Este proyecto fue financiado por una subvención Leon J. SEMILLA Thal del Instituto de Medicina Regenerativa de California. Tobias Henning fue financiado por una beca de investigación de la Asociación Alemana de Investigación (DFG, el Excmo 4578/1-2). Queremos reconocer y agradecer Meneses Juanito por sus consejos sobre la cultura de células madre embrionarias humanas.

Etiquetado de hMSC con Ferucarbotran Esta es la técnica para el etiquetado de las células madre mesenquimales con Ferucarbotran, un agente de contraste basados ​​en óxido de hierro de la RM: <ol><li> Para empezar, la placa de las células de 18-24 horas antes del procedimiento de etiquetado en frascos T75 en una confluencia del 80%. Si utiliza una placa de cultivo diferentes, esto es igual a cerca de 10.000 células por cm 2. </li><li> Al día siguiente, comenzar con la preparación de los medios de comunicación etiquetado mediante la adición de 30 l de Resovist a 8 ml de medio libre de suero. Esto marca un frasco T75 el 80% de confluencia, que corresponde a una concentración de 100 mg Fe / ml de los medios. </li><li> Quítese los medios de cultivo y se lavan las células una vez con PBS o medio libre de suero. Esto se hace para deshacerse de las proteínas del suero residual y otros componentes de los medios de comunicación que podría obligar a la agente de contraste y etiquetado de eficiencia influencia. </li><li> Añadir los medios de comunicación de etiquetado para el frasco y colocar el frasco de nuevo en la incubadora. </li><li> Después de 2 horas, añadir 2 ml de FCS para que una concentración final de 20% de FCS se logra. Esto se hace para asegurar que las células no reciben el estímulo para diferenciar, sino que crecen en su entorno familiar. </li><li> Se incuban las células durante 18 horas. Esto se hace mejor durante la noche. </li><li> Al día siguiente, lavar las células con PBS, y luego trypsinize como de costumbre. </li><li> Una vez trypsinized, la suspensión de células necesita ser lavado tres veces para deshacerse del agente residual, cambio libre en los medios de comunicación. Esto se hace con PBS las células centrifugando a 400 rcf durante 5 minutos. </li><li> La final precipitado de células pueden ser resuspendidas y está listo para nuevos experimentos. </li><li> Contar ahora las células, como algunos se han perdido durante los pasos previos de lavado. Además, realizar pruebas de viabilidad en este momento utilizando el ensayo de exclusión del azul tripano y tomar algunas muestras para el análisis de espectrometría de medir la eficacia de etiquetado. </li></ol> Etiquetado de células madre embrionarias humanas con Ferumoxides <ol><li> Para empezar, la placa de la células madre en los platos de 10 cm, como de costumbre. Estos platos se cubren con gelatina y tienen células irradiadas de alimentación en ellos. Usted puede usar este protocolo para la alimentación libre de culturas. </li><li> Deje que la células madre se adhieren y crecen por día aproximadamente 3-4 para que formen colonias de tamaño mediano. Durante este tiempo, asegúrese de que las colonias no crecen a grandes, como las colonias grandes son más difíciles de romper más tarde. </li><li> Células diferenciadas pueden contaminar los cultivos, por lo que dependiendo de la limpieza de las colonias, es posible que tenga que deshacerse de las culturas diferenciadas por la disección. </li><li> Prepare los medios de comunicación que consiste en el etiquetado de Ferumoxides a una concentración de los medios de comunicación células madre 100μg/ml y completa. Para ello, se mezcla 89μl Ferumoxides y 10 ml de medio de cultivo completo. </li><li> Lavar el plato una vez con los medios de comunicación completa. </li><li> Añadir 10 ml de etiquetado de medios por placa e incubar las células durante 4 horas. </li><li> Ahora, el etiquetado es completo. En el siguiente paso, es necesario lavar las células y obtener una suspensión de células individuales para su uso posterior. Para ello, primero enjuague el recipiente con PBS. </li><li> A continuación, reemplace el PBS con 5 ml de tripsina 0,25% y se incuban en la incubadora durante 5 minutos, o hasta que separar las células. Esto ayuda a aprovechar el plato con frecuencia. </li><li> Las células han separado. Tenga en cuenta que si el plato contenía grandes colonias que podría haber algunos grupos a la izquierda. </li><li> Para deshacerse de estos grupos, se puede mezclar la suspensión toda vez que con una pipeta serológica, luego dejar reposar por 2 minutos. </li><li> No usar una pipeta Eppendorf, chupando como repetida de las células a través de la punta delgada puede romper las membranas celulares. </li><li> Si matas residual están presentes, se puede ejecutar la suspensión de células a través de un filtro de 40μm celular. </li><li> Si todo ha funcionado correctamente, una suspensión de células individuales ahora existe, que se mezcla con un montón de escombros, procedentes de la capa de gelatina, el CES-matriz y las células muertas. Para deshacerse de este, se lavan las células dos veces al girar hacia abajo a 400 rcf durante 5 minutos y volver a suspender en los medios de comunicación completa. </li><li> Ahora, el CES tiene que ser aislado de las células irradiadas de alimentación. Esto se puede hacer de manera eficiente por la chapa de la suspensión de células en un plato recubiertas de gelatina. </li><li> Si el plato no se manipula, todas las células se sedimentos hacia abajo, pero los alimentadores se conectará más rápido que la ESC. </li><li> Por lo tanto, si el sobrenadante se retira después de 45 minutos, que debe contener todo ESC, mientras que los alimentadores de todo debe atribuirse a la antena. </li><li> De esta manera, una suspensión de células individuales de marcadas magnéticamente las células madre de embriones humanos que se pueden utilizar para más experimentos se obtiene. </li><li> Al igual que en el protocolo anterior, en este punto, es necesario contar con las células y tomar muestras para la evaluación de la viabilidad y la medición de la eficacia de etiquetado. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Daldrup-Link, H. E., Rudelius, M., Oostendorp, R. A. J., Settles, M., Piontek, G., Metz, S., Heinzmann, U., Rummeny, E. J., Schlegel, J., Link, T. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Targeting+of+Hematopoietic+Progenitor+Cells+with+MR+Contrast+Agents.">Targeting of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells with MR Contrast Agents.</a> 228, 760-767 (2003).</li><li>Daldrup-Link, H. E., Rudelius, M., Piontek, G., Metz, S., Brauer, R., Debus, G., Corot, C., Schlegel, J., Link, T. M., Peschel, C., Rummeny, E. J., Oostendorp, R. A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Migration+of+iron+oxide+labeled+human+hematopoietic+progenitor+cells+in+a+xenotransplant+model:+in+vivo+monitoring+using+clinical+magnetic+resonance+imaging+equipment.">Migration of iron oxide labeled human hematopoietic progenitor cells in a xenotransplant model: in vivo monitoring using clinical magnetic resonance imaging equipment.</a> Radiology. 234, 197-205 (2005).</li><li>Henning, T. D., Saborowski, O., Golovko, D., Boddington, S., Bauer, J. S., Fu, Y., Meier, R., Pietsch, H., Sennino, B., McDonald, D. M., Daldrup-Link, H. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+labeling+with+the+positive+MR+contrast+agent.">Cell labeling with the positive MR contrast agent.</a> Gadofluorine M. Eur Radiol. 17, 1226-1234 (2007).</li></ol>

Una representación no invasiva de las células madre es crucial para el seguimiento prácticamente cualquier terapia con células madre basado. Una mejor comprensión de la cinética en vivo de las células madre etiquetado, tal como puede verse en las imágenes de RM, podría abrir el camino a un racional y un uso más eficaz de células madre basado en las terapias. Desde que usamos los agentes de contraste aplicación clínica y las técnicas de imagen, los protocolos presentados deben ser fácilmente traducibles a las aplicaciones en l...

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		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>D-MEM High Glucose</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>D5648</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Gelatin</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>G1890</td>
<td>dilute Gelatin in PBS to final concentration of 0.1 %</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PBS (Ca++ Mg++ freed)</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>GIBCO</td>
<td> 14190-144</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Trypsin-EDTA 0.05%</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>25300-120</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Trypsin-EDTA 0.25%</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>25200-114	</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>FBS characterized</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Hyclone</td>
<td>SH30071.03</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td>Cell Strainer (40 &#x03BC;m Nylon)</td>
<td>Tool</td>
<td>BD Falcon</td>
<td>352340</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Knockout DMEM</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>GIBCO</td>
<td>10829018</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Knockout Serum Replacer</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>GIBCO</td>
<td>10828028</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>b-Mercaptoethanol</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>7522</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>non-essential amino acids</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>GIBCO</td>
<td>11140050</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>FGF-2</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>R&D Systems</td>
<td>233-FB-025</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Glutamine</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>GIBCO</td>
<td>25030081</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Penicillin/Streptomycin</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>GIBCO</td>
<td>15140-122</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Ferumoxides (Endorem)</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Guerbet</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Ferucarbotran (Resovist&#174;)</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Bayer Schering AG</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
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		</div>

labeling hescs and hmscs with iron oxide nanoparticles for non-invasive in vivo tracking with mr imaging

En los últimos años, la investigación con células madre ha dado lugar a una mejor comprensión de la biología del desarrollo, diversas enfermedades y su impacto potencial en medicina regenerativa. Un método no invasivo para monitorizar las células madre trasplantadas en varias ocasiones en vivo aumentaría en gran medida nuestra capacidad para comprender los mecanismos que controlan la muerte celular del tallo e identificar los factores tróficos y las vías de señalización que mejoren el injerto de células madre. RM ha demostrado ser una herramienta eficaz para la representación en vivo de las células madre con una resolución de cerca de anatomía microscópica. Con el fin de detectar las células madre con retraso mental, las células tienen que estar etiquetados con células específicas de los agentes de contraste RM. Para ello, las nanopartículas de óxido de hierro, como las partículas de óxido de hierro superparamagnético (SPIO), se aplican, debido a su alta sensibilidad para la detección de células y su excelente biocompatibilidad. SPIO partículas están compuestas de un núcleo de óxido de hierro y una capa de dextrano, carboxidextrano o almidón, y la función mediante la creación de heterogeneidades locales de campo, que causan una disminución de la señal en imágenes potenciadas en T2 MR. En esta presentación se muestran las técnicas para el etiquetado de las células madre con agentes de contraste para RM aplicación clínica posterior no invasivo en el seguimiento in vivo de las células marcadas con la RM.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Labeling hESCs and hMSCs with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Non-Invasive in vivo Tracking with MR Imaging at JoVE.com

Labeling hESCs and hMSCs with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Non-Invasive in vivo Tracking with MR Imaging

Para la evaluación de nuevas terapias con células madre es importante no invasiva vía las células inyectadas en vivo. Este video le mostrará cómo etiquetar células madre mesenquimales humanas embrionarias y con los agentes de contraste basados ​​en óxido de hierro en vivo para su posterior RM en vivo.

Etiquetado y hESCs hMSCs con nanopartículas de óxido de hierro para no invasivo en el seguimiento in vivo mediante RM

In recent years, stem cell research has led to a better understanding of developmental biology, various diseases and its potential impact on regenerative ...

labeling-hescs-hmscs-with-iron-oxide-nanoparticles-for-non-invasive

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

9.8K vistas.  Contrast Agent Research Group at the Center for Molecular and Functional Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of California San Francisco. Para la evaluación de nuevas terapias con células madre es importante no invasiva vía las células inyectadas en vivo. Este video le mostrará cómo etiquetar células madre mesenquimales humanas embrionarias y con los agentes de contraste basados ​​en óxido de hierro en vivo para su posterior RM en vivo.

Video: Labeling hESCs and hMSCs with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Non-Invasive in vivo Tracking with MR Imaging

Labeling Stem Cells with Fluorescent Dyes for non-invasive Detection with Optical Imaging

Optical imaging (OI) is an easy, fast and inexpensive tool for in vivo monitoring of new stem cell based therapies. The technique is based on ex vivo labeling of stem cells with a fluorescent dye, subsequent intravenous injection of the labeled cells and visualization of their accumulation in specific target organs or pathologies. The presented technique demonstrates how we label human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) by simple incubation with the lipophilic fluorescent dye DiD (C67H103CIN2O3S) and how we label human embryonic stem cells (hESC) with the FDA approved fluorescent dye Indocyanine Green (ICG). The uptake mechanism is via adherence and diffusion of the lypophilic dye across the phospholipid cell membrane bilayer. The labeling efficiency is usually improved if the cells are incubated with the dye in serum-free media as opposed to incubation in serum-containing media. Furthermore, the addition of the transfection agent Protamine Sulfate significantly improves contrast agent uptake.

This video shows techniques for labeling of human embryonic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells with fluorescent dyes. This technique can be used for an in vivo tracking of transplanted stem cells with optical imaging and for histopathological correlations with fluorescence microscopy.

Etiquetado de las células madre con tintes fluorescentes para la detección no invasiva con imágenes ópticas

Optical imaging (OI) is an easy, fast and inexpensive tool for in vivo monitoring of new stem cell based therapies. The technique is based on ex vivo ...

Investigación

Biología

Non-invasive 3D-Visualization with Sub-micron Resolution Using Synchrotron-X-ray-tomography

Little is known about the internal organization of many micro-arthropods with body sizes below 1 mm. The reasons for that are the small size and the hard cuticle which makes it difficult to use protocols of classical histology. In addition, histological sectioning destroys the sample and can therefore not be used for unique material. Hence, a non-destructive method is desirable which allows to view inside small samples without the need of sectioning.
We used synchrotron X-ray tomography at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble (France) to non-invasively produce 3D tomographic datasets with a pixel-resolution of 0.7&micro;m. Using volume rendering software, this allows us to reconstruct the internal organization in its natural state without the artefacts produced by histological sectioning. These date can be used for quantitative morphology, landmarks, or for the visualization of animated movies to understand the structure of hidden body parts and to follow complete organ systems or tissues through the samples.

We used synchrotron X-ray tomography at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) to non-invasively produce 3D tomographic datasets with a pixel-resolution of 0.7&micro;m. Using volume rendering software, this allows the reconstruction of internal structures in their natural state without the artefacts produced by histological sectioning.

No invasivo en 3D de visualización con la Sub-micron resolución mediante sincrotrón de rayos X de la tomografía

Little is known about the internal organization of many micro-arthropods with body sizes below 1 mm. The reasons for that are the small size and the hard ...

Imaging Exocytosis in Retinal Bipolar Cells with TIRF Microscopy

Total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy is a technique that allows the study of events happening at the cell membrane, by selective imaging of fluorescent molecules that are closest to a high refractive index substance such as glass1. In this article, we apply this technique to image exocytosis of synaptic vesicles in retinal bipolar cells isolated from the goldfish retina. These neurons are very suitable for this kind of study due to their large axon terminals. By simultaneously patch clamping the bipolar cells, it is possible to investigate the relationship between pre-synaptic voltage and synaptic release2,3. Synaptic vesicles inside the bipolar cell terminals are loaded with a fluorescent dye (FM 1-43&reg;) by co-puffing the dye and a ringer solution containing a high K+ concentration onto the synaptic terminals. This depolarizes the cells and stimulates endocytosis and consequent dye uptake into the glutamatergic vesicles. After washing the excess dye away for around 30 minutes, cells are ready for being patch clamped and imaged simultaneously with a 488 nm laser. The patch pipette solution contains a rhodamine-based peptide that binds selectively to the synaptic ribbon protein RIBEYE4, thereby labeling ribbons specifically when terminals are imaged with a 561 nm laser. This allows the precise localization of active zones and the separation of synaptic from extra-synaptic events.

In this video, we demonstrate how to label and visualize single synaptic vesicle exocytosis and trafficking in goldfish retinal bipolar cells using total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy.

Imágenes de exocitosis en las células bipolares de retina con microscopía TIRF

Total internal reflectance fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy is a technique that allows the study of events happening at the cell membrane, by selective ...

Tracking Dynamics of Muscle Engraftment in Small Animals by In Vivo Fluorescent Imaging

Muscular dystrophies are a group of degenerative muscle diseases characterized by progressive loss of contractile muscle cells. Currently, there is no curative treatment available. Recent advances in stem cell biology have generated new hopes for the development of effective cell based therapies to treat these diseases. Transplantation of various types of stem cells labeled with fluorescent proteins into muscles of dystrophic animal models has been used broadly in the field. A non-invasive technique with the capability to track the transplanted cell fate longitudinally can further our ability to evaluate muscle engraftment by transplanted cells more accurately and efficiently.
In the present study, we demonstrate that in vivo fluorescence imaging is a sensitive and reliable method for tracking transplanted GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein)-labeled cells in mouse skeletal muscles. Despite the concern about background due to the use of an external light necessary for excitation of fluorescent protein, we found that by using either nude mouse or eliminating hair with hair removal reagents much of this problem is eliminated. Using a CCD camera, the fluorescent signal can be detected in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle after injection of 5 x 105 cells from either GFP transgenic mice or eGFP transduced myoblast culture. For more superficial muscles such as the extensor digitorum longus (EDL), injection of fewer cells produces a detectable signal. Signal intensity can be measured and quantified as the number of emitted photons per second in a region of interest (ROI). Since the acquired images show clear boundaries demarcating the engrafted area, the size of the ROI can be measured as well. If the legs are positioned consistently every time, the changes in total number of photons per second per muscle and the size of the ROI reflect the changes in the number of engrafted cells and the size of the engrafted area. Therefore the changes in the same muscle over time are quantifiable. In vivo fluorescent imaging technique has been used primarily to track the growth of tumorogenic cells, our study shows that it is a powerful tool that enables us to track the fate of transplanted stem cells.

Tracking Dynamics of Muscle Engraftment in Small Animals by In Vivo Fluorescent Imaging

We describe an in vivo fluorescence imaging protocol to monitor muscle regeneration by GFP-labeled myoblasts after transplantation into skeletal muscles of both healthy and dystrophic mice. This protocol can be adapted to study muscle regeneration by transplantation of other types of cells and in other muscular conditions as well.

Seguimiento de Dinámica de injerto muscular en pequeños animales por En Vivo Fluorescente de imágenes

Muscular dystrophies are a group of degenerative muscle diseases characterized by progressive loss of contractile muscle cells. Currently, there is no ...

Lineage Labeling of Zebrafish Cells with Laser Uncagable Fluorescein Dextran

A central problem in developmental biology is to deduce the origin of the myriad cell types present in vertebrates as they arise from undifferentiated precursors. Researchers have employed various methods of lineage labeling, such as DiI labeling1 and pressure injection of traceable enzymes2 to ascertain cell fate at later stages of development in model systems. The first fate maps in zebrafish (Danio rerio) were assembled by iontophoretic injection of fluorescent dyes, such as rhodamine dextran, into single cells in discrete regions of the embryo and tracing the labeled cell's fate over time3-5. While effective, these methods are technically demanding and require specialized equipment not commonly found in zebrafish labs. Recently, photoconvertable fluorescent proteins, such as Eos and Kaede, which irreversibly switch from green to red fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light, are seeing increased use in zebrafish6-8. The optical clarity of the zebrafish embryo and the relative ease of transgenesis have made these particularily attractive tools for lineage labeling and to observe the migration of cells in vivo7. Despite their utility, these proteins have some disadvantages compared to dye-mediated lineage labeling methods. The most crucial is the difficulty we have found in obtaining high 3-D resolution during photoconversion of these proteins. In this light, perhaps the best combination of resolution and ease of use for lineage labeling in zebrafish makes use of caged fluorescein dextran, a fluorescent dye that is bound to a quenching group that masks its fluorescence9. The dye can then be "uncaged" (released from the quenching group) within a specific cell using UV light from a laser or mercury lamp, allowing visualization of its fluorescence or immunodetection. Unlike iontophoretic methods, caged fluorescein can be injected with standard injection apparatuses and uncaged with an epifluorescence microscope equipped with a pinhole10. In addition, antibodies against fluorescein detect only the uncaged form, and the epitope survives fixation well11. Finally, caged fluorescein can be activated with very high 3-D resolution, especially if two-photon microscopy is employed 12,13. This protocol describes a method of lineage labeling by caged fluorescein and laser uncaging. Subsequenctly, uncaged fluorescein is detected simultaneously with other epitopes such as GFP by labeling with antibodies.

This protocol delineates a way to label and trace the fate of small groups of cells zebrafish embryos using UV-uncaging of caged fluorescein, followed by whole mount immunolabeling to amplify the signal from the uncaged fluorescein.

Etiquetado linaje de células de pez cebra con láser Uncagable fluoresceína Dextran

A central problem in developmental biology is to deduce the origin of the myriad cell types present in vertebrates as they arise from undifferentiated ...

Measuring Cell Cycle Progression Kinetics with Metabolic Labeling and Flow Cytometry

Precise control of the initiation and subsequent progression through the various phases of the cell cycle are of paramount importance in proliferating cells. Cell cycle division is an integral part of growth and reproduction and deregulation of key cell cycle components have been implicated in the precipitating events of carcinogenesis 1,2. Molecular agents in anti-cancer therapies frequently target biological pathways responsible for the regulation and coordination of cell cycle division 3. Although cell cycle kinetics tend to vary according to cell type, the distribution of cells amongst the four stages of the cell cycle is rather consistent within a particular cell line due to the consistent pattern of mitogen and growth factor expression. Genotoxic events and other cellular stressors can result in a temporary block of cell cycle progression, resulting in arrest or a temporary pause in a particular cell cycle phase to allow for instigation of the appropriate response mechanism. 
The ability to experimentally observe the behavior of a cell population with reference to their cell cycle progression stage is an important advance in cell biology. Common procedures such as mitotic shake off, differential centrifugation or flow cytometry-based sorting are used to isolate cells at specific stages of the cell cycle 4-6. These fractionated, cell cycle phase-enriched populations are then subjected to experimental treatments. Yield, purity and viability of the separated fractions can often be compromised using these physical separation methods. As well, the time lapse between separation of the cell populations and the start of experimental treatment, whereby the fractionated cells can progress from the selected cell cycle stage, can pose significant challenges in the successful implementation and interpretation of these experiments.
Other approaches to study cell cycle stages include the use of chemicals to synchronize cells. Treatment of cells with chemical inhibitors of key metabolic processes for each cell cycle stage are useful in blocking the progression of the cell cycle to the next stage. For example, the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor hydroxyurea halts cells at the G1/S juncture by limiting the supply of deoxynucleotides, the building blocks of DNA. Other notable chemicals include treatment with aphidicolin, a polymerase alpha inhibitor for G1 arrest, treatment with colchicine and nocodazole, both of which interfere with mitotic spindle formation to halt cells in M phase and finally, treatment with the DNA chain terminator 5-fluorodeoxyridine to initiate S phase arrest 7-9. Treatment with these chemicals is an effective means of synchronizing an entire population of cells at a particular phase. With removal of the chemical, cells rejoin the cell cycle in unison. Treatment of the test agent following release from the cell cycle blocking chemical ensures that the drug response elicited is from a uniform, cell cycle stage-specific population. However, since many of the chemical synchronizers are known genotoxic compounds, teasing apart the participation of various response pathways (to the synchronizers vs. the test agents) is challenging. 
Here we describe a metabolic labeling method for following a subpopulation of actively cycling cells through their progression from the DNA replication phase, through to the division and separation of their daughter cells. Coupled with flow cytometry quantification, this protocol enables for measurement of kinetic progression of the cell cycle in the absence of either mechanically- or chemically- induced cellular stresses commonly associated with other cell cycle synchronization methodologies 10. In the following sections we will discuss the methodology, as well as some of its applications in biomedical research.

Tracking subtle changes in the progression and kinetics of cell cycle stages can be accomplished by use of a combination of metabolic labeling of nucleic acids with BrdU and total genomic DNA staining via Propidium Iodide. This method avoids the need of chemical synchronization of cycling cells, thereby preventing the introduction of non-specific DNA damage, which in turn affects cell cycle progression.

Célula de medida Cinética la progresión del ciclo con el etiquetado metabólico y Citometría de Flujo

Precise control of the initiation and subsequent progression through the various phases of the cell cycle are of paramount importance in proliferating ...

Metabolic Labeling of Leucine Rich Repeat Kinases 1 and 2 with Radioactive Phosphate

Leucine rich repeat kinases 1 and 2 (LRRK1 and LRRK2) are paralogs which share a similar domain organization, including a serine-threonine kinase domain, a Ras of complex proteins domain (ROC), a C-terminal of ROC domain (COR), and leucine-rich and ankyrin-like repeats at the N-terminus. The precise cellular roles of LRRK1 and LRRK2 have yet to be elucidated, however LRRK1 has been implicated in tyrosine kinase receptor signaling1,2, while LRRK2 is implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease3,4. In this report, we present a protocol to label the LRRK1 and LRRK2 proteins in cells with 32P orthophosphate, thereby providing a means to measure the overall phosphorylation levels of these 2 proteins in cells. In brief, affinity tagged LRRK proteins are expressed in HEK293T cells which are exposed to medium containing 32P-orthophosphate. The 32P-orthophosphate is assimilated by the cells after only a few hours of incubation and all molecules in the cell containing phosphates are thereby radioactively labeled. Via the affinity tag (3xflag) the LRRK proteins are isolated from other cellular components by immunoprecipitation. Immunoprecipitates are then separated via SDS-PAGE, blotted to PVDF membranes and analysis of the incorporated phosphates is performed by autoradiography (32P signal) and western detection (protein signal) of the proteins on the blots. The protocol can readily be adapted to monitor phosphorylation of any other protein that can be expressed in cells and isolated by immunoprecipitation.

Leucine rich repeat kinases 1 and 2 (LRRK1 and LRRK2) are multidomain proteins which encode both GTPase and kinase domains and which are phosphorylated in cells. Here, we present a protocol to label LRRK1 and LRRK2 in cells with 32P orthophosphate, thereby providing a means to measure their overall cellular phophorylation levels.

Metabólicas etiquetado de repeticiones ricas en leucina quinasas 1 y 2 con Radioactive Fosfato

Leucine rich repeat kinases 1 and 2 (LRRK1 and LRRK2) are paralogs which share a similar domain organization, including a serine-threonine kinase domain, ...

In Vivo 4-Dimensional Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adult Mouse Calvarial Bone Marrow

Through a delicate balance between quiescence and proliferation, self renewal and production of differentiated progeny, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain the turnover of all mature blood cell lineages. The coordination of the complex signals leading to specific HSC fates relies upon the interaction between HSCs and the intricate bone marrow microenvironment, which is still poorly understood[1-2].
We describe how by combining a newly developed specimen holder for stable animal positioning with multi-step confocal and two-photon in vivo imaging techniques, it is possible to obtain high-resolution 3D stacks containing HSPCs and their surrounding niches and to monitor them over time through multi-point time-lapse imaging. High definition imaging allows detecting ex vivo labeled hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) residing within the bone marrow. Moreover, multi-point time-lapse 3D imaging, obtained with faster acquisition settings, provides accurate information about HSPC movement and the reciprocal interactions between HSPCs and stroma cells.
Tracking of HSPCs in relation to GFP positive osteoblastic cells is shown as an exemplary application of this method. This technique can be utilized to track any appropriately labeled hematopoietic or stromal cell of interest within the mouse calvarium bone marrow space.

In Vivo 4-Dimensional Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adult Mouse Calvarial Bone Marrow

The nature of the interactions between hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and bone marrow niches is poorly understood. Custom hardware modifications and a multi-step acquisition protocol allow the use of two-photon and confocal microscopy to image ex vivo labeled HSPCs homed within bone marrow areas, tracking interactions and movement.

En Vivo Tracking 4-Dimensional de madre hematopoyéticas y células progenitoras en ratones adultos de calota de Médula Ósea

Through a delicate balance between quiescence and proliferation, self renewal and production of differentiated progeny, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) ...

Fluorescence Imaging with One-nanometer Accuracy (FIONA)

Fluorescence imaging with one-nanometer accuracy (FIONA) is a simple but useful technique for localizing single fluorophores with nanometer precision in the x-y plane. Here a summary of the FIONA technique is reported and examples of research that have been performed using FIONA are briefly described. First, how to set up the required equipment for FIONA experiments, i.e., a total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), with details on aligning the optics, is described. Then how to carry out a simple FIONA experiment on localizing immobilized Cy3-DNA single molecules using appropriate protocols, followed by the use of FIONA to measure the 36 nm step size of a single truncated myosin Va motor labeled with a quantum dot, is illustrated. Lastly, recent effort to extend the application of FIONA to thick samples is reported. It is shown that, using a water immersion objective and quantum dots soaked deep in sol-gels and rabbit eye corneas (&#62;200 &#181;m), localization precision of 2-3 nm can be achieved.

Fluorescence Imaging with One-nanometer Accuracy FIONA

Single fluorophores can be localized with nanometer precision using FIONA. Here a summary of the FIONA technique is reported, and how to carry out FIONA experiments is described.

Imágenes de fluorescencia con un nanómetros Precisión (FIONA)

Fluorescence imaging with one-nanometer accuracy (FIONA) is a simple but useful technique for localizing single fluorophores with nanometer precision in ...

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids

Adrenal activity can be assessed in the equine species by analysis of feces for corticosterone metabolites. During a potentially aversive situation, corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) is released from the hypothalamus in the brain. This stimulates the release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland, which in turn stimulates release of glucocorticoids from the adrenal gland. In horses the glucocorticoid corticosterone is responsible for several adaptations needed to support equine flight behaviour and subsequent removal from the aversive situation. Corticosterone metabolites can be detected in the feces of horses and assessment offers a non-invasive option to evaluate long term patterns of adrenal activity. Fecal assessment offers advantages over other techniques that monitor adrenal activity including blood plasma and saliva analysis. The non-invasive nature of the method avoids sampling stress which can confound results. It also allows the opportunity for repeated sampling over time and is ideal for studies in free ranging horses. This protocol describes the enzyme linked immunoassay (EIA) used to assess feces for corticosterone, in addition to the associated biochemical validation.

Adrenal activity can be assessed in the equine species by analysis of feces for corticosterone metabolites. The method offers a non-invasive option to assess long term patterns in both domestic and free ranging horses. This protocol describes the enzyme linked immunoassay involved and the associated biochemical validation.

Análisis de glucocorticoides fecales: Monitoreo suprarrenal no invasiva en los équidos

Adrenal activity can be assessed in the equine species by analysis of feces for corticosterone metabolites. During a potentially aversive situation, ...