Vorrei ringraziare Olga de Souza Silva per l&#39;assistenza tecnica. Questo lavoro è stato sostenuto dal Fondo nazionale svizzero (FNS) Grant 31003A_127029.

Il metodo TransFLP (Figura 1) è esemplificato da tre diversi approcci: I) la delezione di due geni adiacenti codificano determinanti di virulenza di V. cholerae (ad esempio, ΔctxAB), II), la rimozione di un&#39;isola patogenicità (ad esempio, ΔVPI-1) e iii) l&#39;integrazione di una sequenza polimerasi dipendente dal promotore T7 RNA monte di un gene d&#39;interesse, che consente successivamente il suo espressione artificiale in background ceppo corrispondente (ad esempio, T7-TFox) (Figura 2). 1. Preparazione di fiocchi chitina <ol><li> Peso 50-80 mg di fiocchi chitina in un tubo di plastica standard da 1,5 ml. Questo può essere preparato in bulk. Fiocchi di chitina sono disponibili in commercio da Sigma (cat. numero C9213). </li><li> Autoclavare i fiocchi mantenendo i coperchi dei tubi aperto. </li><li> Immediatamente chiudere i coperchi dopo l&#39;autoclave si è raffreddato. </li><li> Conservare autoclavato chitina fiocchia temperatura ambiente. </li></ol> 2. Opzionale: trasformazione artificiale di V. cholerae con ricombinasi Flp-plasmide codificante <ol><li> Preparare electrocompetent V. cellule cholerae utilizzando metodi standard 11. Memorizzare aliquote di cellule competenti a -80 ° C. </li><li> Aggiungere 1-2 ml di un normale mini-preparazione del plasmide PBR-FLP 5 al electrocompetent V. cellule cholerae e trasferire il composto in una cuvetta elettroporazione (0,2 fessura cm). </li><li> Applicare un impulso a 1,6 kV. </li><li> Aggiungere 0,9 ml di terreno SOC, delicatamente trasferire cella a una standard 14 ml tubetto. Incubare non in movimento per 2,5 a 3 ore a 30 ° C. </li><li> Piastra 100 ul e 300 ul su piastre LB contenenti 100 pg / ml di ampicillina e incubare a 30 ° C per una notte. </li><li> Purificare singolo clone e negozio come stock in glicerolo per esperimenti TransFLP futuri. </li></ol> 3. Progettazione Oligonucleotide e Polymerase Chain Reaction <ol><li> Almeno sei oligonucleotidi sono necessari per amplificare la regione di DNA (s) di interesse e l&#39;FRT-fiancheggiato cassetta antibiotico mediante PCR (Figura 3). Si raccomanda di includere anche una coppia di oligonucleotidi innesco fuori del frammento inserito PCR. Ciò consente il controllo per l&#39;integrazione e escissione corretta FRT-fiancheggiato cassette resistenza agli antibiotici (ad esempio raffigurato come &#39;chk-up&#39; e &#39;chk-down&#39; primer nelle figure 3 a 5). </li><li> Progettare gli oligonucleotidi # 2, # 3, # 4 e # 5 con cura. Essi dovrebbero essere in grado di ricottura sufficiente (ad es ~ 28 bp) al DNA stampo. Il DNA stampo il DNA genomico (gDNA) per i primer # 2 e # 5 e FRT-Kan-FRT-DNA plasmide contenente come pROD17 12 e pBR-FRT-KAN-FRT (questo studio) per i primer # 3 e # 4 ( Figura 3A). </li><li> Progettare i primer # 2 a # 5 che consente ampia base-accoppiamento alla loro 5&#39;-end tra # 2 / # 3 e # 4 / # 5, rispettivamente (Figura 3A </strong&gt; riquadro). Due cicli di PCR seguire. </li><li> Eseguire tre reazioni PCR indipendenti come un giro 1 ° di PCR. Il primo sarà amplificare la regione a monte del gene / DNA regione d&#39;interesse con l&#39;ausilio di oligonucleotidi # 1 e # 2. La PCR dovrebbe risultare in un frammento di almeno 500 bp di lunghezza per consentire ricombinazione omologa all&#39;interno delle cellule. Brevi frammenti (~ 250 bp) può essere sufficiente 8 ma non sono raccomandati. </li><li> Parallelamente effettuare la seconda PCR, che amplifica la cassetta FRT-fiancheggiata antibiotico. Per gli esempi forniti qui abbiamo usato principalmente aph (kan R). Oligonucleotidi uso # 3 e # 4 di questa reazione (Figura 3A). </li><li> Allo stesso tempo, amplificare la regione a valle del DNA mediante PCR (terzo campione). Il frammento PCR deve essere almeno 500 bp di lunghezza. Eseguire la PCR con gDNA come stampo e oligonucleotidi # 5 e # 6 (Figura 3A). </li><li> Dopo purificazione di tutti e tre PCRframmenti, eseguire il 2 turno di PCR. Usare una miscela uguale di tutti e tre i frammenti ottenuti al primo turno come template. L&#39;amplificazione è catalizzata da oligonucleotidi # 1 e # 6. Il risultante frammento di PCR (Figura 3B) serve da trasformare DNA nell&#39;esperimento trasformazione naturale (Figura 1). </li></ol> 4. La chitina-indotta trasformazione naturale <ol><li> Grow V. cellule cholerae aerobiosi in terreno ricco a 30 ° C fino a raggiungere una densità ottica a 600 nm di circa 0,5. </li><li> Raccogliere i batteri mediante centrifugazione. Lavare pellet volta in mezzo artificiale definito (DASW 6) prima di risospendere le cellule in 2 volumi di DASW. Aggiungere 1 ml di coltura a 50-80 mg di sterile fiocchi di chitina (spiegato al punto 1). Se i batteri porto plasmide pBR-FLP (opzionale punto 2), add ampicillina (50 pg / ml) alla cultura. Incubare a 30 ° C per 16-24 hr senza movimento. </li><li> Aggiungi &amp; ge, 200 ng del II-tutto PCR derivato da due frammenti (indicato al punto 3). Mescolare con cura, evitando ampiamente staccare i batteri dalle superfici chitina. Incubare a 30 ° C per 24 ore senza movimento. </li><li> Vortex la cultura ampiamente per ≥ 30 sec. Stendere 100-300 microlitri su piastre di terreno selettivo LB (ad esempio gentamicina o kanamicina contenenti piastre LB per gli esempi forniti qui). Utilizzare doppio selettive piastre se i batteri ospitano il plasmide pBR-flp aggiungendo ampicillina concomitanza ad altri antibiotici. Incubare le piastre a 30 ° C per 16-24 ore o fino colonie sono visibili. </li><li> Isolare trasformanti singoli dalle piastre selettive. Tali trasformanti hanno sostituito il locus cromosomico originale dal frammento PCR a causa di un evento di crossover doppia. Questi ceppi possono essere direttamente utilizzati per ulteriori esperimenti nel caso la rimozione della cassetta antibiotico non è necessario. </li></ol> 5. Rimozione di cassetta selettivo (s) da Flp-Ricombinazione <ol><li> Artificialmente trasformare i trasformanti con il plasmide PBR-flp come descritto al punto 2, se non ancora effettuato il test di trasformazione naturale. </li><li> Crescere i batteri su piastre di agar LB contenenti ampicillina a 37 ° C per 16-24 ore. Opzioni: consente di modificare la temperatura in mezzo per 2-3 ore a 40 ° C come espressione della FLP dal plasmide PBR-FLP è de-represso alle alte temperature; 5,10 batteri trasferimento a piatti freschi dopo ca. 8 ore di incubazione. </li><li> Di prova per antibiotico-sensibilità (dimostrato qui per kanamicina, figura 1) da restreaking i cloni in parallelo su piastre di agar contenenti antibiotici e antibiotico-free. Isolare singole colonie sensibili. Congelare ampicillina-clone resistente come stock in glicerolo se si intende modificare ulteriormente la tensione con delezione altri / inserimento utilizzando TransFLP. </li></ol> 6. Polimerizzazione plasmide <ol><li> Crescere la cultura durante la notte in condizioni aerobiche ea 30 ° C. Utilizzare terreno ricco senza l&#39;aggiunta di qualsiasi antibiotico. </li><li> Opzionale: crescere coltura fresco per 3-6 ore diluendo il 1:100 notte cultura in fresco antibiotici terreno privo. </li><li> Piatto o striscia di diluizione (s) della cultura sulla piastra piana agar LB (s) e incubare a 30 ° C per 8-16 ore (fino a quando le colonie sono visibili). </li><li> Test per ampicillina sensibilità dei cloni restreaking dai cloni in parallelo su piastre di agar contenenti antibiotici e antibiotico-libera (figura 1). Congelare ampicillina sensibile ceppo stock in glicerolo. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Miller, V. L., Mekalanos, J. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+suicide+vector+and+its+use+in+construction+of+insertion+mutations:+osmoregulation+of+outer+membrane+proteins+and+virulence+determinants+in+Vibrio+cholerae+requires+toxR.">A novel suicide vector and its use in construction of insertion mutations: osmoregulation of outer membrane proteins and virulence determinants in Vibrio cholerae requires toxR.</a> J. Bacteriol. 170, 2575-2583 (1988).</li><li>Hamilton, C. M., Aldea, M., Washburn, B. K., Babitzke, P., Kushner, S. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=New+method+for+generating+deletions+and+gene+replacements+in+Escherichia+coli.">New method for generating deletions and gene replacements in Escherichia coli.</a> J. Bacteriol. 171, 4617-4622 (1989).</li><li>Kato, C., Ohmiya, R., Mizuno, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+rapid+method+for+disrupting+genes+in+the+Escherichia+coli+genome.">A rapid method for disrupting genes in the Escherichia coli genome.</a> Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 62, 1826-1829 (1998).</li><li>Donnenberg, M. S., Kaper, J. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Construction+of+an+eae+deletion+mutant+of+enteropathogenic+Escherichia+coli+by+using+a+positive-selection+suicide+vector.">Construction of an eae deletion mutant of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli by using a positive-selection suicide vector.</a> Infect. Immun. 59, 4310-4317 (1991).</li><li>De Souza Silva, O., Blokesch, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+manipulation+of+Vibrio+cholerae+by+combining+natural+transformation+with+FLP+recombination.">Genetic manipulation of Vibrio cholerae by combining natural transformation with FLP recombination.</a> Plasmid. 64, 186-195 (2010).</li><li>Meibom, K. L., Blokesch, M., Dolganov, N. A., Wu, C. -. Y., Schoolnik, G. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chitin+induces+natural+competence+in+Vibrio+cholerae.">Chitin induces natural competence in Vibrio cholerae.</a> Science. 310, 1824-1827 (2005).</li><li>Pollack-Berti, A., Wollenberg, M. S., Ruby, E. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Natural+transformation+of+Vibrio+fischeri+requires+tfoX+and+tfoY.">Natural transformation of Vibrio fischeri requires tfoX and tfoY.</a> Environ. Microbiol. 12, 2302-2311 (2010).</li><li>Marvig, R. L., Blokesch, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Natural+transformation+of+Vibrio+cholerae+as+a+tool-optimizing+the+procedure.">Natural transformation of Vibrio cholerae as a tool-optimizing the procedure.</a> BMC Microbiol. 10, 155 (2010).</li><li>Blokesch, M., Schoolnik, G. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Serogroup+Conversion+of+Vibrio+cholerae+in+Aquatic+Reservoirs.">Serogroup Conversion of Vibrio cholerae in Aquatic Reservoirs.</a> PLoS Pathog. 3, e81 (2007).</li><li>Cherepanov, P. P., Wackernagel, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gene+disruption+in+Escherichia+coli:+TcR+and+KmR+cassettes+with+the+option+of+Flp-catalyzed+excision+of+the+antibiotic-resistance+determinant.">Gene disruption in Escherichia coli: TcR and KmR cassettes with the option of Flp-catalyzed excision of the antibiotic-resistance determinant.</a> Gene. 158, 9-14 (1995).</li><li>Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F., Maniatis, T., Ford, N., Nolan, C., Ferguson, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Molecular Cloning: A laboratory manual. 1, (1989).</li><li>Reyes-Lamothe, R., Possoz, C., Danilova, O., Sherratt, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Independent+positioning+and+action+of+Escherichia+coli+replisomes+in+live+cells.">Independent positioning and action of Escherichia coli replisomes in live cells.</a> Cell. 133, 90-102 (2008).</li><li>Karaolis, D. K. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+Vibrio+cholerae+pathogenicity+island+associated+with+epidemic+and+pandemic+strains.">A Vibrio cholerae pathogenicity island associated with epidemic and pandemic strains.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 95, 3134-3139 (1998).</li><li>Ikeda, R. A., Ligman, C. M., Warshamana, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=T7+promoter+contacts+essential+for+promoter+activity+in+vivo.">T7 promoter contacts essential for promoter activity in vivo.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. 20, 2517-2524 (1992).</li><li>Pan, S. H., Malcolm, B. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reduced+background+expression+and+improved+plasmid+stability+with+pET+vectors+in+BL21+(DE3).">Reduced background expression and improved plasmid stability with pET vectors in BL21 (DE3).</a> Biotechniques. 29, 1234-1238 (2000).</li><li>Faruque, S. M., Zhu, J., Asadulghani, M., Kamruzzaman, J. J., Mekalanos, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Examination+of+diverse+toxin-coregulated+pilus-positive+Vibrio+cholerae+strains+fails+to+demonstrate+evidence+for+Vibrio+pathogenicity+island+phage.">Examination of diverse toxin-coregulated pilus-positive Vibrio cholerae strains fails to demonstrate evidence for Vibrio pathogenicity island phage.</a> Infect. Immun. 71, 2993-2999 (2003).</li><li>Joelsson, A., Liu, Z., Zhu, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+and+phenotypic+diversity+of+quorum-sensing+systems+in+clinical+and+environmental+isolates+of+Vibrio+cholerae.">Genetic and phenotypic diversity of quorum-sensing systems in clinical and environmental isolates of Vibrio cholerae.</a> Infect. Immun. 74, 1141-1147 (2006).</li><li>Heidelberg, J. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=DNA+sequence+of+both+chromosomes+of+the+cholera+pathogen+Vibrio+cholerae.">DNA sequence of both chromosomes of the cholera pathogen Vibrio cholerae.</a> Nature. 406, 477-483 (2000).</li></ol>

Nessun conflitto di interessi dichiarati.

Il metodo sopra descritto TransFLP e altrove 5 è stato ampiamente utilizzato nel nostro laboratorio. Il tipo di manipolazioni genetiche che sono fattibili includono tra gli altri: delezione di geni singoli e gruppi di geni, delezione di isole genomiche (es., VPI-1), l&#39;inserimento di sequenze a monte di un gene di interesse (ad esempio, sequenze promotore) ed inserimento di sequenze alla fine di un gene specifico (ad esempio, codifica tag di affinità). <p class="jove_conten...

<table border="1"><tbody><tr><td> Nome del reagente </td><td> Azienda </td><td> Numero di catalogo </td><td> Commenti </td></tr><tr><td> Chitina fiocchi </td><td> Sigma </td><td> C9213 </td><td> Sterilizzazione in autoclave necessaria </td></tr><tr><td> OPTIONAL: Micropulser (nel caso in cui cassetta antibiotica deve essere asportato da ricombinasi Flp codificati su PBR-FLP) </td><td> Biorad </td><td> 165-2100 </td><td> O electroporators comparabili </td></tr></tbody></table>

transflp &#x2014; a method to genetically modify vibrio cholerae based on natural transformation and flp-recombination

Sono disponibili diversi metodi per manipolare cromosomi batterici 1-3. La maggior parte di questi protocolli invocare l&#39;inserimento di plasmidi replicativi condizionale (es. ospitano repliconi pir-dipendenti ovvero termosensibili 1,2). Questi plasmidi sono integrati in cromosomi batterici basati su omologia-mediata ricombinazione. Tali mutanti inserzionali sono spesso direttamente utilizzati in contesti sperimentali. In alternativa, la selezione per escissione plasmide seguita dalla perdita può essere eseguita, per cui batteri Gram-negativi dipende spesso contro-selezionabile enzimatico saccarasi Levan codificata dal gene sacB 4. L&#39;escissione può ripristinare il pre-inserimento genotipo o provocare uno scambio tra il cromosoma e il plasmidica copia del gene modificato. Uno svantaggio di questa tecnica è che richiede tempo. Il plasmide deve essere clonato prima, richiede trasferimento orizzontale in V. cholerae la maggior parte (n<html> otably con l&#39;accoppiamento con una E. coli ceppo donatore) o trasformazione artificiale di quest&#39;ultimo, e l&#39;escissione del plasmide è casuale e può ripristinare il genotipo iniziale o creare la modifica desiderata in assenza di selezione positiva viene esercitata. Qui, presentiamo un metodo per la manipolazione rapida V. cholerae cromosoma (s) 5 (Figura 1). Questo metodo TransFLP si basa sulla recente scoperta chitina-mediata induzione di competenza naturale in questo organismo rappresentativo 6 e altri del genere Vibrio come V. fischeri 7. Competenza naturale permette l&#39;assunzione di DNA libero tra cui PCR generati frammenti di DNA. Una volta assunto, il DNA ricombina con il cromosoma data la presenza di un minimo di 250-500 bp fiancheggianti della regione omologa 8. Compreso un marcatore di selezione in-tra le regioni a fianco permette la facile individuazione dei trasformanti frequenti. t &quot;&gt; Questo metodo può essere utilizzato per diverse manipolazioni genetiche V. cholerae e batteri naturalmente competenti potenzialmente anche altri. Forniamo tre esempi nuovi su ciò che può essere realizzato con questo metodo, oltre al nostro studio precedentemente pubblicato sul gene delezioni singole e la aggiunta di affinità-tag sequenze 5. procedura di ottimizzazione in materia di protocollo iniziale di chitina-trasformazione indotta naturale 6 sono incorporati nel presente protocollo TransFLP., tra cui tra l&#39;altro la sostituzione di frammenti di conchiglie granchio disponibile in commercio da chitina fiocchi 8, la donazione di PCR derivato da DNA trasformante materiale 9, e l&#39;aggiunta di FLP-ricombinazione siti bersaglio (FRT) 5. siti FRT consentono escissione sito-diretta del marcatore di selezione mediata dalla ricombinasi Flp 10.

Risultati rappresentativi di tre esempi sono mostrati nelle figure 4 a 6. Il primo approccio volto a eliminare i geni vicini ctxA e ctxB. Insieme codificare il principale fattore di virulenza V. cholerae, tossina del colera. Abbiamo progettato oligonucleotidi per il metodo TransFLP come sopra descritto e secondo la figura 3. Il ceppo parentale, il ceppo intermedio ospitare la FRT-fiancheggiato cassetta antibiotico resistenza al locus DNA originale ctxAB</e...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about TransFLP â€” A Method to Genetically Modify Vibrio cholerae Based on Natural Transformation and FLP-recombination at JoVE.com

TransFLP &amp;#x2014; A Method to Genetically Modify &lt;em&gt;Vibrio cholerae&lt;/em&gt; Based on Natural Transformation and FLP-recombination

Un metodo rapido per modificare il genoma di<em&gt; V. cholerae</em&gt; È descritto. Queste modifiche includono la cancellazione dei singoli geni, i cluster di geni e le isole genomiche, nonché l&#39;integrazione di brevi sequenze (ad esempio, elementi promotori o per affinità tag sequenze). Il metodo si basa sulla trasformazione naturale e FLP-ricombinazione.

TransFLP - un metodo per modificare geneticamente<em&gt; Vibrio cholerae</em&gt; Sulla base di trasformazione naturale e FLP-ricombinazione

Several methods are available to manipulate bacterial chromosomes1-3. Most of these protocols rely on the insertion of conditionally replicative plasmids ...

transflp-method-to-genetically-modify-vibrio-cholerae-based-on

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

TransFLP &#x2014; A Method to Genetically Modify Vibrio cholerae Based on Natural Transformation and FLP-recombination

14.5K Views.  Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Un metodo rapido per modificare il genoma di V. cholerae È descritto. Queste modifiche includono la cancellazione dei singoli geni, i cluster di geni e le isole genomiche, nonché l'integrazione di brevi sequenze (ad esempio, elementi promotori o per affinità tag sequenze). Il metodo si basa sulla trasformazione naturale e FLP-ricombinazione.

Video: TransFLP &#x2014; A Method to Genetically Modify Vibrio cholerae Based on Natural Transformation and FLP-recombination

Colonization of Euprymna scolopes Squid by Vibrio fischeri

Specific bacteria are found in association with animal tissue1-5. Such host-bacterial associations (symbioses) can be detrimental (pathogenic), have no fitness consequence (commensal), or be beneficial (mutualistic). While much attention has been given to pathogenic interactions, little is known about the processes that dictate the reproducible acquisition of beneficial/commensal bacteria from the environment. The light-organ mutualism between the marine Gram-negative bacterium V. fischeri and the Hawaiian bobtail squid, E. scolopes, represents a highly specific interaction in which one host (E. scolopes) establishes a symbiotic relationship with only one bacterial species (V. fischeri) throughout the course of its lifetime6,7. Bioluminescence produced by V. fischeri during this interaction provides an anti-predatory benefit to E. scolopes during nocturnal activities8,9, while the nutrient-rich host tissue provides V. fischeri with a protected niche10. During each host generation, this relationship is recapitulated, thus representing a predictable process that can be assessed in detail at various stages of symbiotic development. In the laboratory, the juvenile squid hatch aposymbiotically (uncolonized), and, if collected within the first 30-60 minutes and transferred to symbiont-free water, cannot be colonized except by the experimental inoculum6. This interaction thus provides a useful model system in which to assess the individual steps that lead to specific acquisition of a symbiotic microbe from the environment11,12.
Here we describe a method to assess the degree of colonization that occurs when newly hatched aposymbiotic E. scolopes are exposed to (artificial) seawater containing V. fischeri. This simple assay describes inoculation, natural infection, and recovery of the bacterial symbiont from the nascent light organ of E. scolopes. Care is taken to provide a consistent environment for the animals during symbiotic development, especially with regard to water quality and light cues. Methods to characterize the symbiotic population described include (1) measurement of bacterially-derived bioluminescence, and (2) direct colony counting of recovered symbionts.

Colonization of Euprymna scolopes Squid by Vibrio fischeri

The method outlines the procedure by which the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes and its bacterial symbiont, Vibrio fischeri, are raised separately and then introduced to allow for specific colonization of the squid light organ by the bacteria. Colonization detection by bacterially-derived luminescence and by direct colony counting are described.

La colonizzazione delle Euprymna scolopes Squid da Vibrio fischeri</em

Specific bacteria are found in association with animal tissue1-5. Such host-bacterial associations (symbioses) can be detrimental (pathogenic), have no ...

Ricerca

Immunologia e infezioni

A Parasite Rescue and Transformation Assay for Antileishmanial Screening Against Intracellular Leishmania donovani Amastigotes in THP1 Human Acute Monocytic Leukemia Cell Line

Leishmaniasis is one of the world's most neglected diseases, largely affecting the poorest of the poor, mainly in developing countries. Over 350 million people are considered at risk of contracting leishmaniasis, and approximately 2 million new cases occur yearly1. Leishmania donovani is the causative agent for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the most fatal form of the disease. The choice of drugs available to treat leishmaniasis is limited 2;current treatments provide limited efficacy and many are toxic at therapeutic doses. In addition, most of the first line treatment drugs have already lost their utility due to increasing multiple drug resistance 3. The current pipeline of anti-leishmanial drugs is also severely depleted. Sustained efforts are needed to enrich a new anti-leishmanial drug discovery pipeline, and this endeavor relies on the availability of suitable in vitro screening models.
In vitro promastigotes 4 and axenic amastigotes assays5 are primarily used for anti-leishmanial drug screening however, may not be appropriate due to significant cellular, physiological, biochemical and molecular differences in comparison to intracellular amastigotes. Assays with macrophage-amastigotes models are considered closest to the pathophysiological conditions of leishmaniasis, and are therefore the most appropriate for in vitro screening. Differentiated, non-dividing human acute monocytic leukemia cells (THP1) (make an attractive) alternative to isolated primary macrophages and can be used for assaying anti-leishmanial activity of different compounds against intracellular amastigotes.
Here, we present a parasite-rescue and transformation assay with differentiated THP1 cells infected in vitro with Leishmania donovani for screening pure compounds and natural products extracts and determining the efficacy against the intracellular Leishmania amastigotes. The assay involves the following steps: (1) differentiation of THP1 cells to non-dividing macrophages, (2) infection of macrophages with L. donovani metacyclic promastigotes, (3) treatment of infected cells with test drugs, (4) controlled lysis of infected macrophages, (5) release/rescue of amastigotes and (6) transformation of live amastigotes to promastigotes. The assay was optimized using detergent treatment for controlled lysis of Leishmania-infected THP1 cells to achieve almost complete rescue of viable intracellular amastigotes with minimal effect on their ability to transform to promastigotes. Different macrophage:promastigotes ratios were tested to achieve maximum infection. Quantification of the infection was performed through transformation of live, rescued Leishmania amastigotes to promastigotes and evaluation of their growth by an alamarBlue fluorometric assay in 96-well microplates. This assay is comparable to the currently-used microscopic, transgenic reporter gene and digital-image analysis assays. This assay is robust and measures only the live intracellular amastigotes compared to reporter gene and image analysis assays, which may not differentiate between live and dead amastigotes. Also, the assay has been validated with a current panel of anti-leishmanial drugs and has been successfully applied to large-scale screening of pure compounds and a library of natural products fractions (Tekwani et al. unpublished).

A Parasite Rescue and Transformation Assay for Antileishmanial Screening Against Intracellular Leishmania donovani Amastigotes in THP1 Human Acute Monocytic Leukemia Cell Line

A parasite-rescue and transformation assay with THP1 cells infected in vitro with Leishmania donovani has been optimized for anti-leishmanial drug screening. The assay involves differentiation of THP1 cells, infection with promastigotes, treatment with test drugs, controlled lysis of the infected macrophages, rescue of amastigotes, transformation to promastigotes and monitoring promastigote growth and proliferation with a fluorometric assay.

Un test Parasite salvataggio e di trasformazione per screening Antileishmanial contro intracellulare<em&gt; Leishmania donovani</em&gt; Amastigoti in THP1 umana linea cellulare Leucemia acuta Monocytic

Leishmaniasis is  one of the world's most neglected diseases, largely affecting the  poorest of the poor, mainly in developing countries. Over 350 million ...

Clinical Application of Sleeping Beauty and Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells to Genetically Modify T Cells from Peripheral and Umbilical Cord Blood

The potency of clinical-grade T cells can be improved by combining gene therapy with immunotherapy to engineer a biologic product with the potential for superior (i) recognition of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), (ii) persistence after infusion, (iii) potential for migration to tumor sites, and (iv) ability to recycle effector functions within the tumor microenvironment. Most approaches to genetic manipulation of T cells engineered for human application have used retrovirus and lentivirus for the stable expression of CAR1-3. This approach, although compliant with current good manufacturing practice (GMP), can be expensive as it relies on the manufacture and release of clinical-grade recombinant virus from a limited number of production facilities. The electro-transfer of nonviral plasmids is an appealing alternative to transduction since DNA species can be produced to clinical grade at approximately 1/10th the cost of recombinant GMP-grade virus. To improve the efficiency of integration we adapted Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon and transposase for human application4-8. Our SB system uses two DNA plasmids that consist of a transposon coding for a gene of interest (e.g. 2nd generation CD19-specific CAR transgene, designated CD19RCD28) and a transposase (e.g. SB11) which inserts the transgene into TA dinucleotide repeats9-11. To generate clinically-sufficient numbers of genetically modified T cells we use K562-derived artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPC) (clone #4) modified to express a TAA (e.g. CD19) as well as the T cell costimulatory molecules CD86, CD137L, a membrane-bound version of interleukin (IL)-15 (peptide fused to modified IgG4 Fc region) and CD64 (Fc-&gamma; receptor 1) for the loading of monoclonal antibodies (mAb)12. In this report, we demonstrate the procedures that can be undertaken in compliance with cGMP to generate CD19-specific CAR+ T cells suitable for human application. This was achieved by the synchronous electro-transfer of two DNA plasmids, a SB transposon (CD19RCD28) and a SB transposase (SB11) followed by retrieval of stable integrants by the every-7-day additions (stimulation cycle) of &gamma;-irradiated aAPC (clone #4) in the presence of soluble recombinant human IL-2 and IL-2113. Typically 4 cycles (28 days of continuous culture) are undertaken to generate clinically-appealing numbers of T cells that stably express the CAR. This methodology to manufacturing clinical-grade CD19-specific T cells can be applied to T cells derived from peripheral blood (PB) or umbilical cord blood (UCB). Furthermore, this approach can be harnessed to generate T cells to diverse tumor types by pairing the specificity of the introduced CAR with expression of the TAA, recognized by the CAR, on the aAPC.

Clinical Application of Sleeping Beauty and Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells to Genetically Modify T Cells from Peripheral and Umbilical Cord Blood

T cells expressing a CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) are infused as investigational treatment of B-cell malignancies in our first-in-human gene therapy trials. We describe genetic modification of T cells using the Sleeping Beauty (SB) system to introduce CD19-specific CAR and selective propagation on designer CD19+ artificial antigen presenting cells.

Applicazione clinica della<em&gt; Bella Addormentata</em&gt; Artificiale e cellule presentanti l&#39;antigene per modificare geneticamente le cellule T da sangue del cordone ombelicale e periferico

The potency of clinical-grade T cells can be improved by combining gene therapy with immunotherapy to engineer  a biologic product with the potential for ...

Super-resolution Imaging of the Natural Killer Cell Immunological Synapse on a Glass-supported Planar Lipid Bilayer

The glass-supported planar lipid bilayer system has been utilized in a variety of disciplines. One of the most useful applications of this technique has been in the study of immunological synapse formation, due to the ability of the glass-supported planar lipid bilayers to mimic the surface of a target cell while forming a horizontal interface. The recent advances in super-resolution imaging have further allowed scientists to better view the fine details of synapse structure. In this study, one of these advanced techniques, stimulated emission depletion (STED), is utilized to study the structure of natural killer (NK) cell synapses on the supported lipid bilayer. Provided herein is an easy-to-follow protocol detailing: how to prepare raw synthetic phospholipids for use in synthesizing glass-supported bilayers; how to determine how densely protein of a given concentration occupies the bilayer's attachment sites; how to construct a supported lipid bilayer containing antibodies against NK cell activating receptor CD16; and finally, how to image human NK cells on this bilayer using STED super-resolution microscopy, with a focus on distribution of perforin positive lytic granules and filamentous actin at NK synapses. Thus, combining the glass-supported planar lipid bilayer system with STED technique, we demonstrate the feasibility and application of this combined technique, as well as intracellular structures at NK immunological synapse with super-resolution.

We describe here a combination of the glass-supported lipid bilayer technique of forming immunological synapses with the super-resolution imaging technique of stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy. The goal of this protocol is to provide users with the instructions necessary to successfully carry out these two techniques.

Super-Resolution Imaging di cellule Natural Killer immunologica Sinapsi su un vetro supportato Planar doppio strato lipidico

The glass-supported planar lipid bilayer system has been utilized in a variety of disciplines. One of the most useful applications of this technique has ...

Implementation of a Permeable Membrane Insert-based Infection System to Study the Effects of Secreted Bacterial Toxins on Mammalian Host Cells

Many bacterial pathogens secrete potent toxins to aid in the destruction of host tissue, to initiate signaling changes in host cells or to manipulate immune system responses during the course of infection. Though methods have been developed to successfully purify and produce many of these important virulence factors, there are still many bacterial toxins whose unique structure or extensive post-translational modifications make them difficult to purify and study in in vitro systems. Furthermore, even when pure toxin can be obtained, there are many challenges associated with studying the specific effects of a toxin under relevant physiological conditions. Most in vitro cell culture models designed to assess the effects of secreted bacterial toxins on host cells involve incubating host cells with a one-time dose of toxin. Such methods poorly approximate what host cells actually experience during an infection, where toxin is continually produced by bacterial cells and allowed to accumulate gradually during the course of infection. This protocol describes the design of a permeable membrane insert-based bacterial infection system to study the effects of Streptolysin S, a potent toxin produced by Group A Streptococcus, on human epithelial keratinocytes. This system more closely mimics the natural physiological environment during an infection than methods where pure toxin or bacterial supernatants are directly applied to host cells. Importantly, this method also eliminates the bias of host responses that are due to direct contact between the bacteria and host cells. This system has been utilized to effectively assess the effects of Streptolysin S (SLS) on host membrane integrity, cellular viability, and cellular signaling responses. This technique can be readily applied to the study of other secreted virulence factors on a variety of mammalian host cell types to investigate the specific role of a secreted bacterial factor during the course of infection.

Here, a method using a permeable membrane insert-based infection system to study the effects of Streptolysin S, a secreted toxin produced by Group A Streptococcus, on keratinocytes is described. This system can be readily applied to the study of other secreted bacterial proteins on various host cell types during infection.

Implementazione di un sistema di infezione permeabile membrana Insert-based per studiare gli effetti di secrete batteriche tossine su cellule ospiti

Many bacterial pathogens secrete potent toxins to aid in the destruction of host tissue, to initiate signaling changes in host cells or to manipulate ...

Development of a More Sensitive and Specific Chromogenic Agar Medium for the Detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Other Vibrio Species

Foodborne infections in the US caused by Vibrio species have shown an upward trend. In the genus Vibrio, V. parahaemolyticus is responsible for the majority of Vibrio-associated infections. Thus, accurate differentiation among Vibrio spp. and detection of V. parahaemolyticus is critically important to ensure the safety of our food supply. Although molecular techniques are increasingly common, culture-depending methods are still routinely done and they are considered standard methods in certain circumstances. Hence, a novel chromogenic agar medium was tested with the goal of providing a better method for isolation and differentiation of clinically relevant Vibrio spp. The protocol compared the sensitivity, specificity and detection limit for the detection of V. parahaemolyticus between the new chromogenic medium and a conventional medium. Various V. parahaemolyticus strains (n=22) representing diverse serotypes and source of origins were used. They were previously identified by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and further verified in our laboratory by tlh-PCR. In at least four separate trials, these strains were inoculated on the chromogenic agar and thiosulfate-citrate-bile salts-sucrose (TCBS) agar, which is the recommended medium for culturing this species, followed by incubation at 35-37 &#176;C for 24-96 hr. Three V. parahaemolyticus strains (13.6%) did not grow optimally on TCBS, nonetheless exhibited green colonies if there was growth. Two strains (9.1%) did not yield the expected cyan colonies on the chromogenic agar. Non-V. parahaemolyticus strains (n=32) were also tested to determine the specificity of the chromogenic agar. Among these strains, 31 did not grow or exhibited other colony morphologies. The mean recovery of V. parahaemolyticus on the chromogenic agar was ~96.4% relative to tryptic soy agar supplemented with 2% NaCl. In conclusion, the new chromogenic agar is an effective medium to detect V. parahaemolyticus and to differentiate it from other vibrios.

Development of a More Sensitive and Specific Chromogenic Agar Medium for the Detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Other Vibrio Species

Detection and isolation of clinically relevant Vibrio species require selective and differential culture media. This study evaluated the ability of a new chromogenic medium to detect and identify V. parahaemolyticus and other related species. The new medium was found to have better sensitivity and specificity than the conventional medium.

Sviluppo di un più sensibile e specifica Chromogenic Agar Media per la rilevazione di<em&gt; Parahaemolyticus Vibrio</em&gt; E Altro<em&gt; Vibrio</em&gt; Specie

Foodborne infections in the US caused by Vibrio species have shown an upward trend. In the genus Vibrio, V. parahaemolyticus is responsible for the ...

A Platform of Anti-biofilm Assays Suited to the Exploration of Natural Compound Libraries

Biofilms are regarded as one of the most challenging topics of modern biomedicine, and they are potentially responsible for over 80% of antibiotic-tolerant infections. Biofilms have displayed an exceptionally high tolerance for chemotherapy, which is thought to be multifactorial. For instance, the matrix provides a physical barrier that decreases the penetration of antibiotics into the biofilm. Also, cells within the biofilms are phenotypically diverse. Likely, biofilm resilience arises from a combination of these and other, yet unknown, mechanisms. All of the currently existing antibiotics have been developed against single-cells (planktonic) bacteria. Therefore, so far, a very limited repertoire of molecules exists that can selectively act on mature biofilms. This situation has driven a progressive paradigm shift in drug discovery, in which searching for anti-biofilms has been urged to occupy a more prominent place. An additional challenge is that there are a very limited number of standardized methods for biofilm research, especially those that can be used for large-throughput screening of chemical libraries. Here, an experimental anti-biofilm platform for chemical screening is presented. It uses three assays to measure biofilm viability (with resazurin staining), total biomass (with crystal violet staining), and biofilm matrix (using a wheat germ agglutinin, WGA-fluorescence-based staining of the poly-N-acetyl-glucosamine, PNAG, fraction). All the assays were developed using Staphylococcus aureus as the model bacteria. Examples of how the platform can be used for primary screening as well as for functional characterization of identified anti-biofilm hits are presented. This experimental sequence further allows for the classification of the hits based upon the measured end-points. It also provides information on their mode of action, especially on long-term versus short-term chemotherapeutic effects. Thus, it is very advantageous for the quick identification of high-quality hit compounds that can serve as starting points for various biomedical applications.

Biofilm infections show high tolerance towards chemotherapy. No single assay captures the complexity of biofilms. Instead, complementary assays are needed. We present a screening platform (developed for S. aureus) that combines assays for viability, biomass, and biofilm matrix. It allows anti-biofilm drug discovery, including the assessment of long-term chemotherapeutic effects.

Una piattaforma di test anti-biofilm Adatto per l&#39;esplorazione del Biblioteche composto naturale

Biofilms are regarded as one of the most challenging topics of modern biomedicine, and they are potentially responsible for over 80% of ...

Fluorescence-based Neuraminidase Inhibition Assay to Assess the Susceptibility of Influenza Viruses to The Neuraminidase Inhibitor Class of Antivirals

The neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors are the only class of antivirals approved for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza that are effective against currently circulating strains. In addition to their use in treating seasonal influenza, the NA inhibitors have been stockpiled by a number of countries for use in the event of a pandemic. It is therefore important to monitor the susceptibility of circulating influenza viruses to this class of antivirals. There are different types of assays that can be used to assess the susceptibility of influenza viruses to the NA inhibitors, but the enzyme inhibition assays using either a fluorescent substrate or a chemiluminescent substrate are the most widely used and recommended. This protocol describes the use of a fluorescence-based assay to assess influenza virus susceptibility to NA inhibitors. The assay is based on the NA enzyme cleaving the 2&#8242;-(4-Methylumbelliferyl)-&#945;-D-N-acetylneuraminic acid (MUNANA) substrate to release the fluorescent product 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU). Therefore, the inhibitory effect of an NA inhibitor on the influenza virus NA is determined based on the concentration of the NA inhibitor that is required to reduce 50% of the NA activity, given as an IC50 value.

We describe the use of a phenotypic fluorescence-based neuraminidase inhibition assay to assess the susceptibility of influenza A and B viruses to the neuraminidase inhibitor class of antivirals.

Basato sulla fluorescenza neuraminidasi Inibizione Assay per valutare la suscettibilità dei virus influenzali di neuraminidasi Inhibitor classe di antivirali

The neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors are the only class of antivirals approved for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza that are effective against ...

Laboratory Techniques Used to Maintain and Differentiate Biotypes of Vibrio cholerae Clinical and Environmental Isolates

The aquatic Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae is the etiological agent of the infectious gastrointestinal disease cholera. Due to the global prevalence and severity of this disease, V. cholerae has been extensively studied in both environmental and laboratory settings, requiring proper maintenance and culturing techniques. Classical and El Tor are two main biotypes that compose the V. cholerae O1 serogroup, each displaying unique genotypic and phenotypic characteristics that provide reliable mechanisms for biotype characterization, and require distinct virulence inducing culturing conditions. Regardless of the biotype of the causative strain for any given infection or outbreak, the standard treatment for the disease involves rehydration therapy supplemented with a regimen of antibiotics. However, biotype classification may be necessary for laboratory studies and may have broader impacts in the biomedical field. In the early 2000&#39;s clinical isolates were identified which exhibit genotypic and phenotypic traits from both classical and El Tor biotypes. The newly identified hybrids, termed El Tor variants, have caused clinical and environmental isolate biotype identification to become more complex than previous traditional single assay identification protocols. In addition to describing V. cholerae general maintenance and culturing techniques, this manuscript describes a series of gene specific (ctxB and tcpA) PCR-based genetic screens and phenotypic assays (polymyxin B resistance, citrate metabolism, proteolytic activity, hemolytic activity, motility, and glucose metabolism via Voges-Proskauer assay) collectively used to characterize and/or distinguish between classical and El Tor biotypes. Together, these assays provide an efficient systematic approach to be used as an alternative, or in addition, to costly, labor-intensive experiments in the characterization of V. cholerae clinical (and environmental) isolates.

Laboratory Techniques Used to Maintain and Differentiate Biotypes of Vibrio cholerae Clinical and Environmental Isolates

This manuscript describes proper Vibrio cholerae maintenance techniques in addition to a series of biochemical assays, collectively utilized for quick and reliable differentiation between clinical and environmental V. cholerae biotypes in a laboratory setting.

Tecniche di laboratorio utilizzate per mantenere e differenziare i biotipi di<em&gt; Vibrio cholerae</em&gt; Isolati clinici ed ambientali

The aquatic Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae is the etiological agent of the infectious gastrointestinal disease cholera. Due to the global ...

A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro

Natural killer (NK) cells belong to the innate immune system and are a first-line anti-cancer immune defense; however, they are suppressed in the tumor microenvironment and the underlying mechanism is still largely unknown. The lack of a consistent and reliable source of NK cells limits the research progress of NK cell immunity. Here, we report an in vitro system that can provide high quality and quantity of bone marrow-derived murine NK cells under a feeder-free condition. More importantly, we also demonstrate that siRNA-mediated gene silencing successfully inhibits the E4bp4-dependent NK cell maturation by using this system. Thus, this novel in vitro NK cell differentiating system is a biomaterial solution for immunity research.

A Novel Feeder-free System for Mass Production of Murine Natural Killer Cells In Vitro

Here, we present a protocol to mass-produce gene-silencing murine NK cells by using a feeder-free differentiation system for mechanistic study in vitro and in vivo.

Un nuovo sistema privo di alimentatore per la produzione di massa di cellule di assassino naturali murini In Vitro

Natural killer (NK) cells belong to the innate immune system and are a first-line anti-cancer immune defense; however, they are suppressed in the tumor ...