Name: a patient-derived xenograft model for venous malformation
Uploaded: 2020-06-15T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Patient-Derived Xenograft Model for Venous Malformation at JoVE.com

The authors would like to thank Nora Lakes for proofreading. Research reported in this manuscript was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, under Award Number R01 HL117952 (E.B.), part of the National Institutes of Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Patient tissue samples were obtained from participants after informed consent from the Collection and Repository of Tissue Samples and Data from Patients with Tumors and Vascular Anomalies under an approved Institutional Review Board (IRB) per institutional policies at Cincinnati Children&#8217;s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), Cancer and Blood Disease Institute and with approval of the Committee on Clinical Investigation. All animal procedures described below have been reviewed and approved by the CCHMC Institutional A...

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T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Interrogating+open+issues+in+cancer+precision+medicine+with+patient-derived+xenografts.">Interrogating open issues in cancer precision medicine with patient-derived xenografts.</a> Nature Reviews Cancer. 17 (4), 254-268 (2017).</li><li>Allen, P., Melero-Martin, J., Bischoff, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Type+I+collagen,+fibrin+and+PuraMatrix+matrices+provide+permissive+environments+for+human+endothelial+and+mesenchymal+progenitor+cells+to+form+neovascular+networks.">Type I collagen, fibrin and PuraMatrix matrices provide permissive environments for human endothelial and mesenchymal progenitor cells to form neovascular networks.</a> Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. 5 (4), 74 (2011).</li><li>Allen, P., Kang, K. 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B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Current+management+of+hemangiomas+and+vascular+malformations.">Current management of hemangiomas and vascular malformations.</a> Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 32 (1), 99-116 (2005).</li><li>Goines, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+xenograft+model+for+venous+malformation.">A xenograft model for venous malformation.</a> Angiogenesis. 21 (4), 725-735 (2018).</li><li>Li, X., 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=Ponatinib+Combined+With+Rapamycin+Causes+Regression+of+Murine+Venous+Malformation.">Ponatinib Combined With Rapamycin Causes Regression of Murine Venous Malformation.</a> Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology. 39 (3), 496-512 (2019).</li><li>Le Cras, T. 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Here, we describe a method to generate a patient-derived xenograft model of VM. This murine model presents an excellent system that allows researchers to gain a deeper understanding of pathological lumen enlargement and will be instrumental in developing more effective and targeted therapies for the treatment of VM. This can be easily adapted to investigate other types of vascular anomalies such as capillary lymphatic venous malformation16. There are several steps that are crucial for the successf...

Defects in the development of the vasculature are the underlying cause of many diseases including venous malformation (VM). VM is a congenital disease characterized by abnormal morphogenesis and expansion of veins1. Important studies on VM tissue and endothelial cells (EC) have identified gain-of-function mutations in two genes: TEK, which encodes the tyrosine kinase receptor TIE2, and PIK3CA, which encodes the p110&#945; (catalytic subunit) isoform of PI3-kinase (PI3K)2,3,4,5. These somatic mutations result in ligand-independent hyper-activation of key angiogenic/growth signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT, thereby resulting in dilated ectatic veins3. Despite these important genetic discoveries, the subsequent cellular and molecular mechanisms triggering abnormal angiogenesis and the formation of enlarged vascular channels are still not fully understood.
During normal and pathological angiogenesis, new vessels sprout from a pre-existing vascular network and EC undergo a sequence of important cellular processes including proliferation, migration, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and lumen formation6. Two- and three- dimensional (2D/3D) in vitro cultures of EC are important tools to investigate each of these cellular properties individually. Nevertheless, there is a clear demand for a mouse model recapitulating pathological vessel enlargement within the host microenvironment while providing an efficient platform for preclinical evaluation of targeted drugs for translational research.
Up to date, a transgenic murine model of VM associated with TIE2 gain-of-function mutations has not been reported. Current transgenic VM mouse models rely on the ubiquitous or tissue-restricted expression of the activating mutation PIK3CA p.H1047R3,5. These transgenic animals provide significant insight into whole-body or tissue-specific effects of this hotspot PIK3CA mutation. The limitation of these models is the formation of a highly pathological vascular network resulting in early lethality. Thus, these mouse models do not fully reflect the sporadic occurrence of mutational events and localized nature of VM pathology.
On the contrary, patient-derived xenograft models are based on the transplantation or injection of pathological tissue or cells derived from patients into immunodeficient mice7. Xenograft models are a powerful tool to broaden knowledge about disease development and discovery of novel therapeutic agents8. In addition, using patient-derived cells allows scientists to recapitulate mutation heterogeneity to study the spectrum of patient phenotypes.
Here, we describe a protocol where patient-derived VM EC which express a mutant constitutively-active form of TIE2 and/or PIK3CA are injected subcutaneously in the back of athymic nude mice. Injected vascular cells are suspended in an ECM framework in order to promote angiogenesis as described in previous vascular xenograft models9,10,11. These VM EC undergo significant morphogenesis and generate enlarged, perfused pathological vessels in the absence of supporting cells. The described xenograft model of VM provides an efficient platform for preclinical evaluation of targeted drugs for their ability to inhibit uncontrolled lumen expansion.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Athymic nude mice, (Foxn1-nu); 5-6 weeks, males</td>
			<td>Envigo</td>
			<td>069(nu)/070(nu/+)</td>
			<td>Subcutaneous injection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biotinylated Ulex europeaus Agglutinin-I (UEA-I)</td>
			<td>Vector Laboratories</td>
			<td>B-1065</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bottle top filter (500 ml; 0.2 &#181;M)</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>974106</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA)</td>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>A7906-50MG</td>
			<td>Cell culture; Histological analysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Calcium cloride dihydrate (CaCl2.2H2O)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C7902-500G</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Caliper</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>50996491</td>
			<td>Lesion plug measurment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CD31-conjugated magnetic beads (Dynabeads)</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>11155D</td>
			<td>EC separation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell strainer (100 &#956;M)</td>
			<td>Greiner</td>
			<td>542000</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagenase A</td>
			<td>Roche</td>
			<td>10103578001</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Conical Tube; polypropylene (15 mL)</td>
			<td>Greiner</td>
			<td>07 000 241</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Conical Tube; polypropylene (50 mL)</td>
			<td>Greiner</td>
			<td>07 000 239</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Coplin staining jar</td>
			<td>Ted Pella</td>
			<td>21029</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Coverglass (50 X 22 mm)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>12545E</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DAB: 3,3&#39;Diaminobenzidine Reagent (ImmPACT DAB)</td>
			<td>Vector Laboratories</td>
			<td>SK-4105</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dulbecco&#39;s Modification of Eagle&#39;s Medium (DMEM)</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>10-027-CV</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DynaMag-2</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>12321D</td>
			<td>EC separation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ear punch</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>10806-286</td>
			<td>Subcutaneous injection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EDTA (0.5M, pH 8.0)</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15575-020</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Endothelial Cell Growth Medium-2 (EGM2) Bulletkit (basal medium and supplements)</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>CC-3162</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Eosin Y (alcohol-based)</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>71211</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethanol</td>
			<td>Decon Labs</td>
			<td>2716</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) , HyClone</td>
			<td>GE Healthcare</td>
			<td>SH30910.03</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Filter tip 1,250 &#956;L</td>
			<td>MidSci</td>
			<td>AV1250-H</td>
			<td>Multiple steps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Filter tip 20 &#956;L</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>10017-064</td>
			<td>Multiple steps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Filter tip 200 &#956;L</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>10017-068</td>
			<td>Multiple steps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Formalin buffered solution (10%)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>F04586</td>
			<td>Lesion plug dissection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hemacytometer (INCYTO; Disposable)</td>
			<td>SKC FILMS</td>
			<td>DHCN015</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hematoxylin</td>
			<td>Vector Hematoxylin</td>
			<td>H-3401</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human plasma fibronectin purified protein (1mg/mL)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>FC010-10MG</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hydrogen Peroxide solution (30% w/w)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>H1009</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ImageJ Software</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Analysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane, USP</td>
			<td>Akorn Animal Health</td>
			<td>59399-106-01</td>
			<td>Subcutaneous injection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (MgSO4.7H2O)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>M1880-500G</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Basement Membrane Matrix (Phenol Red-Free; LDEV-free)</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>356237</td>
			<td>Subcutaneous injection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microcentrifuge tube (1.5 mL)</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>87003-294</td>
			<td>EC separation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope Slide Superfrost (75mm X 25mm)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>1255015-CS</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Needles, 26G x 5/8 inch Sub-Q sterile needles</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson (BD)</td>
			<td>BD305115</td>
			<td>Subcutaneous injection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Normal horse serum</td>
			<td>Vector Laboratories</td>
			<td>S-2000</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin-Streptomycin-L-Glutamine (100X)</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>30-009-CI</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Permanent mounting medium (VectaMount)</td>
			<td>Vector Laboratories</td>
			<td>H-5000</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pestle Size C, Plain</td>
			<td>Thomas Scientific</td>
			<td>3431F55</td>
			<td>EC isolation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP3994</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scale</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>65500-202</td>
			<td>Subcutaneous injection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Serological pipettes (10 ml)</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>89130-898</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Serological pipettes (5ml)</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>89130-896</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>223530</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Streptavidin, Horseradish Peroxidase, Concentrate, for IHC</td>
			<td>Vector Laboratories</td>
			<td>SA-5004</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe (60ml)</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>309653</td>
			<td>Cel culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SYRINGE FILTER (0.2 &#181;M)</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>431219</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringes (1 mL with Luer Lock)</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson (BD)</td>
			<td>BD-309628</td>
			<td>Subcutaneous injection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue culture-treated plate (100 X 20 mm)</td>
			<td>Greiner</td>
			<td>664160</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue culture-treated plate (145X20 mm)</td>
			<td>Greiner</td>
			<td>639160</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue culture-treated plates (60 X 15) mm</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>30701119</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tris-base (Trizma base)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T6066</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypan Blue Solution (0.4 %)</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15250061</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin EDTA, 1X (0.05% Trypsin/0.53mM EDTA)</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>25-052-Cl</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tween-20</td>
			<td>Biorad</td>
			<td>170-6531</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wheaton bottle</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>16159-798</td>
			<td>Cell culture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Xylenes</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>X3P-1GAL</td>
			<td>Histological anlaysis</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a patient-derived xenograft model for venous malformation

Venous malformation (VM) is a vascular anomaly that arises from impaired development of the venous network resulting in dilated and often dysfunctional veins. The purpose of this article is to carefully describe the establishment of a murine xenograft model that mimics human VM and is able to reflect patient heterogeneity. Hyper-activating non-inherited (somatic) TEK (TIE2) and PIK3CA mutations in endothelial cells (EC) have been identified as the main drivers of pathological vessel enlargement in VM. The following protocol describes the isolation, purification and expansion of patient-derived EC expressing mutant TIE2 and/or PIK3CA. These EC are injected subcutaneously into the back of immunodeficient athymic mice to generate ectatic vascular channels. Lesions generated with TIE2 or PIK3CA-mutant EC are visibly vascularized within 7&#8210;9 days of injection and recapitulate histopathological features of VM patient tissue. This VM xenograft model provides a reliable platform to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving VM formation and expansion. In addition, this model will be instrumental for translational studies testing the efficacy of novel drug candidates in preventing the abnormal vessel enlargement seen in human VM.

This protocol describes the process of generating a murine xenograft model of VM based on the subcutaneous injection of patient-derived EC into the back of immunodeficient nude mice. Endothelial cell colonies can be harvested within 4 weeks after initial cell isolation from VM tissue or lesional blood (Figure 1A,B). The day after injection, the xenograft lesion plug covers a surface area of approximately 80&#8210;100 mm2. In our hands, lesion plugs with TIE2/PIK3CA-mutant EC are visibly vascul...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Patient-Derived Xenograft Model for Venous Malformation at JoVE.com

A Patient-Derived Xenograft Model for Venous Malformation

We present a detailed protocol to generate a murine xenograft model of venous malformation. This model is based on the subcutaneous injection of patient-derived endothelial cells containing hyper-activating TIE2 and/or PIK3CA gene mutations. Xenograft lesions closely recapitulate the histopathological features of VM patient tissue.

Venous malformation (VM) is a vascular anomaly that arises from impaired development of the venous network resulting in dilated and often dysfunctional ...

This protocol can be used to create patient-derived xenografts that recapitulate the histopathology of venous malformations. This was further allowed to carry our preclinical therapeutic testing. This technique provides a fast and reliable NVivo system that allows daily monitoring of the growth of patient direct endothelial cells and the response to experimental therapy.This method could be easily adapted to investigate other types of vascular or lymphatic anomalies. Begin by preparing the cell suspension for injection. Trypsinize the endothelial cells with five milliliters of pre-warmed 0.05%tripsin-EDTA at 37 degrees Celsius for two minutes.Neutralize the tripsin and by adding five milliliters of EGM and collect the cells into 150 milliliter conical tube. Centrifuge it to 400 times G for five minutes then aspirate the supernatant and resuspend the cells in three milliliters of EGM. Count the cells with a hemocytometer.Venture the volume with the desired cell number into a new 50 milliliter conical tube and pellet the cells again by centrifugation. Aspirate the supernatant leaving a small volume to loosen the cell pellet. Resuspend the cell pellet with 220 microliters of BMEM per injection.Mix the cell suspension thoroughly on ice making sure to avoid creating bubbles. Aspirate the BMEM cell culture mix into a one milliliter syringe opening by pulling the plunger. You'll lock a 26 gauge sterile needle to the syringe and keep the prepared syringes flat on ice prior to injection.After ensuring that the mouse has properly anesthetized place it on its stomach and disinfect the injection region with 70%ethanol. Gently roll the prepared syringe to resuspend any settled cells. Flake bubbles to the end of the syringe and expel a small volume of the cell suspension.Pinch the skin at the injection site to create a tent like structure. Then insert the needle right under the skin and sure that the needle is only skin deep by releasing pinch skin to prevent injection into muscle tissue. Holding the needle steadily carefully inject 200 microliters of the cell suspension to create a small spherical mass.Take care to avoid injecting the cell suspension into muscle. Measure the length and width of each plug with a caliper. Align the dissected xenograft plugs on a cutting board next to a ruler and take an image to record the gross vascularity of the lesions.Then fix the plugs by submerging them in 10%formalin overnight at room temperature. After dissection, the lesion plugs are processed for histological analysis and stained for UEA-1 to detect human derived endothelial cells within the plug. Take five HPF images per lesion section with a bright field microscope at at 20 X magnification in an X plane pattern within the lesion section to avoid overlap.Make sure to include a scale bar on the images taken. Open the HPF images in image J.To calibrate the pixels of the scale bar, use the straight line tool and go over the scale bar. Then convert the measured pixels into millimeters by clicking on Analyze and Set Scale.Next click on Analyze Set Measurements and select area and add to overlay. Measure the total field area of the HPF using analyze and measure saving this measurement for quantification. Using the free hand selections tool manually outline the UEA-1 positive vascular channel.Click on Analyze and Measure to quantify the outlined area. Measure all vascular channels within the HPF. Repeat the process for the five HPF taken within each section and transfer the values to Excel for further analysis.Then calculate the percentage of vascular area and vascular density according to manuscript directions. Using this protocol the lesion plugs with TIE2 or PIK3CA hyperactive mutant endothelial cells are visibly vascularized and perfused within seven to nine days after injection. The lesion plugs closely resemble the histopathological features of human VM tissue and large vascular channels aligned by a thin layer of endothelial cells are visible.These vascular structures typically contain erythrocytes confirming functional anastomosis with the host mouse vasculature. Immunohistochemical staining using the human specific lectin UEA-1 confirms that the cells lining vascular regions are derived from human implanted cells rather than mouse vasculature. Following this procedure, additional staining of lesion sections for markers of proliferation or apoptosis can be performed to analyze specific effects of experimental treatments.This scenographic model has been used for preclinical studies of new therapies for venous malformation, such as the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin, which has shown efficacy in several clinical trials for VM patients.

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Research

JoVE Journal

Developmental Biology

Establishment of a Clinically Relevant Ex Vivo Mock Cataract Surgery Model for Investigating Epithelial Wound Repair in a Native Microenvironment

The major impediment to understanding how an epithelial tissue executes wound repair is the limited availability of models in which it is possible to follow and manipulate the wound response ex vivo in an environment that closely mimics that of epithelial tissue injury in vivo. This issue was addressed by creating a clinically relevant epithelial ex vivo injury-repair model based on cataract surgery. In this culture model, the response of the lens epithelium to wounding can be followed live in the cells&#8217; native microenvironment, and the molecular mediators of wound repair easily manipulated during the repair process. To prepare the cultures, lenses are removed from the eye and a small incision is made in the anterior of the lens from which the inner mass of lens fiber cells is removed. This procedure creates a circular wound on the posterior lens capsule, the thick basement membrane that surrounds the lens. This wound area where the fiber cells were attached is located just adjacent to a continuous monolayer of lens epithelial cells that remains linked to the lens capsule during the surgical procedure. The wounded epithelium, the cell type from which fiber cells are derived during development, responds to the injury of fiber cell removal by moving collectively across the wound area, led by a population of vimentin-rich repair cells whose mesenchymal progenitors are endogenous to the lens1. These properties are typical of a normal epithelial wound healing response. In this model, as in vivo, wound repair is dependent on signals supplied by the endogenous environment that is uniquely maintained in this ex vivo culture system, providing an ideal opportunity for discovery of the mechanisms that regulate repair of an epithelium following wounding.

Establishment of a Clinically Relevant Ex Vivo Mock Cataract Surgery Model for Investigating Epithelial Wound Repair in a Native Microenvironment

Described here is the establishment of a clinically relevant ex vivo mock cataract surgery model that can be used to investigate mechanisms of the injury response of epithelial tissues within their native microenvironment.

The major impediment to understanding how an epithelial tissue executes wound repair is the limited availability of models in which it is possible to ...

A Novel Culture Model for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Propagation on Gelatin in Placenta-conditioned Media

The propagation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in conditioned medium derived from human cells in feeder-free culture conditions has been of interest. Nevertheless, an ideal humanized ex vivo feeder-free propagation method for hPSCs has not been developed; currently, additional exogenous substrates including basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a master hPSC-sustaining factor, is added to all of culture media and synthetic substrata such as Matrigel or laminin are used in all feeder-free cultures. Recently, our group developed a simple and efficient protocol for the propagation of hPSCs using only conditioned media derived from the human placenta on a gelatin-coated dish without additional exogenous supplementation or synthetic substrata specific to hPSCs. This protocol has not been reported previously and might enable researchers to propagate hPSCs efficiently in humanized culture conditions. Additionally, this model obviates hPSC contamination risks by animal products such as viruses or unknown proteins. Furthermore, this system facilitates easy mass production of hPSCs using the gelatin coating, which is simple to handle, dramatically decreases the overall costs of ex vivo hPSC maintenance.

This protocol provides a simple and efficient way to propagate human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) using only conditioned media derived from the human placenta in a gelatin-coated dish without additional exogenous supplementation or hPSC-specific synthetic substrata.

The propagation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in conditioned medium derived from human cells in feeder-free culture conditions has been of ...

Culture of Murine Embryonic Metatarsals: A Physiological Model of Endochondral Ossification

The fundamental process of endochondral ossification is under tight regulation in the healthy individual so as to prevent disturbed development and/or longitudinal bone growth. As such, it is imperative that we further our understanding of the underpinning molecular mechanisms involved in such disorders so as to provide advances towards human and animal patient benefit. The mouse metatarsal organ explant culture is a highly physiological ex vivo model for studying endochondral ossification and bone growth as the growth rate of the bones in culture mimic that observed in vivo. Uniquely, the metatarsal organ culture allows the examination of chondrocytes in different phases of chondrogenesis and maintains cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, therefore providing conditions closer to the in vivo situation than cells in monolayer or 3D culture. This protocol describes in detail the intricate dissection of embryonic metatarsals from the hind limb of E15 murine embryos and the subsequent analyses that can be performed in order to examine endochondral ossification and longitudinal bone growth.

We present a protocol to dissect and culture embryonic day 15 (E15) murine metatarsal bones. This highly physiological ex vivo model of endochondral ossification provides conditions closer to the in vivo situation than cells in monolayer or 3D culture and is a vital tool for investigating bone growth and development.

The fundamental process of endochondral ossification is under tight regulation in the healthy individual so as to prevent disturbed development and/or ...

Drug Treatment and In Vivo Imaging of Osteoblast-Osteoclast Interactions in a Medaka Fish Osteoporosis Model

Bone-forming osteoblasts interact with bone-resorbing osteoclasts to coordinate the turnover of bone matrix and to control skeletal homeostasis. Medaka and zebrafish larvae are widely used to analyze the behavior of bone cells during bone formation, degeneration, and repair. Their optical clarity allows the visualization of fluorescently labeled bone cells and fluorescent dyes bound to the mineralized skeletal matrix. Our lab has generated transgenic medaka fish that express the osteoclast-inducing factor Receptor Activator of Nuclear-factor &#954;B Ligand (RANKL) under the control of a heat&#160;shock-inducible promoter. Ectopic expression of RANKL results in the excess formation of activated osteoclasts, which can be visualized in reporter lines with nlGFP expression under the control of the cathepsin K (ctsk) promoter. RANKL induction and ectopic osteoclast formation leads to severe osteoporosis-like phenotypes. Compound transgenic medaka lines that express ctsk:nlGFP in osteoclasts, as well as mCherry under the control of the osterix (osx) promoter in premature osteoblasts, can be used to study the interaction of both cell types. This facilitates the in vivo observation of cellular behavior under conditions of bone degeneration and repair. Here, we describe the use of this system to test a drug commonly used in human osteoporosis therapy and describe a protocol for live imaging. The medaka model complements studies in cell culture and mice, and offers a novel system for the in vivo analysis of drug action in the skeletal system.

Drug Treatment and In Vivo Imaging of Osteoblast-Osteoclast Interactions in a Medaka Fish Osteoporosis Model

Small laboratory fish have become popular models for bone research on the mechanisms underlying human bone disorders and for the screening of bone-modulating drugs. In this report, we describe a protocol to assess the effect of alendronate on bone cells in medaka larvae with osteoporotic lesions.

Bone-forming osteoblasts interact with bone-resorbing osteoclasts to coordinate the turnover of bone matrix and to control skeletal homeostasis. Medaka ...

Rapid Isolation of BMPR-IB+ Adipose-Derived Stromal Cells for Use in a Calvarial Defect Healing Model

Invasive cancers, major injuries, and infection can cause bone defects that are too large to be reconstructed with preexisting bone from the patient's own body. The ability to grow bone de novo using a patient's own cells would allow bony defects to be filled with adequate tissue without the morbidity of harvesting native bone. There is interest in the use of adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) as a source for tissue engineering because these are obtained from an abundant source: the patient's own adipose tissue. However, ASCs are a heterogeneous population and some subpopulations may be more effective in this application than others. Isolation of the most osteogenic population of ASCs could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a bone engineering process. In this protocol, ASCs are obtained from subcutaneous fat tissue from a human donor. The subpopulation of ASCs expressing the marker BMPR-IB is isolated using FACS. These cells are then applied to an in vivo calvarial defect healing assay and are found to have improved osteogenic regenerative potential compared with unsorted cells.

Adipose-derived stromal cells may be useful for engineering new tissue from a patient's own cells. We present a protocol for the isolation of a subpopulation of human adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) with increased osteogenic potential, followed by application of the cells in an in vivo calvarial healing assay.

Invasive cancers, major injuries, and infection can cause bone defects that are too large to be reconstructed with preexisting bone from the patient's own ...

Generation of iPSC-derived Human Brain Organoids to Model Early Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The restricted availability of suitable in vitro models that can reliably represent complex human brain development is a significant bottleneck that limits the translation of basic brain research into clinical application. While induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have replaced the ethically questionable human embryonic stem cells, iPSC-based neuronal differentiation studies remain descriptive at the cellular level but fail to adequately provide the details that could be derived from a complex, 3D human brain tissue. 
This gap is now filled through the application of iPSC-derived, 3D brain organoids, "Brains in a dish," that model many features of complex human brain development. Here, a method for generating iPSC-derived, 3D brain organoids is described. The organoids can help with modeling autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH), a rare human neurodevelopmental disorder. A widely accepted explanation for the brain malformation in MCPH is a depletion of the neural stem cell pool during the early stages of human brain development, a developmental defect that is difficult to recreate or prove in vitro. 
To study MCPH, we generated iPSCs from patient-derived fibroblasts carrying a mutation in the centrosomal protein CPAP. By analyzing the ventricular zone of microcephaly 3D brain organoids, we showed the premature differentiation of neural progenitors. These 3D brain organoids are a powerful in vitro system that will be instrumental in modeling congenital brain disorders induced by neurotoxic chemicals, neurotrophic viral infections, or inherited genetic mutations.

Modeling human brain development has been hindered due to the unprecedented complexity of neural epithelial tissue. Here, a method for the robust generation of brain organoids to delineate early events of human brain development and to model microcephaly in vitro is described.

The restricted availability of suitable in vitro models that can reliably represent complex human brain development is a significant bottleneck that ...

A Seminiferous Tubule Squash Technique for the Cytological Analysis of Spermatogenesis Using the Mouse Model

Meiotic progression in males is a process that requires the concerted action of a number of highly regulated cellular events. Errors occurring during meiosis can lead to infertility, pregnancy loss or genetic defects. Commencing at the onset of puberty and continuing throughout adulthood, continuous semi-synchronous waves of spermatocytes undergo spermatogenesis and ultimately form haploid sperm. The first wave of mouse spermatocytes undergoing meiotic initiation appear at day 10 post-partum (10 dpp) and are released into the lumen of seminiferous tubules as mature sperm at 35 dpp. Therefore, it is advantageous to utilize mice within this developmental time-window in order to obtain highly enriched populations of interest. Analysis of rare cell stages is more difficult in older mice due to the contribution of successive spermatogenic waves, which increase the diversity of the cellular populations within the tubules. The method described here is an easily implemented technique for the cytological evaluation of the cells found within the seminiferous tubules of mice, including spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids. The tubule squash technique maintains the integrity of isolated male germ cells and allows examination of cellular structures that are not easily visualized with other techniques. To demonstrate the possible applications of this tubule squash technique, spindle assembly was monitored in spermatocytes progressing through the prophase to metaphase I transition (G2/MI transition). In addition, centrosome duplication, meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI), and chromosome bouquet formation were assessed as examples of the cytological structures that can be observed using this tubule squash method. This technique can be used to pinpoint specific defects during spermatogenesis that are caused by mutation or exogenous perturbation, and thus, contributes to our molecular understanding of spermatogenesis.

The goal of this tubule squash technique is to rapidly assess cytological features of developing mouse spermatocytes while preserving cellular integrity. This method allows for the study of all stages of spermatogenesis, and can be easily implemented alongside other biochemical and molecular biological approaches for the study of mouse meiosis.

Meiotic progression in males is a process that requires the concerted action of a number of highly regulated cellular events. Errors occurring during ...

Partial Lobular Hepatectomy: A Surgical Model for Morphologic Liver Regeneration

Morphological organ regeneration following acute tissue loss is common among lower vertebrates, but is rarely observed in mammalian postnatal life. Adult liver regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy results in hepatocyte hypertrophy with some replication in remaining lobes with restoration of metabolic activity, but with permanent loss of the injured lobe&#39;s morphology and architecture. Here, we detail a new surgical method in the neonate that leaves a physiologic environment conducive to regeneration. This model involves amputation of the left lobe apex and a subsequent conservative management regimen, and lacks the necessity for ligation of major liver vessels or chemical injury, leaving a physiologic environment where regeneration may occur. We extend this protocol to amputations on juvenile (P7-14) mice, during which the injured liver transitions from organ regeneration to compensatory growth by hypertrophy. The presented, brief 30 min protocol provides a framework to study the mechanisms of regeneration, its age-associated decline in mammals, and the characterization of putative hepatic stem or progenitors.

Here, we present a new method for partial resection of the left hepatic lobe in neonatal (day 0) mice. This new protocol is suitable for studying acute liver injury and injury response in the neonatal setting.

Morphological organ regeneration following acute tissue loss is common among lower vertebrates, but is rarely observed in mammalian postnatal life. Adult ...

A Mouse Distraction Osteogenesis Model

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a surgical procedure that involves skeletal tissue regeneration without cell transplantation. A DO model consists of the following three phases: the latency phase after osteotomy and placement of the external distractor; the distraction phase, wherein the separated bone ends are gradually and continuously distracted; and the consolidation phase. This custom-made distractor used for DO is comprised of two incomplete acrylic resin rings and an expansion screw. The process was initiated by making a mold with silicone impression material and then creating the custom-made distractor. Dental resin was poured into the formwork made of silicone impression material, and it was allowed to polymerize to create the incomplete resin rings required for the custom-made distractor. These rings were fixed with an expansion screw using transparent resin. The custom-made distractor created via this approach was attached to the tibia of mice. The tibia was fixed to the device using one pair of 25 G needles proximally, one pair of 27 G needles distally, and acrylic resin. After a latency period of 5 days, distraction was initiated at a rate of 0.2 mm/12 h. The lengthening was continued for 8 days, resulting in a total gap of 3.2 mm. The mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after distraction. Bone formation in the distraction gap was confirmed using both radiography and histology.

We present a mouse tibial distraction osteogenesis model developed using a custom-made distractor. The use of a mouse as an analysis target is advantageous for advancing research.

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a surgical procedure that involves skeletal tissue regeneration without cell transplantation. A DO model consists of the ...

An In Vitro Model of a Parallel-Plate Perfusion System to Study Bacterial Adherence to Graft Tissues

Various valved conduits and stent-mounted valves are used for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) valve replacement in patients with congenital heart disease. When using prosthetic materials however, these grafts are susceptible to bacterial infections and various host responses.
Identification of bacterial and host factors that play a vital role in endovascular adherence of microorganisms is of importance to better understand the pathophysiology of the onset of infections such as infective endocarditis (IE) and to develop preventive strategies. Therefore, the development of competent models to investigate bacterial adhesion under physiological shear conditions is necessary. Here, we describe the use of a newly designed in vitro perfusion chamber based on parallel plates that allows the study of bacterial adherence to different components of graft tissues such as exposed extracellular matrix, endothelial cells and inert areas. This method combined with colony-forming unit (CFU) counting is adequate to evaluate the propensity of graft materials towards bacterial adhesion under flow. Further on, the flow chamber system might be used to investigate the role of blood components in bacterial adhesion under shear conditions. We demonstrated that the source of tissue, their surface morphology and bacterial species specificity are not the major determining factors in bacterial adherence to graft tissues by using our in-house designed in vitro perfusion model.

An In Vitro Model of a Parallel-Plate Perfusion System to Study Bacterial Adherence to Graft Tissues

We describe an in-house designed in vitro flow chamber model, which allows the investigation of bacterial adherence to graft tissues.

Various valved conduits and stent-mounted valves are used for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) valve replacement in patients with congenital heart ...