This work was supported by a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (31003A_135278) to SSt. MOP is the beneficiary of a doctoral grant from the AXA Research Fund. We thank Patricia Nigg for help with the design of Figure 1.

Note before start: Use laminar flow hood and appropriate biocontainment when working with live virus. Here, we describe growth conditions suitable to culture influenza virus strain A/WSN/33. Multiplicity of infection (MOI) and incubation times may vary depending on virus strain used.
1. Preparation of Biotinylated A/WSN/33 Virus
<ol>
	<li>Seed Madin-Darby canine kindey (MDCK) cells into a T175 cm2 flask using Dulbecco&#8217;s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% FBS ...

<ol>
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J., Lakadamyali, M., Zhang, F., Zhuang, X. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assembly+of+endocytic+machinery+around+individual+influenza+viruses+during+viral+entry.">Assembly of endocytic machinery around individual influenza viruses during viral entry.</a> Nat Struct Mol Biol. 11, 567-573 (2004).</li><li>Vries, 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=Dissection+of+the+influenza+A+virus+endocytic+routes+reveals+macropinocytosis+as+an+alternative+entry+pathway.">Dissection of the influenza A virus endocytic routes reveals macropinocytosis as an alternative entry pathway.</a> PLoS Pathog. 7, e1001329 (2011).</li><li>Vries, 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=Influenza+A+virus+entry+into+cells+lacking+sialylated+N-glycans.">Influenza A virus entry into cells lacking sialylated N-glycans.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 109, 7457-7462 (2012).</li><li>Londrigan, S. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=N-linked+glycosylation+facilitates+sialic+acid-independent+attachment+and+entry+of+influenza+A+viruses+into+cells+expressing+DC-SIGN+or+L-SIGN.">N-linked glycosylation facilitates sialic acid-independent attachment and entry of influenza A viruses into cells expressing DC-SIGN or L-SIGN.</a> J Virol. 85, 2990-3000 (2011).</li><li>Wang, S. 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=DC-SIGN+mediates+avian+H5N1+influenza+virus+infection+in+cis+and+in+trans.">DC-SIGN mediates avian H5N1 influenza virus infection in cis and in trans.</a> Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 373, 561-566 (2008).</li><li>Pohl, M. O., Edinger, T. O., Stertz, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prolidase+is+required+for+early+trafficking+events+during+influenza+A+virus+entry.">Prolidase is required for early trafficking events during influenza A virus entry.</a> J Virol. 88, 11271-11283 (2014).</li><li>Konig, 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=Human+host+factors+required+for+influenza+virus+replication.">Human host factors required for influenza virus replication.</a> Nature. 463, 813-817 (2010).</li><li>Ludwig, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Targeting+cell+signalling+pathways+to+fight+the+flu:+towards+a+paradigm+change+in+anti-influenza+therapy.">Targeting cell signalling pathways to fight the flu: towards a paradigm change in anti-influenza therapy.</a> J Antimicrob Chemothe. 64, 1-4 (2009).</li><li>Simoes, S., Slepushkin, V., Duzgunes, N., Pedroso de Lima, M. 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Our protocol describes an easy way of measuring virus attachment and internalization by flow cytometry. It allows the use of labeled wildtype virus which mimics more closely virus infections compared to the use of virus-like particles (VLP). While our protocol has been optimized to measure attachment and internalization of IAV it can easily be adapted for other viruses. In addition, as flow cytometry is used for readout, co-stainings can be easily added to the protocol e.g. to test expression levels following kn...

The entry of influenza A virus (IAV) is a multi-step process that starts with the binding of the virus to receptors on the plasma membrane of target cells 1. The receptor for IAV is sialic acid which is present on a large variety of glycoproteins and glycolipids. The hemagglutinin (HA) protein of IAV which is present in the viral envelope binds to sialic acid and thereby mediates attachment of the viral particles to the plasma membrane of target cells 2. The virus enters the cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis but also alternative entry pathways, such as macropinocytosis, have been described 3-6. The interaction between HA and sialic acid appears to be sufficient for mediating both, attachment and triggering internalization of viral particles 7. Nevertheless, alternative entry receptors have been proposed and their roles in IAV entry are currently being investigated 1,8,9.
Currently, efforts are made to identify host factors that are involved in the viral life cycle with the aim of developing urgently needed novel antiviral therapies 10-12. Virus entry would be a favorable step for targeting IAV growth in order to block viral infection at its earliest point. Measuring different stages of IAV entry experimentally is challenging as usually large amounts of virus are required to detect incoming virus. In addition, the detection range for changes in virus entry is only linear due to the lack of viral replication. This underscores the need for assays with high sensitivity.
The assay we present here allows the detection of attached virus at the cell surface as well as detection of internalized virus in relation to the total amount of cell-associated virus. The use of biotinylated wildtype virus enables convenient measurement through staining with STV-Cy3 and readout by flow cytometry. Biotinylated virus is cold-bound to cells to allow attachment but prevent internalization of viral particles. Cells can be fixed, permeabilized and stained with STV-Cy3 to measure attached virus. The signal from extracellular, attached virions can be abrogated if a blocking step is applied before fixation in which the cells are incubated with non-labeled streptavidin (STV). In a next step, following attachment of biotinylated IAV, temperature is shifted to 37 &#176;C and internalization of viral particles is allowed to take place. Internalized particles are protected from binding of STV thereby allowing the discrimination between extra- and intracellular viruses.
Per experimental condition, four samples are required: &#8216;0 min&#8217;: The first sample, labeled &#8216;0 min&#8217;, is to measure cold-bound virus at the cell surface. &#8216;0 min + STV&#8217;: The second sample, labeled &#8216;0 min + STV&#8217;, gives the baseline signal intensity of the experiment. Attached virus is blocked with STV and the signal following staining with STV-Cy3 should be much lower compared to the &#8216;0 min&#8217; sample. &#8217;30 min&#8217;: The third sample, &#8217;30 min&#8217; contains attached and internalized virus due to the temperature shift to 37 &#176;C for 30 min. &#8217;30 min + STV&#8217;: The fourth sample, &#8217;30 min + STV&#8217; measures the intracellular fraction of viruses. The STV blocking step is applied after the 30 min incubation period. As a result, viral particles at the cell surface are bound by STV leaving only internalized viruses available for staining with STV-Cy3. The relative amount of internalized virus can be calculated as the ratio of internalized virus (measured in the &#8217;30 min + STV&#8217; sample) divided by the total amount of virus (described by the &#8217;30 min&#8217; sample).
As controls we suggest to include mock-infected cells. The signal following STV-Cy3 staining of mock-infected cells gives the background resulting from the staining protocol. A control for IAV attachment is the pre-treatment of cells with bacterial neuraminidase (NA). NA cleaves off sialic acid from cellular glycoproteins, thereby removing attachment receptors from the cell surface. Sodium azide (SA) is a potent metabolic inhibitor and thereby blocks endocytosis 13. Cells treated with sodium azide should be positive for virus binding but negative for internalization.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>41966-052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FBS</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>10270-106</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin-Streptomycin</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15140-163</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>14190-169&#160;&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>VWR Calbiochem</td>
			<td>126579</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15630-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>D-Sucrose</td>
			<td>Fluka</td>
			<td>84100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TRIS</td>
			<td>Biosolve BV</td>
			<td>20092391</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EDTA</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>3680</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EZ-LINK NHS-SS-BIOTIN kit</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td><a href="https://extranet.fisher.co.uk/insight2_ch/getProduct.do?productCode=W9971E">W9971E&#160;</a></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bio Rad Protein Bio Assay</td>
			<td>Bio Rad</td>
			<td>500-0006</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>deepwell tubes (1.2 ml microtubes)</td>
			<td>Milian</td>
			<td>82 00 001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PFA</td>
			<td>&#160;Lucerna chem&#160; Electron microscopy sciences</td>
			<td>15710</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ultracentrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>Hemotec HmbH</td>
			<td>253070</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Fluka</td>
			<td>93420</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>STV-Cy3</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>43-4315</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>STV</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>43-4302</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sodium azide</td>
			<td>Fluka</td>
			<td>71290</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>bacterial neuraminidase/sialidase</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>N6514-1UN</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

measuring attachment and internalization of influenza a virus in a549 cells by flow cytometry

Attachment to target cells followed by internalization are the very first steps of the life cycle of influenza A virus (IAV). We provide here a detailed protocol for measuring relative changes in the amount of viral particles that attach to A549 cells, a human lung epithelial cell line, as well as in the amount of particles that are internalized into the cell. We use biotinylated virus which can be easily detected following staining with Cy3-labeled streptavidin (STV-Cy3). We describe the growth, purification and biotinylation of A/WSN/33, a widely used IAV laboratory strain. Cold-bound biotinylated IAV particles on A549 cells are stained with STV-Cy3 and measured using flow cytometry. To investigate uptake of viral particles, cold-bound virus is allowed to internalize at 37 &#176;C. In order to differentiate between external and internalized viral particles, a blocking step is applied: Free binding spots on the biotin of attached virus on the cell surface are bound by unlabeled streptavidin (STV). Subsequent cell permeabilization and staining with STV-Cy3 then enables detection of internalized viral particles. We present a calculation to determine the relative amount of internalized virus. This assay is suitable to measure effects of drug-treatments or other manipulations on attachment or internalization of IAV.

A cartoon describing the four different experimental conditions is shown in Figure 1. Results of a representative experiment are presented in Figures 2-5. In the &#8220;0 min&#8221; sample, biotinylated virus is cold-bound to target cells which can be visualized by STV-Cy3 staining (Figures 1 and 2). When a blocking step (in the &#8220;0 min + STV&#8221; sample) is applied, virus at the cell surface can no longer be detected by STV-Cy3 s...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Measuring Attachment and Internalization of Influenza A Virus in A549 Cells by Flow Cytometry at JoVE.com

Measuring Attachment and Internalization of Influenza A Virus in A549 Cells by Flow Cytometry

We present a protocol describing a semi-quantitative method for measuring both, the attachment of influenza A virus to A549 cells, as well as the internalization of virus particles into the target cells by flow cytometry.

Attachment to target cells followed by internalization are the very first steps of the life cycle of influenza A virus (IAV). We provide here a detailed ...

measuring-attachment-internalization-influenza-virus-a549-cells-flow

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Immunology and Infection

9.9K Views.  University of Zurich. We present a protocol describing a semi-quantitative method for measuring both, the attachment of influenza A virus to A549 cells, as well as the internalization of virus particles into the target cells by flow cytometry. 

Video: Measuring Attachment and Internalization of Influenza A Virus in A549 Cells by Flow Cytometry

We present a protocol describing a semi-quantitative method for measuring both, the attachment of influenza A virus to A549 cells, as well as the internalization of virus particles into the target cells by flow cytometry.

measuring calpain activity in fixed and living cells by flow cytometry

Measuring Calpain Activity in Fixed and Living Cells by Flow Cytometry

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

analyzing cellular internalization of nanoparticles and bacteria by multi-spectral imaging flow cytometry

Analyzing Cellular Internalization of Nanoparticles and Bacteria by Multi-spectral Imaging Flow Cytometry

In this article, we describe a method utilizing multi-spectral imaging flow cytometry to quantify the internalization of polyanhydride nanoparticles or bacteria by RAW 264.7...

measuring endoreduplication by flow cytometry of isolated tuber protoplasts

Measuring Endoreduplication by Flow Cytometry of Isolated Tuber Protoplasts

The protocol described herein is a method for measuring endoreduplication within tubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum). It includes plasmolysis and protoplast extraction steps to decrease the noise and debris in downstream flow cytometric...

measuring phagocytosis of aspergillus fumigatus conidia by human leukocytes using flow cytometry

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...

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In Vitro Disassembly of Influenza A Virus Capsids by Gradient Centrifugation

Disassembly of influenza A virus cores during virus entry into host cells is a multistep process. We describe an in vitro method to analyze the early stages of viral uncoating. In this approach, velocity gradient centrifugation is used to biochemically dissect the steps that initiate uncoating under defined...

In Vitro Disassembly of Influenza A Virus Capsids by Gradient Centrifugation

identification and enumeration of immune cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by flow cytometry

This video demonstrates the use of flow cytometry to identify and count various immune cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Initially, single immune cells are identified using a viability dye, followed by differential staining of surface marker proteins, enabling the precise enumeration of each cell...

Identification and Enumeration of Immune Cells in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid by Flow Cytometry

cytosolic calcium measurements in renal epithelial cells by flow cytometry

Cytosolic Calcium Measurements in Renal Epithelial Cells by Flow Cytometry

Calcium is involved in numerous physiological and pathophysiological signaling pathways. Live cell imaging requires specialized equipment and can be time consuming. A quick, simple method using a flow cytometer to determine relative changes in cytosolic calcium in adherent epithelial cells brought into suspension was...

isolating and analyzing cells of the pancreas mesenchyme by flow cytometry

Isolating and Analyzing Cells of the Pancreas Mesenchyme by Flow Cytometry

Here, we describe a method for the isolation of cells in the pancreas microenvironment from embryonic, neonatal and adult mouse tissue, focusing on the isolation of mesenchymal cells. This method allows profiling of cell gene expression and protein secretion in order to elucidate the extrinsic signals that regulate pancreas development, function, and...

examination of pyroptosis by flow cytometry

Author Spotlight: Flow Cytometric Determination of Pyroptosis in Avian Cells

This article describes the identification of pyroptotic cells using flow cytometry after dual staining with antibodies against the N-terminal fragment of chicken GSDME (chGSDME-NT) and propidium iodide...

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Analysis of SAMHD1 Restriction by Flow Cytometry in Human Myeloid U937 Cells

Described here is an established method to determine the extent of HIV-1 restriction by the cellular inhibitory protein SAMHD1. Human myeloid lineage U937 cells are transduced with a SAMHD1 expression vector co-expressing YFP, differentiated and then challenged with HIV-RFP. The level of restriction is determined by flow cytometry...

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Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are important human respiratory pathogens. To understand the pathogenicity of IAVs and to perform preclinical testing of novel vaccine approaches, animal models mimicking human physiology are required. Here, we describe techniques to evaluate IAV pathogenesis, humoral responses and vaccine efficacy using a mouse model of...

measuring caspase activity using a fluorometric assay or flow cytometry

Measuring Caspase Activity Using a Fluorometric Assay or Flow Cytometry

The present protocol describes two methods to measure caspase activity through a fluorogenic substrate using flow cytometry or a spectrofluorometer.

measuring influenza neutralizing antibody responses to a(h3n2) viruses in human sera by microneutralization assays using mdck-siat1 cells

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Influenza neutralizing antibodies correlate with protection of influenza infections. Microneutralization assays measure neutralizing antibodies in human sera and are often used for influenza human serology. We describe a microneutralization assay using MDCK-SIAT1 cells to measure neutralizing antibody titers to contemporary 3C.2a and 3C.3a A(H3N2) viruses following influenza vaccination or...

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The overall goal of this protocol is to provide instruction on how to measure the capacity of antibodies present in sera or plasma of individuals, naturally exposed to Plasmodium falciparum infection, to opsonize and induce phagocytosis of the parasite-infected erythrocytes...

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Author Spotlight: Innovative Laser Techniques for Hoechst Staining to Analyze Side Population Cells

Here, we show that high-power 375 nm and 405 nm lasers can effectively excite Hoechst 33342 and serve as a viable alternative to the 355 nm laser for side population (SP) cell detection, thereby expanding the range of available lasers in flow cytometry...

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Measuring Cell Cycle Progression Kinetics with Metabolic Labeling and Flow Cytometry

Tracking subtle changes in the progression and kinetics of cell cycle stages can be accomplished by use of a combination of metabolic labeling of nucleic acids with BrdU and total genomic DNA staining via Propidium Iodide.  This method avoids the need of chemical synchronization of cycling cells, thereby preventing the introduction of non-specific DNA damage, which in turn affects cell cycle...

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

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

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

Examination of Thymic Positive and Negative Selection by Flow Cytometry

A healthy immune system requires that T cells respond to foreign antigens while remaining tolerant to self-antigens. Random rearrangement of the T cell receptor (TCR) &alpha; and &beta; loci generates a T cell repertoire with vast diversity in antigen specificity, both to self and foreign. Selection of the repertoire during development in the thymus is critical for generating safe and useful T cells. Defects in thymic selection contribute to the development of autoimmune and immunodeficiency disorders1-4. 
T cell progenitors enter the thymus as double negative (DN) thymocytes that do not express CD4 or CD8 co-receptors. Expression of the &alpha;&beta;TCR and both co-receptors occurs at the double positive (DP) stage. Interaction of the &alpha;&beta;TCR with self-peptide-MHC (pMHC) presented by thymic cells determines the fate of the DP thymocyte. High affinity interactions lead to negative selection and elimination of self-reactive thymocytes. Low affinity interactions result in positive selection and development of CD4 or CD8 single positive (SP) T cells capable of recognizing foreign antigens presented by self-MHC5.
Positive selection can be studied in mice with a polyclonal (wildtype) TCR repertoire by observing the generation of mature T cells. However, they are not ideal for the study of negative selection, which involves deletion of small antigen-specific populations. Many model systems have been used to study negative selection but vary in their ability to recapitulate physiological events6. For example, in vitro stimulation of thymocytes lacks the thymic environment that is intimately involved in selection, while administration of exogenous antigen can lead to non-specific deletion of thymocytes7-9. Currently, the best tools for studying in vivo negative selection are mice that express a transgenic TCR specific for endogenous self-antigen. However, many classical TCR transgenic models are characterized by premature expression of the transgenic TCR&alpha; chain at the DN stage, resulting in premature negative selection. Our lab has developed the HYcd4 model, in which the transgenic HY TCR&alpha; is conditionally expressed at the DP stage, allowing negative selection to occur during the DP to SP transition as occurs in wildtype mice10.
Here, we describe a flow cytometry-based protocol to examine thymic positive and negative selection in the HYcd4 mouse model. While negative selection in HYcd4 mice is highly physiological, these methods can also be applied to other TCR transgenic models. We will also present general strategies for analyzing positive selection in a polyclonal repertoire applicable to any genetically manipulated mice.

We present a flow cytometry-based method to examine T cell development in vivo using genetically manipulated mice on a wildtype or T cell receptor transgenic background.

A healthy immune system requires that T cells respond to foreign  antigens while remaining tolerant to self-antigens. Random rearrangement of the  T cell ...

Influenza Virus Propagation in Embryonated Chicken Eggs

Influenza infection is associated with about 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations every year in the United States. The continuous emergence of new influenza virus strains due to mutation and re-assortment complicates the control of the virus and necessitates the permanent development of novel drugs and vaccines. The laboratory-based study of influenza requires a reliable and cost-effective method for the propagation of the virus. Here, a comprehensive protocol is provided for influenza A virus propagation in fertile chicken eggs, which consistently yields high titer viral stocks. In brief, serum pathogen-free (SPF) fertilized chicken eggs are incubated at 37 &#176;C and 55-60% humidity for 10 &#8211; 11 days. Over this period, embryo development can be easily monitored using an egg candler. Virus inoculation is carried out by injection of virus stock into the allantoic cavity using a needle. After 2 days of incubation at 37 &#176;C, the eggs are chilled for at least 4 hr at 4 &#176;C. The eggshell above the air sac and the chorioallantoic membrane are then carefully opened, and the allantoic fluid containing the virus is harvested. The fluid is cleared from debris by centrifugation, aliquoted and transferred to -80 &#176;C for long-term storage. The large amount (5-10 ml of virus-containing fluid per egg) and high virus titer which is usually achieved with this protocol has made the usage of eggs for virus preparation our favorable method, in particular for in vitro studies which require large quantities of virus in which high dosages of the same virus stock are needed.

Fertile chicken eggs are widely used to produce large amounts of human influenza A virus as they provide a convenient and cost-effective system to prove high yields of virus.

Influenza infection is associated with about 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations every year in the United States. The continuous ...

Acid-triggered molecular processes closely control cell entry of many viruses that enter through the endocytic system. In the case of influenza A virus (IAV), virus fusion with the endosomal membrane as well as the subsequent disassembly of the viral capsid, called uncoating, is governed by the ionic conditions inside endocytic vesicles. The early steps in the virus life cycle are hard to study because endosomes cannot be directly accessed experimentally, creating the need for an in vitro approach. Here, we describe a method based on velocity gradient centrifugation of purified virions through a two-layer glycerol gradient, which enables analysis of the IAV core and its stability. The gradient contains a non-ionic detergent (NP-40) in its lower layer to remove the viral membrane by solubilization as the virus sediments toward the bottom. At neutral pH, viral cores are pelleted as stable structures. The major core components, matrix protein (M1) and the viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs), can be clearly identified in the pellet fraction by SDS-PAGE. Decreasing the pH to 6.0 or lower in the bottom layer selectively removes M1 from the pellet followed by release of vRNPs at more acidic conditions. Viral protein bands on Coomassie-stained gels can be subjected to densitometric quantification to monitor intermediate states of IAV disassembly. Besides pH, other factors that influence viral core stability can be assessed, such as salt concentration and putative viral uncoating factors, simply by modifying the detergent-containing glycerol layer accordingly. Taken together, the presented technique allows highly reproducible and quantitative analysis of viral uncoating in vitro. It can be applied to other enveloped viruses that undergo complex uncoating processes.

Disassembly of influenza A virus cores during virus entry into host cells is a multistep process. We describe an in vitro method to analyze the early stages of viral uncoating. In this approach, velocity gradient centrifugation is used to biochemically dissect the steps that initiate uncoating under defined conditions.

Acid-triggered molecular processes closely control cell entry of many viruses that enter through the endocytic system. In the case of influenza A virus ...

Influenza viruses cause over 500,000 deaths worldwide1 and are associated with an annual cost of 12 - 14 billion USD in the United States alone considering direct medical and hospitalization expenses and work absenteeism2. Animal models are crucial in Influenza A virus (IAV) studies to evaluate viral pathogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, immune responses, and the efficacy of current and/or novel vaccine approaches as well as antivirals. Mice are an advantageous small animal model because their immune system is evolutionarily similar to that found in humans, they are available from commercial vendors as genetically identical subjects, there are multiple strains that can be exploited to evaluate the genetic basis of infections, and they are relatively inexpensive and easy to manipulate. To recapitulate IAV infection in humans via the airways, mice are first anesthetized prior to intranasal inoculation with infectious IAVs under proper biosafety containment. After infection, the pathogenesis of IAVs is determined by monitoring daily the morbidity (body weight loss) and mortality (survival) rate. In addition, viral pathogenesis can also be evaluated by assessing virus replication in the upper (nasal mucosa) or lower (lungs) respiratory tract of infected mice. Humoral responses upon IAV infection can be rapidly evaluated by non-invasive bleeding and secondary antibody detection assays aimed at detecting the presence of total or neutralizing antibodies. Here, we describe the common methods used to infect mice intranasally (i.n) with IAV and evaluate pathogenesis, humoral immune responses and protection efficacy.

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are important human respiratory pathogens. To understand the pathogenicity of IAVs and to perform preclinical testing of novel vaccine approaches, animal models mimicking human physiology are required. Here, we describe techniques to evaluate IAV pathogenesis, humoral responses and vaccine efficacy using a mouse model of infection.

Influenza viruses cause over 500,000 deaths worldwide1 and are associated with an annual cost of 12 - 14 billion USD in the United States alone ...

Neutralizing antibodies against hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza viruses are considered the main immune mechanism that correlates with protection for influenza infections. Microneutralization (MN) assays are often used to measure neutralizing antibody responses in human sera after influenza vaccination or infection. Madine Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells are the commonly used cell substrate for MN assays. However, currently circulating 3C.2a and 3C.3a A(H3N2) influenza viruses have acquired altered receptor binding specificity. The MDCK-SIAT1 cell line with increased &#945;-2,6 sialic galactose moieties on the surface has proven to provide improved infectivity and more faithful replications than conventional MDCK cells for these contemporary A(H3N2) viruses. Here, we describe a MN assay using MDCK-SIAT1 cells that has been optimized to quantify neutralizing antibody titers to these contemporary A(H3N2) viruses. In this protocol, heat inactivated sera containing neutralizing antibodies are first serially diluted, then incubated with 100 TCID50/well of influenza A(H3N2) viruses to allow antibodies in the sera to bind to the viruses. MDCK-SIAT1 cells are then added to the virus-antibody mixture, and incubated for 18 - 20 h at 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2 to allow A(H3N2) viruses to infect MDCK-SIAT1 cells. After overnight incubation, plates are fixed and the amount of virus in each well is quantified by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using anti-influenza A nucleoprotein (NP) monoclonal antibodies. Neutralizing antibody titer is defined as the reciprocal of the highest serum dilution that provides &#8805;50% inhibition of virus infectivity.

Influenza neutralizing antibodies correlate with protection of influenza infections. Microneutralization assays measure neutralizing antibodies in human sera and are often used for influenza human serology. We describe a microneutralization assay using MDCK-SIAT1 cells to measure neutralizing antibody titers to contemporary 3C.2a and 3C.3a A(H3N2) viruses following influenza vaccination or infection.

Neutralizing antibodies against hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza viruses are considered the main immune mechanism that correlates with protection for ...

Isolation and In Vitro Culture of Murine and Human Alveolar Macrophages

Alveolar macrophages are terminally differentiated, lung-resident macrophages of prenatal origin. Alveolar macrophages are unique in their long life and their important role in lung development and function, as well as their lung-localized responses to infection and inflammation. To date, no unified method for identification, isolation, and handling of alveolar macrophages from humans and mice exists. Such a method is needed for studies on these important innate immune cells in various experimental settings. The method described here, which can be easily adopted by any laboratory, is a simplified approach to harvesting alveolar macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or from lung tissue and maintaining them in vitro. Because alveolar macrophages primarily occur as adherent cells in the alveoli, the focus of this method is on dislodging them prior to harvest and identification. The lung is a highly vascularized organ, and various cell types of myeloid and lymphoid origin inhabit, interact, and are influenced by the lung microenvironment. By using the set of surface markers described here, researchers can easily and unambiguously distinguish alveolar macrophages from other leukocytes, and purify them for downstream applications. The culture method developed herein supports both human and mouse alveolar macrophages for in vitro growth, and is compatible with cellular and molecular studies.

Isolation and In Vitro Culture of Murine and Human Alveolar Macrophages

This communication describes methodologies for isolation and culture of alveolar macrophages from humans and murine models for experimental purposes.

Alveolar macrophages are terminally differentiated, lung-resident macrophages of prenatal origin. Alveolar macrophages are unique in their long life and ...

Preparation of Whole Bone Marrow for Mass Cytometry Analysis of Neutrophil-lineage Cells

In this article, we present a protocol that is optimized to preserve neutrophil-lineage cells in fresh BM for whole BM CyTOF analysis. We utilized a myeloid-biased 39-antibody CyTOF panel to evaluate the hematopoietic system with a focus on the neutrophil-lineage cells by using this protocol. The CyTOF result was analyzed with an open-resource dimensional reduction algorithm, viSNE, and the data was presented to demonstrate the outcome of this protocol. We have discovered new neutrophil-lineage cell populations based on this protocol. This protocol of fresh whole BM preparation may be used for 1), CyTOF analysis to discover unidentified cell populations from whole BM, 2), investigating whole BM defects for patients with blood disorders such as leukemia, 3), assisting optimization of fluorescence-activated flow cytometry protocols that utilize fresh whole BM.

Here, we present a protocol to process fresh bone marrow (BM) isolated from mouse or human for high-dimensional mass cytometry (Cytometry by Time-Of-Flight, CyTOF) analysis of neutrophil-lineage cells.

In this article, we present a protocol that is optimized to preserve neutrophil-lineage cells in fresh BM for whole BM CyTOF analysis. We utilized a ...

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.

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.

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

T Follicular Helper (Tfh) cells are an independent CD4+&#160;T cell subset specialized in providing help for germinal center (GC) development and generation of high-affinity antibodies. In influenza virus infection, robust Tfh and GC B cell responses are induced to facilitate effective virus eradication, which confers a qualified mouse model for Tfh-associated study. In this paper, we described protocols in detection of basic Tfh-associated immune response during influenza virus infection in mice. These protocols include: intranasal inoculation of influenza virus; flow cytometry staining and analysis of polyclonal and antigen-specific Tfh cells, GC B cells and plasma cells; immunofluorescence detection of GCs; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of influenza virus-specific antibody in serum. These assays basically quantify the differentiation and function of Tfh cells in influenza virus infection, thus providing help for studies in elucidating differentiation mechanism and manipulation strategy.

This paper describes protocols of evaluating Tfh and GC B response in mouse model of influenza virus infection.