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. sensibilisieren Mäuse <ol><li> Vorbereiten eines OVA-Stammlösung durch Verdünnen von OVA in 1x PBS auf eine Endkonzentration von 20 mg / ml. Einfrieren unten Aliquots in Kryoröhrchen und bei -80 ° C für die zukünftige Verwendung. </li><li> Bringen Sie einen oder mehrere Teilmengen von 20 mg / ml OVA Lager auf Raumtemperatur. Verdünnen OVA in 1x PBS auf eine Endkonzentration von 1 mg / ml in einer 5 ml Polystyrolröhrchen mit rundem Boden einer Kappe. Vortex kurz zu mischen. </li><li> Halten Sie die Polystyr...

<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>

Zahlreiche Markierungen von allergischen Erkrankungen verwendet werden, um die Stärke der allergischen Reaktionen nach Allergenprovokation, einschließlich Änderungen in der Konzentration von zirkulierendem Histamin, Th2-Cytokin Produktion und Zellrekrutierung in der bronchoalveolären Flüssigkeit in der Umgebung der Atemwegs Herausforderung zu bewerten. Während die Überwachung Änderungen dieser Parameter ist wichtig für die Untersuchung allergischen Reaktionen, biologische Marker nicht immer mit klinischen aller...

Typ-I-Hypersensitivität durch Antigen-induzierte Vernetzung von IgE auf der Oberfläche von Mastzellen und Basophilen vermittelt. Dies führt zu zellulären Degranulation und Freisetzung vasoaktiver und proinflammatorische Mediatoren, wie Histamin, Tryptase und Plättchen-aktivierender Faktor 2. Nach der Veröffentlichung der vorgeformten Mediatoren während der Degranulation, Mastzellen zu synthetisieren und frei Prostaglandinen und Leukotrienen, die Gefäßdurchlässigkeit 3 weiter zu erhöhen. Die ersten klinischen Reaktion schnell erfolgt und wird als eine &quot;sofortige Reaktion&quot; bezeichnet. In der Haut, ist eine Quaddel-und-Flare Reaktion innerhalb von Minuten nach Antigenexposition gut sichtbar. In Abhängigkeit von der Dosis der Herausforderung ist es möglich, ein &quot;Spätphasenreaktion&quot; ein paar Stunden später zu beobachten. Spätphase Schwellung ist durch lokalisierte Ödeme und die Rekrutierung von Leukozyten in das Gewebe 2. Histamin, allgemein als der Hauptmediator sein, die anallergische Sofortreaktionen, wirkt auf Histamin-Rezeptor-1 (HR1) bezogen auf die Gefäße und Histamin-Rezeptor-2 (HR2) bezogen auf die glatte Muskulatur. Die kombinierte Wirkung erhöht den Blutfluss und die vaskuläre Permeabilität in der Entzündungsstelle 4. Eine Vielzahl von Tiermodellen für Allergie haben, um die Mechanismen bei allergischen Entzündungen beteiligt, darunter Modelle von allergischem Asthma, systemische Anaphylaxie, und lokale Anaphylaxie studieren entwickelt. Intravenöse Verabreichung Farbstoff verwendet wurde, um lokalisierte allergische Reaktionen in Tiermodellen für fast ein Jahrhundert zu messen, mit Veröffentlichungen, die diese Technik aus dem 1920er Jahren 5. Kaninchen und Meerschweinchen waren die ersten Tiermodelle verwendet werden, um sofortige Überempfindlichkeitsreaktionen zu testen, und die empfindlichsten Antworten wurden in der Regel im Ohr 5,6 gefunden. Der Test wurde später für den Einsatz in Ratten und Mäusen 7 8 validiert. Historischeine Vielzahl von experimentellen Methoden verwendet worden, einschließlich der Injektion des Antigens vor der Injektion von Farbstoff Injektion von Farbstoff vor der Injektion des Antigens, und gleichzeitiges Einspritzen von Farbstoff und Antigen. Intravenöse Verabreichung Farbstoff als ein Mittel zum Messen allergischen Reaktionen ist ein vielseitiges Assay kann zur Messung aktiv, passiv verwendet werden, und Rückwärts passive Reaktionen 5,9. Zahlreiche Farbstoffe wurden verwendet, um allergische Reaktionen, einschließlich Trypanblau, Pontamine Sky Blue, Evans-Blau, Blau 536 Geigy, und Tusche 5,6,9 bewerten. Eine Lösung von 0,5% Evans-Blau ist derzeit der Standard-Farbstoff zum Messen allergischen Reaktionen in der Haut. Der anaphylaktische Reaktion auf Herausforderung ist vergänglich; maximale Intensität innerhalb von 10 erreicht - 15 min der Farbstoffinjektion, und keine Reaktion ist sichtbar, wenn Farbstoff mehr als 30 min nach der Exposition verabreicht werden, unabhängig von der zugrunde 9 Tiere. Quantifizierung der Farbstoff Extravasation war ursprünglichly erhalten durch Messung Quaddel Größe wie durch den blauen Farbstoff 7-9 angegeben. Zusätzlich können Zählungen degranulierten Mastzellen durch Ausschneiden Hautgewebe von der Stelle der Reaktion und Färbung mit Toluidinblau 7 quantifiziert werden. Mastzelldegranulation wird oft als Marker für Haut, IgE-vermittelten allergischen Reaktionen verwendet werden, wie Mastzellen sind die wichtigsten lokalen Zellpopulation des hochaffinen IgE-Rezeptors FcsRI ausdrückt. Spektrophotometrische Techniken zur Messung Farbstoff Extravasation in das Gewebe wurde für die passive kutane Anaphylaxie (PCA) bei Ratten 10 und der Maus 11 in den 1990er Jahren entwickelt. Die folgenden lokalen Anaphylaxie Assay-Protokoll wurde von Kojima et al angepasst. 1 und nutzt Hühnerei Ovalbumin (OVA) als Antigen für die Auslösung allergischer Reaktionen. Jedoch können andere als OVA-Antigene, wenn gewünscht, verwendet werden. Der Assay verwendet dann Evans Blue-Farbstoff auf Veränderungen der vaskulären permeabilit überwacheny, die durch Zell IgE Vernetzung und Freisetzung von Histamin Mast auftreten.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="796">
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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>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<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>
		</tr>
		<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>
		</tr>
		<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>
		</tr>
		<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>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<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>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<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>
		</tr>
		<tr height="24">
			<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>
</table>

measuring local anaphylaxis in mice

Allergische Reaktionen sind das Ergebnis der Aktivierung von Mastzellen und Basophilen und die nachfolgende Freisetzung von vasoaktiven und proinflammatorische Mediatoren. Exposition gegenüber einem Allergen in einem sensibilisierten Individuum kann in der klinischen Symptome, die von leichten Hautrötung bis zu lebensbedrohlichen Anaphylaxie variieren führen. Im Labor wurden verschiedene Tiermodelle entwickelt worden, um die Mechanismen, die allergische Reaktionen zu verstehen. Hier beschreiben wir ein detailliertes Verfahren zur Messung von Veränderungen der vaskulären Permeabilität, um lokalisierte allergische Reaktionen zu quantifizieren. Die lokale Anaphylaxie-Assay wurde in den 1920er Jahren berichtet, und hat sich von der von Kojima et al Technik angepasst. 2007. 1 In diesem Test Mäuse-OVA sensibilisiert sind im linken Ohr mit Vehikel und im rechten Ohr mit OVA in Frage. Dies wird durch eine intravenöse Injektion von Evans Blue-Farbstoff gefolgt. Zehn Minuten nach der Injektion von Evans Blue, wird das Tier getötet und der Farbstoff, der in den Gefäßen hatin den Ohren wird über Nacht in Formamid extrahiert. Die Absorption der extrahierten Farbstoffs wird dann mit einem Spektrophotometer quantifiziert. Diese Methode zuverlässig eine visuelle und quantifizierbare Manifestation einer lokalen allergischen Reaktion.

Tiere, die den Test bestanden haben, müssen Haut und Augen, die blau erscheinen. PBS sensibilisierten Tieren sollte nicht entweder PBS oder OVA Herausforderung reagieren, daher beide Ohren sollten weiß (1A) bleiben. In OVA sensibilisierten Tieren, das Ohr Erhalt der PBS Herausforderung (links) sollte entweder ganz weiß oder in einer lokalisierten Weise an der Injektionsstelle leicht blau. Das Ohr Erhalt der OVA Herausforderung (rechts) sollten schrittweise dunkleres Blau während der 10 Minuten nach ...

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

Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice

Allergischen Reaktionen, gekennzeichnet durch die Aktivierung von Mastzellen und Basophilen, durch die Quervernetzung von IgE und Freisetzung von proinflammatorischen Mediatoren zurückzuführen. Eine quantitative Beurteilung von allergischen Reaktionen können mit Evans Blue-Farbstoff auf Veränderungen der vaskulären Permeabilität nach Allergenprovokation überwachen erreicht werden.

Mess Lokale Anaphylaxie bei Mäusen

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.

Mess-Calpain Aktivität in fixierten und lebenden Zellen mittels Durchflusszytometrie

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

Forschung

Immunologie und Infektion

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.

Mess-bakterielle Belastung und Immunreaktionen in Mäuse Infizierte mit Listeria monocytogenes</em

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.

Die Messung der γHV68 Infektion bei Mäusen

&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.

Intralymphatische Immuntherapie und Impfungen bei Mäusen

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.

Messung der Verformbarkeit und Heterogenität der Erythrozyten im Blut durch 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.

Charakterisierung der Thymus-abhängig und Thymus-unabhängige Immunglobulin Isotype Antworten bei Mäusen mit Enzym-linked Immunosorbentprobe 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.

Maus-Körper-Temperaturmessung mit Infrarot-Thermometer während Passive systemische Anaphylaxie und Essen Allergieabklärung

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.

Quantifizierung von Atherosklerose bei Mäusen

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.

Adoptive Immuntherapie von iNKT-Zellen in Glucose-6-Phosphat-Isomerase (G6PI)-Induzierte RA-Mäuse

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.

Messung der Phagozytose von Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia durch menschliche Leukozyten mit Flow Cytometrie

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