Wild-type (Mavs+/+) and knockout (Mavs&#8722;/&#8722;) mice, Wild-type (Mavs+/+) and knockout (Mavs&#8722;/&#8722;) MEFs were kindly provided by Dr. Zhijian J. Chen (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)13. This publication is based on work funded by grants from NIH (R01 CA134241 and R01 DE021445) and American Cancer Society (RSG-11-162-01-MPC).

Ethics Statement: All animal work was performed under strict accordance with the recommendations in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the National Institutes of Health. The protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the University of Southern California.
1.&#160;Cytokine Gene Expression by Quantitative Real-time PCR and Secretion by ELISA&#160;in &#947;HV68-infected Mice
<ol>
	<li>Anesthetize gender-matched, 6-8&#160;week-old C57BL/6 (B6) littermates (8-12 mice/group) via intraperitoneally injecting 1.5 mg of ketamine/0.12 mg of xylazine, and inoculate intranasally with 40 PFU of &#947;HV68 in 40 &#181;l (infection detailed in Dong and Feng11). At different time points post-infection, euthanize the mice by using&#160;CO2 inhalation&#160;followed by cervical dislocation.</li>
	<li>Open the chest with a left lateral cut along the sternum and cut through the ribs with sharp scissors. Collect the lung tissues.</li>
	<li>Collect half of the lung tissue (left lobe) into sterile 1.5 ml screw-capped tubes containing 500 &#181;l 1.0 mm Zirconia/Silica beads. Add 1 ml of cold serum-free DMEM into the tube and homogenize the lung tissue by bead-beating for 30 sec.&#160;Chill tubes on ice for 2 min and repeat this process once.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge the tubes (15,000 x g for 10 min) at 4 &#176;C, collect the supernatant and measure the cytokine production as described below.</li>
	<li>Measure cytokines using commercially available cytokine ELISA kits according to the manufacturer&#39;s instruction.</li>
	<li>Collect the other half of the lung tissue (right lobe) into another bead-containing tube and add 1 ml TRIzol. Homogenize and collect supernatant as described in step 1.3 and extract RNA according to the manufacture&#39;s instruction. Determine RNA concentration by taking absorbance readings at 260 and 280 nm.</li>
	<li>Prepare cDNA with 1 &#181;g of total RNA and reverse transcriptase according to the manufacture&#39;s instruction (the total final volume was 20 &#181;l). Dilute cDNA 50 times with DNAse- and RNAse-free water and perform quantitative real-time PCR.</li>
	<li>Perform the program on a quantitative real-time PCR machine. Each reaction contains 0.5 &#181;l&#160;of a pair of gene-specific primers or control primers of GAPDH (the working concentration of the primers were 10 &#181;M, CE 500 nM for each primer), 5 &#181;l&#160;of the SYBR master mix and 4 &#181;l&#160;of the diluted cDNA. Calculate &#916;&#916;Ct to determine the relative quantity of mRNA transcripts of antiviral cytokines.</li>
</ol>
2.&#160;MEF Cell Infection and Cytokine Quantification by ELISA and qRT-PCR
<ol>
	<li>Grow Mavs+/+ and Mavs-/- MEF cells to sub-confluent (approximately 80%) density before plating cells.</li>
	<li>Split MEF cells into 12-well plates at 100,000 cells/well (the cell density will be around 70% on the second day). Carry out &#947;HV68 infection in triplicates, with a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 5-10 to synchronize and maximize cytokine induction.</li>
	<li>Prepare &#947;HV68 suspension in complete DMEM medium containing appropriate amount of virus (1 ml for each well).</li>
	<li>Remove medium and add &#947;HV68-containing suspension to MEF cells.</li>
	<li>Place the plate in tissue culture incubator, rock every 30 min, and allow a total of 2 hr of incubation.</li>
	<li>Remove &#947;HV68-containing medium, wash once with PBS, and replace with fresh complete DMEM.</li>
	<li>At various time points post-infection, harvest medium into 1.5 ml Eppendorf tubes. Wash cells with cold PBS and collect infected cells by trypsin digestion.</li>
	<li>Measure antiviral cytokines in medium as described in step 1.5.</li>
	<li>Extract RNA, prepare cDNA and perform qRT-PCR to determine antiviral cytokine gene expression as described in steps 1.5-1.7.</li>
</ol>
3.&#160;Lentivirus Production, Infection, and Generation of Stable Cell Lines
<ol>
	<li>Split 293T cells one day before transfection and allow the cells to reach ~40% confluency at the time of transfection.</li>
	<li>Transfect 10 cm dish of 293T cells with the packaging plasmids (1.2 &#181;g of pVSV-G and 6 &#181;g of pDR8.9) and 7.2 &#181;g of pCDH-FLAG-MAVS or pCDH control by calcium phosphate precipitation.</li>
	<li>Replace medium at 6 to 8 hr post-transfection with fresh complete DMEM.</li>
	<li>At 72 hr post-transfection, collect medium containing lentivirus, centrifuge at 4,000 x g for 15 min, and filter with 0.22 &#181;m membrane. To increase the lentivirus titer, we centrifuge the virus-containing medium at 110,000 x g for 2.5 hr at 4 &#176;C. Carefully resuspend the viral pellet in small volume of medium of interest.</li>
	<li>Seed Mavs-/- MEF cells or other knockout MEF cells one day before infection in 6-well&#160;plates at ~30-40% confluency.</li>
	<li>Infect MEF cells with 1 ml lentivirus and 2 ml fresh complete DMEM, supplemented with polybrene to a final concentration of 10 &#181;g/ml.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge the plate at 500 x g at 30 &#176;C for 30 min and transfer the plate to a tissue culture incubator.</li>
	<li>Replace medium at 6 hr post-infection with fresh complete DMEM.</li>
	<li>Split MEF cells at 24 hr post-infection and add puromycin to a final concentration of 1 &#181;g/ml at 48 hr post-infection to select cells stably expressing MAVS.</li>
	<li>Maintain MEF cells in puromycin-containing medium and verify protein expression by immunoblotting with corresponding antibodies.</li>
	<li>Cells can be used for viral infection, cytokine gene expression and secretion experiments as described in Protocol 2.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Akira, S., Uematsu, S., Takeuchi, O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pathogen+recognition+and+innate+immunity.">Pathogen recognition and innate immunity.</a> Cell. 124, 783-801 (2006).</li><li>Kato, H., Takahasi, K., Fujita, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=RIG-I-like+receptors:+cytoplasmic+sensors+for+non-self+RNA.">RIG-I-like receptors: cytoplasmic sensors for non-self RNA.</a> Immunol. Rev. 243, 91-98 (2011).</li><li>Kawai, 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=IPS-1,+an+adaptor+triggering+RIG-I-+and+Mda5-mediated+type+I+interferon+induction.">IPS-1, an adaptor triggering RIG-I- and Mda5-mediated type I interferon induction.</a> Nat. Immunol. 6, 981-988 (2005).</li><li>Seth, R. B., Sun, L., Ea, C. K., Chen, Z. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+and+characterization+of+MAVS,+a+mitochondrial+antiviral+signaling+protein+that+activates+NF-kappaB+and+IRF+3.">Identification and characterization of MAVS, a mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein that activates NF-kappaB and IRF 3.</a> Cell. 122, 669-682 (2005).</li><li>Xu, L. G., 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=VISA+is+an+adapter+protein+required+for+virus-triggered+IFN-beta+signaling.">VISA is an adapter protein required for virus-triggered IFN-beta signaling.</a> Mol. Cell. 19, 727-740 (2005).</li><li>Meylan, E., 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=Cardif+is+an+adaptor+protein+in+the+RIG-I+antiviral+pathway+and+is+targeted+by+hepatitis+C+virus.">Cardif is an adaptor protein in the RIG-I antiviral pathway and is targeted by hepatitis C virus.</a> Nature. 437, 1167-1172 (2005).</li><li>Speck, S. H., Virgin, H. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Host+and+viral+genetics+of+chronic+infection:+a+mouse+model+of+gamma-herpesvirus+pathogenesis.">Host and viral genetics of chronic infection: a mouse model of gamma-herpesvirus pathogenesis.</a> Curr. Opin. Microbiol. 2, 403-409 (1999).</li><li>Dong, 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=Murine+gamma-herpesvirus+68+hijacks+MAVS+and+IKKbeta+to+initiate+lytic+replication.">Murine gamma-herpesvirus 68 hijacks MAVS and IKKbeta to initiate lytic replication.</a> PLoS Pathog. , (2010).</li><li>Dong, X., Feng, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Murine+gamma+herpesvirus+68+hijacks+MAVS+and+IKKbeta+to+abrogate+NFkappaB+activation+and+antiviral+cytokine+production.">Murine gamma herpesvirus 68 hijacks MAVS and IKKbeta to abrogate NFkappaB activation and antiviral cytokine production.</a> PLoS Pathog. 7, (2011).</li><li>Dong, 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=Murine+gammaherpesvirus+68+evades+host+cytokine+production+via+replication+transactivator-induced+RelA+degradation.">Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 evades host cytokine production via replication transactivator-induced RelA degradation.</a> J. Virol. 86, 1930-1941 (2012).</li><li>Dong, X., Feng, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dissecting+Host-virus+Interaction+in+Lytic+Replication+of+a+Model+Herpesvirus.">Dissecting Host-virus Interaction in Lytic Replication of a Model Herpesvirus.</a> J. Vis. Exp. , (2011).</li><li>He, S., 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=Receptor+interacting+protein+kinase-3+determines+cellular+necrotic+response+to+TNF-alpha.">Receptor interacting protein kinase-3 determines cellular necrotic response to TNF-alpha.</a> Cell. 137, 1100-1111 (2009).</li><li>Sun, Q., 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=The+specific+and+essential+role+of+MAVS+in+antiviral+innate+immune+responses.">The specific and essential role of MAVS in antiviral innate immune responses.</a> Immunity. 24, 633-642 (2006).</li></ol>

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Viral immune evasion is one of the most dynamic and fascinating interactions interfacing viral offense and host defense9. The host innate immune components are structured such that signal transduction is effectively initiated and faithfully transmitted. Delineating the hierarchy and regulation of signaling cascades is a preeminent topic of innate immunity. Here, we introduce a protocol to identify the regulatory roles of an innate immune component, MAVS, in viral evasion of cytokine production. The protocol co...

Recent studies have outlined the overall signaling cascades in mounting host innate immune responses. Residing within distinct compartments, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) of diverse origin to trigger innate immune signaling1.&#160;The retinoic acid-induced gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation antigen 5 (MDA5) proteins are cytosolic sensors that recognize RNA species with specific structural features2. Upon activation, RIG-I interacts with its downstream MAVS (also known as IPS-1, VISA, and CARDIF) adaptor that, in turn, activates the IKK (IKK&#945;&#946;&#947;) and IKK-related kinase (TBK1 and IKK&#949;, also known as IKKi) complexes3-6. Activated innate immune kinases phosphorylate key regulators of gene expression, including transcription factors and inhibitors thereof, and enable transcriptional activation of host antiviral genes (e.g.&#160;IL6, TNF&#945;, CCL5, and IFN&#946;). These signaling cascades constitute potent intrinsic innate immune responses that establish an anti-microbial state to restrict pathogen propagation during early stages of infection.
Murine &#947;HV68 is closely related to human oncogenic KSHV and EBV. Thus, &#947;HV68 infection of mice provides a tractable small animal model to examine the host immune response to gamma herpes virus infection&#160;in vivo7. Using &#947;HV68, our lab has uncovered an intricate strategy whereby &#947;HV68 hijacks host innate immune signaling to enable viral infection. On one hand, &#947;HV68 activates the MAVS-IKK&#946; pathway to promote viral transcriptional activation via directing activated IKK&#946; to phosphorylate replication transactivator (RTA), the viral transcription factor key for &#947;HV68 replication8. On the other hand, the IKK&#946;-mediated phosphorylation primes RelA for degradation and terminates NF&#922;B activation9. As such, &#947;HV68 infection effectively avoids antiviral cytokine production. Interestingly, a screening utilizing an expression library of &#947;HV68 identified RTA as an E3 ligase to induce RelA degradation and abrogate NF&#922;B activation10. These findings uncover an intricate immune evasion strategy whereby the upstream immune signaling events are harnessed by &#947;HV68 to negate the ultimate antiviral cytokine production.
Here we describe a protocol to measure the antiviral cytokine production in mice infected with &#947;HV68 both in vivo and ex vivo. In the protocol we further explore the &#34;reconstituted&#34; expression of innate immune components in the knockout embryonic fibroblasts by lentiviral transduction, which pinpoints the function of the specific innate immune molecules in regulating the antiviral cytokine production. This protocol can be easily adapted to other viruses and signaling pathways.

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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:251px;">Mouse CCL5 ELISA kit</td>
			<td style="width:211px;">R&#38;D systems</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"><a href="http://www.rndsystems.com/Products/DY478">DY478</a></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:251px;">1.0 mm Zirconia/Silica beads</td>
			<td style="width:211px;">BioSpec Products</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">11079110z</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:251px;">TRIzol</td>
			<td style="width:211px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td style="width:223px;"><a href="http://products.invitrogen.com/ivgn/en/US/adirect/invitrogen?cmd=catProductDetail&amp;productID=15596018">15596-018</a></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="79">
			<td height="98" rowspan="2" style="height:98px;width:251px;">SuperScript II Reverse Transcriptase</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:211px;">Invitrogen</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:223px;">18064-014</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="19">
		</tr>
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			<td height="20" style="height:20px;"> </td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="2" height="21" style="height:21px;">CCL5 quantitative real-time PCR primers</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">CCTGCTGCTTTGCCTACCTCTC</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">ACACACTTGGCGGTTCCTTCGA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

dissecting innate immune signaling in viral evasion of cytokine production

In response to a viral infection, the host innate immune response is activated to up-regulate gene expression and production of antiviral cytokines. Conversely, viruses have evolved intricate strategies to evade and exploit host immune signaling for survival and propagation. Viral immune evasion, entailing host defense and viral evasion, provides one of the most fascinating and dynamic interfaces to discern the host-virus interaction. These studies advance our understanding in innate immune regulation and pave our way to develop novel antiviral therapies.
Murine &#947;HV68 is a natural pathogen of murine rodents. &#947;HV68 infection of mice provides a tractable small animal model to examine the antiviral response to human KSHV and EBV of which perturbation of in vivo virus-host interactions is not applicable. Here we describe a protocol to determine the antiviral cytokine production. This protocol can be adapted to other viruses and signaling pathways.
Recently, we have discovered that &#947;HV68 hijacks MAVS and IKK&#946;, key innate immune signaling components downstream of the cytosolic RIG-I and MDA5, to abrogate NF&#922;B activation and antiviral cytokine production. Specifically, &#947;HV68 infection activates IKK&#946; and that activated IKK&#946; phosphorylates RelA to accelerate RelA degradation. As such, &#947;HV68 efficiently uncouples NF&#922;B activation from its upstream activated IKK&#946;, negating antiviral cytokine gene expression. This study elucidates an intricate strategy whereby the upstream innate immune activation is intercepted by a viral pathogen to nullify the immediate downstream transcriptional activation and evade antiviral cytokine production.

Three representative figures are shown here, including cytokine production in the lung of &#947;HV68-infected Mavs+/+ and Mavs-/- mouse, cytokine secretion and gene expression level of &#947;HV68-infected Mavs+/+ and Mavs-/- MEFs, and cytokine mRNA levels of &#947;HV68-infected Mavs-/- MEFs &#34;reconstituted&#34; with MAVS. These representative experiments utilize gene knockout mice to investigate antiviral cytokine produ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production at JoVE.com

Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production

We describe a protocol to measure the antiviral cytokine production in mice infected with a model herpesvirus, murine gamma herpesvirus 68 (&#947;HV68) that is closely-related to human Kaposi&#8217;s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Utilizing genetically modified mouse strains and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), we assessed the antiviral cytokine production both in vivo and ex vivo. &#8220;Reconstituting&#8221; the expression of innate immune components in knockout embryonic fibroblasts by lentiviral transduction, we further pinpoint specific innate immune molecules and dissect the key signaling events that differentially regulate the antiviral cytokine production.

In response to a viral infection, the host innate immune response is activated to up-regulate gene expression and production of antiviral cytokines. ...

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Immunology and Infection

10.4K Views.  Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. We describe a protocol to measure the antiviral cytokine production in mice infected with a model herpesvirus, murine gamma herpesvirus 68 (γHV68) that is closely-related to human Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Utilizing genetically modified mouse strains and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), we assessed the antiviral cytokine p...

Video: Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production

Production and Titering of Recombinant Adeno-associated Viral Vectors

In recent years recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) have become increasingly valuable for in vivo studies in animals, and are also currently being tested in human clinical trials. Wild-type AAV is a non-pathogenic member of the parvoviridae family and inherently replication-deficient. The broad transduction profile, low immune response as well as the strong and persistent transgene expression achieved with these vectors has made them a popular and versatile tool for in vitro and in vivo gene delivery. rAAVs can be easily and cheaply produced in the laboratory and, based on their favourable safety profile, are generally given a low safety classification. Here, we describe a method for the production and titering of chimeric rAAVs containing the capsid proteins of both AAV1 and AAV2. The use of these so-called chimeric vectors combines the benefits of both parental serotypes such as high titres stocks (AAV1) and purification by affinity chromatography (AAV2). These AAV serotypes are the best studied of all AAV serotypes, and individually have a broad infectivity pattern. The chimeric vectors described here should have the infectious properties of AAV1 and AAV2 and can thus be expected to infect a large range of tissues, including neurons, skeletal muscle, pancreas, kidney among others. The method described here uses heparin column purification, a method believed to give a higher viral titer and cleaner viral preparation than other purification methods, such as centrifugation through a caesium chloride gradient. Additionally, we describe how these vectors can be quickly and easily titered to give accurate reading of the number of infectious particles produced.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAVs) vectors are becoming increasingly valuable for in vivo studies in animals. We describe how rAAVs can be produced in the laboratory and how these vectors can be titered to give an accurate reading of the number of infectious particles produced.

In recent years recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV) have become increasingly valuable for in vivo studies in animals, and are also currently ...

Quantification of the Respiratory Burst Response as an Indicator of Innate Immune Health in Zebrafish

The phagocyte respiratory burst is part of the innate immune response to pathogen infection and involves the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are toxic and function to kill phagocytized microorganisms. In vivo quantification of phagocyte-derived ROS provides information regarding an organism's ability to mount a robust innate immune response. Here we describe a protocol to quantify and compare ROS in whole zebrafish embryos upon chemical induction of the phagocyte respiratory burst. This method makes use of a non-fluorescent compound that becomes fluorescent upon oxidation by ROS. Individual zebrafish embryos are pipetted into the wells of a microplate and incubated in this fluorogenic substrate with or without a chemical inducer of the respiratory burst. Fluorescence in each well is quantified at desired time points using a microplate reader. Fluorescence readings are adjusted to eliminate background fluorescence and then compared using an unpaired t-test. This method allows for comparison of the respiratory burst potential of zebrafish embryos at different developmental stages and in response to experimental manipulations such as protein knockdown, overexpression, or treatment with pharmacological agents. This method can also be used to monitor the respiratory burst response in whole dissected kidneys or cell preparations from kidneys of adult zebrafish and some other fish species. We believe that the relative simplicity and adaptability of this protocol will complement existing protocols and will be of interest to researchers who seek to better understand the innate immune response.

The innate immune response protects organisms against pathogen infection. A critical component of the innate immune response, the phagocyte respiratory burst, generates reactive oxygen species that kill invading microorganisms. We describe a respiratory burst assay that quantifies reactive oxygen species produced when the innate immune response is chemically induced.

The phagocyte respiratory burst is part of the innate immune response to  pathogen infection and involves the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ...

Using RNA-interference to Investigate the Innate Immune Response in Mouse Macrophages

Macrophages are key phagocytic innate immune cells. When macrophages encounter a pathogen, they produce antimicrobial proteins and compounds to kill the pathogen, produce various cytokines and chemokines to recruit and stimulate other immune cells, and present antigens to stimulate the adaptive immune response. Thus, being able to efficiently manipulate macrophages with techniques such as RNA-interference (RNAi) is critical to our ability to investigate this important innate immune cell. However, macrophages can be technically challenging to transfect and can exhibit inefficient RNAi-induced gene knockdown. In this protocol, we describe methods to efficiently transfect two mouse macrophage cell lines (RAW264.7 and J774A.1) with siRNA using the Amaxa Nucleofector 96-well Shuttle System and describe procedures to maximize the effect of siRNA on gene knockdown. Moreover, the described methods are adapted to work in 96-well format, allowing for medium and high-throughput studies. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, we describe experiments that utilize RNAi to inhibit genes that regulate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokine production.

In this protocol, we describe methods to efficiently transfect murine macrophage cell lines with siRNAs using the Amaxa Nucleofector 96-well Shuttle System, stimulate the macrophages with lipopolysaccharide, and monitor the effects on inflammatory cytokine production.

Macrophages are key phagocytic innate immune cells.  When macrophages encounter a pathogen, they produce antimicrobial proteins and compounds to kill the ...

Non-invasive Imaging of the Innate Immune Response in a Zebrafish Larval Model of Streptococcus iniae Infection

The aquatic pathogen, Streptococcus iniae, is responsible for over 100 million dollars in annual losses for the aquaculture industry and is capable of causing systemic disease in both fish and humans. A better understanding of S. iniae disease pathogenesis requires an appropriate model system. The genetic tractability and the optical transparency of the early developmental stages of zebrafish allow for the generation and non-invasive imaging of transgenic lines with fluorescently tagged immune cells. The adaptive immune system is not fully functional until several weeks post fertilization, but zebrafish larvae have a conserved vertebrate innate immune system with both neutrophils and macrophages. Thus, the generation of a larval infection model allows the study of the specific contribution of innate immunity in controlling S. iniae infection.
The site of microinjection will determine whether an infection is systemic or initially localized. Here, we present our protocols for otic vesicle injection of zebrafish aged 2-3 days post fertilization as well as our techniques for fluorescent confocal imaging of infection. A localized infection site allows observation of initial microbe invasion, recruitment of host cells and dissemination of infection. Our findings using the zebrafish larval model of S. iniae infection indicate that zebrafish can be used to examine the differing contributions of host neutrophils and macrophages in localized bacterial infections. In addition, we describe how photolabeling of immune cells can be used to track individual host cell fate during the course of infection.

Non-invasive Imaging of the Innate Immune Response in a Zebrafish Larval Model of Streptococcus iniae Infection

Here, we present a protocol for the generation and imaging of a localized bacterial infection in the zebrafish otic vesicle.

The aquatic pathogen, Streptococcus iniae, is responsible for over 100 million dollars in annual losses for the aquaculture industry and is capable of ...

Dissecting Multi-protein Signaling Complexes by Bimolecular Complementation Affinity Purification (BiCAP)

The assembly of protein complexes is a central mechanism underlying the regulation of many cell signaling pathways. A major focus of biomedical research is deciphering how these dynamic protein complexes act to integrate signals from multiple sources in order to direct a specific biological response, and how this becomes deregulated in many disease settings. Despite the importance of this key biochemical mechanism, there is a lack of experimental techniques that can facilitate the specific and sensitive deconvolution of these multi-molecular signaling complexes.
Here this shortcoming is addressed through the combination of a protein complementation assay with a conformation-specific nanobody, which we have termed Bimolecular Complementation Affinity Purification (BiCAP). This novel technique facilitates the specific isolation and downstream proteomic characterization of any pair of interacting proteins, to the exclusion of un-complexed individual proteins and complexes formed with competing binding partners. 
The BiCAP technique is adaptable to a wide array of downstream experimental assays, and the high degree of specificity afforded by this technique allows more nuanced investigations into the mechanics of protein complex assembly than is currently possible using standard affinity purification techniques.

Dissecting Multi-protein Signaling Complexes by Bimolecular Complementation Affinity Purification BiCAP

This manuscript describes the protocol for Bimolecular Complementation Affinity Purification (BiCAP). This novel method facilitates the specific isolation and downstream proteomic characterization of any two interacting proteins, while excluding un-complexed individual proteins as well as complexes formed with competing binding partners.

The assembly of protein complexes is a central mechanism underlying the regulation of many cell signaling pathways. A major focus of biomedical research ...

Single-cell Analysis of Immunophenotype and Cytokine Production in Peripheral Whole Blood via Mass Cytometry

Cytokines play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Hence, the measurement of cytokine levels has been the focus of multiple studies in an attempt to understand the precise mechanisms that lead to the breakdown of self-tolerance and subsequent autoimmunity. Approaches thus far have been based on the study of one specific aspect of the immune system (a single or few cell types or cytokines), and do not offer a global assessment of complex autoimmune disease. While patient sera-based studies have afforded important insights into autoimmunity, they do not provide the specific cellular source of the dysregulated cytokines detected. A comprehensive single-cell approach to evaluate cytokine production in multiple immune cell subsets, within the context of &#34;intrinsic&#34; patient-specific plasma circulating factors, is described here. This approach enables monitoring of the patient-specific immune phenotype (surface markers) and function (cytokines), either in its native &#34;intrinsic pathogenic&#34; disease state, or in the presence of therapeutic agents (in vivo or ex vivo).

Here we describe a single-cell proteomic approach to evaluate immune phenotypic and functional (intracellular cytokine induction) alterations in peripheral whole blood samples, analyzed via mass cytometry.

Cytokines play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Hence, the measurement of cytokine levels has been the focus of multiple studies ...

A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)&#160;infections, including methicillin resistant stains, are an enormous burden on the healthcare system. With incidence rates of S. aureus infection climbing annually, there is a demand for additional research in its&#160;pathogenicity. Animal models of infectious disease advance our understanding of the host-pathogen response and lead to the development of effective therapeutics. Neutrophils play a primary role in the innate immune response that controls S. aureus infections by forming an abscess to wall off the infection and facilitate bacterial clearance; the number of neutrophils that infiltrate an S. aureus skin infection often correlates with disease outcome. LysM-EGFP mice, which possess the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) inserted in the Lysozyme M (LysM) promoter region (expressed primarily by neutrophils), when used in conjunction with in vivo whole animal fluorescence imaging (FLI) provide&#160;a means of quantifying neutrophil emigration noninvasively and longitudinally into wounded skin. When combined with a bioluminescent S. aureus strain and sequential in vivo whole animal bioluminescent imaging (BLI), it is possible to longitudinally monitor both the neutrophil recruitment dynamics and in vivo bacterial burden at the site of infection in anesthetized mice from onset of infection to resolution or death. Mice are more resistant to a number of virulence factors produced by S. aureus that facilitate effective colonization and infection in humans. Immunodeficient mice provide a more sensitive animal model to examine persistent S. aureus infections and the ability of therapeutics to boost innate immune responses. Herein, we characterize responses in LysM-EGFP mice that have been bred to MyD88-deficient mice (LysM-EGFP&#215;MyD88-/- mice) along with wild-type LysM-EGFP mice to investigate S. aureus skin wound infection. Multispectral simultaneous detection enabled study of neutrophil recruitment dynamics by using in vivo FLI, bacterial burden by using in vivo BLI, and wound healing longitudinally and noninvasively over time.

A Mouse Model to Assess Innate Immune Response to Staphylococcus aureus Infection

An approach is described for real-time detection of the innate immune response to cutaneous wounding and Staphylococcus aureus infection of mice. By comparing LysM-EGFP mice (which possess fluorescent neutrophils) with a LysM-EGFP crossbred immunodeficient mouse strain, we advance our understanding of infection and the development of approaches to combat infection.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)&#160;infections, including methicillin resistant stains, are an enormous burden on the healthcare system. With incidence ...

A Galleria mellonella Oral Administration Model to Study Commensal-Induced Innate Immune Responses

The investigation of the immunogenic potential of commensal bacteria on the host immune system is one essential component when studying intestinal host-microbe interactions. It is well established that different commensals exhibit a different potential to stimulate the host intestinal immune system. Such investigations involve vertebrate animals, especially rodents. Since increasing ethical concerns are linked with experiments involving vertebrates, there is a high demand for invertebrate replacements models. 
Here, we provide a Galleria mellonella oral administration model using commensal non-pathogenic bacteria and the possible assessment of the immunogenic potential of commensals on the G. mellonella immune system. We demonstrate that G. mellonella is a useful alternative invertebrate replacement model that allows the analysis of commensals with different immunogenic potential such as Bacteroides vulgatus and Escherichia coli. Interestingly, the bacteria exhibited no killing effect on the larvae, which is similar to mammals. The immune responses of G. mellonella were comparable with vertebrate innate immune responses and involve recognition of the bacteria and production of antimicrobial molecules. We propose that G. mellonella was able to restore previous microbiota balance, which is well known from healthy mammalian individuals. Although providing comparable innate immune responses in both G. mellonella and vertebrates, G. mellonella does not harbor an adaptive immune system. Since the investigated components of the innate immune system are evolutionary conserved, the model allows a prescreening and first analysis of bacterial immunogenic properties.

A Galleria mellonella Oral Administration Model to Study Commensal-Induced Innate Immune Responses

Here, we provide a detailed protocol for an oral administration model using Galleria mellonella larvae and how to characterize induced innate immune responses. Using this protocol, researchers without practical experience will be able to use the G. mellonella force-feeding method.

The investigation of the immunogenic potential of commensal bacteria on the host immune system is one essential component when studying intestinal ...

Isolation of Tonsillar Mononuclear Cells to Study Ex Vivo Innate Immune Responses in a Human Mucosal Lymphoid Tissue

Studying isolated cells from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT) allows understanding of immune cells response in pathologies involving mucosal immunity, because they can model host-pathogen interactions in the tissue. While isolated cells derived from tissues were the first cell culture model, their use has been neglected because tissue can be hard to obtain. In the present protocol, we explain how to easily process and culture tonsillar mononuclear cells (TMCs) from healthy human tonsils to study innate immune responses upon activation, mimicking viral infection in mucosal tissues. Isolation of TMCs from the tonsils is quick, because the tonsils barely have any epithelium and yield up to billions of all major immune cell types. This method allows detection of cytokine production using several techniques, including immunoassays, qPCR, microscopy, flow cytometry, etc., similar to the use of peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from blood. Furthermore, TMCs show a higher sensitivity to drug testing than PBMCs, which needs to be considered for future toxicity assays. Thus, ex vivo TMCs cultures are an easy and accessible mucosal model.

In the present protocol, we explain how to easily process and culture tonsillar mononuclear cells from healthy humans undergoing partial surgical tonsillectomy to study innate immune responses upon activation, mimicking viral infection in mucosal tissues.

Studying isolated cells from mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT) allows understanding of immune cells response in pathologies involving mucosal ...

Microfluidic Co-Culture Models for Dissecting the Immune Response in in vitro Tumor Microenvironments

Complex disease models demand cutting-edge tools able to deliver physiologically and pathologically relevant, actionable insights, and unveil otherwise invisible processes. Advanced cell assays closely mimicking in vivo scenery are establishing themselves as novel ways to visualize and measure the bidirectional tumor-host interplay influencing the progression of cancer. Here we describe two versatile protocols to recreate highly controllable 2D and 3D co-cultures in microdevices, mimicking the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME), under natural and therapy-induced immunosurveillance. In section 1, an experimental setting is provided to monitor crosstalk between adherent tumor cells and floating immune populations, by bright field time-lapse microscopy. As an applicative scenario, we analyze the effects of anti-cancer treatments, such as the so-called immunogenic cancer cell death inducers on the recruitment and activation of immune cells. In section 2, 3D tumor-immune microenvironments are assembled in a competitive layout. Differential immune infiltration is monitored by fluorescence snapshots up to 72 h, to evaluate combination therapeutic strategies. In both settings, image processing steps are illustrated to extract a plethora of immune cell parameters (e.g., immune cell migration and interaction, response to therapeutic agents). These simple and powerful methods can be further tailored to simulate the complexity of the TME encompassing the heterogeneity and plasticity of cancer, stromal and immune cells subtypes, as well as their reciprocal interactions as drivers of cancer evolution. The compliance of these rapidly evolving technologies with live-cell high-content imaging can lead to the generation of large informative datasets, bringing forth new challenges. Indeed, the triangle &#39;&#39;co-cultures/microscopy/advanced data analysis&#34; sets the path towards a precise problem parametrization that may assist tailor-made therapeutic protocols. We expect that future integration of cancer-immune on-a-chip with artificial intelligence for high-throughput processing will synergize a large step forward in leveraging the capabilities as predictive and preclinical tools for precision and personalized oncology.

In the age of immunotherapy and single-cell genomic profiling, cancer biology requires novel in vitro and computational tools for investigating the tumor-immune interface in a proper spatiotemporal context. We describe protocols to exploit tumor-immune microfluidic co-cultures in 2D and 3D settings, compatible with dynamic, multiparametric monitoring of cellular functions.

Complex disease models demand cutting-edge tools able to deliver physiologically and pathologically relevant, actionable insights, and unveil otherwise ...