Dr. K. Yuan was supported by an American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant (15SDG25710448) and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association Proof of Concept Award (SPO121940). Dr. V. de Jesus Perez was supported by a career development award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, an NIH K08 HL105884-01 award, a Pulmonary Hypertension Association Award, a Biomedical Research Award from the American Lung Association and a Translational Research and Applied Medicine award from Stanford University.

Etica Dichiarazione: procedure che coinvolgono soggetti animali sono stati approvati dalla cura degli animali e del Comitato Istituzionale Usa presso la Stanford University School of Medicine. NOTA: Gli animali sono sotto anestesia con il 3% isoflurano vaporizzatore e fornitura 3% di O 2 gas. L&#39;uso del veterinario pomata sugli occhi può aiutare a prevenire la secchezza mentre sotto anestesia. 1. Preparazione delle cellule <ol><li> Crescere endoteliali e cellule pericyte culture umane in piastre da 100 mm con 10 ml di supporto appropriato. Sostituire 10 ml di mezzo fresco ogni 2 - 3 giorni fino cellule raggiungono l&#39;80% di confluenza. <ol><li> cellule endoteliali cultura (ECS) in supporto completo delle cellule endoteliali (ECM) integrato con la società forniti 5% di siero fetale bovino (FBS), il 10% di penicillina / streptomicina e 10% supplemento di crescita delle cellule endoteliali. </li><li> periciti cultura in mezzi pericyte completa (PM) integrato con società forniti 2% FBS, 10% di penicillina / streptomicina e 10% supplemento di crescita pericyte. </li&gt; </ol></li><li> Preparare miscele di cellule <ol><li> Calcolare il numero di cellule necessario per i gruppi trattati e di controllo. NOTA: Ogni plug nel gruppo sperimentale contiene un milione (1 x 10 6) EC umana e duecentomila (2 x 10 5) periciti. Per il gruppo di controllo, ogni spina contiene solo 1,2 milioni di EC umani. Il gruppo di controllo negativo ha solo gel matrice. Ogni gruppo deve comprendere almeno quattro spine, che richiederebbero due topi come spine possono essere iniettati in ogni lato di un topo parte bassa della schiena. Tre spine servirebbero come triplice copia per l&#39;esperimento e il quarto potrebbero essere utilizzati nel caso in cui uno non riesce. Preparare 25% in più celle in base al volume extra di gel. </li><li> Raccogliere e contare le cellule da piastre di coltura. <ol><li> Per staccare cellule, rimuovere il supporto e lavare una volta con 1x temperatura ambiente tampone fosfato salino (PBS). Rimuovere PBS, aggiungere 1 ml di 0,25% tripsina / 2.21 mM EDTA e incubare per 1 min. Lavare le cellule la piastra con l&#39;aggiunta di 2medio ml e raccogliere in una provetta da 15 ml. </li><li> Conteggio delle cellule utilizzando un emocitometro secondo le istruzioni del produttore. </li><li> Centrifugare il numero appropriato di celle in una pallina a 400 xg per 5 min. Per il gruppo sperimentale, centrifuga sia ECS e periciti giù insieme in un unico pellet. </li></ol></li></ol></li></ol> 2. Matrix Gel di Preparazione <ol><li> Scongelare gel matrice completamente a 4 ° C per 4 ore o durante la notte per ottenere una soluzione omogenea. Non è necessaria alcuna miscelazione. </li><li> Aliquota gel matrice provette da 1,5 ml e conservare a 4 ° C. </li><li> Pre-freddo sterili provette da 1,5 ml e 28 G 1 siringhe da insulina cc a 4 ° C. Attenzione: Mantenere il gel matrice sul ghiaccio in ogni momento. </li><li> Mescolare gel matrice freddo con bFGF in un rapporto volumetrico di 1: 100 (concentrazione finale di bFGF = 0,5 mg / ml; bFGF di soluzione = 50 pg / ml) Dopo miscelazione soluzione di gel matrice pipettando su e giù parecchie volte, incubare su ghiaccio per il 30 - 60 min before miscelazione con le cellule in fase 3.1. NOTA: Scongelare lo stock bFGF prima della miscelazione. Calcolare il numero di tasselli necessari per l&#39;iniezione. Per esempio, ogni plug richiede 200 gel matrice ul. Pertanto, la preparazione del 25% gel in più. </li></ol> 3. Matrix Gel Mix con cellule <ol><li> Per ogni gruppo, risospendere il pellet cellulare (contenente il numero di cella appropriata) con il volume calcolato di gel matrice contenente bFGF. Mescolare delicatamente per evitare la formazione di schiuma e lasciare in tubo da 15 ml in ghiaccio fino topi sono preparati per l&#39;iniezione. </li></ol> 4. Preparazione del mouse <ol><li> Anestetizzare 1 topi SCID per 5 min a 3% isoflurano + 3% O 2 in una camera di induzione. Focus su un gruppo sperimentale, o 2 topi, alla volta. </li><li> Rimuovere il mouse dalla camera di induzione, posto su un lato ventrale piastra elettrica verso il basso e collegare rapidamente un ugello muso al volto del topo mediante un sistema non-rirespirazione per la fornitura di anestesia in tutto il InjeProcedura ction. Passare il flusso di gas dalla camera di induzione al sistema antireflusso e abbassare la pressione del gas al 1,5% isoflurano e 1,5% O 2. </li><li> Rimuovere i capelli da entrambe le regioni posteriori laterali (circa 1 cm di diametro) con una crema di rimozione rasoio o dei capelli. </li><li> Pulire la zona della pelle con un tampone imbevuto di alcool al 70%. </li><li> Ritorna il mouse per la camera di induzione e ripetere i passaggi 4,2-4,4 con il secondo mouse. </li></ol> 5. Matrix Gel iniezione <ol><li> Preparare un mouse per l&#39;iniezione collegando al sistema di non-rirespirazione e l&#39;immissione sul lato ventrale rilievo di riscaldamento verso il basso. </li><li> Caricare il gel matrice in un pre-raffreddata 28 G 1 cc siringa di insulina un mouse alla volta. <ol><li> Caricare il completo volume di 500 ml di gel di matrice per due tasselli (200 pl per alveolo più il 25% in più) nella siringa. </li><li> Assicurarsi di iniettare il gel matrice nei topi nel raggio di 3 min di caricare le cellule nella siringa per evitare che il ceLLS da stabilirsi al lato della siringa ed evitare gel matrice solidifichi all&#39;interno della siringa. </li></ol></li><li> Sollevare la pelle torna per individuare lo spazio sottocutaneo, quindi iniettare 200 ml di gel di matrice lentamente e in modo uniforme nello spazio sottocutaneo del posteriore posteriore della gabbia toracica. </li><li> Rimuovere l&#39;ago per l&#39;iniezione lentamente, facendo attenzione a evitare che il gel matrice fuoriuscita del sito di iniezione. Un urto formerà nel sito di iniezione. Pulire sito di iniezione con un tampone di alcool. </li><li> iniezione Ripetere i passi 5.2 - 5.5 dall&#39;altra parte posteriore del mouse, quindi lasciare il mouse sul retro per 1 min per consentire gelificazione del gel matrice sul cuscino termico. </li><li> Outline entrambi urti con un pennarello indelebile per identificare l&#39;urto dopo 14 giorni. Dopo un po &#39;i capelli ricrescono, sarà più facile trovare l&#39;urto. </li></ol> 6. Matrix Isolamento Gel Plug: 14 giorni dopo l&#39;iniezione <ol><li> Euthanize i topi umanamente esponendo l&#39;animales per&gt; 5 min di inalazione di anidride carbonica seguita da dislocazione cervicale per assicurare la morte. </li><li> Togliere il tappo di gel di matrice dalla schiena del mouse. <ol><li> Rimuovere delicatamente i capelli ricresciuti intorno al sito di iniezione in cui la spina si trova ripetendo il passaggio 4.3. La linea di riferimento indica la dimensione di urto originale sotto la pelle. </li><li> Asportare il tappo insieme con la pelle ei muscoli circostanti strati attaccati ai lati superiore e inferiore della spina, rispettivamente. <ol><li> Utilizzando le forbici chirurgiche sottili, effettuare un&#39;incisione sul marcato confine della spina che è perpendicolare alla pelle e tagliare al muscolo sotto il tappo. Poi, accuratamente tagliato intorno alla periferia del tappo lungo il confine marcato. </li><li> Togliere il tappo, mantenendolo inserita tra gli strati della pelle e dei muscoli. Sciacquare immediatamente in un piccolo bicchiere con 1x PBS per lavare via il sangue in eccesso. La spina è ora pronta per essere fissata (passo successivo, 6.3). </li></ol></li></ol></li><li> Fissare le plug in 4% paraformaldeide. <ol><li> Inserire l&#39;intera spina, compresi gli strati cutanei e muscolari, in un tubo da 50 ml con 25 ml di paraformaldeide al 4% per 24 ore a temperatura ambiente senza dondolo. Il giorno successivo, trasferire la spina in 25 ml di etanolo al 70% per un altro 24 ore prima di paraffina. NOTA: maneggiare con cautela paraformaldeide. Indossare i guanti. </li></ol></li></ol> 7. Processo di paraffina Matrix Gel Plug <ol><li> Preparare la spina per paraffina. <ol><li> Orientare la spina come mostrato in figura 1a; inserire la spina in una cassetta tessuto in modo che il lato del tappo rivolto verso l&#39;alto ed entrambi gli strati di pelle e muscolari sono visibili attraverso la superficie del blocco di tessuto che verrà tagliato prima durante il sezionamento. </li></ol></li><li> Paraffina incorporare la spina secondo i protocolli standard di paraffina 13. </li><li> Tagliare 8 - 10 micron sezioni spesse fuori del blocco dei tessuti e montare su vetrini da microscopio according ai protocolli standard di paraffina sezionamento 13. </li><li> Conservare i vetrini in un luogo fresco e asciutto a temperatura ambiente fino al momento per la colorazione. </li></ol> 8. Le sezioni macchia con ematossilina e eosina (H &amp; E) 13 <ol><li> Sparaffinare le sezioni di tessuto passando le diapositive attraverso 100% xilene due volte, 100% di etanolo, 95% di etanolo, 70% di etanolo ed infine 1x PBS, ciascuno per 5 min a temperatura ambiente. Lasciare i vetrini in PBS 1x fino al passo successivo. </li><li> Dispensare 100 ul H &amp; E soluzione sulla sezione e incubare per 1-5 minuti, o fino a quando non vi è chiaro contrasto tra i nuclei blu e rosa citoplasma in una cella come visto sotto un microscopio ottico verticale a 10X di ingrandimento. Fare attenzione a non lasciare alcuna soluzione H &amp; E toccare l&#39;obiettivo. </li><li> Lavare H &amp; E soluzione al largo della slitta da inzuppare il vetrino in un grande bicchiere di acqua di rubinetto, quindi inserire la diapositiva in un rack nel bicchiere e sciacquare con acqua corrente per 2 minuti. </li><li> momentove al punto 9.8 per montare le diapositive. </li></ol> 9. Stain altre diapositive per Capillari umani e periciti <ol><li> Sparaffinare le sezioni di tessuto passando le diapositive attraverso 100% xilene due volte, 100% di etanolo, 95% di etanolo, 70% di etanolo ed infine 1x PBS, ciascuno per 5 min a temperatura ambiente. Lasciare i vetrini in PBS 1x fino al passo successivo. </li><li> Lessare le sezioni in soluzione di antigene di recupero. <ol><li> In un becher 2 L, preparare antigene soluzione bollente recupero utilizzando 1x tampone citrato (pH 7,0) a 95 ° C su una piastra riscaldante. </li><li> Una volta ebollizione, mettere i vetrini in un rack di metallo e immergere nella soluzione di recupero dell&#39;antigene bollente per 20 minuti. </li><li> Rimuovere con cautela il bicchiere dal blocco di riscaldamento con gli scivoli ancora sommerse e consentire la soluzione per tornare lentamente a temperatura ambiente per circa 30 min. </li><li> Porre i vetrini in PBS 1x fino al prossimo passo. </li></ol></li><li> Bloccare le sezioni in tampone di bloccaggio (1x PBS, 5% di siero di capra, 0.3% Triton X-100). <ol><li> Disegnare un cerchio idrofobico intorno ai bordi di ciascuna sezione con una penna PAP. </li><li> Porre i vetrini in un vassoio di umidità con acqua distillata sul fondo del vassoio. </li><li> Dispensare 100 microlitri tampone di bloccaggio sulle sezioni assicurandosi tutto il tessuto è coperto da fluido (può richiedere più di 100 ml). </li><li> Incubare sezioni con tampone di arresto per 1 ora. </li></ol></li><li> Incubare sezioni con anticorpo primario. <ol><li> Preparare una soluzione con due anticorpi primari per sondare ogni sezione per CD31 (ECS) e actina muscolo liscio (periciti) diluito in tampone di diluizione (1x PBS, 1% BSA, 0,3% Triton X-100). NOTA: Qui, la concentrazione di anti-CD31 è 01:50 e anti-liscia concentrazione actina muscolo è 1: 300. </li><li> Incubare sezioni notte a 4 ° C con 100 microlitri anticorpi primari in un vassoio di umidità contenente acqua distillata. </li></ol></li><li> Lavare i vetrini tre volte in 1x PBST (1x PBS + 0,1% TweEN20) per 5 minuti ogni lavaggio. </li><li> Incubare sezioni con anticorpo secondario. <ol><li> Preparare una soluzione con una capra coniugato anticorpo secondario anti-coniglio fluoroforo per riconoscere l&#39;anticorpo di coniglio anti-CD31 diluito in tampone di diluizione. <ol><li> NOTA: L&#39;anticorpo primario actina muscolo liscio è già coniugato con un fluoroforo CY3, quindi non è necessaria alcuna colorazione anticorpo secondario. Capra anti-coniglio concentrazione di anticorpi secondario è 1: 250. </li></ol></li><li> Incubare sezioni per 1 ora con 100 microlitri anticorpo secondario nel vassoio di umidità contenente acqua distillata. </li></ol></li><li> Lavare i vetrini tre volte in 1x PBST per 5 minuti ogni lavaggio. </li><li> Montare le diapositive. <ol><li> Pipettare 2 - 3 gocce (~ 40 - 60 microlitri) di antifade soluzione di montaggio con colorazione DAPI nucleare su ogni sezione. </li><li> Posizionare delicatamente un no. 1.5 coprioggetto sopra le sezioni e soluzione di montaggio, permettendo al fluido distribuito su sezioni e ai bordila polizza di copertura. usare delicatamente un dito per premere le bolle d&#39;aria che possono essere situati sulla sezione. </li><li> Lasciate che le diapositive asciugare per almeno 1 ora prima dell&#39;uso. </li></ol></li></ol> 10. Quantificare capillare densità e struttura 14 <ol><li> Contare il numero di capillari in H &amp; E sezioni colorate, espressa in # / mm 2. <ol><li> Acquisire le foto di quattro diversi campi su un microscopio ottico in posizione verticale sotto 40X di ingrandimento. NOTA: Capillari sono identificati come tubi riempiti di globuli rossi. </li><li> In alternativa, invece di capillari conteggio manualmente, utilizzare un&#39;immagine software di analisi (ad esempio, Wimasis Image Analysis) quantificare diversi parametri angiogenesi come il numero nave, lunghezza media nave e diametro, e punti di ramificazione. </li></ol></li><li> Analizzare struttura capillare nelle sezioni di immunofluorescenza macchiato. <ol><li> Acquisire le foto di quattro diversi campi su un microscopio a fluorescenza invertitocon il cubo filtro FITC e TxRed. <ol><li> Utilizzare un cubo FITC di immagine EC da eccitazione a 488 nm di lunghezza d&#39;onda e utilizzare un cubo TxRed di periciti immagine da eccitazione a 594 nm di lunghezza d&#39;onda. <style type="text/css">p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 8.0px Arial}
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No competing financial interests enclosed.

Il saggio spina gel matrice ha dimostrato di essere un metodo comodo e potente per valutare regolazione genica nell&#39;angiogenesi, composti angiogenici e antiangiogenici in vivo, e per integrare test in vitro. Qui, descriviamo in dettaglio un romanzo spina saggio gel matrice dell&#39;angiogenesi umana che indaga l&#39;interazione tra cellule endoteliali e periciti durante la formazione dei vasi. Ci sono alcuni punti nuovi e critici in questo protocollo. Le cellule in bass...

L&#39;angiogenesi è il processo attraverso il quale nuovi vasi sanguigni si formano da una rete vascolare preesistente 1 ed è il centro di ricerca in corso in molti settori che vanno dallo sviluppo normale alla malattia. Questo processo dinamico coinvolge la proliferazione e la migrazione delle cellule endoteliali (EC) e reclutamento di periciti per costruire un tubo vascolare rivolta verso il sito che ha bisogno di ossigeno e nutrienti consegna 2. Per studiare questo processo richiede un saggio altrettanto dinamico, soprattutto uno che può riassumere la natura tridimensionale di formazione del tubo. In vitro matrice 3D sono state sviluppate per rispondere a questa esigenza e hanno lavorato bene per consentire ai ricercatori di definire i passi discreti nello spazio e nel tempo in cui si svolge l&#39;angiogenesi 3, 4, 5, 6. Tuttavia, questi modelli di matrici in vitro 3D sono limitati a studiare i vasi non perfuso und pertanto mancano componenti critici pertinenti al processo di angiogenesi (ad esempio, la crescita e fattori inibitori, tensione innaturale / forze che circola attraverso il letto vascolare) e non riescono a simulare l&#39;ambiente complesso presente nel tessuto vivo. Per far fronte a questa limitazione, diversi saggi di angiogenesi in vivo sono stati sviluppati 7, tra cui il saggio spina gel matrice che sarà al centro della nostra relazione 8, 9. Il saggio spina gel matrice è un vivo test consolidata nell&#39;angiogenesi che fa appello a ricercatori in quanto fornisce una solida piattaforma per testare i ruoli delle diverse cellule e sostanze nell&#39;angiogenesi. Gel Matrix è una soluzione membrana basale disponibile in commercio che viene secreto dalla linea cellulare del mouse sarcoma Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) che si solidifica in un materiale simile a gel a 37 ° C. Il gel matrice può essere miscelata con cellule e / o sostanze, quali fattori di crescita, e injeCTED per via sottocutanea nel mouse. L&#39;host EC invaderà la spina più di 14 giorni, formare una rete vascolare, e diventare perfusi con sangue dell&#39;ospite. Fino ad oggi, le analisi dei plug gel matrice si sono concentrati esclusivamente sullo studio del comportamento delle cellule endoteliali durante l&#39;angiogenesi, tuttavia, al meglio delle nostre conoscenze nessuno sforzo è stato ancora fatto per determinare se questo test può essere utilizzato cellule endoteliali di co-coltura e periciti per studiare come questi due tipi di cellule interagiscono durante l&#39;angiogenesi. In particolare, la comprensione del rapporto tra EC e periciti è prezioso per lo studio di malattie in cui la perdita dei vasi sanguigni è patologico, tra cui l&#39;ischemia microvascolare e malattia vascolare periferica 10, 11, 12. Qui, descriviamo un protocollo che introduce periciti di derivazione umana alla miscela di gel matrice con EC umana e il fattore di crescita dei fibroblasti (bFGF). Questa miscela può essere iniettata per via sottocutanea in dorso di topi SCID per consentire la formazione di, rivestito periciti, vasi ibridi completamente funzionale. Il nostro protocollo descrive come preparare i tappi di gel matrice contenente cellule endoteliali umane con o senza periciti umani, il posizionamento in topi SCID e come analizzare le sezioni istologiche per gli endpoint angiogenesi critici.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="806">
	<colgroup>
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">PBS (Phosphate buffered saline)</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">21-031-CV</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">0.25% Trypsin/0.53mM EDTA</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Corning</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">25-053-CI</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">Endothelial Cell Media (ECM) kit</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Sciencell</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1001</td>
			<td>includes media, EC growth supplement, and penicillin/streptomycin, each supplied at the appropriate volume for easy mixing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">Pericyte Media (PM) kit</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Sciencell</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">1201</td>
			<td>includes media, Pericyte growth supplement, and penicillin/streptomycin, each supplied at the appropriate volume for easy mixing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="84">
			<td height="84" style="height:84px;width:405px;">primary human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Pulmonary Hypertension Breakthrough Initiative</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>this cell type is also available commercially. Cells used at passage 1-4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="84">
			<td height="84" style="height:84px;width:405px;">primary human pulmonary pericytes</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Pulmonary Hypertension Breakthrough Initiative</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>this cell type is not available commercially, but brain paricytes are.&#160; Cells used at passage 1-4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">bFGF (basic Fibroblast Growth Factor)</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Peprotech</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">100-18B</td>
			<td>stock solution is 50ug/ml in 0.1% BSA in PBS, aliquots at 50 uL and stored at -20 degrees</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">Matrigel Basement Membrane Matrix</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">BD</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">356237</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">28G 1cc Insluin Syringe</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">BD</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">329410</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:405px;">SCID (Severe Combined Immune Deficiency) mice</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">The Jackson Laboratory</td>
			<td>5557</td>
			<td>NOD.SCID IL2R gamma knockout strain is the best strain; 4-6 weeks of age</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:405px;">1.5mL microcentrifuge tubes, sterile</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">05-408-129</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">15 mL screw top tubes, sterile</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">352096</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:405px;">PAP pen</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">8899</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:405px;">hemocytometer</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">02-671-6</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">Nair hair removal cream</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Walmart</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:405px;">anti-human CD31 primary antibody</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">LifeSpan Biosciences</td>
			<td>LS-B4737</td>
			<td>working solution is 1:50</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">anti-human Smooth Muscle actin CY3 primary fluorescent antibody</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Sigma</td>
			<td>C6198</td>
			<td>working solution is 1:300</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody; 488/green</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">A-11008</td>
			<td>working solution is 1:250</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">Prolong Gold DAPI solution</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Cell Signaling</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">8961S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">microscope slides</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">VWR</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">48300-047</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:405px;">no. 1.5 cover slips</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">12-544-D</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">citrate buffer 10x</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Millipore</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">21545</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:405px;">extra fine surgical scissors</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">14084-08</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:405px;">Formalin (paraformaldehyde)</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Thermo Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">245-685</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">Tissue cassettes</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Simport</td>
			<td>M492-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:405px;">goat serum</td>
			<td style="width:115px;">Dako</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">X0907</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

in vivo study of human endothelial-pericyte interaction using the matrix gel plug assay in mouse

Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels are formed from existing vessels. New vessel growth requires coordinated endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and alignment to form tubular structures followed by recruitment of pericytes to provide mural support and facilitate vessel maturation. Current in vitro cell culture approaches cannot fully reproduce the complex biological environment where endothelial cells and pericytes interact to produce functional vessels. We present a novel application of the in vivo matrix gel plug assay to study endothelial-pericyte interactions and formation of functional blood vessels using severe combined immune deficiency mutation (SCID) mice. Briefly, matrix gel is mixed with a solution containing endothelial cells with or without pericytes followed by injection into the back of anesthetized SCID mice. After 14 days, the matrix gel plugs are removed, fixed and sectioned for histological analysis. The length, number, size and extent of pericyte coverage of mature vessels (defined by the presence of red blood cells in the lumen) can be quantified and compared between experimental groups using commercial statistical platforms. Beyond its use as an angiogenesis assay, this matrix gel plug assay can be used to conduct genetic studies and as a platform for drug discovery. In conclusion, this protocol will allow researchers to complement available in vitro assays for the study of endothelial-pericyte interactions and their relevance to either systemic or pulmonary angiogenesis.

Rappresentante H &amp; E e immunofluorescenza colorazione di sezioni spina gel matrice sono mostrati in Figura 2. Sezioni dalla CE solo spine mostrano alcune navi che non sono per lo più perfusi con il sangue (figura 2 in alto a sinistra, frecce nere), mentre le spine contenenti sia EC e periciti visualizzare diverse perfuso navi con diametri maggiori e copertura pericyte completo, come dimostra positivo SMA colorazione immediatamente adiacente alla EC ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about In Vivo Study of Human Endothelial-Pericyte Interaction Using the Matrix Gel Plug Assay in Mouse at JoVE.com

In Vivo Study of Human Endothelial-Pericyte Interaction Using the Matrix Gel Plug Assay in Mouse

Vi presentiamo un protocollo per studiare le interazioni umane endoteliali-periciti in mouse utilizzando una variazione del saggio spina angiogenesi gel matrice.

Studio in vivo di Human Interaction endoteliale-pericyte Utilizzando la matrice di gel Plug Assay nel topo

Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels are formed from existing vessels. New vessel growth requires coordinated endothelial cell ...

in-vivo-study-human-endothelial-pericyte-interaction-using-matrix-gel

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

In Vivo Study of Human Endothelial-Pericyte Interaction Using the Matrix Gel Plug Assay in Mouse

9.6K Views.  Stanford University.  Vi presentiamo un protocollo per studiare le interazioni umane endoteliali-periciti in mouse utilizzando una variazione del saggio spina angiogenesi gel matrice. 

Video: In Vivo Study of Human Endothelial-Pericyte Interaction Using the Matrix Gel Plug Assay in Mouse

Testing Visual Sensitivity to the Speed and Direction of Motion in Lizards

Testing visual sensitivity in any species provides basic information regarding behaviour, evolution, and ecology. However, testing specific features of the visual system provide more empirical evidence for functional applications. Investigation into the sensory system provides information about the sensory capacity, learning and memory ability, and establishes known baseline behaviour in which to gauge deviations (Burghardt, 1977). However, unlike mammalian or avian systems, testing for learning and memory in a reptile species is difficult. Furthermore, using an operant paradigm as a psychophysical measure of sensory ability is likewise as difficult. Historically, reptilian species have responded poorly to conditioning trials because of issues related to motivation, physiology, metabolism, and basic biological characteristics. Here, I demonstrate an operant paradigm used a novel model lizard species, the Jacky dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus) and describe how to test peripheral sensitivity to salient speed and motion characteristics. This method uses an innovative approach to assessing learning and sensory capacity in lizards. I employ the use of random-dot kinematograms (RDKs) to measure sensitivity to speed, and manipulate the level of signal strength by changing the proportion of dots moving in a coherent direction. RDKs do not represent a biologically meaningful stimulus, engages the visual system, and is a classic psychophysical tool used to measure sensitivity in humans and other animals. Here, RDKs are displayed to lizards using three video playback systems. Lizards are to select the direction (left or right) in which they perceive dots to be moving. Selection of the appropriate direction is reinforced by biologically important prey stimuli, simulated by computer-animated invertebrates.

Testing visual sensitivity in lizards using an operant conditioning paradigm that employs video playback of random-dot kinematograms and computer-generated invertebrates.

Test di sensibilità visiva alla velocità e direzione del movimento in lucertole

Testing visual sensitivity in any species provides basic information regarding behaviour, evolution, and ecology. However, testing specific features of ...

Ricerca

Biologia

Optimized Fibrin Gel Bead Assay for the Study of Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is a complex multi-step process, where, in response to angiogenic stimuli, new vessels are created from the existing vasculature.  These steps include: degradation of the basement membrane, proliferation and migration (sprouting) of endothelial cells (EC) into the extracellular matrix, alignment of EC into cords, branching, lumen formation, anastomosis, and formation of a new basement membrane.  Many in vitro assays have been developed to study this process, but most only mimic certain stages of angiogenesis, and morphologically the vessels within the assays often do not resemble vessels in vivo.  Based on earlier work by Nehls and Drenckhahn, we have optimized an in vitro angiogenesis assay that utilizes human umbilical vein EC and fibroblasts.  This model recapitulates all of the key early stages of angiogenesis and, importantly, the vessels display patent intercellular lumens surrounded by polarized EC. EC are coated onto cytodex microcarriers and embedded into a fibrin gel.  Fibroblasts are layered on top of the gel where they provide necessary soluble factors that promote EC sprouting from the surface of the beads.  After several days, numerous vessels are present that can easily be observed under phase-contrast and time-lapse microscopy. This video demonstrates the key steps in setting up these cultures.

This video demonstrates the protocol of an in vitro angiogenesis assay that recapitulates several stages of angiogenesis. Time-lapse images of sprouting, lumen formation, branching and anastomosis - key features of angiogenesis - are shown.

Ottimizzato fibrina Gel Bead Assay per lo studio della angiogenesi

Angiogenesis is a complex multi-step process, where, in response to angiogenic stimuli, new vessels are created from the existing vasculature.  These ...

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

Human cancer and response to therapy is better represented in orthotopic animal models. This paper describes the development of an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer, treatment of cancer via oral delivery of drugs, and monitoring of tumor cell behavior in response to drug treatment in real time using in vivo imaging system. In this orthotopic model, ovarian tumor cells expressing luciferase are applied topically by injecting them directly into the mouse bursa where each ovary is enclosed. Upon injection of D-luciferin, a substrate of firefly luciferase, luciferase-expressing cells generate bioluminescence signals. This signal is detected by the in vivo imaging system and allows for a non-invasive means of monitoring tumor growth, distribution, and regression in individual animals. Drug administration via oral gavage allows for a maximum dosing volume of 10 mL/kg body weight to be delivered directly to the stomach and closely resembles delivery of drugs in clinical treatments. Therefore, techniques described here, development of an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer, oral delivery of drugs, and in vivo imaging, are useful for better understanding of human ovarian cancer and treatment and will improve targeting this disease.

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

Orthotopic animal models of ovarian cancer replicate better human disease and therefore enhance our understanding of cancer progression and tumor response to therapy. A mouse model receives an intrabursal injection of luciferase-expressing ovarian tumor cells. Treatment is administered via oral gavage. Tumor growth is monitored by in vivo imaging system.

Imaging in vivo e trattamenti terapeutici in un modello di mouse ortotopico di cancro ovarico

Human cancer and response to therapy is better represented in orthotopic animal models.  This paper describes the development of an orthotopic mouse model ...

In vivo and in vitro Studies of Adaptor-clathrin Interaction

A major endocytic pathway initiates with the formation of clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs) that transport cargo from the cell surface to endosomes1-6. CCVs are distinguished by a polyhedral lattice of clathrin that coats the vesicle membrane and serves as a mechanical scaffold. Clathrin coats are assembled during vesicle formation from individual clathrin triskelia , the soluble form of clathrin composed of three heavy and three light chain subunits7,8. Because the triskelion does not have the ability to bind to the membrane directly, clathrin-binding adaptors are critical to link the forming clathrin lattice to the membrane through association with lipids and/or membrane proteins9. Adaptors also package transmembrane protein cargo, such as receptors, and can interact with each other and with other components of the CCV formation machinery9.
Over twenty clathrin adaptors have been described, several are involved in clathrin mediated endocytosis and others localize to the trans Golgi network or endosomes9. With the exception of HIP1R (yeast Sla2p), all known clathrin adaptors bind to the N-terminal -propeller domain of the clathrin heavy chain9. Clathrin adaptors are modular proteins consisting of folded domains connected by unstructured flexible linkers. Within these linker regions, short binding motifs mediate interactions with the clathrin N-terminal domain or other components of the vesicle formation machinery9. Two distinct clathrin-binding motifs have been defined: the clathrin-box and the W-box9. The consensus clathrin-box sequence was originally defined as L[L/I][D/E/N][L/F][D/E]10 but variants have been subsequently discovered11. The W-box conforms to the sequence PWxxW (where x is any residue).
Sla1p (Synthetic Lethal with Actin binding protein-1) was originally identified as an actin associated protein and is necessary for normal actin cytoskeleton structure and dynamics at endocytic sites in yeast cells12. Sla1p also binds the NPFxD endocytic sorting signal and is critical for endocytosis of cargo bearing the NPFxD signal13,14. More recently, Sla1p was demonstrated to bind clathrin through a motif similar to the clathrin box, LLDLQ, termed a variant clathrin-box (vCB), and to function as an endocytic clathrin adaptor15. In addition, Sla1p has become a widely used marker for the endocytic coat in live cell fluorescence microscopy studies16. Here we use Sla1p as a model to describe approaches for adaptor-clathrin interaction studies. We focus on live cell fluorescence microscopy, GST-pull down, and co-immunoprecipitation methods.

In vivo and in vitro Studies of Adaptor-clathrin Interaction

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis depends on adaptor proteins that coordinate cargo selection and clathrin coat assembly. Here we describe procedures to study adaptor-clathrin physical interaction and live cell imaging approaches using as a model the yeast endocytic adaptor protein Sla1p.

In vivo e in vitro di adattatore-clatrina Interazione

A major endocytic pathway initiates with the formation of clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs) that transport cargo from the cell surface to endosomes1-6. CCVs ...

Clonogenic Assay: Adherent Cells

The clonogenic (or colony forming) assay has been established for more than 50 years; the original paper describing the technique was published in 19561. Apart from documenting the method, the initial landmark study generated the first radiation-dose response curve for X-ray irradiated mammalian (HeLa) cells in culture1. Basically, the clonogenic assay enables an assessment of the differences in reproductive viability (capacity of cells to produce progeny; i.e. a single cell to form a colony of 50 or more cells) between control untreated cells and cells that have undergone various treatments such as exposure to ionising radiation, various chemical compounds (e.g. cytotoxic agents) or in other cases genetic manipulation. The assay has become the most widely accepted technique in radiation biology and has been widely used for evaluating the radiation sensitivity of different cell lines. Further, the clonogenic assay is commonly used for monitoring the efficacy of radiation modifying compounds and for determining the effects of cytotoxic agents and other anti-cancer therapeutics on colony forming ability, in different cell lines. A typical clonogenic survival experiment using adherent cells lines involves three distinct components, 1) treatment of the cell monolayer in tissue culture flasks, 2) preparation of single cell suspensions and plating an appropriate number of cells in petri dishes and 3) fixing and staining colonies following a relevant incubation period, which could range from 1-3 weeks, depending on the cell line. Here we demonstrate the general procedure for performing the clonogenic assay with adherent cell lines with the use of an immortalized human keratinocyte cell line (FEP-1811)2. Also, our aims are to describe common features of clonogenic assays including calculation of the plating efficiency and survival fractions after exposure of cells to radiation, and to exemplify modification of radiation-response with the use of a natural antioxidant formulation.

The applicability of the clonogenic assay for evaluating reproductive viability has been established for more than 50 years. Here we demonstrate the general procedure for performing the clonogenic assay with adherent cells.

Clonogenica saggio: cellule aderenti

The clonogenic (or colony forming) assay has been established for more than 50 years; the original paper describing the technique was published in 19561. ...

Do-It-Yourself Device for Recovery of Cryopreserved Samples Accidentally Dropped into Cryogenic Storage Tanks

Liquid nitrogen is colorless, odorless, extremely cold (-196 &deg;C) liquid kept under pressure. It is commonly used as a cryogenic fluid for long term storage of biological materials such as blood, cells and tissues 1,2. The cryogenic nature of liquid nitrogen, while ideal for sample preservation, can cause rapid freezing of live tissues on contact - known as 'cryogenic burn'2, which may lead to severe frostbite in persons closely involved in storage and retrieval of samples from Dewars. Additionally, as liquid nitrogen evaporates it reduces the oxygen concentration in the air and might cause asphyxia, especially in confined spaces2.
In laboratories, biological samples are often stored in cryovials or cryoboxes stacked in stainless steel racks within the Dewar tanks1. These storage racks are provided with a long shaft to prevent boxes from slipping out from the racks and into the bottom of Dewars during routine handling. All too often, however, boxes or vials with precious samples slip out and sink to the bottom of liquid nitrogen filled tank. In such cases, samples could be tediously retrieved after transferring the liquid nitrogen into a spare container or discarding it. The boxes and vials can then be relatively safely recovered from emptied Dewar. However, the cryogenic nature of liquid nitrogen and its expansion rate makes sunken sample retrieval hazardous. It is commonly recommended by Safety Offices that sample retrieval be never carried out by a single person. Another alternative is to use commercially available cool grabbers or tongs to pull out the vials3. However, limited visibility within the dark liquid filled Dewars poses a major limitation in their use.
In this article, we describe the construction of a Cryotolerant DIY retrieval device, which makes sample retrieval from Dewar containing cryogenic fluids both safe and easy.

Here we present a low cost, durable cryotolerant device for sample retrieval from Dewar tanks filled with liquid nitrogen. The ease of construction and modular design of the device makes the process of sample retrieval from cryogenic tanks safe and easy.

Do-It-Yourself dispositivo per il recupero di campioni crioconservati cadere accidentalmente nelle cisterne criogeniche

Liquid nitrogen is colorless, odorless, extremely cold (-196 &deg;C) liquid kept under pressure. It is commonly used as a cryogenic fluid for long term ...

In Vivo Modeling of the Morbid Human Genome using Danio rerio

Here, we present methods for the development of assays to query potentially clinically significant nonsynonymous changes using in vivo complementation in zebrafish. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are a useful animal system due to their experimental tractability; embryos are transparent to enable facile viewing, undergo rapid development ex vivo, and can be genetically manipulated.1 These aspects have allowed for significant advances in the analysis of embryogenesis, molecular processes, and morphogenetic signaling. Taken together, the advantages of this vertebrate model make zebrafish highly amenable to modeling the developmental defects in pediatric disease, and in some cases, adult-onset disorders. Because the zebrafish genome is highly conserved with that of humans (~70% orthologous), it is possible to recapitulate human disease states in zebrafish. This is accomplished either through the injection of mutant human mRNA to induce dominant negative or gain of function alleles, or utilization of morpholino (MO) antisense oligonucleotides to suppress genes to mimic loss of function variants. Through complementation of MO-induced phenotypes with capped human mRNA, our approach enables the interpretation of the deleterious effect of mutations on human protein sequence based on the ability of mutant mRNA to rescue a measurable, physiologically relevant phenotype. Modeling of the human disease alleles occurs through microinjection of zebrafish embryos with MO and/or human mRNA at the 1-4 cell stage, and phenotyping up to seven days post fertilization (dpf). This general strategy can be extended to a wide range of disease phenotypes, as demonstrated in the following protocol. We present our established models for morphogenetic signaling, craniofacial, cardiac, vascular integrity, renal function, and skeletal muscle disorder phenotypes, as well as others.

In Vivo Modeling of the Morbid Human Genome using Danio rerio

Here, we present a systematic approach for developing physiologically relevant, sensitive and specific in vivo assays for interpreting variation in human pathology. Transient genetic manipulation via microinjection of WT and mutant human mRNA and morpholino (MO) antisense oligonucleotides harness the tractability of the developing zebrafish embryo to rapidly assay pathogenic mutations, especially, but not exclusively, in the context of human developmental disorders.

In Vivo Modellazione del genoma umano Morbid utilizzando Danio rerio

Here,  we present methods for the development of assays to query potentially clinically  significant nonsynonymous changes using in  vivo complementation ...

Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model System to Study Protein Homeostasis in a Multicellular Organism

The folding and assembly of proteins is essential for protein function, the long-term health of the cell, and longevity of the organism. Historically, the function and regulation of protein folding was studied in vitro, in isolated tissue culture cells and in unicellular organisms. Recent studies have uncovered links between protein homeostasis (proteostasis), metabolism, development, aging, and temperature-sensing. These findings have led to the development of new tools for monitoring protein folding in the model metazoan organism Caenorhabditis elegans. In our laboratory, we combine behavioral assays, imaging and biochemical approaches using temperature-sensitive or naturally occurring metastable proteins as sensors of the folding environment to monitor protein misfolding. Behavioral assays that are associated with the misfolding of a specific protein provide a simple and powerful readout for protein folding, allowing for the fast screening of genes and conditions that modulate folding. Likewise, such misfolding can be associated with protein mislocalization in the cell. Monitoring protein localization can, therefore, highlight changes in cellular folding capacity occurring in different tissues, at various stages of development and in the face of changing conditions. Finally, using biochemical tools ex vivo, we can directly monitor protein stability and conformation. Thus, by combining behavioral assays, imaging and biochemical techniques, we are able to monitor protein misfolding at the resolution of the organism, the cell, and the protein, respectively.

Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model System to Study Protein Homeostasis in a Multicellular Organism

To study the relationship between protein homeostasis, stress and aging, we monitored changes in protein folding by following protein dysfunction, protein localization in the cell and protein stability at the organismal, cellular and protein levels, using the genetically tractable metazoan Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system.

The folding and assembly of proteins is essential for protein function, the long-term health of the cell, and longevity of the organism. Historically, the ...

High-resolution Time-lapse Imaging and Automated Analysis of Microtubule Dynamics in Living Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

The physiological process by which new vasculature forms from existing vasculature requires specific signaling events that trigger morphological changes within individual endothelial cells (ECs). These processes are critical for homeostatic maintenance such as wound healing, and are also crucial in promoting tumor growth and metastasis. EC morphology is defined by the organization of the cytoskeleton, a tightly regulated system of actin and microtubule (MT) dynamics that is known to control EC branching, polarity and directional migration, essential components of angiogenesis. To study MT dynamics, we used high-resolution fluorescence microscopy coupled with computational image analysis of fluorescently-labeled MT plus-ends to investigate MT growth dynamics and the regulation of EC branching morphology and directional migration. Time-lapse imaging of living Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) was performed following transfection with fluorescently-labeled MT End Binding protein 3 (EB3) and Mitotic Centromere Associated Kinesin (MCAK)-specific cDNA constructs to evaluate effects on MT dynamics. PlusTipTracker software was used to track EB3-labeled MT plus ends in order to measure MT growth speeds and MT growth lifetimes in time-lapse images. This methodology allows for the study of MT dynamics and the identification of how localized regulation of MT dynamics within sub-cellular regions contributes to the angiogenic processes of EC branching and migration.

Protocols for Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) culture, transient transfection of fluorescently-labeled markers of microtubule growth, live-cell imaging and automated analysis of interphase microtubule growth dynamics are detailed.

Ad alta risoluzione Time-lapse imaging e analisi automatizzata dei microtubuli Dynamics in Living ombelicale umano cellule endoteliali Vena

The physiological process by which new vasculature forms from existing vasculature requires specific signaling events that trigger morphological changes ...

Gap Junctional Intercellular Communication: A Functional Biomarker to Assess Adverse Effects of Toxicants and Toxins, and Health Benefits of Natural Products

This protocol describes a scalpel loading-fluorescent dye transfer (SL-DT) technique that measures intercellular communication through gap junction channels, which is a major intercellular process by which tissue homeostasis is maintained. Interruption of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) by toxicants, toxins, drugs, etc. has been linked to numerous adverse health effects. Many genetic-based human diseases have been linked to mutations in gap junction genes. The SL-DT technique is a simple functional assay for the simultaneous assessment of GJIC in a large population of cells. The assay involves pre-loading cells with a fluorescent dye by briefly perturbing the cell membrane with a scalpel blade through a population of cells. The fluorescent dye is then allowed to traverse through gap junction channels to neighboring cells for a designated time. The assay is then terminated by the addition of formalin to the cells. The spread of the fluorescent dye through a population of cells is assessed with an epifluorescence microscope and the images are analyzed with any number of morphometric software packages that are available, including free software packages found on the public domain. This assay has also been adapted for in vivo studies using tissue slices from various organs from treated animals. Overall, the SL-DT assay can serve a broad range of in vitro pharmacological and toxicological needs, and can be potentially adapted for high throughput set-up systems with automated fluorescence microscopy imaging and analysis to elucidate more samples in a shorter time.

This protocol describes a scalpel loading-fluorescent dye transfer technique that measures intercellular communication through gap junction channels. Gap junctional intercellular communication is a major cellular process by which tissue homeostasis is maintained and disruption of this cell signaling has adverse health effects.

Spazi di giunzione intercellulare di comunicazione: un biomarker funzionale per valutare gli effetti avversi dei tossici e tossine, e benefici per la salute di prodotti naturali

This protocol describes a scalpel loading-fluorescent dye transfer (SL-DT) technique that measures intercellular communication through gap junction ...