogeneously sized OMVs8,12,13,14, which also differ in their protein composition and mechanism of host cell entry12. H. pylori released OMVs ranging in diameter from 20 to 450 nm, with the smaller OMVs containing a more homogeneous protein composition than the larger OMVs. Importantly, the two populations of OMVs were observed to be internalized by host cells via different mechanisms12. In addition, we have demonstrated that Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans releases a population of small (&#60;150 nm) OMVs along with a population of large (&#62;350 nm) OMVs, with the OMVs containing a significant amount of a secreted protein toxin, leukotoxin (LtxA)15. While the role of OMV heterogeneity in cellular processes is clearly important, technical difficulties in separating and analyzing distinct populations of vesicles has limited these studies.
In addition to their importance in bacterial pathogenesis, OMVs have been proposed for use in a number of biotechnological applications, including as vaccines and drug delivery vehicles16,17,18,19,20. For their translational use in such approaches, a clean and monodisperse preparation of vesicles is required. Thus, effective&#160;and efficient methods of separation are necessary.
Most commonly, density gradient centrifugation (DGC) is used to separate heterogeneously sized vesicle populations from cellular debris, including flagellae and secreted proteins21; the method has also been reported as an approach to separate heterogeneously sized OMV subpopulations12,13,14. However, DGC is time-consuming, inefficient, and highly variable user-to-user22 and is, therefore, not ideal for scale-up. In contrast, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) represents a scalable, efficient, and consistent approach to purify OMVs21,23,24. We have found that a long (50-cm), gravity-flow, SEC column, filled with gel filtration medium is sufficient for efficiently purifying and separating subpopulations of OMVs. Specifically, we used this approach to separate A. actinomycetemcomitans OMVs into &#34;large&#34; and &#34;small&#34; subpopulations, as well as to remove protein and DNA contamination. Purification was completed in less than 4 h, and complete separation of the OMV subpopulations and removal of debris was accomplished.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>1-Step Ultra TMB-ELISA</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>34028</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Amicon 50 kDa filters</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>UFC905024</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP9704-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ELISA Immuno Plates</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>442404</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FM 4-64</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>T13320</td>
			<td>1.5 x 50 cm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass Econo-Column</td>
			<td>BioRad</td>
			<td>7371552</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Infinite 200 Pro Plate Reader</td>
			<td>Tecan</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium Chloride (KCl)</td>
			<td>Amresco (VWR)</td>
			<td>0395-500G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium Phosphate Monobasic Anhydrous (KH2PO4)</td>
			<td>Amresco (VWR)</td>
			<td>0781-500G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sephacryl S-1000 Superfine</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td>17-0476-01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Chloride (NaCl)</td>
			<td>Fisher Chemical</td>
			<td>S271-3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Phosphate Dibasic Anhydrous (Na2HPO4)</td>
			<td>Amresco (VWR)</td>
			<td>0404-500G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tris Base</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>0497-1KG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tween(R) 20</td>
			<td>Acros Organics</td>
			<td>23336-2500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

size exclusion chromatography to analyze bacterial outer membrane vesicle heterogeneity

The cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria consists of an inner (cytoplasmic) and outer membrane (OM), separated by a thin peptidoglycan layer. Throughout growth, the outer membrane can bleb to form spherical outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). These OMVs are involved in numerous cellular functions including cargo delivery to host cells and communication with bacterial cells. Recently, the therapeutic potential of OMVs has begun to be explored, including their use as vaccines and drug delivery vehicles. Although OMVs are derived from the OM, it has long been appreciated that the lipid and protein cargo of the OMV differs, often significantly, from that of the OM. More recently, evidence that bacteria can release multiple types of OMVs has been discovered, and evidence exists that size can impact the mechanism of their uptake by host cells. However, studies in this area are limited by difficulties in efficiently separating the heterogeneously sized OMVs. Density gradient centrifugation (DGC) has traditionally been used for this purpose; however, this technique is time-consuming and difficult to scale-up. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC), on the other hand, is less cumbersome and lends itself to the necessary future scale-up for therapeutic use of OMVs. Here, we describe a SEC approach that enables reproducible separation of heterogeneously sized vesicles, using as a test case, OMVs produced by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, which range in diameter from less than 150 nm to greater than 350 nm. We demonstrate separation of &#34;large&#34; (350 nm) OMVs and &#34;small&#34; (&#60;150 nm) OMVs, verified by dynamic light scattering (DLS). We recommend SEC-based techniques over DGC-based techniques for separation of heterogeneously sized vesicles due to its ease of use, reproducibility (including user-to-user), and possibility for scale-up.

Figure 2&#160;shows representative results from this method. OMVs produced by A. actinomycetemcomitans strain JP2 were first purified from the culture supernatant using ultracentrifugation15. We previously found that this strain produces two populations of OMVs, one with diameters of about 300 nm and one with diameters of about 100 nm15. To separate these OMV populations, we purified the sample using the SEC protocol described above. E...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Size Exclusion Chromatography to Analyze Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicle Heterogeneity at JoVE.com

Size Exclusion Chromatography to Analyze Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicle Heterogeneity

Bacterial vesicles play important roles in pathogenesis and have promising biotechnological applications. The heterogeneity of vesicles complicates analysis and use; therefore, a simple, reproducible method to separate varying sizes of vesicles is necessary. Here, we demonstrate the use of size exclusion chromatography to separate heterogeneous vesicles produced by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

The cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria consists of an inner (cytoplasmic) and outer membrane (OM), separated by a thin peptidoglycan layer. Throughout ...

Size exclusion chromatography is a useful approach for separating the subpopulations of heterogeneously-sized bacterial vesicles and for removing nucleic acids and proteins from bacterial supernatants. Size exclusion chromatography is less expensive, faster, and more reproducible than other separation techniques, including density gradient ultracentrifugation. We've demonstrated the potential of this approach using A.actinomycetemcomitans vesicles, but we expect that it could be applied to other heterogeneously-sized bacterial vesicle populations as well.Be sure to properly degas all of the buffer and bead solutions and to pipette the solution slowly without introducing bubbles but quickly enough that the beads pack homogeneously without drying out. To begin, use a glass rod to mix a stock bottle of gel filtration medium and pour the volume required to fill the column plus approximately 50%excess into a glass bottle. Allow the beads to settle and decant the excess liquid.Resuspend the beads in elution buffer to a final solution of approximately 70%gel and 30%buffer and degas the solution under vacuum. Mount the column on a ring stand in the vertical position and fill the column with elution buffer to wet the walls before draining the buffer until only about one centimeter remains. Then carefully pipette the gel beads into the column while simultaneously draining the excess buffer to prevent the beads from settling until the column is packed to a height of approximately two centimeters below the bottom of the column reservoir.Before loading the sample, degas the elution buffer under vacuum. Wash the column with approximately two times the column volume of elution buffer. Once the buffer reaches the top of gel layer, carefully add two milliliters of a 100 to 200 nanomolar per liter outer membrane vesicle sample on top of the gel layer without disturbing the surface and let the sample enter the gel.Slowly add the elution buffer to the column without disturbing the gel layer and place a 50 milliliter tube under the column. To prevent the column from drying, simultaneously add elution buffer to the top of the column. After collecting 20 milliliters of eluate, place a rack of 1.5 milliliter tubes under the column.Collect a total of 96 one-milliliter fractions in each tube. While collecting the samples, continuously add elution buffer to the column. To clean the column, run one column volume of 0.1 molar sodium hydroxide through the column followed by two column volumes of elution buffer.To measure the lipid concentrations, pipette 50 microliters of each fraction into a 96 well plate. Add 2.5 microliters of lipophilic dye to each well. After 15 seconds, measure the florescence intensity.To measure the concentration of a protein of interest, add 100 microliters of each fraction into individual wells of an ELISA immuno plate. After three hours at 25 degrees Celsius, decant the plate contents. Wash the plate five times with 200 microliters of ELISA wash buffer per wash decanting the plate after each wash.Add 200 microliters of blocking buffer to each well for a one hour incubation at 25 degrees Celsius. At the end of incubation, decant the plate and add 100 microliters of primary antibody in blocking buffer for an overnight incubation at four degrees Celsius. The next day, decant the plate and wash the plate five times with ELISA wash buffer as demonstrated.After the last wash, add 100 microliters of secondary antibody in ELISA wash buffer to each well for a one hour incubation at 25 degrees Celsius. At the end of the incubation, wash the plate as demonstrated and add 100 microliters of TMB solution to each well for a 15 to 30 minute incubation at room temperature. When a blue color develops, add 50 microliters of stopping solution to each well and measure the absorbance at 450 nanometers.After size exclusion column purification of an A.actinomycetemcomitans culture supernatant as demonstrated, two distinct lipid peaks were observed, corresponding to the large and small outer membrane vesicles produced by this strain. ELISA analysis of the sample fractions revealed that the toxin is associated primarily with the subpopulation of large outer membrane vesicles. Immuno blot analysis gave similar but more noisy results, indicating that this approach is less sensitive than ELISA.As observed, this chromatography technique is able to remove significant amounts of free proteins from the outer membrane vesicles'preparations. However, it is important to note that the total protein concentration does not necessarily correlate with the concentration of specific proteins. It is important to be very careful during the packing and running of the column to avoid bubbles and to prevent the column from drying out.Dynamic light scattering, particle tracking, and bicroscopy can be performed following size exclusion chromatography to determine the size and other characteristics of the separated outer membrane vesicles.

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JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

4.1K vistas.  Lehigh University. La cromatografía de exclusión de tamaño es un enfoque útil para separar las subpoblaciones de vesículas bacterianas de tamaño heterogéneo y para eliminar ácidos nucleicos y proteínas de sobrenadantes bacterianos. La cromatografía de exclusión de tamaño es menos costosa, más rápida y más reproducible que otras técnicas de separación, incluida la ultracentrifugación por gradiente de densidad. Hemos demostrado el potencial de este enfoque utilizando vesículas de A.actinomycete...