Name: turbidimetry on human washed platelets: the effect of the pannexin1-inhibitor brilliant blue fcf on collagen-induced aggregation
Uploaded: 2017-04-06T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Turbidimetry on Human Washed Platelets: The Effect of the Pannexin1-inhibitor Brilliant Blue FCF on Collagen-induced Aggregation at JoVE.com

This work was supported by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (310030_162579/1 to Brenda Renata Kwak and 320030_144150 to Pierre Fontana) as well as by a grant from the Swiss Heart Foundation.

Five unrelated healthy volunteers were recruited for blood sampling for platelet isolation and aggregation tests. Written informed consent was obtained and the protocol was approved by the Central Ethics Committee of the Geneva University Hospitals. All volunteers certified to be healthy and to have not taken any platelet-interfering drugs during at least the 10 days preceding the experiments.
1. Buffer Preparation for Human Blood Collection and Washed Platelet Isolation
<ol>
	<li>Prepare a ...

<ol>
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B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Particle+volume+changes+associated+with+light+transmittance+changes+in+the+platelet+aggregometer:+dependence+upon+aggregating+agent+and+effectiveness+of+stimulus.">Particle volume changes associated with light transmittance changes in the platelet aggregometer: dependence upon aggregating agent and effectiveness of stimulus.</a> Thromb Res. 41 (5), 615-626 (1986).</li><li>Malinski, J. A., Nelsestuen, G. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Relationship+of+turbidity+to+the+stages+of+platelet+aggregation.">Relationship of turbidity to the stages of platelet aggregation.</a> Biochim Biophys Acta. 882 (2), 177-182 (1986).</li><li>Riess, H., Braun, G., Brehm, G., Hiller, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Critical+evaluation+of+platelet+aggregation+in+whole+human+blood.">Critical evaluation of platelet aggregation in whole human blood.</a> Am J Clin Pathol. 85 (1), 50-56 (1986).</li><li>Hayward, C. P., 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=An+evaluation+of+methods+for+determining+reference+intervals+for+light+transmission+platelet+aggregation+tests+on+samples+with+normal+or+reduced+platelet+counts.">An evaluation of methods for determining reference intervals for light transmission platelet aggregation tests on samples with normal or reduced platelet counts.</a> Thromb Haemost. 100 (1), 134-145 (2008).</li><li>Frelinger, A. 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=Platelet+function+tests,+independent+of+platelet+count,+are+associated+with+bleeding+severity+in.">Platelet function tests, independent of platelet count, are associated with bleeding severity in.</a> ITP. Blood. 126 (7), 873-879 (2015).</li><li>Fusegawa, Y., Goto, S., Handa, S., Kawada, T., Ando, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Platelet+spontaneous+aggregation+in+platelet-rich+plasma+is+increased+in+habitual+smokers.">Platelet spontaneous aggregation in platelet-rich plasma is increased in habitual smokers.</a> Thromb Res. 93 (6), 271-278 (1999).</li><li>Davis, R. B., Boyd, D. G., McKinney, M. E., Jones, C. C. <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+exercise+and+exercise+conditioning+on+blood+platelet+function.">Effects of exercise and exercise conditioning on blood platelet function.</a> Med Sci Sports Exerc. 22 (1), 49-53 (1990).</li><li>Yee, D. L., Sun, C. W., Bergeron, A. L., Dong, J. F., Bray, P. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Aggregometry+detects+platelet+hyperreactivity+in+healthy+individuals.">Aggregometry detects platelet hyperreactivity in healthy individuals.</a> Blood. 106 (8), 2723-2729 (2005).</li><li>Cattaneo, M., 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=Recommendations+for+the+Standardization+of+Light+Transmission+Aggregometry:+A+Consensus+of+the+Working+Party+from+the+Platelet+Physiology+Subcommittee+of+SSC/ISTH.">Recommendations for the Standardization of Light Transmission Aggregometry: A Consensus of the Working Party from the Platelet Physiology Subcommittee of SSC/ISTH.</a> J Thromb Haemost. , (2013).</li><li>Patel, D., Zhang, X., Veenstra, R. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Connexin+hemichannel+and+pannexin+channel+electrophysiology:+how+do+they+differ?.">Connexin hemichannel and pannexin channel electrophysiology: how do they differ?.</a> FEBS Lett. 588 (8), 1372-1378 (2014).</li><li>European Food Safety Authority. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Scientific+Opinion+on+the+re-evaluation+of+Brilliant+Blue+FCF+(E+133)+as+a+food+additive.">Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Brilliant Blue FCF (E 133) as a food additive.</a> EFSA Journal. 8 (11), 1853-1889 (2010).</li><li>Lages, B., Scrutton, M. 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There is great interest in finding new drugs capable of modulating platelet function in order to prevent thrombosis without enhancing the risk of bleeding. For this purpose, in vitro laboratory tests which can reliably and reproducibly monitor aggregation responses in human platelets are absolutely necessary. Turbidimetric aggregometry is an easy technique to perform. However, some precautions need to be kept in mind. The measurements need to be performed under continuous stirring as the aggregation process is l...

Platelets are crucial components of blood and their main function-together with coagulation factors-is to stop bleeding after blood vessel injury. Platelets are small (2-3 &#181;m) anuclear fragments derived from megakaryocytes of the bone marrow1. Platelets circulate in non-activated state, during which they appear as lens-shaped structures. Upon interruption of the endothelium, platelets gather to the site of blood vessel injury to plug the hole, a process called primary hemostasis. Initially, platelets attach to sub-endothelial molecules, such as collagen and von Willebrand factor, that are exposed as a result of the injury-adhesion step2. Then, they change shape and secrete chemical messengers-activation step. Finally, they connect to each other by bridging receptors-aggregation step. Primary hemostasis is followed by a secondary process involving activation of the coagulation cascade with fibrin deposition, which stabilizes the initial thrombus2.
Acute ischemic events such as myocardial infarction3 often result from thrombi that form because of physical disruption (rupture) of an atherosclerotic plaque. Current anti-platelet drugs are the cornerstone of the treatment of this widespread disease but their clinical benefit is limited by an increased risk for bleeding. The most prescribed drugs in cardiovascular patients, aspirin and anti-P2Y12 compounds, target the thromboxane A2 and the ADP pathways4, respectively, which are the major pathways leading to platelet activation. However, innovative research towards new targets that would optimally balance antithrombotic effects and haemorragic risk is still necessary.
From the 1960s5 to today, turbidimetric aggregometry has played a crucial role in research, enhancing our knowledge of platelet reactivity and in the monitoring of the potency of anti-thrombotic reagents in humans. Turbidimetry was initially applied to PRP extracted from blood samples. Indeed, blood collection performed in tubes containing citrate allows fast and large production of PRP without having any effect on platelet integrity and function. However, the short-term stability (about 3 h) of PRP and the remaining plasmatic enzymes, such as thrombin, and the low calcium concentration associated with potentially artefactual aggregation profiles are of major inconvenience for the use of PRP. An important step forward has been the development of a method for platelet isolation with additional centrifugation and washing steps6. In short, PRP is isolated from whole blood collected on acid-citrate-dextrose (ACD) and platelets are isolated after serial centrifugation steps before being resuspended in an iso-osmotic phosphate buffer (Tyrode&#39;s buffer) containing glucose, human serum albumin and divalent cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+). To avoid changes in platelet reactivity, the pH of Tyrode&#39;s buffer is carefully kept at 7.35-7.4. Moreover, undesired activation of platelets is prevented by adding prostacyclin (PGI2) before some centrifugation steps. Finally, addition of apyrase prevents washed platelets from becoming resistant against the action of ATP/ADP. The resulting platelet suspension lacks coagulant factors and the stability of platelets is increased by at least two-fold as compared to PRP solutions. In addition, the fact that platelets are inactive but intact warrants the reproducibility of turbidimetric measurements and provides the ability to study the action of agonists or antagonists of platelet aggregation in an optimal way.
Using this method, we have shown in a recent study that inhibiting the formation of Panx1 channels by a genetic approach (knock-out mice) or decreasing Panx1 channel activity by pharmacological approaches reduced collagen-induced platelet aggregation7. Panx1 forms ATP-release channels, which are ubiquitously expressed in many cell types including human platelets7,8. In fact, we demonstrated by turbidimetry on human washed platelets that a 7 min preincubation with a panel of more-or-less specific chemical blockers (probenecid, mefloquine and 10Panx1 peptides) prior to the addition of various agonists, inhibited specifically collagen-induced platelet aggregation while platelet responses to AA and ADP were not affected. We demonstrated that ATP release through Panx1 channels specifically interferes in the GPVI signaling pathway leading to collagen-induced aggregation. Interestingly, multiple FDA-approved compounds with applications in other diseases (probenecid, mefloquine) affect the activity of Panx1 channels in platelets. On one hand, this opens new therapeutic perspectives to selectively modify platelet reactivity. On the other hand, one should consider potential secondary effects of these compounds. In this context, the safe food dye Brilliant Blue FCF used in multiple candies and energy drinks has been described as a selective inhibitor of Panx19. We describe here a protocol for the isolation of human washed platelets and turbidimetric measurements of platelet aggregation adapted to investigate the effect of the Brilliant Blue FCF dye as an antagonist of platelet aggregation.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>citric acid monohydrate (C6H8O7*H2O)</td>
			<td>Roth</td>
			<td>5949-29-1</td>
			<td>danger of eye damage/irritation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>trisodium citrate dihydrate (Na3C6H5O7*2H2O)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S1804</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>D(+)-glucose</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>G8270</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium chloride (NaCl)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S9888</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium chloride (KCl)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>P9541</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S6014</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium dihydrogenophosphate monohydrate (NaH2PO4*H2O)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S9638</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl2*6H2O)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>M9272</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Calcium chloride hexahydrate (CaCl2*6H2O)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>442909</td>
			<td>danger of eye damage/irritation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-2-ethane sulfonic acid (Hepes)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific&#160;</td>
			<td>15630</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>human serum albumin</td>
			<td>CSL Behring</td>
			<td>00257/374</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>hydrochloric acid</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>320331</td>
			<td>Corrosive and irritative for the respiratory system. Can cause severe skin and eye damages.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Eppendorf 5810 R</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>heparin</td>
			<td>Drosspharm AG/SA</td>
			<td>20810</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>prostacyclin I2 (PGI2)</td>
			<td>Cayman</td>
			<td>18220</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>apyrase from potatoes</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A6535</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>fibrinogen (Haemocomplettan)</td>
			<td>CSL Behring</td>
			<td>HS 73466011</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>thrombo-aggragometer SD-Medical</td>
			<td>SD-Innovation</td>
			<td>TA8V</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Brilliant blue FCF (Erioglaucine disodium salt)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>80717</td>
			<td>Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects (Avoid release to the environnement)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>collagen</td>
			<td>Horm, Nycomed</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>arachidonic acid</td>
			<td>Bio/Data corporation</td>
			<td>C/N 101297</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>cell counter Sysmex KX-21N</td>
			<td>Sysmex Digitana&#160;</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15630-056</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>glass cuvettes</td>
			<td>SD-Innovation</td>
			<td>THCV1000</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>magnetic stirrers</td>
			<td>SD-Innovation</td>
			<td>THA100</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

turbidimetry on human washed platelets: the effect of the pannexin1-inhibitor brilliant blue fcf on collagen-induced aggregation

Turbidimetry is a laboratory technique that is applied to measure the aggregation of platelets suspended in either plasma (platelet-rich plasma, PRP) or in buffer (washed platelets), by the use of one or a combination of agonists. The use of washed platelets separated from their plasma environment and in the absence of anticoagulants allows for studying intrinsic platelet properties. Among the large panel of agonists, arachidonic acid (AA), adenosine di-phosphate (ADP), thrombin and collagen are the most frequently used. The aggregation response is quantified by measuring the relative optical density (OD) over time of platelet suspension under continuous stirring. Platelets in homogeneous suspension limit the passage of light after the addition of an agonist, platelet shape change occurs producing a small transitory increase in OD. Following this initial activation step, platelet clots form gradually, allowing the passage of light through the suspension as a result of decreased OD. The aggregation process is ultimately expressed as a percentage, compared to the OD of platelet-poor plasma or buffer. Rigorous calibration is thus essential at the beginning of each experiment. As a general rule: calibration to 0% is set by measuring the OD of a non-stimulated platelet suspension while measuring the OD of the suspension medium containing no platelets represents a value of 100%. Platelet aggregation is generally visualized as a real-time aggregation curve. Turbidimetry is one of the most commonly used laboratory techniques for the investigation of platelet function and is considered as the historical gold standard and used for the development of new pharmaceutical agents aimed at inhibiting platelet aggregation. Here, we describe detailed protocols for 1) preparation of human washed platelets and 2) turbidimetric analysis of collagen-induced aggregation of human washed platelets pretreated with the food dye Brilliant Blue FCF that was recently identified as an inhibitor of Pannexin1 (Panx1) channels.

The aggregometer software automatically produces the aggregation curves and gives the values for maximal aggregation in percentage. The values can be copied to a data analysis software in order to perform statistical analysis and visualize maximal aggregation values in form of bar charts. Optionally, each individual point of the aggregation curves can be exported successively into a spreadsheet software and then to statistical software (e.g. GraphPad) in order to visualize the cu...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Turbidimetry on Human Washed Platelets: The Effect of the Pannexin1-inhibitor Brilliant Blue FCF on Collagen-induced Aggregation at JoVE.com

Turbidimetry on Human Washed Platelets: The Effect of the Pannexin1-inhibitor Brilliant Blue FCF on Collagen-induced Aggregation

We describe a straightforward method for the isolation of washed platelets from human blood followed by agonist-induced platelet aggregation measurements by turbidimetry. As an example we apply this method for studying the aggregation response of human platelets to collagen after a pre-incubation with the Pannexin1 channel inhibitor Brilliant Blue FCF.

Turbidimetry is a laboratory technique that is applied to measure the aggregation of platelets suspended in either plasma (platelet-rich plasma, PRP) or ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to describe a straightforward method for the isolation of washed platelets from human blood followed by agonist-induced platelet aggregation measurements by turbidimetry. This method can help answer key questions in the field of human platelet biology such as the effects of pannexin-1 inhibition on agonist-induced platelet aggregation. The main advantage of this technique is that it is rapid and easy to perform while it allows reliable and reproducible monitoring of aggregation responses.Light transmission aggregometry is not only used for research purposes but it is also used for the investigation of platelet function in patients with bleeding disorders. To begin, dissolve 1.4 grams of citric acid monohydrate, 2.5 grams of trisodium citrate dihydrate, and two grams of anhydrous D-glucose in distilled water to prepare 100 milliliters of an ACD solution with a pH of approximately 4.5. Then prepare Tyrode's buffer by diluting 2.5 milliliters of stock solution one in a final volume of 15 milliliters of distilled water.Adjust the pH to 7.35 by adding one normal hydrogen chloride and filter sterilize the solution using a 0.22 micron filter. Finally, add five milliliters of stock solution one, one milliliter of stock solution two, two milliliters of stock solution three, 0.5 milliliters of one molar heaps, 1.8 milliliters of 200 grams per liter human serum albumin, and 0.1 gram of anhydrous d-glucose to a final volume of 100 milliliters distilled water to prepare the TA buffer. Using one normal hydrogen chloride, adjust the pH to 7.35 and set the osmolarity to 295 milliosmoles per liter with distilled water.Fill 50 milliliter tubes with one volume of ACD anticoagulant per anticipated six volumes of blood to be collected. Introduce a 19 gauge needle into an antecubital vein of a healthy donor. Discard the initial one to two milliliters of the withdrawn blood as it may contain thrombin and tissue factor and collect the following 45 to 50 milliliters.Gently invert the tube to mix the blood with the ACD solution. Then incubate the sample in an oven at 37 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. To prepare platelet-rich plasma, transfer five milliliter aliquots of the collected blood into 15 milliliter tubes and centrifuge the samples at 250 times g in 37 degrees Celsius for 13 minutes.When centrifuged, aspirate the top layer of the samples, avoiding any red and white blood cell contamination. Then transfer the obtained platelet-rich plasma into a new 15 milliliter tube and incubate it at 37 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. Centrifuge platelet-rich plasma at 2, 200 times g for 12 minutes.Next, remove the supernatant and using a plastic Pasteur pipette, carefully resuspend the pellet in 10 milliliters of the TA buffer containing two microliters per milliliter of heparin and 2.5 microliters per milliliter of 25 micromolar prostacyclin in Tris-HCL buffer. Incubate the sample for 10 minutes at 37 degrees Celsius. Then add 2.5 microliters per milliliter of 25 micromolar prostacyclin and centrifuge the sample at 1, 900 times g for eight minutes.After spinning, remove the supernatant and with a plastic Pasteur pipette, resuspend the pellet in five milliliters of the TA buffer containing 2.5 microliters per milliliter of 25 micromolar prostacyclin. Incubate the platelets at 37 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes one more time. While the sample is being incubated, transfer 150 microliters of the platelet suspension into a 1.5 milliliter tube and count the platelets using an automated cell counter.After incubation, add 2.5 microliters per milliliter of 25 micromolar prostacyclin to the platelet suspension and immediately centrifuge the sample at 1, 900 times g for eight minutes. Remove the supernatant and resuspend the pellet to achieve a density of 250, 000 platelets per microliter using an adequate volume of the TA buffer containing apyrase at 0.32 units per milliliter. Before the aggregametric measurements, incubate the cell suspension at 37 degrees Celsius for at least 30 minutes.To proceed with aggregometry, dissolve fibrinogen in Tyrode's buffer to obtain a 56 milligram per milliliter solution. Pipette 260 microliters of the platelet suspension into glass cuvettes containing 10 microliters of the fibrinogen solution and a magnetic stirring rod. Then incubate the suspensions for two to three minutes at 37 degrees Celsius in an incubation well within the aggregometer.Next, add 10 microliters of a 2.8 millimolar brilliant blue FCF stock solution prepared in distilled water and pre-incubate the suspension at 37 degrees Celsius for seven minutes. To calibrate the aggregometer, prepare a cuvette containing a solution of 10 microliters fibrinogen, 10 microliters brilliant blue FCF solution, and the TA buffer without platelets that corresponds to 100%aggregation. Place the cuvette in an aggregometer channel with automatic stirring turned on.Indicate the experimental channel in the software controlling the apparatus and measure the optical density of the solution. Then under constant stirring conditions, calibrate the aggregometer using a platelet sample with no agonist added corresponding to 0%aggregation. Place the cuvette in the aggregometer and indicate the experimental channel in the software controlling the apparatus.Wait for about 20 to 30 seconds to ensure no aggregation occurs. Then add 20 microliters of the desired agonist into the cuvette. Immediately start recording aggregation data.Proceed with a readout for six minutes and save the data when completed. Presented here are the aggregation curves obtained for collagen-stimulated platelets that were incubated with either water or different concentrations of brilliant blue FCF. The low brilliant blue FCF concentration did not influence the platelet response to collagen while brilliant blue FCF at one millimolar completely abolished the collagen-induced platelet aggregation.Finally, the platelet inhibiting activity of brilliant blue FCF was shown to be specific towards platelets activated by collagen stimulation whereas it did not influence the aggregation of platelets activated with arachidonic acid as demonstrated by five independent measures taken in healthy volunteers. Once mastered, this technique can be done in four to six hours, depending on the number of tests, if it is performed properly. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to perform turbidimetry-based aggregation tests on washed platelets isolated from human blood.Don't forget that working with human blood can be hazardous and particular precautions such as wearing protective gloves should always be taken while performing this procedure.

turbidimetry-on-human-washed-platelets-effect-pannexin1-inhibitor

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor

While the majority of human spinal cord injuries occur in the cervical spinal cord, the vast majority of laboratory research employs animal models of spinal cord injury (SCI) in which the thoracic spinal cord is injured. Additionally, because most human cord injuries occur as the result of blunt, non-penetrating trauma (e.g. motor vehicle accident, sporting injury) where the spinal cord is violently struck by displaced bone or soft tissues, the majority of SCI researchers are of the opinion that the most clinically relevant injury models are those in which the spinal cord is rapidly contused.1 Therefore, an important step in the preclinical evaluation of novel treatments on their way to human translation is an assessment of their efficacy in a model of contusion SCI within the cervical spinal cord. Here, we describe the technical aspects and resultant anatomical and behavioral outcomes of an unilateral contusive model of cervical SCI that employs the Infinite Horizon spinal cord injury impactor.
Sprague Dawley rats underwent a left-sided unilateral laminectomy at C5. To optimize the reproducibility of the biomechanical, functional, and histological outcomes of the injury model, we contused the spinal cords using an impact force of 150 kdyn, an impact trajectory of 22.5&deg; (animals rotated at 22.5&deg;), and an impact location off of midline of 1.4 mm. Functional recovery was assessed using the cylinder rearing test, horizontal ladder test, grooming test and modified Montoya's staircase test for up to 6 weeks, after which the spinal cords were evaluated histologically for white and grey matter sparing.
The injury model presented here imparts consistent and reproducible biomechanical forces to the spinal cord, an important feature of any experimental SCI model. This results in discrete histological damage to the lateral half of the spinal cord which is largely contained to the ipsilateral side of injury. The injury is well tolerated by the animals, but does result in functional deficits of the forelimb that are significant and sustained in the weeks following injury. The cervical unilateral injury model presented here may be a resource to researchers who wish to evaluate potentially promising therapies prior to human translation.

A reliable and repeatable way to produce a cervical unilateral spinal cord injury using the Infinite Horizon impactor is described. The method takes advantage of a custom designed frame and clamp to stabilize the spine. The standardized procedure and biomechanical injury parameters result in sufficient and sustained injuries.

While the majority of human spinal cord injuries occur in the cervical spinal cord, the vast majority of laboratory research employs animal models of ...

Immunohistochemical Staining of B7-H1 (PD-L1) on Paraffin-embedded Slides of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Tissue

B7-H1/PD-L1, a member of the B7 family of immune-regulatory cell-surface proteins, plays an important role in the negative regulation of cell-mediated immune responses through its interaction with its receptor, programmed death-1 (PD-1) 1,2. Overexpression of B7-H1 by tumor cells has been noted in a number of human cancers, including melanoma, glioblastoma, and carcinomas of the lung, breast, colon, ovary, and renal cells, and has been shown to impair anti-tumor T-cell immunity3-8.
Recently, B7-H1 expression by pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues has been identified as a potential prognostic marker9,10. Additionally, blockade of B7-H1 in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer has been shown to produce an anti-tumor response11. These data suggest the importance of B7-H1 as a potential therapeutic target. Anti-B7-H1 blockade antibodies are therefore being tested in clinical trials for multiple human solid tumors including melanoma and cancers of lung, colon, kidney, stomach and pancreas12.
In order to eventually be able to identify the patients who will benefit from B7-H1 targeting therapies, it is critical to investigate the correlation between expression and localization of B7-H1 and patient response to treatment with B7-H1 blockade antibodies. Examining the expression of B7-H1 in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues through immunohistochemistry will give a better understanding of how this co-inhibitory signaling molecule contributes to the suppression of antitumor immunity in the tumor's microenvironment. The anti-B7-H1 monoclonal antibody (clone 5H1) developed by Chen and coworkers has been shown to produce reliable staining results in cryosections of multiple types of human neoplastic tissues4,8, but staining on paraffin-embedded slides had been a challenge until recently13-18. We have developed the B7-H1 staining protocol for paraffin-embedded slides of pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues. The B7-H1 staining protocol described here produces consistent membranous and cytoplasmic staining of B7-H1 with little background.

Immunohistochemical Staining of B7-H1 PD-L1 on Paraffin-embedded Slides of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Tissue

B7-H1 (PD-L1) and its binding to PD-1 provide a major tumor-induced immunosuppressive signal in the tumor&#x2019;s microenvironment. An immunohistochemical staining technique to characterize the expression and localization of B7-H1 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma is described here.

B7-H1/PD-L1, a member  of the B7 family of immune-regulatory cell-surface proteins, plays an important  role in the negative regulation of cell-mediated ...

Formation of Human Prostate Epithelium Using Tissue Recombination of Rodent Urogenital Sinus Mesenchyme and Human Stem Cells

Progress in prostate cancer research is severely limited by the availability of human-derived and hormone-na&iuml;ve model systems, which limit our ability to understand genetic and molecular events underlying prostate disease initiation. Toward developing better model systems for studying human prostate carcinogenesis, we and others have taken advantage of the unique pro-prostatic inductive potential of embryonic rodent prostate stroma, termed urogenital sinus mesenchyme (UGSM). When recombined with certain pluripotent cell populations such as embryonic stem cells, UGSM induces the formation of normal human prostate epithelia in a testosterone-dependent manner. Such a human model system can be used to investigate and experimentally test the ability of candidate prostate cancer susceptibility genes at an accelerated pace compared to typical rodent transgenic studies. Since Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can be genetically modified in culture using inducible gene expression or siRNA knock-down vectors prior to tissue recombination, such a model facilitates testing the functional consequences of genes, or combinations of genes, which are thought to promote or prevent carcinogenesis.
The technique of isolating pure populations of UGSM cells, however, is challenging and learning often requires someone with previous expertise to personally teach. Moreover, inoculation of cell mixtures under the renal capsule of an immunocompromised host can be technically challenging. Here we outline and illustrate proper isolation of UGSM from rodent embryos and renal capsule implantation of tissue mixtures to form human prostate epithelium. Such an approach, at its current stage, requires in vivo xenografting of embryonic stem cells; future applications could potentially include in vitro gland formation or the use of induced pluripotent stem cell populations (iPSCs).

To unravel the earliest molecular mechanisms underlying prostate cancer initiation, novel and innovative human model systems and approaches are desperately needed. The potential of pre-prostatic urogenital sinus mesenchyme (UGSM) to induce pluripotent stem cell populations to form human prostate epithelium is a powerful experimental tool in prostate research.

Progress in prostate cancer research is severely  limited by the availability of human-derived and hormone-na&iuml;ve model systems,  which limit our ...

Measuring Frailty in HIV-infected Individuals. Identification of Frail Patients is the First Step to Amelioration and Reversal of Frailty

A simple, validated protocol consisting of a battery of tests is available to identify elderly patients with frailty syndrome. This syndrome of decreased reserve and resistance to stressors increases in incidence with increasing age. In the elderly, frailty may pursue a step-wise loss of function from non-frail to pre-frail to frail. We studied frailty in HIV-infected patients and found that ~20% are frail using the Fried phenotype using stringent criteria developed for the elderly1,2. In HIV infection the syndrome occurs at a younger age.
HIV patients were checked for 1) unintentional weight loss; 2) slowness as determined by walking speed; 3) weakness as measured by a grip dynamometer; 4) exhaustion by responses to a depression scale; and 5) low physical activity was determined by assessing kilocalories expended in a week's time. Pre-frailty was present with any two of five criteria and frailty was present if any three of the five criteria were abnormal.
The tests take approximately 10-15 min to complete and they can be performed by medical assistants during routine clinic visits. Test results are scored by referring to standard tables. Understanding which of the five components contribute to frailty in an individual patient can allow the clinician to address relevant underlying problems, many of which are not evident in routine HIV clinic visits.

Frailty syndrome is commonly seen in the aged and reflects multi-system physiological change. However, with reduced functional reserve and resilience frailty is also known to be common in the HIV infected population. This study outlined an easily administered screening test to identify HIV patients with frailty. When significant components of frailty are identified, clinicians will be able to focus on amelioration of the problem and promote reversion to the pre-frail state.

A simple, validated protocol consisting of a battery of tests is available to identify elderly patients with frailty syndrome. This syndrome of decreased ...

Phosphorus-31 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Tool for Measuring In Vivo Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Capacity in Human Skeletal Muscle

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity, which is critically important in health and disease, can be measured in vivo and noninvasively in humans via phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31PMRS). However, the approach has not been widely adopted in translational and clinical research, with variations in methodology and limited guidance from the literature. Increased optimization, standardization, and dissemination of methods for in vivo 31PMRS would facilitate the development of targeted therapies to improve OXPHOS capacity and could ultimately favorably impact cardiovascular health. 31PMRS produces a noninvasive, in vivo measure of OXPHOS capacity in human skeletal muscle, as opposed to alternative measures obtained from explanted and potentially altered mitochondria via muscle biopsy. It relies upon only modest additional instrumentation beyond what is already in place on magnetic resonance scanners available for clinical and translational research at most institutions. In this work, we outline a method to measure in vivo skeletal muscle OXPHOS. The technique is demonstrated using a 1.5 Tesla whole-body MR scanner equipped with the suitable hardware and software for 31PMRS, and we explain a simple and robust protocol for in-magnet resistive exercise to rapidly fatigue the quadriceps muscle. Reproducibility and feasibility are demonstrated in volunteers as well as subjects over a wide range of functional capacities.

Phosphorus-31 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Tool for Measuring In Vivo Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Capacity in Human Skeletal Muscle

This work demonstrates the feasibility of an in vivo phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31PMRS) technique to quantify mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity in human skeletal muscle.

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity, which is critically important in health and disease, can be measured in vivo ...

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo

The human placenta is highly inaccessible for research while still in utero. The current understanding of human placental physiology in vivo is therefore largely based on animal studies, despite the high diversity among species in placental anatomy, hemodynamics and duration of the pregnancy. The vast majority of human placenta studies are ex vivo perfusion studies or in vitro trophoblast studies. Although in vitro studies and animal models are essential, extrapolation of the results from such studies to the human placenta in vivo is uncertain. We aimed to study human placenta physiology in vivo at term, and present a detailed protocol of the method. Exploiting the intraabdominal access to the uterine vein just before the uterine incision during planned cesarean section, we collect blood samples from the incoming and outgoing vessels on the maternal and fetal sides of the placenta. When combining concentration measurements from blood samples with volume blood flow measurements, we are able to quantify placental and fetal uptake and release of any compound. Furthermore, placental tissue samples from the same mother-fetus pairs can provide measurements of transporter density and activity and other aspects of placental functions in vivo. Through this integrative use of the 4-vessel sampling method we are able to test some of the current concepts of placental nutrient transfer and metabolism in vivo, both in normal and pathological pregnancies. Furthermore, this method enables the identification of substances secreted by the placenta to the maternal circulation, which could be an important contribution to the search for biomarkers of placenta dysfunction.

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo

We present a detailed method to study human placental physiology in vivo at term. The method combines blood sampling from the incoming and outgoing vessels on the maternal and fetal sides of the placenta with ultrasound measurements of volume blood flow and placental tissue sampling.

The human placenta is highly inaccessible for research while still in utero. The current understanding of human placental physiology in vivo is therefore ...

Measuring the Effect of Chemicals on the Growth and Reproduction of Caenorhabditis elegans

Toxicological evaluation is crucial for understanding the effects of chemicals on living organisms in basic and applied biological science fields. A non-mammalian soil round worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, is a valuable model organism for toxicology studies due to its convenience and lack of animal ethics issues compared with mammalian animal systems. In this protocol, a detailed procedure of toxicological evaluation of chemicals in C. elegans is described. A clinical anticancer drug, etoposide, which targets human topoisomerase II and inhibits DNA replication of human cancer cells, was selected as a model testing chemical. Age-synchronized C. elegans eggs were exposed to either dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or etoposide, and then the growth of C. elegans was monitored every day for 4 days by the stereo microscope observation. The total number of eggs laid from C. elegans treated with DMSO or etoposide was also counted by using the stereo microscope. Etoposide treatment significantly affected the growth and reproduction of C. elegans. By comparison of the total number of eggs laid from worms with different treatment periods of chemicals, it can be decided that the reproductive toxicity of chemicals on C. elegans reproduction is reversible or irreversible. These protocols may be helpful for both the development of various drugs and risk assessment of environmental toxicants.

Measuring the Effect of Chemicals on the Growth and Reproduction of Caenorhabditis elegans

A basic protocol to evaluate the toxicity of chemicals in a model animal, Caenorhabditis elegans, is described. The method is convenient and useful for the development of pharmaceuticals as well as for the risk assessment of various environmental pollutants.

Toxicological evaluation is crucial for understanding the effects of chemicals on living organisms in basic and applied biological science fields. A ...

A Primary Human Trophoblast Model to Study the Effect of Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity on Regulation of Autophagy in the Placenta

Maternal obesity is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes that are likely mediated by compromised placental function that can be attributed to, in part, the dysregulation of autophagy. Aberrant changes in the expression of autophagy regulators in the placentas from obese pregnancies may be regulated by inflammatory processes associated with both obesity and pregnancy. Described here is a protocol for sampling of villous tissue and isolation of villous cytotrophoblasts from the term human placenta for primary cell culture. This is followed by a method for simulating the inflammatory milieu in the obese intrauterine environment by treating primary trophoblasts from lean pregnancies with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF&#945;), a proinflammatory cytokine that is elevated in obesity and in pregnancy. Through the implementation of the protocol described here, it is found that exposure to exogenous TNF&#945; regulates the expression of Rubicon, a negative regulator of autophagy, in trophoblasts from lean pregnancies with female fetuses. While a variety of biological factors in the obese intrauterine environment maintain the potential to modulate critical pathways in trophoblasts, this ex vivo system is especially useful for determining if expression patterns observed in vivo in human placentas with maternal obesity are a direct result of TNF&#945; signaling. Ultimately, this approach affords the opportunity to parse out the regulatory and molecular implications of inflammation associated with maternal obesity on autophagy and other critical cellular pathways in trophoblasts that have the potential to impact placental function.

Presented here is a protocol for sampling of human placental villous tissue followed by isolation of cytotrophoblasts for primary cell culture. Treatment of trophoblasts with TNF&#945; recapitulates inflammation in the obese intrauterine environment and facilitates the discovery of molecular targets regulated by inflammation in placentas with maternal obesity.

Maternal obesity is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes that are likely mediated by compromised placental function that can be ...

Effect of Artificial Tear Formulations on the Metabolic Activity of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells after Exposure to Desiccation

Artificial lipid-containing tear formulations are developed to reduce tear evaporation by the restoration of a deficient tear lipid layer. Artificial tear formulations that prevent cell desiccation will result in ocular surface protection and the maintenance of cell metabolic activity. During dehydration, cells undergo the process of loss of metabolic activity and subsequently cell death. This work describes a method for assessing the efficacy of artificial tear formulations. The metabolic dye (i.e., alamarBlue) changes from a low fluorescent molecule resazurin to a fluorescent molecule resorufin in viable cells. The biological performance of an artificial tear formulation is measured as the ability of the formulation to (a) maintain cell viability and (b) provide cell protection from desiccation. Growth media and saline are used as controls for the cell viability/desiccation tests. Cells are incubated with test solutions for 30 min and then desiccated for 0 or 5 min at 37 &#176;C and 45% relative humidity. Cell metabolic activity after initial exposure and after cell desiccation is then determined. The results show the comparative effects of eye drop formulations on cell metabolic activity and desiccation protection. This method can be used to test dry eye formulations that are designed to treat individuals with evaporative dry eye.

The purpose of this protocol is to evaluate if different artificial tear formulations can protect human corneal epithelial cells from desiccation using an in vitro model. After exposure to artificial tear formulations and desiccation, human corneal epithelial cells are assessed for metabolic activity.

Artificial lipid-containing tear formulations are developed to reduce tear evaporation by the restoration of a deficient tear lipid layer. Artificial tear ...

Quantification of Optic Nerve Cross Sectional Area on MRI: A Novel Protocol using Fiji Software

Optic nerve assessment is an important aspect of glaucoma diagnosis and follow-up. This project describes a protocol for a unified methodology of optic nerve cross-sectional assessment and quantification using 3 T MRI for image acquisition and ImageJ's Fiji software for image processing quantification. Image acquisition was performed using 3 T MRI, with proper instructions for the patient to ensure straight fixation during imaging. A T2-weighted fat suppressed sequence was used. A coronal cut taken 3 mm behind the globe and perpendicular to the optic nerve axis should be uploaded to the software. Using the threshold function, the white matter area of the optic nerve is selected and quantified, thus, eliminating inter-individual measurement bias. We also described the normal limits for the optic nerve cross-sectional area according to age, based on previously published literature. We used the described protocol to assess optic nerve of a suspected glaucoma patient. The optic nerve cross-sectional area was found to be within the normal limits, a finding further confirmed via optical coherence tomography of the optic nerve.

We provided a detailed protocol for a standardized method of optic nerve assessment and quantification using MRI, utilizing a widely available imaging sequence, and open access software for image analysis. Following this standardized protocol would provide meaningful data for comparison between different patients and different studies.

Optic nerve assessment is an important aspect of glaucoma diagnosis and follow-up. This project describes a protocol for a unified methodology of optic ...