This study was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Genome Canada. JS holds salary support awards from the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Diabetes Association. The laboratory would like to acknowledge the technical assistance of Oroboros Instruments during the acquisition of the saponin-permeabilized fiber technique.

<ol>
	<li>Saks, V. A., Veksler, V. I., Kuznetsov, A. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Permeabilized+cell+and+skinned+fiber+techniques+in+studies+of+mitochondrial+function+in+vivo.">Permeabilized cell and skinned fiber techniques in studies of mitochondrial function in vivo.</a> Mol Cell Biochem. 184, 81-100 (1998).</li><li>Gnaiger, E., Kuznetsov, A. V., Schneeberger, S., Heldmaier, G., Klingenspor, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitochondria+in+the+cold.">Mitochondria in the cold.</a> Life in the Cold. , 431-442 (2000).</li><li>Rasmussen, H. N., Rasmussen, U. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oxygen+solubilities+of+media+used+in+electrochemical+respiration+measurements.">Oxygen solubilities of media used in electrochemical respiration measurements.</a> Anal Biochem. 319, 105-113 (2003).</li><li>Visscher, G. D. e., Rooker, S., Jorens, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pentobarbital+fails+to+reduce+cerebral+oxygen+consumption+early+after+non-hemorrhagic+closed+head+injury+in+rats.">Pentobarbital fails to reduce cerebral oxygen consumption early after non-hemorrhagic closed head injury in rats.</a> J Neurotrauma. 22, 793-806 (2005).</li><li>Kuznetsov, A. V., Veksler, V., Gellerich, F. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+of+mitochondrial+function+in+situ+in+permeabilized+muscle+fibers,+tissues+and+cells.">Analysis of mitochondrial function in situ in permeabilized muscle fibers, tissues and cells.</a> Nat Protoc. 3, 965-976 (2008).</li><li>Gnaiger, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oxygen+conformance+of+cellular+respiration.+A+perspective+of+mitochondrial+physiology.">Oxygen conformance of cellular respiration. A perspective of mitochondrial physiology.</a> Adv Exp Med Biol. 543, 39-55 (2003).</li><li>Gnaiger, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Capacity+of+oxidative+phosphorylation+in+human+skeletal+muscle:+new+perspectives+of+mitochondrial+physiology.">Capacity of oxidative phosphorylation in human skeletal muscle: new perspectives of mitochondrial physiology.</a> Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 41, 1837-1845 .</li><li>Sena, S., Hu, P., Zhang, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impaired+insulin+signaling+accelerates+cardiac+mitochondrial+dysfunction+after+myocardial+infarction.">Impaired insulin signaling accelerates cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction after myocardial infarction.</a> J Mol Cell Cardiol. 46, 910-918 (2009).</li><li>Boudina, S., Sena, S., O'Neill, B. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reduced+mitochondrial+oxidative+capacity+and+increased+mitochondrial+uncoupling+impair+myocardial+energetics+in+obesity.">Reduced mitochondrial oxidative capacity and increased mitochondrial uncoupling impair myocardial energetics in obesity.</a> Circulation. 112, 2686-2695 (2005).</li><li>Lenaz, G., Genova, M. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structure+and+organization+of+mitochondrial+respiratory+complexes:+a+new+understanding+of+an+old+subject.">Structure and organization of mitochondrial respiratory complexes: a new understanding of an old subject.</a> Antioxid Redox Signal. 12, 961-1008 .</li><li>Lemieux, H., Hoppel, C. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitochondria+in+the+human+heart.">Mitochondria in the human heart.</a> J Bioenerg Biomembr. 41, 99-106 (2009).</li><li>O, . <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Retarded+diffusion+of+ADP+in+cardiomyocytes:+possible+role+of+mitochondrial+outer+membrane+and+creatine+kinase+in+cellular+regulation+of+oxidative+phosphorylation.">Retarded diffusion of ADP in cardiomyocytes: possible role of mitochondrial outer membrane and creatine kinase in cellular regulation of oxidative phosphorylation.</a> Biochim Biophys Acta. 1144, 134-148 (1993).</li><li>Endo, M., Kitazawa, T., Morad, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=E-C+coupling+studies+in+skinned+cardiac+fibers.">E-C coupling studies in skinned cardiac fibers.</a> Biophysical Aspects of Cardiac Muscle. , 307-327 (1978).</li><li>Veksler, V. I., Kuznetsov, A. V., Sharov, V. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitochondrial+respiratory+parameters+in+cardiac+tissue:+a+novel+method+of+assessment+by+using+saponin-skinned+fibers.">Mitochondrial respiratory parameters in cardiac tissue: a novel method of assessment by using saponin-skinned fibers.</a> Biochim Biophys Acta. 892, 191-196 (1987).</li><li>Bangham, A. D., Horne, R. W., Glauert, A. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Action+of+saponin+on+biological+cell+membranes.">Action of saponin on biological cell membranes.</a> Nature. , 196-952 (1962).</li><li>Daum, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lipids+of+mitochondria.">Lipids of mitochondria.</a> Biochim Biophys Acta. 822, 1-42 (1985).</li><li>Milner, D. J., Mavroidis, M., Weisleder, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Desmin+cytoskeleton+linked+to+muscle+mitochondrial+distribution+and+respiratory+function.">Desmin cytoskeleton linked to muscle mitochondrial distribution and respiratory function.</a> J Cell Biol. 150, 1283-1298 (2000).</li><li>Skladal, D., Sperl, W., Schranzhofer, R., Skladal, E., Gellerich, F., Wyss, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preservation+of+mitochondrial+functions+in+human+skeletal+muscle+during+storage+in+high+energy+preservation+solution+(HEPS).">Preservation of mitochondrial functions in human skeletal muscle during storage in high energy preservation solution (HEPS).</a> What is Controlling Life?. , 268-271 (1994).</li><li>Kuznetsov, A. V., Wiedemann, F. R., Winkler, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+saponin-permeabilized+muscle+fibers+for+the+diagnosis+of+mitochondrial+diseases.">Use of saponin-permeabilized muscle fibers for the diagnosis of mitochondrial diseases.</a> Biofactors. 7, 221-223 (1998).</li><li>Gnaiger, E., Dykens, J., Will, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Polarographic+oxygen+sensors,+the+oxygraph+and+high-resolution+respirometry+to+assess+mitochondrial+function.">Polarographic oxygen sensors, the oxygraph and high-resolution respirometry to assess mitochondrial function.</a> Drug-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction. , 327-352 (2008).</li></ol>

No conflicts of interest declared.

The saponin-permeabilized cardiac fiber technique offers a unique compromise between in vitro and in vivo assessment of mitochondrial OXPHOS oxygen consumption. Advantages of this technique include increased physiological relevance in comparison to isolated mitochondria as cellular architecture is preserved. While the plasma membrane is degraded, intracellular membrane structures including mitochondria12, 14, sarcoplasmic reticulum14, myofilaments and the cytoskeleton 1, 17<...

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		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>100% Ethanol</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
<td>HC600</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>70% Ethanol</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
<td>HC-1000</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Adenosine 5&#x2032;-diphosphate monopotassium salt dihydrate (ADP)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>A5285</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Albumin from bovine serum essentially fatty acid&#x2013;free</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>A-6003</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Antimycin A</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>A8674</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Ascobic acid</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>A4403</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Adenosine 5&#x2032;-triphosphate disodium salt hydrate (ATP)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>A2383</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Atractyloside</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>A6882</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Calcium carbonate</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>C4830</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>C2920</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Cytochrome c</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>C7752</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Digitonin</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>D141</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Dithiothreitol</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>D9779</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Ethylene glycol-bis-(2-aminoethylether)-N,N,N&#x2032;,N&#x2032;-tetraacetic acid (EGTA)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>E4378</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Glutamic acid</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>27647</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>HEPES</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>H4034</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Imidazole</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>I5513</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Ketamine</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Pfizer</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Ketaset</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lactobionic acid</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>153516</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Magnesium chloride (MgCl2)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>M9272</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl2&#x2219;6H2O)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>M9272</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Malic acid</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>M1000</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>MES</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>M3671</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>N,N,N&#x2019;,N&#x2019;-Tetramethyl- pphenylenediamine Dihydrochloride (TMPD)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>T3134</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Oligomycin</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>O4876</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Phosphocreatine</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>P7936</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Potassium Chloride</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>P9541</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Potassium Hydroxide</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>P5958</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Potassium cyanide</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fluka</td>
<td>60178</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Potassium phosphate monobasic</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>P5655</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Rotenone</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>R8875</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Saponin</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>47036</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Sodium Pentobarbital</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Ceva Sante Animale</td>
<td>1715 138</td>
<td>Conc. 54.7 mg/ml</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sodium pyruvate</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>P2256</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Succinic acid</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>S3674</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Sucrose</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>S7903</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Taurine</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
<td>T8691</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Xylazine</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Bayer</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Rompun</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ddH2O</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Ice</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Oroboros Oxygraph-2k</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Oroboros Instruments</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Kimwipes</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>21905-026</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>15ml polypropylene centrifuge tubes</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>89004-368</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>50ml polypropylene centrifuge tubes</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>89004-364</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Straight Jewelers Forceps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>George Tiemann &amp; Co.</td>
<td>160-50B</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Curved Jewelers Forceps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>George Tiemann &amp; Co.</td>
<td>160-57B</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Straight Surgery Scissors</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>George Tiemann &amp; Co.</td>
<td>105-402</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Sterile Surgical Blade</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>BD371610</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>0.45-&mu;m Syringe filters</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>CA28145-485</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>pH meter</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>CA11388-308</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Glass Petri dishes</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>89000-300</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>12-well Polystyrene Tissue Culture Plates</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>82050-926</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Plate Stirrer</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>97042-594</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Fisherbrand Microbars</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
<td>14-511-67</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Weigh Scale</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>CA11278-162</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>10&mu;l Hamilton Micro Syringe</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
<td>14-815-1</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>25&#x03BC;l Hamilton Micro Syringe</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
<td>14-824-7</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>50&mu;l Hamilton Micro Syringe</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
<td>14-824-5</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Nalgene Squeeze Bottles</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Wilkem Scientific</td>
<td>LNA2407-1000</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Polystyrene Weighing Dishes</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>89106-750</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Dissecting Microscope</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Olympus</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

respirometric oxidative phosphorylation assessment in saponin-permeabilized cardiac fibers

Investigation of mitochondrial function represents an important parameter of cardiac physiology as mitochondria are involved in energy metabolism, oxidative stress, apoptosis, aging, mitochondrial encephalomyopathies and drug toxicity. Given this, technologies to measure cardiac mitochondrial function are in demand. One technique that employs an integrative approach to measure mitochondrial function is respirometric oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) analysis.
The principle of respirometric OXPHOS assessment is centered around measuring oxygen concentration utilizing a Clark electrode. As the permeabilized fiber bundle consumes oxygen, oxygen concentration in the closed chamber declines. Using selected substrate-inhibitor-uncoupler titration protocols, electrons are provided to specific sites of the electron transport chain, allowing evaluation of mitochondrial function. Prior to respirometric analysis of mitochondrial function, mechanical and chemical preparatory techniques are utilized to permeabilize the sarcolemma of muscle fibers. Chemical permeabilization employs saponin to selectively perforate the cell membrane while maintaining cellular architecture.
This paper thoroughly describes the steps involved in preparing saponin-skinned cardiac fibers for oxygen consumption measurements to evaluate mitochondrial OXPHOS. Additionally, troubleshooting advice as well as specific substrates, inhibitors and uncouplers that may be used to determine mitochondria function at specific sites of the electron transport chain are provided. Importantly, the described protocol may be easily applied to cardiac and skeletal tissue of various animal models and human samples.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Respirometric Oxidative Phosphorylation Assessment in Saponin-permeabilized Cardiac Fibers at JoVE.com

Respirometric Oxidative Phosphorylation Assessment in Saponin-permeabilized Cardiac Fibers

Saponin-permeabilized fiber preparation in conjunction with respirometric oxidative phosphorylation analysis provides integrative assessment of mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial respiration in physiological and pathological states can reflect various regulatory influences including mitochondrial interactions, morphology and biochemistry.

Investigation of mitochondrial function represents an important parameter of cardiac physiology as mitochondria are involved in energy metabolism, ...

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24.6K Views.  University of Calgary. Saponin-permeabilized fiber preparation in conjunction with respirometric oxidative phosphorylation analysis provides integrative assessment of mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial respiration in physiological and pathological states can reflect various regulatory influences including mitochondrial interactions, morphology and biochemistry.

Video: Respirometric Oxidative Phosphorylation Assessment in Saponin-permeabilized Cardiac Fibers

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

The protocol presented here is designed to study the activation of the large conductance, voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels. The protocol may also be used to study the structure-function relationship for other ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors1. BK channels are widely expressed in different tissues and have been implicated in many physiological functions, including regulation of smooth muscle contraction, frequency tuning of inner hair cells and regulation of neurotransmitter release2-6. BK channels are activated by membrane depolarization and by intracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ 6-9. Therefore, the protocol is designed to control both the membrane voltage and the intracellular solution. In this protocol, messenger RNA of BK channels is injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes (stage V-VI) followed by 2-5 days of incubation at 18&deg;C10-13. Membrane patches that contain single or multiple BK channels are excised with the inside-out configuration using patch clamp techniques10-13. The intracellular side of the patch is perfused with desired solutions during recording so that the channel activation under different conditions can be examined. To summarize, the mRNA of BK channels is injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes to express channel proteins on the oocyte membrane; patch clamp techniques are used to record currents flowing through the channels under controlled voltage and intracellular solutions.

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Ionic current of BK channels is recorded using patch clamp techniques. BK channels are expressed in Xenopus oocytes by injecting messenger RNA. The intracellular solution during patch clamp recordings is controlled by a perfusion system.

The protocol presented here is designed to study the activation of the large conductance, voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels. The protocol may ...

Bioengineering Human Microvascular Networks in Immunodeficient Mice

The future of tissue engineering and cell-based therapies for tissue regeneration will likely rely on our ability to generate functional vascular networks in vivo. In this regard, the search for experimental models to build blood vessel networks in vivo is of utmost importance 1. The feasibility of bioengineering microvascular networks in vivo was first shown using human tissue-derived mature endothelial cells (ECs) 2-4; however, such autologous endothelial cells present problems for wide clinical use, because they are difficult to obtain in sufficient quantities and require harvesting from existing vasculature. These limitations have instigated the search for other sources of ECs. The identification of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) in blood presented an opportunity to non-invasively obtain ECs 5-7. We and other authors have shown that adult and cord blood-derived ECFCs have the capacity to form functional vascular networks in vivo 7-11. Importantly, these studies have also shown that to obtain stable and durable vascular networks, ECFCs require co-implantation with perivascular cells. The assay we describe here illustrates this concept: we show how human cord blood-derived ECFCs can be combined with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a single cell suspension in a collagen/fibronectin/fibrinogen gel to form a functional human vascular network within 7 days after implantation into an immunodeficient mouse. The presence of human ECFC-lined lumens containing host erythrocytes can be seen throughout the implants indicating not only the formation (de novo) of a vascular network, but also the development of functional anastomoses with the host circulatory system. This murine model of bioengineered human vascular network is ideally suited for studies on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of human vascular network formation and for the development of strategies to vascularize engineered tissues.

Here, we describe a methodology to deliver human cord blood-derived endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), embedded in a collagen/fibronectin gel, subcutaneously into immunodeficient mice. This cell/gel combination generates a human vascular network that connects with the mouse vasculature.

The future of tissue engineering and cell-based therapies for tissue regeneration will likely rely on our ability to generate functional vascular networks ...

Intravital Microscopy of the Microcirculation in the Mouse Cremaster Muscle for the Analysis of Peripheral Stem Cell Migration

In the era of intravascular cell application protocols in the context of regenerative cell therapy, the underlying mechanisms of stem cell migration to nonmarrow tissue have not been completely clarified. We describe here the technique of intravital microscopy applied to the mouse cremaster microcirculation for analysis of peripheral bone marrow stem cell migration in vivo. Intravital microscopy of the M. cremaster has been previously introduced in the field of inflammatory research for direct observation of leucocyte interaction with the vascular endothelium. Since sufficient peripheral stem and progenitor cell migration includes similar initial steps of rolling along and firm adhesion at the endothelial lining it is conceivable to apply the M. cremaster model for the observation and quantification of the interaction of intravasculary administered stem cells with the endothelium. As various chemical components can be selectively applied to the target tissue by simple superfusion techniques, it is possible to establish essential microenvironmental preconditions, for initial stem cell recruitment to take place in a living organism outside the bone marrow.

Intravital microscopy of the mouse M. cremaster microcirculation offers a unique and well-standardized in vivo model for the analysis of peripheral bone marrow stem cell migration.

In the era of intravascular cell application protocols in the context of regenerative cell therapy, the underlying mechanisms of stem cell migration to ...

Assessment of Calcium Sparks in Intact Skeletal Muscle Fibers

Maintaining homeostatic Ca2+ signaling is a fundamental physiological process in living cells. Ca2+ sparks are the elementary units of Ca2+ signaling in the striated muscle fibers that appear as highly localized Ca2+ release events mediated by ryanodine receptor (RyR) Ca2+ release channels on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane. Proper assessment of muscle Ca2+ sparks could provide information on the intracellular Ca2+&#160;handling properties of healthy and diseased striated muscles. Although Ca2+ sparks events are commonly seen in resting cardiomyocytes, they are rarely observed in resting skeletal muscle fibers; thus there is a need for methods to generate and analyze sparks in skeletal muscle fibers.
Detailed here is an experimental protocol for measuring Ca2+ sparks in isolated flexor digitorm brevis (FDB) muscle fibers using fluorescent Ca2+ indictors and laser scanning confocal microscopy. In this approach, isolated FDB fibers are exposed to transient hypoosmotic stress followed by a return to isotonic physiological solution. Under these conditions, a robust Ca2+ sparks response is detected adjacent to the sarcolemmal membrane in young healthy FDB muscle fibers. Altered Ca2+ sparks response is detected in dystrophic or aged skeletal muscle fibers. This approach has recently demonstrated that membrane-delimited signaling involving cross-talk between inositol (1,4,5)-triphosphate receptor (IP3R) and RyR contributes to Ca2+ spark activation in skeletal muscle. In summary, our studies using osmotic stress induced Ca2+ sparks showed that this intracellular response reflects a muscle signaling mechanism in physiology and aging/disease states, including mouse models of muscle dystrophy (mdx mice) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS model).

Described here is a method to directly measure calcium sparks, the elementary units of Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum&#160;in intact skeletal muscle fibers. This method utilizes osmotic-stress-mediated triggering of Ca2+ release from ryanodine receptor in isolated muscle fibers. The dynamics and homeostatic capacity of intracellular Ca2+ signaling can be employed to assess muscle function in health and disease.

Maintaining homeostatic Ca2+ signaling is a fundamental physiological process in living cells. Ca2+ sparks are the elementary units of Ca2+ signaling in ...

Analysis of Oxidative Stress in Zebrafish Embryos

High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may cause a change of cellular redox state towards oxidative stress condition. This situation causes oxidation of molecules (lipid, DNA, protein) and leads to cell death. Oxidative stress also impacts the progression of several pathological conditions such as diabetes, retinopathies, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Thus, it is important to define tools to investigate oxidative stress conditions not only at the level of single cells but also in the context of whole organisms. Here, we consider the zebrafish embryo as a useful in vivo system to perform such studies and present a protocol to measure in vivo oxidative stress. Taking advantage of fluorescent ROS probes and zebrafish transgenic fluorescent lines, we develop two different methods to measure oxidative stress in vivo: i) a &#8220;whole embryo ROS-detection method&#8221; for qualitative measurement of oxidative stress and ii) a &#8220;single-cell&#160;ROS detection method&#8221; for quantitative measurements of oxidative stress. Herein, we demonstrate the efficacy of these procedures by increasing oxidative stress in tissues by oxidant agents and physiological or genetic methods. This protocol is amenable for forward genetic screens and it will help address cause-effect relationships of ROS in animal models of oxidative stress-related pathologies such as neurological disorders and cancer.

Here we report a protocol to measure oxidative stress in living zebrafish embryos. This procedure allows reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection in both whole embryo tissues and single-cell populations. This protocol will accomplish both qualitative and quantitative analyses.

High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may cause a change of cellular redox state towards oxidative stress condition. This situation causes ...

siRNA Screening to Identify Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-like System Regulators of Biological Pathways in Cultured Mammalian Cells

Post-translational modification of proteins with ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like molecules (UBLs) is emerging as a dynamic cellular signaling network that regulates diverse biological pathways including the hypoxia response, proteostasis, the DNA damage response and transcription.&#160; To better understand how UBLs regulate pathways relevant to human disease, we have compiled a human siRNA &#8220;ubiquitome&#8221; library consisting of 1,186 siRNA duplex pools targeting all known and predicted components of UBL system pathways. This library can be screened against a range of cell lines expressing reporters of diverse biological pathways to determine which UBL components act as positive or negative regulators of the pathway in question.&#160; Here, we describe a protocol utilizing this library to identify ubiquitome-regulators of the HIF1A-mediated cellular response to hypoxia using a transcription-based luciferase reporter.&#160; An initial assay development stage is performed to establish suitable screening parameters of the cell line before performing the screen in three stages: primary, secondary and tertiary/deconvolution screening. &#160;The use of targeted over whole genome siRNA libraries is becoming increasingly popular as it offers the advantage of reporting only on members of the pathway with which the investigators are most interested.&#160; Despite inherent limitations of siRNA screening, in particular false-positives caused by siRNA off-target effects, the identification of genuine novel regulators of the pathways in question outweigh these shortcomings, which can be overcome by performing a series of carefully undertaken control experiments.

Here, we describe a methodology to perform a targeted siRNA &#8220;ubiquitome&#8221; screen to identify novel ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like regulators of the HIF1A-mediated cellular response to hypoxia.&#160; This can be adapted to any biological pathway where a robust read out of reporter activity is available.

Post-translational modification of proteins with ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like molecules (UBLs) is emerging as a dynamic cellular signaling network that ...

Method for the Assessment of Effects of a Range of Wavelengths and Intensities of Red/near-infrared Light Therapy on Oxidative Stress In Vitro

Red/near-infrared light therapy (R/NIR-LT), delivered by laser or light emitting diode (LED), improves functional and morphological outcomes in a range of central nervous system injuries in vivo, possibly by reducing oxidative stress. However, effects of R/NIR-LT on oxidative stress have been shown to vary depending on wavelength or intensity of irradiation. Studies comparing treatment parameters are lacking, due to absence of commercially available devices that deliver multiple wavelengths or intensities, suitable for high through-put in vitro optimization studies. This protocol describes a technique for delivery of light at a range of wavelengths and intensities to optimize therapeutic doses required for a given injury model. We hypothesized that a method of delivering light, in which wavelength and intensity parameters could easily be altered, could facilitate determination of an optimal dose of R/NIR-LT for reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro.
Non-coherent Xenon light was filtered through narrow-band interference filters to deliver varying wavelengths (center wavelengths of 440, 550, 670 and 810nm) and fluences (8.5 x 10-3 to 3.8 x 10-1 J/cm2) of light to cultured cells. Light output from the apparatus was calibrated to emit therapeutically relevant, equal quantal doses of light at each wavelength. Reactive species were detected in glutamate stressed cells treated with the light, using DCFH-DA and H2O2 sensitive fluorescent dyes.&#160;
We successfully delivered light at a range of physiologically and therapeutically relevant wavelengths and intensities, to cultured cells exposed to glutamate as a model of CNS injury. While the fluences of R/NIR-LT used in the current study did not exert an effect on ROS generated by the cultured cells, the method of light delivery is applicable to other systems including isolated mitochondria or more physiologically relevant organotypic slice culture models, and could be used to assess effects on a range of outcome measures of oxidative metabolism.

Method for the Assessment of Effects of a Range of Wavelengths and Intensities of Red/near-infrared Light Therapy on Oxidative Stress In Vitro

Non-coherent Xenon light was passed through narrow-band interference and neutral density filters to deliver light of varying wavelength and intensity to cultured cells. This protocol was used to assess the effects of red/near-infrared light therapy on production of reactive species in vitro: no effects were observed using the tested parameters.

Red/near-infrared light therapy (R/NIR-LT), delivered by laser or light emitting diode (LED), improves functional and morphological outcomes in a range of ...

Measuring Oxidative Stress Resistance of Caenorhabditis elegans in 96-well Microtiter Plates

Oxidative stress, which is the result of an imbalance between production and detoxification of reactive oxygen species, is a major contributor to chronic human disorders, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, aging, and cancer. Therefore, it is important to study oxidative stress not only in cell systems but also using whole organisms. C. elegans is an attractive model organism to study the genetics of oxidative stress signal transduction pathways, which are highly evolutionarily conserved.
Here, we provide a protocol to measure oxidative stress resistance in C. elegans in liquid. Briefly, ROS-inducing reagents such as paraquat (PQ) and H2O2 are dissolved in M9 buffer, and solutions are aliquoted in the wells of a 96 well microtiter plate. Synchronized L4/young adult C. elegans animals are transferred to the wells (5-8 animals/well) and survival is measured every hour until most worms are dead. When performing an oxidative stress resistance assay using a low concentration of stressors in plates, aging might influence the behavior of animals upon oxidative stress, which could lead to an incorrect interpretation of the data. However, in the assay described herein, this problem is unlikely to occur since only L4/young adult animals are being used. Moreover, this protocol is inexpensive and results are obtained in one day, which renders this technique attractive for genetic screens. Overall, this will help to understand oxidative stress signal transduction pathways, which could be translated into better characterization of oxidative stress-associated human disorders.

Measuring Oxidative Stress Resistance of Caenorhabditis elegans in 96-well Microtiter Plates

C. elegans is an attractive model organism to study signal transduction pathways involved in oxidative stress resistance. Here we provide a protocol to measure oxidative stress resistance of C. elegans animals in liquid phase, using several oxidizing agents in 96 well plates.

Oxidative stress, which is the result of an imbalance between production and detoxification of reactive oxygen species, is a major contributor to chronic ...

Assessment of Myofilament Ca2+ Sensitivity Underlying Cardiac Excitation-contraction Coupling

Heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. However, the mechanism of pathogenesis and myocardial malfunction in the diseased heart remains to be fully clarified. Recent compelling evidence demonstrates that changes in the myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity affect intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and ion channel activities in cardiac myocytes, the essential mechanisms responsible for the cardiac action potential and contraction in healthy and diseased hearts. Indeed, activities of ion channels and transporters underlying cardiac action potentials (e.g., Na+, Ca2+ and K+ channels and the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger) and intracellular Ca2+ handling proteins (e.g., ryanodine receptors and Ca2+-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA2a) or phospholamban and its phosphorylation) are conventionally measured to evaluate the fundamental mechanisms of cardiac excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. Both electrical activities in the membrane and intracellular Ca2+ changes are the trigger signals of E-C coupling, whereas myofilament is the functional unit of contraction and relaxation, and myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity is imperative in the implementation of myofibril performance. Nevertheless, few studies incorporate myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity into the functional analysis of the myocardium unless it is the focus of the study. Here, we describe a protocol that measures sarcomere shortening/re-lengthening and the intracellular Ca2+ level using Fura-2 AM (ratiometric detection) and evaluate the changes of myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in cardiac myocytes from rat hearts. The main aim is to emphasize that myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity should be taken into consideration in E-C coupling for mechanistic analysis. Comprehensive investigation of ion channels, ion transporters, intracellular Ca2+ handling, and myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity that underlie myocyte contractility in healthy and diseased hearts will provide valuable information for designing more effective strategies of translational and therapeutic value.

Assessment of Myofilament Ca2+ Sensitivity Underlying Cardiac Excitation-contraction Coupling

This paper describes a protocol that assesses the changes of myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity during contraction in isolated cardiac myocytes from rat heart. Together with cardiac electrophysiology, systolic/diastolic cytosol Ca2+ levels and contraction/relaxation, this measurement is imperative in underpinning the mechanisms mediating cardiac excitation-contraction coupling in healthy and diseased hearts.

Heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. However, the mechanism of pathogenesis and myocardial ...

Analyzing the &alpha;-Actinin Network in Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes Using Single Molecule Localization Microscopy

The maturation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes is a critical issue for their application in regenerative therapy, drug testing and disease modeling. Despite the development of multiple differentiation protocols, the generation of iPSC cardiomyocytes resembling an adult-like phenotype remains challenging. One major aspect of cardiomyocytes maturation involves the formation of a well-organized sarcomere network to ensure high contraction capacity. Here, we present a super resolution-based approach for semi-quantitative analysis of the &#945;-actinin network in cardiomyocytes. Using photoactivated localization microscopy a comparison of sarcomere length and z-disc thickness of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes and cardiac cells isolated from neonatal tissue was performed. At the same time, we demonstrate the importance of proper imaging conditions to obtain reliable data. Our results show that this method is suitable to quantitatively monitor the structural maturity of cardiac cells with high spatial resolution, enabling the detection of even subtle changes of sarcomere organization.

Analyzing the &#945;-Actinin Network in Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes Using Single Molecule Localization Microscopy

The formation of a proper sarcomere network is important for the maturation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. We present a super resolution-based approach that allows for the quantitative evaluation of the structural maturation of stem cell derived cardiomyocytes, to improve culture conditions promoting cardiac development.

The maturation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes is a critical issue for their application in regenerative therapy, drug testing and disease modeling. ...