Name: assessing somatic hypermutation in ramos b cells after overexpression or knockdown of specific genes
Uploaded: 2011-11-01T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Assessing Somatic Hypermutation in Ramos B Cells after Overexpression or Knockdown of Specific Genes at JoVE.com

The pMSCV-AID-I-Thy1.1 and pKat2 vectors were a kind gift from D. G. Schatz and the pVSV-G, pRSV-Rev, and pMDLg/pRRE vectors were a kind gift from B. R. Cullen.

1. Preparing samples and cells
<ol>
	<li>Perform a medium scale preparation of DNA (midiprep) of the overexpression or shRNA-containing constructs and the retroviral packaging vector pKat2 or the lentiviral packaging vectors pVSV-G, pMDLg/pRRE, and pRSV-Rev25. Use 6 &mu;g DNA for each construct and either 4 &mu;g of pKat2 (for retroviral infections) or 1.5 &mu;g DNA for each of the pVSV-g, pMDLg/pRRE, and pRSV-Rev packaging vectors (for lentiviral infections).</li>
	<li>Prepare BOSC 23 media. For transfectio...

<ol>
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Immunol. 18, 164-174 (2006).</li><li>Bardwell, P. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Altered+somatic+hypermutation+and+reduced+class-switch+recombination+in+exonuclease+1-mutant+mice.">Altered somatic hypermutation and reduced class-switch recombination in exonuclease 1-mutant mice.</a> Nat. Immunol. 5, 224-229 (2004).</li><li>Martomo, S. A., Yang, W. W., Gearhart, P. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+role+for+Msh6+but+not+Msh3+in+somatic+hypermutation+and+class+switch+recombination.">A role for Msh6 but not Msh3 in somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination.</a> J. Exp. Med. 200, 61-68 (2004).</li><li>Phung, Q. 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A. 96, 7376-7381 (1999).</li><li>Pavri, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activation-induced+cytidine+deaminase+targets+DNA+at+sites+of+RNA+polymerase+II+stalling+by+interaction+with+Spt5.">Activation-induced cytidine deaminase targets DNA at sites of RNA polymerase II stalling by interaction with Spt5.</a> Cell. 143, 122-133 (2010).</li><li>Lee-Theilen, M., Matthews, A. J., Kelly, D., Zheng, S., Chaudhuri, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=CtIP+promotes+microhomology-mediated+alternative+end+joining+during+class-switch+recombination.">CtIP promotes microhomology-mediated alternative end joining during class-switch recombination.</a> Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 18, 75-79 (2011).</li><li>Basu, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+RNA+exosome+targets+the+AID+cytidine+deaminase+to+both+strands+of+transcribed+duplex+DNA+substrates.">The RNA exosome targets the AID cytidine deaminase to both strands of transcribed duplex DNA substrates.</a> Cell. 144, 353-363 (2011).</li><li>Yabuki, M., Fujii, M. M., Maizels, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+MRE11-RAD50-NBS1+complex+accelerates+somatic+hypermutation+and+gene+conversion+of+immunoglobulin+variable+regions.">The MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 complex accelerates somatic hypermutation and gene conversion of immunoglobulin variable regions.</a> Nat. Immunol. 6, 730-736 (2005).</li><li>Sale, J. E., Neuberger, M. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=TdT-accessible+breaks+are+scattered+over+the+immunoglobulin+V+domain+in+a+constitutively+hypermutating+B+cell+line.">TdT-accessible breaks are scattered over the immunoglobulin V domain in a constitutively hypermutating B cell line.</a> Immunity. 9, 859-869 (1998).</li><li>Cumbers, S. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generation+and+iterative+affinity+maturation+of+antibodies+in+vitro+using+hypermutating+B-cell+lines.">Generation and iterative affinity maturation of antibodies in vitro using hypermutating B-cell lines.</a> Nat. Biotechnol. 20, 1129-1134 (2002).</li><li>Papavasiliou, F. N., Schatz, D. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell-cycle-regulated+DNA+double-stranded+breaks+in+somatic+hypermutation+of+immunoglobulin+genes.">Cell-cycle-regulated DNA double-stranded breaks in somatic hypermutation of immunoglobulin genes.</a> Nature. 408, 216-221 (2000).</li><li>Parsa, J. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=AID+mutates+a+non-immunoglobulin+transgene+independent+of+chromosomal+position.">AID mutates a non-immunoglobulin transgene independent of chromosomal position.</a> Mol. Immunol. 44, 567-575 (2007).</li><li>Zhang, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Clonal+instability+of+V+region+hypermutation+in+the+Ramos+Burkitt's+lymphoma+cell+line.">Clonal instability of V region hypermutation in the Ramos Burkitt's lymphoma cell line.</a> Int. Immunol. 13, 1175-1184 (2001).</li><li>Ukai, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Induction+of+a:T+mutations+is+dependent+on+cellular+environment+but+independent+of+mutation+frequency+and+target+gene+location.">Induction of a:T mutations is dependent on cellular environment but independent of mutation frequency and target gene location.</a> J. Immunol. 181, 7835-7842 (2008).</li><li>Dull, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+third-generation+lentivirus+vector+with+a+conditional+packaging+system.">A third-generation lentivirus vector with a conditional packaging system.</a> J. Virol. 72, 8463-8471 (1998).</li><li>Nakamura, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High+frequency+class+switching+of+an+IgM++B+lymphoma+clone+CH12F3+to+IgA++cells.">High frequency class switching of an IgM+ B lymphoma clone CH12F3 to IgA+ cells.</a> Int. Immunol. 8, 193-201 (1996).</li><li>Muramatsu, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Specific+expression+of+activation-induced+cytidine+deaminase+(AID),+a+novel+member+of+the+RNA-editing+deaminase+family+in+germinal+center+B+cells.">Specific expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), a novel member of the RNA-editing deaminase family in germinal center B cells.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 274, 18470-18476 (1999).</li></ol>

As discussed previously, cell line models for antibody diversification have become a popular starting point to identify novel proteins that influence different steps during antibody diversification. We present here a method for using viral infection to either knock-down or overexpress proteins in the Ramos B-cell line and then examine the impact on SHM.
For these studies, we utilize both WT Ramos and AIDhi Ramos cells. WT cells can be used to study factors involved in targeting or e...

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<th>Name of the reagent</th>
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<td >6-well clear TC-treated plates</td>
<td >Corning</td>
<td>3516</td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
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<td >10 mL BD Luer-Loksyringes</td>
<td >BD Medical</td>
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<td>24-well clear TC-treated plates</td>
<td >Corning</td>
<td >3526</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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<td >96-well clear flat bottom polystyrene TC-treated microplates</td>
<td >Corning</td>
<td >3596</td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
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<tr>
<td >100 mm TC-treated culture dishes</td>
<td >Corning</td>
<td >430167</td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td >Acrodisc syringe filters, 0.45 &mu;m</td>
<td >Pall Life Sciences</td>
<td >4604</td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
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<td >Agar</td>
<td >Teknova</td>
<td >A7777</td>
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<td >Agarose</td>
<td >GeneMate</td>
<td>E-3120-500</td>
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<td >Ampicillin</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td >A0166</td>
<td>100 mg/mL in water</td>
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<td >BD FACSCanto II flow cytometer</td>
<td>BD Biosciences</td>
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<td >or similar</td>
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<td>BD Falcon round bottom polystyrene tubes</td>
<td>BD Biosciences</td>
<td >352054</td>
<td >for FACS</td>
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<tr>
<td >BOSC 23 cells</td>
<td >ATCC</td>
<td >CRL-11270</td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td >CO2 incubator capable of 37&deg;C</td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
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<td >DMEM (Dulbecco&prime;s modified Eagle&prime;s medium)</td>
<td >Sigma</td>
<td>D6429</td>
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<td >FBS (fetal bovine serum)</td>
<td >Gemini Bio-Products</td>
<td >100-106</td>
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<td >FITC &alpha;-rat CD90/mouse CD90.1 antibody </td>
<td >BioLegend</td>
<td >202503</td>
<td >FITC &alpha;-Thy1.1 </td>
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<td >FuGENE 6 Transfection Reagent</td>
<td >Roche</td>
<td >11814443001</td>
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<td >HEPES buffer solution</td>
<td >Invitrogen</td>
<td >15630-080</td>
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<td >KAPA HiFi DNA polymerase</td>
<td >KAPA Biosystems</td>
<td >KK2101</td>
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<td >LB Broth (lysogeny broth - Luria) Powder</td>
<td >Difco</td>
<td >240230</td>
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<td >MISSION TRC shRNA bacterial glycerol stock</td>
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<td>shRNA vectors</td>
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<td >NCS (newborn calf serum)</td>
<td >Gemini Bio-Products</td>
<td >100-504</td>
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<td>PBS (phosphate buffered solution)</td>
<td >Invitrogen</td>
<td>70011</td>
<td >diluted to 1x in water</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td >PE &alpha;-human IgM antibody</td>
<td >BioLegend</td>
<td >314508</td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
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<td >PGS (penicillin-streptomycin-glutamine solution)</td>
<td >Gemini Bio-Products</td>
<td >400-110</td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Polybrene (hexadimethrine bromide)</td>
<td >Sigma</td>
<td >107689</td>
<td >10 mg/mL in water</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td >PureYield Plasmid Midiprep System</td>
<td >Promega</td>
<td >A2495</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Puromycin</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td >P8833</td>
<td >250 &mu;g/mL in water</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td >QIAquick gel extraction kit</td>
<td >QIAGEN</td>
<td >28706</td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ramos (RA 1) cells</td>
<td >ATCC</td>
<td >CRL-1596</td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td >RPMI-1640 medium </td>
<td >Sigma</td>
<td >R8758</td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td >SuperScript II</td>
<td >Invitrogen</td>
<td >18064-022</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
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<td >SYBR FAST qPCR kit</td>
<td >KAPA Biosystems</td>
<td >KK4601</td>
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<td >Taq DNA Polymerase</td>
<td >Invitrogen</td>
<td >18038-042</td>
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<td >TOPO TA Cloning kit</td>
<td >Invitrogen</td>
<td >K4520-01</td>
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</tr>
<tr>
<td >TRIzol</td>
<td >Invitrogen</td>
<td >15596-026</td>
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<td >Wizard SV Genomic DNA purification system</td>
<td >Promega</td>
<td >A2361 </td>
<td >&nbsp;</td>
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<tr>
<td >X-Gal [5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoyl-&beta;-D-galatopyranoside]</td>
<td >Growcells</td>
<td >C-5687</td>
<td >40 mg/mL in DMSO</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

assessing somatic hypermutation in ramos b cells after overexpression or knockdown of specific genes

B cells start their life with low affinity antibodies generated by V(D)J recombination. However, upon detecting a pathogen, the variable (V) region of an immunoglobulin (Ig) gene is mutated approximately 100,000-fold more than the rest of the genome through somatic hypermutation (SHM), resulting in high affinity antibodies1,2. In addition, class switch recombination (CSR) produces antibodies with different effector functions depending on the kind of immune response that is needed for a particular pathogen. Both CSR and SHM are initiated by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), which deaminates cytosine residues in DNA to produce uracils. These uracils are processed by error-prone forms of repair pathways, eventually leading to mutations and recombination1-3.
Our current understanding of the molecular details of SHM and CSR come from a combination of studies in mice, primary cells, cell lines, and cell-free experiments. Mouse models remain the gold standard with genetic knockouts showing critical roles for many repair factors (e.g. Ung, Msh2, Msh6, Exo1, and polymerase &eta;)4-10. However, not all genes are amenable for knockout studies. For example, knockouts of several double-strand break repair proteins are embryonically lethal or impair B-cell development11-14. Moreover, sometimes the specific function of a protein in SHM or CSR may be masked by more global defects caused by the knockout. In addition, since experiments in mice can be lengthy, altering expression of individual genes in cell lines has become an increasingly popular first step to identifying and characterizing candidate genes15-18.
Ramos &#x2013; a Burkitt lymphoma cell line that constitutively undergoes SHM &#x2013; has been a popular cell-line model to study SHM18-24. One advantage of Ramos cells is that they have a built-in convenient semi-quantitative measure of SHM. Wild type cells express IgM and, as they pick up mutations, some of the mutations knock out IgM expression. Therefore, assaying IgM loss by fluorescence-activated cell scanning (FACS) provides a quick read-out for the level of SHM. A more quantitative measurement of SHM can be obtained by directly sequencing the antibody genes. 
Since Ramos cells are difficult to transfect, we produce stable derivatives that have increased or lowered expression of an individual gene by infecting cells with retroviral or lentiviral constructs that contain either an overexpression cassette or a short hairpin RNA (shRNA), respectively. Here, we describe how we infect Ramos cells and then use these cells to investigate the role of specific genes on SHM (Figure 1).

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Assessing Somatic Hypermutation in Ramos B Cells after Overexpression or Knockdown of Specific Genes at JoVE.com

Assessing Somatic Hypermutation in Ramos B Cells after Overexpression or Knockdown of Specific Genes

We describe how to perform retroviral or lentiviral infections of overexpression or shRNA-containing constructs in the human Ramos B-cell line and how to measure somatic hypermutation in these cells.

B cells start their life with low affinity antibodies generated by V(D)J recombination.  However, upon detecting a pathogen, the variable (V) region of an ...

assessing-somatic-hypermutation-ramos-b-cells-after-overexpression-or

Research

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Immunology and Infection

Murine Model of CD40-activation of B cells

Research on B cells has shown that CD40 activation improves their antigen presentation capacity. When stimulated with interleukin-4 and CD40 ligand (CD40L), human B cells can be expanded without difficulties from small amounts of peripheral blood within 14 days to very large amounts of highly-pure CD40-B cells (&gt;109 cells per patient) from healthy donors as well as cancer patients1-4. CD40-B cells express important lymph node homing molecules and can attract T cells in vitro5. Furthermore they efficiently take up, process and present antigens to T cells6,7. CD40-B cells were shown to not only prime na&iacute;ve, but also expand memory T cells8,9. Therefore CD40-activated B cells (CD40-B cells) have been studied as an alternative source of immuno-stimulatory antigen-presenting cells (APC) for cell-based immunotherapy1,5,10. In order to further study whether CD40-B cells induce effective T cell responses in vivo and to study the underlying mechanism we established a cell culture system for the generation of murine CD40-activated B cells. Using splenocytes or purified B cells from C57BL/6 mice for CD40-activation, optimal conditions were identified as follows: Starting from splenocytes of C57BL/6 mice (haplotype H-2b) lymphocytes are purified by density gradient centrifugation and co-cultured with HeLa cells expressing recombinant murine CD40 ligand (tmuCD40L HeLa)11. Cells are recultured every 3-4 days and key components such as CD40L, interleukin-4, -Mercaptoethanol and cyclosporin A are replenished. In this protocol we demonstrate how to obtain fully activated murine CD40-B cells (mCD40B) with similar APC-phenotype to human CD40-B cells (Fig 1a,b). CD40-stimulation leads to a rapid outgrowth and expansion of highly pure (&gt;90%) CD19+ B cells within 14 days of cell culture (Fig 1c,d). To avoid contamination with non-transfected cells, expression of the murine CD40 ligand on the transfectants has to be controlled regularly (Fig 2). Murine CD40-activated B cells can be used to study B-cell activation and differentiation as well as to investigate their potential to function as APC in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, they represent a promising tool for establishing therapeutic or preventive vaccination against tumors and will help to answer questions regarding safety and immunogenicity of this approach12.

In this video, we demonstrate the procedure of CD40-activation and expansion of murine B cells from splenocytes of C57BL/6 mice, which can be used as a model antigen-presenting cell (APC) to study induction of immunity.

Research on B cells has shown that CD40 activation improves their antigen presentation capacity. When stimulated with interleukin-4 and CD40 ligand ...

Induction and Assessment of Class Switch Recombination in Purified Murine B Cells

Humoral immunity is the branch of the immune system maintained by B cells and mediated through the secretion of antibodies. Upon B cell activation, the immunoglobulin locus undergoes a series of genetic modifications to alter the binding capacity and effector function of secreted antibodies. This process is highlighted by a genomic recombination event known as class switch recombination (CSR) in which the default IgM antibody isotype is substituted for one of IgG, IgA, or IgE. Each isotype possesses distinct effector functions thereby making CSR crucial to the maintenance of immunity. Diversification of the immunoglobulin locus is mediated by the enzyme activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). A schematic video describing this process in detail is available online (http://video.med.utoronto.ca/videoprojects/immunology/aam.html). AID's activity and the CSR pathway are commonly studied in the assessment of B cell function and humoral immunity in mice. The protocol outlined in this report presents a method of B cell isolation from murine spleens and subsequent stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce class switching to IgG3 (for other antibody isotypes see Table 1). In addition, the fluorescent cell staining dye Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) is used to monitor cell division of stimulated cells, a process crucial to isotype switching 1, 2. The regulation of AID and the mechanism by which CSR occurs are still unclear and thus in vitro class switch assays provide a reliable method for testing these processes in various mouse models. These assays have been previously used in the context of gene deficiency using knockout mice 3. Furthermore, in vitro switching of B cells can be preceded by viral transduction to modulate gene expression by RNA knockdown or transgene expression 4-6. The data from these types of experiments have impacted our understanding of AID activity, resolution of the CSR reaction, and antibody-mediated immunity in the mouse.

Following antigen exposure, subpopulations of activated B cells undergo a process known as class switch recombination (CSR) to produce antibody isotypes with distinct effector functions. The protocol outlined in this report explains how CSR can be induced and analyzed in vitro for the purposes of studying B cell function.

Humoral immunity is the branch of the immune system maintained by B cells and mediated through the secretion of antibodies. Upon B cell activation, the ...

Generation of Multivirus-specific T Cells to Prevent/treat Viral Infections after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Viral infections cause morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. We and others have successfully generated and infused T-cells specific for Epstein Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Adenovirus (Adv) using monocytes and EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell (EBV-LCL) gene-modified with an adenovirus vector as antigen presenting cells (APCs). As few as 2x105/kg trivirus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) proliferated by several logs after infusion and appeared to prevent and treat even severe viral disease resistant to other available therapies. The broader implementation of this encouraging approach is limited by high production costs, complexity of manufacture and the prolonged time (4-6 weeks for EBV-LCL generation, and 4-8 weeks for CTL manufacture &#x2013; total 10-14 weeks) for preparation. To overcome these limitations we have developed a new, GMP-compliant CTL production protocol. First, in place of adenovectors to stimulate T-cells we use dendritic cells (DCs) nucleofected with DNA plasmids encoding LMP2, EBNA1 and BZLF1 (EBV), Hexon and Penton (Adv), and pp65 and IE1 (CMV) as antigen-presenting cells. These APCs reactivate T cells specific for all the stimulating antigens. Second, culture of activated T-cells in the presence of IL-4 (1,000U/ml) and IL-7 (10ng/ml) increases and sustains the repertoire and frequency of specific T cells in our lines. Third, we have used a new, gas permeable culture device (G-Rex) that promotes the expansion and survival of large cell numbers after a single stimulation, thus removing the requirement for EBV-LCLs and reducing technician intervention. By implementing these changes we can now produce multispecific CTL targeting EBV, CMV, and Adv at a cost per 106 cells that is reduced by &gt;90%, and in just 10 days rather than 10 weeks using an approach that may be extended to additional protective viral antigens. Our FDA-approved approach should be of value for prophylactic and treatment applications for high risk allogeneic HSCT recipients.

A rapid, simple and cost-effective protocol for the generation of donor-derived multivirus-specific CTLs (rCTL) for infusion to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients at risk of developing CMV, Adv or EBV infections. This manufacturing process is GMP-compliant and should ensure the broader implementation of T-cell immunotherapy beyond specialized centers.

Viral infections cause morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. We and others have successfully ...

Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda

The system comprising bacteriophage (phage) lambda and the bacterium E. coli has long served as a paradigm for cell-fate determination1,2. Following the simultaneous infection of the cell by a number of phages, one of two pathways is chosen: lytic (virulent) or lysogenic (dormant)3,4. We recently developed a method for fluorescently labeling individual phages, and were able to examine the post-infection decision in real-time under the microscope, at the level of individual phages and cells5. Here, we describe the full procedure for performing the infection experiments described in our earlier work5. This includes the creation of fluorescent phages, infection of the cells, imaging under the microscope and data analysis. The fluorescent phage is a "hybrid", co-expressing wild- type and YFP-fusion versions of the capsid gpD protein. A crude phage lysate is first obtained by inducing a lysogen of the gpD-EYFP (Enhanced Yellow Fluorescent Protein) phage, harboring a plasmid expressing wild type gpD. A series of purification steps are then performed, followed by DAPI-labeling and imaging under the microscope. This is done in order to verify the uniformity, DNA packaging efficiency, fluorescence signal and structural stability of the phage stock. The initial adsorption of phages to bacteria is performed on ice, then followed by a short incubation at 35&deg;C to trigger viral DNA injection6. The phage/bacteria mixture is then moved to the surface of a thin nutrient agar slab, covered with a coverslip and imaged under an epifluorescence microscope. The post-infection process is followed for 4 hr, at 10 min interval. Multiple stage positions are tracked such that ~100 cell infections can be traced in a single experiment. At each position and time point, images are acquired in the phase-contrast and red and green fluorescent channels. The phase-contrast image is used later for automated cell recognition while the fluorescent channels are used to characterize the infection outcome: production of new fluorescent phages (green) followed by cell lysis, or expression of lysogeny factors (red) followed by resumed cell growth and division. The acquired time-lapse movies are processed using a combination of manual and automated methods. Data analysis results in the identification of infection parameters for each infection event (e.g. number and positions of infecting phages) as well as infection outcome (lysis/lysogeny). Additional parameters can be extracted if desired.

Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda

This article describes the procedure for preparing a fluorescently-labeled version of bacteriophage lambda, infection of E. coli bacteria, following the infection outcome under the microscope, and analysis of infection results.

The system comprising bacteriophage (phage) lambda and the bacterium E. coli has long served as a paradigm for cell-fate determination1,2. Following the ...

Detection and Enrichment of Rare Antigen-specific B Cells for Analysis of Phenotype and Function

B cells reactive with a specific antigen usually occur at a frequency of &lt;0.05% of lymphocytes. For decades researchers have sought methods to isolate and enrich these rare cells for studies of their phenotype and biology. Approaches are inevitably based on the principle that B cells recognize native antigen by virtue of cell surface receptors that are representative in specificity of antibodies that will eventually be secreted by their differentiated daughters. Perhaps the most obvious approach to the problem involves use of fluorochrome-conjugated antigens in conjunction with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). However, the utility of these methods is limited by cell frequency and the achievable rate of analysis and isolation by electronic sorting. A novel method to enrich rare antigen-specific B cells using magnetic nanoparticles that results in high yield enrichment of antigen-reactive B cells from large starting cell populations is described. This method enables improved monitoring of the phenotype and biology of antigen reactive cells before and following in vivo antigen encounter, such as after immunization or during development of autoimmunity.

A simple yet effective method that employs magnetic nanoparticles to detect and enrich antigen-reactive B cells for functional and phenotypic analysis is described.

B cells reactive with a specific antigen usually occur at a frequency of &lt;0.05% of lymphocytes. For decades researchers have sought methods to isolate ...

Overexpression and Purification of Human Cis-prenyltransferase in Escherichia coli

Prenyltransferases (PT) are a group of enzymes that catalyze chain elongation of allylic diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) via multiple condensation reactions. DHDDS (dehydrodolichyl diphosphate synthase) is a eukaryotic long-chain cis-PT (forming cis double bonds from the condensation reaction) that catalyzes chain elongation of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP, an allylic diphosphate) via multiple condensations with isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP). DHDDS is of biomedical importance, as a non-conservative mutation (K42E) in the enzyme results in retinitis pigmentosa, ultimately leading to blindness. Therefore, the present protocol was developed in order to acquire large quantities of purified DHDDS, suitable for mechanistic studies. Here, the usage of protein fusion, optimized culture conditions and codon-optimization were used to allow the overexpression and purification of functionally active human DHDDS in E. coli. The described protocol is simple, cost-effective and time sparing. The homology of cis-PT among different species suggests that this protocol may be applied for other eukaryotic cis-PT as well, such as those involved in natural rubber synthesis.

Overexpression and Purification of Human Cis-prenyltransferase in Escherichia coli

A simple protocol for overexpression and purification of codon-optimized, human cis-prenyltransferase, under non-denaturing conditions, from Escherichia coli, is described, along with an enzymatic activity assay. This protocol can be generalized for production of other cis- prenyltransferase proteins in quantity and quality suitable for mechanistic studies.

Prenyltransferases (PT) are a group of enzymes that catalyze chain elongation of allylic diphosphate using isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) via multiple ...

Generation of Discriminative Human Monoclonal Antibodies from Rare Antigen-specific B Cells Circulating in Blood

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are powerful tools useful for both fundamental research and in biomedicine. Their high specificity is indispensable when the antibody needs to distinguish between highly related structures (e.g., a normal protein and a mutated version thereof). The current way of generating such discriminative mAbs involves extensive screening of multiple Ab-producing B cells, which is both costly and time consuming. We propose here a rapid and cost-effective method for the generation of discriminative, fully human mAbs starting from human blood circulating B lymphocytes. The originality of this strategy is due to the selection of specific antigen binding B cells combined with the counter-selection of all other cells, using readily available Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC). Once specific B cells are isolated, cDNA (complementary deoxyribonucleic acid) sequences coding for the corresponding mAb are obtained using single cell Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) technology and subsequently expressed in human cells. Within as little as 1 month, it is possible to produce milligrams of highly discriminative human mAbs directed against virtually any desired antigen naturally detected by the B cell repertoire.

We describe a method for the production of human antibodies specific for an antigen of interest, starting from rare B cells circulating in human blood. Generation of these natural antibodies is efficient and rapid, and the antibodies obtained can discriminate between highly related antigens.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are powerful tools useful for both fundamental research and in biomedicine. Their high specificity is indispensable when the ...

Assessing Cellular Stress and Inflammation in Discrete Oxytocin-secreting Brain Nuclei in the Neonatal Rat Before and After First Colostrum Feeding

The goal of this protocol is to isolate oxytocin-receptor rich brain nuclei in the neonatal brain before and after first colostrum feeding. The expression of proteins known to respond to metabolic stress was measured in brain-nuclei isolates using Western blotting. This was done to assess whether metabolic stress-induced nutrient insufficiency in the body triggered neuronal stress. We have previously demonstrated that nutrient insufficiency in neonates elicits metabolic stress in the gut. Furthermore, colostrum oxytocin modulates cellular stress response, inflammation, and autophagy markers in newborn rat gut villi prior to and after first feed. Signaling protein markers associated with the endoplasmic reticulum stress [ER chaperone binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2A (eIF2a), and eIF2a kinase protein kinase R (p-PKR)], as well as two inflammation-signaling proteins [nuclear factor-&#954;B (NF-kB) and inhibitor &#954;B (IkB)], were measured in newborn brain nuclei [nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), paraventricular nucleus (PVN), supra-optic nucleus (SON), cortex (CX), striatum nuclei (STR), and medial preoptic nucleus (MPO)] before the first feed (unprimed by colostrum) and after the start of nursing (primed by colostrum). Expression of BiP/GRP78 and p-eIF2a were upregulated in unprimed and downregulated in primed NTS tissue. NF-kB was retained (high) in the CX, STR, and MPO cytoplasm, whereas NF-kB was lower and unchanged in NTS, PVN, and SON in both conditions. The collective BiP and p-eIF2 findings are consistent with a stress response. eIf2a was phosphorylated by dsRNA dependent kinase (p-PKR) in the SON, CX, STR, and MPO. However, in the NTS (and to a lesser extent in PVN), eIf2a was phosphorylated by another kinase, general control nonderepressible-2 kinase (GCN2). The stress-modulating mechanisms previously observed in newborn gut enterocytes appear to be mirrored in some OTR-rich brain regions. The NTS and PVN may utilize a different phosphorylation mechanism (under nutrient deficiency) from other regions and be refractory to the impact of nutrient insufficiency. Collectively, this data suggests that brain responses to nutrient insufficiency stress are offset by signaling from colostrum-primed enterocytes.

Here, we present a protocol to isolate brain nuclei in the neonatal rat brain in conjunction with first colostrum feeding. This technique allows the study of nutrient insufficiency stress in the brain as modulated by enterocyte signaling.

The goal of this protocol is to isolate oxytocin-receptor rich brain nuclei in the neonatal brain before and after first colostrum feeding. The expression ...

Analysis of Shear Flow-induced Migration of Murine Marginal Zone B Cells In Vitro

Marginal zone B cells (MZBs) are a population of B cells that reside in the mouse splenic marginal zones that envelop follicles. To reach the follicles, MZBs must migrate up the shear force of blood flow. We present here a method for analyzing this flow-induced MZB migration in vitro. First, MZBs are isolated from the mouse spleen. Second, MZBs are settled on integrin ligands in flow chamber slides, exposed to shear flow, and imaged under a microscope while migrating. Third, images of the migrating MZBs are processed using the MTrack2 automatic cell tracking plugin for ImageJ, and the resulting cell tracks are quantified using the Ibidi chemotaxis tool. The migration data reveal how fast the cells move, how often they change direction, whether the shear flow vector affects their migration direction, and which integrin ligands are involved. Although we use MZBs, the method can easily be adapted for analyzing migration of any leukocyte that responds to the force of shear flow.

Marginal zone B cells (MZBs) respond to the force of shear flow by re-orienting their migration path up the flow. This protocol shows how to record and analyze the migration using a fluidics unit, pump, microscope imaging system, and free software.

Marginal zone B cells (MZBs) are a population of B cells that reside in the mouse splenic marginal zones that envelop follicles. To reach the follicles, ...

Studying Organelle Dynamics in B Cells During Immune Synapse Formation

Recognition of surface-tethered antigens&#160;by the B cell receptor (BCR)&#160;triggers the formation of an immune synapse (IS), where both signaling&#160;and antigen uptake are coordinated. IS formation involves dynamic actin remodeling accompanied by the polarized recruitment to the synaptic membrane of the centrosome and associated intracellular organelles such as lysosomes and the Golgi apparatus. Initial stages of actin remodeling allow B cells to increase their cell surface and maximize the quantity of antigen-BCR complexes gathered at the synapse. Under certain conditions, when B cells recognize antigens associated to rigid surfaces, this process is coupled to the local recruitment and secretion of lysosomes, which can facilitate antigen extraction. Uptaken antigens&#160;are internalized into specialized endo-lysosome compartments for processing into peptides, which are loaded onto major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II) molecules for further presentation to T helper cells. Therefore, studying organelle dynamics associated with the formation of an IS is crucial to understanding how B cells are activated. In the present article we will discuss both imaging and a biochemical technique used to study changes in intracellular organelle positioning and cytoskeleton rearrangements that are associated with the formation of an IS in B cells.

Herein we describe two approaches to characterize cell polarization events in B lymphocytes during the formation of an IS. The first, involves quantification of organelle recruitment and cytoskeleton rearrangements at the synaptic membrane. The second is a biochemical approach, to characterize changes in composition of the centrosome, which undergoes polarization to the immune synapse.