Name: mesenchymal stem cell isolation from pulp tissue and co-culture with cancer cells to study their interactions
Uploaded: 2019-01-07T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Mesenchymal Stem Cell Isolation from Pulp Tissue and Co-Culture with Cancer Cells to Study Their Interactions at JoVE.com

This study was supported by Yeditepe University. All data and figures used in this article were previously published34.

Written informed consent of the patients was obtained after the approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee.
1. DPSC Isolation and Culture
<ol>
	<li>Transfer wisdom teeth obtained from young adults aged between 17 and 20 to 15 mL tubes containing complete Dulbecco&#39;s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) [low glucose DMEM media, supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin/amphotericin (PSA) solution], within 8 h after resection. Keep the tissue material cold ...

<ol>
	<li>Camberlain, G., Fox, J., Ashton, B., Middleton, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mesenchymal+stem+cells:+their+phenotype,+differentiation+capacity,+immunological+features,+and+potential+for+homing.">Mesenchymal stem cells: their phenotype, differentiation capacity, immunological features, and potential for homing.</a> Stem Cells. 25 (11), 2739-2749 (2007).</li><li>Demirci, S., Do&#287;an, A., &#350;ahin, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Dental Stem Cells. , 109-124 (2016).</li><li>Fox, J. M., Chamberlain, G., Ashton, B. A., Middleton, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recent+advances+into+the+understanding+of+mesenchymal+stem+cell+trafficking.">Recent advances into the understanding of mesenchymal stem cell trafficking.</a> British journal of haematology. 137 (6), 491-502 (2007).</li><li>Chang, A. I., Schwertschkow, A. H., Nolta, J. A., Wu, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Involvement+of+mesenchymal+stem+cells+in+cancer+progression+and+metastases.">Involvement of mesenchymal stem cells in cancer progression and metastases.</a> Current cancer drug targets. 15 (2), 88-98 (2015).</li><li>Dvorak, H. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tumors:+wounds+that+do+not+heal.">Tumors: wounds that do not heal.</a> New England Journal of Medicine. 315 (26), 1650-1659 (1986).</li><li>Lu, Y. -. 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=The+growth+inhibitory+effect+of+mesenchymal+stem+cells+on+tumor+cells+in+vitro+and+in+vivo.">The growth inhibitory effect of mesenchymal stem cells on tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.</a> Cancer biology &amp; therapy. 7 (2), 245-251 (2008).</li><li>Secchiero, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+bone+marrow+mesenchymal+stem+cells+display+anti-cancer+activity+in+SCID+mice+bearing+disseminated+non-Hodgkin's+lymphoma+xenografts.">Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells display anti-cancer activity in SCID mice bearing disseminated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma xenografts.</a> PloS one. 5 (6), e11140 (2010).</li><li>Hong, I. -. S., Lee, H. -. Y., Kang, K. -. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mesenchymal+stem+cells+and+cancer:+friends+or+enemies?.">Mesenchymal stem cells and cancer: friends or enemies?.</a> Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis. 768, 98-106 (2014).</li><li>Brennen, W. N., Chen, S., Denmeade, S. R., Isaacs, J. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantification+of+Mesenchymal+Stem+Cells+(MSCs)+at+sites+of+human+prostate+cancer.">Quantification of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) at sites of human prostate cancer.</a> Oncotarget. 4 (1), 106 (2013).</li><li>Klopp, A. H., Gupta, A., Spaeth, E., Andreeff, M., Marini, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Concise+review:+dissecting+a+discrepancy+in+the+literature:+do+mesenchymal+stem+cells+support+or+suppress+tumor+growth.">Concise review: dissecting a discrepancy in the literature: do mesenchymal stem cells support or suppress tumor growth.</a> Stem cells. 29 (1), 11-19 (2011).</li><li>Albini, A., Sporn, M. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+tumour+microenvironment+as+a+target+for+chemoprevention.">The tumour microenvironment as a target for chemoprevention.</a> Nature Reviews Cancer. 7 (2), 139 (2007).</li><li>Quante, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Bone+marrow-derived+myofibroblasts+contribute+to+the+mesenchymal+stem+cell+niche+and+promote+tumor+growth.">Bone marrow-derived myofibroblasts contribute to the mesenchymal stem cell niche and promote tumor growth.</a> Cancer cell. 19 (2), 257-272 (2011).</li><li>Gronthos, S., Mankani, M., Brahim, J., Robey, P. G., Shi, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Postnatal+human+dental+pulp+stem+cells+(DPSCs)+in+vitro+and+in+vivo.">Postnatal human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in vitro and in vivo.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 97 (25), 13625-13630 (2000).</li><li>Mori, G., 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=Dental+pulp+stem+cells:+osteogenic+differentiation+and+gene+expression.">Dental pulp stem cells: osteogenic differentiation and gene expression.</a> Annals of the new York Academy of Sciences. 1237 (1), 47-52 (2011).</li><li>Mori, G., 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=Osteogenic+properties+of+human+dental+pulp+stem+cells.">Osteogenic properties of human dental pulp stem cells.</a> Journal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents. 24 (2), 167-175 (2010).</li><li>Kerkis, I., 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=Isolation+and+characterization+of+a+population+of+immature+dental+pulp+stem+cells+expressing+OCT-4+and+other+embryonic+stem+cell+markers.">Isolation and characterization of a population of immature dental pulp stem cells expressing OCT-4 and other embryonic stem cell markers.</a> Cells Tissues Organs. 184 (3-4), 105-116 (2006).</li><li>Potdar, P. D., Jethmalani, Y. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+dental+pulp+stem+cells:+applications+in+future+regenerative+medicine.">Human dental pulp stem cells: applications in future regenerative medicine.</a> World journal of stem cells. 7 (5), 839 (2015).</li><li>Ahmed, N. E. -. M. B., Murakami, M., Hirose, Y., Nakashima, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Therapeutic+potential+of+dental+pulp+stem+cell+secretome+for+Alzheimer's+disease+treatment:+an+in+vitro+study.">Therapeutic potential of dental pulp stem cell secretome for Alzheimer's disease treatment: an in vitro study.</a> Stem cells international. 2016, (2016).</li><li>Gorin, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Priming+dental+pulp+stem+cells+with+fibroblast+growth+factor-2+increases+angiogenesis+of+implanted+tissue-engineered+constructs+through+hepatocyte+growth+factor+and+vascular+endothelial+growth+factor+secretion.">Priming dental pulp stem cells with fibroblast growth factor-2 increases angiogenesis of implanted tissue-engineered constructs through hepatocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor secretion.</a> Stem cells translational medicine. 5 (3), 392-404 (2016).</li><li>Wakayama, H., 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=Factors+secreted+from+dental+pulp+stem+cells+show+multifaceted+benefits+for+treating+acute+lung+injury+in+mice.">Factors secreted from dental pulp stem cells show multifaceted benefits for treating acute lung injury in mice.</a> Cytotherapy. 17 (8), 1119-1129 (2015).</li><li>Do&#287;an, A., 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=Differentiation+of+human+stem+cells+is+promoted+by+amphiphilic+pluronic+block+copolymers.">Differentiation of human stem cells is promoted by amphiphilic pluronic block copolymers.</a> International Journal of Nanomedicine. 7, 4849 (2012).</li><li>Ta&#351;l&#305;, P. N., Do&#287;an, A., Demirci, S., &#350;ahin, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Boron+enhances+odontogenic+and+osteogenic+differentiation+of+human+tooth+germ+stem+cells+(hTGSCs)+in+vitro.">Boron enhances odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation of human tooth germ stem cells (hTGSCs) in vitro.</a> Biological trace element research. 153 (1-3), 419-427 (2013).</li><li>Yalvac, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+and+characterization+of+stem+cells+derived+from+human+third+molar+tooth+germs+of+young+adults:+implications+in+neo-vascularization,+osteo-,+adipo-and+neurogenesis.">Isolation and characterization of stem cells derived from human third molar tooth germs of young adults: implications in neo-vascularization, osteo-, adipo-and neurogenesis.</a> The pharmacogenomics journal. 10 (2), 105 (2010).</li><li>Do&#287;an, A., 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=Sodium+pentaborate+pentahydrate+and+pluronic+containing+hydrogel+increases+cutaneous+wound+healing+in+vitro+and+in+vivo.">Sodium pentaborate pentahydrate and pluronic containing hydrogel increases cutaneous wound healing in vitro and in vivo.</a> Biological trace element research. 162 (1-3), 72-79 (2014).</li><li>Do&#287;an, A., Yalva&#231;, M. E., Y&#305;lmaz, A., Rizvanov, A., &#350;ahin, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+F68+on+cryopreservation+of+mesenchymal+stem+cells+derived+from+human+tooth+germ.">Effect of F68 on cryopreservation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human tooth germ.</a> Applied biochemistry and biotechnology. 171 (7), 1819-1831 (2013).</li><li>Rizvanov, A. A., 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=Interaction+and+self-organization+of+human+mesenchymal+stem+cells+and+neuro-blastoma+SH-SY5Y+cells+under+co-culture+conditions:+A+novel+system+for+modeling+cancer+cell+micro-environment.">Interaction and self-organization of human mesenchymal stem cells and neuro-blastoma SH-SY5Y cells under co-culture conditions: A novel system for modeling cancer cell micro-environment.</a> European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics. 76 (2), 253-259 (2010).</li><li>Troiano, L., 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=Multiparametric+analysis+of+cells+with+different+mitochondrial+membrane+potential+during+apoptosis+by+polychromatic+flow+cytometry.">Multiparametric analysis of cells with different mitochondrial membrane potential during apoptosis by polychromatic flow cytometry.</a> Nature protocols. 2 (11), 2719 (2007).</li><li>Melzer, C., von der Ohe, J., Lehnert, H., Ungefroren, H., Hass, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cancer+stem+cell+niche+models+and+contribution+by+mesenchymal+stroma/stem+cells.">Cancer stem cell niche models and contribution by mesenchymal stroma/stem cells.</a> Molecular cancer. 16 (1), 28 (2017).</li><li>Aguirre, A., Planell, J., Engel, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dynamics+of+bone+marrow-derived+endothelial+progenitor+cell/mesenchymal+stem+cell+interaction+in+co-culture+and+its+implications+in+angiogenesis.">Dynamics of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cell/mesenchymal stem cell interaction in co-culture and its implications in angiogenesis.</a> Biochemical and biophysical research communications. 400 (2), 284-291 (2010).</li><li>Bogdanowicz, D. R., Lu, H. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Biomimetics and Stem Cells. , 29-36 (2013).</li><li>Plotnikov, E., 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=Cell-to-cell+cross-talk+between+mesenchymal+stem+cells+and+cardiomyocytes+in+co-culture.">Cell-to-cell cross-talk between mesenchymal stem cells and cardiomyocytes in co-culture.</a> Journal of cellular and molecular. 12 (5a), 1622-1631 (2008).</li><li>Bogdanowicz, D. R., Lu, H. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Studying+cell-cell+communication+in+co-culture.">Studying cell-cell communication in co-culture.</a> Biotechnology journal. 8 (4), 395-396 (2013).</li><li>Brunetti, G., 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=High+expression+of+TRAIL+by+osteoblastic+differentiated+dental+pulp+stem+cells+affects+myeloma+cell+viability.">High expression of TRAIL by osteoblastic differentiated dental pulp stem cells affects myeloma cell viability.</a> Oncology reports. 39 (4), 2031-2039 (2018).</li><li>Do&#287;an, A., Demirci, S., Apdik, H., Apdik, E. A., &#350;ahin, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dental+pulp+stem+cells+(DPSCs)+increase+prostate+cancer+cell+proliferation+and+migration+under+in+vitro+conditions.">Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) increase prostate cancer cell proliferation and migration under in vitro conditions.</a> Tissue and Cell. 49 (6), 711-718 (2017).</li></ol>

Contribution of MSCs to tumor environment is regulated by several interactions including hybrid cell generation via cell fusions, entosis or cytokine and chemokine activities between stem cells and cancer cells28. Structural organization, cell-cell interactions, and secreted factors determine cancer cell behavior in terms of tumor promotion, progression, and metastasis to surrounding tissue. Proper ex vivo model systems to investigate the mechanisms behind the interactions of res...

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), with&#160;the ability of differentiation and contribution to regeneration of mesenchymal tissues such as bone, cartilage, muscle, ligament, tendon, and adipose, have been isolated from almost all tissues in the adult body1,2. Other than providing tissue homeostasis by producing resident cells in case of chronic inflammation or an injury, they produce vital cytokines and growth factors to orchestrate angiogenesis, immune system, and tissue remodeling3. The interaction of MSCs with cancer tissue is not well-understood, but accumulating evidence suggests that MSCs might promote tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis4.
The homing ability of MSCs to the injured or chronically inflamed area makes them a valuable candidate for stem cell-based therapies. However, cancer tissues, &#34;never healing wounds&#34;, also release inflammatory cytokines, pro-angiogenic molecules, and vital growth factors, which attract MSCs to the cancerogenous area5. While there are limited reports showing inhibitory effects of MSCs on cancer growth6,7, their cancer progression and metastasis promoting effects have been extensively reported8. MSCs directly or indirectly affect carcinogenesis in different ways including suppressing immune cells, secreting growth factors/cytokines that support cancer cell proliferation and migration, enhancing angiogenic activity, and regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)9,10. Tumor environment consists of several cell types including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and/or myofibroblasts, endothelial cells, adipocytes, and immune cells11. Of those, CAFs are the most abundant cell type in the tumor area that secrete various chemokines promoting cancer growth and metastasis8. It has been shown that bone marrow-derived MSCs can differentiate into CAFs in the tumor stroma12.
Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), characterized as the first dental tissue-derived MSCs by Gronthos et al.13 in 2000 and then widely investigated by others14,15, express pluripotency markers such as Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog16 and can differentiate into various cell linages17. Gene and protein expression analysis proved that DPSCs produce comparable levels of growth factors/cytokines with other MSCs such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiogenin, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, IL-10, and stem cell factor (SCF), as well as fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 ligand (Flt-3L) that might promote angiogenesis, modulate immune cells, and support cancer cell proliferation and migration18,19,20. While the interactions of MSCs with cancer environment have been well-documented in the literature, the relationship between DPSCs and cancer cells has not been evaluated yet. In the present study, we established co-culture and condition medium treatment strategies for a highly metastatic prostate cancer cell line, PC-3, and DPSCs to propose potential action of mechanism of dental MSCs in cancer progression and metastasis.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>11885084</td>
			<td>For cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FBS</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>16000044</td>
			<td>For cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PSA</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>17-745E</td>
			<td>For cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>25200056</td>
			<td>For cell dissociation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>10010023</td>
			<td>For washes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dexamethasone</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>D4902</td>
			<td>Component of differentiation media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#946;-Glycerophosphate</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G9422</td>
			<td>Component of osteogenic differentiation medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ascorbic acid</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A4544</td>
			<td>Component of osteo- and chondro-genic differentiation medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Insulin-Transferrin-Selenium (ITS &#8722;G)</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>41400045</td>
			<td>Component of chondrogenic differentiation medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TGF-&#946;</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>SRP3171</td>
			<td>Component of chondrogenic differentiation medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Insulin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>I6634</td>
			<td>Component of adipogenic differentiation medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>I7018</td>
			<td>Component of adipogenic differentiation medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Indomethacin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>I7378</td>
			<td>Component of adipogenic differentiation medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MTS Reagent</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>G3582</td>
			<td>Cell viability analyses</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TUNEL Assay</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>11684795910</td>
			<td>Apoptotic analyses</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24-well plate inserts</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3396</td>
			<td>For trans-well migration assay</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PKH67</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>PKH67GL</td>
			<td>For co-culture cell staining</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PKH26</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>PKH26GL</td>
			<td>For co-culture cell staining</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P6148</td>
			<td>For cell fixation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>von Kossa Kit</td>
			<td>BioOptica</td>
			<td>04-170801.A</td>
			<td>For cell staining (differentiation)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alcian blue</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A2899</td>
			<td>For cell staining (differentiation)</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

mesenchymal stem cell isolation from pulp tissue and co-culture with cancer cells to study their interactions

Cancer as a multistep process and complicated disease is not only regulated by individual cell proliferation and growth but also controlled by tumor environment and cell-cell interactions. Identification of cancer and stem cell interactions, including changes in extracellular environment, physical interactions, and secreted factors, might enable the discovery of new therapy options. We combine known co-culture techniques to create a model system for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and cancer cell interactions. In the current study, dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and PC-3 prostate cancer cell interactions were examined by direct and indirect co-culture techniques. Condition medium (CM) obtained from DPSCs and 0.4 &#181;m pore sized trans-well membranes were used to study paracrine activity. Co-culture of different cell types together was performed to study direct cell-cell interaction. The results revealed that CM increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis in prostate cancer cell cultures. Both CM and trans-well system increased cell migration capacity of PC-3 cells. Cells stained with different membrane dyes were seeded into the same culture vessels, and DPSCs participated in a self-organized structure with PC-3 cells under this direct co-culture condition. Overall, the results indicated that co-culture techniques could be useful for cancer and MSC interactions as a model system.

Figure 1 depicts the general MSC characteristics of DPSCs under culture conditions. DPSCs exert fibroblast-like cell morphology after plating (Figure 1B). MSC surface antigens (CD29, CD73, CD90, CD105, and CD166) are highly expressed while hematopoietic markers (CD34, CD45, and CD14) are negative (Figure 1C). Changes at the morphological and molecular level related to osteo-, chondro-, and adipo-geni...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Mesenchymal Stem Cell Isolation from Pulp Tissue and Co-Culture with Cancer Cells to Study Their Interactions at JoVE.com

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Isolation from Pulp Tissue and Co-Culture with Cancer Cells to Study Their Interactions

We provide protocols for evaluation of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from dental pulp and prostate cancer cell interactions based on direct and indirect co-culture methods. Condition medium and trans-well membranes are suitable to analyze indirect paracrine activity. Seeding differentially stained cells together is an appropriate model for direct cell-cell interaction.

Cancer as a multistep process and complicated disease is not only regulated by individual cell proliferation and growth but also controlled by tumor ...

This method can help answer key questions in the stem cell field about the role of adult stem cells in the regulation of cancer cell behavior. The main advantage of this technique is that it allows the evaluation of cancer cell and stem cell interactions in vitro without the use of living organisms. This technique has potential for cancer metastasis as it models the promoting role of adult stem cells in cancer metastasis to hard tissues such as bone.Demonstration of the procedure will be carried out by Huseyin Apdik, a post-doctoral in my laboratory. Begin by using sterile extraction forceps to remove the pulp tissue from the center of wisdom teeth obtained from young adults aged 17 to 20 years old. Place the tissue in cold complete DMEM in 10-centimeter tissue culture dishes and use a scalpel to mince the samples into two to three-millimeter fragments.Transfer the pieces from each dish into individual wells of a tissue culture treated six-well plate and cover the tissues in each well with 200 microliters of complete DMEM. Allow the tissues to attach to the well bottoms with an at least two-hour incubation in a humidified, 37 degree Celsius and 5%CO2 cell culture incubator. At the end of the incubation, feed the tissues with two to 2.5 milliliters of fresh complete medium and culture the cells for an additional eight to nine days.When the culture has reached 80%confluency, wash each well with two milliliters of PBS followed by detachment of the cells with two milliliters of trypsin at 37 degrees Celsius. After two minutes, stop the reaction with two milliliters of complete DMEM per well and collect the cells by centrifugation. Then, resuspend the pellets in 15 milliliters of fresh complete medium per two wells of cells and passage the cells into T75 flasks for their subsequent culture.After at least eight passages, visualize the cells by light microscopy. The dental pulp stem cells should have attached to the culture dishes and should display a spindle-like cell morphology. For surface marker analysis, after trypsinization is demonstrated, fix the cells with 4%paraformaldehyde for 20 minutes at room temperature in 1.5-milliliter tubes followed by three washes in 500 microliters of PBS per wash.After the last wash, label the cells with the appropriate antibodies of interest in 100 microliters of PBS per tube for one hour at four degrees Celsius. At the end of the incubation, wash the cells three times in PBS as demonstrated and label the cells with the appropriate secondary antibodies in 100 microliters of PBS per tube for 30 minutes at four degrees Celsius. Then wash the samples three times in PBS and analyze the cells by flow cytometry according to standard protocols.For differentiation of the dental pulp stem cells, seed one times 10 to the four cells into individual wells of 24-well plates in 500 microliters of complete DMEM for a 24-hour incubation in the cell culture incubator. The next day, replace the medium in each well with the appropriate differentiation medium and return the cells to the incubator, refreshing the medium twice a week for two weeks. Differentiation can be confirmed by von Kossa and Alcian blue staining according to standard protocols.After two to four passages, collect the conditioned medium supernatants from the cultured dental pulp stem cells when the cultures reach 80%confluency. Then, centrifuge the collected medium to remove any waste tissue material and cell debris and store the medium at negative 20 degrees Celsius until use. For cancer cell treatment, seed one times 10 to the five tumor cells into individual wells of a 12-well plate for overnight incubation at 37 degrees Celsius and 5%CO2.The next morning, use a sterile 200-microliter tip to make a scratch injury in each well and immediately replace the supernatant in each well with fresh medium containing various concentrations of conditioned medium. Then, immediately observe the scratches under an inverted microscope and obtain images of the injured cultures at regular time intervals. At the end of the analysis, measure the scratch closure over time in ImageJ.To assess dental pulp stem cell migration, first seed three times 10 to the four dental pulp stem cells onto individual 24-well plate inserts with 0.4 micron pores in 250 microliters of DMEM and incubate the inserts overnight at 37 degrees Celsius. Next, seed five times 10 the four tumor cells into individual wells of a 24-well plate in 500 microliters of DMEM for overnight incubation at 37 degrees Celsius. The next morning, scratch the tumor cells as demonstrated.Replace the supernatants with 500 microliters of fresh DMEM and place one dental pulp stem cell seeded insert into each well fed with fresh medium. Then immediately observe cells on an inverted microscope and image the cells at regular intervals to assess dental pulp stem cell migration. To assess the direct interactions of dental pulp stem cells with cancer cells, trypsinize each labeled culture to obtain single-cell suspensions and collect the dissociated cells by centrifugation.Resuspend the pellets in distinct cell linker dye solutions prepared in diluent C buffer, supplied according to the manufacturer's instructions, and incubate the cells are room temperature for 10 minutes. Terminate the staining reaction with 100 microliters of fetal bovine serum and collect the cells by centrifugation. Then centrifuge the cells with complete growth medium before plating five times 10 to the four dental pulp stem cell and tumor cells per well in a six-well plate at a one to one ratio in two milliliters of complete medium.Collect the cells after 24 or 48 hours of incubation by centrifugation followed by a wash in PBS. Then, resuspend the cells in 300 microliters of fluorescence-activated cell sorting buffer in five-milliliter round-bottom flow cytometry tubes and vortex to disperse any cell aggregates before analyzing the cells according to standard flow cytometric analysis protocols. Dental pulp stem cells exhibit a fibroblast-like cell morphology after plating and express mesenchymal stem cell surface antigens but not hematopoietic cell markers.Changes at the morphological and molecular level related to osteo, chondro, and adipogenic differentiation are also observed in the dental pulp stem cell cultures following the appropriate differentiation cocktail application. The treatment of scratch-injured tumor cell cultures with 10 and 20%concentrations of conditioned medium increases the scratch closure significantly compared to control-medium-treated tumor cell cultures. Secreted molecules from dental pulp stem cell insert co-cultures also increased scratch closure in injured tumor cells compared to control cell co-cultures.Fluorescence microscope analysis of the interactions of dental pulp stem and tumor cell within an in vitro cell culture reveals the creation of a well-organized structure within which tumor cells rapidly proliferate after 48 hours. While attempting this procedure, it's important to remember to keep two tissue samples in cold medium and immediately transport samples to the laboratory to minimize cell death. After its development, this technique paved the way for researchers in the stem cell fields in exploring adult stem cell cancer interactions in humans.Following this procedure, other methods like immune cell tracing for differential labeled cells of various stem cell and cancer types can be performed to answer additional question about how adult stem cells interact with cancer cells and control cancer metastasis. Don't forget that working with the human samples can be dangerous and that precautions such as analyzing patient samples for infectious diseases and obtaining written patient consent should always be implemented when performing this procedure.

mesenchymal-stem-cell-isolation-from-pulp-tissue-co-culture-with

Research

JoVE Journal

Cancer Research

Isolation Protocol of Mouse Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells and Their Subsequent In Vitro Activation with Tumor Immune Complexes

Dendritic cells (DC) are heterogeneous cell populations that differ in their cell membrane markers, migration patterns and distribution, and in their antigen presentation and T cell activation capacities. Since most vaccinations of experimental tumor models require millions of DC, they are widely isolated from the bone marrow or spleen. However, these DC significantly differ from blood and tumor DC in their responses to immune complexes (IC), and presumably to other Syk-coupled lectin receptors. Importantly, given the sensitivity of DC to danger-associated molecules, the presence of endotoxins or antibodies that crosslink activation receptors in one of the isolating steps could result in the priming of DC and thus affect the parameters, or at least the dosage, required to activate them. Therefore, here we describe a detailed protocol for isolating MoDC from blood and tumors while avoiding their premature activation. In addition, a protocol is provided for MoDC activation with tumor IC, and their subsequent analyses.

Isolation Protocol of Mouse Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells and Their Subsequent In Vitro Activation with Tumor Immune Complexes

Monocyte-derived DC (MoDC) can sense minor amounts of danger-associated molecules and are therefore easily primed. We provide a detailed protocol for the isolation of MoDC from blood and tumors and their activation with immune complexes while highlighting key precautions that should be considered in order to avoid their premature activation.

Dendritic cells (DC) are heterogeneous cell populations that differ in their cell membrane markers, migration patterns and distribution, and in their ...

Generation and Isolation of Cell Cycle-arrested Cells with Complex Karyotypes

Chromosome mis-segregation leads to aneuploidy, a condition in which cells harbor an imbalanced chromosome number. Several lines of evidence strongly indicate that aneuploidy triggers genome instability, ultimately generating cells with complex karyotypes that arrest their proliferation. Isolation and characterization of cells harboring complex karyotypes are crucial to study the impact of an imbalanced chromosome number on cell physiology. To date, no methods have been established to reliably isolate such aneuploid cells. This paper provides a protocol for the enrichment and analysis of aneuploid cells with complex karyotypes utilizing standard, inexpensive tissue culture techniques. This protocol can be used to analyze several features of aneuploid cells with complex karyotypes including their induced senescence-associated secretory phenotype, pro-inflammatory properties, and ability to interact with immune cells. Because cancer cells often harbor imbalances in chromosome number, it is crucial to decipher how aneuploidy impacts cell physiology in normal cells, with the ultimate goal of uncovering both its pro- and anti-tumorigenic effects.

Aneuploidy leads to genome instability, which eventually produces cell cycle-arrested cells with complex karyotypes. This paper provides a simple and convenient method to isolate aneuploid cells with complex karyotypes that cease to divide.

Chromosome mis-segregation leads to aneuploidy, a condition in which cells harbor an imbalanced chromosome number. Several lines of evidence strongly ...

Live-Cell Imaging Assays to Study Glioblastoma Brain Tumor Stem Cell Migration and Invasion

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor that is poorly controlled with the currently available treatment options. Key features of GBMs include rapid proliferation and pervasive invasion into the normal brain. Recurrence is thought to result from the presence of radio- and chemo-resistant brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs) that invade away from the initial cancerous mass and, thus, evade surgical resection. Hence, therapies that target BTSCs and their invasive abilities may improve the otherwise poor prognosis of this disease. Our group and others have successfully established and characterized BTSC cultures from GBM patient samples. These BTSC cultures demonstrate fundamental cancer stem cell properties such as clonogenic self-renewal, multi-lineage differentiation, and tumor initiation in immune-deficient mice. In order to improve on the current therapeutic approaches for GBM, a better understanding of the mechanisms of BTSC migration and invasion is necessary. In GBM, the study of migration and invasion is restricted, in part, due to the limitations of existing techniques which do not fully account for the in vitro growth characteristics of BTSCs grown as neurospheres. Here, we describe rapid and quantitative live-cell imaging assays to study both the migration and invasion properties of BTSCs. The first method described is the BTSC migration assay which measures the migration toward a chemoattractant gradient. The second method described is the BTSC invasion assay which images and quantifies a cellular invasion from neurospheres into a matrix. The assays described here are used for the quantification of BTSC migration and invasion over time and under different treatment conditions.

Here, we describe live-cell imaging techniques to quantitatively measure the migration and invasion of glioblastoma brain tumor stem cells over time and under multiple treatment conditions.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor that is poorly controlled with the currently available treatment options. Key features of GBMs include ...

Isolation of Stem-like Cells from 3-Dimensional Spheroid Cultures

Despite advances in adult stem cell research, identification and isolation of stem cells from tissue specimens remains a major challenge. While resident stem cells are relatively quiescent with niche restraints in adult tissues, they enter the cell cycle in anchor-free three-dimensional (3D) culture and undergo both symmetric and asymmetric cell division, giving rise to both stem and progenitor cells. The latter proliferate rapidly and are the major cell population at various stages of lineage commitment, forming heterogeneous spheroids. Using primary normal human prostate epithelial cells (HPrEC), a spheroid-based, label-retention assay was developed that permits the identification and functional isolation of the spheroid-initiating stem cells at a single cell resolution.
HPrEC or cell lines are two-dimensionally (2D) cultured with BrdU for 10 days to permit its incorporation into the DNA of all dividing cells, including self-renewing stem cells. Wash out commences upon transfer to the 3D culture for 5 days, during which stem cells self-renew through asymmetric division and initiate spheroid formation. While relatively quiescent daughter stem cells retain BrdU-labeled parental DNA, the daughter progenitors rapidly proliferate, losing the BrdU label. BrdU can be substituted with CFSE or Far Red pro-dyes, which permit live stem cell isolation by FACS. Stem cell characteristics are confirmed by in vitro spheroid formation, in vivo tissue regeneration assays, and by documenting their symmetric/asymmetric cell divisions. The isolated label-retaining stem cells can be rigorously interrogated by downstream molecular and biologic studies, including RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, single cell capture, metabolic activity, proteome profiling, immunocytochemistry, organoid formation, and in vivo tissue regeneration. Importantly, this marker-free functional stem cell isolation approach identifies stem-like cells from fresh cancer specimens and cancer cell lines from multiple organs, suggesting wide applicability. It can be used to identify cancer stem-like cell biomarkers, screen pharmaceuticals targeting cancer stem-like cells, and discover novel therapeutic targets in cancers.

Using human primary prostate epithelial cells, we report a novel biomarker-free method of functional characterization of stem-like cells by a spheroid-based label-retention assay. A step-by-step protocol is described for BrdU, CFSE, or Far Red 2D cell labeling; three-dimensional spheroid formation; label-retaining stem-like cell identification by immunocytochemistry; and isolation by FACS.

Despite advances in adult stem cell research, identification and isolation of stem cells from tissue specimens remains a major challenge. While resident ...

A Biomimetic Model for Liver Cancer to Study Tumor-Stroma Interactions in a 3D Environment with Tunable Bio-Physical Properties

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver tumor developing in the wake of chronic liver disease. Chronic liver disease and inflammation leads to a fibrotic environment actively supporting and driving hepatocarcinogenesis. Insight into hepatocarcinogenesis in terms of the interplay between the tumor stroma micro-environment and tumor cells is thus of considerable importance. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models are proposed as the missing link between current in vitro 2D cell culture models and in vivo animal models. Our aim was to design a novel 3D biomimetic HCC model with accompanying fibrotic stromal compartment and vasculature. Physiologically relevant hydrogels such as collagen and fibrinogen were incorporated to mimic the bio-physical properties of the tumor ECM. In this model LX2 and HepG2 cells embedded in a hydrogel matrix were seeded onto the inverted transmembrane insert. HUVEC cells were then seeded onto the opposite side of the membrane. Three formulations consisting of ECM-hydrogels embedded with cells were prepared and the bio-physical properties were determined by rheology. Cell viability was determined by a cell viability assay over 21 days. The effect of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin was evaluated in both 2D co-culture and our 3D model for a period of 72h. Rheology results show that bio-physical properties of a fibrotic, cirrhotic and HCC liver can be successfully mimicked. Overall, results indicate that this 3D model is more representative of the&#160;in vivo&#160;situation compared to traditional 2D cultures.&#160;Our 3D tumor model showed a decreased response to chemotherapeutics, mimicking drug resistance typically seen in HCC patients.&#160;

This protocol presents a 3D biomimetic model with accompanying fibrotic stromal compartment. Prepared with physiologically relevant hydrogels in ratios mimicking the bio-physical properties of the stromal extracellular matrix, an active mediator of cellular interactions, tumor growth and metastasis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver tumor developing in the wake of chronic liver disease. Chronic liver disease and inflammation leads to a ...

Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are cancer cells with inherited or acquired stem cell-like characteristics. Despite their low frequency, they are major contributors to breast cancer initiation, relapse, metastasis and therapy resistance. It is imperative to understand the biology of breast cancer stem cells in order to identify novel therapeutic targets to treat breast cancer. Breast cancer stem cells are isolated and characterized based on expression of unique cell surface markers such as CD44, CD24 and enzymatic activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). These ALDHhighCD44+CD24- cells constitute the BCSC population and can be isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for downstream functional studies. Depending on the scientific question, different in vitro and in vivo methods can be used to assess the functional characteristics of BCSCs. Here, we provide a detailed experimental protocol for isolation of human BCSCs from both heterogenous populations of breast cancer cells as well as primary tumor tissue obtained from breast cancer patients. In addition, we highlight downstream in vitro and in vivo functional assays including colony forming assays, mammosphere assays, 3D culture models and tumor xenograft assays that can be used to assess BCSC function.

This experimental protocol describes the isolation of BCSCs from breast cancer cell and tissue samples as well as the in vitro and in vivo assays that can be used to assess BCSC phenotype and function.

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are cancer cells with inherited or acquired stem cell-like characteristics. Despite their low frequency, they are major ...

Co-culture of Glioblastoma Stem-like Cells on Patterned Neurons to Study Migration and Cellular Interactions

Glioblastomas (GBMs), grade IV malignant gliomas, are one of the deadliest types of human cancer because of their aggressive characteristics. Despite significant advances in the genetics of these tumors, how GBM cells invade the healthy brain parenchyma is not well understood. Notably, it has been shown that GBM cells invade the peritumoral space via different routes; the main interest of this paper is the route along white matter tracts (WMTs). The interactions of tumor cells with the peritumoral nervous cell components are not well characterized. Herein, a method has been described that evaluates the impact of neurons on GBM cell invasion. This paper presents an advanced co-culture in vitro assay that mimics WMT invasion by analyzing the migration of GBM stem-like cells on neurons. The behavior of GBM cells in the presence of neurons is monitored by using an automated tracking procedure with open-source and free-access software. This method is useful for many applications, in particular, for functional and mechanistic studies as well as for analyzing the effects of pharmacological agents that can block GBM cell migration on neurons.

Here, we present an easy-to-use co-culture assay to analyze glioblastoma (GBM) migration on patterned neurons. We developed a macro in FiJi software for easy quantification of GBM cell migration on neurons, and observed that neurons modify GBM cell invasive capacity.

Glioblastomas (GBMs), grade IV malignant gliomas, are one of the deadliest types of human cancer because of their aggressive characteristics. Despite ...

Co-culture of Glutamatergic Neurons and Pediatric High-Grade Glioma Cells Into Microfluidic Devices to Assess Electrical Interactions

Pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG) represent childhood and adolescent brain cancers that carry a rapid dismal prognosis. Since there is a need to overcome the resistance to current treatments and find a new way of cure, modeling the disease as close as possible in an in vitro setting to test new drugs and therapeutic procedures is highly demanding. Studying their fundamental pathobiological processes, including glutamatergic neuron hyperexcitability, will be a real advance in understanding interactions between the environmental brain and pHGG cells. Therefore, to recreate neurons/pHGG cell interactions, this work shows the development of a functional in vitro model co-culturing human-induced Pluripotent Stem (hiPS)-derived cortical glutamatergic neurons pHGG cells into compartmentalized microfluidic devices and a process to record their electrophysiological modifications. The first step was to differentiate and characterize human glutamatergic neurons. Secondly, the cells were cultured in microfluidic devices with pHGG derived cell lines. Brain microenvironment and neuronal activity were then included in this model to analyze the electrical impact of pHGG cells on these micro-environmental neurons. Electrophysiological recordings are coupled using multielectrode arrays (MEA) to these microfluidic devices to mimic physiological conditions and to record the electrical activity of the entire neural network. A significant increase in neuron excitability was underlined in the presence of tumor cells.

Recent works uncover the neuronal impact on high-grade pediatric glioma (pHGG) cells and their reciprocal interactions. The present work shows the development of an in vitro model co-culturing pHGG cells and glutamatergic neurons and recorded their electrophysiological interactions to mimic those interactivities.

Pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG) represent childhood and adolescent brain cancers that carry a rapid dismal prognosis. Since there is a need to ...

Orthotopic Implantation of Patient-Derived Cancer Cells in Mice Recapitulates Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Over the last decade, more sophisticated preclinical colorectal cancer (CRC) models have been established using patient-derived cancer cells and 3D tumoroids. Since patient derived tumor organoids can retain the characteristics of the original tumor, these reliable preclinical models enable cancer drug screening and the study of drug resistance mechanisms. However, CRC related death in patients is mostly associated with the presence of metastatic disease. It is therefore essential to evaluate the efficacy of anti-cancer therapies in relevant in vivo models that truly recapitulate the key molecular features of human cancer metastasis. We have established an orthotopic model based on the injection of CRC patient-derived cancer cells directly into the cecum wall of mice. These tumor cells develop primary tumors in the cecum that metastasize to the liver and lungs, which is frequently observed in patients with advanced CRC. This CRC mouse model can be used to evaluate drug responses monitored by microcomputed tomography (&#181;CT), a clinically relevant small-scale imaging method that can easily identify primary tumors or metastases in patients. Here, we describe the surgical procedure and the required methodology to implant patient-derived cancer cells in the cecum wall of immunodeficient mice.

This protocol describes the orthotopic implantation of patient-derived cancer cells in the cecum wall of immunodeficient mice. The model recapitulates advanced colorectal cancer metastatic disease and allows for the evaluation of new therapeutic drugs in a clinically relevant scenario of lung and liver metastases.

Over the last decade, more sophisticated preclinical colorectal cancer (CRC) models have been established using patient-derived cancer cells and 3D ...

Quantifying Telomere Length Using Non-Radioactive Chemiluminescence Detection

Optimization of Performance Parameters of the TAGGG Telomere Length Assay

Telomeres are repetitive sequences which are present at chromosomal ends; their shortening is a characteristic feature of human somatic cells. Shortening occurs due to a problem with end replication and the absence of the telomerase enzyme, which is responsible for maintaining telomere length. Interestingly, telomeres also shorten in response to various internal physiological processes, like oxidative stress and inflammation, which may be impacted due to extracellular agents like pollutants, infectious agents, nutrients, or radiation. Thus, telomere length serves as an excellent biomarker of aging and various physiological health parameters. The TAGGG telomere length assay kit is used to quantify average telomere lengths using the telomere restriction fragment (TRF) assay and is highly reproducible. However, it is an expensive method, and because of this, it is not employed routinely for large sample numbers. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for an optimized and cost-effective measurement of telomere length using Southern blots or TRF analysis and non-radioactive chemiluminescence-based detection.

Author Spotlight: Optimization of Performance Parameters of the TAGGG Telomere Length Assay  

Here, we describe in detail the protocol for quantifying telomere length using non-radioactive chemiluminescent detection, with a focus on the optimization of various performance parameters of the TAGGG telomere length assay kit, such as buffer quantities and probe concentrations.

Telomeres are repetitive sequences which are present at chromosomal ends; their shortening is a characteristic feature of human somatic cells. Shortening ...