Isolation of Glomeruli and In Vivo Labeling of Glomerular Cell Surface Proteins

Summary

Here we present a protocol for murine in vivo labeling of glomerular cell surface proteins with biotin. This protocol contains information on how to perfuse mouse kidneys, isolate glomeruli, and perform endogenous immunoprecipitation of the protein of interest.

Abstract

Proteinuria results from the disruption of the glomerular filter that is composed of the fenestrated endothelium, glomerular basement membrane, and podocytes with their slit diaphragms. The delicate structure of the glomerular filter, especially the slit diaphragm, relies on the interplay of diverse cell surface proteins. Studying these cell surface proteins has so far been limited to in vitro studies or histologic analysis. Here, we present a murine in vivo biotinylation labeling method, which enables the study of glomerular cell surface proteins under physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions. This protocol contains information on how to perfuse mouse kidneys, isolate glomeruli, and perform endogenous immunoprecipitation of a protein of interest. Semi-quantitation of glomerular cell surface abundance is readily available with this novel method, and all proteins accessible to biotin perfusion and immunoprecipitation can be studied. In addition, isolation of glomeruli with or without biotinylation enables further analysis of glomerular RNA and protein as well as primary glomerular cell culture (i.e., primary podocyte cell culture).

Introduction

Proteinuria is a hallmark of glomerular injury and usually accompanies disruption of the glomerular filter¹. The glomerular filter is composed of the fenestrated endothelium, glomerular basement membrane, and podocytes. The delicate molecular structure of the glomerular filter is highly dynamic and subject to cell surface protein trafficking in both healthy and diseased kidneys^2,3,4,5,6. Endocytosis of cell surface proteins has been shown to be essential for the survival of podocytes....

Protocol

Mice were obtained as an in-house breed from the local animal care facility or from Janvier Labs in France. The investigations were conducted according to the guidelines outlined in the Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (U.S. National Institutes of Health Publication No. 85-23, revised 1996). All animal experiments were performed in accordance with the relevant institutional approvals (state government LANUV reference number AZ:84-02.04. 2016.A435).

1. Preparation of Instruments, Solu.......

Discussion

The presented method enables successful isolation of glomeruli to investigate glomerular RNA or protein. In addition, primary glomerular cell cultures can be performed from the isolated glomeruli. If biotin is applied before glomerular isolation, labeling of glomerular cell surface proteins can be performed. With this method, in vivo glomerular cell surface protein trafficking can be studied, and semi-quantitation of protein abundance is possible. The most critical steps for successfully testing glomerular cell .......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Motic SMZ168 BL	Motic	SMZ168BL	microscope for mouse surgery
KL1500LCD	Pulch and Lorenz microscopy	150500	light for mouse surgery
Rompun (Xylazin) 2%	Bayer	PZN:01320422	anesthesia
Microfederschere	Braun, Aesculap	FD100R	fine scissors, for cut into the aorta
Durotip Feine Scheren	Braun, Aesculap	BC210R	for abdominal cut
Anatomische Pinzette	Braun, Aesculap	BD215R	for surgery until the abdomen is opened
Präparierklemme	Aesculap	BJ008R	for surgery
Seraflex	Serag Wiessner	IC108000	silk thread
Ketamine 10%	Medistar		anesthesia
Rompun (Xylazin) 2%	Bayer		anesthesia
Fine Bore Polythene Tubing ID 0.28mm OD 0.61mm	Portex	800/100/100	Catheter
Fine Bore Polythene Tubing ID 0.58mm OD 0.96mm	Portex	800/100/200	Catheter
Harvard apparatus 11 Plus	Harvard Apparatus	70-2209	syringe pump
EZ-link Sulfo-NHC-LC-Biotin	Thermo Scientific	21335	biotin
Dynabeads Untouched Mouse T-cells	Invitrogen	11413D	to embolize glomeruli
Collagenase A	Roche	10103578001	to digest kidney tissue
DynaMag-2	Invitrogen	123.21D	Magnet catcher
100µm cell stainer	Greiner-bio	542000	for glomerular isolation
Axiovert 40 CFL	Zeiss	non available	to confirm glomerular purity
TissueRuptor	Quiagen	9002755	Tissue homogenizer
CHAPS	Sigma-Aldrich	C3023	for lysis buffer
Tris-HCL	Sigma-Aldrich	T5941	for lysis buffer
NaCl	VWR chemicals	27810295	for lysis buffer
NaF	Sigma-Aldrich	201154	for lysis buffer
EDTA	Sigma-Aldrich	E5134	for lysis buffer
ATP	Sigma-Aldrich	34369-07-8	for lysis buffer
Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kit	Thermo Scientific	23225	Follow the manufacturer's instructions
nephrin antibody	Progen	GP-N2	for westernblot
Polyclonal goat anti-podocalyxin antibody	R&D Systems	AF15556-SP	for westernblot
Streptavidin Agarose Resin	Thermo Scientific	20347	for immunoprecipitation
Protein A sepharose CL-4B	GE Healthcare	17096303	for immunoprecipitation
polyclonal rabbit anti-p57 antibody	SCBT	sc-8298	for Immunohistochemistry
mouse monoclonal anti-beta actin antibody, clone AC-74	Sigma-Aldrich	A2228	Western blot loading control
rabbit anti-p44/42	cell signalling	4695	for westernblot
Pierce High sensitivity streptavidin-HRP	Thermo Scientific	21130	for westernblot
polyclonal mouse ICAM-2 antibody	R&D Systems	AF774	for westernblot
polyclonal mouse anti-VE-cadherin	R&D Systems	AF1002	for westernblot