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. Mice Sensibilizzare <ol><li> Preparare una soluzione stock OVA diluendo OVA in 1x PBS ad una concentrazione finale di 20 mg / ml. Congelare le aliquote in cryovials e conservare a -80 ° C per un uso futuro. </li><li> Portare una o più aliquote di 20 mg / ml di OVA magazzino a temperatura ambiente. Diluire OVA in 1x PBS ad una concentrazione finale di 1 mg / ml in una provetta 5 ml di polistirolo rotonda fondo con un tappo. Vortex brevemente per miscelare. </li><li> Tenendo la provetta di polistirene contenente 1 ...

<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>

Numerosi marcatori di malattia allergica sono utilizzati per valutare la forza delle risposte allergiche seguenti sfida allergene, compresi i cambiamenti nei livelli di istamina circolante, Th2 produzione di citochine, e il reclutamento di cellule in liquido broncoalveolare nella cornice della sfida delle vie aeree. Mentre il monitoraggio dei cambiamenti in questi parametri è importante per studiare le reazioni allergiche, marcatori biologici non sempre correlano con malattia allergica clinica. Il test anafilassi local...

Ipersensibilità di tipo I è mediata da antigene-indotta cross-linking delle IgE sulla superficie dei mastociti e basofili. Ciò si traduce in degranulazione cellulare e il rilascio di mediatori vasoattivi e proinfiammatori come l&#39;istamina, triptasi, e fattore attivante le piastrine 2. A seguito del rilascio di mediatori preformati durante degranulazione, mastociti sintetizzano e rilasciano prostaglandine e leucotrieni, che aumentano ulteriormente la permeabilità vascolare 3. La risposta clinica iniziale avviene rapidamente ed è indicato come una &quot;reazione immediata&quot;. Nella pelle, una risposta wheal-e-bagliori è facilmente visibile a pochi minuti dall&#39;esposizione all&#39;antigene. A seconda della dose di sfida, è possibile osservare una &quot;risposta in fase tardiva&quot; poche ore più tardi. Gonfiore fase tardiva è dovuta a edema localizzato e il reclutamento dei leucociti nei tessuti 2. L&#39;istamina, generalmente considerato il principale mediatore parteciparereazioni allergiche immediate, agisce sul recettore dell&#39;istamina 1 (HR1) espresso su navi e istamina recettore 2 (HR2) espresso sulla muscolatura liscia. L&#39;effetto combinato aumenta il flusso sanguigno e la permeabilità vascolare nel sito di infiammazione 4. Una varietà di modelli animali di allergia sono stati sviluppati al fine di studiare i meccanismi coinvolti nell&#39;infiammazione allergica, compresi i modelli di asma allergica, anafilassi sistemica, e anafilassi locali. Somministrazione endovenosa colorante è stato utilizzato per misurare le reazioni allergiche localizzate in modelli animali per quasi un secolo, con pubblicazioni che descrivono questa tecnica risalente al 1920 5. Conigli e porcellini d&#39;India sono stati i primi modelli animali utilizzati per testare le reazioni immediate di ipersensibilità, e le risposte più sensibili sono stati generalmente presenti nell&#39;orecchio 5,6. Il dosaggio è stato successivamente convalidato per l&#39;uso in ratti e topi 7 8. Storicamente,una varietà di metodi sperimentali sono stati utilizzati, compresa l&#39;iniezione di antigene prima dell&#39;iniezione del colorante, iniezione di colorante prima dell&#39;iniezione di antigene, e l&#39;iniezione contemporanea di colorante e l&#39;antigene. Somministrazione endovenosa colorante come mezzi per misurare le risposte allergiche è un test versatile in quanto può essere utilizzato per misurare attiva, passiva, e invertire reazioni passive 5,9. Numerosi coloranti sono stati utilizzati per valutare reazioni allergiche, tra cui Trypan Blue, Pontamine Cielo Blu, Blu di Evans, Geigy Blu 536, e l&#39;India Ink 5,6,9. Una soluzione di 0,5% Blu di Evans è attualmente il colorante standard utilizzato per misurare le risposte allergiche della pelle. La risposta anafilattica alla sfida è transitoria; intensità massima viene raggiunta entro 10 - 15 minuti di iniezione colorante, e nessuna reazione è visibile se colorante viene somministrato più di 30 minuti dopo la sfida, indipendentemente dalle specie animali utilizzate 9. Quantificazione di colorante stravaso era originalely ottenuta misurando dimensione pomfo come indicato dal colorante blu 7-9. Inoltre, conti di mastociti degranulati possono essere quantificati da asportare tessuto cutaneo dal sito della reazione e la colorazione con blu di toluidina 7. Degranulazione dei mastociti è spesso usato come marker per cutanea, reazioni allergiche IgE-mediate, come mastociti sono la principale popolazione di cellule locale che esprime il recettore ad alta affinità per le IgE FcεRI. Tecniche spettrofotometriche per la misurazione colorante stravaso nei tessuti sono stati sviluppati per anafilassi cutanea passiva (PCA) nel ratto e topo 10 11 nel 1990. Il seguente protocollo del saggio anafilassi locale è stato adattato da Kojima et al. 1, e utilizza ovoalbumina uova di gallina (OVA) come l&#39;antigene per suscitare reazioni allergiche. Tuttavia, antigeni diversi OVA possono essere utilizzati se lo si desidera. Il test utilizza quindi Blu di Evans colorante per monitorare i cambiamenti in permeabilit vascolarey che si verificano a causa di mastociti IgE cross-linking e il rilascio di istamina.

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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Ovalbumin</td>
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			<td style="width:135px;">77161</td>
			<td style="width:225px;">Mix thoroughly before use</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Evans Blue Dye</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:135px;">E2129</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Isoflurane, USP</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">1cc Insulin syringes</td>
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			<td style="width:167px;">BD</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Forceps</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">1.5ml Microcentrifuge tubes</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Medical Supply Partners</td>
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			<td style="width:225px;"></td>
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			<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>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Flat-bottom 96 well plate</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Costar</td>
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			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:271px;">Vortex Genie 2</td>
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			<td style="width:135px;">SI-0236</td>
			<td style="width:225px;">Model G560 with 3 inch platform</td>
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measuring local anaphylaxis in mice

Reazioni allergiche sono il risultato dell&#39;attivazione dei mastociti e basofili e il successivo rilascio di vasoattivo e mediatori proinfiammatori. L&#39;esposizione ad un allergene in una persona sensibilizzata può causare sintomi clinici che variano da eritema lieve a pericolo di vita anafilassi. In laboratorio, sono stati sviluppati diversi modelli animali per capire i meccanismi di guida reazioni allergiche. Qui, descriviamo un metodo dettagliato per misurare i cambiamenti della permeabilità vascolare per quantificare le risposte allergiche localizzate. Il saggio anafilassi locale è stata segnalata per la prima nel 1920, ed è stato adattato dalla tecnica pubblicata da Kojima et al. nel 2007 1. In questo saggio, i topi sensibilizzati al OVA sono sfidati nel orecchio sinistro con il veicolo e l&#39;orecchio destro con OVA. Questa è seguita da una iniezione endovenosa di Blu di Evans colorante. Dieci minuti dopo l&#39;iniezione di Blu di Evans, l&#39;animale è eutanasia e il colorante che è uscito dai vasi inper le orecchie viene estratto durante la notte in formammide. L&#39;assorbanza del colorante estratto viene poi quantificato con uno spettrofotometro. Questo metodo assicura in maniera affidabile una manifestazione visiva e quantificabile di una reazione allergica locale.

Gli animali che hanno subito il test con successo avranno la pelle e gli occhi che appaiono blu. PBS animali sensibilizzati non dovrebbero reagire a uno o PBS sfida OVA, quindi entrambe le orecchie dovrebbero rimanere bianco (Figura 1A). Negli animali sensibilizzati OVA, l&#39;orecchio riceve la sfida PBS (sinistra) dovrebbe essere completamente bianca o leggermente blu in modo localizzato nel sito di iniezione. L&#39;orecchio riceve la sfida OVA (a destra) dovrebbe diventare progressivamente più scuro...

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

Measuring Local Anaphylaxis in Mice

Reazioni allergiche, caratterizzate da attivazione dei mastociti e dei basofili, sono guidati dal cross-linking delle IgE e il rilascio di mediatori proinfiammatori. Una valutazione quantitativa delle risposte allergiche può essere ottenuto utilizzando Evans colorante blu per monitorare i cambiamenti nella permeabilità vascolare dopo la sfida allergene.

Misurare Anafilassi locali nei topi

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.

Misurazione dell&#39;attività Calpain nelle celle fissi e Living in citometria a flusso

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

Ricerca

Immunologia e infezioni

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.

Misurazione della carica batterica e Risposte immunitarie in topi infettati con 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.

Misura della γHV68 infezione nei topi

&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.

Endolinfatica immunoterapia e di vaccinazione nei topi

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.

Misurazione di deformabilità e l'eterogeneità delle cellule rosse nel sangue di ektacitometria

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.

Caratterizzazione delle risposte di isotipo dell'immunoglobulina timo-dipendenti e indipendenti del timo in topi usando l'analisi enzima-collegata dell'immunosorbente

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.

Misurazione della temperatura corpo del mouse utilizzando il termometro a infrarossi durante passiva anafilassi sistemica e la valutazione di allergia alimentare

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.

Quantificazione dell'aterosclerosi nei topi

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.

Immunoterapia adottiva delle cellule iNKT in isomerasi indotta da glucosio (G6PI)

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.

Misurare la fagocitosi di Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia da parte dei Leucociti Umani utilizzando Flow Cytometry

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