Il sostegno finanziario a questo lavoro è stato fornito dalla Comunità europea (sovvenzione ERC-STG INTRACELLTB n° 260901, sovvenzione MM4TB n° 260872), dall'Agence Nationale de Recherche, dalla Feder (12001407 (D-AL) Equipex Imaginex BioMed) e dalla regione Nord Pas de Calais. Riconosciamo con gratitudine l'assistenza tecnica di Gaspard Deloison, Elizabeth Werkmeister, Antonino Bongiovanni e Frank Lafont dalla piattaforma BICeL.

1. Screening del siRNA a livello genomico ad alta produttività
Screening eseguito in una linea cellulare umana di pneumociti di tipo II modello A549 in caso di infezione da Mtb H37Rv che esprime proteine fluorescenti verdi (GFP). Questa procedura è descritta nella figura 1A.
<ol><li>Rimostrare la libreria di siRNA essiccata che viene conservata in piastre madre (piastre a 96 pozzoli) con tampone di siRNA 1x per raggiungere una concentrazione di 4 μM, quindi trasferire 10 μl della miscela in una piastra figlia di 384 po '(piastra figlia 1).</li>
	<li>Aggiungere 10 μl di tampone di siRNA 1x nella piastra figlia 1 per diluire il siRNA di 2 volte. Dopo la resopensione del siRNA, le piastre sono sigillate con guarnizione in alluminio sbucciabile e possono essere conservate a -20 °C almeno 6 mesi e fino a 2-3 anni, ma il tempo di conservazione può variare a seconda delle raccomandazioni del produttore della libreria siRNA.</li>
	<li>Diluire i siRNA nella piastra figlia 1 nella piastra figlia 2 per raggiungere una concentrazione di 500 nM. Dopo la resopensione del siRNA, le piastre sono sigillate con guarnizione in alluminio sbucciabile e possono essere conservate a -20 °C almeno 6 mesi e fino a 2-3 anni, ma il tempo di conservazione può variare a seconda delle raccomandazioni del produttore della libreria siRNA.</li>
	<li>Prima dell'uso, scongelare la piastra figlia 2 a temperatura ambiente.</li>
	<li>Prendere 2,5 μl di siRNA dalla piastra figlia 2 e posizionare in una piastra di dosaggio di 384.</li>
	<li>Nella stessa piastra di dosaggio di 384 pozzi nel passaggio 1.5, aggiungere 2,5 μl di siRNA di controllo negativo e positivo ai rispettivi pozzi.</li>
	<li>Diluire il reagente di trasfezione in 1x D-PBS per produrre una soluzione sufficiente a fornire un reagente di trasfezione da 0,1 μl in ogni pozzo e preincubare la soluzione di trasfezione diluita a temperatura ambiente per 5 minuti.</li>
	<li>Aggiungere 7,5 μl della miscela di soluzione reagente di trasfezione/PBS ad ogni pozzo nella piastra di dosaggio e incubare per 30 minuti a temperatura ambiente.</li>
	<li>Aggiungere 40 μl di cellule A549 (1.500 cellule/pozzo) sospese in mezzo RPMI 1640 integrato con siero bovino fetale al 10% (FBS). Mantenere le cellule per un periodo di incubazione di 3 giorni a 37 °C in un'atmosfera contenente il 5% di CO2. Queste cellule si dividono ogni 24 ore, quindi circa 12.000 cellule si trovano nei pozzi tre giorni dopo la trasfezione.</li>
	<li>Lavare una coltura mtb H37Rv di due settimane con D-PBS (privo di MgCl2 e CaCl2)con centrifugazione a 4.000 x g per 5 minuti e scartare i lavaggi. Ripetere questo passaggio 3x. (Per le condizioni di coltura GFP-Mtb H37Rv vedere protocollo 3).</li>
	<li>Sospendere il pellet batterico in 10 ml di mezzo RPMI 1640 integrato con FBS al 10% e decantare per 1 ora a temperatura ambiente per consentire aggregati batterici ai sedimenti.</li>
	<li>Raccogliere il supernatante batterico e misurare OD600 (OD600 deve essere compreso tra 0,6-0,8) e GFP-fluorescenza (valore RFU) utilizzando un lettore di micropiacche per determinare la concentrazione batterica. Calcolare il carattere della sospensione utilizzando una linea di regressione di riferimento che mostra il valore RFU = f (valore CFU) generato prima dell'esperimento su un'altra coltura preparata nelle stesse condizioni. Preparare sospensioni batteriche contenenti 2,4 x 106 batteri/ml, che corrisponde a una molteplicità di infezione (MOI) di 5.</li>
	<li>Rimuovere il mezzo nella piastra di dosaggio da 384 e aggiungere 25 μl di sospensione batterica preparata al momento.</li>
	<li>Incubare la piastra di dosaggio a 384°C a 37 °C per 5 ore in un'atmosfera contenente il 5% di CO2.</li>
	<li>Rimuovere il mezzo e lavare delicatamente le celle con mezzo RPMI integrato con 10% FBS 3x.</li>
	<li>Per uccidere i restanti batteri extracellulari, trattare le cellule con 50 μl di mezzo RPMI-FBS fresco contenente 50 μg/ml di aikacina a 37 °C per 1 ora in un'atmosfera contenente il 5% di CO2.</li>
	<li>Rimuovere l'amikacina contenente mezzo e aggiungere 50 μl di mezzo RPMI fresco integrato con FBS al 10%. Incubare la piastra di dosaggio a 384°C a 37 °C per 5 giorni in un'atmosfera contenente il 5% di CO2.</li>
	<li>Prima dell'acquisizione dell'immagine, aggiungere 10 μl di 30 μg/ml di DAPI appena preparati in PBS (concentrazione finale 5 μg/ml) e incubare per 10 min a 37 °C.</li>
	<li>Caricare la piastra nel microscopio confocale automatizzato. <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_1highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_1.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_1highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a></li>
	<li>Impostare i parametri di esposizione. Registrare la fluorescenza DAPI utilizzando il laser di eccitazione 405 nm con filtro di emissione 450 nm e fluorescenza GFP utilizzando laser di eccitazione 488 nm con filtro di emissione 520 nm. <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_2-1highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_2-1.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_2-1highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a> <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_2-2highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_2-2.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_2-2highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a></li>
	<li>Selezionare i pozzi e i campi in ogni pozzo da acquisire, che viene quindi definito parametri di layout e sottolayout. <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_3-1highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_3-1.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_3-1highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a> <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_3-2highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_3-2.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_3-2highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a></li>
	<li>Generare il file di esperimento utilizzando i parametri dei passaggi 1.20 e 1.21 ed eseguire l'acquisizione automatica. <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_4-1highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_4-1.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_4-1highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a> <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_4-2highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_4-2.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_4-2highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a></li>
	<li>Trasferire immagini su un server remoto. <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_5highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_5.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_5highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a></li>
	<li>Valutare le immagini utilizzando il software di analisi delle immagini. Rilevare i nuclei cellulari dal canale DAPI utilizzando l'algoritmo di rilevamento dei nuclei e l'area batterica dal canale GFP utilizzando l'algoritmo delle proprietà di intensità dei pixel (Figura 4A).</li>
</ol>Nota: Questo protocollo è ottimizzato per studiare l'effetto del silenziamento genico sulla crescita intracellulare della Mtb. Mtb è un batterio a crescita lenta che si divide ogni 20 ore in condizioni ottimali. Dopo 5 giorni dopo l'infezione la quantità di Mtb extracellulare è ancora bassa in assenza di lisi cellulare e non ha influito sulla qualità dell'analisi. Questo protocollo deve essere ottimizzato in termini di durata del trattamento antibiotico e tempo di incubazione da adattare per gli schermi siRNA utilizzando batteri a crescita rapida come Mycobacteria smegmatis ed Escherichia coli che vengono ampiamente rilasciati e possono infettare nuove cellule.
2. Screening composto ad alta produttività
Screening eseguito su cellule ospiti infette mtb H37Rv. Questa procedura è descritta nella figura 1B.
<ol><li>Scongelare le piastre materne da 384 pozzi contenenti la libreria composta solubilizzata in DMSO al 100%. Trasferire 0,5 μl dei composti in piastre figlie da 384 pozzi contenenti 10 μl di mezzo RPMI 1640 integrato con FBS al 10%.</li>
	<li>Lavare una coltura mtb H37Rv di due settimane con D-PBS (privo di MgCl2 e CaCl2)con centrifugazione a 4.000 x g per 5 minuti e scartare i lavaggi. Ripetere questo passaggio 3x (per le condizioni di colturaGFP- Mtb H37Rv vedere protocollo 3).</li>
	<li>Sospendere il pellet batterico in 10 ml di mezzo RPMI 1640 integrato con FBS al 10% e decantare per 1 ora a temperatura ambiente per consentire aggregati batterici ai sedimenti.</li>
	<li>Raccogliere il supernatante batterico e misurare OD600 (OD600 deve essere compreso tra 0,6-0,8) e GFP-fluorescenza (valore RFU) utilizzando un lettore di micropiatta. Calcolare il carattere della sospensione utilizzando una linea di regressione di riferimento che visualizza il valore RFU = f (valore CFU) generato prima dell'esperimento. La concentrazione tipica è di 1 x 108 batteri/ml.</li>
	<li>Raccogliere macrofagi umani primari di 6 giorni a 4 x 105 cellule/ml in mezzo RPMI 1640 integrato con siero bovino fetale al 10% (FBS) e M-CSF umano ricombinante da 50 ng/ml (per la purificazione delle cellule monocite del sangue periferico umano e differenziazione dei macrofagi vedi protocollo 4).</li>
	<li>Incubare le cellule primarie diluite con bacilli a diversi MOI, che vanno da 1 a 5, in sospensione con lievi scosse a 90 giri/min per 2 ore a 37 °C.</li>
	<li>Lavare le cellule infette per centrifugazione a 350 x g per rimuovere i batteri extracellulari. Dopo ogni fase di centrifugazione, rimorsi il pellet in mezzo RPMI 1640 integrato con FBS al 10%. Ripetere questo passaggio 2x.</li>
	<li>Sospendere le cellule infette in mezzo RPMI 1640 integrato con FBS al 10% e amikacina a 50 μg/ml e incubare la sospensione con lievi scosse per 1 ora a 37 °C.</li>
	<li>Rimuovere il mezzo di coltura cellulare contenente amikacina mediante centrifugazione a 350 x g e lavare le cellule infette con un mezzo RPMI 1640 completo integrato con FBS al 10% e M-CSF umano ricombinante da 50 ng/ml. Ripeti una volta.</li>
	<li>Aggiungere 40 μl della sospensione dei macrofagi infetti nella stessa piastra di dosaggio nel passaggio 2.1, che contiene già 10 μl delle diluizioni composte. La concentrazione finale di DMSO in ogni pozzo ha ora raggiunto l'1%.</li>
	<li>Incubare le piastre di dosaggio per 5 giorni a 37 °C in un'atmosfera contenente il 5% di CO2.</li>
	<li>Macchiare le cellule vive con colorante fluorescente far-red permeante alle cellule.</li>
	<li>Caricare la piastra nel microscopio confocale automatizzato. <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_1highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_1.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_1highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a></li>
	<li>Impostare i parametri di esposizione. Registrare la fluorescenza far-red utilizzando il laser di eccitazione 640 nm con filtro di emissione 690 nm e fluorescenza GFP utilizzando laser di eccitazione 488 nm con filtro di emissione 520 nm. <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_2-1highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_2-1.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_2-1highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a> <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_2-2highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_2-2.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_2-2highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a></li>
	<li>Selezionare i pozzi e i campi in ogni pozzo da acquisire, che viene quindi definito parametri di layout e sottolayout. <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_3-1highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_3-1.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_3-1highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a> <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_3-2highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_3-2.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_3-2highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a></li>
	<li>Generare il file di esperimento utilizzando i parametri dei passaggi 2.14 e 2.15 ed eseguire l'acquisizione automatica. <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_4-1highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_4-1.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_4-1highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a> <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_4-2highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_4-2.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_4-2highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a></li>
	<li>Trasferire immagini su un server remoto. <img fo:content-width="5in" fo:src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_5highres.jpg" src="/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_5.jpg"> <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/51114/screenshot_5highres.jpg" target="_blank">Clicca qui per visualizzare l'immagine più grande.</a></li>
	<li>Valutare le immagini utilizzando il software di analisi delle immagini. Rilevare l'area cellulare dal canale rosso lontano utilizzando l'algoritmo delle proprietà dell'intensità dei pixel e l'area batterica dal canale GFP utilizzando l'algoritmo delle proprietà di intensità dei pixel (Figura 4B).</li>
</ol>Nota: Questo protocollo può essere adattato per lo screening della libreria mutante mtb sostituendo i composti con mutanti che esprimono una proteina fluorescente (un mutante bene/uno) (Figura 1C, vedi anche Brodin et al. 4). I mutanti fluorescenti vengono seminati per la prima volta in pozzi (20 μl di sospensione batterica per pozzo). I batteri vengono quindi recuperati di 30 μl di sospensione cellulare. Dopo la centrifugazione a 350 x g per 1 min, la piastra viene incubata a 37 °C in un'atmosfera contenente il 5% di CO2. Il tempo di incubazione e il MOI dipendono dal saggio. Ad esempio, per la visualizzazione dei primi eventi cellulari come l'acidificazione fagosoma, le cellule possono essere infettate per 2 ore con MOI che vanno da 1 a 20. I lisosomi sono macchiati usando colorante Lysotracker a 2 μM per 1,5 ore a 37 °C in un'atmosfera contenente il 5% di CO2 e quindi fissati con formalina al 10% o paraformaldeide al 4% (PFA). Le immagini confocali vengono acquisite e infine analizzate utilizzando script di analisi delle immagini con algoritmi appropriati per il rilevamento dei lisosomi e la localizzazione subcellulare4.
3. Proteina fluorescente verde che esprime mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (GFP-H37Rv) Condizioni di coltura
Per la conservazione a lungo termine, GFP-H37Rv è stato congelato in D-PBS (circa 1 x 108 micobatteri per flaconcino).
<ol><li>Resuspend una fiala congelata di GFP-H37Rv in un matraccio Erlenmeyer contenente 50 ml di mezzo brodo 7H9 integrato con arricchimento Middlebrook OADC 10%, Glicerolo 0,5%, Tween-80 0,05% e Igromicina B (50 μg/ml).</li>
	<li>Incubare 8 giorni a 37 °C.</li>
	<li>Misurare l'OD600 della cultura GFP-H37Rv.</li>
	<li>Diluire la coltura GFP-H37Rv per ottenere OD600 = 0,1 in mezzo brodo fresco 7H9 integrato con arricchimento Middlebrook OADC 10%, glicerolo 0,5%, Tween-80 0,05% e igromicina B (50 μg/ml).</li>
	<li>Incubare il GFP-H37Rv a 37 °C per altri 8 giorni prima dell'uso per il saggio.</li>
</ol>4. Purificazione umana delle cellule monocite del sangue periferico dall'intero sangue o dalla preparazione del mantello di buffy
<ol><li>Diluire la busta di sangue 2x in 1x D-PBS (privo di MgCl2 e CaCl2) contenente 1% FBS.</li>
	<li>Isolare i monociti per centrifugazione gradiente densità Ficoll a 400 x g per 20 min.</li>
	<li>Raccogli i monociti isolati.</li>
	<li>Lavare i monociti 3x con 1x D-PBS (privo di MgCl2 e CaCl2)contenente 1% FBS per centrifugazione a 400 x g per 10 min a temperatura ambiente.</li>
	<li>Concentrare le cellule fino a 1 x 107 cellule/ml.</li>
	<li>Purificare i monociti utilizzando perline magnetiche CD14 secondo il protocollo del produttore (vedi Materiali).</li>
	<li>Dopo la purificazione dei monociti CD14, seminare le cellule a 1,5 x10 6 cellule/ml in RPMI 1640 integrate con FBS al 10% e 40 ng/ml di fattore stimolante della colonia di macrofagi umani (hM-CSF) e incubate per 4 giorni a 37 °C in un'atmosfera contenente il 5% di CO2.</li>
	<li>Dopo 4 giorni sostituire il mezzo con RPMI fresco 1640 completato con FBS al 10% e 40 ng/ml di hM-CSF e incubato per 2 giorni a 37 °C in un'atmosfera contenente il 5% di CO2.</li>
	<li>Dopo 6 giorni, le cellule possono essere utilizzate per il saggio.</li>
</ol>

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R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Confocal-based+method+for+quantification+of+diffusion+kinetics+in+microwell+plates+and+its+application+for+identifying+a+rapid+mixing+method+for+high-content/throughput+screening.">Confocal-based method for quantification of diffusion kinetics in microwell plates and its application for identifying a rapid mixing method for high-content/throughput screening.</a> J. Biomol. Screen. 15, 138-147 (2010).</li></ol>

Nessun conflitto di interessi dichiarato.

Descriviamo qui i metodi necessari per un saggio fenotipico utilizzando un ceppo Mtb H37Rv che esprime GFP per infettare le cellule ospiti etichettate fluorescentmente, il che lo rende appropriato per schermi ad alto contenuto / ad alta produttività. Questo protocollo potrebbe essere applicato a una vasta gamma di composti, sonde fluorescenti e mutanti Mtb. Per ogni protocollo sopra descritto, è possibile eseguire passaggi di fissazione e immunoetichettatura prima dell'acquisizione dell'immagine. Util...

Tra gli agenti patogeni infettivi emergenti e riemergendo segnalati negli ultimi anni, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) occupa un posto di primo piano essendo responsabile di 1,4 milioni di morti e 8,7 milioni di nuove infezioni nel 2011 (Global tuberculosis report 2012, www.who.int/topics/tuberculosis/en/). Nonostante la disponibilità di terapie multifarmaco, il numero di persone infette è ancora in aumento e la mtb multifarmaco resistente (MDR) e ampiamente resistente ai farmaci (XDR) si sta rapidamente diffondendo in tutto ilmondo 1. Inoltre, quando si prende in considerazione la presenza di antigeni mtb, è evidente che un terzo della popolazione globale è considerato latentemente infettato dalla Mtb. Statisticamente, in un caso su dieci, vi è evoluzione verso la forma attiva della malattia con successivi sintomi clinici2. Pertanto, sono urgentemente necessari nuovi mezzi per combattere la Mtb. In questo contesto, abbiamo sviluppato un saggio fenotipico visivo in vitro basato sul monitoraggio dell'invasione e della moltiplicazione delle Mtb nelle cellule ospiti mediante microscopia a fluorescenza confocale automatizzata3. L'adattamento del saggio in piastre microtiter a 384 pozzi in combinazione con l'acquisizione e l'analisi automatizzate delle immagini, ha permesso lo screening ad alto contenuto / alta produttività (HC / HTS) di librerie su scala media di composti, siRNA e mutanti batterici. Lo screening di una libreria RNAi a livello genomico su questo saggio fenotipico ha quindi permesso l'identificazione dei principali fattori ospiti coinvolti nel traffico di Mtb e nella replicazione intracellulare, ma anche la spiegazione delle vie ospiti sfruttate dal bacillo tubercolare. Un altro adattamento di questo particolare saggio fenotipico è stato per l'identificazione di fattori batterici essenziali per la persistenza intrafagosomale della Mtb. Ad esempio, l'arresto della maturazione fagoma è considerato uno dei principali meccanismi che facilita la sopravvivenza e la replicazione della Mtb nel macrofago. Il monitoraggio della localizzazione subcellulare dei mutanti knock-out mtb in compartimenti acido-etichettati fluorescentmente ha permesso l'identificazione di geni batterici coinvolti nel processo di sopravvivenza4. Infine, l'imaging ad alto contenuto di Mtb offre anche un metodo eccellente per quantificare l'efficienza del farmaco per inibire vari fenomeni come la crescita batterica intracellulare3. Complessivamente, questo tipo di saggio fenotipico ad alta produttività consente di accelerare la scoperta di farmaci contro la TBC e i dati raccolti da questi diversi approcci contribuiscono a una migliore comprensione della manipolazione dell'ospite esercitata da Mtb.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="1010">
	<colgroup>
		<col />
		<col /> 
		<col />
		<col />
	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">&#181;clear-plate black, 384 well</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Greiner bio-one</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">781091</td>
			<td style="width:388px;">127.8/86/15 MM with Lid, TC treated</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">CellCarrier 384 well plate</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">PerkinElmer</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">6007550</td>
			<td>Black, Clear Bottom, with Lid, TC treated</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">V-bottom white , 384 well-plate</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Greiner bio-one</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">781280</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">sealing tape, breathable, sterile</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">3345</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Lipofectamine RNAiMax</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">13778150</td>
			<td>Transfection reagent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Dimethyl sulfoxide</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">34943</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">RPMI 1640 + GlutaMAX-I</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">61870-010</td>
			<td>Cell culture medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">D-PBS 1X [-]MgCl2/[-]CaCl2</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">14190-094</td>
			<td>Dulbecco&#39;s Phosphate Salin Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">D-PBS 1X [+]MgCl2/[+]CaCl2</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">14190-091</td>
			<td>Dulbecco&#39;s Phosphate Salin Buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Fetal bovine serum</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">2610040-79</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">FICOLL PAQUE PLUS</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">DUTSCHER</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">17-1440-03</td>
			<td>Ficoll for Peripherical Blood Monocyte Cells purification</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">CD14 MicroBeads, human</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Miltenyi</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">130-050-201</td>
			<td>Purification of CD14+ Monocytes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Human M-CSF, premium gr. (1000 &#956;g)</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Miltenyi</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">130-096-493</td>
			<td>Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">LS Columns</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Miltenyi</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">130-042-401</td>
			<td>Columns for CD14+ Monocytes isolation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Tween 80</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Euromedex</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">2002-A</td>
			<td>Mycobacteria culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Glycerol high purity </td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Euromedex</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">50405-EX</td>
			<td>Mycobacteria culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;"> Middlebrook OADC enrichment</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Becton-Dickinson</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">211886</td>
			<td>Mycobacteria culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">7H9</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Becton-Dickinson</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">W1701P</td>
			<td>Mycobacteria culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Versene 1X</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">15040033</td>
			<td>Non enzymatic cell dissociation solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">DAPI</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">D1306</td>
			<td>Nuclei dye</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Hoechst 33342</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">H3570</td>
			<td>Nuclei dye</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Syto60</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">S11342</td>
			<td>Nuclei/cytoplasm dye</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Formalin</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">HT5014</td>
			<td>Cell fixation solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">siRNA targeting Dectin-1</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Santa-Cruz</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">sc-63276</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">*siGenome* Non targeted siRNA pool </td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Dharmacon</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">D-001206-14</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Rifampicin</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">R3501</td>
			<td>antibiotic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Isoniazid (INH)</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">I3377-50G</td>
			<td>antibiotic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Hygromycin B</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">10687-010</td>
			<td>antibiotic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Amikacin</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">A1774</td>
			<td>antibiotic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Automated Confocal Microscope OPERA</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">PerkinElmer</td>
			<td style="width:175px;"> </td>
			<td>Image acquisition</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Columbus 2.3.1 Server Database</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">PerkinElmer</td>
			<td style="width:175px;"> </td>
			<td>Data transfert, storage and analysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">Acapella 2.6 software</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">PerkinElmer</td>
			<td style="width:175px;"> </td>
			<td>Image-based analysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:287px;">GraphPad Prism5 software</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">GraphPad </td>
			<td style="width:175px;"> </td>
			<td>Statistical analysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:287px;">Excel 2010</td>
			<td style="width:160px;">Microsoft</td>
			<td style="width:175px;"> </td>
			<td>Statistical analysis</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a microscopic phenotypic assay for the quantification of intracellular mycobacteria adapted for high-throughput/high-content screening

Nonostante la disponibilità di terapia e vaccino, la tubercolosi (TB) rimane una delle infezioni batteriche più mortali e diffuse al mondo. Da diversi decenni, l'improvvisa esplosione di ceppi multi- ed estesamente resistenti ai farmaci è una seria minaccia per il controllo della tubercolosi. Pertanto, è essenziale identificare nuovi obiettivi e percorsi critici per l'agente causale della tubercolosi, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)e cercare nuove sostanze chimiche che potrebbero diventare farmaci per la tubercolosi. Un approccio è quello di mettere a punto metodi adatti agli schermi genetici e chimici delle biblioteche su larga scala che consentano la ricerca di un ago in un pagliaio. A tal fine, abbiamo sviluppato un saggio fenotipico basato sul rilevamento di Mtb etichettate fluorescentmente all'interno di cellule ospiti etichettate fluorescentmente utilizzando la microscopia confocale automatizzata. Questo saggio in vitro consente una quantificazione basata sull'immagine del processo di colonizzazione della Mtb nell'ospite ed è stato ottimizzato per il formato micropiatta 384-well, che è corretto per schermi di siRNA-, composto chimico- o mtb mutante-librerie. Le immagini vengono quindi elaborate per l'analisi multiparametrica, che fornisce l'inferenza di lettura sulla patogenesi della Mtb all'interno delle cellule ospiti.

Screening del siRNA a livello genomico ad alta produttività
Mtb è in grado di colonizzare le cellule immunitarie in vitro così come molte altre cellule epiteliali polmonari. Ad esempio, Mtb èin grado di infettare e danneggiare le cellule epiteliali A549 che sono comunemente utilizzate come modello per gli pneumociti di tipo IIumano 5-7. La dectina-1 è stata segnalata come recettore delle cellule ospiti coinvolto nell'assorbimento della mtb, nell...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Microscopic Phenotypic Assay for the Quantification of Intracellular Mycobacteria Adapted for High-throughput/High-content Screening at JoVE.com

A Microscopic Phenotypic Assay for the Quantification of Intracellular Mycobacteria Adapted for High-throughput/High-content Screening

Qui descriviamo un saggio fenotipico applicabile agli schermi ad alta produttività /alto contenuto di RNA sintetico (siRNA), composto chimico e librerie mutanti Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Questo metodo si basa sul rilevamento di Mycobacterium tuberculosis con etichetta fluorescente all'interno di una cellula ospite etichettata fluorescentmente utilizzando la microscopia confocale automatizzata.

Un test fenotipico microscopico per la quantificazione dei micobatteri intracellulari adattati per lo screening ad alta produttività / alto contenuto

Despite the availability of therapy and vaccine, tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most deadly and widespread bacterial infections in the world. Since ...

a-microscopic-phenotypic-assay-for-quantification-intracellular

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

7.6K Views.  Université de Lille. Qui descriviamo un saggio fenotipico applicabile agli schermi ad alta produttività /alto contenuto di RNA sintetico (siRNA), composto chimico e librerie mutanti Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Questo metodo si basa sul rilevamento di Mycobacterium tuberculosis con etichetta fluorescente all'interno di una cellula ospite etichettata fluorescentmente utilizzando la microscopia confocale automatizzata.

Video: A Microscopic Phenotypic Assay for the Quantification of Intracellular Mycobacteria Adapted for High-throughput/High-content Screening

A Functional Whole Blood Assay to Measure Viability of Mycobacteria, using Reporter-Gene Tagged BCG or M.Tb (BCG lux/M.Tb lux)

Functional assays have long played a key role in measuring of immunogenicity of a given vaccine. This is conventionally expressed as serum bactericidal titers. Studies of serum bactericidal titers in response to childhood vaccines have enabled us to develop and validate cut-off levels for protective immune responses and such cut-offs are in routine use. No such assays have been taken forward into the routine assessment of vaccines that induce primarily cell-mediated immunity in the form of effector T cell responses, such as TB vaccines. In the animal model, the performance of a given vaccine candidate is routinely evaluated in standardized bactericidal assays, and all current novel TB-vaccine candidates have been subjected to this step in their evaluation prior to phase 1 human trials. The assessment of immunogenicity and therefore likelihood of protective efficacy of novel anti-TB vaccines should ideally undergo a similar step-wise evaluation in the human models now, including measurements in bactericidal assays.
Bactericidal assays in the context of tuberculosis vaccine research are already well established in the animal models, where they are applied to screen potentially promising vaccine candidates. Reduction of bacterial load in various organs functions as the main read-out of immunogenicity. However, no such assays have been incorporated into clinical trials for novel anti-TB vaccines to date.
Although there is still uncertainty about the exact mechanisms that lead to killing of mycobacteria inside human macrophages, the interaction of macrophages and T cells with mycobacteria is clearly required. The assay described in this paper represents a novel generation of bactericidal assays that enables studies of such key cellular components with all other cellular and humoral factors present in whole blood without making assumptions about their relative individual contribution. The assay described by our group uses small volumes of whole blood and has already been employed in studies of adults and children in TB-endemic settings. We have shown immunogenicity of the BCG vaccine, increased growth of mycobacteria in HIV-positive patients, as well as the effect of anti-retroviral therapy and Vitamin D on mycobacterial survival in vitro. Here we summarise the methodology, and present our reproducibility data using this relatively simple, low-cost and field-friendly model.
Note: Definitions/Abbreviations
BCG lux = M. bovis BCG, Montreal strain, transformed with shuttle plasmid pSMT1 carrying the luxAB genes from Vibrio harveyi, under the control of the mycobacterial GroEL (hsp60) promoter. 
CFU = Colony Forming Unit (a measure of mycobacterial viability).

A Functional Whole Blood Assay to Measure Viability of Mycobacteria, using Reporter-Gene Tagged BCG or M.Tb BCG lux/M.Tb lux

We describe an alternative approach to the enumeration of mycobacteria in vitro, which uses reporter-gene tagged mycobacteria instead of colony-forming units (CFU). &#x201C;Survival&#x201D; of organisms as well as host response-markers are measured simultaneously, providing a low-cost, versatile and functional system for studies of host/pathogen interactions in the context of tuberculosis.

Un test funzionale di sangue intero per misurare la vitalità dei micobatteri, utilizzando Reporter-Gene Tagged BCG o M. Tb (BCG Lux / M. Tb Lux)

Functional assays have long played a key role in measuring of immunogenicity of a given vaccine. This is conventionally expressed as serum bactericidal ...

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 ...

A New Screening Method for the Directed Evolution of Thermostable Bacteriolytic Enzymes

Directed evolution is defined as a method to harness natural selection in order to engineer proteins to acquire particular properties that are not associated with the protein in nature. Literature has provided numerous examples regarding the implementation of directed evolution to successfully alter molecular specificity and catalysis1. The primary advantage of utilizing directed evolution instead of more rational-based approaches for molecular engineering relates to the volume and diversity of variants that can be screened2. One possible application of directed evolution involves improving structural stability of bacteriolytic enzymes, such as endolysins. Bacteriophage encode and express endolysins to hydrolyze a critical covalent bond in the peptidoglycan (i.e. cell wall) of bacteria, resulting in host cell lysis and liberation of progeny virions. Notably, these enzymes possess the ability to extrinsically induce lysis to susceptible bacteria in the absence of phage and furthermore have been validated both in vitro and in vivo for their therapeutic potential3-5. The subject of our directed evolution study involves the PlyC endolysin, which is composed of PlyCA and PlyCB subunits6. When purified and added extrinsically, the PlyC holoenzyme lyses group A streptococci (GAS) as well as other streptococcal groups in a matter of seconds and furthermore has been validated in vivo against GAS7. Significantly, monitoring residual enzyme kinetics after elevated temperature incubation provides distinct evidence that PlyC loses lytic activity abruptly at 45 &deg;C, suggesting a short therapeutic shelf life, which may limit additional development of this enzyme. Further studies reveal the lack of thermal stability is only observed for the PlyCA subunit, whereas the PlyCB subunit is stable up to ~90 &deg;C (unpublished observation). In addition to PlyC, there are several examples in literature that describe the thermolabile nature of endolysins. For example, the Staphylococcus aureus endolysin LysK and Streptococcus pneumoniae endolysins Cpl-1 and Pal lose activity spontaneously at 42 &deg;C, 43.5 &deg;C and 50.2 &deg;C, respectively8-10. According to the Arrhenius equation, which relates the rate of a chemical reaction to the temperature present in the particular system, an increase in thermostability will correlate with an increase in shelf life expectancy11. Toward this end, directed evolution has been shown to be a useful tool for altering the thermal activity of various molecules in nature, but never has this particular technology been exploited successfully for the study of bacteriolytic enzymes. Likewise, successful accounts of progressing the structural stability of this particular class of antimicrobials altogether are nonexistent. In this video, we employ a novel methodology that uses an error-prone DNA polymerase followed by an optimized screening process using a 96 well microtiter plate format to identify mutations to the PlyCA subunit of the PlyC streptococcal endolysin that correlate to an increase in enzyme kinetic stability (Figure 1). Results after just one round of random mutagenesis suggest the methodology is generating PlyC variants that retain more than twice the residual activity when compared to wild-type (WT) PlyC after elevated temperature treatment.

A novel directed evolution method specific to the field of thermostability engineering was developed and consequently validated for bacteriolytic enzymes. After only one round of random mutagenesis, an evolved bacteriolytic enzyme, PlyC 29C3, displayed greater than twice the residual activity when compared to the wild-type protein after elevated temperature incubation.

Un nuovo metodo di screening per l&#39;Evoluzione diretta di enzimi termostabili bacteriolytic

Directed evolution is defined as a method to harness natural selection in order to engineer proteins to acquire particular properties that are not ...

Generation and Multi-phenotypic High-content Screening of Coxiella burnetii Transposon Mutants

Invasion and colonization of host cells by bacterial pathogens depend on the activity of a large number of prokaryotic proteins, defined as virulence factors, which can subvert and manipulate key host functions. The study of host/pathogen interactions is therefore extremely important to understand bacterial infections and develop alternative strategies to counter infectious diseases. This approach however, requires the development of new high-throughput assays for the unbiased, automated identification and characterization of bacterial virulence determinants. Here, we describe a method for the generation of a GFP-tagged mutant library by transposon mutagenesis and the development of high-content screening approaches for the simultaneous identification of multiple transposon-associated phenotypes. Our working model is the intracellular bacterial pathogen Coxiellaburnetii, the etiological agent of the zoonosis Q fever, which is associated with severe outbreaks with a consequent health and economic burden. The obligate intracellular nature of this pathogen has, until recently, severely hampered the identification of bacterial factors involved in host pathogen interactions, making of Coxiella the ideal model for the implementation of high-throughput/high-content approaches.

Generation and Multi-phenotypic High-content Screening of Coxiella burnetii Transposon Mutants

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium responsible for the zoonotic disease Q fever. Here we describe methods for the generation of Coxiella fluorescent transposon mutants as well as the automated identification and analysis of the resulting internalization, replication and cytotoxic phenotypes.

Generation e Multi-fenotipica Screening-Alto contenuto di<em&gt; Coxiella burnetii</em&gt; Mutants transposon

Invasion and colonization of host cells by bacterial pathogens depend on the activity of a large number of prokaryotic proteins, defined as virulence ...

Visualization of the Charcoal Agar Resazurin Assay for Semi-quantitative, Medium-throughput Enumeration of Mycobacteria

There is an urgent need to discover and progress anti-infectives that shorten the duration of tuberculosis (TB) treatment. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of TB, is refractory to rapid and lasting chemotherapy due to the presence of bacilli exhibiting phenotypic drug resistance. The charcoal agar resazurin assay (CARA) was developed as a tool to characterize active molecules discovered by high-throughput screening campaigns against replicating and non-replicating M. tuberculosis. Inclusion of activated charcoal in bacteriologic agar medium helps mitigate the impact of compound carry-over, and eliminates the requirement to pre-dilute cells prior to spotting on CARA microplates. After a 7-10 day incubation period at 37 &#176;C, the reduction of resazurin by mycobacterial microcolonies growing on the surface of CARA microplate wells permits semi-quantitative assessment of bacterial numbers via fluorometry. The CARA detects approximately a 2-3 log10 difference in bacterial numbers and predicts a minimal bactericidal concentration leading to &#8805;99% bacterial kill (MBC&#8805;99). The CARA helps determine whether a molecule is active on bacilli that are replicating, non-replicating, or both. Pilot experiments using the CARA facilitate the identification of which concentration of test agent and time of compound exposure require further evaluation by colony forming unit (CFU) assays. In addition, the CARA can predict if replicating actives are bactericidal or bacteriostatic.

The charcoal agar resazurin assay (CARA) is a semi-quantitative, medium-throughput method to assess activity of test agents against mycobacteria that are replicating, non-replicating, or both. The CARA permits rapid evaluation of time- and concentration-dependent activity and identifies parameters to pursue by colony forming unit (CFU) assays.

Visualizzazione del carbone Agar resazurina Assay per semi-quantitativa, medio-throughput enumerazione dei micobatteri

There is an urgent need to discover and progress anti-infectives that shorten the duration of tuberculosis (TB) treatment. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the ...

A Simple Fluorescence Assay for Quantification of Canine Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Release

Neutrophil extracellular traps are networks of DNA, histones and neutrophil proteins released in response to infectious and inflammatory stimuli. Although a component of the innate immune response, NETs are implicated in a range of disease processes including autoimmunity and thrombosis. This protocol describes a simple method for canine neutrophil isolation and quantification of NETs using a microplate fluorescence assay. Blood is collected using conventional venipuncture techniques. Neutrophils are isolated using dextran sedimentation and a density gradient using conditions optimized for dog blood. After allowing time for attachment to the wells of a 96 well plate, neutrophils are treated with NET-inducing agonists such as phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate or platelet activating factor. DNA release is measured by the fluorescence of a cell-impermeable nucleic acid dye. This assay is a simple, inexpensive method for quantifying NET release, but NET formation rather than other causes of cell death must be confirmed with alternative methods.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are networks of DNA, histones and neutrophil proteins. Although a component of the innate immune response, NETs are implicated in autoimmunity and thrombosis. This protocol describes a simple method for canine neutrophil isolation and quantification of NETs using a microplate fluorescence assay.

Un semplice test di fluorescenza per la quantificazione del Canine neutrofili extracellulare Trappola di uscita

Neutrophil extracellular traps are networks of DNA, histones and neutrophil proteins released in response to infectious and inflammatory stimuli. Although ...

A Fluorescence-based Lymphocyte Assay Suitable for High-throughput Screening of Small Molecules

High-throughput screening (HTS) is currently the mainstay for the identification of chemical entities capable of modulating biochemical reactions or cellular processes. With the advancement of biotechnologies and the high translational potential of small molecules, a number of innovative approaches in drug discovery have evolved, which explains the resurgent interest in the use of HTS. The oncology field is currently the most active research area for drug screening, with no major breakthrough made for the identification of new immunomodulatory compounds targeting transplantation-related complications or autoimmune ailments. Here, we present a novel in vitro murine fluorescent-based lymphocyte assay easily adapted for the identification of new immunomodulatory compounds. This assay uses T or B cells derived from a transgenic mouse, in which the Nur77 promoter drives GFP expression upon T- or B-cell receptor stimulation. As the GFP intensity reflects the activation/transcriptional activity of the target cell, our assay defines a novel tool to study the effect of given compound(s) on cellular/biological responses. For instance, a primary screening was performed using 4,398 compounds in the absence of a &#34;target hypothesis&#34;, which led to the identification of 160 potential hits displaying immunomodulatory activities. Thus, the use of this assay is suitable for drug discovery programs exploring large chemical libraries prior to further in vitro/in vivo validation studies.

We present in the current study a novel fluorescence-based assay using lymphocytes derived from a transgenic mouse. This assay is suitable for high-throughput screening (HTS) of small molecules endowed with the capacity of either inhibiting or promoting lymphocyte activation.

Una fluorescenza a base di linfociti Assay Adatto per high-throughput screening di piccole molecole

High-throughput screening (HTS) is currently the mainstay for the identification of chemical entities capable of modulating biochemical reactions or ...

System for Efficacy and Cytotoxicity Screening of Inhibitors Targeting Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. With the increased spread of multi drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), there is a real urgency to develop new therapeutic strategies against M. tuberculosis infections. Traditionally, compounds are evaluated based on their antibacterial activity under in vitro growth conditions in broth; however, results are often misleading for intracellular pathogens like M. tuberculosis since in-broth phenotypic screening conditions are significantly different from the actual disease conditions within the human body. Screening for inhibitors that work inside macrophages has been traditionally difficult due to the complexity, variability in infection, and slow replication rate of M. tuberculosis. In this study, we report a new approach to rapidly assess the effectiveness of compounds on the viability of M. tuberculosis in a macrophage infection model. Using a combination of a cytotoxicity assay and an in-broth M. tuberculosis viability assay, we were able to create a screening system that generates a comprehensive analysis of compounds of interest. This system is capable of producing quantitative data at a low cost that is within reach of most labs and yet is highly scalable to fit large industrial settings.

System for Efficacy and Cytotoxicity Screening of Inhibitors Targeting Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis

We have developed a modular high-throughput screening system for discovering novel compounds against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, targeting intracellular and in-broth growing bacteria as well as cytotoxicity against the mammalian host cell.

Sistema per l&#39;efficacia e la citotossicità Proiezione di inibitori di targeting intracellulare<em&gt; Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. With the increased spread ...

Quantification of Intracellular Growth Inside Macrophages is a Fast and Reliable Method for Assessing the Virulence of Leishmania Parasites

The lifecycle of Leishmania, the causative agent of leishmaniasis, alternates between promastigote and amastigote stages inside the insect and vertebrate hosts, respectively. While pathogenic symptoms of leishmaniasis can vary widely, from benign cutaneous lesions to highly fatal visceral disease forms depending on the infective species, all Leishmania species reside inside host macrophages during the vertebrate stage of their lifecycle. Leishmania infectivity is therefore directly related to its ability to invade, survive and replicate within parasitophorous vacuoles (PVs) inside macrophages. Thus, assessing the parasite&#39;s ability to replicate intracellularly serves as a dependable method for determining virulence. Studying leishmaniasis development using animal models is time-consuming, tedious and often difficult, particularly with the pathogenically important visceral forms. We describe here a methodology to follow the intracellular development of Leishmania in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). Intracellular parasite numbers are determined at 24 h intervals for 72 - 96 h following infection. This method allows for a reliable determination of the effects of various genetic factors on Leishmania virulence. As an example, we show how a single allele deletion of the Leishmania Mitochondrial Iron Transporter gene (LMIT1) impairs the ability of the Leishmania amazonensis mutant strain LMIT1/&#916;Lmit1 to grow inside BMMs, reflecting a drastic reduction in virulence compared to wild-type. This assay also allows precise control of experimental conditions, which can be individually manipulated to analyze the influence of various factors (nutrients, reactive oxygen species, etc.) on the host-pathogen interaction. Therefore, the appropriate execution and quantification of BMM infection studies provide a non-invasive, rapid, economical, safe and reliable alternative to conventional animal model studies.

Quantification of Intracellular Growth Inside Macrophages is a Fast and Reliable Method for Assessing the Virulence of Leishmania Parasites

All pathogenic Leishmania species reside and replicate inside macrophages of their vertebrate hosts. Here, we present a protocol to infect murine bone marrow-derived macrophages in culture with Leishmania, followed by precise quantification of intracellular growth kinetics. This method is useful for studying individual factors influencing host-pathogen interaction and Leishmania virulence.

Quantificazione della crescita intracellulare all'interno di macrofagi è un veloce e affidabile metodo per valutare la virulenza dei parassiti di Leishmania

The lifecycle of Leishmania, the causative agent of leishmaniasis, alternates between promastigote and amastigote stages inside the insect and vertebrate ...

A High-throughput, High-content, Liquid-based C. elegans Pathosystem

The number of new drugs identified by traditional, in vitro screens has waned, reducing the success of this approach in the search for new weapons to combat multiple drug resistance. This has led to the conclusion that researchers do not only need to find new drugs, but also need to develop new ways of finding them. Amongst the most promising candidate methods are whole-organism, in vivo assays that use high-throughput, phenotypic readouts and hosts that range from Caenorhabditis elegans to Danio rerio. These hosts have several powerful advantages, including dramatic reductions in false positive hits, as compounds that are toxic to the host and/or biounavailable are typically dropped in the initial screen, prior to costly follow up.
Here we show how our assay has been used to interrogate host variation in the well-documented C. elegans&#8212;Pseudomonas aeruginosa liquid killing pathosystem. We also demonstrate several extensions of this well-worked out technique. For example, we are able to carry out high-throughput genetic screens using RNAi in 24- or 96-well plate formats to query host factors in this host-pathogen interaction. Using this assay, whole genome screens can be completed in only a few months, which can dramatically simplify the task of identifying drug targets, potentially without the need for laborious biochemical purification approaches.
We also report here a variation of our method that substitutes the gram-positive bacterium Enterococcus faecalis for the gram-negative pathogen P. aeruginosa. Much as is the case for P. aeruginosa, killing by E. faecalis is time-dependent. Unlike previous C. elegans&#8212;E. faecalis assays, our assay for E. faecalis does not require preinfection, improving its safety profile and reducing the chances of contaminating liquid-handling equipment. The assay is highly robust, showing ~95% death rates 96 h post infection.

A High-throughput, High-content, Liquid-based C. elegans Pathosystem

Here we describe a protocol that is an adaptable, whole host, high-content screening tool that can be utilized to study host-pathogen interactions and be used for drug discovery.

Un ad alta velocità, ad alto contenuto, liquido a base di c. elegans patosistema come contributo

The number of new drugs identified by traditional, in vitro screens has waned, reducing the success of this approach in the search for new weapons to ...