The authors are grateful to the Molecular Pathology and Imaging Core of the UPenn NIDDK Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases (P30 DK50306) for assistance with imaging.
This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01 DK-092111) and from the Fred and Suzanne Biesecker Pediatric Liver Center (to R.G.W.) and by a fellowship from the Childhood Liver Disease Research and Education Network (to S.K.).

The entire procedure is carried out at room temperature&#160;unless otherwise specified. All animal work should be carried out under humane conditions under a protocol approved by the local Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
1. Preparation of Equipment and Solutions
<ol>
	<li>Set up the mouse surgical table in close proximity to the tissue culture hood and incubator (Figure 1A). Note: Required equipment includes a dissecting microscope, a light source, 12.5 cm long straight iris scissors, 6 inch non serrated curved forceps with fine tips, and 4 inch serrated forceps with curved tips (Figure 1B).</li>
	<li>Place sterilized instruments in a glass beaker of 70% alcohol on the surgical table.</li>
	<li>Fill three sterile 60 mm Petri dishes with sterile isolation media (Table 1); place two on surgical table and one in hood, all on ice.</li>
	<li>Place rat tail collagen, sterile 10x phosphate buffered saline (PBS), sterile water, sterile 1 N NaOH and biliary epithelial cell (BEC) media (Table 1) in the tissue culture hood. Note: The collagen should be on ice.</li>
</ol>
2. Bile Duct Isolation and Culture
<ol>
	<li>Euthanize neonatal mice between 0-3 days of life, by exposure to carbon dioxide until unconscious followed by cervical dislocation, per IACUC guidelines (Figure 1C). 
	Note: older mice can be used depending on specific experimental needs.</li>
	<li>Place animal in the supine position and make a small horizontal incision crossing the midline in the region of the pelvis. Extend this incision laterally and up both sides of the abdomen, forming a U shaped flap. Turn flap up to expose the abdominal organs. Once the abdomen is open, carefully move the intestines out of the abdominal cavity towards the right side of the animal for better visualization of the liver and common bile duct. Note: it may be necessary to extend the lateral incisions into the ribcage to obtain better identification of the liver.</li>
	<li>Using the dissecting microscope, identify the common bile duct, liver, and intestines. Identify the common bile duct first (Figure 1D), using caution, as the structures are very delicate. With the serrated and non serrated forceps, meticulously clean and pick off the connective tissue including fat surrounding the bile. Use one forceps to hold the duct and the other to clean.</li>
	<li>Use a similar technique to clean the gallbladder.</li>
	<li>Place the cleaned ducts and gallbladder into the first dish of isolation media on ice. Gently massage the structures with the non serrated forceps while in the media to further remove connective tissue and remove bile from the gallbladder.</li>
	<li>Transfer ducts and gallbladder to the second dish of isolation media.</li>
	<li>After isolation of ducts and gallbladders from 5 animals, transfer the pieces to the third Petri dish, in the hood. Note: If cells are to be isolated from more than 5 animals, do in batches, using fresh solutions for each group of 5 animals.</li>
	<li>Prepare thick collagen gels in the tissue culture hood: 
	Note: any size dish can be used. A 60 mm culture dish with a final volume of 3 ml collagen for each group of 5 neonates works well. This should be prepared fresh at the time of embedding freshly isolated ducts.
	<ol>
		<li>Place rat tail collagen, sterile 10x phosphate buffered saline (10x PBS), sterile dH2O, and sterile 1 N NaOH on ice.</li>
		<li>Calculate the volumes of dH20, 10x PBS, NaOH, and collagen required for gels with a final concentration of 2 mg/ml collagen in 1x PBS, using a volume of 1 N NaOH equal to 0.023 times the volume of collagen added. Note: If alternate source of collagen is used, follow the manufacturer&#39;s instructions for neutralization and gel formation.</li>
		<li>Mix together dH20, 10x PBS, and 1 N NaOH, then add collagen and pipette well to ensure even mixing.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Once collagen solution has thickened to a gel like consistency at room temperature, immediately embed the ducts in the collagen.</li>
	<li>Place in the incubator at 37 &#176;C,&#160;5% CO2 for 30 min to enable the collagen to solidify.</li>
	<li>Once gel has solidified (color changes from clear to white), overlay with 3.5 ml of BEC media (Table 1) and incubate at 37 &#176;C,&#160;5% CO2.</li>
	<li>Remove BEC media 3 times per week and replace with 3.5 ml fresh media.</li>
</ol>
3. Isolating Primary Cholangiocytes from Thick Collagen Gels
Note: within 3 weeks, sheets of cholangiocytes (cells with large nuclei extending directly from embedded ducts) will be visible in the thick collagen. If there are large numbers of fibroblasts in the dish, it should be discarded. If a few regions of the dish have fibroblast growth, these can be cut out with a scalpel and removed prior to splitting the cholangiocytes.
<ol>
	<li>Prepare thin collagen gels:
	<ol>
		<li>Dilute collagen to a concentration of 1 mg/ml with sterile PBS. Note: use 1 ml for 100 mm plate; adjust accordingly for other size dishes.</li>
		<li>Spread the collagen solution evenly with a cell spreader (large dishes) or pipette tip (small dishes), then leave at room temperature for 10 min.</li>
		<li>Cover plate with DMEM/F12 and incubate at 37 &#176;C,&#160;5% CO2 for 10 min.</li>
		<li>Remove plate from incubator and wash with 1x PBS. Immediately aspirate the 1x PBS.</li>
		<li>Coat with a second thin layer of collagen, spreading by rotating the plate or placing plate on a shaker. Incubate at 37 &#176;C,&#160;5% CO2 for 10 min.</li>
		<li>After collagen has solidified, cover plate with DMEM/F12 and incubate at 37 &#176;C,&#160;5% CO2 for 30 min.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Split cells from thick collagen gels:
	<ol>
		<li>With cell culture spatula or cell scraper, scrape collagen gel gently off the plate so that it is floating.</li>
		<li>Prepare collagenase solution by diluting Type XI collagenase (see materials list) to 10 mg/ml with DMEM/F12. Mix well and sterile filter.</li>
		<li>Add 1 ml of collagenase solution (above) per 60 mm dish of cells in thick collagen. Do not remove the BEC media (which should be 3 ml). Incubate dish for 30 min at 37 &#176;C,&#160;5% CO2.</li>
		<li>Remove solution containing cells, and place in 15 ml conical tube.</li>
		<li>Spin down at 2,200 x g for 5 min. Discard the supernatant and re suspend pellet in similar volume of DMEM/F12.</li>
		<li>Spin solution again at 2,200 x g for 5 min. Remove supernatant.</li>
		<li>Resuspend pellet in 3 ml of 0.5% trypsin, and incubate at 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2 for 5 min. After incubation, pipette the solution up and down to break up the sheets of cholangiocytes. Add 5 ml of BEC media and spin solution at 1,500 x g for 5 min.</li>
		<li>Remove supernatant, and resuspend pellet in DMEM/F12, then spin solution at 1,500 x g for 5 min.</li>
		<li>Remove supernatant and re suspend pellet in BEC media (Table 1). Plate cells on previously made thin collagen gels.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
4. Passage and Storage of Cells
Note: cells on thin collagen gels can be split as needed.
<ol>
	<li>Wash plates with sterile PBS prior to incubating in 0.25% trypsin at 37 &#176;C for 10-15 min.</li>
	<li>Neutralize with an equal volume of BEC media, and pellet at 1,500 x g for 5 min. Rinse pellet with DMEM/F12, then pellet at 1,500 x g for 5 min.</li>
	<li>Resuspend cells in BEC media for distribution to collagen coated cell culture dishes. 
	Note: Alternatively, cells can be resuspended in storage media and stored in a -80 &#176;C freezer or liquid nitrogen (Table 1).</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Paradis, K., Sharp, H. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+duct-like+structure+formation+after+isolation+of+bile+ductular+cells+from+a+murine+model.">In vitro duct-like structure formation after isolation of bile ductular cells from a murine model.</a> J. Lab. Clin. Med. 113 (6), 689-694 (1989).</li><li>Vroman, B., LaRusso, N. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+and+characterization+of+polarized+primary+cultures+of+rat+intrahepatic+bile+duct+epithelial+cells.">Development and characterization of polarized primary cultures of rat intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells.</a> Lab. Invest. 74 (1), 303-313 (1996).</li><li>Kumar, U., Jordan, T. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+and+culture+of+biliary+epithelial+cells+from+the+biliary+tract+fraction+of+normal+rats.">Isolation and culture of biliary epithelial cells from the biliary tract fraction of normal rats.</a> Liver. 6 (6), 369-378 (1986).</li><li>Ishii, M., Vromen, B., LaRusso, N. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+and+morphologic+characterization+of+bile+duct+epithelial+cells+from+normal+rat+liver.">Isolation and morphologic characterization of bile duct epithelial cells from normal rat liver.</a> Gastroenterology. 97 (5), 1236-1247 (1989).</li><li>Strazzabosco, M., Fabris, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+the+bile+ducts:+Essentials+for+the+clinical+hepatologist.">Development of the bile ducts: Essentials for the clinical hepatologist.</a> J. Hepatol. 56 (5), 1159-1170 (2012).</li><li>Carpentier, R., 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=Embryonic+ductal+plate+cells+give+rise+to+cholangiocytes,+periportal+hepatocytes,+and+adult+liver+progenitor+cells.">Embryonic ductal plate cells give rise to cholangiocytes, periportal hepatocytes, and adult liver progenitor cells.</a> Gastroenterology. 141 (4), 1432-1438 (2011).</li><li>Cho, W. K., Mennon, A., Boyer, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Isolation+of+functional+polarized+bile+duct+units+from+mouse+liver.">Isolation of functional polarized bile duct units from mouse liver.</a> Am. J. Physiol. Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 280 (2), (2001).</li><li>Karjoo, S., Hand, N. J., Loarca, L., Russo, P. A., Friedman, J. R., Wells, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Extra-hepatic+cholangiocyte+cilia+are+abnormal+in+biliary+atresia.">Extra-hepatic cholangiocyte cilia are abnormal in biliary atresia.</a> J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr. 57 (1), 96-101 (2013).</li><li>Sutton, M. E., op den Dries, S., Koster, M. H., Lisman, T., Gouw, A. S., Porte, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regeneration+of+human+extrahepatic+biliary+epithelium:+the+peribiliary+glands+as+progenitor+cell+compartment.">Regeneration of human extrahepatic biliary epithelium: the peribiliary glands as progenitor cell compartment.</a> Liver Int. 32 (4), 554-559 (2012).</li><li>Cardinale, V., 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=Multipotent+stem/progenitor+cells+in+human+biliary+tree+give+rise+to+hepatocytes,+cholangiocytes,+and+pancreatic+islets.">Multipotent stem/progenitor cells in human biliary tree give rise to hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, and pancreatic islets.</a> Hepatology. 54 (6), 2159-2172 (2011).</li></ol>

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Described here is a technique to isolate pure cholangiocytes from the extrahepatic bile ducts of mice of mice of all ages, including neonates. The technique offers the advantage that extrahepatic cholangiocytes can be studied separately from intrahepatic cholangiocytes, and may facilitate studies to identify key differences between these populations of cells. We recently published a study demonstrating decreased cilia in extrahepatic cholangiocytes isolated by this method and infected with rhesus rotavirus8. D...

The origin and development of intra and extrahepatic cholangiocytes are markedly different. The liver develops from a diverticulum of the ventral foregut endoderm5. The caudal region of the diverticulum forms the extrahepatic biliary tree, while the cranial region generates the intrahepatic biliary tree5. Intrahepatic duct cholangiocytes are derived from progenitor cells around the ductal plate in the peri portal regions6. These cells have the ability to differentiate into either hepatocytes or cholangiocytes6. This has significant clinical implications given that cholangiopathies may specifically target one category of cholangiocytes. For example, biliary atresia initially affects the extrahepatic ducts of the neonate, while Alagille Syndrome affects intrahepatic ducts.
There are multiple descriptions of the isolation of intrahepatic cholangiocytes and bile duct units from mice and rats. Investigators have isolated single cells by duct isolation and subsequent outgrowth, or by liver digestion and antibody pull down of cholangiocytes expressing specific cell surface markers1-4. Functional and polarized bile duct units have been isolated by liver digestion and size filtration7. Bile duct units are capable of responding to secretory stimuli and demonstrate fluid secretion7, while isolated cholangiocytes have been shown to develop ductular structures in vitro1,2. Limitations of these methods include the need for specialized technical expertise and special equipment for liver perfusion with digestive enzymes. In addition, there is a risk of contamination with mesenchymal cells3.
A method to isolate extrahepatic bile duct cholangiocytes, specifically from neonatal extrahepatic bile ducts, has not been previously described. This paper outlines a simplified technique to isolate neonatal as well as adult extrahepatic bile duct cells at high levels of purity. This technique will facilitate the study of differences between intra and extrahepatic cholangiocytes and research into mechanisms of diseases like biliary atresia that involve the extrahepatic ducts.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:943px;" width="942">
	<colgroup>
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Name of Material/Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">DMEM/F12 (1:1)</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Gibco/ Life technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">11320-033</td>
			<td>500ml, used in BEC media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">FBS</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Atlanta Biologicals</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">S11150</td>
			<td>25 ml, used in BEC media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">MEM with non-essential amino acids</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Gibco/ Life technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">11140-019</td>
			<td>5 ml, used in BEC media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Insulin-transferrin-selenium</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Gibco/ Life technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">51300-044</td>
			<td>5 ml, used in BEC media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Na Pyruvate</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Cellgro</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">25-000-CL</td>
			<td>5ml, used in BEC media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Chemically-defined lipid concentrate</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Gibco/ Life technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">11905-031</td>
			<td>5ml, used in BEC media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Penicillin-Streptomycin</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Cellgro</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">30-002-CI</td>
			<td>5ml, used in BEC media and 500 ul in the isolation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Gentamicin</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Gibco/ Life technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">15750-060</td>
			<td>0.2ml, used in BEC media and 500 ul in the isolation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Ethanolamine</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">E9508-100ml</td>
			<td>0.13ml, used in BEC media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">MEM vitamin solution</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Gibco/ Life technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">11120-052</td>
			<td>5ml, used in BEC media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Soybean trypsin inhibitor</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Biowhittaker</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">17-605E</td>
			<td>5ml, used in BEC media. Solvent is PBS, mix to 5mg/ml stock concentration</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">L-glutamine</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Cellgro</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">25-005-CL</td>
			<td>5ml, used in BEC media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Bovine pituitary extract</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Gemini</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">500-102</td>
			<td>1.1ml, used in BEC media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Dexamethasone</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">D4902</td>
			<td>0.5ml, used in BEC media, Stock conc 393ug/ml dilute with ethanol</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">3 3&#39;,5-triiodo-L-thyronine</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">T6397</td>
			<td>0.5ml, used in BEC media, Stock conc 3.4 mg/ml dilute with ethanol</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Epidermal growth factor</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">millipore</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">01-101</td>
			<td>0.5ml, used in BEC media, 25ug/ml dilute with DMEM F12+1%BSA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Forskolin</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">F6886</td>
			<td>5ml, used in BEC media, use at stock concentration of 0.411mg/ml and dilute with DMSO</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Fungizone</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Gibco/ Life technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">15290-018</td>
			<td>1ml, used in BEC media and 500 ul in the isolation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Rat-tail collagen</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">BD Biosciences</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:119px;">354236</td>
			<td>variable depending on concentration of collagen</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">PBS 10X</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">USB Corporation</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:119px;">75889</td>
			<td>use at 10x, sterlie, used to make collagen, amount used depends on collagen concentration</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">dH2O</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">N/A</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">N/A</td>
			<td>sterile, used to make collagen, amount used depends on collagen concentration</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">NaOH 10N</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Fischer Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">ss255-1</td>
			<td>Dilute to 1N, sterile, used to make collagen, amount used depends on collagen concentration</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:335px;">collagenase type XI from Clostridium histolyticum</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">C7657</td>
			<td>dilute in DMEM and sterile filter before use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">trypsin-EDTA (1x) 0.25%</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Gibco/ Life technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">25200-056</td>
			<td>3 ml, incubate max 10 minutes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">trypsin-EDTA (10x) 0.5%</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Gibco/ Life technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">15400-054</td>
			<td>3 ml, incubate max 10 minutes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;"></td>
			<td style="width:323px;"></td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">Dissecting microscope</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Nikon</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">SMZ645</td>
			<td>Other models acceptable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:335px;">Light source (fiberoptic illuminator)</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Schott-Fostec</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Ace EKE LR 92240</td>
			<td>Other models acceptable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">12.5 cm straight iris scissors</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Kent Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Other models acceptable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">6&#34; non-serrated curved forceps with fine tips</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Other models acceptable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:335px;">4&#34; serrated stainless forceps with fine tips</td>
			<td style="width:323px;">Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>Other models acceptable</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

isolation of neonatal extrahepatic cholangiocytes

The intra and extrahepatic bile ducts of the liver are developmentally distinct, and may be differentially affected by certain diseases. However, differences between intra and extrahepatic cholangiocytes, and between neonatal and adult cells, are not well understood.
Methods for the isolation of cholangiocytes from intrahepatic bile ducts are well established1-4. Isolation of extrahepatic ductal cells, especially from the neonate, has not yet been described, although this would be of great benefit in understanding the differences between distinct cholangiocyte populations and in studying diseases such as biliary atresia that appear to target the extrahepatic ducts. Described here is an optimized technique to isolate both neonatal and adult mouse extrahepatic bile duct cells. This technique yields a pure cell population with minimal contamination from mesenchymal cells like fibroblasts.
This method is based on the removal of the extrahepatic ducts and gallbladder, followed by meticulous dissection and scraping to remove fat and fibroblast layers. Structures are embedded in thick layers of collagen and cultured for approximately 3 weeks to allow outgrowth of cholangiocytes in monolayers, which can then be trypsinized and re plated for experimental use.

The use of this protocol results in the isolation of a population of neonatal mouse extrahepatic cholangiocytes with excellent purity, as demonstrated by K19 immunofluorescence staining (Figures 2A and 2B); we achieve similar results isolating cells from adult mice. We have observed that it takes 3 weeks for cells from freshly isolated bile ducts to form monolayers on thick collagen gels. The cholangiocytes grow in a linear fashion throughout the thick collagen, forming sheets of cells from the isolated ...

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Isolation of Neonatal Extrahepatic Cholangiocytes

A technique to isolate cholangiocytes from the extrahepatic bile ducts of neonatal mice is described. The ducts are meticulously dissected, and then cells are isolated by outgrowth in thick collagen gels. This method provides a useful tool for studying extrahepatic bile duct development and pathology.

The intra and extrahepatic bile ducts of the liver are developmentally distinct, and may be differentially affected by certain diseases. However, ...

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Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

10.2K Views.  The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. A technique to isolate cholangiocytes from the extrahepatic bile ducts of neonatal mice is described. The ducts are meticulously dissected, and then cells are isolated by outgrowth in thick collagen gels. This method provides a useful tool for studying extrahepatic bile duct development and pathology. 

Video: Isolation of Neonatal Extrahepatic Cholangiocytes

Isolation of Valvular Endothelial Cells

Heart valves are solely responsible for maintaining unidirectional blood flow through the cardiovascular system. These thin, fibrous tissues are subjected to significant mechanical stresses as they open and close several billion times over a lifespan. The incredible endurance of these tissues is due to the resident valvular endothelial (VEC) and interstitial cells (VIC) that constantly repair and remodel in response to local mechanical and biological signals. Only recently have we begun to understand the unique behaviors of these cells, for which in vitro experimentation has played a key role. Particularly challenging is the isolation and culture of VEC. Special care must be used from the moment the tissue is removed from the host through final plating. Here we present protocols for direct isolation, side specific isolation, culture, and verification of pure populations of VEC. We use enzymatic digestion followed by a gentle swab scraping technique to dislodge only surface cells. These cells are then collected into a tube and centrifuged into a pellet. The pellet is then resuspended and plated into culture flasks pre-coated with collagen I matrix. VEC phenotype is confirmed by contact inhibited growth and the expression of endothelial specific markers such as PECAM1 (CD31), Von Willebrand Factor (vWF), and negative expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (&alpha;-SMA). The functional characteristics of VEC are associated with high levels of acetylated LDL. Unlike vascular endothelial cells, VEC have the unique capacity to transform into mesenchyme, which normally occurs during embryonic valve formation1. This can also occur during significantly prolonged post confluent in vitro culture, so care should be made to passage at or near confluence. After VEC isolation, pure populations of VIC can then be easily acquired.

We provide a method for isolating and culturing pure populations of heart valve endothelial cells (VEC). VEC can be isolated from either side of the cusp or leaflet and immediately following, underlying interstitial cell (VIC) isolation is straightforward.

Heart valves are solely responsible for maintaining unidirectional blood flow through the cardiovascular system.  These thin, fibrous tissues are ...

Isolation and Culture of Pulmonary Endothelial Cells from Neonatal Mice

Endothelial cells provide a useful research model in many areas of vascular biology. Since its first isolation 1, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) have shown to be convenient, easy to obtain and culture, and thus are the most widely studied endothelial cells. However, for research focused on processes like angiogenesis, permeability or many others, microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) are a much more physiologically relevant model to study 2. Furthermore, ECs isolated from knockout mice provide a useful tool for analysis of protein function ex vivo. Several approaches to isolate and culture microvascular ECs of different origin have been reported to date 3-7, but consistent isolation and culture of pure ECs is still a major technical problem in many laboratories. Here, we provide a step-by-step protocol on a reliable and relatively simple method of isolating and culturing mouse lung endothelial cells (MLECs). In this approach, lung tissue obtained from 6- to 8-day old pups is first cut into pieces, digested with collagenase/dispase (C/D) solution and dispersed mechanically into single-cell suspension. MLECS are purified from cell suspension using positive selection with anti-PECAM-1 antibody conjugated to Dynabeads using a Magnetic Particle Concentrator (MPC). Such purified cells are cultured on gelatin-coated tissue culture (TC) dishes until they become confluent. At that point, cells are further purified using Dynabeads coupled to anti-ICAM-2 antibody. MLECs obtained with this protocol exhibit a cobblestone phenotype, as visualized by phase-contrast light microscopy, and their endothelial phenotype has been confirmed using FACS analysis with anti-VE-cadherin 8 and anti-VEGFR2 9 antibodies and immunofluorescent staining of VE-cadherin. In our hands, this two-step isolation procedure consistently and reliably yields a pure population of MLECs, which can be further cultured. This method will enable researchers to take advantage of the growing number of knockout and transgenic mice to directly correlate in vivo studies with results of in vitro experiments performed on isolated MLECs and thus help to reveal molecular mechanisms of vascular phenotypes observed in vivo.

Here, we describe a protocol for isolation and culture of murine pulmonary endothelial cells. This method comprises mechanic and enzymatic lung tissue dissociation as well as a 2-step purification process using anti-PECAM-1 and anti-ICAM-2 antibodies conjugated to magnetic beads, which produces a pure endothelial cell population of mostly microvascular origin.

Endothelial cells provide a useful research model in many areas of vascular biology. Since its first isolation 1, human umbilical vein endothelial cells ...

Isolation of Drosophila melanogaster Testes

The testes of Drosophila melanogaster provide an important model for the study of stem cell maintenance and differentiation, meiosis, and soma-germline interactions. Testes are typically isolated from adult males 0-3 days after eclosion from the pupal case. The testes of wild-type flies are easily distinguished from other tissues because they are yellow, but the testes of white mutant flies, a common genetic background for laboratory experiments are similar in both shape and color to the fly gut. Performing dissection on a glass microscope slide with a black background makes identifying the testes considerably easier. Testes are removed from the flies using dissecting needles. Compared to protocols that use forceps for testes dissection, our method is far quicker, allowing a well-practiced individual to dissect testes from 200-300 wild-type flies per hour, yielding 400-600 testes. Testes from white flies or from mutants that reduce testes size are harder to dissect and typically yield 200-400 testes per hour.

Isolation of Drosophila melanogaster Testes

Drosophila melanogaster testes can be rapidly and efficiently isolated from adult males using dissecting needles. With practice, one can readily isolate in one or two days an amount of testes sufficient for the analysis of DNA or RNA by high throughput sequencing or more traditional molecular biology methods or of protein for antibody- or enzyme-based assays.

The testes of Drosophila melanogaster provide an important model for the study of stem cell maintenance and differentiation, meiosis, and soma-germline ...

Isolation and Culture of Neonatal Mouse Cardiomyocytes

Cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes have long been used to study myofibrillogenesis and myofibrillar functions. Cultured cardiomyocytes allow for easy investigation and manipulation of biochemical pathways, and their effect on the biomechanical properties of spontaneously beating cardiomyocytes.	
The following 2-day protocol describes the isolation and culture of neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes. We show how to easily dissect hearts from neonates, dissociate the cardiac tissue and enrich cardiomyocytes from the cardiac cell-population. We discuss the usage of different enzyme mixes for cell-dissociation, and their effects on cell-viability. The isolated cardiomyocytes can be subsequently used for a variety of morphological, electrophysiological, biochemical, cell-biological or biomechanical assays. We optimized the protocol for robustness and reproducibility, by using only commercially available solutions and enzyme mixes that show little lot-to-lot variability. We also address common problems associated with the isolation and culture of cardiomyocytes, and offer a variety of options for the optimization of isolation and culture conditions.

Primary mouse cardiomyocyte cultures are one of the pivotal tools for the investigation of myofibrillar organization and function. The following protocol describes the isolation and culture of primary cardiomyocytes from neonatal mouse hearts. The resulting cardiomyocyte cultures may be subsequently used for a variety of biomechanical, biochemical and cell-biological assays.

Cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes have long been used to study  myofibrillogenesis and myofibrillar functions. Cultured cardiomyocytes allow  for easy ...

Isolation of Embryonic Ventricular Endothelial Cells

Cell culture has greatly enhanced our ability to assess individual populations of cells under myriad culture conditions. While immortalized cell lines offer significant advantages for their ease of use, these cell lines are unavailable for all potential cell types. By isolating primary cells from a specific region of interest, particularly from a transgenic mouse, more nuanced studies can be performed. The basic technique involves dissecting the organ or partial organ of interest (e.g. the heart or a specific region of the heart) and dissociating the organ to single cells. These cells are then incubated with magnetic beads conjugated to an antibody that recognizes the cell type of interest. The cells of interest can then be isolated with the use of a magnet, with a short trypsin incubation dissociating the cells from the beads. These isolated cells can then be cultured and analyzed as desired. This technique was originally designed for adult mouse organs but can be easily scaled down for use with embryonic organs, as demonstrated herein. Because our interest is in the developing coronary vasculature, we wanted to study this population of cells during specific embryonic stages. Thus, the original protocol had to be modified to be compatible with the small size of the embryonic ventricles and the low potential yield of endothelial cells at these developmental stages. Utilizing this scaled-down approach, we have assessed coronary plexus remodeling in transgenic embryonic ventricular endothelial cells.

Primary cell culture is a useful technique for analyzing specific populations of cells, particularly from transgenic mouse embryos at specific developmental stages. Herein, embryonic ventricles are dissected and dissociated, and antibody-conjugated beads recognize and separate out the endothelial cells for further analysis.

Cell culture has greatly enhanced our ability to assess individual populations of cells under myriad culture conditions. While immortalized cell lines ...

Isolation of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells from Neonatal Mice

Pulmonary hypertension is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in infants. Historically, there has been significant study of the signaling pathways involved in vascular smooth muscle contraction in PASMC from fetal sheep. While sheep make an excellent model of term pulmonary hypertension, they are very expensive and lack the advantage of genetic manipulation found in mice. Conversely, the inability to isolate PASMC from mice was a significant limitation of that system. Here we described the isolation of primary cultures of mouse PASMC from P7, P14, and P21 mice using a variation of the previously described technique of Marshall et al.26 that was previously used to isolate rat PASMC. These murine PASMC represent a novel tool for the study of signaling pathways in the neonatal period. Briefly, a slurry of 0.5% (w/v) agarose + 0.5% iron particles in M199 media is infused into the pulmonary vascular bed via the right ventricle (RV). The iron particles are 0.2 &#956;M in diameter and cannot pass through the pulmonary capillary bed. Thus, the iron lodges in the small pulmonary arteries (PA). The lungs are inflated with agarose, removed and dissociated. The iron-containing vessels are pulled down with a magnet. After collagenase (80 U/ml) treatment and further dissociation, the vessels are put into a tissue culture dish in M199 media containing 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS), and antibiotics (M199 complete media) to allow cell migration onto the culture dish. This initial plate of cells is a 50-50 mixture of fibroblasts and PASMC. Thus, the pull down procedure is repeated multiple times to achieve a more pure PASMC population and remove any residual iron. Smooth muscle cell identity is confirmed by immunostaining for smooth muscle myosin and desmin.

We have developed a novel and reproducible technique to isolate primary cultures of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) from mice as young as P7, thereby allowing better study of the signaling pathways involved in neonatal smooth muscle cell contraction and relaxation.

Pulmonary hypertension is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in infants. Historically, there has been significant study of the signaling ...

Live Cell Imaging of Primary Rat Neonatal Cardiomyocytes Following Adenoviral and Lentiviral Transduction Using Confocal Spinning Disk Microscopy

Primary rat neonatal cardiomyocytes are useful in basic in vitro cardiovascular research because they can be easily isolated in large numbers in a single procedure. Due to advances in microscope technology it is relatively easy to capture live cell images for the purpose of investigating cellular events in real time with minimal concern regarding phototoxicity to the cells. This protocol describes how to take live cell timelapse images of primary rat neonatal cardiomyocytes using a confocal spinning disk microscope following lentiviral and adenoviral transduction to modulate properties of the cell. The application of two different types of viruses makes it easier to achieve an appropriate transduction rate and expression levels for two different genes. Well focused live cell images can be obtained using the microscope&#8217;s autofocus system, which maintains stable focus for long time periods. Applying this method, the functions of exogenously engineered proteins expressed in cultured primary cells can be analyzed. Additionally, this system can be used to examine the functions of genes through the use of siRNAs as well as of chemical modulators.

This protocol describes a method of live cell imaging using primary rat neonatal cardiomyocytes following lentiviral and adenoviral transduction using confocal spinning disk microscopy. This enables detailed observations of cellular processes in living cardiomyocytes.

Primary rat neonatal cardiomyocytes are useful in basic in vitro cardiovascular research because they can be easily isolated in large numbers in a single ...

Isolation of Murine Valve Endothelial Cells

Normal valve structures consist of stratified layers of specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) interspersed with valve interstitial cells (VICs) and surrounded by a monolayer of valve endothelial cells (VECs). VECs play essential roles in establishing the valve structures during embryonic development, and are important for maintaining life-long valve integrity and function. In contrast to a continuous endothelium over the surface of healthy valve leaflets, VEC disruption is commonly observed in malfunctioning valves and is associated with pathological processes that promote valve disease and dysfunction. Despite the clinical relevance, focused studies determining the contribution of VECs to development and disease processes are limited. The isolation of VECs from animal models would allow for cell-specific experimentation. VECs have been isolated from large animal adult models but due to their small population size, fragileness, and lack of specific markers, no reports of VEC isolations in embryos or adult small animal models have been reported. Here we describe a novel method that allows for the direct isolation of VECs from mice at embryonic and adult stages. Utilizing the Tie2-GFP reporter model that labels all endothelial cells with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), we have been successful in isolating GFP-positive (and negative) cells from the semilunar and atrioventricular valve regions using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). Isolated GFP-positive VECs are enriched for endothelial markers, including CD31 and von Willebrand Factor (vWF), and retain endothelial cell expression when cultured; while, GFP-negative cells exhibit molecular profiles and cell shapes consistent with VIC phenotypes. The ability to isolate embryonic and adult murine VECs allows for previously unattainable molecular and functional studies to be carried out on a specific valve cell population, which will greatly improve our understanding of valve development and disease mechanisms.

The ability to isolate heart valve endothelial cells (VECs) is critical for understanding mechanisms of valve development, maintenance, and disease. Here we describe the isolation of VECs from embryonic and adult Tie2-GFP mice using FACS that will allow for studies determining the contribution of VECs in developmental and disease processes.

Normal valve structures consist of stratified layers of specialized extracellular matrix (ECM) interspersed with valve interstitial cells (VICs) and ...

Intravenous Injections in Neonatal Mice

Intravenous injection is a clinically applicable manner to deliver therapeutics. For adult rodents and larger animals, intravenous injections are technically feasible and routine. However, some mouse models can have early onset of disease with a rapid progression that makes administration of potential therapies difficult. The temporal (or facial) vein is just anterior to the ear bud in mice and is clearly visible for the first two days after birth on either side of the head using a dissecting microscope. During this window, the temporal vein can be injected with volumes up to 50 &#956;l. The injection is safe and well tolerated by both the pups and the dams. A typical injection procedure is completed within 1-2 min, after which the pup is returned to the home cage. By the third postnatal day the vein is difficult to visualize and the injection procedure becomes technically unreliable. This technique has been used for delivery of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, which in turn can provide almost body-wide, stable transgene expression for the life of the animal depending on the viral serotype chosen.

Animal models of pediatric disease can experience early onset and aggressive disease progression. Clinically relevant therapy delivery to young mouse models can be technically difficult. This protocol describes a non-invasive intravenous injection method for newborn mice within the first two postnatal days of life.

Intravenous injection is a clinically applicable manner to deliver therapeutics. For adult rodents and larger animals, intravenous injections are ...

Isolation and Culture of Primary Mouse Keratinocytes from Neonatal and Adult Mouse Skin

The keratinocyte (KC) is the predominant cell type in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. Epidermal KCs play a critical role in providing skin defense by forming an intact skin barrier against environmental insults, such as UVB irradiation or pathogens, and also by initiating an inflammatory response upon those insults. Here we describe methods to isolate KCs from neonatal mouse skin and from adult mouse tail skin. We also describe culturing conditions using defined growth supplements (dGS) in comparison to chelexed fetal bovine serum (cFBS). Functionally, we show that both neonatal and adult KCs are highly responsive to high calcium-induced terminal differentiation, tight junction formation and stratification. Additionally, cultured adult KCs are susceptible to UVB-triggered cell death and can release large amounts of TNF upon UVB irradiation. Together, the methods described here will be useful to researchers for the setup of in vitro models to study epidermal biology in the neonatal mouse and/or the adult mouse.

Epidermal keratinocytes form a functional skin barrier and are positioned at the front line of host defense against external environmental insults. Here we describe methods for isolation and primary culture of epidermal keratinocytes from neonatal and adult mouse skin, and induction of terminal differentiation and UVB-triggered inflammatory response from keratinocytes.

The keratinocyte (KC) is the predominant cell type in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. Epidermal KCs play a critical role in providing skin ...