Este trabalho foi financiado em parte pelos Institutos Nacionais de Saúde concede R21 AI113000 (WSM) e R01 AI123392 (YF).

Todos os animais utilizados nos experimentos foram alojados no biotério do Instituto de Pesquisa Allegheny-Singer no âmbito do protocolo revisto e aprovado pelo Comitê de Cuidado e Uso Institucional Animal do / Allegheny Instituto de Pesquisa Cantor Allegheny Health Network. 1. digerindo o Thymus com colagenase <ol><li> Colheita timo. <ol><li> Euthanize camundongos 3-5 semanas de idade C57BL6 / J em um dióxido de carbono (CO 2) da câmara para colher timo. Em detalhe, colocar os murganhos na câmara sob indução de CO 2 durante 3-5 min e confirmar a morte verificando paragem cardíaca ou respiratória. </li><li> Coloque a carcaça em suas costas e molhar o corpo com 70% de etanol. Fazer uma pequena incisão horizontal com uma afiada, tesouras de dissecação retas em seu abdômen através da pele. Puxar a pele em ambas as extremidades (cabeça e pernas) para que ele seja virado do avesso. </li><li> Faça um corte horizontal com as tesouras de dissecação pouco menosa última costela e cortar através do diafragma para os lados. Segurar o processo xifóide com uma pinça e corte a meio das nervuras procedendo-se em ambos os lados. Puxar para cima o costelas / esterno de modo a que o timo é claramente visível. Nota: timo situa-se na parte superior do coração, é composto por 2 lóbulos e é de uma cor branca translúcida. </li><li> Usando um fórceps curvos, gentilmente colher e puxe os lóbulos do timo fora do tecido conjuntivo e transferência de solução de lavagem (veja a lista de materiais). </li></ol></li><li> Preparar a solução de digestão por mistura de 9 ml de RPMI-1640 (Roswell Park Memorial Institute forma-1640), 0,025 mg / ml de colagenase purificada, HEPES 10 mM [ácido 4- (2-hidroxietil) -1-piperazinoetanossulfónico], e 0,2 mg / ml ADNase I em um tubo de centrífuga de 50 ml. Manter a solução de digestão em 37 ° C banho de água até à sua utilização. Nota: A quantidade de solução de digestão preparada é suficiente para timos rato até cinco adulto, que pode ser incubada em conjunto em um 5 ml redonda poliestirenotubo inferior. </li><li> Transferir o timo para um prato de cultura de tecidos de 60 milímetros contendo 5-6 ml de RPMI-1640. </li><li> Dissecar o timo com 28 G agulha de insulina seringa em pedaços pequenos (cerca de 1 mm 3 quadrado) para permitir que os linfócitos fluir para fora. </li><li> Lavar as peças do timo com meio RPMI-1640 que se encontra na placa de Petri com uma pipeta de Pasteur de vidro. Incline o prato e deixar que os fragmentos do timo para liquidar o fundo. Lentamente Aspirar e desprezar o sobrenadante RPMI-1640 usando uma pipeta de vidro. Repetir esta etapa de lavagem com 5-6 ml de RPMI-1640 para 4-5 vezes com uma pipeta de vidro, até a solução é menos opaca. Nota: pipetas de vidro são recomendados nesta etapa, uma vez que fragmentos de timo tendem a se ater ao plástico, resultando em perda excessiva de tecidos do timo. Para o resto do procedimento, utilizam pipetas de plástico. </li><li> Após a lavagem final, desprezar o sobrenadante tal como descrito no passo 1.5. Adicionar solução de digestão 3 ml e transferir as peças timo e a solução em 5 ml de p de fundo redondotubo olystyrene. </li><li> Colocar o tubo num rotor tubo e incubar a 37 ° C durante 6 min a uma velocidade de rotação de 12 rpm. </li><li> Após a incubação, os fragmentos de timo deixar assentar no fundo do tubo pela gravidade. Recolhe-se o sobrenadante com uma pipeta de Pasteur e transferir para um tubo de centrífuga de 50 ml com 10 ml de solução de lavagem. Centrifuga-se a 300 xg durante 5 minutos, descarta-se o sobrenadante e ressuspender as células em solução de lavagem de 10 ml. Manter em gelo. </li><li> Repita os passos 1,6-1,8 duas vezes sobre os fragmentos do timo nos 5 mL de tubo de poliestireno de fundo redondo. A piscina do sobrenadante no mesmo tubo de 50 ml. Nota: A centrifugação não é necessário que a segunda e a terceira lavagem. </li><li> Após a digestão final, pipeta cima e para baixo com uma pipeta sorológica 2 ml de plástico para quebrar quaisquer fragmentos restantes no tubo e transferência para o tubo de centrífuga de 50 ml. </li><li> Centrifugar o tubo de 50 ml a 300 xg durante 5 min, aspirar o sobrenadante, ressuspender em 10 ml de lavagem da-manhãr e filtrar através de 100 mm filtro celular. Manter em gelo. </li></ol> 2. Enriquecimento de TEC com gradiente de densidade descontínua <ol><li> Preparar a solução de gradiente de densidade de 21% por mistura de 2,4 ml de meio de gradiente de densidade (60% w / v de iodixanol em água) e 9,6 ml de solução de lavagem. </li><li> Centrifugar as células dissociadas do timo no tubo de 50 ml de recolha a partir do passo 1.11 a 300 xg durante 5 min e ressuspender em tampão 2,5 ml de lavagem. </li><li> Adicionar meio de 20 ml de RPMI-1640 à suspensão de células. </li><li> Encha 12 ml de solução de gradiente de densidade de 21% em 10 ml pipeta sorológica com uma pipeta eletrônico. Colocar a ponta da pipeta serológica na parte inferior das células de 50 ml tubo de centrífuga contendo, e permitir que a solução do gradiente de densidade para drenar para a parte inferior do tubo por meio de gravidade. <ol><li> Suavemente expelir a solução com gradiente de densidade a partir da pipeta para terminar a geração de as duas camadas de densidades diferentes. </li></ol></li><li> Centrifugar a 600 xg foR 20 min a RT num rotor oscilante de balde. Definir a taxa de desaceleração no nível mais lento. </li><li> Transferir a camada superior e a interface para um novo tubo de 50 ml. Nota: A maior parte das TEC são retidos na interface. Linfócitos irá precipitar para o fundo do tubo após a centrifugação. Se estas células estão a ser usados ​​para outros fins, lavar o sedimento com 20 ml de solução de lavagem por três vezes. Ressuspender as células em 10 ml de tampão de lavagem. </li><li> Adicionar a solução de lavagem até 40 mL ao tubo no passo 2.6 e centrifugar a 400 xg durante 6 minutos a 4 ° C. Para remover o sobrenadante, aspirado com uma pipeta. </li><li> Repetir a lavagem e a aspiração mais 2 vezes como descrito na etapa 2.7. </li><li> Ressuspender em 2 ml de solução de lavagem e contar as células com um hemocitómetro. </li></ol> 3. TEC de isolamento com FACS <ol><li> Ajustar as células do passo 2.9, na concentração de 1x10 6 células / 100 ul com solução de lavagem e transferênciaas células para um tubo de 5 ml de fundo redondo (polipropileno ou poliestireno, como recomendado pelas instruções do classificador de fluxo). </li><li> Adicionar IgG anti-receptor de Fc de 2 ul por 1x10 6 células e incubar a 4 ° C durante 10 min. </li><li> Adicionar anti-CD45 (diluição 1: 150, 10 ul por cada amostra) e anti-EpCAM: anticorpos (uma diluição de 100, 10 ul por cada amostra) e incubar a 4 ° C durante mais de 20 min. </li><li> Lavam-se as células com solução de lavagem de 2 ml e centrifugar a 400 xg durante 6 minutos a 4 ° C. Aspirar o sobrenadante com uma pipeta. </li><li> Ressuspender as células em uma solução salina tamponada com fosfato mL 1x (PBS). </li><li> Filtrar através de filtro de 100 um. </li><li> Aplicar as células para o instrumento de triagem. Selecione o linfócito e da população TEC excluindo as menores células na luz dispersa-lateral (SSC) / light forward-espalhados (FSC) painel (células mortas), então portão à população selecionada para CD45- EpCAM + para classificar 13. </li></ol> 4. Generation da TEC / EAK Agregados Nota: Execute preparação de reagentes e as etapas que envolvem células misturando sob a capa laminar. <ol><li> Preparar complexos de adaptador de pA / L por mistura de 4 ul de anti-His-tag IgG, 8 ul de anti-EpCAM IgG e 2,6 ul de pA / L em 1,5 ml de um tubo de microcentrífuga estéril, e incubar à TA durante 5 min. </li><li> Ajustar as TEC ordenados do passo 3.7 a 5x10 4 culas / ml com solução de lavagem, e pipeta de 100 uL para um poço de uma evaporação baixa, de 96 poços de fundo redondo com placa de cultura de tecido. Adicionar 14.6 ul de adaptadores complexos pA / L para as células. Colocar a placa sobre uma plataforma oscilante durante 20 min a 4 ° C. </li><li> Lavar uma vez com 200 ul de solução de lavagem. Centrifugar a placa a 400 x g durante 6 min. Descartar o sobrenadante com uma micropipeta. </li><li> Lavar uma vez com solução de sacarose de 200 jil de 10%. Centrifugar a 400 xg durante 6 minutos. Descartar o sobrenadante com uma micropipeta. </li><li> Ressuspender as células em 30 ul de 10% ssolução de sacarose terile por poço. </li><li> Adicionar 10 ul de EAKIIH6 (7,5 mg / ml) e incubar durante 5 min à TA. </li><li> Adicionar 20 ul de EAK16-II (10 mg / ml) para a mistura do TCE. </li><li> Adicionar 100 ul de meio completo para o sistema para iniciar a gelificação. Colocar a placa num agitador de plataforma durante 15-20 min à temperatura ambiente. </li><li> Colocar a placa na incubadora a 37 ° C e 5% de CO 2. Após 2-4 h, adicionar mais 100 ul de meio completo. </li><li> Mudança de meio todos os outros dias até à sua utilização. <ol><li> Aspirar 100 ul do meio a partir da superfície sem perturbar o gel utilizando uma micropipeta e suavemente adicionar 100 uL de meio de pré-aquecido, colocando a ponta da pipeta para a parede do poço. </li></ol></li></ol> 5. Caracterização do TCE / EAK Agregados <ol><li> Para examinar a função dos agregados TCE / EAK in vivo, recolher o TCE / EAK hidrogel após a cultura D / N e transplante sob a cápsula renal de um nu atímicosrato, usando anteriormente procedimento descrito 11,14. </li><li> Acompanhar o desenvolvimento de células T na periferia colhendo amostras de sangue 50-100 ul para dentro do tubo de recolha de sangue com EDTA do ratinhos nus 4-6 semanas após o transplante e mancha com um coquetel de anti-CD4, -CD8, -CD45 e -CD3 anticorpos 12. </li><li> Analisar as percentagens de linfócitos T nos leucócitos do sangue periférico com citometria de fluxo (FCM), usando software de análise de uma única célula 12. </li></ol>

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Authors declare no conflict of interest.

Enquanto TEC são a população predominante do estroma tímico e desempenham papéis essenciais para a estrutura e a função das glândulas de timo, eles representam apenas cerca de 0,1-0,5% da celularidade do timo total. Eles também são células frágeis como elevadas percentagens de morte celular são ocasionalmente observados após a digestão de colagenase, ou seja, o tratamento de TEC dissociar a partir da matriz extracelular (ECM). Sua raridade (~ 200.000 por timo mouse) e fragilidade tornou uma taref...

O timo é o órgão linfóide primário responsável pela geração de uma população diversa de células, T auto-tolerante patógeno-reactivo que é essencial à função do sistema imune adquirida. Ele é um órgão dinâmico onde timócitos em desenvolvimento, emigraram da medula óssea como células de linfócitos progenitoras, migram através da tridimensional (3-D) de matriz semelhante a esponja do estroma tímico, submeter a linhagem de especificação e diferenciação, e, eventualmente, emigrar quanto madura T-células. O êxito deste processo bem programado depende em grande parte da conversa cruzada entre os timócitos migram e as células epiteliais tímicas residenciais (TEC), a população predominante do estroma tímico que são essenciais para o estabelecimento e a manutenção da integridade do microambiente timo. Com base na sua localização anatômica e função original, TEC pode ser dividido em dois subconjuntos: os TEC no córtex (CTECs), que são responsável por selecionando auto-MHC (complexo principal de histocompatibilidade) restringiu as células T (seleção positiva), e os TEC na medula (mTECs) que são essenciais para a eliminação de células T auto-reativas (seleção negativa) 1,2. Muitos fatores (por exemplo, envelhecimento, infecção, irradiação, tratamentos de drogas) pode causar danos irreversíveis ao epitélio do timo, resultando na imunidade adaptativa comprometida. Apesar de numerosas tentativas, restaurando a função do timo tem sido difícil devido à dificuldade em reproduzir o microambiente do timo. Notavelmente, a configuração do timo tridimensional (3-D) é crítico para a sobrevivência e função de TEC, enquanto TEC cultivadas num ambiente de 2-D diminuir rapidamente a expressão de genes críticos para a timopoiese 3,4. EAK16-II (AEAEKAKAEAEAKAK) e o seu análogo histidinylated C-terminal EAKIIH6 (AEAEKAKAEAEAKAKHHHHHH) são de baixo peso molecular, oligopéptidos anfifílicas que são solúveis até o final desionizadaR, mas que são submetidos a gelificação para formar p-fibrilas quando expostos à força iónica mais elevada do que 20 mM de NaCl (concentração normal de sal no fluido corporal humano é de 154 mM). Esta propriedade responsiva ambiental torna-os blocos de construção versáteis para formar estruturas 3D. A His-tag em EAKII-H6 proporciona um mecanismo de encaixe, pelo que os anti-His IgG / Fc-proteína de ligação recombinante A / G (αH6: PA / g) complexos podem servir como um adaptador para ancorar fármacos de proteína e outras biomoléculas ( por exemplo, anticorpos) no composto 5-8 hidrogel. Foi anteriormente demonstrado que as moléculas de IgG marcado com fluorescentes ancoradas no hidrogel pode ser mantida no local de injecção para até 13 dias 9. Além disso, quando os αH6: adaptadores pA / G ancorados com anti-CD4 IgG foram adicionados ao hidrogel EAK16-II / EAKIIH6 (EAK), células T CD4 + foram especificamente capturado 10. Utilizando uma técnica semelhante, temos demonstrado recentemente que o 3-D agregação de TEC could ser promovida em EAK hidrogel com complexos de adaptadores que transportam os anticorpos anti-EpCAM específico-TEC (αH6: PA / G: αEpCAM). Quando transplantadas sob as cápsulas dos rins de ratinhos nude, os aglomerados TEC incorporados no hidrogel EAK pode efectivamente suportar o desenvolvimento de células T funcionais in vivo 11,12. Aqui, ilustramos nosso método para purificar rapidamente e eficazmente com TEC de células activadas por fluorescência (FACS) e gerar 3-D agregados TEC com o sistema de EAK hidrogel.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="722">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">1. TEC Isolation</td>
			<td style="width:175px;"></td>
			<td style="width:111px;"></td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">70% Ethanol</td>
			<td>Decon Laboratories</td>
			<td>2701(1 Gallon)</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">Ethanol 200 Proof, deionized water</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Dissecting scissors, straight</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools, Inc.</td>
			<td>91460-11</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Graefe forceps, straight</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools, Inc.</td>
			<td>11053-10</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Graefe forceps, curved</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools, Inc.</td>
			<td>11052-10</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;width:216px;">Washing solution</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:223px;">1X PBS, 0.1% BSA, 2mM EDTA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="34">
			<td height="34" style="height:34px;width:216px;">1x PBS (Phosphate buffered saline)</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>10010-023</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">BSA (Bovine serum albumin)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A1470-100G</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="46">
			<td height="46" style="height:47px;width:216px;">EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15575-038</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="66">
			<td height="66" style="height:67px;width:216px;">Digestion solution</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:223px;">9 mL RPMI-1640, 0.025 mg/mL Liberase TM Research grade, 10 mM HEPES, 0.2 mg/mL DNaseI</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">RPMI-1640</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>11879-020</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Liberase TM Research Grade</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>05 401 127 001</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">referred as &#34;purified collagenase&#34;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">1M HEPES</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>17-737E</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Dnase I</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>10 104 159 001</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">50mL Centrifuge tube</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430290</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">60mm tissue culture dish</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>353002</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="26">
			<td height="26" style="height:27px;width:216px;">1/2cc U-100 Insulin syringe 28G1/2</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>329461</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="34">
			<td height="34" style="height:34px;width:216px;">5mL Polystyrene round-bottom tube</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>352058</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="62">
			<td height="62" style="height:63px;width:216px;">5ml glass pipet</td>
			<td>Fisher Healthcare</td>
			<td>13-678-27E</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">Use for rinsing the thymic fragments. Thymic fragments tend to stick to the wall with plastic pipets.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">MACSmix tube rotator</td>
			<td>Miltenyi</td>
			<td>130-090-753</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">100um Cell strainer</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>352360</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Density gradient medium: OptiPrep</td>
			<td>Axis-Shield</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Name</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">2. Cell sorting</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="38">
			<td height="38" style="height:39px;width:216px;">5mL Polypropylene round-bottom tube</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>352063</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Anti-mouse CD16/CD32 (Fc Block)</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>553142</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">Use as undiluted, 2uL per sample</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Anti-mouse CD45-PercpCy5.5</td>
			<td>eBioscience</td>
			<td>45-0451-80</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">Use at 1:150, 10uL per sample</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Anti-mouse CD326 (EpCAM)-PE</td>
			<td>eBioscience</td>
			<td>12-5791-82</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">Use at 1:100, 10uL per sample</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">BD Influx</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Single cell analysis software</td>
			<td>FlowJo</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Name</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">2. EAK gel assembly</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Anti-His-Tag</td>
			<td>AnaSpec</td>
			<td>29673</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">&#34;anti-His-Tag IgG&#34;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="34">
			<td height="34" style="height:34px;width:216px;">Purified anti-mouse CD326 (EpCAM)</td>
			<td>BioLegend</td>
			<td>118202</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">&#34;anti-EpCAM IgG&#34;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Recombinant protein A/G</td>
			<td>Pierce Biotechnology</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="50">
			<td height="50" style="height:51px;width:216px;">1.5mL Safe-Lock Tubes, Biopur, Sterile</td>
			<td>Fisher Healthcare</td>
			<td>05-402-24B</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">referred as &#34;1.5mL microcentrifuge tube&#34;&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="51">
			<td height="51" style="height:51px;width:216px;">96-well, Tissue culture plate, Round-bottom with low evaporation lid</td>
			<td>BD Falcon</td>
			<td>353917</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Rocking platform: Nutator Mixer no.1105</td>
			<td>BD Clay Adams</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">10% sucrose</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S0389</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">Prepare with sterile distilled water</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:216px;">EAK16-II (AcNH-AEAEAKAKAEAEAKAK-CONH2)</td>
			<td>American Peptide Company&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:223px;">custom synthesized, 10mg/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="58">
			<td height="58" style="height:59px;width:216px;">EAKIIH6 (AcNH-AEAEAKAKAEAEAKAKHHHHHH-CONH2)</td>
			<td>American Peptide Company&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:223px;">custom synthesized, 7.5mg/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="76">
			<td height="76" style="height:76px;width:216px;">Complete medium</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:223px;">RPMI-1640, 10% FBS, 1% Pen/Strep, 1% L-glutamine, 1% NEAA, 5mM HEPES, 50uM 2-Mercaptoethanol</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">RPMI-1640&#160;</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>11879-020</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum)</td>
			<td>Atlanta Biologicals</td>
			<td>S11150</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">Heat inactivated before use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">Pen/Strep</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15140-122</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">L-glutamine 200mM (100x)</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>25030-081</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">NEAA (non-essential amino acid) 100x</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>11140-050</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
			<td height="19" style="height:19px;width:216px;">1M HEPES</td>
			<td>BioWhittaker</td>
			<td>17-737E</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;width:216px;">2-Mercaptoethanol (100X)</td>
			<td>Millipore</td>
			<td>ES-007-E</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Platform shaker: The Belly Dancer</td>
			<td>Stovall Life Sciences Inc.</td>
			<td>model: USBDbo</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

promoting 3-d aggregation of facs purified thymic epithelial cells with eak 16-ii/eakiih6 self-assembling hydrogel

Thymus involution, associated with aging or pathological insults, results in diminished output of mature T-cells. Restoring the function of a failing thymus is crucial to maintain effective T cell-mediated acquired immune response against invading pathogens. However, thymus regeneration and revitalization proved to be challenging, largely due to the difficulties of reproducing the unique 3D microenvironment of the thymic stroma that is critical for the survival and function of thymic epithelial cells (TECs). We developed a novel hydrogel system to promote the formation of TEC aggregates, based on the self-assembling property of the amphiphilic EAK16-II oligopeptides and its histidinylated analogue EAKIIH6. TECs were enriched from isolated thymic cells with density-gradient, sorted with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and labeled with anti-epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies that were anchored, together with anti-His IgGs, on the protein A/G adaptor complexes. Formation of cell aggregates was promoted by incubating TECs with EAKIIH6 and EAK16-II oligopeptides, and then by increasing the ionic concentration of the medium to initiate gelation. TEC aggregates embedded in EAK hydrogel can effectively promote the development of functional T cells in vivo when transplanted into the athymic nude mice.

Para examinar a eficácia de separação usando o protocolo de gradiente de densidade para enriquecer as células estromais CD45-, células colhidas a partir da interface e as pelotas de linfócitos precipitados foram coradas com anticorpos anti-EpCAM anti-CD45 e. Tanto anti-Ulex europaeus 1 Aglutinina (UEA1) e anticorpos anti-MHC de classe II foram também incluídas no coquetel de coloração para continuar a identificar os subconjuntos CTEC e MTEC. Como mostrado na Figura 1,</...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Promoting 3-D Aggregation of FACS Purified Thymic Epithelial Cells with EAK 16-II/EAKIIH6 Self-assembling Hydrogel at JoVE.com

Promoting 3-D Aggregation of FACS Purified Thymic Epithelial Cells with EAK 16-II/EAKIIH6 Self-assembling Hydrogel

This video demonstrates a protocol to enrich thymic epithelial cells (TECs) with density gradient for FACS isolation. It also shows the use of EAK16-II/EAKIIH6 peptides to promote the TEC aggregate formation. The microenvironments of EAK16-II/EAKIIH6 hydrogel provide the 3-D configuration necessary to maintain the survival and function of the TECs.

Promover 3-D agregação de células FACS purificada epiteliais tímicos com EAK 16-II / EAKIIH6 de auto-montagem Hidrogel

Thymus involution, associated with aging or pathological insults, results in diminished output of mature T-cells. Restoring the function of a failing ...

promoting-3-d-aggregation-facs-purified-thymic-epithelial-cells-with

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

6.5K visualizações.  Allegheny Health Network. This video demonstrates a protocol to enrich thymic epithelial cells (TECs) with density gradient for FACS isolation. It also shows the use of EAK16-II/EAKIIH6 peptides to promote the TEC aggregate formation. The microenvironments of EAK16-II/EAKIIH6 hydrogel provide the 3-D configuration necessary to maintain the survival and function of the TECs.

Vídeo: Promoting 3-D Aggregation of FACS Purified Thymic Epithelial Cells with EAK 16-II/EAKIIH6 Self-assembling Hydrogel

Purification of Specific Cell Population by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS)

Experimental and clinical studies often require highly purified cell populations.  FACS is a technique of choice to purify cell populations of known phenotype.  Other bulk methods of purification include panning, complement depletion and magnetic bead separation.  However, FACS has several advantages over other available methods.  FACS is the preferred method when very high purity of the desired population is required, when the target cell population expresses a very low level of the identifying marker or when cell populations require separation based on differential marker density.  In addition, FACS is the only available purification technique to isolate cells based on internal staining or intracellular protein expression, such as a genetically modified fluorescent protein marker.  FACS allows the purification of individual cells based on size, granularity and fluorescence.  In order to purify cells of interest, they are first stained with fluorescently-tagged monoclonal antibodies (mAb), which recognize specific surface markers on the desired cell population (1).  Negative selection of unstained cells is also possible.  FACS purification requires a flow cytometer with sorting capacity and the appropriate software.  For FACS, cells in suspension are passed as a stream in droplets with each containing a single cell in front of a laser.  The fluorescence detection system detects cells of interest based on predetermined fluorescent parameters of the cells.  The instrument applies a charge to the droplet containing a cell of interest and an electrostatic deflection system facilitates collection of the charged droplets into appropriate collection tubes (2).  The success of staining and thereby sorting depends largely on the selection of the identifying markers and the choice of mAb.  Sorting parameters can be adjusted depending on the requirement of purity and yield.  Although FACS requires specialized equipment and personnel training, it is the method of choice for isolation of highly purified cell populations.

Purification of Specific Cell Population by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting FACS

For many scientific studies requiring a biological and chemical analysis of cell populations the cells must be in a high state of purity. Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) is a superior method in which to obtain pure cell populations.

Purificação da população de células específicas de separação de células de fluorescência Ativado (FACS)

Experimental and clinical studies often require highly purified cell populations.  FACS is a technique of choice to purify cell populations of known ...

Imunologia e Infecção

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.

Indução e Avaliação de recombinação mudança de classe em purificada Células B murino

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 ...

In Vitro Assay of Bacterial Adhesion onto Mammalian Epithelial Cells

To cause infections, bacteria must colonize their host. Bacterial pathogens express various molecules or structures able to promote attachment to host cells1. These adhesins rely on interactions with host cell surface receptors or soluble proteins acting as a bridge between bacteria and host. Adhesion is a critical first step prior to invasion and/or secretion of toxins, thus it is a key event to be studied in bacterial pathogenesis. Furthermore, adhered bacteria often induce exquisitely fine-tuned cellular responses, the studies of which have given birth to the field of 'cellular microbiology'2. Robust assays for bacterial adhesion on host cells and their invasion therefore play key roles in bacterial pathogenesis studies and have long been used in many pioneer laboratories3,4. These assays are now practiced by most laboratories working on bacterial pathogenesis.
Here, we describe a standard adherence assay illustrating the contribution of a specific adhesin. We use the Escherichia coli strain 27875, a human pathogenic strain expressing the autotransporter Adhesin Involved in Diffuse Adherence (AIDA). As a control, we use a mutant strain lacking the aidA gene, 2787&Delta;aidA (F. Berthiaume and M. Mourez, unpublished), and a commercial laboratory strain of E. coli, C600 (New England Biolabs). The bacteria are left to adhere to the cells from the commonly used HEp-2 human epithelial cell line. This assay has been less extensively described before6.

In Vitro Assay of Bacterial Adhesion onto Mammalian Epithelial Cells

This protocol is a simple bacterial adhesion assay consisting in counting the numbers of bacterial colony forming units that are adhered onto cultured cells. The assay is robust, independent of the adhesin studied, and numerous variations are used in most laboratories working on bacterial pathogenesis.

Ensaio in vitro da adesão bacteriana em mamíferos Células Epiteliais

To cause infections, bacteria must colonize their host. Bacterial pathogens express various molecules or structures able to promote attachment to host ...

Application of a Mouse Ligated Peyer&#x2019;s Patch Intestinal Loop Assay to Evaluate Bacterial Uptake by M cells

The inside of our gut is inhabited with enormous number of commensal bacteria. The mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract is continuously exposed to them and occasionally to pathogens. The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) play a key role for induction of the mucosal immune response to these microbes1, 2. To initiate the mucosal immune response, the mucosal antigens must be transported from the gut lumen across the epithelial barrier into organized lymphoid follicles such as Peyer's patches. This antigen transcytosis is mediated by specialized epithelial M cells3, 4. M cells are atypical epithelial cells that actively phagocytose macromolecules and microbes. Unlike dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, which target antigens to lysosomes for degradation, M cells mainly transcytose the internalized antigens. This vigorous macromolecular transcytosis through M cells delivers antigen to the underlying organized lymphoid follicles and is believed to be essential for initiating antigen-specific mucosal immune responses. However, the molecular mechanisms promoting this antigen uptake by M cells are largely unknown. We have previously reported that glycoprotein 2 (Gp2), specifically expressed on the apical plasma membrane of M cells among enterocytes, serves as a transcytotic receptor for a subset of commensal and pathogenic enterobacteria, including Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium), by recognizing FimH, a component of type I pili on the bacterial outer membrane 5. Here, we present a method for the application of a mouse Peyer's patch intestinal loop assay to evaluate bacterial uptake by M cells. This method is an improved version of the mouse intestinal loop assay previously described 6, 7. The improved points are as follows: 1. Isoflurane was used as an anesthetic agent. 2. Approximately 1 cm ligated intestinal loop including Peyer's patch was set up. 3. Bacteria taken up by M cells were fluorescently labeled by fluorescence labeling reagent or by overexpressing fluorescent protein such as green fluorescent protein (GFP). 4. M cells in the follicle-associated epithelium covering Peyer's patch were detected by whole-mount immunostainig with anti Gp2 antibody. 5. Fluorescent bacterial transcytosis by M cells were observed by confocal microscopic analysis. The mouse Peyer's patch intestinal loop assay could supply the answer what kind of commensal or pathogenic bacteria transcytosed by M cells, and may lead us to understand the molecular mechanism of how to stimulate mucosal immune system through M cells.

Application of a Mouse Ligated Peyer&#8217;s Patch Intestinal Loop Assay to Evaluate Bacterial Uptake by M cells

M cells in a specialized follicle-associated epithelium covering Peyer&#x2019;s patches play an important role for the mucosal immunosurveillance in gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Here we described the evaluation method for bacterial transcytosis by M cells in vivo. This method provides a method to understand M-cell function in the immune system.

Aplicação de um rato ligado patch Peyer Assay alça intestinal para avaliar absorção pelas células bacterianas M

The inside of our gut is inhabited with enormous number of commensal bacteria. The mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract is continuously exposed ...

Examination of Thymic Positive and Negative Selection by Flow Cytometry

A healthy immune system requires that T cells respond to foreign antigens while remaining tolerant to self-antigens. Random rearrangement of the T cell receptor (TCR) &alpha; and &beta; loci generates a T cell repertoire with vast diversity in antigen specificity, both to self and foreign. Selection of the repertoire during development in the thymus is critical for generating safe and useful T cells. Defects in thymic selection contribute to the development of autoimmune and immunodeficiency disorders1-4. 
T cell progenitors enter the thymus as double negative (DN) thymocytes that do not express CD4 or CD8 co-receptors. Expression of the &alpha;&beta;TCR and both co-receptors occurs at the double positive (DP) stage. Interaction of the &alpha;&beta;TCR with self-peptide-MHC (pMHC) presented by thymic cells determines the fate of the DP thymocyte. High affinity interactions lead to negative selection and elimination of self-reactive thymocytes. Low affinity interactions result in positive selection and development of CD4 or CD8 single positive (SP) T cells capable of recognizing foreign antigens presented by self-MHC5.
Positive selection can be studied in mice with a polyclonal (wildtype) TCR repertoire by observing the generation of mature T cells. However, they are not ideal for the study of negative selection, which involves deletion of small antigen-specific populations. Many model systems have been used to study negative selection but vary in their ability to recapitulate physiological events6. For example, in vitro stimulation of thymocytes lacks the thymic environment that is intimately involved in selection, while administration of exogenous antigen can lead to non-specific deletion of thymocytes7-9. Currently, the best tools for studying in vivo negative selection are mice that express a transgenic TCR specific for endogenous self-antigen. However, many classical TCR transgenic models are characterized by premature expression of the transgenic TCR&alpha; chain at the DN stage, resulting in premature negative selection. Our lab has developed the HYcd4 model, in which the transgenic HY TCR&alpha; is conditionally expressed at the DP stage, allowing negative selection to occur during the DP to SP transition as occurs in wildtype mice10.
Here, we describe a flow cytometry-based protocol to examine thymic positive and negative selection in the HYcd4 mouse model. While negative selection in HYcd4 mice is highly physiological, these methods can also be applied to other TCR transgenic models. We will also present general strategies for analyzing positive selection in a polyclonal repertoire applicable to any genetically manipulated mice.

We present a flow cytometry-based method to examine T cell development in vivo using genetically manipulated mice on a wildtype or T cell receptor transgenic background.

Exame de seleção positiva e negativa Tímico por citometria de fluxo

A healthy immune system requires that T cells respond to foreign  antigens while remaining tolerant to self-antigens. Random rearrangement of the  T cell ...

Identifying DNA Mutations in Purified Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells

In recent years, it has become apparent that genomic instability is tightly related to many developmental disorders, cancers, and aging. Given that stem cells are responsible for ensuring tissue homeostasis and repair throughout life, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the stem cell population is critical for preserving genomic integrity of tissues. Therefore, significant interest has arisen in assessing the impact of endogenous and environmental factors on genomic integrity in stem cells and their progeny, aiming to understand the etiology of stem-cell based diseases.
LacI transgenic mice carry a recoverable &#955;&#160;phage vector encoding the LacI reporter system, in which the LacI gene serves as the mutation reporter. The result of a mutated LacI gene is the production of &#946;-galactosidase that cleaves a chromogenic substrate, turning it blue. The LacI reporter system is carried in all cells, including stem/progenitor cells and can easily be recovered and used to subsequently infect E. coli. After incubating infected E. coli on agarose that contains the correct substrate, plaques can be scored; blue plaques indicate a mutant LacI gene, while clear plaques harbor wild-type. The frequency of blue (among clear) plaques indicates the mutant frequency in the original cell population the DNA was extracted from. Sequencing the mutant LacI gene will show the location of the mutations in the gene and the type of mutation.
The LacI transgenic mouse model is well-established as an in vivo mutagenesis assay. Moreover, the mice and the reagents for the assay are commercially available. Here we describe in detail how this model can be adapted to measure the frequency of spontaneously occurring DNA mutants in stem cell-enriched Lin-IL7R-Sca-1+cKit++(LSK) cells and other subpopulations of the hematopoietic system.

Here we describe an in vivo mutagenesis assay for small numbers of purified hematopoietic cells using the LacI transgenic mouse model.&#160;The LacI gene can be isolated to determine the frequency, location, and type of DNA mutants&#160;spontaneously arisen or after exposure to genotoxins.

A identificação de DNA Mutações em Purificada-Tronco Hematopoéticas / células progenitoras

In recent years, it has become apparent that genomic instability is tightly related to many developmental disorders, cancers, and aging. Given that stem ...

Isolation of Myeloid Dendritic Cells and Epithelial Cells from Human Thymus

In this protocol we provide a method to isolate dendritic cells (DC) and epithelial cells (TEC) from the human thymus. DC and TEC are the major antigen presenting cell (APC) types found in a normal thymus and it is well established that they play distinct roles during thymic selection. These cells are localized in distinct microenvironments in the thymus and each APC type makes up only a minor population of cells. To further understand the biology of these cell types, characterization of these cell populations is highly desirable but due to their low frequency, isolation of any of these cell types requires an efficient and reproducible procedure. This protocol details a method to obtain cells suitable for characterization of diverse cellular properties. Thymic tissue is mechanically disrupted and after different steps of enzymatic digestion, the resulting cell suspension is enriched using a Percoll density centrifugation step. For isolation of myeloid DC (CD11c+), cells from the low-density fraction (LDF) are immunoselected by magnetic cell sorting. Enrichment of TEC populations (mTEC, cTEC) is achieved by depletion of hematopoietic (CD45hi) cells from the low-density Percoll cell fraction allowing their subsequent isolation via fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) using specific cell markers. The isolated cells can be used for different downstream applications.

This protocol details a method to isolate antigen presenting cells from human thymus via different steps of enzymatic digestion of the tissue followed by density centrifugation of the single cell suspension and finally magnetic and/or FACS sorting of the cell populations of interest.

O isolamento de células dendríticas mielóides e células epiteliais de timo humano

In this protocol we provide a method to isolate dendritic cells (DC) and epithelial cells (TEC) from the human thymus. DC and TEC are the major antigen ...

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells

The thymus is a vital organ for T lymphocyte development. Of thymic stromal cells, thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are particularly crucial at multiple stages of T cell development: T cell commitment, positive selection and negative selection. However, the function of TECs in the thymus remains incompletely understood. In the article, we provide a method to isolate TEC subsets from fresh mouse thymus using a combination of mechanical disruption and enzymatic digestion. The method allows thymic stromal cells and thymocytes to be efficiently released from cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix connections and to form a single-cell suspension. Using the isolated cells, multiparameter flow cytometry can be applied to identification and characterization of TECs and dendritic cells. Because TECs are a rare cell population in the thymus, we also describe an effective way to enrich and purify TECs by depleting thymocytes, the most abundant cell type in the thymus. Following the enrichment, cell sorting time can be decreased so that loss of cell viability can be minimized during purification of TECs. Purified cells are suitable for various downstream analyses like Real Time-PCR, Western blot and gene expression profiling. The protocol will promote research of TEC function and as well as the development of in vitro T cell reconstitution.

Here we describe an efficient method for isolation, identification, and purification of mouse thymic epithelial cells (TECs). The protocol can be utilized for studies of thymus function for normal T cell development, thymus dysfunction, and T cell reconstitution.

Isolamento, identificação e purificação de células epiteliais do timo murino

The thymus is a vital organ for T lymphocyte development. Of thymic stromal cells, thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are particularly crucial at multiple ...

Isolation and Transplantation of Different Aged Murine Thymic Grafts.

The mechanisms that regulate the efficacy of thymic selection remain ill-defined. The method presented here allows in vivo analyses of the development and selection of T cells specific for self and foreign antigens. The approach entails implantation of thymic grafts derived from various aged mice into immunodeficient scid recipients. Over a relatively short period of time the recipients are fully reconstituted with T cells derived from the implanted thymus graft. Only thymocytes seeding the thymus at the time of isolation undergo selection and develop into mature T cells. As such, changes in the nature and specificity of the engrafted T cells as a function of age-dependent thymic events can be assessed. Although technical expertise is required for successful thymic transplantation, this method provides a unique strategy to study in vivo a wide range of pathologies that are due to or a result of aberrant thymic function and/or homeostasis.

This report provides a detailed description of transplanting murine thymi from different aged donor mice under the kidney capsule of immunodeficient mouse recipients. The goal of this approach is to model T cell development and thymic selection events in vivo.

Isolamento e Transplante de diferentes envelhecidas murino tímicos enxertos.

The mechanisms that regulate the efficacy of thymic selection remain ill-defined. The method presented here allows in vivo analyses of the development and ...

Preparation and Applications of Organotypic Thymic Slice Cultures

Thymic selection proceeds in a unique and highly organized thymic microenvironment resulting in the generation of a functional, self-tolerant T cell repertoire. In vitro models to study T lineage commitment and development have provided valuable insights into this process. However, these systems lack the complete three-dimensional thymic milieu necessary for T cell development and, therefore, are incomplete approximations of in vivo thymic selection. Some of the challenges related to modeling T cell development can be overcome by using in situ models that provide an intact thymic microenvironment that fully supports thymic selection of developing T cells. Thymic slice organotypic cultures complement existing in situ techniques. Thymic slices preserve the integrity of the thymic cortical and medullary regions and provide a platform to study development of overlaid thymocytes of a defined developmental stage or of endogenous T cells within a mature thymic microenvironment. Given the ability to generate ~20 slices per mouse, thymic slices present a unique advantage in terms of scalability for high throughput experiments. Further, the relative ease in generating thymic slices and potential to overlay different thymic subsets or other cell populations from diverse genetic backgrounds enhances the versatility of this method. Here we describe a protocol for the preparation of thymic slices, isolation and overlay of thymocytes, and dissociation of thymic slices for flow cytometric analysis. This system can also be adapted to study non-conventional T cell development as well as visualize thymocyte migration, thymocyte-stromal cell interactions, and TCR signals associated with thymic selection by two-photon microscopy.

We describe the preparation of thymic slices that, in combination with flow cytometry, can be used to model positive and negative selection of developing T cells. Thymic slices can also be adapted for the in situ analysis of thymocyte migration, localization, and signaling via immunofluorescence and two-photon microscopy.

Preparação e Aplicações de culturas organotípicas Tímico Fatia

Thymic selection proceeds in a unique and highly organized thymic microenvironment resulting in the generation of a functional, self-tolerant T cell ...