Name: measuring local anaphylaxis in mice
Uploaded: 2014-10-14T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice at JoVE.com

The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Ellen M. Fox for her work regarding this model of local anaphylaxis. This work was supported by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences grant number R073UE.

1. bevidstgøre Mus <ol><li> Forbered en OVA-stamopløsning ved fortynding OVA i 1x PBS til en slutkoncentration på 20 mg / ml. Frys ned portioner i kryoglas og opbevares ved -80 ° C til senere brug. </li><li> Bring en eller flere portioner af 20 mg / ml OVA lager til stuetemperatur. Fortynd OVA i 1x PBS til en slutkoncentration på 1 mg / ml i et 5 ml polystyren rundbundet rør med en hætte. Vortex kortvarigt at blande. </li><li> Hold polystyrenrør indeholdende 1 mg / ml OVA i en hvirvel indstillet til medium has...

<ol>
	<li>Kojima, 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=Mast+cells+and+Bbasophils+are+selectively+activated+in+vitro+and+in+vivo+through+CD200R3+in+an+IgE-independent+manner.">Mast cells and Bbasophils are selectively activated in vitro and in vivo through CD200R3 in an IgE-independent manner.</a> The Journal of Immunology. 179 (10), 7093-7100 (2007).</li><li>Parikh, S. A., Cho, S. H., Oh, C. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preformed+enzymes+in+mast+cell+granules+and+their+potential+role+in+allergic+rhinitis.">Preformed enzymes in mast cell granules and their potential role in allergic rhinitis.</a> Current Allergy and Asthma Reports. 3 (3), 266-272 (2003).</li><li>Amin, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+role+of+mast+cells+in+allergic+inflammation.">The role of mast cells in allergic inflammation.</a> Respiratory Medicine. 106 (1), 9-14 (2012).</li><li>Nakaya, M., Takeuchi, N., Kondo, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immunohistochemical+localization+of+histamine+receptor+subtypes+in+human+inferior+turbinates.">Immunohistochemical localization of histamine receptor subtypes in human inferior turbinates.</a> Annals of Otology, Rhinology &amp; Laryngology. 113 (7), 552-557 (2004).</li><li>Ramsdell, S. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+use+of+Trypan+Blue+to+demonstrate+the+immediate+skin+reaction+in+rabbits+and+guinea+pigs.">The use of Trypan Blue to demonstrate the immediate skin reaction in rabbits and guinea pigs.</a> The Journal of Immunology. 15 (4), 305-311 (1928).</li><li>Chase, M. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Studies+on+the+sensitization+of+animals+with+simple+chemical+compounds:+X.+Antibodies+inducing+immediate-type+skin+reactions.">Studies on the sensitization of animals with simple chemical compounds: X. Antibodies inducing immediate-type skin reactions.</a> The Journal of Experimental Medicine. 86 (6), 489-514 (1947).</li><li>Goose, J., Blair, A. M. J. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Passive+cutaneous+anaphylaxis+in+the+rat,+induced+with+two+homologous+reagin-like+antibodies+and+its+specific+inhibition+with+disodium+cromoglycate.">Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in the rat, induced with two homologous reagin-like antibodies and its specific inhibition with disodium cromoglycate.</a> Immunology. 16, 749-760 (1969).</li><li>Ovary, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Passive+cutaneous+anaphylaxis+in+the+mouse.">Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in the mouse.</a> The Journal of Immunology. 81 (4), 355-357 (1958).</li><li>Ovary, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immediate+reactions+in+the+skin+of+experimental+animals+provoked+by+antibody-antigen+interactoin.">Immediate reactions in the skin of experimental animals provoked by antibody-antigen interactoin.</a> Progress in Allergy. 5, 459-508 (1958).</li><li>Akiyama, H., 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=Quantitiative+evaluation+of+passive+cutaneous+anaphylaxis+(PCA)+using+a+hand-held+spectrophotometer.">Quantitiative evaluation of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) using a hand-held spectrophotometer.</a> Biological &amp; Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 19 (8), 1112-1114 (1996).</li><li>Teshima, 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=Simple+spectrophotometric+analysis+of+passive+and+active+ear+cutaneous+anaphylaxis+in+the+mouse.">Simple spectrophotometric analysis of passive and active ear cutaneous anaphylaxis in the mouse.</a> Toxicology Letters. 95 (2), 109-115 (1998).</li></ol>

Talrige markører for allergisk sygdom bruges til at vurdere styrken af ​​allergiske reaktioner efter allergen udfordring, herunder ændringer i niveauer af cirkulerende histamin, Th2 cytokin produktion, og celle rekruttering til bronkoalveolær væske i fastsættelsen af ​​luftvejene udfordring. Mens overvåge ændringer i disse parametre er vigtig for at studere allergiske reaktioner, behøver biologiske markører ikke altid overens med de kliniske allergisk sygdom. Den lokale anafylaksi assay beskrevet i denn...

Type I-overfølsomhed medieret af antigen-induceret tværbinding af IgE på overfladen af ​​mastceller og basofiler. Dette resulterer i cellulær degranulering og frigivelse af vasoaktive og proinflammatoriske mediatorer såsom histamin, tryptase, og blodpladeaktiverende faktor 2. Efter frigivelsen af præfabrikerede mediatorer under degranulering, mastceller syntetiserer og frigiver prostaglandiner og leukotriener, hvilket yderligere øger vaskulær permeabilitet 3. Den indledende kliniske respons sker hurtigt og omtales som en &quot;øjeblikkelig reaktion&quot;. I huden, en vabler-og flare reaktion er umiddelbart synlige i løbet af minutter antigen. Afhængig af den dosis af udfordringen, er det muligt at observere en &quot;sen fase respons&quot; et par timer senere. Sene fase hævelse skyldes lokalt ødem og leukocytrekruttering ind i vævene 2. Histamin, der generelt anses for at være vigtig mediator deltager iumiddelbare allergiske reaktioner, virker på histamin-receptor 1 (HR1) udtrykt på skibe og histamin receptor 2 (HR2) udtrykt på den glatte muskulatur. Den kombinerede effekt øger blodgennemstrømningen og karpermeabilitet på stedet for inflammation 4. En række dyremodeller for allergi er blevet udviklet med henblik på at undersøge de mekanismer, der er involveret i allergisk inflammation, herunder modeller for allergisk astma, systemisk anafylaksi, og lokale anafylaksi. Intravenøs farvestof administration er blevet brugt til at måle lokale allergiske reaktioner i dyremodeller i næsten et århundrede, med publikationer, der beskriver denne teknik går tilbage til 1920&#39;erne. 5 Kaniner og marsvin var de første anvendte dyremodeller til at teste umiddelbare overfølsomhedsreaktioner, og de ​​mest følsomme besvarelser blev generelt fundet i øret 5,6. Assayet blev senere godkendt til brug i rotter 7 og mus 8. Historisken række eksperimentelle metoder er blevet anvendt, herunder injektion af antigen før injektion af farvestof, injektion af farvestof før injektion af antigen, og samtidig injektion af farvestof og antigen. Intravenøs farvestof administration som et middel til måling af allergiske reaktioner er en alsidig assay som det kan anvendes til måling af aktiv og passiv, og omvendt passive reaktioner 5,9. Talrige farvestoffer er blevet brugt til at vurdere allergiske reaktioner, herunder trypanblåt, Pontamine Sky Blue, Evans Blå, Geigy Blå 536, og Indien Ink 5,6,9. En opløsning af 0,5% Evans Blue er i øjeblikket standard farvestof anvendes til måling af allergiske reaktioner i huden. Den anafylaktisk reaktion på udfordringen er forbigående; maksimal intensitet nås inden 10 - 15 min farvestof injektion og ingen reaktion er synlig, hvis farvestoffet indgives mere end 30 minutter efter udfordring, uanset de anvendte dyrearter 9. Kvantificering af farvestof ekstravasation var oprindeligly opnås ved at måle vabler størrelse som angivet af det blå farvestof 7-9. Derudover kan tællinger af degranulerede mastceller kvantificeres ved udskæring af hud væv fra stedet for reaktionen og farvning med toluidinblåt 7. Mastcelledegranulering bruges ofte som en markør for kutant, IgE-medierede allergiske reaktioner, som mastceller er den vigtigste lokale cellepopulation udtrykker højaffinitets IgE-receptor FceR. Spektrofotometriske teknikker til måling af farvestof ekstravasation i vævet blev udviklet for passive kutane anafylaksi (PCA) hos rotter 10 og mus 11 i 1990&#39;erne. Følgende lokale anafylaksi assayprotokollen blev tilpasset fra Kojima et al. 1, og udnytter kylling æg ovalbumin (OVA) som antigen til at fremkalde allergiske reaktioner. Imidlertid kan andre end OVA antigener om ønsket anvendes. Assayet derefter bruger Evans Blå farvestof for at overvåge ændringer i vaskulær permeability, der opstår på grund af mast celle IgE krydsbinding og histamin frigivelse.

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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:225px;">Comments/Description</td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">BALB/c Mice</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">The Jackson Laboratory</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">651</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">PBS pH 7.4</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Quality Biologic</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">114-058-101</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Ovalbumin</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">A5503-10G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Imject Alum</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">77161</td>
			<td style="width:225px;">Mix thoroughly before use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Evans Blue Dye</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">E2129</td>
			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Formamide</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">295876</td>
			<td style="width:225px;">99%+ Spectrophotometric grade</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Isoflurane, USP</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Phoenix</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">NDC 57319-474-06</td>
			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">1cc Insulin syringes</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">BD</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">329654</td>
			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">3/10 cc Insulin syringe with 31G needle</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Terumo</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">NDC 100861</td>
			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">27G Needles</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">BD</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">305109</td>
			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
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		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Forceps</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">F.S.T.</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">11000-12</td>
			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Surgical scissors</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">F.S.T.</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">14070-12</td>
			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">5ml Polystyrene round-bottom tubes</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">BD Falcon</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">352058</td>
			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">1.5ml Microcentrifuge tubes</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Medical Supply Partners</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">15-1151</td>
			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">15ml Conical tubes</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">BD Falcon</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">352097</td>
			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Flat-bottom 96 well plate</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Costar</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">3590</td>
			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Scotch tape</td>
			<td style="width:167px;"></td>
			<td style="width:135px;"></td>
			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
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			<td height="24" style="height:24px;width:271px;">RC2 Rodent Anesthesia System</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">VetEquip</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">922100</td>
			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Vortex Genie 2</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Scientific Industries</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">SI-0236</td>
			<td style="width:225px;">Model G560 with 3 inch platform</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
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measuring local anaphylaxis in mice

Allergiske reaktioner er resultatet af aktiveringen af ​​mastceller og basofile og den efterfølgende frigivelse af vasoaktive og proinflammatoriske mediatorer. Udsættelse for et allergen i et sensibiliseret individs kan resultere i kliniske symptomer, der varierer fra mindre erytem til livstruende anafylaksi. I laboratoriet har forskellige dyremodeller blevet udviklet til at forstå mekanismerne køre allergiske reaktioner. Heri beskriver vi en detaljeret metode til at måle ændringer i vaskulær permeabilitet til at kvantificere lokaliserede allergiske reaktioner. Den lokale anafylaksi assay blev først rapporteret i 1920&#39;erne, og er blevet tilpasset fra den teknik publiceret af Kojima et al. i 2007 1. I dette assay mus sensibiliseret til OVA udfordres i det venstre øre med køretøj, og i højre øre med OVA. Dette er efterfulgt af en intravenøs injektion af Evans blå farvestof. Ti minutter efter injektion af Evans Blå, dyret aflivet, og farvestoffet, der har ekstravaseret itil ørerne udvindes natten over i formamid. Absorbansen af ​​det ekstraherede farvestof derefter kvantificeres med et spektrofotometer. Denne metode med sikkerhed giver en visuel og kvantificerbar manifestation af en lokal allergisk reaktion.

Dyr, der har undergået analysen held vil have hud og øjne, der vises blå. PBS sensibiliserede dyr bør ikke reagere på enten PBS eller OVA Udfordringen består derfor begge ører bør forblive hvid (figur 1A). I OVA sensibiliserede dyr, øret modtager PBS udfordring (til venstre) skal enten være helt hvide eller svagt blå i en lokaliseret måde ved injektionsstedet. Øret modtager OVA udfordring (til højre), bør blive gradvist mørkere blå i løbet af 10 min efter farvestof administration <stro...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice at JoVE.com

Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice

Allergiske reaktioner, karakteriseret ved aktivering af mastceller og basofile, drives af krydsbinding af IgE og frigørelsen af ​​proinflammatoriske mediatorer. En kvantitativ vurdering af allergiske reaktioner kan opnås ved hjælp af Evans Blå farvestof for at overvåge ændringer i vaskulær permeabilitet efter allergen.

Måling Lokale anafylaksi hos mus

Allergic responses are the result of the activation of mast cells and basophils, and the subsequent release of vasoactive and proinflammatory mediators. ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

Measuring Calpain Activity in Fixed and Living Cells by Flow Cytometry

Calpains are ubiquitous intracellular, calcium-sensitive, neutral cysteine proteases 1. Calpains play crucial roles in many physiological processes, including signaling, cytoskeletal remodeling, regulation of gene expression, apoptosis and cell cycle progression 1. Calpains have been implicated in many pathologies including muscular dystrophies, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis 1. Calpain regulation is complex and incompletely understood. mRNA and protein levels correlate poorly with activity, limiting the use of gene or protein expression techniques to measure calpain activity. This video protocol details a flow cytometric assay developed in our laboratory for measuring calpain activity in fixed and living cells. This method uses the fluorescent substrate BOC-LM-CMAC, which is cleaved specifically by calpain, to measure calpain activity. 2 In this video, calpain activity in fixed and living murine 32Dkit leukemia cells, alone or as part of a splenocyte population is measured using an LSRII (BD Bioscience). 32Dkit cells are shown to have elevated activity compared to normal splenocytes.

This article will detail the protocol for measuring calpain activity in fixed and living cells using flow cytometry.

Calpains are ubiquitous intracellular, calcium-sensitive, neutral cysteine proteases 1. Calpains play crucial roles in many physiological processes, ...

Measuring Bacterial Load and Immune Responses in Mice Infected with Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) is a Gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen1. Mouse studies typically employ intravenous injection of Listeria, which results in systemic infection2. After injection, Listeria quickly disseminates to the spleen and liver due to uptake by CD8&alpha;+ dendritic cells and Kupffer cells3,4. Once phagocytosed, various bacterial proteins enable Listeria to escape the phagosome, survive within the cytosol, and infect neighboring cells5. During the first three days of infection, different innate immune cells (e.g. monocytes, neutrophils, NK cells, dendritic cells) mediate bactericidal mechanisms that minimize Listeria proliferation. CD8+ T cells are subsequently recruited and responsible for the eventual clearance of Listeria from the host, typically within 10 days of infection6.
Successful clearance of Listeria from infected mice depends on the appropriate onset of host immune responses6	. There is a broad range of sensitivities amongst inbred mouse strains7,8. Generally, mice with increased susceptibility to Listeria infection are less able to control bacterial proliferation, demonstrating increased bacterial load and/or delayed clearance compared to resistant mice. Genetic studies, including linkage analyses and knockout mouse strains, have identified various genes for which sequence variation affects host responses to Listeria infection6,8-14. Determination and comparison of infection kinetics between different mouse strains is therefore an important method for identifying host genetic factors that contribute to immune responses against Listeria. Comparison of host responses to different Listeria strains is also an effective way to identify bacterial virulence factors that may serve as potential targets for antibiotic therapy or vaccine design.
We describe here a straightforward method for measuring bacterial load (colony forming units [CFU] per tissue) and preparing single-cell suspensions of the liver and spleen for FACS analysis of immune responses in Listeria-infected mice. This method is particularly useful for initial characterization of Listeria infection in novel mouse strains, as well as comparison of immune responses between different mouse strains infected with Listeria. We use the Listeria monocytogenes EGD strain15 that, when cultured on blood agar, exhibits a characteristic halo zone around each colony due to &beta;-hemolysis1 (Figure 1). Bacterial load and immune responses can be determined at any time-point after infection by culturing tissue homogenate on blood agar plates and preparing tissue cell suspensions for FACS analysis using the protocols described below. We would note that individuals who are immunocompromised or pregnant should not handle Listeria, and the relevant institutional biosafety committee and animal facility management should be consulted before work commences.

Measuring Bacterial Load and Immune Responses in Mice Infected with Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is a model organism for studying immune responses and genetic susceptibility to intracellular bacteria in mice. This method enables one to measure bacterial load and generate single-cell suspensions of the liver and spleen from mice for FACS analysis to determine changes in immune cells due to Listeria infection.

Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) is a Gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen1. Mouse studies typically employ intravenous injection of ...

Measurement of &#947;HV68 Infection in Mice

&gamma;-Herpesviruses (&gamma;-HVs) are notable for their ability to establish latent infections of lymphoid cells1. The narrow host range of human &gamma;-HVs, such as EBV and KSHV, has severely hindered detailed pathogenic studies. Murine &gamma;-herpesvirus 68 (&gamma;HV68) shares extensive genetic and biological similarities with human &gamma;-HVs and is a natural pathogen of murid rodents2. As such, evaluation of &gamma;HV68 infection of mice inbred strains at different stages of viral infection provides an important model for understanding viral lifecycle and pathogenesis during &gamma;-HVs infection.
Upon intranasal inoculation, &gamma;HV68 infection results in acute viremia in the lung that is later resolved into a latent infection of splenocytes and other cells, which may be reactivated throughout the life of the host3,4. In this protocol, we will describe how to use the plaque assay to assess infectious virus titer in the lung homogenates on Vero cell monolayers at the early stage (5 - 7 days) of post-intranasal infection (dpi). While acute infection is largely cleared 2 - 3 weeks postinfection, a latent infection of &gamma;HV68 is established around 14 dpi and maintained later on in the spleen of the mice. Latent infection usually affects a very small population of cells in the infected tissues, whereby the virus stays dormant and shuts off most of its gene expression. Latently-infected splenocytes spontaneously reactivate virus upon explanting into tissue culture, which can be recapitulated by an infectious center (IC) assay to determine the viral latent load. To further estimate the amount of viral genome copies in the acutely and/or latently infected tissues, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is used for its maximal sensitivity and accuracy. The combined analyses of the results of qPCR and plaque assay, and/or IC assay will reveal the spatiotemporal profiles of viral replication and infectivity in vivo.

&#947;-Herpesviruses (&#947;-HVs) establish life-long persistency in their host. Infection of mice with &#947;-HV68 provides a genetically tractable in vivo model for the characterization of the lifecycle/pathogenesis of &#947;HVs. This protocol describes the detection and quantitation of &#947;HV68 infection at acute and latent stages following infection by plaque-forming, infectious center, and qPCR assays.

Måling af γHV68 infektion i Mus

&gamma;-Herpesviruses (&gamma;-HVs) are notable for their ability to establish latent infections of lymphoid cells1. The narrow host range of human ...

Intralymphatic Immunotherapy and Vaccination in Mice

Vaccines are typically injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly for stimulation of immune responses. The success of this requires efficient drainage of vaccine to lymph nodes where antigen presenting cells can interact with lymphocytes for generation of the wanted immune responses. The strength and the type of immune responses induced also depend on the density or frequency of interactions as well as the microenvironment, especially the content of cytokines. As only a minute fraction of peripherally injected vaccines reaches the lymph nodes, vaccinations of mice and humans were performed by direct injection of vaccine into inguinal lymph nodes, i.e.&#160;intralymphatic injection. In man, the procedure is guided by ultrasound. In mice, a small (5-10 mm) incision is made in the inguinal region of anesthetized animals, the lymph node is localized and immobilized with forceps, and a volume of 10-20 &#956;l of the vaccine is injected under visual control. The incision is closed with a single stitch using surgical sutures. Mice were vaccinated with plasmid DNA, RNA, peptide, protein, particles, and bacteria as well as adjuvants, and strong improvement of immune responses against all type of vaccines was observed. The intralymphatic method of vaccination is especially appropriate in situations where conventional vaccination produces insufficient immunity or where the amount of available vaccine is limited.

Prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination often fails to stimulate strong immune responses due to week drainage of the vaccine to lymph nodes and consequently poor involvement of immune cells. By direct injection of vaccine to lymph nodes, so-called intralymphatic injection, vaccine efficacy can be strongly improved and vaccine doses can be reduced.

Intralymfatisk Immunterapi og Vaccination i mus

Vaccines are typically injected subcutaneously or intramuscularly for stimulation of immune responses. The success of this requires efficient drainage of ...

Measuring Deformability and Red Cell Heterogeneity in Blood by Ektacytometry

Decreased red cell deformability is characteristic of several disorders. In some cases, the extent of defective deformability can predict severity of disease or occurrence of serious complications. Ektacytometry uses laser diffraction viscometry to measure the deformability of red blood cells subject to either increasing shear stress or an osmotic gradient at a constant value of applied shear stress. However, direct deformability measurements are difficult to interpret when measuring heterogenous blood that is characterized by the presence of both rigid and deformable red cells. This is due to the inability of rigid cells to properly align in response to shear stress and results in a distorted diffraction pattern marked by an exaggerated decrease in apparent deformability. Measurement of the degree of distortion provides an indicator of the heterogeneity of the erythrocytes in blood. In sickle cell anemia, this is correlated with the percentage of rigid cells, which reflects the hemoglobin concentration and hemoglobin composition of the erythrocytes. In addition to measuring deformability, osmotic gradient ektacytometry provides information about the osmotic fragility and hydration status of erythrocytes. These parameters also reflect the hemoglobin composition of red blood cells from sickle cell patients. Ektacytometry measures deformability in populations of red cells and does not, therefore, provide information on the deformability or mechanical properties of individual erythrocytes. Regardless, the goal of the techniques described herein is to provide a convenient and reliable method for measuring the deformability and cellular heterogeneity of blood. These techniques may be useful for monitoring temporal changes, as well as disease progression and response to therapeutic intervention in several disorders. Sickle cell anemia is one well-characterized example. Other potential disorders where measurements of red cell deformability and/or heterogeneity are of interest include blood storage, diabetes, Plasmodium infection, iron deficiency, and the hemolytic anemias due to membrane defects.

Here we present techniques to measure red cell deformability and cellular heterogeneity by ektacytometry. These techniques are applicable to general investigations of red cell deformability and specific investigations of blood diseases characterized by the presence of both rigid and deformable red cells in circulation, such as sickle cell anemia.

Måling af Deformability og roede blodlegemer heterogenitet i blodet ved Ektacytometry

Decreased red cell deformability is characteristic of several disorders. In some cases, the extent of defective deformability can predict severity of ...

Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Antibodies, also termed as immunoglobulins (Ig), secreted by differentiated B lymphocytes, plasmablasts/plasma cells, in humoral immunity provide a formidable defense against invading pathogens via diverse mechanisms. One major goal of vaccination is to induce protective antigen-specific antibodies to prevent life-threatening infections. Both thymus-dependent (TD) and thymus-independent (TI) antigens can elicit robust antigen-specific IgM responses and can also induce the production of isotype-switched antibodies (IgG, IgA and IgE) as well as the generation of memory B cells with the help provided by antigen presenting cells (APCs). Here, we describe a protocol to characterize TD and TI Ig isotype responses in mice using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this protocol, TD and TI Ig responses are elicited in mice by intraperitoneal (i.p.) immunization with hapten-conjugated model antigens TNP-KLH (in alum) and TNP-polysaccharide (in PBS), respectively. To induce TD memory response, a booster immunization of TNP-KLH in alum is given at 3 weeks after the first immunization with the same antigen/adjuvant. Mouse sera are harvested at different time points before and after immunization. Total serum Ig levels and TNP-specific antibodies are subsequently quantified using Ig isotype-specific Sandwich and indirect ELISA, respectively. In order to correctly quantify the serum concentration of each Ig isotype, the samples need to be appropriately diluted to fit within the linear range of the standard curves. Using this protocol, we have consistently obtained reliable results with high specificity and sensitivity. When used in combination with other complementary methods such as flow cytometry, in vitro culture of splenic B cells and immunohistochemical staining (IHC), this protocol will allow researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of antibody responses in a given experimental setting.

In this paper, we describe a protocol to characterize T-dependent and T-independent immunoglobulin (Ig) isotype responses in mice using ELISA. This method used alone or in combination with flow cytometry will allow researchers to identify differences in B cell-mediated Ig isotype responses in mice following T-dependent and T-independent antigen immunization.

Karakterisering af Thymus-afhængige og Thymus-uafhængig Immunoglobulin Isotype svar i mus ved hjælp af enzym-forbundet Immunosorbent Assay

Antibodies, also termed as immunoglobulins (Ig), secreted by differentiated B lymphocytes, plasmablasts/plasma cells, in humoral immunity provide a ...

Mouse Body Temperature Measurement Using Infrared Thermometer During Passive Systemic Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Evaluation

Mouse body temperature measurement is of paramount importance for investigating allergies and anaphylactic symptoms. Rectal probes for temperature readings is common, and they have been proven to be accurate and invaluable in this regard. However, this method of temperature measurement requires the mice to be anesthetized in order to insert the probe without injury to the animal. This limits the ability to observe other phenotypes of the mouse simultaneously. In order to investigate other phenotypes while measuring temperatures, rectal probes are not ideal, and another method is desired. Here, we introduce a noninvasive method of temperature measurement that foregoes the requirement for mouse anesthesia while maintaining equal reliability to rectal probes in measuring body temperature. We use an infrared thermometer that detects body surface temperatures at ranges between 2 and 150 mm. This method of body temperature measurement is successful in reliably replicating temperature change trends during passive system anaphylaxis experiments in mice. We show that body surface temperatures are about 2.0 &#176;C lower than rectal probe measurements, but the degree of temperature drop follows the same trend. Furthermore, we use the same technique to observe mice in a food allergy model to evaluate temperature and activity levels simultaneously.

Here we present a new method to accurately measure body temperature differences in passive systemic anaphylaxis (PSA) and food allergy mouse models using an infrared thermometer. This procedure has been accurately duplicated in previous PSA results.

Musen krop temperaturmåling ved hjælp af infrarøde termometer under passiv systemisk anafylaksi og mad allergi evaluering

Mouse body temperature measurement is of paramount importance for investigating allergies and anaphylactic symptoms. Rectal probes for temperature ...

Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in the world. The underlying cause in most cases is atherosclerosis, which is in part a chronic inflammatory disease. Experimental atherosclerosis studies have elucidated the role of cholesterol and inflammation in the disease process. This has led to successful clinical trials with pharmaceutical agents that reduce clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis. Careful and well-controlled experiments in mouse models of the disease could further elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease, which is not fully understood. Standardized lesion analysis is important to reduce experimental variability and increase reproducibility. Determining lesion size in aortic root, aortic arch, and brachiocephalic artery are common endpoints in experimental atherosclerosis. This protocol provides a technical description for evaluation of atherosclerosis at all these sites in a single mouse. The protocol is particularly useful when material is limited, as is frequently the case when genetically modified animals are being characterized.

Murine models of atherosclerosis are useful tools to investigate pathogenic pathways on a molecular level, but require standardized quantification of lesion development. This protocol describes an optimized method to determine lesion size in the major arterial vessels including the aortic root, aortic arch, and brachiocephalic artery.

Kvantificering af åreforkalkning i mus

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in the world. The underlying cause in most cases is atherosclerosis, which is in part a chronic ...

Adoptive Immunotherapy of iNKT Cells in Glucose-6-Phosphate Isomerase (G6PI)-Induced RA Mice

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. The pathogenesis of the disease is related to invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. Patients with active RA present fewer iNKT cells, defective cell function, and excessive polarization of Th1. In this study, an RA animal model was established using a mixture of hGPI325-339 and hGPI469-483 peptides. The iNKT cells were obtained by in vivo induction and in vitro purification, followed by infusion into RA mice for adoptive immunotherapy. The in vivo imaging system (IVIS) tracking revealed that iNKT cells were mainly distributed in the spleen and liver. On day 12 after cell therapy, the disease progression slowed down significantly, the clinical symptoms were alleviated, the abundance of iNKT cells in the thymus increased, the proportion of iNKT1 in the thymus decreased, and the levels of TNF-&#945;, IFN-&#947;, and IL-6 in the serum decreased. Adoptive immunotherapy of iNKT cells restored the balance of immune cells and corrected the excessive inflammation of the body.

Adoptive Immunotherapy of iNKT Cells in Glucose-6-Phosphate Isomerase G6PI-Induced RA Mice

This protocol uses G6PI mixed peptides to construct rheumatoid arthritis models that are closer to that of human rheumatoid arthritis in CD4+ T cells and cytokines. High purity invariant natural killer T cells (mainly iNKT2) with specific phenotypes and functions were obtained by in vivo induction and in vitro purification for adoptive immunotherapy.

Adoptivimmunterapi af iNKT-celler i glucose-6-fosfatisomerase (G6PI)-Induceret RA-mus

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. The pathogenesis of the disease is related to invariant natural killer T ...

Measuring Phagocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia by Human Leukocytes using Flow Cytometry

Invasive pulmonary infection by the mold Aspergillus fumigatus poses a great threat to immunocompromised patients. Inhaled fungal conidia (spores) are cleared from the human lung alveoli by being phagocytosed by innate monocytes and/or neutrophils. This protocol offers a fast and reliable measurement of phagocytosis by flow cytometry using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled conidia for co-incubation with human leukocytes and subsequent counterstaining with an anti-FITC antibody to allow discrimination of internalized and cell-adherent conidia. Major advantages of this protocol are its rapidness, the possibility to combine the assay with cytometric analysis of other cell markers of interest, the simultaneous analysis of monocytes and neutrophils from a single sample and its applicability to other cell wall-bearing fungi or bacteria. Determination of percentages of phagocytosing leukocytes provides a means to microbiologists for evaluating virulence of a pathogen or for comparing pathogen wildtypes and mutants as well as to immunologists for investigating human leukocyte capabilities to combat pathogens.

Measuring Phagocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia by Human Leukocytes using Flow Cytometry

This protocol provides a fast and reliable method to quantitatively measure phagocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia by human primary phagocytes using flow cytometry and to discriminate phagocytosis of conidia from mere adhesion to leukocytes.

Måling af fagocytose af Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia af humane leukocytter ved hjælp af strømnings cytometri

Invasive pulmonary infection by the mold Aspergillus fumigatus poses a great threat to immunocompromised patients. Inhaled fungal conidia (spores) are ...