Name: simplified human neutrophil extracellular traps (nets) isolation and handling
Uploaded: 2015-04-16T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Simplified Human Neutrophil Extracellular Traps NETs Isolation and Handling at JoVE.com

The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Paul Kubes for his guidance and mentoring that were central in the construction of this work.

NOTE: All experiments were conducted in accordance with local institutional ethical guidelines.
1. Blood Drawing
<ol>
	<li>Through antecubital venipucture, collect 14 tubes of blood from a healthy volunteer into green top (heparinized) tubes and invert each tube before settling on ice. Collect blood within 10 - 15 min of experiment to ensure optimal neutrophil yield.</li>
</ol>
2. Neutrophil Isolation from Whole Blood
<ol>
	<li>Wash each green top tube of blood with...

<ol>
	<li>Saitoh, T., 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=Neutrophil+extracellular+traps+mediate+a+host+defense+response+to+human+immunodeficiency+virus-1.">Neutrophil extracellular traps mediate a host defense response to human immunodeficiency virus-1.</a> Cell Host Microbe. 12 (1), 109-116 (2012).</li><li>Bruns, 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=Production+of+extracellular+traps+against+Aspergillus+fumigatus+in+vitro+and+in+infected+lung+tissue+is+dependent+on+invading+neutrophils+and+influenced+by+hydrophobin+RodA.">Production of extracellular traps against Aspergillus fumigatus in vitro and in infected lung tissue is dependent on invading neutrophils and influenced by hydrophobin RodA.</a> PLoS Pathog. 6 (4), e1000873 (2010).</li><li>Brinkmann, V., 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=Neutrophil+extracellular+traps+kill+bacteria.">Neutrophil extracellular traps kill bacteria.</a> Science. 303 (5663), 1532-1535 (2004).</li><li>Papayannopoulos, V., Zychlinsky, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=NETs:+a+new+strategy+for+using+old+weapons.">NETs: a new strategy for using old weapons.</a> Trends Immunol. 30 (11), 513-521 (2009).</li><li>McDonald, B., Urrutia, R., Yipp, B. G., Jenne, C. N., Kubes, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intravascular+neutrophil+extracellular+traps+capture+bacteria+from+the+bloodstream+during+sepsis.">Intravascular neutrophil extracellular traps capture bacteria from the bloodstream during sepsis.</a> Cell Host Microbe. 12 (3), 324-333 (2012).</li><li>Pilsczek, F. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+mechanism+of+rapid+nuclear+neutrophil+extracellular+trap+formation+in+response+to+Staphylococcus+aureus.">A novel mechanism of rapid nuclear neutrophil extracellular trap formation in response to Staphylococcus aureus.</a> J Immunol. 185 (12), 7413-7425 (2010).</li><li>Villanueva, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Netting+neutrophils+induce+endothelial+damage,+infiltrate+tissues,+and+expose+immunostimulatory+molecules+in+systemic+lupus+erythematosus.">Netting neutrophils induce endothelial damage, infiltrate tissues, and expose immunostimulatory molecules in systemic lupus erythematosus.</a> J Immunol. 187 (1), 538-552 (2011).</li><li>Khandpur, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=NETs+are+a+source+of+citrullinated+autoantigens+and+stimulate+inflammatory+responses+in+rheumatoid+arthritis.">NETs are a source of citrullinated autoantigens and stimulate inflammatory responses in rheumatoid arthritis.</a> Sci Transl Med. 5 (178), 178ra140 (2013).</li><li>Demers, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cancers+predispose+neutrophils+to+release+extracellular+DNA+traps+that+contribute+to+cancer-associated+thrombosis.">Cancers predispose neutrophils to release extracellular DNA traps that contribute to cancer-associated thrombosis.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 109 (32), 13076-13081 (2012).</li><li>Hahn, S., Giaglis, S., Hoesli, I., Hasler, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neutrophil+NETs+in+reproduction:+from+infertility+to+preeclampsia+and+the+possibility+of+fetal+loss.">Neutrophil NETs in reproduction: from infertility to preeclampsia and the possibility of fetal loss.</a> Front Immunol. 3, 362 (2012).</li><li>Cools-Lartigue, J., 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=Neutrophil+extracellular+traps+sequester+circulating+tumor+cells+and+promote+metastasis.">Neutrophil extracellular traps sequester circulating tumor cells and promote metastasis.</a> J Clin Invest. , (2013).</li><li>Cools-Lartigue, J., Spicer, J., Najmeh, S., Ferri, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neutrophil+extracellular+traps+in+cancer+progression.">Neutrophil extracellular traps in cancer progression.</a> Cell Mol Life Sci. , (2014).</li><li>Brinkmann, V., Laube, B., Abu Abed, U., Goosmann, C., Zychlinsky, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neutrophil+extracellular+traps:+how+to+generate+and+visualize+them.">Neutrophil extracellular traps: how to generate and visualize them.</a> J Vis Exp. (36), (2010).</li><li>Maqbool, M., Vidyadaran, S., George, E., Ramasamy, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Optimisation+of+laboratory+procedures+for+isolating+human+peripheral+blood+derived+neutrophils.">Optimisation of laboratory procedures for isolating human peripheral blood derived neutrophils.</a> Med J Malaysia. 66 (4), 296-299 (2011).</li><li>Boyum, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+of+lymphocytes,+granulocytes+and+macrophages.">Isolation of lymphocytes, granulocytes and macrophages.</a> Scand J Immunol. Suppl. 5, 9-15 (1976).</li><li>Calado, R. T., 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=Sex+hormones,+acting+on+the+TERT+gene,+increase+telomerase+activity+in+human+primary+hematopoietic+cells.">Sex hormones, acting on the TERT gene, increase telomerase activity in human primary hematopoietic cells.</a> Blood. 114 (11), 2236-2243 (2009).</li><li>Zhong, C., Qu, X., Tan, M., Meng, Y. G., Ferrara, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+and+regulation+of+bv8+in+human+blood+cells.">Characterization and regulation of bv8 in human blood cells.</a> Clin Cancer Res. 15 (8), 2675-2684 (2009).</li><li>Wu, Y. J., 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=In+vivo+leukocyte+labeling+with+intravenous+ferumoxides/protamine+sulfate+complex+and+in+vitro+characterization+for+cellular+magnetic+resonance+imaging.">In vivo leukocyte labeling with intravenous ferumoxides/protamine sulfate complex and in vitro characterization for cellular magnetic resonance imaging.</a> Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 293 (5), C1698-C1708 (2007).</li><li>Saffarzadeh, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neutrophil+extracellular+traps+directly+induce+epithelial+and+endothelial+cell+death:+a+predominant+role+of+histones.">Neutrophil extracellular traps directly induce epithelial and endothelial cell death: a predominant role of histones.</a> PLoS One. 7 (2), e32366 (2012).</li><li>Fuchs, T. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Novel+cell+death+program+leads+to+neutrophil+extracellular+traps.">Novel cell death program leads to neutrophil extracellular traps.</a> J Cell Biol. 176 (2), 231-241 (2007).</li></ol>

The Neutrophil Extracellular Trap isolation protocol demonstrated in this video combines different techniques used in the literature for neutrophil isolation and NET formation. It simplifies a fairly complex and variable process and offers a very reliable and replicable way to isolate purified cell-free NETs with fewer steps than other protocols. Furthermore, readily available reagents are employed adding to the protocols simplicity and significantly reducing its cost. The application of NETs towards a static adhesion as...

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are newly discovered neutrophil-derived elements composed of strands of extracellular DNA decorated by hundreds of proteins and histones. They are secreted by neutrophils in the context of infection and inflammation following specific stimuli and they were initially recognized to be part of the neutrophil&#8217;s defense mechanisms against infections. They were first shown to promote trapping of various microbial invaders including bacteria, viruses and fungi 1-3. Trapping of the microbe would then lead to its destruction both directly by NET-associated proteins 3,4 and indirectly through local recruitment of phagocytic cells 5,6. The role of NETs however does not seem to be limited to host defense. More recently, they have been shown to play an important role in autoimmune diseases 7,8, thrombosis 9, pregnancy-related disorders 10 and even cancer progression 11,12. Accordingly, it appears that NETs play an important role in a large number of diverse physiologic processes. However, given the novel nature of such research, much remains to be elucidated with respect to the mechanisms by which NETs exert their effects. Herein, we present a simplified method for the isolation of NETs in the absence of neutrophils.
In the following video, we demonstrate a simplified and easy technique to isolate NETs from human whole blood. Cell-free NETs can then be used in a number of in vitro experiments including staining, imuunofluorescence, blotting as well as a number of assays such as adhesion, proliferation and migration. Other protocols exist 13, 19, however they are usually lengthy, complex, expensive, and often, low yield 13. This simplified protocol uses basic reagents and decreases the number of steps required to isolate neutrophils, therefore minimizing the length of the procedure while maximizing yield.
The following method combines different techniques for neutrophil isolation previously described in the literature to obtain a simple protocol yielding a very pure sample of live neutrophils. As suggested in the literature, venous blood is collected in EDTA tubes and used within 10 min to avoid neutrophil activation 14. We use Lymphocyte Separation Media (LSM) density gradient centrifugation to isolate granulocytes and red blood cells from heparinized whole blood, a method adapted from the Ficoll density centrifugation technique initially described by Boyum et al 15. LSM is a modification of the Boyum formulation that substitutes sodium diatrizoate for the sodium metrizoate and has been used successfully in many studies to isolate neutrophils 16-18.
Following differential density centrifugation, monocytes and lymphocytes are discarded; red blood cells are then sedimented using a 6% Dextran solution 14 and the remaining RBCs are lysed to obtain a population of pure neutrophils, which is verified with Trypan blue and Methylene blue staining.
Numerous agents have been used to induce NETosis both in vitro and in vivo, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and interleukins (IL-8) 3,5,6. In the following protocol, isolated neutrophils are stimulated with 500 nM PMA for 4 hr, which has been shown to be an adequate concentration to allow consistent and reliable NET formation without promoting apoptosis 19,20.
After isolation, we demonstrate how cell-free NETs obtained from this protocol can be used in an adhesion assay. DNAse1 is used to digest and degrade NETs as previously described and thus serves as a control 2,3,11. Other options include the use of Neutrophil elastase inhibitor (NEi) to inhibit NET formation, which is an acceptable alternative when the goal is to inhibit the NET formation rather than effect their degradation 11. Although NEi has a number of varied functions, it has been previously shown that NET deposition can be inhibited by NEi through blockage of chromatin decondensation, nuclear degranulation and neutrophil death 12

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="983">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:75px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:573px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="84">
			<td height="84" style="height:84px;width:216px;">Dulbecco&#8217;s Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS), Modified, without calcium chloride and magnesium chloride</td>
			<td style="width:75px;">Wisent</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">311-425-CL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Lymphocyte Separation Medium (LSM)</td>
			<td style="width:75px;">Wisent</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">305-010-CL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Dextran hydrochloride (powder)</td>
			<td style="width:75px;">Spectrum</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">DE130</td>
			<td>6% Dextran solution is made by supplementing PBS with Ca and Mg with 6% Dextran powder</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">RPMI-1640 Medium with L-glutamine</td>
			<td style="width:75px;">Wisent</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">350-000-CL</td>
			<td>3% RPMI solution is made by supplementing RPMI with 3% Fetal Bovine serum</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:216px;">BD Pharm Lyse Lysing buffer</td>
			<td style="width:75px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">555899</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)</td>
			<td style="width:75px;">Sigma-Alrdrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">P8139</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">DNAse1</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">11284932001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">F12 DMEM</td>
			<td style="width:75px;">Wisent</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">319-075-CL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)</td>
			<td style="width:75px;">Wisent</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">080-150</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Penicillin/Streptomycin</td>
			<td style="width:75px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">15140-122</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">CFSE</td>
			<td style="width:75px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">C1157</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">0.25% Trypsin-EDTA</td>
			<td style="width:75px;">Gibco</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">25200-056</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Integrid tissue culture dish with 20mm grid (150 x 25mm)</td>
			<td style="width:75px;">Falcon</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">353025</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

simplified human neutrophil extracellular traps (nets) isolation and handling

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) have been recently identified as part of the neutrophil&#8217;s antimicrobial armamentarium. Apart from their role in fighting infections, recent research has demonstrated that they may be involved in many other disease processes, including cancer progression. Isolating purified NETs is a crucial element to allow the study of these functions.
In this video, we demonstrate a simplified method of cell free NET isolation from human whole blood using readily available reagents. Isolated NETs can then be used for immunofluorescence staining, blotting or various functional assays. This enables an assessment of their biologic properties in the absence of the potential confounding effects of neutrophils themselves.
A density gradient separation technique is employed to isolate neutrophils from healthy donor whole blood. Isolated neutrophils are then stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to induce NETosis. Activated neutrophils are then discarded, and a cell-free NET stock is obtained.
We then demonstrate how isolated NETs can be used in an adhesion assay with A549 human lung cancer cells. The NET stock is used to coat the wells of a 96 well cell culture plate O/N, and after ensuring an adequate NET monolayer formation on the bottom of the wells, CFSE labeled A549 cells are added. Adherent cells are quantified using a Nikon TE300 fluorescent microscope. In some wells, 1000U DNAse1 is added 10 min before counting to degrade NETs

Successful achievement of a static adhesion assay with NETs requires adequate coating of the wells with a monolayer of NETs before the addition of cancer cells (Figure 1). All subsequent steps must be done with care not to disrupt that layer. When an adequate layer of NETs is formed, it is expected to see significant cancer cells adhesion to NETs as seen in Figure 2A&#160;and 2C. This effect is abrogated by the addition of DNAse1, which degrades NETs as seen in F...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Simplified Human Neutrophil Extracellular Traps NETs Isolation and Handling at JoVE.com

Simplified Human Neutrophil Extracellular Traps NETs Isolation and Handling

In the following protocol, we describe a very simple way to isolate Neutrophil Extracellular traps (NETs) from human whole blood using readily available reagents. We then demonstrate how the isolated NETs can be used in an in vitro adhesion assay with cancer cells.

Simplified Human Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) Isolation and Handling

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) have been recently identified as part of the neutrophil&#8217;s antimicrobial armamentarium. Apart from their role ...

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