<p class="jove_content"&gt; Marina militare è stato parzialmente finanziato da una Marie Curie europei contributi di reinserimento (ERG), dal Settimo programma quadro della Comunità europea, il numero di progetto 268.324.</p&gt;

1. Isolamento dei PMN dal sangue umano da densità centrifugazione <ol><li> Disegnare 5 9 ml provette di sangue venoso eparina. </li><li> Preparare doppio strato gradienti Ficoll (4 gradienti per 5 provette sangue) come segue: Versare 12 ml di una densità di 1.119 g / ml soluzione Ficoll in un tubo da 50 ml e strato accuratamente 10 ml di una densità di 1,077 g / ml soluzione Ficoll in cima. </li><li> Diluire il sangue con un volume uguale di PBS. </li><li> Strato il sangue diluito con cura sullo strato doppio gradiente Ficoll; 20-25 ml per gradiente. </li><li> Centrifugare 20 min a 396 xg in un rotore oscillante, 22 ° C senza freni. </li><li> Preparare freddo RPMI contenente 0,05% di albumina sierica umana (RPMI-HSA). Anche preparare 9 ml sterile deionizzata H 2 O. Pre-raffreddare sia il RPMI e H 2 O in ghiaccio. </li><li> Aspirare lo strato superiore contenente Ficoll plasma (colore giallo) e PBMC, e il secondo strato di Ficoll (colore bianco) con l&#39;uso di una pompa a vuoto (mettere un puntale sterile sullala pipetta). </li><li> Raccogliere i PMN in provette da 50 ml utilizzando una piccola pipetta di plastica (1 tubo per le frazioni di PMN ogni 2 sfumature), e disporli sul ghiaccio. </li><li> Aggiungere a freddo RPMI-HSA ad un volume totale di 50 ml e centrifugare per 10 min a 249 xg a 4 ° C. </li><li> Togliere il surnatante con l&#39;uso di una pompa a vuoto e agitare delicatamente il pellet (eritrociti e PMN). </li><li> Aggiungere 9 ml sterile deionizzata H 2 O e avviare il timer. Fermare l&#39;iper shock osmotico dopo 30 sec esattamente, con l&#39;aggiunta di 1 ml di 10 volte PBS concentrato. Nota: il 30 sec sono molto critici. </li><li> Aggiungere a freddo RPMI-HSA ad un volume totale di 50 ml e centrifugare per 10 min a 249 xg a 4 ° C. </li><li> Togliere il surnatante con l&#39;uso di una pompa a vuoto e raccogliere il PMN pellet in 1 tubo con un volume definito (1-2 ml) RPMI-HSA. </li><li> Determinare la quantità di cellule e regolare la concentrazione di 1.10 7 cellule / ml. A seconda del donatore, la resa dei PMN isolati sarà between 5 x 10 6 e 3 x 10 7 PMN da 9 ml ciascuna provetta di sangue </li></ol> 2. Flusso Assay Cytometric per la Valutazione di mobilizzazione del calcio in PMN umani <ol><li> Celle di carico (5 x 10 6 cellule / ml) con 2 mM Fluo-3-AM in RPMI-HSA e incubare per 20 minuti a temperatura ambiente a dondolo lentamente, utilizzando per esempio un dondolo piattaforma shaker, al riparo dalla luce. </li><li> Nel frattempo preparare una diluizione seriale (es. 3 volte) dello stimolo a 10x la concentrazione finale. PSMα3 viene utilizzata in questo protocollo, ma qualsiasi stimolo GPCR che agisce sui neutrofili è adatto. </li><li> Preparare concentrato 10x inibitore del recettore in RPMI-HSA. Quando l&#39;inibitore agisce sullo stimolo (ad es HDL on PSMα3) pre-incubare 25 microlitri stimolo con un volume uguale di inibitore per 10 min a temperatura ambiente. </li><li> Lavare le cellule aggiungendo 10 ml di RPMI-HSA e centrifugare per 249 xg a temperatura ambiente. Risospendere le cellule a 5 x10 6 cellule / ml. </li><li> Appena prima dell&#39;esperimento, diluire le cellule a 2x10 6 cellule / ml in RPMI-HSA e aggiungere 200 microlitri cellule per provetta FACS. PMN diluito sono molto fragili. Tenerli troppo a lungo a questa concentrazione porterà ad auto-attivazione; lo stesso vale per l&#39;agitazione vigorosa o pipettaggio. </li><li> Collegare il tubo al citofluorimetro, attendere 3 secondi e iniziare l&#39;acquisizione. Dopo un determinato periodo di tempo (ad esempio, 8 sec), togliere il tubo e in rapida aggiungere 50 microlitri di stimolo al campione. Subito ricollegare il tubo sul supporto del campione e continuare l&#39;acquisto. </li><li> Iniziare con il più basso e terminare con la più alta concentrazione di stimolo. Lavare l&#39;ago citofluorimetro regolarmente dopo ogni esecuzione con RPMI-HSA. </li><li> Analizzare i dati con il software di analisi di citometria a flusso. Confrontare il segnale di fluorescenza media prima dell&#39;aggiunta del stimolo che dopo aggiunta dello stimolo e utilizzare gli opportuni controlli positivi e negativi per calcolare l&#39;acforza tivazione per ogni diluizione misurato. </li></ol> Alternativamente quando l&#39;inibitore agisce sui recettori pre-incubare le cellule con l&#39;inibitore. 3. Microscopia a fluorescenza Analisi di batteri espressione GFP dopo fagocitosi da parte dei PMN <ol><li> Grow S. aureus contenenti un costrutto giornalista di interesse per tutta la notte in brodo (con antibiotici quando necessario per mantenere il plasmide reporter). In questo caso MW2 ceppo contenente una PSMα costrutto reporter di GFP è usato 10, cresciuto in un tubo di plastica da 50 ml con 5 ml di coltura LB medium. </li><li> Per rimuovere tutte le GFP da espressione O / N, diluire le culture di OD 660 0,01 e crescere per OD 660 0.1. Redilute questa cultura 1:30, e monitorare la crescita fino a quando la cultura raggiunge un diametro esterno di 660 0.1. Raccogliere i batteri mediante centrifugazione e lavare una volta in DPBS. Risospendere in 1:10 del volume originale per ottenere un OD 660 di 1,0 o rviti e dei dadi 5.10 8 UFC / ml. </li><li> Mescolare i batteri (1,10 7 / ml) con PMN appena isolate (1.10 6 / ml) in RPMI-HSA (rapporto 10:1) in una provetta 1,5 ml e aggiungere siero umano riunito a una concentrazione finale del 10%. Agitare su una piattaforma di agitazione per 10 min a 37 ° C per stimolare la fagocitosi. Diluire i PMN carichi di batteri a 5.10 5 PMN / ml e pipetta 250 microlitri in un pozzo di un vetrino ben camerata 8. </li><li> Immagine dei PMN con batteri su un microscopio. Un microscopio invertito dotato di un obiettivo NA 40X/0.85 funziona bene e deve essere racchiuso in una camera ad ambiente scuro per mantenere l&#39;ambiente stabilmente a 37 ° C. Acquisire immagini per un certo numero di posizioni preimpostate utilizzando la telecamera ogni 5-10 min sia nel campo chiaro e il canale GFP per seguire la produzione GFP nel tempo. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Rigby, K. M., DeLeo, F. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neutrophils+in+innate+host+defense+against+Staphylococcus+aureus+infections.">Neutrophils in innate host defense against Staphylococcus aureus infections.</a> Semin. Immunopathol. 34, 237-259 (2012).</li><li>Voyich, J. 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=Insights+into+Mechanisms+Used+by+Staphylococcus+aureus+to+Avoid+Destruction+by+Human+Neutrophils.">Insights into Mechanisms Used by Staphylococcus aureus to Avoid Destruction by Human Neutrophils.</a> The Journal of Immunology. 175, 3907-3919 (2005).</li><li>Kobayashi, S. 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=Rapid+neutrophil+destruction+following+phagocytosis+of+Staphylococcus+aureus.">Rapid neutrophil destruction following phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus.</a> J. Innate Immun. 2, 560-575 (2010).</li><li>DeLeo, F. R., Otto, M., Kreiswirth, B. N., Chambers, H. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Community-associated+meticillin-resistant+Staphylococcus+aureus.">Community-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.</a> The Lancet. 375, 1557 (2010).</li><li>David, M. Z., Daum, R. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Community-Associated+Methicillin-Resistant+Staphylococcus+aureus:+Epidemiology+and+Clinical+Consequences+of+an+Emerging+Epidemic.">Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Epidemiology and Clinical Consequences of an Emerging Epidemic.</a> Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 23, 616-687 (2010).</li><li>Kretschmer, 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=Human+Formyl+Peptide+Receptor+2+Senses+Highly+Pathogenic+Staphylococcus+aureus.">Human Formyl Peptide Receptor 2 Senses Highly Pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus.</a> Cell Host &amp; Microbe. 7, 463 (2010).</li><li>Prat, 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=A+homolog+of+formyl+peptide+receptor-like+1+(FPRL1)+inhibitor+from+Staphylococcus+aureus+(FPRL1+inhibitory+protein)+that+inhibits+FPRL1+and+FPR.">A homolog of formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (FPRL1) inhibitor from Staphylococcus aureus (FPRL1 inhibitory protein) that inhibits FPRL1 and FPR.</a> J. Immunol. 183, 6569-6578 (2009).</li><li>Prat, C., Bestebroer, J., de Haas, C. J. C., van Strijp, J. A. G., van Kessel, K. P. 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+New+Staphylococcal+Anti-Inflammatory+Protein+That+Antagonizes+the+Formyl+Peptide+Receptor-Like+1.">A New Staphylococcal Anti-Inflammatory Protein That Antagonizes the Formyl Peptide Receptor-Like 1.</a> The Journal of Immunology. 177, 8017-8026 (2006).</li><li>de Haas, C. 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=Chemotaxis+inhibitory+protein+of+Staphylococcus+aureus,+a+bacterial+antiinflammatory+agent.">Chemotaxis inhibitory protein of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterial antiinflammatory agent.</a> The Journal of Experimental Medicine. 199, 687-695 (2004).</li><li>Surewaard, B. G. 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=Inactivation+of+Staphylococcal+Phenol+Soluble+Modulins+by+Serum+Lipoprotein+Particles.">Inactivation of Staphylococcal Phenol Soluble Modulins by Serum Lipoprotein Particles.</a> PLoS Pathog. 8, e1002606 (2012).</li><li>Kubica, 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=A+Potential+New+Pathway+for+Staphylococcus+aureus+Dissemination:+The+Silent+Survival+of+S.+aureus+Phagocytosed+by+Human+Monocyte-Derived+Macrophages.">A Potential New Pathway for Staphylococcus aureus Dissemination: The Silent Survival of S. aureus Phagocytosed by Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages.</a> PLoS ONE. 3, e1409 (2008).</li><li>Surewaard, B. G. 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=Staphylococcal+alpha-phenol+soluble+modulins+contribute+to+neutrophil+lysis+after+phagocytosis.">Staphylococcal alpha-phenol soluble modulins contribute to neutrophil lysis after phagocytosis.</a> Cellular Microbiology. , (2013).</li><li>Queck, S. Y., 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=RNAIII-Independent+Target+Gene+Control+by+the+agr+Quorum-Sensing+System:+Insight+into+the+Evolution+of+Virulence+Regulation+in+Staphylococcus+aureus.">RNAIII-Independent Target Gene Control by the agr Quorum-Sensing System: Insight into the Evolution of Virulence Regulation in Staphylococcus aureus.</a> Molecular Cell. 32, 150 (2008).</li><li>Baban, C. 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=Bioluminescent+Bacterial+Imaging+In+Vivo.">Bioluminescent Bacterial Imaging In Vivo.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (69), e4318 (2012).</li></ol>

Gli autori dichiarano di non avere interessi finanziari in competizione.

Nei metodi descritti qui alcuni passaggi sono molto critico. Ci metterà in evidenza questi qui. Per l&#39;isolamento dei neutrofili centrifugazione in gradiente di densità è importante non disturbare gli strati durante o dopo le fasi di centrifugazione. Quando aspirazione dei neutrofili utilizzando una pipetta di plastica, fare attenzione a non schiacciare il pallone, mentre nello strato di cellule, come liquido di espulsione disturberà gli strati. Inoltre, controllare visivamente il pel...

Neutrofili (PMN) sono fagociti professionali che svolgono un ruolo chiave nella risposta immunitaria innata contro Staphylococcus aureus 1. La costante battaglia tra ospite e microbo ha portato a una corsa agli armamenti di entrambi. Recentemente, comunità-associati (CA) ceppi meticillino resistente S. aureus (MRSA) sono emerse, che sembra essere molto efficiente in elusione delle neutrofili uccisione 2,3. Fenolo solubile modulin (PSM), eccessiva produzione di CA-MRSA è stato associato con una maggiore virulenza 4,5. Neutrofili umani possono riconoscere questi PSMs via FPR2 che portano all&#39;attivazione di tale G-proteina recettore accoppiato 6. Uno dei primi eventi è la mobilitazione dei depositi intracellulari di calcio (Ca 2 +). Ca 2 + agisce come un messaggero secondario per una varietà di funzioni effettrici dei PMN compreso degranulazione e fagocitosi 7. Pertanto Ca 2 + è un indicatore molto sensibile dellacapacità funzionale del PSM per attivare PMN. Per studiare gli effetti di PSM su neutrofili, neutrofili freschi sono isolati e caricati con un colorante che reagisce su di mobilizzazione del calcio. In un esperimento di citometria a flusso questa rapida mobilitazione può essere misurata. Usando questo metodo, è possibile studiare gli effetti diretti di componenti tossici e di altro neutrofili, e determinare la concentrazione minima a cui essi sono attivi. Per noi, si tratta di uno strumento molto utile per studiare l&#39;effetto di molte proteine ​​prodotte da S. aureus coinvolta in evasione immune, quali FPR2 proteina inibitoria (FLIPR) 8, FLIPR-come 7, e chemiotassi proteina inibitoria di Staphylococcus aureus (chips) 9. Tutte queste proteine ​​hanno dimostrato di inibire la mobilizzazione del calcio in neutrofili legandosi al recettore che riconosce l&#39;agonista. Recentemente, il nostro gruppo ha descritto che PSM sono funzionalmente inibiti dalle lipoproteine ​​sieriche 10 &lt;/ Sup&gt;. Queste lipoproteine ​​sono abbondantemente presenti nel sangue e tessuti umani, indicando che PSMs esercitano la loro funzione principalmente nell&#39;ambiente intracellulare. La disponibilità del saggio mobilizzazione del calcio permesso di misurare con precisione l&#39;effetto di lipoproteine ​​sieriche sull&#39;attivazione dei neutrofili dai PSMs, indicata dalla notevole inibizione da concentrazioni molto basse di siero. Poiché le PSMs sono funzionalmente inibiti dal siero, abbiamo ipotizzato che ci sia una funzione importante per PSMs come tossine intracellulari. Abbiamo quindi cercato di determinare il ruolo di PSM dopo la fagocitosi. Per studiare l&#39;espressione dei PSMs nello spazio intercellulare, abbiamo costruito fusioni giornalista del promotore dell&#39;operone psmα di GFP. Quando questi ceppi reporter di S. aureus sono stati fagocitati dai neutrofili, l&#39;induzione dell&#39;espressione era osservabile mediante microscopia a fluorescenza 10. Ovviamente, questa technique consente di studiare l&#39;espressione di un gran numero di geni in S. aureus o altri patogeni dopo fagocitosi. Poiché per S. aureus sopravvivendo nella nicchia intercellulare è molto importante per superare il sistema immune innato 11 10 12, studiando il ruolo dei geni attivati ​​in questa nicchia è molto importante per comprendere la sua virulenza.

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluo-3, AM</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes / Life Technologies</td>
			<td>F-1241</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ficoll-Paque</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td>17-5442-03</td>
			<td>density 1.077 g/ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Histopaque</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>11191</td>
			<td>density 1.119 g/ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RPMI 1640</td>
			<td>Gibco, Life Technologies</td>
			<td>52400-025</td>
			<td>contains 25 mM HEPES and L-glutamine</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Leica TCS SP5 microscope</td>
			<td>Leica Microsystems, The Netherlands</td>
			<td>TCS SP5</td>
			<td>objective: HCX PL APO 40X/0.85</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FACSCalibur</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>FACSCalibur</td>
			<td>Very important that the tube can be removed and replaced during the measurement process</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

studying interactions of staphylococcus aureus with neutrophils by flow cytometry and time lapse microscopy

Vi presentiamo i metodi per studiare l&#39;effetto di modulins solubili fenolo (PSM) e altre tossine prodotte e secrete da Staphylococcus aureus sui neutrofili. Per studiare gli effetti delle PSMs sui neutrofili isoliamo neutrofili freschi utilizzando densità centrifugazione in gradiente. Questi neutrofili sono caricati con un colorante fluorescente che su di mobilizzazione del calcio. L&#39;attivazione dei neutrofili da PSMs avvia un aumento rapido e transitorio nella concentrazione di calcio intracellulare libero. In un esperimento di citometria a flusso questa rapida mobilitazione può essere misurata monitorando la fluorescenza di un colorante pre-caricato che reagisce alla maggiore concentrazione del Ca 2 +. Usando questo metodo è possibile determinare la concentrazione di PSM necessario attivare la neutrofili, e misurare gli effetti degli inibitori specifici e generali di attivazione dei neutrofili. Per studiare l&#39;espressione dei PSMs nello spazio intracellulare, we hanno costruito fusioni giornalista del promotore dell&#39;operone PSMα di GFP. Quando questi ceppi reporter di S. aureus sono fagocitati dai neutrofili, l&#39;induzione di espressione può essere osservato mediante microscopia a fluorescenza.

Flusso saggio citometria per la valutazione di mobilizzazione del calcio in PMN umani Incubando neutrofili con una serie di concentrazione PSMα3 sintetici conseguente attivazione rapida come misurato da flusso di calcio, che è indicata da un aumento nel segnale in FL-1. Pre-incubazione di sintetico PSMα3 con 0,01%, siero umano 0,1% o 1% inibito significativamente la capacità di suscitare flussi di calcio (Figura 1). Analisi di espressione GFP nei b...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Studying Interactions of Staphylococcus aureus with Neutrophils by Flow Cytometry and Time Lapse Microscopy at JoVE.com

Studying Interactions of Staphylococcus aureus with Neutrophils by Flow Cytometry and Time Lapse Microscopy

Presenteremo i metodi per studiare l&#39;effetto di PSMs e altre tossine secrete da<em&gt; Staphylococcus aureus</em&gt; Sui neutrofili mediante citometria a flusso e microscopia a fluorescenza.

Lo studio delle interazioni di<em&gt; Staphylococcus aureus</em&gt; Con neutrofili mediante citometria a flusso e Time Lapse Microscopy

We present methods to study the effect of phenol soluble modulins (PSMs)  and other toxins produced and secreted by Staphylococcus  aureus on neutrophils. ...

studying-interactions-staphylococcus-aureus-with-neutrophils-flow

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

Studying Interactions of Staphylococcus aureus with Neutrophils by Flow Cytometry and Time Lapse Microscopy

13.0K Views.  University Medical Center Utrecht. Presenteremo i metodi per studiare l'effetto di PSMs e altre tossine secrete da Staphylococcus aureus Sui neutrofili mediante citometria a flusso e microscopia a fluorescenza.

Video: Studying Interactions of Staphylococcus aureus with Neutrophils by Flow Cytometry and Time Lapse Microscopy

The Use of Drip Flow and Rotating Disk Reactors for Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Analysis

Most microbes in nature are thought to exist as surface-associated communities in biofilms.1 Bacterial biofilms are encased within a matrix and attached to a surface.2 Biofilm formation and development are commonly studied in the laboratory using batch systems such as microtiter plates or flow systems, such as flow-cells. These methodologies are useful for screening mutant and chemical libraries (microtiter plates)3 or growing biofilms for visualization (flow cells)4. Here we present detailed protocols for growing Staphylococcus aureus in two additional types of flow system biofilms: the drip flow biofilm reactor and the rotating disk biofilm reactor.
Drip flow biofilm reactors are designed for the study of biofilms grown under low shear conditions.5 The drip flow reactor consists of four parallel test channels, each capable of holding one standard glass microscope slide sized coupon, or a length of catheter or stint. The drip flow reactor is ideal for microsensor monitoring, general biofilm studies, biofilm cryosectioning samples, high biomass production, medical material evaluations, and indwelling medical device testing.6,7,8,9
The rotating disk reactor consists of a teflon disk containing recesses for removable coupons.10 The removable coupons can by made from any machinable material. The bottom of the rotating disk contains a bar magnet to allow disk rotation to create liquid surface shear across surface-flush coupons. The entire disk containing 18 coupons is placed in a 1000 mL glass side-arm reactor vessel. A liquid growth media is circulated through the vessel while the disk is rotated by a magnetic stirrer. The coupons are removed from the reactor vessel and then scraped to collect the biofilm sample for further study or microscopy imaging. Rotating disc reactors are designed for laboratory evaluations of biocide efficacy, biofilm removal, and performance of anti-fouling materials.9,11,12,13

The Use of Drip Flow and Rotating Disk Reactors for Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm Analysis

Protocols for utilizing open system flow biofilms with drip flow reactors and rotating disk reactors are presented in detail.

L&#39;uso del flusso gocciolamento e Reattori disco rotante per Staphylococcus aureus Analisi Biofilm

Most microbes in nature are thought to exist as surface-associated communities in biofilms.1  Bacterial biofilms are encased within a matrix and attached ...

Ricerca

Immunologia e infezioni

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

MRSA is a worldwide threat to public health, and MRSA skin and soft-tissue infections now account for more than half of all soft-tissue infections in the United States. Among soft-tissue infections, myositis, pyomyositis, and necrotizing fasciitis have been increasingly reported in association with MRSA arising from the community. To understand the interplay between MRSA and host immunity leading to more severe infection, the availability of animal models is critical, permitting the study of host and bacterial factors. Several infection models have been introduced to assess the pathogenesis of S. aureus during superficial skin infection. Here, we describe a subcutaneous infection model that examines the skin, subcutaneous, and muscle pathologies.

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA

Murine skin and soft tissue infection model is utilized for assessing the virulence function of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the host immunological responses. Here, we presented a subcutaneous infection model for skin and soft tissue infection.

Sottocutaneo infezione di Staphylococcus aureus meticillino resistente (MRSA)

MRSA is a worldwide threat to public health, and MRSA skin and soft-tissue infections now account for more than half of all soft-tissue infections in the ...

Staphylococcus aureus Growth using Human Hemoglobin as an Iron Source

S. aureus is a pathogenic bacterium that requires iron to carry out vital metabolic functions and cause disease. The most abundant reservoir of iron inside the human host is heme, which is the cofactor of hemoglobin. To acquire iron from hemoglobin, S. aureus utilizes an elaborate system known as the iron-regulated surface determinant (Isd) system1. Components of the Isd system first bind host hemoglobin, then extract and import heme, and finally liberate iron from heme in the bacterial cytoplasm2,3. This pathway has been dissected through numerous in vitro studies4-9. Further, the contribution of the Isd system to infection has been repeatedly demonstrated in mouse models8,10-14. Establishing the contribution of the Isd system to hemoglobin-derived iron acquisition and growth has proven to be more challenging. Growth assays using hemoglobin as a sole iron source are complicated by the instability of commercially available hemoglobin, contaminating free iron in the growth medium, and toxicity associated with iron chelators. Here we present a method that overcomes these limitations. High quality hemoglobin is prepared from fresh blood and is stored in liquid nitrogen. Purified hemoglobin is supplemented into iron-deplete medium mimicking the iron-poor environment encountered by pathogens inside the vertebrate host. By starving S. aureus of free iron and supplementing with a minimally manipulated form of hemoglobin we induce growth in a manner that is entirely dependent on the ability to bind hemoglobin, extract heme, pass heme through the bacterial cell envelope and degrade heme in the cytoplasm. This assay will be useful for researchers seeking to elucidate the mechanisms of hemoglobin-/heme-derived iron acquisition in S. aureus and possibly other bacterial pathogens.

Staphylococcus aureus Growth using Human Hemoglobin as an Iron Source

Here we describe a growth assay for Staphylococcus aureus using hemoglobin as the sole source of available nutrient iron. This assay establishes the role of bacterial factors involved in hemoglobin-derived iron acquisition.

Staphylococcus aureus crescita con emoglobina umana come fonte di ferro

S. aureus is a pathogenic bacterium that requires iron to  carry out vital metabolic functions and cause disease. The most abundant  reservoir of iron ...

A Simple and Efficient Method to Detect Nuclear Factor Activation in Human Neutrophils by Flow Cytometry

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in peripheral blood. These cells are the first to appear at sites of inflammation and infection, thus becoming the first line of defense against invading microorganisms. Neutrophils possess important antimicrobial functions such as phagocytosis, release of lytic enzymes, and production of reactive oxygen species. In addition to these important defense functions, neutrophils perform other tasks in response to infection such as production of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibition of apoptosis. Cytokines recruit other leukocytes that help clear the infection, and inhibition of apoptosis allows the neutrophil to live longer at the site of infection. These functions are regulated at the level of transcription. However, because neutrophils are short-lived cells, the study of transcriptionally regulated responses in these cells cannot be performed with conventional reporter gene methods since there are no efficient techniques for neutrophil transfection. Here, we present a simple and efficient method that allows detection and quantification of nuclear factors in isolated and immunolabeled nuclei by flow cytometry. We describe techniques to isolate pure neutrophils from human peripheral blood, stimulate these cells with anti-receptor antibodies, isolate and immunolabel nuclei, and analyze nuclei by flow cytometry. The method has been successfully used to detect NF-&kappa;B and Elk-1 nuclear factors in nuclei from neutrophils and other cell types. Thus, this method represents an option for analyzing activation of transcription factors in isolated nuclei from a variety of cell types.

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in blood. Neutrophils possess transcriptionally regulated functions such as production of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibition of apoptosis. These functions can be studied with the method presented here, which allows detection and quantification of nuclear factors by flow cytometry in isolated nuclei

Un metodo semplice ed efficace per rilevare l&#39;attivazione del Fattore Nucleare in neutrofili umani mediante citometria a flusso

Neutrophils  are the most abundant leukocytes in peripheral blood. These cells are the first  to appear at sites of inflammation and infection, thus ...

Detection of Fluorescent Nanoparticle Interactions with Primary Immune Cell Subpopulations by Flow Cytometry

Engineered nanoparticles are endowed with very promising properties for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. This work describes a fast and reliable method of analysis by flow cytometry to study nanoparticle interaction with immune cells. Primary immune cells can be easily purified from human or mouse tissues by antibody-mediated magnetic isolation. In the first instance, the different cell populations running in a flow cytometer can be distinguished by the forward-scattered light (FSC), which is proportional to cell size, and the side-scattered light (SSC), related to cell internal complexity. Furthermore, fluorescently labeled antibodies against specific cell surface receptors permit the identification of several subpopulations within the same sample. Often, all these features vary when cells are boosted by external stimuli that change their physiological and morphological state. Here, 50 nm FITC-SiO2 nanoparticles are used as a model to identify the internalization of nanostructured materials in human blood immune cells. The cell fluorescence and side-scattered light increase after incubation with nanoparticles allowed us to define time and concentration dependence of nanoparticle-cell interaction. Moreover, such protocol can be extended to investigate Rhodamine-SiO2 nanoparticle interaction with primary microglia, the central nervous system resident immune cells, isolated from mutant mice that specifically express the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) in the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Finally, flow cytometry data related to nanoparticle internalization into the cells have been confirmed by confocal microscopy.

Analysis of nanoparticle interaction with defined subpopulations of immune cells by flow cytometry.

Rilevamento di nanoparticelle fluorescenti Interazioni con Primaria immunitario sottopopolazioni cellulari mediante citometria di flusso

Engineered nanoparticles are endowed with very promising properties for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. This work describes a fast and reliable ...

Imaging Neutrophils and Monocytes in Mesenteric Veins by Intravital Microscopy on Anaesthetized Mice in Real Time

Efficient immune response is dependent on rapid mobilization of blood leukocytes to the site of infection or injury. Investigating leukocyte migration in vivo is crucial for understanding the molecular basis of leukocyte transendothelial migration and interaction with vascular endothelium. One powerful approach involves intravital microscopy on transgenic mice expressing fluorescent proteins in cells of interest.
Here we present a protocol for imaging monocytes and neutrophils in the CX3CR1gfp/wt mouse i.v. injected with orange dye-labeled neutrophils with an inverted confocal microscope. Time-lapse movies gathered from 30 min&#160;to several hours of imaging allow the analysis of leukocyte behavior in mesenteric veins under both steady state and inflammatory conditions. We also describe the steps to locally induce blood vessel inflammation with TLR2/TLR1 agonist Pam3SK4 and monitor the subsequent recruitment of neutrophils and monocytes.
The presented technique can also be used to monitor other populations of leukocytes and investigate molecules implicated in leukocyte recruitment or trafficking using other stimuli or transgenic mice.

We detail a protocol to monitor the behavior of neutrophils and monocytes in mesenteric veins under steady state and inflammatory conditions using intravital confocal microscopy on anaesthetized mice.

Imaging neutrofili e monociti in mesenterica Veins intravitale Microscopia su topi anestetizzati in tempo reale

Efficient immune response is dependent on rapid mobilization of blood leukocytes to the site of infection or injury. Investigating leukocyte migration in ...

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)

The ribosomal spacer PCR (RS-PCR) is a highly resolving and robust genotyping method for S. aureus that allows a high throughput at moderate costs and is, therefore, suitable to be used for routine purposes. For best resolution, data evaluation and data management, a miniaturized electrophoresis system is required. Together with such an electrophoresis system and the in-house developed software (freely available here) assignment of the pattern of bands to a genotype is standardized and straight forward. DNA extraction is simple (boiling prep), setting-up of the reactions is easy and they can be run on any standard PCR machine. PCR cycling is common except prolonged ramping and elongation times. Compared to spa typing and Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST), RS-PCR does not require DNA sequencing what simplifies the analysis considerably and allows a high throughput. Furthermore, the resolution for bovine strains of S. aureus is at least as good as spa typing and better than MLST or pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The RS-PCR data base includes presently a total of 141 genotypes and variants. The method is highly associated with the virulence gene pattern, contagiosity and pathogenicity of S. aureus strains involved in bovine mastitis. S. aureus genotype B (GTB) is contagious and causes herds problems causing large costs in the Switzerland and other European countries. All the other genotypes observed in Switzerland infect individual cows and quarters. Genotyping by RS-PCR allows the reliable prediction of the epidemiological and the pathogenic potential of S. aureus involved in bovine intramammary infection (IMI), two key factors for clinical veterinary medicine. Because of these beneficial properties together with moderate costs and a high sample throughput the goal of this publication is to give a detailed, step-by-step protocol for easily establishing and running RS-PCR for genotyping S. aureus in other laboratories.

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus by Ribosomal Spacer PCR RS-PCR

Here, ribosomal spacer PCR (RS-PCR) is used together with a miniaturized electrophoresis system as a fast and high resolution method for genotyping S. aureus at moderate costs allowing a high throughput.

La genotipizzazione di<em&gt; Staphylococcus aureus</em&gt; Per ribosomiale Spacer PCR (RS-PCR)

The ribosomal spacer PCR (RS-PCR) is a highly resolving and robust genotyping method for S. aureus that allows a high throughput at moderate costs and is, ...

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

One important feature of the major opportunistic human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is its extraordinary ability to rapidly acquire resistance to antibiotics. Genomic studies reveal that S. aureus carries many virulence and resistance genes located in mobile genetic elements, suggesting that horizontal gene transfer (HGT) plays a critical role in S. aureus evolution. However, a full and detailed description of the methodology used to study HGT in S. aureus is still lacking, especially regarding natural transformation, which has been recently reported in this bacterium. This work describes three protocols that are useful for the in vitro investigation of HGT in S. aureus: conjugation, phage transduction, and natural transformation. To this aim, the cfr gene (chloramphenicol/florfenicol resistance), which confers the Phenicols, Lincosamides, Oxazolidinones, Pleuromutilins, and Streptogramin A (PhLOPSA)-resistance phenotype, was used. Understanding the mechanisms through which S. aureus transfers genetic materials to other strains is essential to comprehending the rapid acquisition of resistance and helps to clarify the modes of dissemination reported in surveillance programs or to further predict the spreading mode in the future.

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

We describe here three different protocols for the in vitro investigation of conjugation, transduction, and natural transformation in Staphylococcus aureus.

Metodologia per lo studio del orizzontale Gene Transfer in<em&gt; Staphylococcus aureus</em

One important feature of the major opportunistic human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is its extraordinary ability to rapidly acquire resistance to ...

Time-lapse 3D Imaging of Phagocytosis by Mouse Macrophages

Phagocytosis plays a key role in host defense, as well as in tissue development and maintenance, and involves rapid, receptor-mediated rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton to capture, envelop and engulf large particles. Although phagocytic receptors, downstream signaling pathways, and effectors, such as Rho GTPases, have been identified, the dynamic cytoskeletal remodeling of specific receptor-mediated phagocytic events remain unclear. Four decades ago, two distinct mechanisms of phagocytosis, exemplified by Fc&#947; receptor (Fc&#947;R)- and complement receptor (CR)-mediated phagocytosis, were identified using scanning electron microscopy. Binding of immunoglobulin G (IgG)-opsonized particles to Fc&#947;Rs triggers the protrusion of thin membrane extensions, which initially form a so-called phagocytic cup around the particle before it becomes completely enclosed and retracted into the cell. In contrast, complement opsonized particles appear to sink into the phagocyte following binding to complement receptors. These two modes of phagocytosis, phagocytic cup formation and sinking in, have become well established in the literature. However, the distinctions between the two modes have become blurred by reports that complement receptor-mediated phagocytosis may induce various membrane protrusions. With the availability of high resolution imaging techniques, phagocytosis assays are required that allow real-time 3D (three dimensional) visualization of how specific phagocytic receptors mediate the uptake of individual particles. More commonly used approaches for the study of phagocytosis, such as end-point assays, miss the opportunity to understand what is happening at the interface of particles and phagocytes. Here we describe phagocytic assays, using time-lapse spinning disk confocal microscopy, that allow 3D imaging of single phagocytic events. In addition, we describe assays to unambiguously image Fc&#947; receptor- or complement receptor-mediated phagocytosis.

Here we describe methods using spinning disk confocal microscopy to image single phagocytic events by mouse resident peritoneal macrophages. The protocols can be extended to other phagocytic cells.

Time-lapse Imaging 3D della fagocitosi dai macrofagi del topo

Phagocytosis plays a key role in host defense, as well as in tissue development and maintenance, and involves rapid, receptor-mediated rearrangements of ...

A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)&#160;infections, including methicillin resistant stains, are an enormous burden on the healthcare system. With incidence rates of S. aureus infection climbing annually, there is a demand for additional research in its&#160;pathogenicity. Animal models of infectious disease advance our understanding of the host-pathogen response and lead to the development of effective therapeutics. Neutrophils play a primary role in the innate immune response that controls S. aureus infections by forming an abscess to wall off the infection and facilitate bacterial clearance; the number of neutrophils that infiltrate an S. aureus skin infection often correlates with disease outcome. LysM-EGFP mice, which possess the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) inserted in the Lysozyme M (LysM) promoter region (expressed primarily by neutrophils), when used in conjunction with in vivo whole animal fluorescence imaging (FLI) provide&#160;a means of quantifying neutrophil emigration noninvasively and longitudinally into wounded skin. When combined with a bioluminescent S. aureus strain and sequential in vivo whole animal bioluminescent imaging (BLI), it is possible to longitudinally monitor both the neutrophil recruitment dynamics and in vivo bacterial burden at the site of infection in anesthetized mice from onset of infection to resolution or death. Mice are more resistant to a number of virulence factors produced by S. aureus that facilitate effective colonization and infection in humans. Immunodeficient mice provide a more sensitive animal model to examine persistent S. aureus infections and the ability of therapeutics to boost innate immune responses. Herein, we characterize responses in LysM-EGFP mice that have been bred to MyD88-deficient mice (LysM-EGFP&#215;MyD88-/- mice) along with wild-type LysM-EGFP mice to investigate S. aureus skin wound infection. Multispectral simultaneous detection enabled study of neutrophil recruitment dynamics by using in vivo FLI, bacterial burden by using in vivo BLI, and wound healing longitudinally and noninvasively over time.

A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection

An approach is described for real-time detection of the innate immune response to cutaneous wounding and Staphylococcus aureus infection of mice. By comparing LysM-EGFP mice (which possess fluorescent neutrophils) with a LysM-EGFP crossbred immunodeficient mouse strain, we advance our understanding of infection and the development of approaches to combat infection.

Un modello di topo per valutare risposta immunitaria innata per infezione da Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)&#160;infections, including methicillin resistant stains, are an enormous burden on the healthcare system. With incidence ...