The project was supported by NIH grant U01HL098180 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute or the National Institutes of Health.

1. Reagents Setup
1.1 Dissection and Imaging Medium
Leibovitz's L-15 medium (L15) is supplemented with FBS (10%) and Penicillin-Streptomycin (100 units/ml of penicillin G sodium and 100 &mu;g/ml of streptomycin sulfate) is used during both harvest and imaging of trachea samples.
2. Shallow Walled Culture Chamber Assembly
The chamber used to hold trachea tissue is shown in Figure 1. The floor of the ch...

<ol>
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Measurement of cilia beat frequency (CBF) is relatively easy using high power microscope objectives and fast image acquisition hardware 13,15, and explains why CBF measurements form the basis of most studies investigating mucociliary clearance during health and disease. However, while CBF measurement is essential for understanding mucociliary clearance, measurement of CBF alone ignores the underlying importance of both ciliary generated flow and cilia beat waveform, both of which are more difficult to measure,...

Analysis of motile cilia function in the airway epithelia is experimentally important for elucidating the genetic and environmental factors that can affect mucociliary clearance and pulmonary health 1. The simple protocol developed for imaging the mouse airway epithelia provides an efficient method to interrogate airway cilia motility in mutant and knockout mouse models and require only basic skills in mouse tracheal tissue dissection and ex vivo imaging of airway cilia motility with high resolution videomicroscopy. This protocol was established and refined during a large-scale mouse mutagenesis screen to allow rapid evaluation of motile cilia function (cilia beat frequency, cilia beat shape, cilia generated flow) in mutants with congenital heart disease associated with heterotaxy 2-5.
Current techniques used to study airway cilia motility can be grouped into either the acute ex vivo type or longer term in vitro experimental approaches. Acute experiments include ex vivo visualization of human nasal/airway brush biopsies 6,7 and analysis of simple transverse airway sections 8. The in vitro approaches utilize various cell culture techniques to generate sheets of differentiated ciliated epithelia such as in air liquid interface cultures or airway suspension cultures9-11. However, these airway epithelia reciliation techniques require very significant investment in time and training before any useable ciliated epithelial cells are produced for experimentation (4-6 weeks 9,10). While acute ex vivo analysis of airway epithelial brush biopsies are commonly used for human clinical studies, this method is not usable in mouse studies due to exacerbated mechanical tissue injury 12.
 
The technique outlined in this protocol for analysis of mouse tracheal airway epithelia is not only simple to execute, but it requires no special dissection skills nor any specialized equipment besides those standard for imaging by videomicroscopy. There are many advantages to this simple protocol. First, as the mouse trachea tissue harvest is quick and easy to perform, it allows for rapid assessment of airway cilia function in a large number of mice. This can include acute analysis of the short term effects of different in vitro treatments. Second, being an ex vivo technique, the ciliated airway epithelium remains attached to it underlying supporting tissues and thus retain associated cell signaling pathways. Therefore in comparison to in vitro reciliated airway epithelia, this preparation is a better representation of the natural in vivo tissue environment. Third, this protocol allows the acquisition of a number of different quantitative parameters that can provide the objective assessment of motile cilia function. Finally, in contrast to other current methods for airway cilia visualization, this protocol allows for visualization of the cilia at right angles to the cilia beat direction, allowing profile view of the cilia that is optimal for high resolution imaging of cilia beat and metachronal wave generation.
This protocol can be modified in a number of ways to address a wide range of experimental needs such as the role of pharmacological agents, genetic factors, environmental exposures, and/or mechanical factors such as mucus load on airway cilia function and generation/maintenance of airway cilia beat and metachronal wave propagation.

<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of the reagent</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue number</td>
 <td>Comments (optional)</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Leibovitz's L-15 Medium </td>
 <td>Invitrogen </td>
 <td>21083-027 </td>
 <td>No phenol red </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Fetal bovine serum </td>
 <td>Hyclone </td>
 <td>SH30088.03 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Penicillin-Streptomycin </td>
 <td>Invitrogen </td>
 <td>15140-122 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>2x fine forceps </td>
 <td>Roboz </td>
 <td>RS-4976 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Dissection scissors </td>
 <td>Roboz </td>
 <td>RS-5676 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Micro dissection scissors </td>
 <td>Roboz </td>
 <td>RS-5620 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Scalpel </td>
 <td>Roboz </td>
 <td>RS-9801-15 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>P1000 pipetman </td>
 <td>Gilson, Inc </td>
 <td>F123602 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>P1000 tips </td>
 <td>Molecular BioProducts </td>
 <td>2079E </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>18 mm round glass cover slips </td>
 <td>Fisher Scientific </td>
 <td>430588 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Plastic 35 mm culture dishes </td>
 <td>Corning </td>
 <td>430588 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Glass bottom 35 mm culture dishes </td>
 <td>Warner Instruments </td>
 <td>W3 64-0758 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Silicone sheet 0.012" (0.3 mm) thick </td>
 <td>AAA Acme Rubber Co </td>
 <td>CASS-.012X36-63908 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>0.20 &mu;m diameter Fluoresbrite YG Carboxylate Microspheres </td>
 <td>Polysciences </td>
 <td>09834-10 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Inverted microscope, with 100x oil objective and DIC filters </td>
 <td>Lecia</td>
 <td>DMIRE2 </td>
 <td>Brand is not critical. </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>100-watt mercury lamp, epifluorescent FITC excitation/emission filters</td>
 <td>Lecia </td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Brand is not critical.</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Microscope stage Incubator</td>
 <td>Lecia </td>
 <td>11521749 </td>
 <td>Not required if imaging cilia at room temperature</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>High-speed camera bright field </td>
 <td>Vision Research </td>
 <td>Phantom v4.2 </td>
 <td>Brand is not critical. Must be faster than 125 fps</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>High-speed fluorescent camera </td>
 <td>Hamamatsu </td>
 <td>C9100-12 </td>
 <td>Brand is not critical. Must be faster than 10 fps</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Movie analysis software</td>
 <td>National Institutes of Health</td>
 <td>ImageJ with MtrackJ plugin</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

ex vivo method for high resolution imaging of cilia motility in rodent airway epithelia

An ex vivo technique for imaging mouse airway epithelia for quantitative analysis of motile cilia function important for insight into mucociliary clearance function has been established. Freshly harvested mouse trachea is cut longitudinally through the trachealis muscle and mounted in a shallow walled chamber on a glass-bottomed dish. The trachea sample is positioned along its long axis to take advantage of the trachealis muscle to curl longitudinally. This allows imaging of ciliary motion in the profile view along the entire tracheal length. Videos at 200 frames/sec are obtained using differential interference contrast microscopy and a high speed digital camera to allow quantitative analysis of cilia beat frequency and ciliary waveform. With the addition of fluorescent beads during imaging, cilia generated fluid flow also can be determined. The protocol time spans approximately 30 min, with 5 min for chamber preparation, 5-10 min for sample mounting, and 10-15 min for videomicroscopy.

Control airway cilia should be clearly visible and seen to beat in a coordinated manner (Supplemental Movie 1; movie playback is slowed to 15% real time), with noticeable flow in the direction of cilia beat (Supplemental Movie 2; movie playback is 100% real time). Quantitation of cilia movies should yield results similar to that seen in Figure 3. Collection of high-speed DIC movies makes possible the quantification of cilia beat frequency (Figure 3C) and...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Ex vivo Method for High Resolution Imaging of Cilia Motility in Rodent Airway Epithelia at JoVE.com

Ex vivo Method for High Resolution Imaging of Cilia Motility in Rodent Airway Epithelia

An easy and reliable technique for visualizing and quantifying airway cilia motility and cilia generated flow using mouse trachea is described. This technique can be modified to determine how a wide range of factors influence cilia motility, including pharmacological agents, genetic factors, environmental exposures, and/or mechanical factors such as mucus load.

Ex vivo Method for High Resolution Imaging of Cilia Motility in Rodent Airway Epithelia

An ex vivo technique for imaging mouse airway epithelia for quantitative  analysis of motile cilia function important for insight into mucociliary  ...

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20.6K ビュー.  University of Pittsburgh. 気道繊毛運動と繊毛生成されたフローをマウス気管を使用して可視化し、定量化するための簡単​​で信頼性の高い技術が記載されている。この技術は様々な要因が薬理学的薬剤、遺伝的要因、環境曝露、及び/又は粘液負荷などの機械的要因を含む、繊毛運動性にどのように影響するかを決定するために変更することができる。

ビデオ: Ex vivo Method for High Resolution Imaging of Cilia Motility in Rodent Airway Epithelia

An easy and reliable technique for visualizing and quantifying airway cilia motility and cilia generated flow using mouse trachea is described.  This technique can be modified to determine how a wide range of factors influence cilia motility, including pharmacological agents, genetic factors, environmental exposures, and/or mechanical factors such as mucus...

high resolution 3d imaging of ex-vivo biological samples by micro ct

High Resolution 3D Imaging of Ex-Vivo Biological Samples by Micro CT

Non-destructive volume visualization can be achieved only by tomographic techniques, of which the most efficient is the x-ray micro computerized tomography (...

High Resolution 3D Imaging of Ex-Vivo Biological Samples by Micro CT

spatiotemporal mapping of motility in ex vivo preparations of the intestines

Spatiotemporal Mapping of Motility in Ex Vivo Preparations of the Intestines

Recently available video recording and spatiotemporal mapping (STmap) techniques make it possible to visualize and quantify both propagating and mixing patterns of intestinal motility. The goal of this protocol is to explain the generation and analysis of STmaps using the GastroIntestinal Motility Monitoring (GIMM)...

Spatiotemporal Mapping of Motility in Ex Vivo Preparations of the Intestines

ex vivo perfusion of the rodent placenta

Ex Vivo Perfusion of the Rodent Placenta

Here is presented a protocol of ex vivo maternal-fetal vascular perfusion to enable the administration of a test article into maternal vasculature and to evaluate placental transfer of xenobiotic particles or pharmacological agents in addition to alterations in placental...

an ex vivo method for time-lapse imaging of cultured rat mesenteric microvascular networks

An Ex Vivo Method for Time-Lapse Imaging of Cultured Rat Mesenteric Microvascular Networks

Angiogenesis involves multi-cell, multi-system interactions that need to be investigated in a physiologically relevant environment. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the ability of the rat mesentery culture model to make time-lapse comparisons of intact microvascular networks during angiogenesis.

An Ex Vivo Method for Time-Lapse Imaging of Cultured Rat Mesenteric Microvascular Networks

alignment of visible-light optical coherence tomography fibergrams with confocal images of the same mouse retina

Author Spotlight: Advancements in In Vivo and Ex Vivo Retinal Imaging for Improved Glaucoma Diagnosis and Treatment 

The present protocol outlines the steps for aligning in vivo visible-light optical coherence tomography fibergraphy (vis-OCTF) images with ex vivo confocal images of the same mouse retina for the purpose of verifying the observed retinal ganglion cell axon bundle morphology in the in vivo images.

Mouse Retina OCT Fibergram Alignment with Confocal Images

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expansion pathology: a method for high-resolution optical imaging of clinical tissue samples

In this video, we describe a method called expansion pathology, a variant of expansion microscopy, wherein the clinical tissue specimens are chemically expanded using a polymer network for microscopic examination of nanoscale...

Expansion Pathology: A Method for High-resolution Optical Imaging of Clinical Tissue Samples

ex vivo method for assessing the mouse reproductive tract spontaneous motility and a matlab-based uterus motion tracking algorithm for data analysis

Ex Vivo Method for Assessing the Mouse Reproductive Tract Spontaneous Motility and a MATLAB-based Uterus Motion Tracking Algorithm for Data Analysis

Uterine contractions are important for the well-being of females. However, pathologically increased contractility may result in dysmenorrhea, especially in younger females. Here, we describe a simple ex vivo preparation allowing quick assessment of the efficacy of smooth muscle relaxants that may be used for treating...

Remove excess anchoring solution from the tissue section and place the slide back into the Petri dish. Add fresh cold gelling solution to the sample and incubate the mixture for 30 minutes at 4 degrees Celsius. To construct a chamber on the slide around the sample, create spacers by thinly cutting pieces of cover glass with a diamond knife. Secure the spacers on either side of the tissue with water and carefully place a cover glass lid over the slide, making sure to avoid trapping air bubbles...

whole lung agarose inflation: a method of preparing  lungs for ex vivo live imaging

This video describes a method of preparing lungs for ex vivo live imaging to study interactions between cancer cells and stromal cells, using agarose for inflation. In the sample protocol, agarose inflation procedure is described before observing live cellular...

Whole Lung Agarose Inflation: A Method of Preparing  Lungs for Ex vivo Live Imaging

high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging of the human subcortex in vivo and postmortem

High-resolution Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Human Subcortex In Vivo and Postmortem

Here we present a protocol to determine the minimum number images that needed to be registered and averaged to resolve subcortical structures and test whether the individual layers of the LGN could be resolved in the absence of physiological noise.

High-resolution Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Human Subcortex In Vivo and Postmortem

high-resolution in vivo manual segmentation protocol for human hippocampal subfields using 3t magnetic resonance imaging

High-resolution In Vivo Manual Segmentation Protocol for Human Hippocampal Subfields Using 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The goal of this manuscript is to study the hippocampus and hippocampal subfields using MRI. The manuscript describes a protocol for segmenting the hippocampus and five hippocampal substructures: cornu ammonis (CA) 1, CA2/CA3, CA4/dentate gyrus, strata radiatum/lacunosum/moleculare, and subiculum.

High-resolution In Vivo Manual Segmentation Protocol for Human Hippocampal Subfields Using 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging

ex vivo calcium imaging for drosophila model of epilepsy

Author Spotlight: Insights into the Techniques and Findings of Recent Advancements in Epilepsy Research 

Here, we present a protocol for ex vivo calcium imaging in GCaMP6-expressing adult Drosophila to monitor epileptiform activities. The protocol provides a valuable tool for investigating ictal events in adult Drosophila through ex vivo calcium imaging, allowing for exploration of the potential mechanisms of epilepsy at the cellular...

Ex Vivo Calcium Imaging for Drosophila Model of Epilepsy

ex vivo live imaging of single cell divisions in mouse neuroepithelium

Ex vivo Live Imaging of Single Cell Divisions in Mouse Neuroepithelium

Here we develop the tools necessary for ex vivo live imaging to trace single cell divisions in the mouse E8.5...

Ex vivo Live Imaging of Single Cell Divisions in Mouse Neuroepithelium

high-resolution fiber-optic microendoscopy for in situ cellular imaging

High-resolution Fiber-optic Microendoscopy for in situ Cellular Imaging

In many biological and clinical situations it is advantageous to study cellular processes as they evolve in their native microenvironment.  Here we describe the assembly and use of a low-cost fiber-optic microscope which can provide real time imaging in cell culture, animal studies, and clinical patient...

High-resolution Fiber-optic Microendoscopy for in situ Cellular Imaging

a dissection method to harvest murine popliteal draining lymph nodes for ex vivo imaging

This video demonstrates a dissection technique to harvest popliteal draining lymph nodes from the mouse hind legs. Lymph nodes play a critical role in bridging innate and adaptive immunity, and harvesting intact lymph nodes &#8212; with a preserved tissue structure and cellular viability &#8212; can help study local and systemic immune...

A Dissection Method to Harvest Murine Popliteal Draining Lymph Nodes for Ex Vivo Imaging

Expose the popliteal fossa. The popliteal lymph node will appear as a translucent sphere within the fossa. Then, remove the lymph node with the microsurgery curved...

live imaging of the ependymal cilia in the lateral ventricles of the mouse brain

Live Imaging of the Ependymal Cilia in the Lateral Ventricles of the Mouse Brain

Using high-resolution differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, an ex vivo observation of the beating of motile ependymal cilia located within the mouse brain ventricles is demonstrated by live-imaging. The technique allows a recording of the unique ciliary beating frequency and beating angle as well as their intracellular calcium oscillation pacing...

in vivo and ex vivo imaging for nanoparticle tracking in murine glioblastoma models

In Vivo and Ex Vivo Imaging for Nanoparticle Tracking in Murine Glioblastoma Models

ex vivo confocal imaging of mouse retina

Ex Vivo Confocal Imaging of Mouse Retina  

Neuronal Cell Cultures from Aplysia for High-Resolution Imaging of Growth Cones

Neuronal growth cones are the highly motile structures at the tip of axons that can detect guidance cues in the environment and transduce this information into directional movement towards the appropriate target cell. To fully understand how guidance information is transmitted from the cell surface to the underlying dynamic cytoskeletal networks, one needs a model system suitable for live cell imaging of protein dynamics at high temporal and spatial resolution. Typical vertebrate growth cones are too small to quantitatively analyze F-actin and microtubule dynamics. Neurons from the sea hare Aplysia californica are 5-10 times larger than vertebrate neurons, can easily be kept at room temperature and are very robust cells for micromanipulation and biophysical measurements. Their growth cones have very defined cytoplasmic regions and a well-described cytoskeletal system. The neuronal cell bodies can be microinjected with a variety of probes for studying growth cone motility and guidance. In the present protocol we demonstrate a procedure for dissection of the abdominal ganglion, culture of bag cell neurons and setting up an imaging chamber for live cell imaging of growth cones.

Aplysia californica neurons develop large growth cones in culture that are excellent for high-resolution imaging of growth cone motility and guidance. Here, we present a protocol for dissection and plating of Aplysia bag cell neurons as well as for setting up a chamber for live cell imaging.

Neuronal growth cones are the highly motile structures at the tip of axons that can detect guidance cues in the environment and transduce this information ...

Method for Culture of Early Chick Embryos ex vivo (New Culture)

The chick embryo is a valuable tool in the study of early embryonic development. Its transparency, accessibility and ease of manipulation, make it an ideal tool for studying  the formation and patterning of brain, neural tube, somite and heart primordia. Applications of chick embryo culture include electroporation of DNA or RNA constructs in order to analyze gene function, grafts of growth factor coated beads such as FGFs and BMPs , as well as whole mount in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. This video demonstrates the different steps in chick embryo culture; First, the embryo is explanted in saline. Then, the embryo is centered on a glass ring. The membranes surrounding the embryo are lifted along the walls of the ring. The ring is then placed in a culture dish containing a pool of albumine. The culture dish is sealed and placed in a humid chamber, where the embryo is cultured for up to 24 hrs. Finally, the embryo is removed from the ring, fixed and processed for further applications. A troubleshooting guide is also presented.

Method for Culture of Early Chick Embryos ex vivo New Culture

This video demonstrates New culture, a method by which chick embryos are cultured outside the egg for up to 24 hr. This method enables one to study early development (primitive streak to 14 som.), a period corresponding to E7-9 in mouse. Applications of this technique include electroporation, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

The chick embryo is a valuable tool in the study of early embryonic development. Its transparency, accessibility and ease of manipulation, make it an ...

High-Resolution Video Tracking of Locomotion in Adult Drosophila Melanogaster

Flies provide an important model for studying complex behavior due to the plethora of genetic tools available to researchers in this field. Studying locomotor behavior in Drosophila melanogaster relies on the ability to be able to quantify changes in motion during or in response to a given task. For this reason, a high-resolution video tracking system, such as the one we describe in this paper, is a valuable tool for measuring locomotion in real-time. Our protocol involves the use of an initial air pulse to break the flies momentum, followed by a thirty second filming period in a square chamber. A tracking program is then used to calculate the instantaneous speed of each fly within the chamber in 10 msec increments. Analysis software then compiles this data, and outputs a variety of parameters such as average speed, max speed, time spent in motion, acceleration, etc. This protocol will discuss proper feeding and management of flies for behavioral tasks, handling flies without anesthetization or immobilization, setting up a controlled environment, and running the assay from start to finish.

The study of complex locomotor behavior in Drosophila melanogaster is dependent upon the ability to quantify changes in a given fly's movement. This article demonstrates how to do this using a high-resolution tracking system.

Flies provide an important model for studying complex behavior due to the plethora of genetic tools available to researchers in this field.  Studying ...

In vivo Imaging of Intact Drosophila Larvae at Sub-cellular Resolution

Recent improvements in optical imaging, genetically encoded fluorophores and genetic tools allowing efficient establishment of desired transgenic animal lines have enabled biological processes to be studied in the context of a living, and in some instances even behaving, organism. In this protocol we will describe how to anesthetize intact Drosophila larvae, using the volatile anesthetic desflurane, to follow the development and plasticity of synaptic populations at sub-cellular resolution1-3. While other useful methods to anesthetize Drosophila melanogaster larvae have been previously described4,5,6,7,8, the protocol presented herein demonstrates significant improvements due to the following combined key features: (1) A very high degree of anesthetization; even the heart beat is arrested allowing for lateral resolution of up to 150 nm1, (2) a high survival rate of &gt; 90% per anesthetization cycle, permitting the recording of more than five time-points over a period of hours to days2 and (3) a high sensitivity enabling us in 2 instances to study the dynamics of proteins expressed at physiological levels. In detail, we were able to visualize the postsynaptic glutamate receptor subunit GluR-IIA expressed via the endogenous promoter1 in stable transgenic lines and the exon trap line FasII-GFP1. (4) In contrast to other methods4,7 the larvae can be imaged not only alive, but also intact (i.e. non-dissected) allowing observation to occur over a number of days1. The accompanying video details the function of individual parts of the in vivo imaging chamber2,3, the correct mounting of the larvae, the anesthetization procedure, how to re-identify specific positions within a larva and the safe removal of the larvae from the imaging chamber.

In vivo Imaging of Intact Drosophila Larvae at Sub-cellular Resolution

This protocol describes a reliable method for anesthetization and imaging of intact Drosophila melanogaster larvae. We have utilized the volatile anesthetic desflurane to allow for repetitive imaging at sub-cellular resolution and re-identification of structures for up to a few days1.

Recent improvements in optical imaging, genetically encoded fluorophores and genetic tools allowing efficient establishment of desired transgenic animal ...

A Novel Ex vivo Culture Method for the Embryonic Mouse Heart

Developmental studies in the mouse are hampered by the inaccessibility of the embryo during gestation. Thus, protocols to isolate and culture individual organs of interest are essential to provide a method of both visualizing changes in development and allowing novel treatment strategies. To promote the long-term culture of the embryonic heart at late stages of gestation, we developed a protocol in which the excised heart is cultured in a semi-solid, dilute Matrigel. This substrate provides enough support to maintain the three-dimensional structure but is flexible enough to allow continued contraction. In brief, hearts are excised from the embryo and placed in a mixture of cold Matrigel diluted 1:1 with growth medium. After the diluted Matrigel solidifies, growth medium is added to the culture dish. Hearts excised as late as embryonic day 16.5 were viable for four days post-dissection. Analysis of the coronary plexus shows that this method does not disrupt coronary vascular development. Thus, we present a novel method for long-term culture of embryonic hearts.

A Novel Ex vivo Culture Method for the Embryonic Mouse Heart

Developmental studies in the mouse are hampered by the inaccessibility of the embryo during gestation. To promote the long-term culture of the embryonic heart at late stages of gestation, we developed a protocol in which the excised heart is cultured in a semi-solid, dilute Matrigel.

Developmental studies in the mouse are hampered  by the inaccessibility of the embryo during gestation. Thus, protocols to  isolate and culture individual ...

Preparation, Imaging, and Quantification of Bacterial Surface Motility Assays

Bacterial surface motility, such as swarming, is commonly examined in the laboratory using plate assays that necessitate specific concentrations of agar and sometimes inclusion of specific nutrients in the growth medium. The preparation of such explicit media and surface growth conditions serves to provide the favorable conditions that allow not just bacterial growth but coordinated motility of bacteria over these surfaces within thin liquid films. Reproducibility of swarm plate and other surface motility plate assays can be a major challenge. Especially for more &#8220;temperate swarmers&#8221; that exhibit motility only within agar ranges of 0.4%-0.8% (wt/vol), minor changes in protocol or laboratory environment can greatly influence swarm assay results. &#8220;Wettability&#8221;, or water content at the liquid-solid-air interface of these plate assays, is often a key variable to be controlled. An additional challenge in assessing swarming is how to quantify observed differences between any two (or more) experiments. Here we detail a versatile two-phase protocol to prepare and image swarm assays. We include guidelines to circumvent the challenges commonly associated with swarm assay media preparation and quantification of data from these assays. We specifically demonstrate our method using bacteria that express fluorescent or bioluminescent genetic reporters like green fluorescent protein (GFP), luciferase (lux operon), or cellular stains to enable time-lapse optical imaging. We further demonstrate the ability of our method to track competing swarming species in the same experiment.

Swarming motility is influenced by physical and environmental factors. We describe a two-phase protocol and guidelines to circumvent the challenges commonly associated with swarm assay preparation and data collection. A macroscopic imaging technique is employed to obtain detailed information on swarm behavior that is not provided by current analysis techniques.

Bacterial surface motility, such as swarming, is commonly examined in the laboratory using plate assays that necessitate specific concentrations of agar ...

Multiple approaches have been used to record and evaluate gastrointestinal motility including: recording changes in muscle tension, intraluminal pressure, and membrane potential. All of these approaches depend on measurement of activity at one or multiple locations along the gut simultaneously which are then interpreted to provide a sense of overall motility patterns. Recently, the development of video recording and spatiotemporal mapping (STmap) techniques have made it possible to observe and analyze complex patterns in ex vivo whole segments of colon and intestine. Once recorded and digitized, video records can be converted to STmaps in which the luminal diameter is converted to grayscale or color [called diameter maps (Dmaps)]. STmaps can provide data on motility direction (i.e., stationary, peristaltic, antiperistaltic), velocity, duration, frequency and strength of contractile motility patterns. Advantages of this approach include: analysis of interaction or simultaneous development of different motility patterns in different regions of the same segment, visualization of motility pattern changes over time, and analysis of how activity in one region influences activity in another region. Video recordings can be replayed with different timescales and analysis parameters so that separate STmaps and motility patterns can be analyzed in more detail. This protocol specifically details the effects of intraluminal fluid distension and intraluminal stimuli that affect motility generation. The use of luminal receptor agonists and antagonists provides mechanistic information on how specific patterns are initiated and how one pattern can be converted into another pattern. The technique is limited by the ability to only measure motility that causes changes in luminal diameter, without providing data on intraluminal pressure changes or muscle tension, and by the generation of artifacts based upon experimental setup; although, analysis methods can account for these issues. When compared to previous techniques the video recording and STmap approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of gastrointestinal motility.

Recently available video recording and spatiotemporal mapping (STmap) techniques make it possible to visualize and quantify both propagating and mixing patterns of intestinal motility. The goal of this protocol is to explain the generation and analysis of STmaps using the GastroIntestinal Motility Monitoring (GIMM) system.

Multiple approaches have been used to record and evaluate gastrointestinal motility including: recording changes in muscle tension, intraluminal pressure, ...

A High Resolution Method to Monitor Phosphorylation-dependent Activation of IRF3

The IRF3 transcription factor is critical for the first line of defense against pathogens mainly through interferon &#946; and antiviral gene expression. A detailed analysis of IRF3 activation is essential to understand how pathogens induce or evade the innate antiviral response. Distinct activated forms of IRF3 can be distinguished based on their phosphorylation and monomer vs dimer status. In vivo discrimination between the different activated species of IRF3 can be achieved through the separation of IRF3 phosphorylated forms based on their mobility shifts on SDS-PAGE. Additionally, the levels of IRF3 monomer and dimer can be monitored using non-denaturing electrophoresis. Here, we detail a procedure to reach the highest resolution to gain the most information regarding IRF3 activation status. This is achieved through the combination of a high resolution SDS-PAGE and a native-PAGE coupled to immunoblots using multiple total and phosphospecific antibodies. This experimental strategy constitutes an affordable and sensitive approach to acquire all the necessary information for a complete analysis of the phosphorylation-mediated activation of IRF3.

Here we describe a procedure allowing a detailed analysis of the phosphorylation-dependent activation of the IRF3 transcription factor. This is achieved through the combination of a high resolution SDS-PAGE and a native-PAGE coupled to immunoblots using multiple phosphospecific antibodies.

The IRF3 transcription factor is critical for the first line of defense against pathogens mainly through interferon &#946; and antiviral gene expression. ...

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.

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

High-resolution Imaging and Analysis of Individual Astral Microtubule Dynamics in Budding Yeast

Dynamic microtubules are fundamental to many cellular processes, and accurate measurements of microtubule dynamics can provide insight into how cells regulate these processes and how genetic mutations impact regulation. The quantification of microtubule dynamics in metazoan models has a number of associated challenges, including a high microtubule density and limitations on genetic manipulations. In contrast, the budding yeast model offers advantages that overcome these challenges. This protocol describes a method to measure the dynamics of single microtubules in living yeast cells. Cells expressing fluorescently tagged tubulin are adhered to assembled slide chambers, allowing for stable time-lapse image acquisition. A detailed guide for high-speed, four-dimensional image acquisition is also provided, as well as a protocol for quantifying the properties of dynamic microtubules in confocal image stacks. This method, combined with conventional yeast genetics, provides an approach that is uniquely suited for quantitatively assessing the effects of microtubule regulators or mutations that alter the activity of tubulin subunits.

Budding yeast is an advantageous model for studying microtubule dynamics in vivo due to its powerful genetics and the simplicity of its microtubule cytoskeleton. The following protocol describes how to transform and culture yeast cells, acquire confocal microscopy images, and quantitatively analyze microtubule dynamics in living yeast cells.

Dynamic microtubules are fundamental to many cellular processes, and accurate measurements of microtubule dynamics can provide insight into how cells ...