We thank Dr. Alexandre Benmerah (Institut Imagine Necker, Paris, France) for initial discussions on the experimental approach and Dr. Jamil Jubrail for reading the manuscript. Nad&#232;ge Kambou and Susanna Borreill are acknowledged for performing experiments with the method in our laboratory. This work was supported by grants from CNRS (ATIP Program), Ville de Paris and Agence Nationale de la Recherche (2011 BSV3 025 02), Fondation pour la Recherche M&#233;dicale (FRM INE20041102865, FRM DEQ20130326518 including a doctoral fellowship for FMA) to FN, and Agence Nationale de Recherche sur le SIDA et les h&#233;patites virales" (ANRS) including a doctoral fellowship for JM.

Note: The plasmid used Lifeact-mCherry is a kind gift of Dr. Guillaume Montagnac, Institut Curie, Paris, generated after 17.
1. Cells and Transfection
Note: RAW264.7 macrophages are grown to sub confluency in complete medium (RPMI (Roswell Park Memorial Institute) 1640 medium, 10 mM HEPES, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 50 &#181;M &#946;-mercaptoethanol, 2 mM L-Glutamine and 10% FCS (Fetal Calf Serum)) in a 100 mm plate. They are transfected with plasmids encoding fluorescently tagged proteins by electroporation. Routinely approximately 5 - 6 x 106 cells are transfected with 20 &#181;g or 10 &#181;g of plasmid for each transfection or co-transfection respectively. Note that other means of transfection based on electroporation or lipofection can be used as alternative approaches.
<ol>
	<li>Scrape the cells with a cell lifter and resuspend them in 10 ml of culture medium by pipetting up and down several times.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge the cell suspension 300 x g, 5 min at RT in swinging angle rotor.</li>
	<li>Preheat 10 ml of complete medium supplemented with 10 &#181;g/ml of gentamicin at 37 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Following centrifugation, discard the supernatant and resuspend the pellet in 3 ml of &#34;washing buffer A&#34; from the electroporation kit.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge the cell suspension 300 x g, 5 min at room temperature in swinging angle rotor.</li>
	<li>In the meantime prepare the DNA mix at room temperature: 120 &#181;l 2x Buffer B, 20 &#181;g of plasmid DNA coding for the protein of interest, q.s.p. 240 &#181;l H2O.</li>
	<li>Following centrifugation, discard the entire supernatant.</li>
	<li>Resuspend the cell pellet in the DNA mix and transfer into 4 mm electroporation cuvettes.</li>
	<li>Incubate at RT for 3 min.</li>
	<li>Electroporate at 250 V, 900 &#181;F.</li>
	<li>Immediately resuspend the cells in the pre-warmed (37 &#176;C) complete medium supplemented with gentamicin and plate them in a 100 mm dish.</li>
	<li>Incubate the transfected cells overnight at 37 &#176;C, 5% CO2.</li>
	<li>The next morning, replace the complete medium with 10 ml of serum-free microscopy medium (RPMI 1640 without phenol red, 10 mM HEPES, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 50 &#181;M &#946;-mercaptoethanol, 2 mM L-Glutamine).</li>
</ol>
2. Opsonization of Red Blood Cells
Note: As a model of particle target for macrophages, sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) are used. Usually, around 7 x 106 SRBCs per 35 mm glass bottom dish is used.
<ol>
	<li>Wash the SRBCs with 100 &#181;l of 1x PBS (phosphate buffered saline)/0.1% BSA (bovine serum albumin) and centrifuge (600 x g, 4 min).</li>
	<li>Following centrifugation, discard the supernatant and resuspend the SRBCs in 100 &#181;l of 1x PBS/0.1% BSA and centrifuge (600 x g, 4 min).</li>
	<li>Following centrifugation, discard the supernatant and resuspend the SRBCs in 1x PBS/0.1% BSA with rabbit IgG anti-SRBCs at sub-agglutinating concentration. Use 500 &#181;l of solution containing antibody/5 &#181;l of SRBCs. 
	&#8203;Note: The sub-agglutinating concentration of antibodies corresponds to the lowest concentration that did not induce agglutination detected as formation of a network. In general, the sub-agglutinating concentration is 8.2 &#181;g/ml.
	<ol>
		<li>Determine the concentration of IgG anti-SRBCs required to opsonize the SRBCs by a hemagglutination test. Serially dilute the IgG anti-SRBCs (stock at 13.1 mg/ml) between 1/50 - 1/25,600 in a microplate. Add 2 x 106 SRBCs in each well. Incubate the plate in the dark at RT for several hr.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Incubate at RT for 30 mins with slow rotation.</li>
	<li>After two washes in 1x PBS/0.1% BSA as described above, resuspend the IgG-opsonized SRBCs (IgG-SRBCs) in pre-warmed serum-free microscopy medium (2 ml/dish).</li>
</ol>
3. Poly-lysine Coating of Coverslips
<ol>
	<li>In the meantime, treat 35 mm glass bottom dishes with 2 ml of 0.01% poly-L-lysine for 30 min at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Wash the dishes two times with 2 ml of 1x PBS.</li>
</ol>
4. Non-covalent Fixation of SRBCs on Glass Bottom Dishes
<ol>
	<li>Pour 2 ml of SRBCs suspension per 35 mm glass bottom dish.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge with a swinging rotor at 500 x g during 2 min onto 35 mm glass bottom dishes.</li>
	<li>Remove the supernatant and wash once with 2 ml of 1x PBS/10% BSA.</li>
	<li>Incubate the particles for 30 min with 2 ml of 1x PBS/10% BSA per dish.</li>
	<li>Wash the dishes three times with 2 ml of 1x PBS.</li>
	<li>Replace 1x PBS with 2 ml of pre-warmed (37 &#176;C) serum-free microscopy medium.</li>
</ol>
5. Phagocytosis Visualized by TIRFM
<ol>
	<li>Microscope 
	Note: TIRFM was performed using a microscope equipped with an oil-immersion objective (N 100X, NA1.49), a heating chamber with CO2, and two single photon detection cameras EMCCD (Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Device) coupled with a 1.5X lens.
	<ol>
		<li>The day before the TIRF microscope session, turn on the heating chamber at 37 &#186;C&#8203; to allow a homogeneous heating of the microscope stage.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Critical Angle Determination 
	Note: ImageJ Color Profiler software is used to process TIRF image streams.
	<ol>
		<li>Place a 35 mm glass bottom dish containing opsonized SRBC with serum-free microscopy medium under the microscope.</li>
		<li>Scrape the cells and resuspend them in the medium before adding them (100 - 500 &#181;l) in the dish.</li>
		<li>Use the &#34;Live Acquisition&#34; software to control the microscope and perform excitation with a 491 nm and/or a 561 nm laser to identify cells expressing fluorescently tagged proteins.</li>
		<li>Identify a cell that expresses the fluorescently tagged proteins.</li>
		<li>Place it in the middle of the field and acquire 500 images at one excitation wavelength, with different angles starting from 0&#186; up to 5&#186;, with an increment of 0.01&#186; (Figure 2A). The angles are automatically changed by the microscope system.</li>
		<li>Determine the critical angle allowing the incident light to be totally reflected at the glass/ medium interface and generate the evanescent wave. Using ImageJ Color Profiler software, open the image sequence by clicking on &#34;File&#34;, &#34;Open&#34; and select the file.</li>
		<li>Select a region of interest (ROI), with the rectangular tool, in the cell with a uniform fluorescence (Figure 2B yellow 1).</li>
		<li>Plot the &#34;Z axis profile&#34; mean fluorescence intensity measured in the ROI with function of the angles on the x axis by clicking on &#34;Image&#34; tab, &#34;Stacks&#34; in the drop down menu and &#34;Plot Z-axis Profile&#34; (Figure 2B red 2). 
		Note: The critical angle is the angle leading to the maximum fluorescence before a sharp decrease in fluorescence.</li>
		<li>Use any value of angle on the x-axis superior to the critical angle during the microscopy session to obtain a TIRF signal as example 2.00 (Figure 2C).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Acquisitions
	<ol>
		<li>Using Live Acquisition software, set up the parameters of acquisition with the module &#8220;Protocol Editor&#8221; (Figure 3A).
		<ol>
			<li>Create a protocol with a &#8220;loop&#8221; comprising &#8220;Multi Channels&#8221; acquisition to acquire fluorescent signal from proteins of interest in the TIRF region. Enter the TIRF angle (for example 2.00), the exposure time (for example 50 msec) and the laser intensity (for example 50%) (Figure 3B 1).</li>
			<li>Introduce a &#8220;Z move&#8221; of the objective 3 &#181;m above the TIRF region to obtain signal acquisition in epifluorescence with the &#8220;Multi Channels &#8220;tool. Enter an angle below the critical angle (as example 1.00), the time of exposition (50 msec) and the laser intensity (50%) (Figure 3B, 2 and 3).</li>
			<li>Next add a &#34;z move&#34; of the objective 3 &#181;m below, to return in the TIRF region (Figure 3B 4). Add a &#34;snapshot&#34; of the cell in bright light LED (Light-Emitting Diode) (Figure 3B 5).</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Find a cell of interest with a moderate level of fluorescently tagged protein expression that initiates phagocytosis of SRBC by extending plasma membrane around the particle.</li>
		<li>Place it in the middle of the field.</li>
		<li>Start streaming acquisition of 500 - 1,000 frames. In the &#8220;loop count&#8221; tab, enter &#8220;750 frames&#8221; (Figure 3B 1). 
		Note: ImageJ Color Profiler software is used to process TIRF image streams.</li>
		<li>Open the sequence images in Image J software by clicking &#8220;File&#8221;, &#8220;Open&#8221; and choosing the file.</li>
		<li>Separate the channels by clicking on the tab &#8220;Image &#8220;, &#8220;Hyperstacks&#8221; drop down menu and on &#8220;Stack to hyperstack&#8221; function. Complete the appeared window: Order: xyctz; Channel (c): number of channels (ex: &#8220;2&#8221; if you have two fluorochromes); Slices (z): number of slices in z axis (ex: &#8220;1&#8221; if there is no movement in the z- axis); Frames (t): number of images divided per number of channels; Display mode: Grayscale. 
		Note: Two separate image sequences are generated, corresponding to the two different channels.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

The experimental protocol described here proposes an unprecedented method to follow in real time and in living cells, with high-resolution, the formation of a phagosome and in particular its closure. Several technical aspects have to be discussed. Firstly, the assay is very sensitive to temperature. It is very important to check that the heating chamber is at 37 &#176;C and that all media, devices or cells are kept within the chamber to avoid temperature changes that could impair the efficiency of phagocytosis. We notice...

Phagocytosis is a major cell function that starts with the recognition and binding of material to surface receptors, which then leads to the internalization and degradation of the ingested material. While single-celled eukaryotes such as the mold Dictyostelium discoideum and amoebae use phagocytosis for feeding on bacteria, higher organisms have evolved with professional cells. Macrophages or dendritic cells are the first line of defense against pathogens in various tissues and organs, and are crucial to activate the adaptive immune system through antigen presentation and cytokine production 1-4. Under certain circumstances phagocytosis can be performed by non-professional phagocytic cells, e.g., endothelial and epithelial cells. This process is important to maintain homeostasis during development and in adulthood for normal tissue turnover and remodeling. Finally, specialized phagocytes such as Sertoli cells in the testis or retinal pigment epithelial cells are extremely potent phagocytes 5.
The formation of a phagosome where degradation of microorganisms or cellular debris occurs starts with the clustering of phagocytic receptors on the surface of the phagocytic cell. Downstream signaling events following clustering of opsonic receptors such as Fc receptors (FcR) or complement receptors (CRs) have been well characterized. However, there are also numerous non-opsonic receptors including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), lectins, mannose receptors and scavenger receptors. These receptors recognize determinants on the particle surface such as mannose or fucose residues, phosphatidylserine, and lipopolysaccharides 1,6-9.
Pathogen or cell debris recognition involves binding to and clustering of several types of phagocytic receptor, which then lead to intense and transient actin remodeling. In parallel, focal exocytosis of intracellular compartments contributes to the release of membrane tension and is important for efficient phagocytosis of large particles. The signaling events leading to actin polymerization and membrane deformation were dissected in experimental models that triggered a single phagocytic receptor. During FcR-mediated phagocytosis, there is intense actin polymerization that is regulated by small GTPases (Rac, Cdc42). Among their downstream effectors, the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) leads to activation of the Actin-Related Protein 2/3 complex (Arp2/3) that nucleates actin filaments 1,2,4,10. Local production of phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) is crucial for initial actin polymerization that drives pseudopod formation. Its conversion to PI(3,4,5)P3 is required for pseudopod extension and phagosome closure 11. Several pathways contribute to the disappearance of PI(4,5)P2. Firstly detachment of phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKIs) from the phagosome arrests PI(4,5)P2 synthesis. Secondly, it can be phosphorylated and consumed by class I PI3K kinases (PI3K) and converted in PI(3,4,5)P3 12. A role for phosphatases and phospholipases has also been implied in PI(4,5)P2 hydrolysis and F-actin removal during phagocytosis in mammalian cells and in Dictyostelium13,14. The phospholipase C (PLC)&#948; hydrolyzes PI(4,5)P2 into diacylglycerol and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate. The PI(4,5)P2 and PI(3,4,5)P3 phosphatase OCRL (oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe) has also been implicated in phagosome formation. Precise local formation of F-actin and its depolymerization is tightly regulated in space and time and we have shown that recruitment of intracellular compartments is important to deliver locally the OCRL phosphatase, thus contributing to local actin depolymerization at the base of the phagocytic cup 13,15. For this, we used the experimental set up described here.
The mechanism and molecular players required for phagosome closure and membrane scission remain poorly defined because of the difficulties in visualizing and monitoring the site of phagosome closure. Until recently, phagocytosis was observed on fixed or living cells that internalize particles on their dorsal face or on their sides, making the timely visualization of the site of phagosome closure difficult. In addition, fixing methods could cause retraction of membranes and bias the results on pseudopodia extension and closure. By contrast, the assay that we have set up and describe here allows us to visualize pseudopod extension and the closure step of phagocytosis in living cells 13, based on total internal reflection microscopy (TIRFM) 16. This optical technique uses an evanescent wave to excite fluorophores in a thin area at the interface between a transparent solid (coverslip) and a liquid (cell culture medium). The thickness of the excitation depth is around 100 nm from the solid surface, allowing visualization of molecular events close to the plasma membrane. TIRFM allows a high signal-to-background ratio, and limits the out-of-focus fluorescence collected and the cytotoxicity due to illumination of cells.
Taking advantage of TIRFM, we developed the &#34;phagosome closure assay&#34; in which coverslips are activated with poly-lysine and then coated with IgG-opsonized red blood cells (IgG-SRBCs). Macrophages expressing transiently fluorescently tagged proteins of interest are then allowed to engulf the IgG-SRBCs. While cells detach the target particles that are non-covalently bound to the glass surface, the tips of the pseudopods can be observed and recorded in the TIRF mode. TIRF acquisitions are combined with acquisitions in the epifluorescence mode, after shifting the stage 3 &#181;m above, which allows the visualization of the base of the phagocytic cup. Addition of pharmacological drugs such as those inhibiting actin or dynamin during the process is also possible to further dissect the process at the molecular level.
The protocol described in detail here is for a RAW264.7 murine macrophage cell line and opsonized particles, but virtually, it can be adapted to any other phagocytic cell and with other targets such as beads. This method will allow better characterization of the regulation in time and space of the molecular players involved in pseudopod extension and phagosome closure during various phagocytic processes.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-sheep red blood cells IgG</td>
			<td>MP Biomedicals</td>
			<td>55806</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine Serum Albumin heat shock fraction, pH 7, &#8805;98%&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A7906</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell lifter</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3008</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cuvettes 4mm</td>
			<td>Cell project</td>
			<td>EP104</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DPBS, no calcium, no magnesium</td>
			<td>Thermo Fischer Scientific</td>
			<td>14190-094</td>
			<td>Room temperature</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Electrobuffer kit</td>
			<td>Cell project</td>
			<td>EB110</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100mm TC-Treated Cell Culture Dish</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>353003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gene X-cell pulser</td>
			<td>Biorad</td>
			<td>165-2661</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gentamicin solution</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G1397</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass Bottom Dishes 35 mm uncoated 1.5</td>
			<td>MatTek corporation</td>
			<td>P35G-1.5-14-C Case</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>iMIC&#160;</td>
			<td>TILL Photonics</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>&#160;Oil-immersion objective&#160;(N 100x, NA1.49.),&#160; heating chamber with CO2, a camera single photon detection EMCCD ( Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Device) and a 1.5X lens</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly-L-Lysine Solution 0.1%</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P8920-100ml</td>
			<td>Dilution at 0.01% in water&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RPMI 1640 medium GLUTAMAX&#160; Supplement</td>
			<td>Life technologies</td>
			<td>61870-010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RPMI 1640 medium, no phenol red (10x500 ml)</td>
			<td>Life technologies</td>
			<td>11835-105</td>
			<td>Warm in 37&#176;C water bath before use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sheep red blood cells (SRBCs)</td>
			<td>Eurobio</td>
			<td>DSGMTN00-0Q</td>
			<td>Conserved in Alsever buffer at 4&#176;C before use</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

"phagosome closure assay" to visualize phagosome formation in three dimensions using total internal reflection fluorescent microscopy (tirfm)

Phagocytosis is a mechanism used by specialized cells to internalize and eliminate microorganisms or cellular debris. It relies on profound rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton that is the driving force for plasma membrane extension around the particle. In addition, efficient engulfment of large material relies on focal exocytosis of intracellular compartments. This process is highly dynamic and numerous molecular players have been described to have a role during phagocytic cup formation. The precise regulation in time and space of all of these molecules, however, remains elusive. In addition, the last step of phagosome closure has been very difficult to observe because inhibition by RNA interference or dominant negative mutants often results in stalled phagocytic cup formation. 
We have set up a dedicated experimental approach using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) combined with epifluorescence to monitor step by step the extension of pseudopods and their tips in a phagosome growing around a particle loosely bound to a coverslip. This method allows us to observe, with high resolution the very tips of the pseudopods and their fusion during closure of the phagosome in living cells for two different fluorescently tagged proteins at the same time.

The experimental system described in this manuscript is schematically represented in Figure 1. Transfected RAW264.7 macrophages expressing the proteins of interest fused to a fluorescent tag are placed into contact with IgG-opsonized sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) that were non-covalently fixed on the coverslip. The macrophages can detach the SRBC from the coverslip to engulf it. The TIRF microscope used allows concomitant acquisition of signals from the TIRF area correspo...

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"Phagosome Closure Assay" to Visualize Phagosome Formation in Three Dimensions Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescent Microscopy TIRFM

We describe an experimental setup to visualize with unprecedented high resolution phagosome formation and closure in three dimensions in living macrophages, using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. It allows monitoring of the base of the phagocytic cup, the extending pseudopods, as well as the precise site of phagosome scission.

"Phagosome Closure Assay" to Visualize Phagosome Formation in Three Dimensions Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescent Microscopy (TIRFM)

Phagocytosis is a mechanism used by specialized cells to internalize and eliminate microorganisms or cellular debris. It relies on profound rearrangements ...

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Immunology and Infection

6.4K Views.  Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité. We describe an experimental setup to visualize with unprecedented high resolution phagosome formation and closure in three dimensions in living macrophages, using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy. It allows monitoring of the base of the phagocytic cup, the extending pseudopods, as well as the precise site of phagosome scission.

Video: "Phagosome Closure Assay" to Visualize Phagosome Formation in Three Dimensions Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescent Microscopy TIRFM

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps: How to Generate and Visualize Them

Neutrophil granulocytes are the most abundant group of leukocytes in the peripheral blood. As professional phagocytes, they engulf bacteria and kill them intracellularly when their antimicrobial granules fuse with the phagosome. We found that neutrophils have an additional way of killing microorganisms: upon activation, they release granule proteins and chromatin that together form extracellular fibers that bind pathogens. These novel structures, or Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs), degrade virulence factors and kill bacteria1, fungi2 and parasites3. The structural backbone of NETs is DNA, and they are quickly degraded in the presence of DNases. Thus, bacteria expressing DNases are more virulent4. Using correlative microscopy combining TEM, SEM, immunofluorescence and live cell imaging techniques, we could show that upon stimulation, the nuclei of neutrophils lose their shape and the eu- and heterochromatin homogenize. Later, the nuclear envelope and the granule membranes disintegrate allowing the mixing of NET components. Finally, the NETs are released as the cell membrane breaks. This cell death program (NETosis) is distinct from apoptosis and necrosis and depends on the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species by NADPH oxidase5. 
Neutrophil extracellular traps are abundant at sites of acute inflammation. NETs appear to be a form of innate immune response that bind microorganisms, prevent them from spreading, and ensure a high local concentration of antimicrobial agents to degrade virulence factors and kill pathogens thus allowing neutrophils to fulfill their antimicrobial function even beyond their life span. There is increasing evidence, however, that NETs are also involved in diseases that range from auto-immune syndromes to infertility6.
We describe methods to isolate Neutrophil Granulocytes from peripheral human blood7 and stimulate them to form NETs. Also we include protocols to visualize the NETs in light and electron microscopy.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) are an important innate immune mechanism to fight pathogenic bacteria, fungi and parasites. Here we describe methods to isolate neutrophil granulocytes from human blood and to activate them to form NETs. We present preparation techniques to visualize NETs in light and electron microscopy.

Neutrophil granulocytes are the most abundant group of leukocytes in the peripheral blood. As professional phagocytes, they engulf bacteria and kill them ...

Visualizing Cell-to-cell Transfer of HIV using Fluorescent Clones of HIV and Live Confocal Microscopy

By fusing the green fluorescent protein to their favorite proteins, biologists now have the ability to study living complex cellular processes using fluorescence video microscopy. To track the movements of the human immunodeficiency virus core protein during cell-to-cell transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, we have GFP-tagged the Gag protein in the context of an infectious molecular clone of HIV, called HIV Gag-iGFP. We study this viral clone using video confocal microscopy. In the following visualized experiment, we transfect a human T cell line with HIV Gag-iGFP, and we use fluorescently labeled uninfected CD4+ T cells to serve as target cells for the virus. Using the different fluorescent labels we can readily follow viral production and transport across intercellular structures called virological synapses. Simple gas permeable imaging chambers allow us to observe synapses with live confocal microscopy from minutes to days. These approaches can be used to track viral proteins as they move in from one cell to the next.

This visualized experiment is a guide for utilizing a fluorescent molecular clone of HIV for live confocal imaging experiments.

By fusing the green fluorescent protein to their favorite proteins, biologists now have the ability to study living complex cellular processes using ...

Direct Observation of Phagocytosis and NET-formation by Neutrophils in Infected Lungs using 2-photon Microscopy

After the gastrointestinal tract, the lung is the second largest surface for interaction between the vertebrate body and the 
environment. Here, an effective gas exchange must be maintained, while at the same time avoiding infection by the multiple pathogens that are inhaled 
during normal breathing. To achieve this, a superb set of defense strategies combining humoral and cellular immune mechanisms exists. One of the most 
effective measures for acute defense of the lung is the recruitment of neutrophils, which either phagocytose the inhaled pathogens or kill them by 
releasing cytotoxic chemicals. A recent addition to the arsenal of neutrophils is their explosive release of extracellular DNA-NETs by which bacteria 
or fungi can be caught or inactivated even after the NET releasing cells have died. We present here a method that allows one to directly observe neutrophils, 
migrating within a recently infected lung, phagocytosing fungal pathogens as well as visualize the extensive NETs that they have produced throughout the 
infected tissue. The method describes the preparation of thick viable lung slices 7 hours after intratracheal infection of mice with conidia of the mold 
Aspergillus fumigatus and their examination by multicolor time-lapse 2-photon microscopy. This approach allows one to directly investigate antifungal 
defense in native lung tissue and thus opens a new avenue for the detailed investigation of pulmonary immunity.

We show, how to use 2-photon microscopy for the observation of the dynamics of neutrophil granulocytes in infected lungs while they phagocytose pathogens or produce neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).

After the gastrointestinal tract, the lung is the second largest surface for interaction between the vertebrate body and the 
environment. Here, an ...

Total Protein Extraction and 2-D Gel Electrophoresis Methods for Burkholderia Species

The investigation of the intracellular protein levels of bacterial species is of importance to understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of diseases caused by these organisms. Here we describe a procedure for protein extraction from Burkholderia species based on mechanical lysis using glass beads in the presence of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride in phosphate buffered saline. This method can be used for different Burkholderia species, for different growth conditions, and it is likely suitable for the use in proteomic studies of other bacteria. Following protein extraction, a two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis proteomic technique is described to study global changes in the proteomes of these organisms. This method consists of the separation of proteins according to their isoelectric point by isoelectric focusing in the first dimension, followed by separation on the basis of molecular weight by acrylamide gel electrophoresis in the second dimension. Visualization of separated proteins is carried out by silver staining.

Total Protein Extraction and 2-D Gel Electrophoresis Methods for Burkholderia Species

Members of the Burkholderia genus are pathogens of clinical importance. We describe a method for total bacterial protein extraction, using mechanical disruption, and 2-D gel electrophoresis for subsequent proteomic analysis.

The investigation of  the intracellular protein levels of bacterial species is of importance to  understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of diseases ...

Using Fluorescent Proteins to Visualize and Quantitate Chlamydia Vacuole Growth Dynamics in Living Cells

The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia elicits a great burden on global public health. C.&#160;trachomatis is the leading bacterial cause of sexually transmitted infection and also the primary cause of preventable blindness in the world. An essential determinant for successful infection of host cells by Chlamydia is the bacterium's ability to manipulate host cell signaling from within a novel, vacuolar compartment called the inclusion. From within the inclusion, Chlamydia acquire nutrients required for their 2-3 day developmental growth, and they additionally secrete a panel of effector proteins onto the cytosolic face of the vacuole membrane and into the host cytosol. Gaps in our understanding of Chlamydia biology, however, present significant challenges for visualizing and analyzing this intracellular compartment. Recently, a reverse-imaging strategy for visualizing the inclusion using GFP expressing host cells was described. This approach rationally exploits the intrinsic impermeability of the inclusion membrane to large molecules such as GFP. In this work, we describe how GFP- or mCherry-expressing host cells are generated for subsequent visualization of chlamydial inclusions. Furthermore, this method is shown to effectively substitute for costly antibody-based enumeration methods, can be used in tandem with other fluorescent labels, such as GFP-expressing Chlamydia, and can be exploited to derive key quantitative data about inclusion membrane growth from a range of Chlamydia species and strains.

Using Fluorescent Proteins to Visualize and Quantitate Chlamydia Vacuole Growth Dynamics in Living Cells

A live cell fluorescent protein based method for illuminating cellular vacuoles (inclusions) containing Chlamydia is described. This strategy enables rapid, automated determination of Chlamydia infectivity in samples and can be used to quantitatively investigate inclusion growth dynamics.

The obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia elicits a great burden on global public health. C.&#160;trachomatis is the leading bacterial cause of ...

Study of Phagolysosome Biogenesis in Live Macrophages

Phagocytic cells play a major role in the innate immune system by removing and eliminating invading microorganisms in their phagosomes. Phagosome maturation is the complex and tightly regulated process during which a nascent phagosome undergoes drastic transformation through well-orchestrated interactions with various cellular organelles and compartments in the cytoplasm. This process, which is essential for the physiological function of phagocytic cells by endowing phagosomes with their lytic and bactericidal properties, culminates in fusion of phagosomes with lysosomes and biogenesis of phagolysosomes which is considered to be the last and critical stage of maturation for phagosomes. In this report, we describe a live cell imaging based method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the dynamic process of lysosome to phagosome content delivery, which is a hallmark of phagolysosome biogenesis. This approach uses IgG-coated microbeads as a model for phagocytosis and fluorophore-conjugated dextran molecules as a luminal lysosomal cargo probe, in order to follow the dynamic delivery of lysosmal content to the phagosomes in real time in live macrophages using time-lapse imaging and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Here we describe in detail the background, the preparation steps and the step-by-step experimental setup to enable easy and precise deployment of this method in other labs. Our described method is simple, robust, and most importantly, can be easily adapted to study phagosomal interactions and maturation in different systems and under various experimental settings such as use of various phagocytic cells types, loss-of-function experiments, different probes, and phagocytic particles.

Phagocytic cells play a major role in the innate immune system by removing and eliminating invading microorganisms in their phagosomes. Phagosome ...

Using Fluorescent Proteins to Monitor Glycosome Dynamics in the African Trypanosome

Trypanosoma brucei is a kinetoplastid parasite that causes human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, and a wasting disease, nagana, in cattle1. The parasite alternates between the bloodstream of the mammalian host and the tsetse fly vector. The composition of many cellular organelles changes in response to these different extracellular conditions2-5.
Glycosomes are highly specialized peroxisomes in which many of the enzymes involved in glycolysis are compartmentalized. Glycosome composition changes in a developmental and environmentally regulated manner4-11. Currently, the most common techniques used to study glycosome dynamics are electron and fluorescence microscopy; techniques that are expensive, time and labor intensive, and not easily adapted to high throughput analyses.
To overcome these limitations, a fluorescent-glycosome reporter system in which enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (eYFP) is fused to a peroxisome targeting sequence (PTS2), which directs the fusion protein to glycosomes12, has been established. Upon import of the PTS2eYFP fusion protein, glycosomes become fluorescent. Organelle degradation and recycling results in the loss of fluorescence that can be measured by flow cytometry. Large numbers of cells (5,000 cells/sec) can be analyzed in real-time without extensive sample preparation such as fixation and mounting. This method offers a rapid way of detecting changes in organelle composition in response to fluctuating environmental conditions.

Glycosome dynamics in African trypanosomes are difficult to study by traditional cell biology techniques such as electron and fluorescence microscopy. As a means of observing dynamic organelle behavior, a fluorescent-organelle reporter system has been used in conjunction with flow cytometry to monitor real-time glycosome dynamics in live parasites.

Trypanosoma brucei is a kinetoplastid parasite that causes human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, and a wasting disease, nagana, in ...

Measuring Physiological Responses of Drosophila Sensory Neurons to Lipid Pheromones Using Live Calcium Imaging

Unlike mammals, insects such as Drosophila have multiple taste organs. The chemosensory neurons on the legs, proboscis, wings and ovipositor of Drosophila express gustatory receptors1,2, ion channels3-6, and ionotropic receptors7 that are involved in the detection of volatile and non-volatile sensory cues. These neurons directly contact tastants such as food, noxious substances and pheromones and therefore influence many complex behaviors such as feeding, egg-laying and mating. Electrode recordings and calcium imaging have been widely used in insects to quantify the neuronal responses evoked by these tastants. However, electrophysiology requires specialized equipment and obtaining measurements from a single taste sensillum can be technically challenging depending on the cell-type, size, and position. In addition, single neuron resolution in Drosophila can be difficult to achieve since taste sensilla house more than one type of chemosensory neuron. The live calcium imaging method described here allows responses of single gustatory neurons in live flies to be measured. This method is especially suitable for imaging neuronal responses to lipid pheromones and other ligand types that have low solubility in water-based solvents.

Measuring Physiological Responses of Drosophila Sensory Neurons to Lipid Pheromones Using Live Calcium Imaging

The forelegs and proboscis of Drosophila contain a rich repertoire of gustatory sensory neurons. Here, we present a method using calcium imaging to measure physiological responses from sensory neurons in the foreleg and proboscis of live flies upon exogenous application of a gustatory pheromone.

Unlike mammals, insects such as Drosophila have multiple taste organs. The chemosensory neurons on the legs, proboscis, wings and ovipositor of Drosophila ...

Measuring Phagosome pH by Ratiometric Fluorescence Microscopy

Phagocytosis is a fundamental process through which innate immune cells engulf bacteria, apoptotic cells or other foreign particles in order to kill or neutralize the ingested material, or to present it as antigens and initiate adaptive immune responses. The pH of phagosomes is a critical parameter regulating fission or fusion with endomembranes and activation of proteolytic enzymes, events that allow the phagocytic vacuole to mature into a degradative organelle. In addition, translocation of H+ is required for the production of high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are essential for efficient killing and signaling to other host tissues. Many intracellular pathogens subvert phagocytic killing by limiting phagosomal acidification, highlighting the importance of pH in phagosome biology. Here we describe a ratiometric method for measuring phagosomal pH in neutrophils using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled zymosan as phagocytic targets, and live-cell imaging. The assay is based on the fluorescence properties of FITC, which is quenched by acidic pH when excited at 490 nm but not when excited at 440 nm, allowing quantification of a pH-dependent ratio, rather than absolute fluorescence, of a single dye. A detailed protocol for performing in situ dye calibration and conversion of ratio to real pH values is also provided. Single-dye ratiometric methods are generally considered superior to single wavelength or dual-dye pseudo-ratiometric protocols, as they are less sensitive to perturbations such as bleaching, focus changes, laser variations, and uneven labeling, which distort the measured signal. This method can be easily modified to measure pH in other phagocytic cell types, and zymosan can be replaced by any other amine-containing particle, from inert beads to living microorganisms. Finally, this method can be adapted to make use of other fluorescent probes sensitive to different pH ranges or other phagosomal activities, making it a generalized protocol for the functional imaging of phagosomes.

Phagosomal pH influences phagosome maturation, oxidant production, phagosomal killing as well as antigen presentation. Here we describe a ratiometric method for measuring time-course and endpoint pH changes in individual phagosomes in living phagocytes using fluorescence microscopy.

Phagocytosis is a fundamental process through which innate immune cells engulf bacteria, apoptotic cells or other foreign particles in order to kill or ...

Imaging the Neutrophil Phagosome and Cytoplasm Using a Ratiometric pH Indicator

Neutrophils are crucial to host innate defense and, consequently, constitute an important area of medical research. The phagosome, the intracellular compartment where the killing and digestion of engulfed particles take place, is the main arena for neutrophil pathogen killing that requires tight regulation. Phagosomal pH is one aspect that is carefully controlled, in turn regulating antimicrobial protease activity. Many fluorescent pH-sensitive dyes have been used to visualize the phagosomal environment. S-1 has several advantages over other pH-sensitive dyes, including its dual emission spectra, its resistance to photo-bleaching, and its high pKa. Using this method, we have demonstrated that the neutrophil phagosome is unusually alkaline in comparison to other phagocytes. By using different biochemical conjugations of the dye, the phagosome can be delineated from the cytoplasm so that changes in the size and shape of the phagosome can be assessed. This allows for further monitoring of ionic movement.

This manuscript describes a simple method to measure the phagosomal pH and area as well as the cytoplasmic pH of human and mouse neutrophils using the ratiometric indicator seminaphthorhodafluor (SNARF)-1, or S-1. This is achieved using live-cell confocal fluorescence microscopy and image analysis.

Neutrophils are crucial to host innate defense and, consequently, constitute an important area of medical research. The phagosome, the intracellular ...

"Phagosome Closure Assay" to Visualize Phagosome Formation in Three Dimensions Using Total Internal Reflection Fluorescent Microscopy (TIRFM)

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Chapters in this video

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps: How to Generate and Visualize Them

Visualizing Cell-to-cell Transfer of HIV using Fluorescent Clones of HIV and Live Confocal Microscopy

Direct Observation of Phagocytosis and NET-formation by Neutrophils in Infected Lungs using 2-photon Microscopy

Total Protein Extraction and 2-D Gel Electrophoresis Methods for Burkholderia Species

Using Fluorescent Proteins to Visualize and Quantitate Chlamydia Vacuole Growth Dynamics in Living Cells

Study of Phagolysosome Biogenesis in Live Macrophages

Using Fluorescent Proteins to Monitor Glycosome Dynamics in the African Trypanosome

Measuring Physiological Responses of Drosophila Sensory Neurons to Lipid Pheromones Using Live Calcium Imaging

Measuring Phagosome pH by Ratiometric Fluorescence Microscopy

Imaging the Neutrophil Phagosome and Cytoplasm Using a Ratiometric pH Indicator