Name: simultaneous quantification of t-cell receptor excision circles (trecs) and k-deleting recombination excision circles (krecs) by real-time pcr
Uploaded: 2014-12-06T14:00:00.000+00:00
Duration: 14 min 14 s
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Simultaneous Quantification of T-Cell Receptor Excision Circles TRECs and K-Deleting Recombination Excision Circles KRECs by Real-time PCR at JoVE.com

The authors have no acknowledgements.

<ol>
	<li>Douek, D. C., 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=Changes+in+thymic+function+with+age+and+during+the+treatment+of+HIV+infection.">Changes in thymic function with age and during the treatment of HIV infection.</a> Nature. 396 (6712), 690-695 (1998).</li><li>Zelm, M. C., Szczepanski, T., van der Burg, M., van Dongen, J. J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Replication+history+of+B+lymphocytes+reveals+homeostatic+proliferation+and+extensive+antigen-induced+B+cell+expansion.">Replication history of B lymphocytes reveals homeostatic proliferation and extensive antigen-induced B cell expansion.</a> J. Exp. Med. 204 (3), 645-655 (2007).</li><li>Fronkova, E., 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=B-cell+reconstitution+after+allogeneic+SCT+impairs+minimal+residual+disease+monitoring+in+children+with+ALL.">B-cell reconstitution after allogeneic SCT impairs minimal residual disease monitoring in children with ALL.</a> Bone Marrow Transplant. 42 (3), 187-196 (2008).</li><li>Sottini, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Simultaneous+quantification+of+recent+thymic+T-cell+and+bone+marrow+B-cell+emigrants+in+patients+with+primary+immunodeficiency+undergone+to+stem+cell+transplantation.">Simultaneous quantification of recent thymic T-cell and bone marrow B-cell emigrants in patients with primary immunodeficiency undergone to stem cell transplantation.</a> Clin. Immunol. 136 (2), 217-227 (2010).</li><li>Serana, F., 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=Thymic+and+bone+marrow+output+in+patients+with+common+variable+immunodeficiency.">Thymic and bone marrow output in patients with common variable immunodeficiency.</a> J. Clin. Immunol. 31 (4), 540-549 (2011).</li><li>Zanotti, C., 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=Opposite+effects+of+interferon-&#946;+on+new+B+and+T+cell+release+from+production+sites+in+sclerosis.">Opposite effects of interferon-&#946; on new B and T cell release from production sites in sclerosis.</a> J. Neuroimmunol. 240-241, 147-150 (2011).</li><li>Zanotti, C., 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=Peripheral+accumulation+of+newly+produced+T+and+B+lymphocytes+in+natalizumab-treated+multiple+sclerosis+patients.">Peripheral accumulation of newly produced T and B lymphocytes in natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis patients.</a> Clin. Immunol. 145 (1), 19-26 (2012).</li><li>Sottini, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pre-existing+T-+and+B-cell+defects+in+one+progressive+multifocal+leukoencephalopathy+patient.">Pre-existing T- and B-cell defects in one progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy patient.</a> PLoS One. 7, e34493 (2012).</li><li>Quiros-Roldan, E., 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=Effects+of+combined+antiretroviral+therapy+on+B-+and+T-cell+release+from+production+sites+in+long-term+treated+HIV-1++patients.">Effects of combined antiretroviral therapy on B- and T-cell release from production sites in long-term treated HIV-1+ patients.</a> J. Transl. Med. 10, 94 (2012).</li><li>Mensen, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Utilization+of+TREC+and+KREC+quantification+for+the+monitoring+of+early+T-+and+B-cell+neogenesis+in+adult+patients+after+allogeneic+hematopoietic+stem+cell+transplantation.">Utilization of TREC and KREC quantification for the monitoring of early T- and B-cell neogenesis in adult patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.</a> J. Transl. Med. 11, 188 (2013).</li><li>Serana, F., 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=The+different+extent+of+B+and+T+cell+immune+reconstitution+after+hematopoietic+stem+cell+transplantation+and+enzyme+replacement+therapies+in+SCID+patients+with+adenosine+deaminase+deficiency.">The different extent of B and T cell immune reconstitution after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and enzyme replacement therapies in SCID patients with adenosine deaminase deficiency.</a> J. Immunol. 185 (12), 7713-7722 (2010).</li><li>Borte, S., 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=Neonatal+screening+for+severe+primary+immunodeficiency+diseases+using+high-throughput+triplex+real-time+PCR.">Neonatal screening for severe primary immunodeficiency diseases using high-throughput triplex real-time PCR.</a> Blood. 119 (11), 2552-2555 (2012).</li><li>Baker, M. W., 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=Implementing+routine+testing+for+severe+combined+immunodeficiency+within+Wisconsin's+newborn+screening+program.">Implementing routine testing for severe combined immunodeficiency within Wisconsin's newborn screening program.</a> Public Health Rep. 125 (2), 88-95 (2010).</li><li>Lorenzi, A. 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=Determination+of+thymic+function+directly+from+peripheral+blood:+a+validated+modification+to+an+established+method.">Determination of thymic function directly from peripheral blood: a validated modification to an established method.</a> J. Immunol. Meth. 339 (2), 185-194 (2008).</li><li>De Boer, R. J., Perelson, A. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantifying+T+lymphocyte+turnover.">Quantifying T lymphocyte turnover.</a> J. Theor. Biol. 327, 45-87 (2013).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

TREC and KREC quantification can be considered a good estimate of recent thymic and bone marrow output provided that some caveats are taken into account. Even though an absolute quantification method employing standard curve requires more reagents and more space on the real-time PCR reaction plate, it ensures highly accurate quantitative results because unknown sample quantities are interpolated from standard curves built upon known amounts of starting material. Moreover this method is better fitted to detect low amount ...

T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and K-deleting recombination excision circles (KRECs) are small circularized DNA elements that are excised in a proportion of T- and B-cells, respectively, during a genomic DNA recombination process, leading to the formation of a highly diversified repertoire of T- and B-cell receptors. They have no function, but because they are stable and cannot be replicated, they are diluted after each cell division, thus persisting only in one of the two daughter cells. Therefore, their levels in the peripheral blood can be assumed as an estimate of the thymic and bone marrow output.
While the TREC assay has been largely used over the last 15 years to evaluate the extent of thymic output,1 the KREC assay, which was initially developed to measure B-cell proliferation and its contribution to B-cell homeostasis in health and disease,2 has been only recently proposed as a marker of bone marrow output.3,4 Here, we describe the method we developed for the simultaneous quantification of both TRECs and KRECs.4
With this combined method, the variability associated to DNA quantification by real-time PCR is eliminated by the use of a unique standard curve obtained by diluting a triple-insert plasmid containing fragments of TRECs, KRECs and T-cell receptor alpha constant (TCRAC) gene in a 1:1:1 ratio. This allows a more accurate evaluation of the TREC and KREC copy number. Furthermore, the simultaneous quantification of the two targets in the same reaction allows reagent cost reduction.
The proposed TREC/KREC assay can be useful to measure the extent of T- and B-cell neo-production in children or adults with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID),4 Common Variable Immunodeficiency,5 autoimmune diseases,6-8 and HIV infection.9 Furthermore, it can be used to monitor the immune recovery after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation,10 enzyme replacement,11 and antiviral9 or immunomodulating therapies.6-8 Finally, because SCID patients are recognized using TREC assay despite the underlying genetic defects, and agammaglobulinemia patients can be identified using KREC quantification, the TREC/KREC assay can be also used to detect immunodeficiencies in newborn screening programs.12 In this case, the test must be performed on DNA extracted from small spots of blood blotted and dried on filter paper, must be highly sensitive and specific for the target diseases, as well as highly reproducible and cost-effective.
The introduction of KREC quantification in the test should improve performances of newborn screening for immunodeficiencies, which has routinely been performed in the some parts of the USA (WI, MA, CA) since 2008 when Wisconsin became the first to introduce the analysis of TRECs in its postnatal screening program.13

<table><tbody><tr><td>Histopaque-1077</td><td>Sigma Aldrich SRL</td><td>10771-500 ML</td><td>density gradient separation method</td></tr><tr><td>QIAamp DNA Blood Mini Kit (250)</td><td>QIAGEN</td><td>51106</td><td>DNA extraction</td></tr><tr><td>Unmodified DNA Oligonucleotides HPSF 0.01 mmol</td><td>Eurofins MWG Operon/Carlo Erba Reagents S.r.l&amp;nbsp;</td><td></td><td>Resuspend the lyophilized product to 100 pmol/&amp;micro;l</td></tr><tr><td>AmpliTaq DNA Polymerase: including 10x Buffer II and 25 mM MgCl&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;</td><td>Applied Biosystems/Life-Technologies</td><td>N8080156</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>GeneAmp dNTP Blend (100 mM)</td><td>Applied Biosystems/Life-Technologies</td><td>N8080261</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>TOPO TA Cloning Kit for Subcloning</td><td>Invitrogen/Life-Technologies</td><td>K4500-01</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>XL1-Blue Subcloning Grade Competent Cells</td><td>Stratagene</td><td>200130</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>PureYield Plasmid Miniprep System</td><td>Promega</td><td>A1223</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>SpeI 500U</td><td>New England Biolabs</td><td>R0133S</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>HindIII-HF 10,000 U</td><td>New England Biolabs</td><td>R3104S</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>PureYield Plasmid Midiprep System</td><td>Promega</td><td>A2492</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>XhoI 5,000 U</td><td>New England Biolabs</td><td>R0146S</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>TRIS Utrapure</td><td>Sigma Aldrich SRL</td><td>T1503</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>EDTA</td><td>Sigma Aldrich SRL</td><td>E5134</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>TE buffer (1 mM TRIS and 0.1 mM EDTA)</td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix</td><td>Applied Biosystems/Life-Technologies</td><td>4364338</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dual labeled probes HPLC 0.01 mmol</td><td>Eurofins MWG Operon/Carlo Erba Reagents S.r.l&amp;nbsp;</td><td></td><td>Resuspend the lyophilized product to 100 pmol/&amp;micro;l</td></tr><tr><td>NanoDrop 2000c spectrophotometer</td><td>ThermoFisher</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Applied Biosystems 2720 Thermal Cycler</td><td>Applied Biosystems/Life-Technologies</td><td>4359659</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Fast 7500 Real-Time PCR system</td><td>Applied Biosystems/Life-Technologies</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>SDS Sequence Detection Software 1.4</td><td>Applied Biosystems/Life-Technologies</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

simultaneous quantification of t-cell receptor excision circles (trecs) and k-deleting recombination excision circles (krecs) by real-time pcr

T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and K-deleting recombination excision circles (KRECs) are circularized DNA elements formed during recombination process that creates T- and B-cell receptors. Because TRECs and KRECs are unable to replicate, they are diluted after each cell division, and therefore persist in the cell. Their quantity in peripheral blood can be considered as an estimation of thymic and bone marrow output. By combining well established and commonly used TREC assay with a modified version of KREC assay, we have developed a duplex quantitative real-time PCR that allows quantification of both newly-produced T and B lymphocytes in a single assay. The number of TRECs and KRECs are obtained using a standard curve prepared by serially diluting TREC and KREC signal joints cloned in a bacterial plasmid, together with a fragment of T-cell receptor alpha constant gene that serves as reference gene. Results are reported as number of TRECs and KRECs/106 cells or per ml of blood. The quantification of these DNA fragments have been proven useful for monitoring immune reconstitution following bone marrow transplantation in both children and adults, for improved characterization of immune deficiencies, or for better understanding of certain immunomodulating drug activity.

The assay was performed in a representative sample of 87 healthy controls: 42 children aged 0 - 17 (male/females: 25/17) and 45 adults aged 24 - 60 (males/females: 29/16). Results were obtained as TRECs and KRECs per 106 PBMC, and then the TRECs and KRECs per ml of blood were calculated.
The number of TRECs decreases with age due to thymic involution,4 in particular in a very sharp fashion from 0 to 3 - 4 years. In adults, the TREC number also depends on gender because it...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Simultaneous Quantification of T-Cell Receptor Excision Circles TRECs and K-Deleting Recombination Excision Circles KRECs by Real-time PCR at JoVE.com

Simultaneous Quantification of T-Cell Receptor Excision Circles TRECs and K-Deleting Recombination Excision Circles KRECs by Real-time PCR

Here, we describe a method for simultaneous quantification of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and K-deleting recombination excision circles (KRECs). The TREC/KREC assay can be used as marker of thymic and bone marrow output.

Simultaneous Quantification of T-Cell Receptor Excision Circles (TRECs) and K-Deleting Recombination Excision Circles (KRECs) by Real-time PCR

T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and K-deleting recombination excision circles (KRECs) are circularized DNA elements formed during recombination ...

simultaneous-quantification-t-cell-receptor-excision-circles-trecs-k

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

16.5K Views.  Spedali Civili di Brescia. Here, we describe a method for simultaneous quantification of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) and K-deleting recombination excision circles (KRECs). The TREC/KREC assay can be used as marker of thymic and bone marrow output.

Video: Simultaneous Quantification of T-Cell Receptor Excision Circles TRECs and K-Deleting Recombination Excision Circles KRECs by Real-time PCR

Semi-quantitative Detection of RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase Activity of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Protein

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is the catalytic subunit of telomerase, and it elongates telomere through RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity. Although TERT is named as a reverse transcriptase, structural and phylogenetic analyses of TERT demonstrate that TERT is a member of right-handed polymerases, and relates to viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RdRPs) as well as viral reverse transcriptase. We firstly identified RdRP activity of human TERT that generates complementary RNA stand to a template non-coding RNA and contributes to RNA silencing in cancer cells. To analyze this non-canonical enzymatic activity, we developed RdRP assay with recombinant TERT in 2009, thereafter established in vitro RdRP assay for endogenous TERT. In this manuscript, we describe the latter method. Briefly, TERT immune complexes are isolated from cells, and incubated with template RNA and rNTPs including radioactive rNTP for RdRP reaction. To eliminate single-stranded RNA, reaction products are treated with RNase I, and the final products are analyzed with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Radiolabeled RdRP products can be detected by autoradiography after overnight exposure.

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) synthesizes not only telomeric DNA but also double-stranded RNA through RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity. Here, we describe a newly established assay to detect RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity of endogenous TERT.

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is the catalytic subunit of telomerase, and it elongates telomere through RNA-dependent DNA polymerase ...

Genetics

Single Droplet Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction for Comprehensive and Simultaneous Detection of Mutations in Hotspot Regions

Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) is a highly sensitive quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method based on sample fractionation into thousands of nano-sized water-in-oil individual reactions. Recently, ddPCR has become one of the most accurate and sensitive tools for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection. One of the major limitations of the standard ddPCR technique is the restricted number of mutations that can be screened per reaction, as specific hydrolysis probes recognizing each possible allelic version are required. An alternative methodology, the drop-off ddPCR, increases throughput, since it requires only a single pair of probes to detect and quantify potentially all genetic alterations in the targeted region. Drop-off ddPCR displays comparable sensitivity to conventional ddPCR assays with the advantage of detecting a greater number of mutations in a single reaction. It is cost-effective, conserves precious sample material, and can also be used as a discovery tool when mutations are not known a priori.

Here, we present a protocol to accurately quantify multiple genetic alterations of a target region in a single reaction using drop-off ddPCR and a unique pair of hydrolysis probes.

Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) is a highly sensitive quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method based on sample fractionation ...

qKAT: Quantitative Semi-automated Typing of Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptor Genes

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are a set of inhibitory and activating immune receptors, on natural killer (NK) and T cells, encoded by a polymorphic cluster of genes on chromosome 19. Their best-characterized ligands are the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules that are encoded within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus on chromosome 6. There is substantial evidence that they play a significant role in immunity, reproduction, and transplantation, making it crucial to have techniques that can accurately genotype them. However, high-sequence homology, as well as allelic and copy number variation, make it difficult to design methods that can accurately and efficiently genotype all KIR genes. Traditional methods are usually limited in the resolution of data obtained, throughput, cost-effectiveness, and the time taken for setting up and running the experiments. We describe a method called quantitative KIR semi-automated typing (qKAT), which is a high-throughput multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction method that can determine the gene copy numbers for all genes in the KIR locus. qKAT is a simple high-throughput method that can provide high-resolution KIR copy number data, which can be further used to infer the variations in the structurally polymorphic haplotypes that encompass them. This copy number and haplotype data can be beneficial for studies on large-scale disease associations, population genetics, as well as investigations on expression and functional interactions between KIR and HLA.

Quantitative killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) semi-automated typing (qKAT) is a simple, high-throughput, and cost-effective method to copy number type KIR genes for their application in population and disease association studies.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are a set of inhibitory and activating immune receptors, on natural killer (NK) and T cells, encoded by a ...

Generation of Cancer Cell Clones to Visualize Telomeric Repeat-containing RNA TERRA Expressed from a Single Telomere in Living Cells

Telomeres are transcribed, giving rise to telomeric repeat-containing long noncoding RNAs (TERRA), which have been proposed to play important roles in telomere biology, including heterochromatin formation and telomere length homeostasis. Recent findings revealed that TERRA molecules also interact with internal chromosomal regions to regulate gene expression in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. In line with this evidence, RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) analyses have shown that only a subset of TERRA transcripts localize at chromosome ends. A better understanding of the dynamics of TERRA molecules will help define their function and mechanisms of action. Here, we describe a method to label and visualize single-telomere TERRA transcripts in cancer cells using the MS2-GFP system. To this aim, we present a protocol to generate stable clones, using the AGS human stomach cancer cell line, containing MS2 sequences integrated at a single subtelomere. Transcription of TERRA from the MS2-tagged telomere results in the expression of MS2-tagged TERRA molecules that are visualized by live-cell fluorescence microscopy upon co-expression of a MS2 RNA-binding protein fused to GFP (MS2-GFP). This approach enables researchers to study the dynamics of single-telomere TERRA molecules in cancer cells, and it can be applied to other cell lines.

Here, we present a protocol to generate cancer cell clones containing a MS2 sequence tag at a single subtelomere. This approach, relying on the MS2-GFP system, enables visualization of the endogenous transcripts of telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) expressed from a single telomere in living cells.

Telomeres are transcribed, giving rise to telomeric repeat-containing long noncoding RNAs (TERRA), which have been proposed to play important roles in ...

A TIRF Microscopy Technique for Real-time, Simultaneous Imaging of the TCR and its Associated Signaling Proteins

Signaling is initiated through the T Cell Receptor (TCR) when it is engaged by antigenic peptide fragments bound by Major Histocompatibility Complex (pMHC) proteins expressed on the surface of antigen presenting cells (APCs). The TCR complex is composed of the ligand binding TCR&alpha;&beta; heterodimer that associates non-covalently with CD3 dimers (the &#949;&delta; and &#949;&gamma; heterodimers and the &zeta;&zeta; homodimer)1. Upon engagement of the receptor, the CD3 &zeta; chains are phosphorylated by the Src family kinase, Lck. This leads to the recruitment of the Syk family kinase, Zap70, which is then phosphorylated and activated by Lck. After that, Zap70 phosphorylates the adapter proteins LAT and SLP76, initiating the formation of the proximal signaling complex containing a large number of different signaling molecules2. 
The formation of this complex eventually results in calcium and Ras-dependent transcription factor activation and the consequent initiation of a complex series of gene expression programs that give rise to T cell differentiation2. TCR signals (and the resulting state of differentiation) are modulated by many other factors, including antigen potency and crosstalk with co-stimulatory/co-inhibitory, chemokine, and cytokine receptors 3-4. Studying the spatial and temporal organization of the proximal signaling complex under various stimulation conditions is, therefore, key to understanding the TCR signaling pathway as well as its regulation by other signaling pathways.
One very useful model system to study signaling initiated by the TCR at the plasma membrane in T cells is glass-supported lipid bilayers, as described previously5-6. They can be utilized to present antigenic pMHC complexes, adhesion, and co-stimulatory molecules to T cells-serving as artificial APCs. By imaging the T cells interacting with the lipid bilayer using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), we can restrict the excitation to within 100 nm of the space between the glass and the cell surface 7-8. This allows us to image primarily the signaling events occurring at the plasma membrane. As we are interested in imaging the recruitment of signaling proteins to the TCR complex, we describe a two-camera TIRF imaging system wherein the TCR, labeled with fluorescent Fab (fragment antigen binding) fragments of the H57 antibody (purified from hybridoma H57-597, ATCC, ATCC Number:HB-218) which is specific for TCR&beta;, and signaling proteins, tagged with GFP, may be imaged simultaneously and in real time. This strategy is necessary due to the highly dynamic nature of both the T cells and of the signaling events that are occurring at the TCR. This imaging modality has allowed researchers to image single ligands 9-11 as well as recruitment of signaling molecules to activated receptors and is an excellent system to study biochemistry in-situ12-16.

The compartmentalization of proteins either within the plasma membrane or into intracellular locations is one regulatory mechanism that can greatly influence signaling outcomes; hence, to understand signaling it is important to study the spatial and temporal behavior of the proteins involved. We describe here a TIRF microscopy based system to study signal transduction in T cells, but is broadly applicable.

Signaling is initiated through the T Cell Receptor (TCR) when it is engaged by antigenic peptide fragments bound by Major Histocompatibility Complex ...

Measuring TCR-pMHC Binding In Situ using a FRET-based Microscopy Assay

T-cells are remarkably specific and effective when recognizing antigens in the form of peptides embedded in MHC molecules (pMHC) on the surface of Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs). This is despite T-cell antigen receptors (TCRs) exerting usually a moderate affinity (&#181;M range) to antigen when binding is measured in vitro1. In view of the molecular and cellular parameters contributing to T-cell antigen sensitivity, a microscopy-based methodology has been developed as a means to monitor TCR-pMHC binding in situ, as it occurs within the synapse of a live T-cell and an artificial and functionalized glass-supported planar lipid bilayer (SLB), which mimics the cell membrane of an Antigen presenting Cell (APC) 2. Measurements are based on F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between a blue- and red-shifted fluorescent dye attached to the TCR and the pMHC. Because the efficiency of FRET is inversely proportional to the sixth power of the inter-dye distance, one can employ FRET signals to visualize synaptic TCR-pMHC binding. The sensitive of the microscopy approach supports detection of single molecule FRET events. This allows to determine the affinity and off-rate of synaptic TCR-pMHC interactions and in turn to interpolate the on-rate of binding. Analogous assays could be applied to measure other receptor-ligand interactions in their native environment.

Measuring TCR-pMHC Binding In Situ using a FRET-based Microscopy Assay

This manuscript describes how to conduct (single molecule) F&#246;rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)- based assays to measure the binding dynamics between T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) and antigenic peptide-loaded MHC molecules as they occur within the immunological synapse of a T-cell in contact with a functionalized planar supported lipid bilayer.

T-cells are remarkably specific and effective when recognizing antigens in the form of peptides embedded in MHC molecules (pMHC) on the surface of Antigen ...

Bioengineering

Streamlined Single Cell TCR Isolation and Generation of Retroviral Vectors for In Vitro and In Vivo Expression of Human TCRs

Although, several methods for sequencing of paired T cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta chains from single T cells have been developed, none so far have been conducive to downstream in vivo functional analysis of TCR heterodimers. We have developed an improved protocol based on a two-step multiplex-nested PCR, which results in a PCR product that spans entire variable regions of a human TCR alpha and beta chains. By identifying unique restriction sites and incorporating them into the PCR primers, we have made the PCR product compatible with direct sub-cloning into the template retroviral vector. The resulting retroviral construct encodes a chimeric human/mouse TCR with a mouse intracellular domain, which is functional in mouse cells or in in vivo mouse models. Overall, the protocol described here combines human single cell paired TCR alpha and beta chain identification with streamlined generation of retroviral vectors readily adaptable for in vitro and in vivo TCR expression. The video and the accompanying material are designed to give a highly detailed description of the single cell PCR, so that the critical steps can be followed and potential pitfalls avoided. Additionally, we provide a detailed description of the cloning steps necessary to generate the expression vector. Once mastered, the whole procedure from single cell sorting to TCR expression could be performed in a short two-week period.

Streamlined Single Cell TCR Isolation and Generation of Retroviral Vectors for In Vitro and In Vivo Expression of Human TCRs

The current protocol combines single cell paired human TCR alpha and beta chain sequencing with streamlined generation of retroviral vectors compatible with in vitro and in vivo TCR expression.

Although, several methods for sequencing of paired T cell receptor (TCR) alpha and beta chains from single T cells have been developed, none so far have ...

Simultaneous Quantification of Anti-vector and Anti-transgene-Specific CD8+ T Cells Via MHC I Tetramer Staining After Vaccination with a Viral Vector

Upon viral infection, antigen-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) arise and contribute to the elimination of infected cells to prevent the spread of pathogens. Therefore, the frequency of antigen-specific CTLs is indicative of the strength of the T cell response against a specific antigen. Such analysis is important in basic immunology, vaccine development, cancer immunobiology and the adaptive immunology. In the vaccine field, the CTL response directed against components of a viral vector co-determines how effective the generation of antigen-specific cells against the antigen of interest (i.e., transgene) is. Antigen-specific CTLs can either be detected by stimulation with specific peptides followed by intracellular cytokine staining or by the direct staining of antigen-specific T cell receptors (TCRs) and analysis by flow cytometry. The first method is rather time-consuming since it requires sacrificing of animals to isolate cells from organs. Also, it requires isolation of blood from small animals which is difficult to perform. The latter method is rather fast, can be easily done with small amounts of blood and is not dependent on specific effector functions, such as cytolytic activity. MHC tetramers are an ideal tool to detect antigen-specific TCRs.
Here, we describe a protocol to simultaneously detect antigen-specific CTLs for the immunodominant peptides of the viral vector VSV-GP (LCMV-GP, VSV-NP) and transgenes (OVA, HPV 16 E7, eGFP) by MHC I tetramer staining and flow cytometry. Staining is possible either directly from blood or from single cell suspensions of organs, such as spleen. Blood or single cell suspensions of organs are incubated with tetramers. After staining with antibodies against CD3 and CD8, antigen-specific CTLs are quantified by flow cytometry. Optionally, antibodies against CD43, CD44, CD62L or others can be included to determine the activation status of antigen-specific CD8+T cells and to discriminate between na&#239;ve and effector cells.

Simultaneous Quantification of Anti-vector and Anti-transgene-Specific CD8+ T Cells Via MHC I Tetramer Staining After Vaccination with a Viral Vector

Here, we present a protocol for the ex vivo qualitative detection of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Analysis is possible with single cell suspensions from organs or from small amounts of blood. A broad range of studies require the analysis of cytotoxic T cell responses (vaccination and cancer immunotherapy studies).

Upon viral infection, antigen-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) arise and contribute to the elimination of infected cells to prevent the spread of ...

A Blood-based Test for the Detection of ROS1 and RET Fusion Transcripts from Circulating Ribonucleic Acid Using Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction

We have developed novel methods for the isolation and characterization of tumor-derived circulating ribonucleic acid (cRNA) for blood-based liquid biopsy. Robust detection of cRNA recovered from blood represents a solution to a critical unmet need in clinical diagnostics. The test begins with the collection of whole blood into blood collection tubes containing preservatives that stabilize cRNA. Cell-free, exosomal, and platelet-associated RNA is isolated from plasma in this test system. The cRNA is reverse transcribed to complementary DNA (cDNA) and amplified using digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR). Samples are evaluated for both the target biomarker as well as a control gene. Test validation included limit of detection, accuracy, and robustness studies with analytic samples. The method developed as a result of these studies reproducibly detect multiple fusion variants for ROS1 (C-Ros proto-oncogene 1; 8 variants) and RET (rearranged during transfection proto-oncogene; 8 variants). The sample processing workflow has been optimized so that test results can consistently be generated within 72 hours of sample receipt.

Detection of circulating ribonucleic acid (cRNA) from blood is an unmet need in clinical diagnostics. Here we describe methods that characterize cRNA from non-small cell lung cancer patients using sensitive and specific digital polymerase chain reaction. The tests meet design requirements to detect fusion variants within 72 hours.

We have developed novel methods for the isolation and characterization of tumor-derived circulating ribonucleic acid (cRNA) for blood-based liquid biopsy. ...

Medicine

Determination of Immune Cell Identity and Purity Using Epigenetic-Based Quantitative PCR

Immune cell subtype population frequencies can have a large effect on the efficacy of T cell therapies. Current methods, like flow cytometry, have specific sample requirements, high sample input, are low throughput, and are difficult to standardize, all of which are detrimental to characterization of cell therapy products during their development and manufacturing.
The assays described herein accurately identify and quantify immune cell types in a heterogeneous mixture of cells using isolated genomic DNA (gDNA). DNA methylation patterns are revealed through bisulfite conversion, a process in which unmethylated cytosines are converted to uracils. Unmethylated DNA regions are detected through qPCR amplification using primers targeting converted areas. One unique locus per assay is measured and serves as an accurate identifier for a specific cell type. The assays are robust and identify CD8+, regulatory, and Th17 T cells in a high throughput manner. These optimized assays can potentially be used for in-process and product release testing for cell therapy process.

Here we describe a robust method of determining immune cell identity and purity through epigenetic signatures detected using quantitative PCR (qPCR). DNA demethylation at a specific locus serves as a unique identifier for a particular cell type and allows for identification of CD8+, regulatory, or Th17 T cells.

Simultaneous Quantification of T-Cell Receptor Excision Circles (TRECs) and K-Deleting Recombination Excision Circles (KRECs) by Real-time PCR

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Simultaneous Quantification of Anti-vector and Anti-transgene-Specific CD8⁺ T Cells Via MHC I Tetramer Staining After Vaccination with a Viral Vector

A Blood-based Test for the Detection of ROS1 and RET Fusion Transcripts from Circulating Ribonucleic Acid Using Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction

Determination of Immune Cell Identity and Purity Using Epigenetic-Based Quantitative PCR