We would like to thank Andrea Portbury and Davin Townley-Tilson for critical reading of the manuscript and the NIH (grant # R01HL061656) for funding support.

注：全ての実験は、ノースカロライナ大学チャペルヒル校で施設内動物管理使用委員会によって承認された。 1消費税大動脈弁<ol><li>興味のある胚の段階のために承認された安楽死の技術を使用して、開発の目的の胚日（E）で子犬を妊娠マウスを安楽死させる。 </li><li>妊娠中の女性の腹部を滅菌する70％エタノールを使用してください。下腹部の皮膚と筋肉を持ち上げ、離れて内臓から、および子宮角へのアクセスを許可するように、女性の下腹部キャビティを開い解剖。 </li><li>子宮角を取得するには、鉗子の鉗子で子宮頸部、慎重にカット尾を開催しています。所定の位置にホーンを保持し、任意の結合組織を切断、子宮角を持ち上げ、卵管と子宮角の接合部を切断して削除を完了。 </li><li>コルを含むペトリ皿に解剖子宮角を置きdは、0.1Mトリス緩衝液（pH7.6）で、必要に応じてすすぎます。その後、胚嚢を露出するために子宮角開放長さ方向をカット。 </li><li>胚を公開するには、胎盤や胚の接合部での胚嚢を開いてカットし、胚を解放するために臍帯血管を切った。冷たい0.1Mトリス緩衝液で二ペトリ皿に解剖した胚を置きます。次の胚の準備ができるまで氷に残りundissected胚を持つ最初のペトリ皿を返します。 </li><li>胚内の胸壁へのアクセスを改善するために、胚を首を切る。遺伝子型決定が必要な場合は、削除し、氷上に置いエッペンドルフチュー​​ブに余分な組織片を保存する。 </li><li>その背中に胚を置き、前肢の近くで、胸郭の側面に沿って垂直に胸壁をカットし、水平方向に振動板の上に心を視覚化する。その後、心臓を露出させ、胸壁を開きます。 </li><li>大血管に沿って高く保持するために鉗子を使用して、鉗子を用いて心臓を持ち上げ、下の血管を切る。ザ·nは、心を解放するために鉗子の上にカット。肺血管が切断されていない残っている場合、肺は心で除去してもよいし、続行する前に削除する必要があります。 </li><li>カットし、バルブのレベル以上の肺動脈を取り除く。明細書に記載の胚の段階で、肺動脈弁領域からその区別に役立つ、これわずかに不透明である。肉柱心室筋を避け、単に肺動脈弁の下にカットし、ステップ1.10で説明したように、この領域に関心がある場合にも収集しています。ここで、次のステップで、離れて溶解緩衝液中に収集する前に、関心領域からの過剰のトリス緩衝液を描画するために毛管作用を使用。 </li><li>慎重にちょうどバルブのレベルを超えて、大動脈弁に大動脈遠位を削除。肺動脈のように、大動脈はその除去を助ける、これらの胚の段階でわずかに不透明のまま。再び肉柱心室筋を避け、ちょうど大動脈弁の下にカットして、転送する氷上でプロテアーゼおよびホスファターゼ阻害剤を含む（材料表に記載）を2μlの溶解緩衝液をエッペンドルフチュー​​ブに鉗子を使用してバルブ。 </li><li>バルブは別個のエッペンドルフチュー​​ブに各バルブを集め、すべての胚から切除されるまで繰り返します1.6から1.10を繰り返します。すべての胚が同じ遺伝子型を持っている場合は、すべてのバルブは、単一のエッペンドルフチュー​​ブに収集することができる。 </li><li>遺伝子型決定は、一緒にプールするバルブかを決定するために実行される場合には、直ちにさらなる使用まで-80℃で溶解緩衝液中に試料を置く。次に、試料を（ステップ2.1.1）を遺伝子型決定した後にプールすることができる。 </li></ol> 2タンパク質抽出<ol><li>チューブの底に溶解緩衝液中で組織を収集するために1分間13,100×gで遠心し、氷上に採取した組織を解凍する。 <ol><li>胚を遺伝子型決定した場合は、ゆっくりと類似の遺伝子型を持つ胚からバルブ領域を含有する溶解緩衝液を収集し、プールするために、ピペットを使用しています。強いBを確実にするために、そして、サンプルあたりE13.5胚から3-​​4バルブ領域をプールすることをお勧めします。 </li><li>すべての胚が同じ遺伝子型のものであり、すべてのバルブ領域がステップ1.10で一緒に収集された場合は、ステップ2.2で説明したように、サンプル全体を溶解。 </li></ol></li><li>結果としてプールされた試料の体積をチェックして、40μlの全量を溶解バッファーを追加します。次に、エッペンドルフチュー​​ブ5mmのステンレススチールビーズを用いて試料を破壊し、均質化する。メーカーの指示に従って、50 Hzで2〜4分間Lyser装置を操作します。不溶性の残骸を残す新しいチューブに短時間スピンチューブ、（1分間〜13,100×g）で、転写サンプル。 </li><li>そのようなEslami ら 9などのプロトコルに従って、その後のウエスタンブロット分析のために準備し、SDS-PAGEおよび転送のための独立したサンプル。ローディング対照タンパク質をブロッティングするタンパク質定量のために必須である。 </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Wirrig, E. E., Hinton, R. B., Yutzey, K. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+expression+of+cartilage+and+bone-related+proteins+in+pediatric+and+adult+diseased+aortic+valves.">Differential expression of cartilage and bone-related proteins in pediatric and adult diseased aortic valves.</a> J Mol Cell Cardiol. 50, 561-569 (2011).</li><li>Chakraborty, S., 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=Twist1+promotes+heart+valve+cell+proliferation+and+extracellular+matrix+gene+expression+during+development+in+vivo+and+is+expressed+in+human+diseased+aortic+valves.">Twist1 promotes heart valve cell proliferation and extracellular matrix gene expression during development in vivo and is expressed in human diseased aortic valves.</a> Dev Biol. 347, 167-179 (2010).</li><li>Lee, M. P., Yutzey, K. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Twist1+directly+regulates+genes+that+promote+cell+proliferation+and+migration+in+developing+heart+valves.">Twist1 directly regulates genes that promote cell proliferation and migration in developing heart valves.</a> PLoS One. 6 (e29758), (2011).</li><li>Peacock, J. D., Huk, D. J., Ediriweera, H. N., Lincoln, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sox9+transcriptionally+represses+Spp1+to+prevent+matrix+mineralization+in+maturing+heart+valves+and+chondrocytes.">Sox9 transcriptionally represses Spp1 to prevent matrix mineralization in maturing heart valves and chondrocytes.</a> PLoS One. 6 (e26769), (2011).</li><li>Chakraborty, S., Cheek, J., Sakthivel, B., Aronow, B. J., Yutzey, K. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Shared+gene+expression+profiles+in+developing+heart+valves+and+osteoblast+progenitor+cells.">Shared gene expression profiles in developing heart valves and osteoblast progenitor cells.</a> Physiol Genomics. 35, 75-85 (2008).</li><li>Vogel, C., Marcotte, E. 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The authors have nothing to disclose.

初期胚のマウスとニワトリの心臓弁領域中のタンパク質レベルを定量化する能力は、バルブの開発のための重要な細胞シグナル伝達事象を理解するための追加のツールを提供しています。明細書に記載の当社のプロトコルは、標準的なタンパク質単離手順から大きく異なるものではない。しかし、いくつかの重要な手順を変更することによって、私たちは非常に小さなサンプルサイズからリ?...

タンパク質発現レベルを同定および定量化することができることは、動物 - 、および細胞ベースの実験のための標準的な技術である。しかし、開発中にこの特定の組織におけるタンパク質発現を評価し、初期胚心臓弁の開発における長年の関心にもかかわらず、現在、ヒヨコとマウス1,2の両方で免疫組織に限定されている。ほとんどのモデル生物（ 例えば 、ニワトリおよびマウス）の現像バルブにおけるタンパク質発現を定量化することの難しさの一部を得ることができるタンパク質の量を制限するバルブのサイズが小さいことである。このように、定量分析のために、研究者は、一般的に、その後の定量的PCRやマイクロアレイ解析2-5 RNA抽出と増幅に依存しています。しかし、RNAおよびタンパク質発現レベルが6完全相関ではないため、RNA発現に焦点を当てたことは、任意のシグナル伝達に発生する多数の変更を厳密にアカウントを提供することはできません開発中のさまざまな時間での経路。現在利用可能な方法でこの制限に基づいて、この手順の目的は、確実に重要であるさまざまなシグナル伝達経路に発生する変化の定量分析のための現像マウス胎児心臓弁領域からのタンパク質の十分な量を得るためのプロトコルを開発することであったこの組織の成熟。 胚弁はすでに一般的にRNAの単離およびその後の遺伝子発現解析2-5マウスから解剖されています。しかし、これらの研究は、下流のシグナル伝達に影響を与える可能性が翻訳後タンパク質修飾を検出する検出を許可していない経路の活性化をシグナル伝達の読み出しなどの遺伝子発現を使用することに限定されている。出発点として、RNA単離技術を用いて、関心領域を解剖始まった。私たちの関心は、パットのシグナルを示していたリン酸化タンパク質を検出したため大動脈弁の開発（E13.5-14.5）の特定の期間にhway活性は、私たちはリン酸塩を含まないトリス緩衝液内のすべての解剖を実施し、ホスファターゼおよびプロテアーゼ阻害剤を用いたトリスベースの溶解緩衝液中でバルブを集めた。私たちの特定の場合において、唯一の大動脈弁領域は、収集されたが、肺動脈弁領域を容易に同時に得ることができた。弁領域は、その後、現在成人の心臓弁7におけるタンパク質発現を研究するために使用されるサンプル緩衝液でホモジナイズした後、混合した。少量の試料（ 例えば 、2μl）を使用し、同じ遺伝子型を持つ胚からバルブ領域をプールすることで、私たちは胎生13.5 8でリン酸化および非リン酸化タンパク質を検出することができた。弁領域が凍結し、溶解緩衝液中で保存することができるので、プールする前に、必要に応じて、胚を遺伝子型を決定することができる。 この技術は、細胞signalinを評価するための利用可能なツールのセットを広げるグラム開発中の経路とは、具体的には発展途上心臓弁のために、免疫組織化学への定量的な賛辞を提供しています。この技術は発達心臓専門医にも限定された組織が含まれていた領域に興味を持っている初期段階の胚を扱うすべての発達生物学者のみならず有益である必要があります。

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="972">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Name of Reagent/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:512px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Timed-pregnant mouse</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>To be dissected at the embryonic stage of interest</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Stereoscopic microscope</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Nikon</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">SMZ645</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">0.1 M Tris, pH 7.6</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Microscissors</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">15003-08</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Fine forceps, #5</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">11251-30</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Dissecting needle holders</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Ted Pella Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">13560</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Dissecting needles</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Ted Pella Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">13561-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Micropipette, 20 &#956;l, with tips</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Lysis buffer</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM EDTA, 1% Triton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">PhosSTOP</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Roche</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">4906845001</td>
			<td>Add 1 tablet to 10 ml lysis buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">TissueLyser LT</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Qiagen</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">85600</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Stainless steel beads</td>
			<td style="width:125px;">Qiagen</td>
			<td align="right">69989</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Microcentrifuge</td>
			<td style="width:125px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

protein isolation from the developing embryonic mouse heart valve region

Western blot analysis is a commonly employed technique for detecting and quantifying protein levels. However, for small tissue samples, this analysis method may not be sufficiently sensitive to detect a protein of interest. To overcome these difficulties, we examined protocols for obtaining protein from adult human cardiac valves and modified these protocols for the developing early embryonic mouse counterparts. In brief, the mouse embryonic aortic valve regions, including the aortic valve and surrounding aortic wall, are collected in the minimal possible volume of a Tris-based lysis buffer with protease inhibitors. If required based on the breeding strategy, embryos are genotyped prior to pooling four embryonic aortic valve regions for homogenization. After homogenization, an SDS-based sample buffer is used to denature the sample for running on an SDS-PAGE gel and subsequent western blot analysis. Although the protein concentration remains too low to quantify using spectrophotometric protein quantification assays and have sample remaining for subsequent analyses, this technique can be used to successfully detect and semi-quantify phosphorylated proteins via western blot from pooled samples of four embryonic day 13.5 mouse aortic valve regions, each of which yields approximately 1 &#956;g of protein. This technique will be of benefit for studying cell signaling pathway activation and protein expression levels during early embryonic mouse valve development.

この調製技術を用いて、E13.5胚からの単一の大動脈弁の領域にリン酸化されたSmad 1,5,8（pSmad）を検出することができた。 図1Aに示すように、単一の弁領域から単離されたタンパク質は、かすかなpSmadバンドを検出するのに十分である。信号強度は、プールされ、弁領域の数に比例して増加する。重要なことは、pSmad /βアクチン比率が異なるサンプルサイズ（ 図1C）</s...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Protein Isolation from the Developing Embryonic Mouse Heart Valve Region at JoVE.com

Protein Isolation from the Developing Embryonic Mouse Heart Valve Region

The analysis of protein expression in young embryonic mouse valves has been hampered by the limited tissue available. This manuscript provides a protocol for preparing protein from developing embryonic mouse valve regions for western blot analysis.

途上胚性マウス心臓弁地域からのタンパク質の単離

Western blot analysis is a commonly employed technique for detecting and quantifying protein levels. However, for small tissue samples, this analysis ...

protein-isolation-from-developing-embryonic-mouse-heart-valve

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

9.3K ビュー.  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The analysis of protein expression in young embryonic mouse valves has been hampered by the limited tissue available. This manuscript provides a protocol for preparing protein from developing embryonic mouse valve regions for western blot analysis.

ビデオ: Protein Isolation from the Developing Embryonic Mouse Heart Valve Region

Micro-dissection of Rat Brain for RNA or Protein Extraction from Specific Brain Region

Micro-dissection of rat brain into various regions is extremely important for the study of different neurodegenerative diseases. This video demonstrates micro-dissection of four major brain regions include olfactory bulb, frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus in fresh rat brain tissue. Useful tips for quick removal of respective regions to avoid RNA and protein degradation of the tissue are given.

Micro-dissection of rat brain into various regions is extremely important for the study of different neurodegenerative diseases. This video demonstrates micro-dissection of four major brain regions include olfactory bulb, frontal cortex, striatum and hippocampus in fresh rat brain tissue. Useful tips for quick removal of respective regions to avoid RNA and protein degradation of the tissue are given.

RNAまたは特定の脳領域からのタンパク質抽出用のラット脳の微小解剖

Micro-dissection of rat brain into various regions is extremely important for the study of different neurodegenerative diseases. This video demonstrates ...

生物学

Isolation and Derivation of Mouse Embryonic Germinal Cells

The ability of embryonic germinal cells (EG) to differentiate into primordial germinal cells (PGCs) and later into gametes during early developmental stages is a perfect model to address our hypothesis about cancer and infertility. This protocol shows how to isolate primordial germinal cells from developing gonads in 10.5-11.5 days post coitum (dpc) mouse embryos.  Developing gonadal ridges from mouse embryos (C57BL6J) were dissociated by mechanical disruption with collagenase, then plated in a mouse embryo fibroblast feeder layer (MEF-CF1) that was previously mitotically inactivated with mitomycin C in the presence of knockout media and supplemented with Leukemia Inhibitor Factor (LIF), basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF), and Stem Cell Factor (SCF).  Using these optimized methods for PCG identification, isolation, and establishment of culture conditions permits long term cultures of EG cells for more than 40 days.  The embryonic germinal cell lines showed embryonic phenotype and expression of common used markers of the pluripotent state.  Isolation and derivation of germinal cells in culture provide a tool to understand their development in vitro and offer the opportunity to monitor cumulative damage at genetic and epigenetic levels after exposure to oxidative stress.

The ability of embryonic germinal cells to differentiate into primordial germinal cells during early development stages is a perfect model to address our hypothesis about cancer and infertility. This protocol shows how to isolate primordial germinal cells from developing gonads in 10.5-11.5 days post coitum mouse embryos.

マウスES胚細胞の単離と導出

The ability of embryonic germinal cells (EG) to differentiate into primordial germinal cells (PGCs) and later into gametes during early developmental ...

Isolation and Culture of Cells from the Nephrogenic Zone of the Embryonic Mouse Kidney

Embryonic development of the kidney has been extensively studied both as a model for epithelial-mesenchymal interaction in organogenesis and to gain understanding of the origins of congenital kidney disease. More recently, the possibility of steering na&iuml;ve embryonic stem cells toward nephrogenic fates has been explored in the emerging field of regenerative medicine. Genetic studies in the mouse have identified several pathways required for kidney development, and a global catalog of gene transcription in the organ has recently been generated <a href="http://www.gudmap.org/">http://www.gudmap.org/</a>, providing numerous candidate regulators of essential developmental functions. Organogenesis of the rodent kidney can be studied in organ culture, and many reports have used this approach to analyze outcomes of either applying candidate proteins or knocking down the expression of candidate genes using siRNA or morpholinos. However, the applicability of organ culture to the study of signaling that regulates stem/progenitor cell differentiation versus renewal in the developing kidney is limited as cultured organs contain a compact extracellular matrix limiting diffusion of macromolecules and virus particles. To study the cell signaling events that influence the stem/progenitor cell niche in the kidney we have developed a primary cell system that establishes the nephrogenic zone or progenitor cell niche of the developing kidney ex vivo in isolation from the epithelial inducer of differentiation. Using limited enzymatic digestion, nephrogenic zone cells can be selectively liberated from developing kidneys at E17.5. Following filtration, these cells can be cultured as an irregular monolayer using optimized conditions. Marker gene analysis demonstrates that these cultures contain a distribution of cell types characteristic of the nephrogenic zone in vivo, and that they maintain appropriate marker gene expression during the culture period. These cells are highly accessible to small molecule and recombinant protein treatment, and importantly also to viral transduction, which greatly facilitates the study of candidate stem/progenitor cell regulator effects. Basic cell biological parameters such as proliferation and cell death as well as changes in expression of molecular markers characteristic of nephron stem/progenitor cells in vivo can be successfully used as experimental outcomes. Ongoing work in our laboratory using this novel primary cell technique aims to uncover basic mechanisms governing the regulation of self-renewal versus differentiation in nephron stem/progenitor cells.

In this report we describe a method for the isolation and culture of the progenitor cell niche from the embryonic mouse kidney that can be used to study signaling pathways regulating stem/progenitor cells of the developing kidney. These cultured cells are highly accessible to small molecule and recombinant protein treatment, and importantly also to viral transduction, which allows efficient manipulation of candidate pathways.

マウス胎児の腎臓の腎性帯からの細胞の単離と培養

Embryonic development of the kidney has been extensively studied both as a model for epithelial-mesenchymal interaction in organogenesis and  to gain ...

Immunostaining of Dissected Zebrafish Embryonic Heart

Zebrafish embryo becomes a popular in vivo vertebrate model for studying cardiac development and human heart diseases due to its advantageous embryology and genetics 1,2. About 100-200 embryos are readily available every week from a single pair of adult fish. The transparent embryos that develop ex utero make them ideal for assessing cardiac defects 3. The expression of any gene can be manipulated via morpholino technology or RNA injection 4. Moreover, forward genetic screens have already generated a list of mutants that affect different perspectives of cardiogenesis 5. 
Whole mount immunostaining is an important technique in this animal model to reveal the expression pattern of the targeted protein to a particular tissue 6. However, high resolution images that can reveal cellular or subcellular structures have been difficult, mainly due to the physical location of the heart and the poor penetration of the antibodies. 
 Here, we present a method to address these bottlenecks by dissecting heart first and then conducting the staining process on the surface of a microscope slide. To prevent the loss of small heart samples and to facilitate solution handling, we restricted the heart samples within a circle on the surface of the microscope slides drawn by an immEdge pen. After the staining, the fluorescence signals can be directly observed by a compound microscope. 
Our new method significantly improves the penetration for antibodies, since a heart from an embryonic fish only consists of few cell layers. High quality images from intact hearts can be obtained within a much reduced procession time for zebrafish embryos aged from day 2 to day 6. Our method can be potentially extended to stain other organs dissected from either zebrafish or other small animals.

A rapid way to conduct immunostaining of zebrafish embryonic heart is described. Compared to the whole mount immunostaining approach, this method dramatically increases the penetration of the antibodies, which allows obtaining high resolution images that reveal cellular/subcellular structures in the heart within a much reduced processing time.

ディテールに秘められたゼブラフィッシュ胚心臓の免疫染色

Zebrafish embryo becomes a popular in vivo vertebrate model for studying cardiac development and human heart diseases due to its advantageous embryology ...

Generation of Mice Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

The production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells provides a means to create valuable tools for basic research and may also produce a source of patient-matched cells for regenerative therapies. iPSCs may be generated using multiple protocols and derived from multiple cell sources. Once generated, iPSCs are tested using a variety of assays including immunostaining for pluripotency markers, generation of three germ layers in embryoid bodies and teratomas, comparisons of gene expression with embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and production of chimeric mice with or without germline contribution2. Importantly, iPSC lines that pass these tests still vary in their capacity to produce different differentiated cell types2. This has made it difficult to establish which iPSC derivation protocols, donor cell sources or selection methods are most useful for different applications.
The most stringent test of whether a stem cell line has sufficient developmental potential to generate all tissues required for survival of an organism (termed full pluripotency) is tetraploid embryo complementation (TEC)3-5. Technically, TEC involves electrofusion of two-cell embryos to generate tetraploid (4n) one-cell embryos that can be cultured in vitro to the blastocyst stage6. Diploid (2n) pluripotent stem cells (e.g. ESCs or iPSCs) are then injected into the blastocoel cavity of the tetraploid blastocyst and transferred to a recipient female for gestation (see Figure 1). The tetraploid component of the complemented embryo contributes almost exclusively to the extraembryonic tissues (placenta, yolk sac), whereas the diploid cells constitute the embryo proper, resulting in a fetus derived entirely from the injected stem cell line.
Recently, we reported the derivation of iPSC lines that reproducibly generate adult mice via TEC1. These iPSC lines give rise to viable pups with efficiencies of 5-13%, which is comparable to ESCs3,4,7 and higher than that reported for most other iPSC lines8-12. These reports show that direct reprogramming can produce fully pluripotent iPSCs that match ESCs in their developmental potential and efficiency of generating pups in TEC tests. At present, it is not clear what distinguishes between fully pluripotent iPSCs and less potent lines13-15. Nor is it clear which reprogramming methods will produce these lines with the highest efficiency. Here we describe one method that produces fully pluripotent iPSCs and "all- iPSC" mice, which may be helpful for investigators wishing to compare the pluripotency of iPSC lines or establish the equivalence of different reprogramming methods.

Generating induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines produces lines of differing developmental potential even when they pass standard tests for pluripotency. Here we describe a protocol to produce mice derived entirely from iPSCs, which defines the iPSC lines as possessing full pluripotency1.

人工多能性幹細胞に由来するマウスの作製

The production of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from somatic cells provides a means to create valuable tools for basic research and may also ...

Isolating Primary Melanocyte-like Cells from the Mouse Heart

We identified a novel population of melanocyte-like cells (also known as cardiac melanocytes) in the hearts of mice and humans that contribute to atrial arrhythmia triggers in mice. To investigate the electrical and biological properties of cardiac melanocytes we developed a procedure to isolate them from mouse hearts that we derived from those designed to isolate neonatal murine cardiomyocytes. In order to obtain healthier cardiac melanocytes suitable for more extensive patch clamp or biochemical studies, we developed a refined procedure for isolating and plating cardiac melanocytes based on those originally designed to isolate cutaneous melanocytes. The refined procedure is demonstrated in this review and produces larger numbers of healthy melanocyte-like cells that can be plated as a pure population or with cardiomyocytes.

In this protocol, we identified a novel population of melanocyte-like cells (also known as cardiac melanocytes) in the hearts of mice and humans that contribute to atrial arrhythmia triggers in mice.&#160;

マウスの心臓から初代メラノサイト様細胞を単離する

We identified a novel population of melanocyte-like cells (also known as cardiac melanocytes) in the hearts of mice and humans that contribute to atrial ...

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.

小説<em&gt;エクスビボ</emマウス胎児ハート&gt;文化法

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

Isolation of Embryonic Ventricular Endothelial Cells

Cell culture has greatly enhanced our ability to assess individual populations of cells under myriad culture conditions. While immortalized cell lines offer significant advantages for their ease of use, these cell lines are unavailable for all potential cell types. By isolating primary cells from a specific region of interest, particularly from a transgenic mouse, more nuanced studies can be performed. The basic technique involves dissecting the organ or partial organ of interest (e.g. the heart or a specific region of the heart) and dissociating the organ to single cells. These cells are then incubated with magnetic beads conjugated to an antibody that recognizes the cell type of interest. The cells of interest can then be isolated with the use of a magnet, with a short trypsin incubation dissociating the cells from the beads. These isolated cells can then be cultured and analyzed as desired. This technique was originally designed for adult mouse organs but can be easily scaled down for use with embryonic organs, as demonstrated herein. Because our interest is in the developing coronary vasculature, we wanted to study this population of cells during specific embryonic stages. Thus, the original protocol had to be modified to be compatible with the small size of the embryonic ventricles and the low potential yield of endothelial cells at these developmental stages. Utilizing this scaled-down approach, we have assessed coronary plexus remodeling in transgenic embryonic ventricular endothelial cells.

Primary cell culture is a useful technique for analyzing specific populations of cells, particularly from transgenic mouse embryos at specific developmental stages. Herein, embryonic ventricles are dissected and dissociated, and antibody-conjugated beads recognize and separate out the endothelial cells for further analysis.

胚心室内皮細胞の単離

Cell culture has greatly enhanced our ability to assess individual populations of cells under myriad culture conditions. While immortalized cell lines ...

Cell Labeling and Injection in Developing Embryonic Mouse Hearts

Testing the fate of embryonic or pluripotent stem cell-derivatives in in vitro protocols has led to controversial outcomes that do not necessarily reflect their in vivo potential. Preferably, these cells should be placed in a proper embryonic environment in order to acquire their definite phenotype. Furthermore, cell lineage tracing studies in the mouse after labeling cells with dyes or retroviral vectors has remained mostly limited to early stage mouse embryos with still poorly developed organs. To overcome these limitations, we designed standard and ultrasound-mediated microinjection protocols to inject various agents in targeted regions of the heart in mouse embryos at E9.5 and later stages of development. &#160;Embryonic explant or embryos are then cultured or left to further develop in utero. These agents include fluorescent dyes, virus, shRNAs, or stem cell-derived progenitor cells. Our approaches allow for preservation of the function of the organ while monitoring migration and fate of labeled and/or injected cells. These technologies can be extended to other organs and will be very helpful to address key biological questions in biology of development.

We describe a series of methods to inject dyes, DNA vectors, virus, and cells in order to monitor both cell fate and phenotype of endogenous and grafted cells derived from embryonic or pluripotent cells within mouse embryos at embryonic day (E)9.5 and later stages of development.

マウス胎児心臓の開発に細胞標識と注入

Testing the fate of embryonic or pluripotent stem cell-derivatives in in vitro protocols has led to controversial outcomes that do not necessarily reflect ...

Isolation of Murine Valve Endothelial Cells

Normal valve structures consist of stratified layers of specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) interspersed with valve interstitial cells (VICs) and surrounded by a monolayer of valve endothelial cells (VECs). VECs play essential roles in establishing the valve structures during embryonic development, and are important for maintaining life-long valve integrity and function. In contrast to a continuous endothelium over the surface of healthy valve leaflets, VEC disruption is commonly observed in malfunctioning valves and is associated with pathological processes that promote valve disease and dysfunction. Despite the clinical relevance, focused studies determining the contribution of VECs to development and disease processes are limited. The isolation of VECs from animal models would allow for cell-specific experimentation. VECs have been isolated from large animal adult models but due to their small population size, fragileness, and lack of specific markers, no reports of VEC isolations in embryos or adult small animal models have been reported. Here we describe a novel method that allows for the direct isolation of VECs from mice at embryonic and adult stages. Utilizing the Tie2-GFP reporter model that labels all endothelial cells with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), we have been successful in isolating GFP-positive (and negative) cells from the semilunar and atrioventricular valve regions using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). Isolated GFP-positive VECs are enriched for endothelial markers, including CD31 and von Willebrand Factor (vWF), and retain endothelial cell expression when cultured; while, GFP-negative cells exhibit molecular profiles and cell shapes consistent with VIC phenotypes. The ability to isolate embryonic and adult murine VECs allows for previously unattainable molecular and functional studies to be carried out on a specific valve cell population, which will greatly improve our understanding of valve development and disease mechanisms.

The ability to isolate heart valve endothelial cells (VECs) is critical for understanding mechanisms of valve development, maintenance, and disease. Here we describe the isolation of VECs from embryonic and adult Tie2-GFP mice using FACS that will allow for studies determining the contribution of VECs in developmental and disease processes.

ネズミ弁内皮細胞の単離

Normal valve structures consist of stratified layers of specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) interspersed with valve interstitial cells (VICs) and ...