Double Labeling Immunofluorescence using Antibodies from the Same Species to Study Host-Pathogen Interactions

Summary

Here, the protocol describes how to perform double labeling immunofluorescence using primary antibodies raised in the same species to study host-pathogen interactions. Also, it can include the third antibody from a different host in this protocol. This approach can be made in any cell type and pathogens.

Abstract

Nowadays, it is possible to find a wide range of molecular tools available to study parasite-host cell interactions. However, some limitations exist to obtain commercial monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies that recognize specific cell structures and proteins in parasites. Besides, there are few commercial antibodies available to label trypanosomatids. Usually, polyclonal antibodies against parasites are prepared in-house and could be more challenging to use in combination with other antibodies produced in the same species. Here, the protocol demonstrates how to use polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies raised in the same species to perform double labeling immunofluorescence to study host cell and pathogen interactions. To achieve the double labeling immunofluorescence, it is crucial to incubate first the mouse polyclonal antibody and then follow the incubation with the secondary mouse IgG antibody conjugated to any fluorochrome. After that, an additional blocking step is necessary to prevent any trace of the primary antibody from being recognized by the next secondary antibody. Then, a mouse monoclonal antibody and its specific IgG subclass secondary antibody conjugated to a different fluorochrome are added to the sample at the appropriate times. Additionally, it is possible to perform triple labeling immunofluorescence using a third antibody raised in a different species. Also, structures such as nuclei and actin can be stained subsequently with their specific compounds or labels. Thus, these approaches presented here can be adjusted for any cell whose sources of primary antibodies are limited.

Introduction

To study the interaction of the pathogen with the host cell at the cellular level provides essential information on the underlying causes of the disease since different groups, such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, can infect most host cell types^1,2,3,4. It can also help develop and identify potential therapeutic targets that can slow or inhibit the growth of the pathogen. In live conditions, the produced antibodies are responsible for recognizing self-components, antigens from viruses, bacterial components or products, fungi, p....

Protocol

1. Cell and parasite cultures

1. Grow LLC-MK2 (Rhesus Monkey Kidney Epithelial) cells from the American Type Culture Collection (CCL-7) in a 25 cm² cell culture flask containing in RPMI medium supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum) and antibiotics (100 U/mL Penicillin and 100 µg/mL Streptomycin) at 37 °C in 5% CO₂ ¹⁷.
2. Infect LLC-MK2 cells with Trypanosoma cruzi (Y strain) according to a previous protocol

Discussion

Here, we present a protocol to perform double immunolabeling in Trypanosoma cruzi infected cells using two different antibodies from the same host species. To study, with more detail, the implications of the infection, structures in the host cell such as the nucleus or cytosolic organelles can be labeled using this protocol. Also, it can be used in the post-embedding thin section immunogold labeling method. This approach helps to overcome the obstacle of having few antibodies available to study trypanosomatids a.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Alexa Fluor 488 - IgG2b antibody	Life technologies, USA	A21141	Goat anti-mouse
AffiniPure Rabbit anti-mouse IgG (H+L)	Jackson Immunoresearch, USA	315-005-003	Anti-mouse antibody
Alexa Fluor 488 - IgG F (ab')2 (H+L) antibody	Life technologies, USA	A11017	Goat anti mouse
Alexa Fluor 594 IgG1 antibody	Life technologies, USA	A21125	Goat anti-mouse
Alexa Fluor 647 - IgG F (ab')2 (H+L) antibody	Life technologies, USA	A21237	Goat anti-mouse
Anti-hnRNPA1 antibody IgG2b	Sigma-Aldrich, USA	R4528	Mouse antibody
anti-TcFAZ (T. cruzi FAZ protein) antibody	Our lab	In-house	Mouse antibody
Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA)	Sigma-Aldrich, USA	A2153-10G	Albumin protein
Detergent Igepal CA-630	Sigma-Aldrich, USA	I3021	Nonionic Detergent
Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)	Gibco, Thermo fisher scientific, USA	12657-029	Serum
Penicillin Streptomycin	Gibco, Thermo fisher scientific, USA	15140-122	Antibiotic
Phalloidin Alexa Fluor 594	Life technologies, USA	A12381	Actin marker
ProLong Gold antifade with DAPI	Life technologies, USA	P36935	Mounting media reagent
RPMI 1640 1X with L-glutamine	Corning, USA	10-040-CV	Cell culture media
Trypsin-EDTA solution	Sigma-Aldrich, USA	T4049-100ML	Bioreagent