This work was supported by an NSF/ARRA award (IOS 0920357) and an award from the NIH (5R21MH098463).

1. Cell Preparation (Day -2 to 0)
<ol>
	<li>Split HEK293 cells 1:5 using 0.05% Trypsin-EDTA solution and incubate in Growth Media at 37 &#176;C with 5% CO2 until 60 - 80% confluent (2 - 3 days). For each condition, culture cells in 2 x 100 mm dishes.</li>
</ol>
2. Cell Transfection (Day 1)
<ol>
	<li>Transfect HEK293 cells with plasmid encoding Fc-fusion using a transfection reagent such as Lipofectamine. Alternative methods that result in comparable transfection efficiencies may also be used.</li>
	<li>Return transfected cells to incubator for 24 hr.</li>
</ol>
3. Cell Propagation (Day 2)
<ol>
	<li>Preheat Growth Media without Fetal Bovine Serum (-FBS) to 37 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Rinse dishes 2x with 10 ml Growth Media -FBS, and return the dishes to the 37 &#176;C incubator for 1 hr.</li>
	<li>Rinse the cultures dishes one more time with 10 ml Growth Media -FBS, for a total of 3 washes.</li>
	<li>Incubate the transfected HEK293 cells at 37 &#176;C for another 48 hr without FBS before collecting media.</li>
</ol>
4. Bead Aggregation (Day 4)
<ol>
	<li>To collect media from culture dishes, transfer media from each pair of dishes to 50 ml conical tubes and spin at 500 x g for 5 min to pellet cellular debris.</li>
	<li>Filter media from 50 ml conical tube into a centrifugal filter using a 30 ml syringe and 0.45 &#181;m syringe filter.</li>
	<li>Spin centrifugal filters at 4,000 x g and 4 &#176;C until volume of concentrated culture media is approximately 500 &#181;l (approximately 15 min). Repeat until all culture media has been added and concentrated.</li>
	<li>Add 1.5 &#181;l of Protein G magnetic beads to 1 ml of ice cold Binding Buffer in a 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tube for each sample, place on a magnet and remove buffer. Immediately add the concentrated culture media to the Protein G magnetic beads.</li>
	<li>Rotate tubes at 4 &#176;C for 2 hr.</li>
	<li>Place tubes on a magnet and remove media. Quickly wash beads twice with ice cold 1 ml Binding Buffer, and then resuspend beads in 300 &#181;l Binding Buffer.</li>
	<li>Split resuspended beads into 2 tubes, 150 &#181;l into each tube, and then add 1.5 &#181;l of 200 mM CaCl2 or 200 mM EDTA for the &#8220;calcium&#8221; and &#8220;no calcium&#8221; conditions, respectively.</li>
	<li>Transfer 100 &#181;l from each condition to a depression well slide and collect micrographs using a transmitted light microscope (Figure 2). Collect images from 5 fields of view for each experiment at each desired time point.</li>
</ol>
5. Data Analysis
<ol>
	<li>Using ImageJ, or comparable image analysis software, open one of the five image datasets using the Import/Image Sequence&#8230; from the File pulldown menu. These will be opened as an image stack.</li>
	<li>In the Image/Properties&#8230; dialog box, change the image units to pixels and set Pixel Width and Pixel Height to 1.0.</li>
	<li>Convert the images to binary using the Adjust/Threshold&#8230; command in the Image pulldown menu. Set the threshold to include pixels that contribute to beads or bead aggregates, but that exclude background and small particles. Apply to all images in the stack.</li>
	<li>In the Set Measurements dialog box, check the Area and Stack Position boxes.</li>
	<li>Run Analyze Particles&#8230; in the Analyze pulldown menu. This will generate a list of identified particles, including their size (area) and the image in which they were identified.</li>
	<li>Repeat this process for which experiment and experimental condition.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Chen, X., Gumbiner, B. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Paraxial+protocadherin+mediates+cell+sorting+and+tissue+morphogenesis+by+regulating+C-cadherin+adhesion+activity.">Paraxial protocadherin mediates cell sorting and tissue morphogenesis by regulating C-cadherin adhesion activity.</a> J. Cell Biol. 174 (2), 301-313 (2006).</li><li>Grumet, M., Friedlander, D. R., Edelman, G. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evidence+for+the+binding+of+Ng-CAM+to+laminin.">Evidence for the binding of Ng-CAM to laminin.</a> Cell Adhes. Commun. 1 (2), 177-190 (1993).</li><li>Hatta, K., Nose, A., Nagafuchi, A., Takeichi, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cloning+and+expression+of+cDNA+encoding+a+neural+calcium-dependent+cell+adhesion+molecule:+its+identity+in+the+cadherin+gene+family.">Cloning and expression of cDNA encoding a neural calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule: its identity in the cadherin gene family.</a> J. Cell Biol. 106 (3), 873-881 (1988).</li><li>Hirano, S., Nose, A., Hatta, K., Kawakami, A., Takeichi, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Calcium-dependent+cell-cell+adhesion+molecules+(cadherins):+subclass+specificities+and+possible+involvement+of+actin+bundles.">Calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules (cadherins): subclass specificities and possible involvement of actin bundles.</a> J. Cell Biol. 105 (6 Pt 1), 2501-2510 (1987).</li><li>Nose, A., Nagafuchi, A., Takeichi, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expressed+recombinant+cadherins+mediate+cell+sorting+in+model+systems.">Expressed recombinant cadherins mediate cell sorting in model systems.</a> Cell. 54 (7), 993-1001 (1988).</li><li>Nose, A., Takeichi, M. <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+cadherin+cell+adhesion+molecule:+its+expression+patterns+associated+with+implantation+and+organogenesis+of+mouse+embryos.">A novel cadherin cell adhesion molecule: its expression patterns associated with implantation and organogenesis of mouse embryos.</a> J. Cell Biol. 103 (6 Pt 2), 2649-2658 (1986).</li><li>Schreiner, D., Weiner, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Combinatorial+homophilic+interaction+between+gamma-protocadherin+multimers+greatly+expands+the+molecular+diversity+of+cell+adhesion.">Combinatorial homophilic interaction between gamma-protocadherin multimers greatly expands the molecular diversity of cell adhesion.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 107 (33), 14893-14898 (2010).</li><li>Takeichi, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+correlation+between+cell+adhesive+properties+and+some+cell+surface+proteins.">Functional correlation between cell adhesive properties and some cell surface proteins.</a> J. Cell Biol. 75, 464-474 (1977).</li><li>Sivasankar, S., Brieher, W., Lavrik, N., Gumbiner, B., Leckband, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Direct+molecular+force+measurements+of+multiple+adhesive+interactions+between+cadherin+ectodomains.">Direct molecular force measurements of multiple adhesive interactions between cadherin ectodomains.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 96 (21), 11820-11824 (1999).</li><li>Sivasankar, S., Gumbiner, B., Leckband, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Direct+measurements+of+multiple+adhesive+alignments+and+unbinding+trajectories+between+cadherin+extracellular+domains.">Direct measurements of multiple adhesive alignments and unbinding trajectories between cadherin extracellular domains.</a> Biophys. J. 80, 1758-1768 (2001).</li><li>Sivasankar, S., Zhang, Y., Nelson, W. J., Chu, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterizing+the+initial+encounter+complex+in+cadherin+adhesion.">Characterizing the initial encounter complex in cadherin adhesion.</a> Structure. 17 (8), 1075-1081 (2009).</li><li>Zhang, Y., Sivasankar, S., Nelson, W. J., Chu, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Resolving+cadherin+interactions+and+binding+cooperativity+at+the+single-molecule+level.">Resolving cadherin interactions and binding cooperativity at the single-molecule level.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 106 (1), 109-114 (2009).</li><li>Yasuda, 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=Activity-induced+protocadherin+arcadlin+regulates+dendritic+spine+number+by+triggering+N-cadherin+endocytosis+via+TAO2beta+and+p38+MAP+kinases.">Activity-induced protocadherin arcadlin regulates dendritic spine number by triggering N-cadherin endocytosis via TAO2beta and p38 MAP kinases.</a> Neuron. 56 (3), 456-471 (2007).</li><li>Chappuis-Flament, S., Wong, E., Hicks, L. D., Kay, C. M., Gumbiner, B. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiple+cadherin+extracellular+repeats+mediate+homophilic+binding+and+adhesion.">Multiple cadherin extracellular repeats mediate homophilic binding and adhesion.</a> J. Cell Biol. 154 (1), 231-243 (2001).</li><li>Emond, M. R., Biswas, S., Blevins, C. J., Jontes, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+complex+of+Protocadherin-19+and+N-cadherin+mediates+a+novel+mechanism+of+cell+adhesion.">A complex of Protocadherin-19 and N-cadherin mediates a novel mechanism of cell adhesion.</a> J. Cell Biol. 195 (7), 1115-1121 (2011).</li><li>Biswas, S., Emond, M. R., Jontes, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+clustered+protocadherins+Pcdhalpha+and+Pcdhgamma+form+a+heteromeric+complex+in+zebrafish.">The clustered protocadherins Pcdhalpha and Pcdhgamma form a heteromeric complex in zebrafish.</a> Neuroscience. 219, 280-289 (2012).</li><li>Blevins, C. J., Emond, M. R., Biswas, S., Jontes, J. D. <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,+alternative+splicing,+and+adhesive+properties+of+the+zebrafish+delta1-protocadherins.">Differential expression, alternative splicing, and adhesive properties of the zebrafish delta1-protocadherins.</a> Neuroscience. 199, 523-534 (2011).</li><li>Morishita, 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=Structure+of+the+cadherin-related+neuronal+receptor/protocadherin-alpha+first+extracellular+cadherin+domain+reveals+diversity+across+cadherin+families.">Structure of the cadherin-related neuronal receptor/protocadherin-alpha first extracellular cadherin domain reveals diversity across cadherin families.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 281, 33650-33663 (1074).</li><li>Wojtowicz, W. M., Flanagan, J. J., Millard, S. S., Zipursky, S. L., Clemens, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Alternative+splicing+of+Drosophila+Dscam+generates+axon+guidance+receptors+that+exhibit+isoform-specific+homophilic+binding.">Alternative splicing of Drosophila Dscam generates axon guidance receptors that exhibit isoform-specific homophilic binding.</a> Cell. 118 (5), 619-633 (2004).</li><li>Drees, F., Reilein, A., Nelson, W. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell-adhesion+assays:+fabrication+of+an+E-cadherin+substratum+and+isolation+of+lateral+and+Basal+membrane+patches.">Cell-adhesion assays: fabrication of an E-cadherin substratum and isolation of lateral and Basal membrane patches.</a> Methods Mol. Biol. 294, 303-320 (2005).</li></ol>

The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

Cell adhesion is an essential feature of multicellular life and is mediated by a broad array of cell surface proteins. Of these, the detailed adhesive properties are understood for only a relatively small proportion. Here, we have described a simple, rapid protocol for investigating the homophilic adhesive capacity of secreted ectodomains fused to a convenient epitope tag. This approach has a number of important advantages. First, stable cell lines are not required14,20, as sufficient quantities of protein can...

Cell-cell adhesion is essential for the development and integrity of multicellular organisms and is mediated by a diverse array of cell surface molecules. Many of these adhesion molecules have been identified and characterized, though many remain to be discovered. Several methods are used to investigate the properties of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), including cell sorting assays, cell aggregation assays1-8 and biophysical methods, such as atomic force microscopy and surface force spectroscopy9-12.
The complexity of even simplified in vitro systems using cell lines makes it difficult to determine the adhesive properties of a putative CAM. Typically, a molecule is considered a CAM if it induces cell aggregation when transfected into a non-adhesive cell line. However, it is clear that this is not direct evidence of adhesive activity. For instance, facilitating the cell surface delivery or stability of a CAM would also result in increased cell aggregation1,13. Moreover, a true CAM may fail to mediate cell aggregation if the cell line lacks other co-factors required for cell surface delivery or stabilization.
To avoid these complicating factors, more direct assays can be employed that are based on the idea that adhesive interactions should be an intrinsic biochemical property of the extracellular domain. While beads were initially used to characterize Ng-CAM2, these assays have been extended in order to investigate cadherin-mediated adhesion12,14,15. Using fusion of the C-cadherin ectodomain-Fc fusions, the Gumbiner lab showed that multiple cadherin repeats contribute to homophilic interactions14. Using comparable bead aggregation assays, E-cadherin and N-cadherin adhesion have also been characterized12,15, as have a number of protocadherins1,15-18 and Dscam isoforms from Drosophila19. Here we describe a relatively simple and rapid assay for characterizing the adhesive activity of secreted, epitope-tagged ectodomains of putative homophilic CAMs (Figure 1). We have used this assay primarily to characterize members of the cadherin superfamily.

<table><tbody><tr><td>pFc-N1 plasmid</td><td>Addgene</td><td>&lt;span style=&quot;color:red;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;To be submitted&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>HEK293 cells</td><td>American Type Culture Collection</td><td>CRL-1573</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>DMEM</td><td>Mediatech - Corning</td><td>10-013-CV</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)</td><td>Sigma</td><td>F2442</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>100x Pen-Strep (10,000 U/ml)</td><td>Life Technologies</td><td>15140-122</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>0.05% Trypsin-EDTA</td><td>Life Technologies</td><td>25300054</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lipofectamine 2000</td><td>Life Technologies</td><td>11668030</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dynabeads &amp;ndash; Protein G</td><td>Life Technologies</td><td>10003D</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bovine Serum Albumin</td><td>Sigma</td><td>A3294</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Depression slides</td><td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td><td>71878-06</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Amicon Ultra-15 Centrifugal Filter Unit with Ultracel-10 membrane</td><td>Millipore</td><td>UFC901024</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>0.45 mm syringe filter</td><td>Sarstedt</td><td>83.1826</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dynamag-2 Magnet</td><td>Life Technologies</td><td>12321D</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Fiji (ImageJ) Image Analysis Software</td><td>&lt;a href=&quot;http://fiji.sc/Fiji&quot;&gt;http://fiji.sc/Fiji&lt;/a&gt;</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4">Table of Buffers/Solutions</td></tr><tr><td>Growth Media</td><td>DMEM + 10% FBS + Pen-Strep</td><td>Filter sterilize and store at 4 &amp;deg;C.</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Growth Media &amp;ndash;FBS</td><td>DMEM + Pen-Strep</td><td>Filter sterilize and store at 4 &amp;deg;C.</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Binding Buffer</td><td>50 mM Tris, pH 7.4, 100 mM NaCl, 10 mM KCl, 0.2% BSA</td><td>Vortex until dissolved, keep on ice.</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

bead aggregation assays for the characterization of putative cell adhesion molecules

Cell-cell adhesion is fundamental to multicellular life and is mediated by a diverse array of cell surface proteins. However, the adhesive interactions for many of these proteins are poorly understood. Here we present a simple, rapid method for characterizing the adhesive properties of putative homophilic cell adhesion molecules. Cultured HEK293 cells are transfected with DNA plasmid encoding a secreted, epitope-tagged ectodomain of a cell surface protein. Using functionalized beads specific for the epitope tag, the soluble, secreted fusion protein is captured from the culture medium. The coated beads can then be used directly in bead aggregation assays or in fluorescent bead sorting assays to test for homophilic adhesion. If desired, mutagenesis can then be used to elucidate the specific amino acids or domains required for adhesion. This assay requires only small amounts of expressed protein, does not require the production of stable cell lines, and can be accomplished in 4 days.

An example experiment is presented in Figure 2, which shows calcium-dependent bead aggregation by the ectodomain of N-cadherin fused to Fc (NcadEC-Fc). In the absence of calcium, beads exhibit little or no tendency to aggregate and there is no increase in aggregate size with time (Figure 1A,C). In the presence of calcium, beads coated with NcadEC-Fc show robust aggregation, with aggregate size increasing over time (Figure 1B,C). This experiment was repeated three times, ...

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Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Here we present a simple, rapid method for characterizing the intrinsic adhesive properties of putative cell adhesion molecules. The secreted, epitope-tagged ectodomain of a cell adhesion molecule is captured from the culture medium on small, uniform functionalized beads. These beads can then be used immediately in simple bead aggregation assays.

Cell-cell adhesion is fundamental to multicellular life and is mediated by a diverse array of cell surface proteins. However, the adhesive interactions ...

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10.5K Views.  Ohio State University. Here we present a simple, rapid method for characterizing the intrinsic adhesive properties of putative cell adhesion molecules. The secreted, epitope-tagged ectodomain of a cell adhesion molecule is captured from the culture medium on small, uniform functionalized beads. These beads can then be used immediately in simple bead aggregation assays.

Video: Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics

The cell membrane&#39;s extension repertoire modulates various malignant behaviors of cancer cells, including their adhesive and migratory potentials. The ability to accurately classify and quantify cell extensions and measure the effect on a cell&#39;s adhesive capacity is critical to determining how cell-signaling events impact cancer cell behavior and aggressiveness. Here, we describe the in vitro design and use of a cell extension quantification method in conjunction with an adhesion capacity assay in an established in vitro model for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Specifically, we test the effects of DKK3, a putative tumor suppressor and a pro-differentiation factor, on the membrane extension phenotype of the ACC cell line, SW-13. We propose these assays to provide relatively simple, reliable, and easily interpretable metrics to measures these characteristics under various experimental conditions.

This study demonstrates the utility and ease of quantitative cell membrane extension measurement and its correlation to adhesive capacity of cells. As a representative example, we show here that Dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK3) promotes increased lobopodia formation and cell adhesiveness in adrenocortical carcinoma cells in vitro.

The cell membrane&#39;s extension repertoire modulates various malignant behaviors of cancer cells, including their adhesive and migratory potentials. The ...

Cancer Research

Adhesion Frequency Assay for In Situ Kinetics Analysis of Cross-Junctional Molecular Interactions at the Cell-Cell Interface

The micropipette adhesion assay was developed in 1998 to measure two-dimensional (2D) receptor-ligand binding kinetics1. The assay uses a human red blood cell (RBC) as adhesion sensor and presenting cell for one of the interacting molecules. It employs micromanipulation to bring the RBC into contact with another cell that expresses the other interacting molecule with precisely controlled area and time to enable bond formation. The adhesion event is detected as RBC elongation upon pulling the two cells apart. By controlling the density of the ligands immobilized on the RBC surface, the probability of adhesion is kept in mid-range between 0 and 1. The adhesion probability is estimated from the frequency of adhesion events in a sequence of repeated contact cycles between the two cells for a given contact time. Varying the contact time generates a binding curve. Fitting a probabilistic model for receptor-ligand reaction kinetics1 to the binding curve returns the 2D affinity and off-rate.
The assay has been validated using interactions of Fc&gamma; receptors with IgG Fc1-6, selectins with glycoconjugate ligands6-9, integrins with ligands10-13, homotypical cadherin binding14, T cell receptor and coreceptor with peptide-major histocompatibility complexes15-19.
The method has been used to quantify regulations of 2D kinetics by biophysical factors, such as the membrane microtopology5, membrane anchor2, molecular orientation and length6, carrier stiffness9, curvature20, and impingement force20, as well as biochemical factors, such as modulators of the cytoskeleton and membrane microenvironment where the interacting molecules reside and the surface organization of these molecules15,17,19.
The method has also been used to study the concurrent binding of dual receptor-ligand species3,4, and trimolecular interactions19 using a modified model21.
The major advantage of the method is that it allows study of receptors in their native membrane environment. The results could be very different from those obtained using purified receptors17. It also allows study of the receptor-ligand interactions in a sub-second timescale with temporal resolution well beyond the typical biochemical methods.
To illustrate the micropipette adhesion frequency method, we show kinetics measurement of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) functionalized on RBCs binding to integrin &alpha;L&beta;2 on neutrophils with dimeric E-selectin in the solution to activate &alpha;L&beta;2.

Adhesion Frequency Assay for In Situ Kinetics Analysis of Cross-Junctional Molecular Interactions at the Cell-Cell Interface

An adhesion frequency assay for measuring receptor-ligand interaction kinetics when both molecules are anchored on the surfaces of the interacting cells is described. This mechanically-based assay is exemplified using a micropipette-pressurized human red blood cell as adhesion sensor and integrin &alpha;L&beta;2 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 as interacting receptors and ligands.

The micropipette adhesion assay was developed in 1998 to measure two-dimensional (2D) receptor-ligand binding kinetics1. The assay uses a human red blood ...

Static Adhesion Assay for the Study of Integrin Activation in T Lymphocytes

T lymphocyte adhesion is required for multiple T cell functions, including migration to sites of inflammation and formation of immunological synapses with antigen presenting cells. T cells accomplish regulated adhesion by controlling the adhesive properties of integrins, a class of cell adhesion molecules consisting of heterodimeric pairs of transmembrane proteins that interact with target molecules on partner cells or extracellular matrix. The most prominent T cell integrin is lymphocyte function associated antigen (LFA)-1, composed of subunits &#945;L and &#946;2, whose target is the intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1. The ability of a T cell to control adhesion derives from the ability to regulate the affinity states of individual integrins. Inside-out signaling describes the process whereby signals inside a cell cause the external domains of integrins to assume an activated state. Much of our knowledge of these complex phenomena is based on mechanistic studies performed in simplified in&#160;vitro model systems. The T lymphocyte adhesion assay described here is an excellent tool that allows T cells to adhere to target molecules, under static conditions, and then utilizes a fluorescent plate reader to quantify adhesiveness. This assay has been useful in defining adhesion-stimulatory or inhibitory substances that act on lymphocytes, as well as characterizing the signaling events involved. Although described here for LFA-1 - ICAM-1 mediated adhesion; this assay can be readily adapted to allow for the study of other adhesive interactions (e.g.&#160;VLA-4 - fibronectin).

Static adhesion assay is a powerful tool that can be used to model the interactions between T lymphocytes and other cell types. Interactions are generated by injecting labeled T cells into wells coated with adhesion molecules, while a plate reader is used to quantify the number of adherent cells following serial washes.

T lymphocyte adhesion is required for multiple T cell functions, including migration to sites of inflammation and formation of immunological synapses with ...

Immunology and Infection

Biomimetic Materials to Characterize Bacteria-host Interactions

Bacterial attachment to host cells is one of the earliest events during bacterial colonization of host tissues and thus a key step during infection. The biochemical and functional characterization of adhesins mediating these initial bacteria-host interactions is often compromised by the presence of other bacterial factors, such as cell wall components or secreted molecules, which interfere with the analysis. This protocol describes the production and use of biomimetic materials, consisting of pure recombinant adhesins chemically coupled to commercially available, functionalized polystyrene beads, which have been used successfully to dissect the biochemical and functional interactions between individual bacterial adhesins and host cell receptors. Protocols for different coupling chemistries, allowing directional immobilization of recombinant adhesins on polymer scaffolds, and for assessment of the coupling efficiency of the resulting &#8220;bacteriomimetic&#8221; materials are also discussed. We further describe how these materials can be used as a tool to inhibit pathogen mediated cytotoxicity and discuss scope, limitations and further applications of this approach in studying bacterial - host interactions.

Bacterial attachment to host cells is a key step during host colonization and infection. This protocol describes the generation of polymer-coupled recombinant adhesins as biomimetic materials which allow analysis of the contribution of individual adhesins to these processes, independent of other bacterial factors.

Bacterial attachment to host cells is one of the earliest events during bacterial colonization of host tissues and thus a key step during infection. The ...

Assay of Adhesion Under Shear Stress for the Study of T Lymphocyte-Adhesion Molecule Interactions

Overall, T cell adhesion is a critical component of function, contributing to the distinct processes of cellular recruitment to sites of inflammation and interaction with antigen presenting cells (APC) in the formation of immunological synapses. These two contexts of T cell adhesion differ in that T cell-APC interactions can be considered static, while T cell-blood vessel interactions are challenged by the shear stress generated by circulation itself. T cell-APC interactions are classified as static in that the two cellular partners are static relative to each other. Usually, this interaction occurs within the lymph nodes. As a T cell interacts with the blood vessel wall, the cells arrest and must resist the generated shear stress.1,2 These differences highlight the need to better understand static adhesion and adhesion under flow conditions as two distinct regulatory processes. The regulation of T cell adhesion can be most succinctly described as controlling the affinity state of integrin molecules expressed on the cell surface, and thereby regulating the interaction of integrins with the adhesion molecule ligands expressed on the surface of the interacting cell. Our current understanding of the regulation of integrin affinity states comes from often simplistic in vitro model systems. The assay of adhesion using flow conditions described here allows for the visualization and accurate quantification of T cell-epithelial cell interactions in real time following a stimulus. An adhesion under flow assay can be applied to studies of adhesion signaling within T cells following treatment with inhibitory or stimulatory substances. Additionally, this assay can be expanded beyond T cell signaling to any adhesive leukocyte population and any integrin-adhesion molecule pair.

This flow adhesion assay provides a simple, high impact model of T cell-epithelial cell interactions. A syringe pump is used to generate shear stress, and confocal microscopy captures images for quantification. The goal of these studies is to effectively quantify T cell adhesion using flow conditions.

Overall, T cell adhesion is a critical component of function, contributing to the distinct processes of cellular recruitment to sites of inflammation and ...

Dynamic Adhesion Assay for the Functional Analysis of Anti-adhesion Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Gut homing of immune cells is important for the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Integrin-dependent cell adhesion to addressins is a crucial step in this process and therapeutic strategies interfering with adhesion have been successfully established. The anti-&#945;4&#946;7 integrin antibody, vedolizumab, is used for the clinical treatment of Crohn&#39;s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) and further compounds are likely to follow.
The details of the adhesion procedure and the action mechanisms of anti-integrin antibodies are still unclear in many regards due to the limited available techniques for the functional research in this field.
Here, we present a dynamic adhesion assay for the functional analysis of human cell adhesion under flow conditions and the impact of anti-integrin therapies in the context of IBD. It is based on the perfusion of primary human cells through addressin-coated ultrathin glass capillaries with real-time microscopic analysis. The assay offers a variety of opportunities for refinements and modifications and holds potentials for mechanistic discoveries and translational applications.

Dynamic adhesion of immune cells to the vessel wall is a prerequisite for gut homing. Here, we present a protocol for a functional in vitro assay for the impact analysis of anti-integrin antibodies, chemokines or other factors on the dynamic cell adhesion of human cells using addressin-coated capillaries.

Gut homing of immune cells is important for the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Integrin-dependent cell adhesion to addressins is a ...

Measuring Transcellular Interactions through Protein Aggregation in a Heterologous Cell System

Protein interactions at cellular interfaces dictate a multitude of biological outcomes ranging from tissue development and cancer progression to synapse formation and maintenance. Many of these fundamental interactions occur in trans and are typically induced by heterophilic or homophilic interactions between cells expressing membrane anchored binding pairs. Elucidating how disease relevant mutations disrupt these fundamental protein interactions can provide insight into a myriad of cell biology fields. Many protein-protein interaction assays do not typically disambiguate between cis and trans interactions, which potentially leads to an overestimation of the extent of binding that is occurring in vivo and involve labor intensive purification of protein and/or specialized monitoring equipment. Here, we present an optimized simple protocol that allows for the observation and quantification of only trans interactions without the need for lengthy protein purifications or specialized equipment. The HEK cell aggregation assay involves the mixing of two independent populations of HEK cells, each expressing membrane-bound cognate ligands. After a short incubation period, samples are imaged and the resulting aggregates are quantified.

Here, we present an optimized protocol to rapidly and semiquantitatively measure ligand-receptor interactions in trans in a heterologous cell system using fluorescence microscopy.

Protein interactions at cellular interfaces dictate a multitude of biological outcomes ranging from tissue development and cancer progression to synapse ...

Neuroscience

Analyzing Cell Surface Adhesion Remodeling in Response to Mechanical Tension Using Magnetic Beads

Mechanosensitive cell surface adhesion complexes allow cells to sense the mechanical properties of their surroundings. Recent studies have identified both force-sensing molecules at adhesion sites, and force-dependent transcription factors that regulate lineage-specific gene expression and drive phenotypic outputs. However, the signaling networks converting mechanical tension into biochemical pathways have remained elusive. To explore the signaling pathways engaged upon mechanical tension applied to cell surface receptor, superparamagnetic microbeads can be used. Here we present a protocol for using magnetic beads to apply forces to cell surface adhesion proteins. Using this approach, it is possible to investigate not only force-dependent cytoplasmic signaling pathways by various biochemical approaches, but also adhesion remodeling by magnetic isolation of adhesion complexes attached to the ligand-coated beads. This protocol includes the preparation of ligand-coated superparamagnetic beads, and the application of define tensile forces followed by biochemical analyses. Additionally, we provide a representative sample of data demonstrating that tension applied to integrin-based adhesion triggers adhesion remodeling and alters protein tyrosine phosphorylation.

Cell surface adhesions are central in mechanotransduction, as they transmit mechanical tension and initiate the signaling pathways involved in tissue homeostasis and development. Here, we present a protocol for dissecting the biochemical pathways that are activated in response to tension, using ligand-coated magnetic microbeads and force application to adhesion receptors.

Mechanosensitive cell surface adhesion complexes allow cells to sense the mechanical properties of their surroundings. Recent studies have identified both ...

Biology

Quantification of Cell-Substrate Adhesion Area and Cell Shape Distributions in MCF7 Cell Monolayers

The methods presented here quantify some parameters of confluent adherent cell monolayers from multiple appropriately stained confocal images: adhesion to the substrate as a function of the number and size of focal adhesions, and cell shape, characterized by the cell shape index and other shape descriptors. Focal adhesions were visualized by paxillin staining and cell-cell borders were marked by junction plakoglobin and actin. The methods for cell culture and staining were standard; images represent single focal planes; image analysis was performed using publicly available image processing software. The presented protocols are used to quantify the number and size of focal adhesions and the differences in cell shape distribution in the monolayers, but they can be repurposed for the quantification of the size and shape of any other distinct cellular structure that can be stained (e.g., mitochondria or nuclei). Assessing these parameters is important in the characterization of the dynamic forces in adherent cell layer, including cell adhesion and actomyosin contractility that affects cell shape.

The article describes quantification of 1) the size and number of focal adhesions and 2) cell shape index and its distribution from confocal images of the confluent monolayers of MCF7 cells.

The methods presented here quantify some parameters of confluent adherent cell monolayers from multiple appropriately stained confocal images: adhesion to ...

Imaging Molecular Adhesion in Cell Rolling by Adhesion Footprint Assay

Rolling adhesion, facilitated by selectin-mediated interactions, is a highly dynamic, passive motility in recruiting leukocytes to the site of inflammation. This phenomenon occurs in postcapillary venules, where blood flow pushes leukocytes in a rolling motion on the endothelial cells. Stable rolling requires a delicate balance between adhesion bond formation and their mechanically-driven dissociation, allowing the cell to remain attached to the surface while rolling in the direction of flow. Unlike other adhesion processes occurring in relatively static environments, rolling adhesion is highly dynamic as the rolling cells travel over thousands of microns at tens of microns per second. Consequently, conventional mechanobiology methods such as traction force microscopy are unsuitable for measuring the individual adhesion events and the associated molecular forces due to the short timescale and high sensitivity required. Here, we describe our latest implementation of the adhesion footprint assay to image the P-selectin: PSGL-1 interactions in rolling adhesion at the molecular level. This method utilizes irreversible DNA-based tension gauge tethers to produce a permanent history of molecular adhesion events in the form of fluorescence tracks. These tracks can be imaged in two ways: (1) stitching together thousands of diffraction-limited images to produce a large field of view, enabling the extraction of adhesion footprint of each rolling cell over thousands of microns in length, (2) performing DNA-PAINT to reconstruct super-resolution images of the fluorescence tracks within a small field of view. In this study, the adhesion footprint assay was used to study HL-60 cells rolling at different shear stresses. In doing so, we were able to image the spatial distribution of the P-selectin: PSGL-1 interaction and gain insight into their molecular forces through fluorescence intensity. Thus, this method provides the groundwork for the quantitative investigation of the various cell-surface interactions involved in rolling adhesion at the molecular level.

This protocol presents the experimental procedures to perform the adhesion footprint assay to image the adhesion events during fast cell rolling adhesion.

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

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