Name: identification of key factors regulating self-renewal and differentiation in eml hematopoietic precursor cells by rna-sequencing analysis
Uploaded: 2014-11-11T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Identification of Key Factors Regulating Self-renewal and Differentiation in EML Hematopoietic Precursor Cells by RNA-sequencing Analysis at JoVE.com

JQW, SZ, SD and KC are supported by grant from the National Institutes of Health and the Staman Ogilvie Fund&#8212;Memorial Hermann Foundation.

1. EML Cell Culture and Separation of Lin-CD34+ and Lin-CD34- Cells Using Magnetic Cell Sorting System and Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting Method
<ol>
	<li>Preparation of baby hamster kidney (BHK) cell culture medium for stem cell factor collection:
	<ol>
		<li>Culture BHK cells in DMEM medium containing 10% FBS in 25 cm2 flask (Table 1) at 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2 in a cell culture incubator.</li>
		<li>When cells grow to 80 - 90% confluence, wash cells once with 10 ml of PBS. Add ...

<ol>
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Mammalian transcriptome is very complex34-38. RNA-Seq technology plays an increasingly important role in the studies of transcriptome analysis, novel transcripts detection and single nucleotide variation discovery etc. It has many advantages over other methods for gene expression analysis. As mentioned in the introduction, it overcomes the hybridization artifacts of microarray and can be used to identify novel transcripts de novo. One limitation of RNA-sequencing is relative short rea...

Hematopoietic stem cells are rare blood cells that reside mainly in the adult bone marrow niche. They are responsible for the production of cells required to replenish the blood and the immune systems1. As a kind of stem cells, HSCs are capable of both self-renewal and differentiation. Elucidating mechanisms that control the fate decision of HSCs, toward either self-renewal or differentiation, will offer valuable guidance on the manipulation of HSCs for blood disease researches and clinical usage2. One problem faced by the researchers is that HSCs can be maintained and expanded in vitro to a very limited extent; the vast majority of their progeny are partially differentiated in culture2.
In order to identify key regulators that control the processes of self-renewal and differentiation at a genome-wide scale, we used a mouse primitive hematopoietic progenitor cell line EML as a model system. This cell line was derived from murine bone marrow3,4. When fed with different growth factors, EML cells can differentiate into erythroid, myeloid, and lymphoid cells in vitro5. Importantly, this cell line can be propagated in large quantity in culture medium containing stem cell factor (SCF) and still retaining their multipotentiality. EML cells can be separated into subpopulations of self-renewing Lin-SCA+CD34+ and partially differentiated Lin-SCA-CD34- cells based on surface markers CD34 and SCA6. Similar to short-term HSCs, SCA+CD34+ cells are able of self-renewal. When treated with SCF, Lin-SCA+CD34+ cells can rapidly regenerate a mixed population of Lin-SCA+CD34+ and Lin-SCA-CD34- cells and continue to proliferate6. The two populations are similar in morphology and have similar levels of c-kit mRNA and protein6. Lin-SCA-CD34- cells are capable of propagating in media containing IL-3 instead of SCF3. Unveiling the key regulators in the EML cell fate decision will offer better understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms in early developmental transition during hematopoiesis.
In order to investigate the underlying molecular differences between the self-renewing Lin-SCA+CD34+ and partially differentiated Lin-SCA-CD34- cells, we used RNA-Seq to identify differentially expressed genes. In particular, we focus on transcription factors, as transcription factors are crucial in determining cell fate. RNA-Seq is a recently developed approach that utilizes the capabilities of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies to profile and quantify RNAs transcribed from genome7,8. In brief, total RNA is poly-A selected and fragmented as the initial template.The RNA template is then converted into cDNA using reverse transcriptase. In order to map full-length RNA transcripts, using intact, non-degraded RNA for constructing cDNA library is important. For the purpose of sequencing, specific adapter sequences are added to both ends of cDNA. Then, in most cases, cDNA molecules are amplified by PCR and sequenced in a high-throughput manner.
After sequencing, the resulting reads can be aligned to a reference genome and a transcriptome database. The number of reads that map to the reference gene is counted and this information can be used to estimate the gene expression level. The reads can also be assembled de novo without a reference genome, enabling the study of transcriptomes in non-model organisms9. RNA-seq technology has also been used to detect splice isoforms10-12, novel transcripts13 and gene fusions14. In addition to the detection of protein-coding genes, RNA-Seq can also be used to detect novel and analyze transcription level of non-coding RNAs, such as long non-coding RNA15,16, microRNA17, siRNA etc.18. Because of the accuracy of this method, it has been utilized for detection of single nucleotide variations19,20.
Before the advent of RNA-Seq technology, microarray was the main method used for analyzing gene expression profile. Pre-designed probes are synthesized and subsequently attached to a solid surface to form a microarray slide21. mRNA is extracted and converted to cDNA. During the reverse transcription process, fluorescently labeled nucleotides are incorporated into the cDNA and the cDNA can be hybridized onto the microarray slides. The intensity of the signal collected from a specific spot depends on the amount of cDNA binding to the specific probe on that spot21. Compared with RNA-Seq technology, microarray has several limitations. First, microarray relies on the pre-existing knowledge of gene annotation, while RNA-Seq technology is able to detect novel transcripts at relative high background level, which limits its use when gene expression level is low. Besides, the RNA-Seq technology has much higher dynamic range of detection (8,000 fold)7, whereas, due to background and saturation of signals, the accuracy of microarray is limited for both highly and lowly expressed genes7,22. Finally, microarray probes differ in their hybridization efficiencies, which make the results less reliable when comparing relative expression levels of different transcripts within one sample23. Although RNA-Seq has many advantages over microarray, its data analysis is complex. This is one of the reasons that many researchers still use microarray instead of RNA-Seq. Various bioinformatics tools are required for RNA-Seq data processing and analysis24.
Among several next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms, 454, Illumina, SOLID and Ion Torrent are the most widely used ones. 454 was the first commercial NGS platform. In contrast to the other sequencing platforms such as illumina and SOLID, the 454 platform generates longer read length (average 700 base reads)25. Longer reads are better for initial characterization of transcriptiome due to their higher assemble efficiency25. The main disadvantage of the 454 platform is its high cost per megabase of sequence. The Illumina and SOLID platforms generate reads with increased numbers and short lengths. The cost per megabase of sequence is much lower than the 454 platform. Due to the large numbers of short reads for the Illumina and SOLID platforms, data analysis is much more computationally intensive. The price of the instrument and reagents for sequencing for the Ion Torrent platform is cheaper and the sequencing time is shorter25. However, the error rate and the cost per megabase of sequence are higher compared to the Illumina and SOLID platforms. Different platforms have their own advantages and disadvantages and require different methods for data analysis. The platform should be chosen based on the sequencing purpose and the availability of funding.
In this paper, we take Illumina RNA-Seq platform as an example. We used EML cell as a model system to investigate the key regulators in EML cell self-renewal and differentiation, and provided a detailed methods of RNA-Seq library construction and data analysis for expression level calculation and novel transcript detection. We have shown in our previous publication that RNA-seq study in EML model system2, when coupled with functional test (e.g. shRNA knockdown) provide a powerful approach in understanding the molecular mechanism of the early stages of hematopoietic differentiation, and can serve as a model for the analysis of cell self-renewal and differentiation in general.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibiotic-Antimycotic</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15240-062</td>
			<td>BHK cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Mouse CD34 FITC</td>
			<td>eBioscience</td>
			<td>11-0341-81</td>
			<td>FACS sorting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Mouse Ly-6A/E (Sca-1) PE</td>
			<td>eBioscience</td>
			<td>12-5981-81</td>
			<td>FACS sorting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>APC Mouse Lineage Antibody Cocktail</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>558074</td>
			<td>FACS sorting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BD FACSAria Cell Sorter</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>Special offer sysmtem</td>
			<td>FACS sorting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corning&#8482; Cell Culture Treated Flasks 75cm2</td>
			<td>Corning incorporated</td>
			<td>430641</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Corning&#8482; Cell Culture Treated Flasks 25cm2</td>
			<td>Corning incorporated</td>
			<td>430639</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Deoxyribonuclease I, Amplification Grade</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>18068-015</td>
			<td>Library preparation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>11965-092</td>
			<td>BHK cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DPBS</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>14190</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HI FBS&#160;</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>16140071</td>
			<td>BHK cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Horse Serum</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>16050-122</td>
			<td>EML cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>IMDM</td>
			<td>HyClone</td>
			<td>SH30228.02</td>
			<td>EML cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>L-Glutamine</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>25030-081</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lineage Cell Depletion Kit, mouse&#160;</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-090-858</td>
			<td>Isolation of lineage negative cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NanoVue Plus spectrophotometer&#160;</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td>28-9569-62</td>
			<td>Quality control</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thermo Scientific&#8482; Napco&#8482; 8000 Water-Jacketed CO2 Incubators</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>15-497-002&#160;</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin-Streptomycin</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15140-122</td>
			<td>EML cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TRIzol&#174; Reagent</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15596-018</td>
			<td>RNA exraction</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TruSeq&#8482; RNA Sample Prep Kit v2 -Set B (48rxn)</td>
			<td>Illumina</td>
			<td>RS-122-2002</td>
			<td>Library preparation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2100 Electrophoresis Bioanalyzer Instrument&#160;</td>
			<td>Agilent</td>
			<td>G2939AA</td>
			<td>Quality control</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.25% Trypsin-EDTA</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>25200</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.45 &#181;m Syringe Filters</td>
			<td>Nalgene</td>
			<td>190-2545</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
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identification of key factors regulating self-renewal and differentiation in eml hematopoietic precursor cells by rna-sequencing analysis

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are used clinically for transplantation treatment to rebuild a patient&#39;s hematopoietic system in many diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma. Elucidating the mechanisms controlling HSCs self-renewal and differentiation is important for application of HSCs for research and clinical uses. However, it is not possible to obtain large quantity of HSCs due to their inability to proliferate in vitro. To overcome this hurdle, we used a mouse bone marrow derived cell line, the EML (Erythroid, Myeloid, and Lymphocytic) cell line, as a model system for this study.
RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) has been increasingly used to replace microarray for gene expression studies. We report here a detailed method of using RNA-Seq technology to investigate the potential key factors in regulation of EML cell self-renewal and differentiation. The protocol provided in this paper is divided into three parts. The first part explains how to culture EML cells and separate Lin-CD34+ and Lin-CD34- cells. The second part of the protocol offers detailed procedures for total RNA preparation and the subsequent library construction for high-throughput sequencing. The last part describes the method for RNA-Seq data analysis and explains how to use the data to identify differentially expressed transcription factors between Lin-CD34+ and Lin-CD34- cells. The most significantly differentially expressed transcription factors were identified to be the potential key regulators controlling EML cell self-renewal and differentiation. In the discussion section of this paper, we highlight the key steps for successful performance of this experiment.
In summary, this paper offers a method of using RNA-Seq technology to identify potential regulators of self-renewal and differentiation in EML cells. The key factors identified are subjected to downstream functional analysis in vitro and in vivo.

In order to analyze differentially expressed genes in Lin-CD34+ and Lin-CD34- EML cells, we used RNA-Seq technology. Figure 1 shows the workflow of the procedures. After isolation of lineage negative cells by magnetic cell sorting, we separated Lin-SCA+CD34+ and Lin-SCA-CD34- cells using FACS Aria. Lin-enriched EML cells were stained with anti-CD34, anti-Sca1 and lineage cocktail antibodies. Only Lin- cells were gated for analysis of Sca1 and CD34 expression. Two populations (SCA+CD34+ and SCA-CD34- EML ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Identification of Key Factors Regulating Self-renewal and Differentiation in EML Hematopoietic Precursor Cells by RNA-sequencing Analysis at JoVE.com

Identification of Key Factors Regulating Self-renewal and Differentiation in EML Hematopoietic Precursor Cells by RNA-sequencing Analysis

RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were used to identify significantly and differentially expressed transcription factors in Lin-CD34+ and Lin-CD34- subpopulations of mouse EMLcells. These transcription factors might play important roles in determining the switch between self-renewing Lin-CD34+ and partially differentiated Lin-CD34- cells.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are used clinically for transplantation treatment to rebuild a patient&#39;s hematopoietic system in many diseases such as ...

identification-key-factors-regulating-self-renewal-differentiation

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Isolation and Analysis of Hematopoietic Stem Cells from the Placenta

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the ability to self-renew and generate all cell types of the blood lineages throughout the lifetime of an individual. All HSCs emerge during embryonic development, after which their pool size is maintained by self-renewing cell divisions. Identifying the anatomical origin of HSCs and the critical developmental events regulating the process of HSC development has been complicated as many anatomical sites participate during fetal hematopoiesis. Recently, we identified the placenta as a major hematopoietic organ where HSCs are generated and expanded in unique microenvironmental niches (Gekas, et al 2005, Rhodes, et al 2008). Consequently, the placenta is an important source of HSCs during their emergence and initial expansion.
In this article, we show dissection techniques for the isolation of murine placenta from E10.5 and E12.5 embryos, corresponding to the developmental stages of initiation of HSCs and the peak in the size of the HSC pool in the placenta, respectively. In addition, we present an optimized protocol for enzymatic and mechanical dissociation of placental tissue into single-cell suspension for use in flow cytometry or functional assays. We have found that use of collagenase for single-cell suspension of placenta gives sufficient yields of HSCs. An important factor affecting HSC yield from the placenta is the degree of mechanical dissociation prior to, and duration of, enzymatic treatment.
We also provide a protocol for the preparation of fixed-frozen placental tissue sections for the visualization of developing HSCs by immunohistochemistry in their precise cellular niches. As hematopoietic specific antigens are not preserved during preparation of paraffin embedded sections, we routinely use fixed frozen sections for localizing placental HSCs and progenitors.

We have identified the placenta as a major hematopoietic organ during development. We found that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are both generated and expanded in the placenta in unique microenvironmental niches. Here, we describe experimental techniques required for isolation and visualization of HSCs in the mouse placenta.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the ability to self-renew and generate all cell types of the blood lineages throughout the lifetime of an individual. ...

The use of SC1 (Pluripotin) to Support mESC Self-renewal in the Absence of LIF

Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells are conventionally cultured with Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) to maintain self-renewal.1 However, LIF is expensive and activation of the LIF/JAK/STAT3 pathway is not absolutely required to maintain the self-renewal state.2 The SC1 small molecule may be an economical alternative to LIF. SC1 functions through dual inhibition of Ras-GAP and ERK1.3 Illustration of its mechanism of action makes it a useful tool to study the fundamental molecular mechanism of self-renewal. Here we demonstrate the procedure for culturing mouse ES cells in the presence of SC1 and show that they are able to maintain self-renewal in the absence of LIF. Cells cultured with SC1 showed similar morphology compared to cells maintained with LIF. Both exhibited typical mouse ES morphology after five passages. Expression of typical pluripotency markers (Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, and SSEA1) was observed after five passages in the presence of SC1. Furthermore, SC1 caused no overt toxicity on mouse ES cells.

The use of SC1 Pluripotin to Support mESC Self-renewal in the Absence of LIF

SC1 functions through dual inhibition of Ras- GAP and ERK1. We tested the function of SC1 in supporting mouse ES cell self-renewal in the absence of LIF and showed that SC1 is able to maintain self-renewal of mouse ES cell cultures.

Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells are conventionally cultured with Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) to maintain self-renewal.1 However, LIF is expensive and ...

Phenotypic Analysis and Isolation of Murine Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Lineage-committed Progenitors

The bone marrow is the principal site where HSCs and more mature blood cells lineage progenitors reside and differentiate in an adult organism. HSCs constitute a minute cell population of pluripotent cells capable of generating all blood cell lineages for a life-time1. The molecular dissection of HSCs homeostasis in the bone marrow has important implications in hematopoiesis, oncology and regenerative medicine. We describe the labeling protocol with fluorescent antibodies and the electronic gating procedure in flow cytometry to score hematopoietic progenitor subsets and HSCs distribution in individual mice (Fig. 1). In addition, we describe a method to extensively enrich hematopoietic progenitors as well as long-term (LT) and short term (ST) reconstituting HSCs from pooled bone marrow cell suspensions by magnetic enrichment of cells expressing c-Kit. The resulting cell preparation can be used to sort selected subsets for in vitro and in vivo functional studies (Fig. 2).
Both trabecular osteoblasts2,3 and sinusoidal endothelium4 constitute functional niches supporting HSCs in the bone marrow. Several mechanisms in the osteoblastic niche, including a subset of N-cadherin+ osteoblasts3 and interaction of the receptor tyrosine kinase Tie2 expressed in HSCs with its ligand angiopoietin-15 concur in determining HSCs quiescence. "Hibernation" in the bone marrow is crucial to protect HSCs from replication and eventual exhaustion upon excessive cycling activity6. Exogenous stimuli acting on cells of the innate immune system such as Toll-like receptor ligands7 and interferon-&alpha;6 can also induce proliferation and differentiation of HSCs into lineage committed progenitors. Recently, a population of dormant mouse HSCs within the lin- c-Kit+ Sca-1+ CD150+ CD48- CD34- population has been described8. Sorting of cells based on CD34 expression from the hematopoietic progenitors-enriched cell suspension as described here allows the isolation of both quiescent self-renewing LT-HSCs and ST-HSCs9. A similar procedure based on depletion of lineage positive cells and sorting of LT-HSC with CD48 and Flk2 antibodies has been previously described10. In the present report we provide a protocol for the phenotypic characterization and ex vivo cell cycle analysis of hematopoietic progenitors, which can be useful for monitoring hematopoiesis in different physiological and pathological conditions. Moreover, we describe a FACS sorting procedure for HSCs, which can be used to define factors and mechanisms regulating their self-renewal, expansion and differentiation in cell biology and signal transduction assays as well as for transplantation.

A method to analyse the distribution of bone marrow hematopoietic progenitors in flow cytometry as well as to efficiently isolate highly purified hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is described. The isolation procedure is essentially based on magnetic enrichment of c-Kit+ cells and cell sorting to purify HSCs for cellular and molecular studies.

The bone marrow is the principal site where HSCs and more mature blood cells lineage progenitors reside and differentiate in an adult organism. HSCs ...

Oct4GiP Reporter Assay to Study Genes that Regulate Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Maintenance and Self-renewal

Pluripotency and self-renewal are two defining characteristics of embryonic stem cells (ES cells). Understanding the underlying molecular mechanism will greatly facilitate the use of ES cells for developmental biology studies, disease modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine (reviewed in 1,2).
To expedite the identification and characterization of novel regulators of ES cell maintenance and self-renewal, we developed a fluorescence reporter-based assay to quantitatively measure the self-renewal status in mouse ES cells using the Oct4GiP cells 3. The Oct4GiP cells express the green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the Oct4 gene promoter region 4,5. Oct4 is required for ES cell self-renewal, and is highly expressed in ES cells and quickly down-regulated during differentiation 6,7. As a result, GFP expression and fluorescence in the reporter cells correlates faithfully with the ES cell identity 5, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis can be used to closely monitor the self-renewal status of the cells at the single cell level 3,8.
Coupled with RNAi, the Oct4GiP reporter assay can be used to quickly identify and study regulators of ES cell maintenance and self-renewal 3,8. Compared to other methods for assaying self-renewal, it is more convenient, sensitive, quantitative, and of lower cost. It can be carried out in 96- or 384-well plates for large-scale studies such as high-throughput screens or genetic epistasis analysis. Finally, by using other lineage-specific reporter ES cell lines, the assay we describe here can also be modified to study fate specification during ES cell differentiation.

We describe a fluorescence reporter assay to quickly identify and characterize genes that regulate mouse embryonic stem cell maintenance and self-renewal.

Pluripotency and self-renewal are two defining characteristics of embryonic stem cells (ES cells). Understanding the underlying molecular mechanism will ...

In vivo Reprogramming of Adult Somatic Cells to Pluripotency by Overexpression of Yamanaka Factors

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells that result from the reprogramming of somatic cells to a pluripotent state by forced expression of defined factors are offering new opportunities for regenerative medicine. Such clinical applications of iPS cells have been limited so far, mainly due to the poor efficiency of the existing reprogramming methodologies and the risk of the generated iPS cells to form tumors upon implantation.
We hypothesized that the reprogramming of somatic cells towards pluripotency could be achieved in vivo by gene transfer of reprogramming factors. In order to efficiently reprogram cells in vivo, high levels of the Yamanaka (OKSM) transcription factors need to be expressed at the target tissue. This can be achieved by using different viral or nonviral gene vectors depending on the target tissue. In this particular study, hydrodynamic tail-vein (HTV) injection of plasmid DNA was used to deliver the OKSM factors to mouse hepatocytes. This provided proof-of-evidence of in vivo reprogramming of adult, somatic cells towards a pluripotent state with high efficiency and fast kinetics. Furthermore no tumor or teratoma formation was observed in situ.
It can be concluded that reprogramming somatic cells in vivo may offer a potential approach to induce enhanced pluripotency rapidly, efficiently, and safely compared to in vitro performed protocols and can be applied to different tissue types in the future.

In vivo Reprogramming of Adult Somatic Cells to Pluripotency by Overexpression of Yamanaka Factors

This study demonstrates the reprogramming of somatic cells towards pluripotency in vivo without the generation of teratomas. We used hydrodynamic tail vein injection of plasmid DNA encoding the Yamanka factors to induce the in vivo reprogramming of adult hepatocytes into cells of enhanced pluripotency.

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells that result from the reprogramming of somatic cells to a pluripotent state by forced expression of defined factors ...

Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells

The subcutaneous matrigel plug assay in mice is a method of choice for the in vivo evaluation of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors. In this method, desired factors are introduced into cold-liquid ECM-mimic gel which, after subcutaneous injection, solidifies to form an environment mimicking the cancer milieu. This matrix permits the penetration of host cells, such as endothelial cells, and therefore, the formation of vasculature.
Herein we propose a new modified matrigel plug assay, which can be exploited to illustrate the angiogenic potential of a pool of factors secreted by cancer cells, as opposed to a specific factor (e.g., bFGF and VEGF) or agent. The plug containing ECM-mimic gel is utilized to introduce the host (i.e., mouse) with a pool of factors secreted to the C.M. of fast-growing tumor-generating glioblastoma cells. We have previously described an extensive comparison of the angiogenic potential of U-87 MG human glioblastoma and its dormant-derived clone, in this system model, showing induced angiogenesis in the U-87 MG parental cells. The C.M. is prepared by filtering collected media from confluent tissue culture plates of either cell line following 48 hr incubation. Hence, it contains only factors secreted by the cells, without the cells themselves. Described here is the combination of two imaging modalities, microbubbles contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging and intravital fibered-confocal endomicroscopy, for an accurate, real-time characterization of the extent, morphology and functionality of newly-formed blood vessels within the plugs.

We describe a matrigel plug assay to illustrate angiogenic potential of a pool of factors secreted by cancer cells using two complementary imaging modalities, ultrasound and endomicroscopy. The matrigel, an extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimic gel, is utilized to introduce the host (mouse) with angiogenic factors secreted to the conditioned media (C.M.).&#160;

The subcutaneous matrigel plug assay in mice is a method of choice for the in vivo evaluation of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors. In this method, desired ...

In Vivo 4-Dimensional Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adult Mouse Calvarial Bone Marrow

Through a delicate balance between quiescence and proliferation, self renewal and production of differentiated progeny, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain the turnover of all mature blood cell lineages. The coordination of the complex signals leading to specific HSC fates relies upon the interaction between HSCs and the intricate bone marrow microenvironment, which is still poorly understood[1-2].
We describe how by combining a newly developed specimen holder for stable animal positioning with multi-step confocal and two-photon in vivo imaging techniques, it is possible to obtain high-resolution 3D stacks containing HSPCs and their surrounding niches and to monitor them over time through multi-point time-lapse imaging. High definition imaging allows detecting ex vivo labeled hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) residing within the bone marrow. Moreover, multi-point time-lapse 3D imaging, obtained with faster acquisition settings, provides accurate information about HSPC movement and the reciprocal interactions between HSPCs and stroma cells.
Tracking of HSPCs in relation to GFP positive osteoblastic cells is shown as an exemplary application of this method. This technique can be utilized to track any appropriately labeled hematopoietic or stromal cell of interest within the mouse calvarium bone marrow space.

In Vivo 4-Dimensional Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adult Mouse Calvarial Bone Marrow

The nature of the interactions between hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and bone marrow niches is poorly understood. Custom hardware modifications and a multi-step acquisition protocol allow the use of two-photon and confocal microscopy to image ex vivo labeled HSPCs homed within bone marrow areas, tracking interactions and movement.

Through a delicate balance between quiescence and proliferation, self renewal and production of differentiated progeny, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) ...

Retroviral Infection of Murine Embryonic Stem Cell Derived Embryoid Body Cells for Analysis of Hematopoietic Differentiation

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are an outstanding model for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cellular differentiation. They are especially useful for investigating the development of early hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). Gene expression in ESCs can be manipulated by several techniques that allow the role for individual molecules in development to be determined. One difficulty is that expression of specific genes often has different phenotypic effects dependent on their temporal expression. This problem can be circumvented by the generation of ESCs that inducibly express a gene of interest using technology such as the doxycycline-inducible transgene system. However, generation of these inducible cell lines is costly and time consuming. Described here is a method for disaggregating ESC-derived embryoid bodies (EBs) into single cell suspensions, retrovirally infecting the cell suspensions, and then reforming the EBs by hanging drop. Downstream differentiation is then evaluated by flow cytometry. Using this protocol, it was demonstrated that exogenous expression of a microRNA gene at the beginning of ESC differentiation blocks HPC generation. However, when expressed in EB derived cells after nascent mesoderm is produced, the microRNA gene enhances hematopoietic differentiation. This method is useful for investigating the role of genes after specific germ layer tissue is derived.

Manipulating temporal gene expression in differentiating embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be achieved using inducible gene systems. However, generation of these cell lines is costly and time consuming. This protocol achieves rapid expression of a transgene in differentiating ES-derived cells and subsequent analysis of downstream hematopoietic differentiation.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are an outstanding model for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cellular differentiation. They are especially useful for ...

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids

Adrenal activity can be assessed in the equine species by analysis of feces for corticosterone metabolites. During a potentially aversive situation, corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) is released from the hypothalamus in the brain. This stimulates the release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland, which in turn stimulates release of glucocorticoids from the adrenal gland. In horses the glucocorticoid corticosterone is responsible for several adaptations needed to support equine flight behaviour and subsequent removal from the aversive situation. Corticosterone metabolites can be detected in the feces of horses and assessment offers a non-invasive option to evaluate long term patterns of adrenal activity. Fecal assessment offers advantages over other techniques that monitor adrenal activity including blood plasma and saliva analysis. The non-invasive nature of the method avoids sampling stress which can confound results. It also allows the opportunity for repeated sampling over time and is ideal for studies in free ranging horses. This protocol describes the enzyme linked immunoassay (EIA) used to assess feces for corticosterone, in addition to the associated biochemical validation.

Adrenal activity can be assessed in the equine species by analysis of feces for corticosterone metabolites. The method offers a non-invasive option to assess long term patterns in both domestic and free ranging horses. This protocol describes the enzyme linked immunoassay involved and the associated biochemical validation.

Adrenal activity can be assessed in the equine species by analysis of feces for corticosterone metabolites. During a potentially aversive situation, ...

Analysis of Cell Suspensions Isolated from Solid Tissues by Spectral Flow Cytometry

Flow cytometry has been used for the past 40 years to define and analyze the phenotype of lymphoid and other hematopoietic cells. Initially restricted to the analysis of a few fluorochromes, currently there are dozens of different fluorescent dyes, and up to 14-18 different dyes can be combined at a time. However, several limitations still impair the analytical capabilities. Because of the multiplicity of fluorescent probes, data analysis has become increasingly complex due to the need of large, multi-parametric compensation matrices. Moreover, mutant mouse models carrying fluorescent proteins to detect and trace specific cell types in different tissues have become available, so the analysis (by flow cytometry) of auto-fluorescent cell suspensions obtained from solid organs is required. Spectral flow cytometry, which distinguishes the shapes of emission spectra along a wide range of continuous wavelengths, addresses some of these problems. The data is analyzed with an algorithm that replaces compensation matrices and treats auto-fluorescence as an independent parameter. Thus, spectral flow cytometry should be capable of discriminating fluorochromes with similar emission peaks and can provide a multi-parametric analysis without compensation requirements.
This protocol describes the spectral flow cytometry analysis, allowing for a 21-parameter (19 fluorescent probes) characterization and the management of an auto-fluorescent signal, providing high resolution in minor population detection. The results presented here show that spectral flow cytometry presents advantages in the analysis of cell populations from tissues difficult to characterize in conventional flow cytometry, such as the heart and the intestine. Spectral flow cytometry thus demonstrates the multi-parametric analytical capacity of high-performing conventional flow cytometry without the requirement for compensation and enables auto-fluorescence management.

This article describes spectral cytometry, a new approach in flow cytometry that uses the shapes of emission spectra to distinguish fluorochromes. An algorithm replaces compensations and can treat auto-fluorescence as an independent parameter. This new approach allows for the proper analysis of cells isolated from solid organs.

Flow cytometry has been used for the past 40 years to define and analyze the phenotype of lymphoid and other hematopoietic cells. Initially restricted to ...