This work was supported by grants from the St, Joseph&#8217;s Foundation (AJF, LJI) and American Lung Association, RG-224607-N (LJI).

1. Cell Line Maintenance
<ol>
	<li>Immortalized Human BE high-grade dysplastic (CP-B, CP-C, CP-D) and metaplastic (CP-A) cell lines by stable transfection of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) protein11.</li>
	<li>Maintain BE cell lines in keratinocyte media supplemented with bovine pituitary extract (BPE), epidermal growth factor (EGF), 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), nonessential amino acids (NEAA), penicillin-streptomycin-neomycin (PSN), and standard tissue culture conditions (37 &#176;C, 5% C...

<ol>
	<li>Reid, B. J., Li, X., Galipeau, P. C., Vaughan, T. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Barrett's+oesophagus+and+oesophageal+adenocarcinoma:+time+for+a+new+synthesis.">Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma: time for a new synthesis.</a> Nat. Rev. Cancer. 10, 87-101 (2010).</li><li>Hayeck, T. J., Kong, C. Y., Spechler, S. J., Gazelle, G. S., Hur, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+prevalence+of+Barrett's+esophagus+in+the+US:+estimates+from+a+simulation+model+confirmed+by+SEER+data.">The prevalence of Barrett's esophagus in the US: estimates from a simulation model confirmed by SEER data.</a> Dis. Esophagus. 23, 451-457 (2010).</li><li>Brown, L. M., Devesa, S. S., Chow, W. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Incidence+of+adenocarcinoma+of+the+esophagus+among+white+Americans+by+sex,+stage,+and+age.">Incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus among white Americans by sex, stage, and age.</a> J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 100, 1184-1187 (2008).</li><li>Konturek, P. C., Burnat, G., Hahn, E. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Inhibition+of+Barret's+adenocarcinoma+cell+growth+by+simvastatin:+involvement+of+COX-2+and+apoptosis-related+proteins.">Inhibition of Barret's adenocarcinoma cell growth by simvastatin: involvement of COX-2 and apoptosis-related proteins.</a> J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 58 Suppl 3, 141-148 (2007).</li><li>Peng, D., 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=Glutathione+peroxidase+7+protects+against+oxidative+DNA+damage+in+oesophageal+cells.">Glutathione peroxidase 7 protects against oxidative DNA damage in oesophageal cells.</a> Gut. 61, 1250-1260 (2012).</li><li>Vona-Davis, L., 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=MAPK+and+PI3K+inhibition+reduces+proliferation+of+Barrett's+adenocarcinoma+in+vitro.">MAPK and PI3K inhibition reduces proliferation of Barrett's adenocarcinoma in vitro.</a> Surg. Res. 127, 53-58 (2005).</li><li>Inge, L. J., 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=a+small+molecule+inhibitor+of+the+Src+kinase,+reduces+the+growth+and+activates+apoptosis+in+pre-neoplastic+Barrett's+esophagus+cell+lines:+evidence+for+a+noninvasive+treatment+of+high-grade+dysplasia.">a small molecule inhibitor of the Src kinase, reduces the growth and activates apoptosis in pre-neoplastic Barrett's esophagus cell lines: evidence for a noninvasive treatment of high-grade dysplasia.</a> Thoracic Cardiovasc. Surg. 145, 531-538 (2013).</li><li>Jovov, B., 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=Ion+transport+and+barrier+function+in+a+telomerase-immortalized+human+nondysplastic,+Barrett's+cell+line+(BAR-T).">Ion transport and barrier function in a telomerase-immortalized human nondysplastic, Barrett's cell line (BAR-T).</a> Dis. Esophagus. 22, 386-395 (2009).</li><li>Merlo, L. M., Kosoff, R. E., Gardiner, K. L., Maley, C. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+in+vitro+co-culture+model+of+esophageal+cells+identifies+ascorbic+acid+as+a+modulator+of+cell+competition.">An in vitro co-culture model of esophageal cells identifies ascorbic acid as a modulator of cell competition.</a> BMC Cancer. 11, 461 (2011).</li><li>Zhang, H. Y., Hormi-Carver, K., Zhang, X., Spechler, S. J., Souza, R. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+benign+Barrett's+epithelial+cells,+acid+exposure+generates+reactive+oxygen+species+that+cause+DNA+double-strand+breaks.">In benign Barrett's epithelial cells, acid exposure generates reactive oxygen species that cause DNA double-strand breaks.</a> Cancer Res. 69, 9083-9089 (2009).</li><li>Palanca-Wessels, M. C. A., 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=Extended+lifespan+of+Barrett's+esophagus+epithelium+transduced+with+the+human+telomerase+catalytic+subunit:+a+useful+in+vitro+model.">Extended lifespan of Barrett's esophagus epithelium transduced with the human telomerase catalytic subunit: a useful in vitro model.</a> Carcinogenesis. 24, 1183-1190 (2003).</li><li>Kumble, S., Omary, M. B., Cartwright, C. A., Triadafilopoulos, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Src+activation+in+malignant+and+premalignant+epithelia+of+Barrett's+esophagus.">Src activation in malignant and premalignant epithelia of Barrett's esophagus.</a> Gastroenterology. 112, 348-356 (1997).</li><li>Inge, L. J., 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=alpha-Catenin+overrides+Src-dependent+activation+of+beta-catenin+oncogenic+signaling.">alpha-Catenin overrides Src-dependent activation of beta-catenin oncogenic signaling.</a> Mol. Cancer Ther. 7, 1386-1397 (2008).</li><li>Coluccia, A. M. L., 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=SKI-606+Decreases+Growth+and+Motility+of+Colorectal+Cancer+Cells+by+Preventing+pp60(c-Src)-Dependent+Tyrosine+Phosphorylation+of+&#946;-Catenin+and+Its+Nuclear+Signaling.">SKI-606 Decreases Growth and Motility of Colorectal Cancer Cells by Preventing pp60(c-Src)-Dependent Tyrosine Phosphorylation of &#946;-Catenin and Its Nuclear Signaling.</a> Cancer Res. 66, 2279-2286 (2006).</li><li>Nam, J. -. S., Ino, Y., Sakamoto, M., Hirohashi, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Src+Family+Kinase+Inhibitor+PP2+Restores+the+E-Cadherin/Catenin+Cell+Adhesion+System+in+Human+Cancer+Cells+and+Reduces+Cancer+Metastasis.">Src Family Kinase Inhibitor PP2 Restores the E-Cadherin/Catenin Cell Adhesion System in Human Cancer Cells and Reduces Cancer Metastasis.</a> Clin. Cancer Res. 8, 2430-2436 (2002).</li><li>Chu, I., 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=p27+phosphorylation+by+Src+regulates+inhibition+of+cyclin+E-Cdk2.">p27 phosphorylation by Src regulates inhibition of cyclin E-Cdk2.</a> Cell. 128, 281-294 (2007).</li><li>Inge, L. J., 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=Soluble+E-cadherin+promotes+cell+survival+by+activating+epidermal+growth+factor+receptor.">Soluble E-cadherin promotes cell survival by activating epidermal growth factor receptor.</a> Exp. Res. 317, 838-848 (2011).</li><li>Gan, Y., 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=Differential+roles+of+ERK+and+Akt+pathways+in+regulation+of+EGFR-mediated+signaling+and+motility+in+prostate+cancer+cells.">Differential roles of ERK and Akt pathways in regulation of EGFR-mediated signaling and motility in prostate cancer cells.</a> Oncogene. 29, 4947-4958 (2010).</li></ol>

The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

We have outlined a method for application of IF of BE cells towards elucidating the physiological effects of targeted therapies upon these cells. While we have described the use of these procedures towards BE cells, we have found that these methods are also applicable to a variety of different cell types13,17,18. Further, these procedures can be altered in several ways to optimize staining for specific targets.
We find one parameter that has a direct effect upon proper IF is the cho...

Barrett&#8217;s esophagus (BE) is a metaplastic change in the normal squamous epithelium of the esophagus and a consequence of chronic exposure to the gastric contents resulting from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)1. BE is thought to be a protective mechanism in response to GERD, however the presence of BE imparts an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), a disease which carries a significantly poor survival1. Current estimates suggest that up to 5.6% of the American population have BE, however as BE is often asymptomatic, it is thought that the majority of BE remains undiagnosed2. As incidence rates of both GERD and EAC have seen continued growth3, it has become important to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in progression of BE to EAC, particularly as this information could potentially provide therapeutic approaches towards preventing progression of BE to EAC.
Patient directed studies have resulted in the current paradigm of BE-EAC pathogenesis1. Chronic inflammation, injury, and genotoxic damage resulting from prolonged exposure to gastric contents exert selective pressure on the BE lesion promoting neoplastic progression to EAC. A number of genetic alterations have been identified during BE to EAC progression. However, despite this there is a distinct lack of understanding about the exact changes in cell signaling and subsequent effects upon cell structure and function.
Immortalized in vitro cell lines are useful tools for studying the effects of cell signaling, particularly in investigating the effects of targeted therapeutic compounds. The recent commercial availability of immortalized BE cell lines allows for such studies. Although high-throughput assays, such as the widely used viability assays, can be valuable in assessing the effects of targeted therapies upon cell proliferation and survival4-6, these assays are not useful for interrogating the effects of cell signaling upon cell morphology. Immunofluorescent staining (IF) is a useful technique for investigating the effects of targeted therapies upon the morphological, growth, and survival characteristics of cells and the proteins that are involved. Our laboratory has adapted these methods towards immortalized BE cell lines, using IF to evaluate the effects of a clinically available drug upon BE cell lines in hopes of delineating a possible chemopreventative treatment and biomarker for drug treatment7. Similarly, application of these techniques in EAC, BE and immortalized esophageal cell lines has delineated critical findings regarding BE to EAC progression8-10. We find IF analysis of BE cells treated with targeted therapies has value, allowing for characterization of changes in cell structure and protein localization. Here, we present our methods for IF of immortalized BE cells to characterize drug treatment.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="743">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:295px;">Name of the Material/Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:116px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:108px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:224px;">Comments/ Description (optional)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">CP-A (Metaplastic Cell Line)</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CRL-4027</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">CP-B (High-grade Dysplastic Cell Line)</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CRL-4028</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">CP-C (High-grade Dysplastic Cell Line)</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CRL-4029</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">CP-D (High-grade Dysplastic Cell Line)</td>
			<td>ATCC</td>
			<td>CRL-4030</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Keratinocyte-SFM (1X), Liquid</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>17005-042</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">0.25% Trypsin-EDTA (1X), Phenol Red&#160;</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>25200056</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Fetal Bovine Serum, Qualified, HI</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>10438026</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">PSN ANTIBIOTIC MIXTURE</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15640</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">PBS - Phosphate-Buffered Saline</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>10010049</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Pro-long Gold Antifade Reagent with DAPI&#160;</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>P36931</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Circular Glass Coverslip 18mm</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>15-183-86</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">&#946;-catenin Primary Antibody (Rabbit)</td>
			<td>Cell Signaling</td>
			<td>9562S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Alexafluor 488 (Goat Anti-Rabbit)</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>A11008</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">10cm TC treated PS dish, sterile</td>
			<td>USA Scientific</td>
			<td>CC7682-3394</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">12-well TC treated PS plate, sterile</td>
			<td>USA Scientific</td>
			<td>5666-5180</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">DMSO</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>276855</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P6148</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Ammonium chloride</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A9434</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Saponin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>47036</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Bovine Serum Albumin - Fraction V</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>85040C</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">SKI-606 (Bosutinib)</td>
			<td>Selleck Chemicals</td>
			<td>S1014</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Square Bioassay Dish&#160;</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>240835</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Parafilm&#160;</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>82024-546</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Disposable Pasteur Pipets, Flint Glass</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>14672-380</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Nexcelom Mini Cell Counter</td>
			<td>Nexcelom</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Cellometer Counting Chambers</td>
			<td>Nexcelom</td>
			<td>CHT4-SD100-014</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Zeiss Apotome microscope&#160;</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

an immunofluorescent method for characterization of barrett&#8217;s esophagus cells

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has an overall survival rate of less than 17% and incidence of EAC has risen dramatically over the past two decades. One of the primary risk factors of EAC is Barrett&#8217;s esophagus (BE), a metaplastic change of the normal squamous esophagus in response to chronic heartburn. Despite the well-established connection between EAC and BE, interrogation of the molecular events, particularly altered signaling pathways involving progression of BE to EAC, are poorly understood. Much of this is due to the lack of suitable in vitro models available to study these diseases. Recently, immortalized BE cell lines have become commercially available allowing for in vitro studies of BE. Here, we present a method for immunofluorescent staining of immortalized BE cell lines, allowing in vitro characterization of cell signaling and structure after exposure to therapeutic compounds. Application of these techniques will help develop insight into the mechanisms involved in BE to EAC progression and provide potential avenues for treatment and prevention of EAC.

An example of the results obtained from application of the described procedures is illustrated in Figures 1A-D. Coverslips with CP-D and CP-C BE cells were treated for 24 hr with 1 &#956;M of the Src family inhibitor, SKI-606, or vehicle (DMSO) and stained using the above procedures for the Adherens Junction and Wnt signaling protein, &#946;-catenin. Visualization of &#946;-catenin was achieved by labeling with an anti-rabbit IgG coupled to a green fluorophore, while labeling of the cell nucleus was acco...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrettâ€™s Esophagus Cells at JoVE.com

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett&amp;#8217;s Esophagus Cells

There is a discernible need for improved information on molecular drivers of Barrett&#8217;s Esophagus. Immunofluorescent staining is a useful technique for understanding the effects of cell signaling on cell morphology. We present a simple, effective protocol for the use of immunofluorescent staining to assess therapeutic treatment in Barrett&#8217;s Esophagus cells.

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett&#8217;s Esophagus Cells

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has an overall survival rate of less than 17% and incidence of EAC has risen dramatically over the past two decades. One ...

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14.0K Views.  St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. There is a discernible need for improved information on molecular drivers of Barrett’s Esophagus. Immunofluorescent staining is a useful technique for understanding the effects of cell signaling on cell morphology. We present a simple, effective protocol for the use of immunofluorescent staining to assess therapeutic treatment in Barrett’s Esophagus cells.