D.S. and C.E.C. were supported, in part, by grant AI053531 (NIAID, NIH); S.S and P.S.C. were supported by grant N00014-14-1-0792 (ONR).

1. Cleaning the Glass Coverslips
<ol>
	<li>Dilute 7x Cleaning Solution (see Materials Table) 7-fold with deionized water in a 100 mm deep borosilicate glass dish with a flat bottom and heat it up to 95 &#176;C on a level hot plate for 20 min or until the cloudy solution becomes clear. 
	NOTE: The solution will be hot, use caution to avoid bodily injuries. The 7x Cleaning Solution is a proprietary blend of hexasodium [oxido-[oxido(phosphonatooxy)phosphoryl]oxyphosphoryl] phosphate, 2-(2-butoxyethox...

Each PIP variant, albeit at low concentrations, is present on the cytosolic surface of specific organelles where they contribute to the establishment of a unique physical composition and functional specificity of the organellar membrane1. One of the most important uses of PIPs is as a specific docking platform for the multitude of proteins requiring specific subcellular localization and/or activation6,7. Due to their role in cellular physi...

Myriad interactions and biochemical processes take place on two-dimensionally fluid membrane surfaces. Membrane-enclosed organelles in eukaryotic cells are unique not only in biochemical processes and their associated proteome but also in their lipid composition. One exceptional class of phospholipids is phosphoinositides (PIPs). Even though they comprise only 1% of the cellular lipidome, they play a crucial role in signal transduction, autophagy, and membrane trafficking, among others1,2,3,4. Dynamic phosphorylation of the inositol head group by cellular PIP kinases gives rise to seven PIP headgroups that are mono-, bis-, or tris-phosphorylated5. Additionally, PIPs define the subcellular identity of membranes and serve as specialized membrane docking sites for proteins/enzymes containing one or more phosphoinositide-binding domains, for example, Pleckstrin Homology (PH), Phox Homology (PX), and epsin N-terminal Homology (ENTH)6,7. One of the best-studied PIP-binding domains is phospholipase C (PLC)-&#948;1 PH domain that specifically interacts with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) within a high nanomolar-low micromolar range affinity8,9,10,11.
A variety of qualitative and quantitative in vitro methods have been developed and used to study the mechanism, thermodynamics, and specificity of these interactions. Among the most commonly used PIP-binding assays are surface plasmon resonance (SPR), isothermal calorimetry (ITC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, liposome flotation/sedimentation assay, and lipid-blots (Fat-blots/PIP-strips)12,13. Even though these are extensively utilized, they all have many disadvantages. For example, SPR, ITC, and NMR require large amounts of sample, expensive instrumentation, and/or trained personnel12,13. Some assay formats such as antibody-based lipid-blots utilize water soluble forms of PIPs and present them in a nonphysiological manner12,14,15,16. In addition, lipid-blots cannot be quantitated reliably and they have often resulted in false positive/negative observations12,17,18. To overcome these challenges and improve upon the current tool set, a new label-free method was established based on a supported lipid bilayer (SLB) in the context of a microfluidic platform, which was successfully applied to the study of protein-PIP interactions (Figure 1)19.
The strategy employed for detecting protein-PIP interactions is based on pH modulation sensing. This involves a pH-sensitive dye that has ortho-Sulforhodamine B (oSRB) directly conjugated to phosphatidylethanolamine lipid head group20. The oSRB-POPE probe (Figure 2A) is highly fluorescent at low pH and quenched at high pH with a pKa around 6.7 within 7.5 mol% PI(4,5)P2-containing SLBs (Figure 5B). PLC-&#948;1 PH domain has been used extensively for validating protein-PIP-binding methodologies due to its high specificity towards PI(4,5)P2 (Figure 5A)21,22,23,24,25.Hence, we reasoned that the PLC-&#948;1 PH domain can be used to test its binding to PI(4,5)P2 through the PIP-on-a-chip assay. The PH domain construct used in this study has a net positive charge (pI 8.4), and thus attracts OH- ions (Figure 5C). Upon binding to PI(4,5)P2-containing SLBs, the PH domain brings the OH- ions to the membrane surface, which in turn modulates the interfacial potential and shifts the protonation state of oSRB-POPE (Figure 5C)26. As a function of the PH domain concentration, the fluorescence is quenched (Figure 6A). Finally, the normalized data is fit to a binding isotherm to determine the affinity of the PH domain-PI(4,5)P2 interaction (Figure 6B, 6C).
In this study, a detailed protocol is provided to perform protein binding to PIP-containing SLBs within a microfluidic platform. This protocol takes the reader from assembling the microfluidic device and vesicle preparation to SLB formation and protein binding. In addition, directions for data analysis to extract affinity information for the PLC-&#948;1 PH domain-PI(4,5)P2 interaction are provided.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="1638">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;width:363px;">Coverslip</td>
			<td style="width:156px;"></td>
			<td style="width:123px;"></td>
			<td style="width:997px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Glass Coverslips: Rectangles</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>12-544B</td>
			<td>22 x 40 x 0.16 - 0.19 mm, No. 1 1/2; Borosilicate Glass</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">7X Cleaning Solution</td>
			<td>MP Biomedicals</td>
			<td>976670</td>
			<td>Detergent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">PYREX Crystallizing Dish</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3140-190</td>
			<td>Borosilicate glass dish with a flat bottom; Diameter x Height (190 x 100 mm); Distributor: VWR (89090-700)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Sentry Xpress 2.0</td>
			<td>Paragon Industries</td>
			<td>SC-2</td>
			<td>Kiln</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">PDMS</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Sylgard 184 Silicone Elastomer Kit</td>
			<td>Dow Corning&#160;</td>
			<td>4019862</td>
			<td>Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS); Distributor: Ellsworth Adhesives</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">PYREX Desiccator</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>89134-402</td>
			<td>Vacuum Rated</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Biopsy punch</td>
			<td>Harris</td>
			<td>15110-10</td>
			<td style="width:997px;">Harris Uni-Core; 1.0 mm diameter; Miltex Biopsy Punch with Plunger (Cat. No. 15110-10) can be used as an alternative</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Device</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:997px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Plasma Cleaning System</td>
			<td>PlasmaEtch</td>
			<td>PE25-JW</td>
			<td>2-stage Direct Drive Oil Vacuum Pump, O2 service (Krytox Charged)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Digital Hot Plate</td>
			<td>Benchmark</td>
			<td>H3760-H</td>
			<td>Purchased through Denville Scientific (Cat. No. 1005640)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Frosted Micro Slides</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>48312-003</td>
			<td>Frosted, Selected, and Precleaned; Made of Swiss Glass; Thickness: 1 mm; Dimensions: 75 x 25 mm; GR 144</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Mold</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">AutoCAD</td>
			<td>Autodesk</td>
			<td>v.2016</td>
			<td>Drafting software for the photomask design</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Photomask</td>
			<td>CAD/Art Services</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Design with black background and clear features was printed at 20k dpi resolution on a transparent mask (5 x 7 in) by CAD/Art Services</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Silicone Wafers</td>
			<td>University Wafer</td>
			<td>1575</td>
			<td>Prime Grade, Single Side Polished; 100 mm (4 inch) Diameter; 525 um Thickness</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">SU-8 50</td>
			<td>MicroChem Corp.</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Negative Tone Photoresist; Penn State Nanofabrication Facility Property</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">SU-8 Developer</td>
			<td>MicroChem Corp.</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Penn State Nanofabrication Facility Property</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">SUV</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine</td>
			<td>Avanti Polar Lipids</td>
			<td>850457C</td>
			<td>POPC</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">L-&#945;-phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate</td>
			<td>Avanti Polar Lipids</td>
			<td>840045X</td>
			<td>PI4P</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">L-&#945;-phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate&#160;</td>
			<td>Avanti Polar Lipids</td>
			<td>840046X</td>
			<td>PI(4,5)P2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine</td>
			<td>Avanti Polar Lipids</td>
			<td>850757C</td>
			<td>POPE; Required for the synthesis of oSRB-POPE</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Lissamine Rhodamine B Sulfonyl Chloride (mixed isomers)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>L-20</td>
			<td>Required for the synthesis of oSRB-POPE</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">pH Sensitive Fluorescent Lipid Probe (oSRB-POPE)</td>
			<td>In-house</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>In-house Synthesis (Huang D. et al. 2013)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Glass Scintillation Vial</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>66022-065</td>
			<td>20 mL volume capacity</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Aquasonic 250D</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Ultrasonic Water Bath</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Nuclepore Track-Etched Membranes</td>
			<td>Whatman</td>
			<td>110605</td>
			<td>Polycarbonate Membrane; Diameter: 25 mm; Pore Size: 0.1 um; Distributor: Sigma-Aldrich</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Chloroform</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>CX1054-6</td>
			<td>HPLC grade</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">LIPEX Extruder</td>
			<td>Transferra Nanosciences</td>
			<td>T.001</td>
			<td>LIPEX 10 mL Thermobarrel Extruder</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Viscotek 802 DLS</td>
			<td>Malvern Instruments</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Dynamic Light Scattering; Penn State X-Ray Crystallography Facility Property</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Data Analysis</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">GraphPad Prism</td>
			<td>GraphPad Software</td>
			<td>v.6</td>
			<td>Curve-fitting software for data analysis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Microscope</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Axiovert 200M Epifluorescence Microscope</td>
			<td>Carl Zeiss Microscopy</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">AxioCam MRm Camera</td>
			<td>Carl Zeiss Microscopy</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Camera</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">X-Cite 120</td>
			<td>Excelitas Technologies</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Light Source</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Alexa 568 Filter Set</td>
			<td>Carl Zeiss Microscopy</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Ex/Em 576/603 nm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">AxioVision LE64 v.4.9.1.0 Software</td>
			<td>Carl Zeiss Microscopy</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Image Processing Software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Other</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Tips</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>10034-132</td>
			<td>200 uL pipette tips; Thin and smooth tip for applying the protein solution into the microfluidic channel</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Tips</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>53509-070</td>
			<td>10 uL pipette tips; Thin and smooth tip for applying the vesicle solution into the microfluidic channel</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Orion Star A321 pH meter</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>STARA3210</td>
			<td>pH meter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Orion micro pH probe</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>8220BNWP</td>
			<td>micro pH probe</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-Piperazine-N&#39;-(2-Ethanesulfonic Acid)</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>VWRB30487</td>
			<td>HEPES, Free Acid</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Sodium Chloride</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>BDH8014-2.5KGR</td>
			<td>NaCl</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Tubing</td>
			<td>Allied Wire &#38; Cable</td>
			<td>TFT-200-24 N</td>
			<td>Internal Diameter: 0.020-0.026 inches (0.051-0.066 cm); Wall Thickness: 0.010 inches (0.025 cm); Flexible Polytetrafluoroethylene Thin-Wall Tubing; Natural Color</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Nitrogen Gas - Industrial</td>
			<td>Praxair</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Local Provider</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="20" style="height:20px;">Oxygen Gas - Industrial</td>
			<td>Praxair</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Local Provider</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Liquid Nitrogen</td>
			<td>Praxair</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Local Provider</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

pip-on-a-chip: a label-free study of protein-phosphoinositide interactions

Numerous cellular proteins interact with membrane surfaces to affect essential cellular processes. These interactions can be directed towards a specific lipid component within a membrane, as in the case of phosphoinositides (PIPs), to ensure specific subcellular localization and/or activation. PIPs and cellular PIP-binding domains have been studied extensively to better understand their role in cellular physiology. We applied a pH modulation assay on supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) as a tool to study protein-PIP interactions. In these studies, pH sensitive ortho-Sulforhodamine B conjugated phosphatidylethanolamine is used to detect protein-PIP interactions. Upon binding of a protein to a PIP-containing membrane surface, the interfacial potential is modulated (i.e. change in local pH), shifting the protonation state of the probe. A case study of the successful usage of the pH modulation assay is presented by using phospholipase C delta1 Pleckstrin Homology (PLC-&#948;1 PH) domain and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) interaction as an example. The apparent dissociation constant (Kd,app) for this interaction was 0.39 &#177; 0.05 &#181;M, similar to Kd,app values obtained by others. As previously observed, the PLC-&#948;1 PH domain is PI(4,5)P2 specific, shows weaker binding towards phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate, and no binding to pure phosphatidylcholine SLBs. The PIP-on-a-chip assay is advantageous over traditional PIP-binding assays, including but not limited to low sample volume and no ligand/receptor labeling requirements, the ability to test high- and low-affinity membrane interactions with both small and large molecules, and improved signal to noise ratio. Accordingly, the usage of the PIP-on-a-chip approach will facilitate the elucidation of mechanisms of a wide range of membrane interactions. Furthermore, this method could potentially be used in identifying therapeutics that modulate protein&#39;s capacity to interact with membranes.

We used the pH modulation assay to study the PLC-&#948;1 PH domain-PI(4,5)P2 interaction within a PIP-on-a-chip microdevice (Figure 1). Through a detailed protocol, we demonstrated how to prepare and assemble microfluidic device components, make small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) (Figure 2), form SLBs within a device (Figure 3), and tested protein binding to PIP-containing SLBs. A flowchart...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about PIP-on-a-chip: A Label-free Study of Protein-phosphoinositide Interactions at JoVE.com

PIP-on-a-chip: A Label-free Study of Protein-phosphoinositide Interactions

Here we present a supported lipid bilayer in the context of a microfluidic platform to study protein-phosphoinositide interactions using a label-free method based on pH modulation.

Numerous cellular proteins interact with membrane surfaces to affect essential cellular processes. These interactions can be directed towards a specific ...

The overall goal of the PIP-on-a-chip assay is to assess protein membrane interactions in a quantitative label-free manner. Protein membrane interactions are the heart of so many processes of the cell and its pathogens, but techniques to study these interactions are few. The advantages of this technique are low simple volume, no ligand or receptor labeling requirements combined with the ability to test membrane interactions in a physiologically relevant manner.Many therapeutic targets of viruses are membrane proteins, studies of these target proteins are often performed in solution using detergents. Our technique provides a more biologically relevant alternative. While you will see that this assay is capable of monitoring the interactions of proteins with membranes, it's actually quite a versatile assay and can be used to monitor iron membrane, small molecule membrane and even peptide membrane interactions.To begin, mix polydimethylsiloxane or PDMS prepolymer and the curing agent at a 10:1 ratio, in a large plastic weigh boat. Degas the mixture in a vacuum for one hour with the vacuum strength at 500 tor or less. Place the silicon master which contains multiple replicates of the same SU8 micropattern in a large plastic weigh boat and pour in the degas PDMS, then, cure it in a dry oven at 60 degrees celsius overnight.The next day, gently peel off the PDMS from the silicon master using one's hands. Mark the boundaries of each micro pattern in rectangles using a surgical scalpel and a ruler. Then, cut the PDMS into blocks, punch 16 holes at both ends of each micro channel with a biopsy punch, to make holes with 1.0 millimeter diameter.Pipette calculated volumes of phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate and pH sensitive fluorescent probe into a single 20 milliliter glass ventilation vial. Dry the mixture in a stream of nitrogen gas inside the chemical fume hood for 10 minutes or until the solvent evaporates and the thin lipid film forms at the bottom of the vial. Then, desiccate the mixture under vacuum for at least three hours at a vacuum strength of 10 millitor to remove any residual organic solvent.Rehydrate the dried lipid film with five milliliters of running buffer, place the rehydrated lipid in an ultrasonic bath at an operating frequency of 35 kilohertz for 30 minutes at room temperature. Freeze thaw the vesicle suspension with liquid nitrogen and the 40 degree celsius water bath to get unilaminar vesicles. Repeat the freeze thaw 10 times, extrude the vesicle suspension to a 0.1 micron track edge polycarbonate membrane, using a lipid extruder to enrich for small unilaminar vesicles.Repeat the extrusion 10 times. Test the inlets and outlets of the PDMS block for blockage by squirting de-ionized water through the holes using a water wash bottle, then, dry the PDMS block with nitrogen gas. Next, place the PDMS block and the pre-cleaned cover slip inside the oxygen plasma system sample chamber.Expose the PDMS block and the cover slip with oxygen plasma for 45 seconds with the power settings at 75 watts, oxygen flow speed at 10 cubic centimeters per minute and the vacuum strength of 200 millitor. Next, place the pattern surface of the PDMS block in the contact with the cover slip immediately after the oxygen plasma treatment. Press gently to remove any air bubbles at contact sites.Place the device on a level hot plate at 100 degree celsius for three minutes to enhance the bonding. Use a wet lint-free wipe with 100%ethanol to remove any dust particles from the top and the bottom of the device. Then, tape the device on top of a glass microscope slide.Transfer 100 microliters of the Phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate containing small unilaminar vesicles into a 0.65 milliliter microcentrifuge tube. Adjust the pH of the solution to approximately 3/2 by adding 6.4 microliters of 0.2 normal hydrochloric acid. Pipette 10 microliters of the pH adjusted small unilaminar vesicle solution into each channels through the inlet and apply pressure through the pipette until the solution reaches the outlet.Detach the tip from the pipette and leave it attached to the device. After repeating this step for each channel, incubate the device for 10 minutes at room temperature, injection of vesicles into micro channels should be performed immediately after the device assembly. Meanwhile, cut sets of inlet and outlet tubing, using tweezers, connect the outlet tubing set to the device and then tape the device onto a microscope stage.Submerge one end of the inlet tubing set in 25 milliliters of running buffer contained in a conical tube and tape it to make sure that the tubing is secured. Using a lab jack, place the conical tube on a higher ground than the device in order to push the solution through the micro channels via gravity flow. For each inlet tube, use a syringe to draw one milliliter of running buffer from the free end of the tubing.Remove the pipette tip from the inlet and insert the free end of the inlet tubing into the device. Repeat this process to connect all the inlet tubing pieces to the device. Flowing running buffer through the channels helps to remove excess unruptured vesicles and equilibrate the bilayer to experimental conditions.Next, open the microscope control software. On the left panel, click on the microscope tab and choose the 10x objective. Click on live and then the Alexa 568 image icons on the toolbar, using the fine and coarse adjustment knobs, focus on the micro channels.Scan through the device to check through the quality of the SLBs and the channels. Then, click the FL shutter closed image icon on the toolbar, click on the acquisition tab and under basic adjustments, select exposure time. Set the exposure time to 200 milliseconds.On the left panel, click on multi-dimensional acquisition. Under the filters menu, select the red channel. Then, click on the timelapse menu, set the time interval to five minutes, duration to 30 minutes and lapse menu.Select the circle tool under the measure tab and draw a circle in any channel. Right click while the circle is selected and choose properties. Under the profile tab, check all T to view the fluorescence intensity as a function of time.Make sure this curve reaches a plateau which indicates equilibrium before proceeding to the next step, lower the buffer solution to an equal ground as the device, to stop the flow. One at a time, detach each outlet tubing and apply 200 microliters of each protein dilution into the outlet channel using a pipette. Do not apply any pressure, let gravity do the work.Detach the tip from the pipette and leave it attached to the micro fluidic device. Repeat this process for each channel and make sure that air bubbles are not introduced into the channels during this process. Next, lower the inlet tubing to a ground below the microfluidic device to start flowing the protein through the micro channels.Tape the free end of the tubing to a waste container. Flow the dilutions of the pleckstrin homology domain for 30 minutes. On the left panel of the software, under the timelapse tab, click on start, to begin imaging again.Shown here, is a representative view of the Phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate containing SLBs within micro channels. Before, and after, adding the pleckstrin homology domain at the indicated concentrations. Fluorescence intensities from the line scanned across micro channels are plotted as a function of distance and pixels for phosphatidylcholine, Phosphatidylinositol 4 phosphate, and Phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate binding experiments.Then, normalize binding data from individual experiments, is plotted as a function of phospholipase C delta 1 pleckstrin homology domain concentration and fit to a binding isoterm to extract apparent association constants. Comparison of the apparent association constants, shows that phospholipase C Delta 1 pleckstrin homology domain interacts with Phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate specifically, as expected. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of how to make small unilaminar vesicles, make microfluidic devices, form supported lipid bilayers inside these microfluidic devices, as your protein membrane binding interactions, using this assay with our PIP-on-a-chip approach.Once mastered, this technique can be done in three hours if it is performed properly. Following this procedure, other methods like fluorescence recovery after photo bleaching can be performed in order to assess the effect of protein membrane binding on the lateral diffusion of the lipids. This technique paves the way to study protein membrane interactions with the assemble of lipids found in cells instead of one at a time, this approach will therefore broadly impact biochemistry and cell biology of protein membrane interactions.

pip-on-chip-label-free-study-protein-phosphoinositide

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

9.4K Views.  The Pennsylvania State University. The overall goal of the PIP-on-a-chip assay is to assess protein membrane interactions in a quantitative label-free manner. Protein membrane interactions are the heart of so many processes of the cell and its pathogens, but techniques to study these interactions are few. The advantages of this technique are low simple volume, no ligand or receptor labeling requirements combined with the ability to test membrane interactions in a physiologically relevant manner.Many therapeutic targets ...

Video: PIP-on-a-chip: A Label-free Study of Protein-phosphoinositide Interactions

Here we present a supported lipid bilayer in the context of a microfluidic platform to study protein-phosphoinositide interactions using a label-free method based on pH...

ph modulation assay on supported lipid bilayers to detect protein-phosphoinositide interactions

In this video, we demonstrate protein-phosphoinositide interactions in a microfluidic pattern using the pH modulation assay, using pH-sensitive fluorescent dye tagged to phosphatidylethanolamine lipid of a supported lipid bilayer, called a microfluidic platform. The modulations in pH after protein binding to phospholipid cause fluorescence...

pH Modulation Assay on Supported Lipid Bilayers to Detect Protein-Phosphoinositide Interactions

Pipette 10 microliters of the pH-adjusted small unilamellar vesicle solution into each channel through the inlet and apply pressure through the pipette until the solution reaches the outlet. Detach the tip from the pipette and leave it attached to the device. After repeating this step for each channel, incubate the device for 10 minutes at room...

surface plasmon resonance to study biomolecular interactions using a sensor chip

This video describes the surface plasmon resonance, or SPR, technique for studying the interaction between two molecules using a sensor chip. The change in resonance angle and the intensity of the reflected light are detected as a function of the association and dissociation of two molecules, and this provides information about the interactions between the two...

Surface Plasmon Resonance to Study Biomolecular Interactions Using a Sensor Chip

fluorescence anisotropy as a tool to study protein-protein interactions

Fluorescence Anisotropy as a Tool to Study Protein-protein Interactions

Protein interactions are at the heart of a cell&#39;s function. Calorimetric and spectroscopic techniques are commonly used to characterize them. Here we describe fluorescence anisotropy as a tool to study the interaction between the protein mutated in the Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SBDS) and the Elongation factor-like 1 GTPase...

Next, drop immersion oil onto the detector, and mount a glass sensor chip coated with a thin gold film, and on the upper side functionalized with carboxymethyldextran hydrogel directly onto the detector below the three-port flow cell. Then, fix the setting by pulling down the...

label-free quantitative proteomics workflow for discovery-driven host-pathogen interactions

Label-Free Quantitative Proteomics Workflow for Discovery-Driven Host-Pathogen Interactions

Here, we present a protocol to profile the interplay between host and pathogen during infection by mass spectrometry-based proteomics. This protocol uses label-free quantification to measure changes in protein abundance of both host (e.g., macrophages) and pathogen (e.g., Cryptococcus neoformans) in a single...

a microfluidic-based electrochemical biochip for label-free dna hybridization analysis

A Microfluidic-based Electrochemical Biochip for Label-free DNA Hybridization Analysis

We present a microfluidic-based electrochemical biochip for DNA hybridization detection. Following ssDNA probe functionalization, the specificity, sensitivity, and detection limit are studied with complementary and non-complementary ssDNA targets. Results illustrate the influence of the DNA hybridization events on the electrochemical system, with a detection limit of 3.8...

a gut-on-a-chip model to study the gut microbiome-nervous system axis

A Gut-on-a-Chip Model to Study the Gut Microbiome-Nervous System Axis

neuroHuMiX is an advanced gut-on-a-chip model to study the interactions of bacterial, epithelial, and neuronal cells under proximal and representative co-culture conditions. This model allows unravelling of the molecular mechanisms underlying the communication between the gut microbiome and the nervous...

a time-lapse, label-free, quantitative phase imaging study of dormant and active human cancer cells

A Time-lapse, Label-free, Quantitative Phase Imaging Study of Dormant and Active Human Cancer Cells

Dormant and active cancer cell phenotypes were characterized using quantitative phase imaging. Cell proliferation, migration, and morphology assays were integrated and analyzed in one simple...

a label-free technique for the spatio-temporal imaging of single cell secretions

A Label-free Technique for the Spatio-temporal Imaging of Single Cell Secretions

Inter-cellular communication is critical for controlling various physiological activities within and outside the cell. This paper describes a protocol for measuring the spatio-temporal nature of single cell secretions. To achieve this, a multidisciplinary approach is used which integrates label-free nanoplasmonic sensing with live cell...

a snap chip technology for a cross-reactivity-free multiplexed sandwich immunoassay

The video showcases the implementation of snap chip technology for cross-reactivity-free multiplexed sandwich immunoassays. The simple action of snapping two microarray slides, each containing different reagents, ensures reagent transfer without cross-contamination and helps to detect multiple proteins using sandwich...

A Snap Chip Technology for a Cross-Reactivity-Free Multiplexed Sandwich Immunoassay

a label-free segmentation approach for intravital imaging of mammary tumor microenvironment

A Label-Free Segmentation Approach for Intravital Imaging of Mammary Tumor Microenvironment

The intravital imaging method described here utilizes collagen second harmonic generation and endogenous fluorescence from the metabolic co-factor NAD(P)H to non-invasively segment an unlabeled tumor microenvironment into tumor, stromal, and vascular compartments for in-depth analysis of 4D intravital...

study of protein-protein interactions in autophagy research

Study of Protein-protein Interactions in Autophagy Research

Presented here are two antibody-based protein-protein interaction research techniques: immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation. These techniques are suitable for studying physical interactions between proteins for the discovery of novel components of cellular signaling pathways and for understanding protein dynamics.<br...

lensless fluorescent microscopy on a chip

Lensless Fluorescent Microscopy on a Chip

A lensless on-chip fluorescent microscopy platform is demonstrated that can image fluorescent objects over an ultra-wide field-of-view of e.g., &#62;0.6-8 cm2 with &#60;4&#956;m resolution using a compressive sampling based decoding algorithm.  Such a compact and wide-field fluorescent on-chip imaging modality could be valuable for high-throughput cytometry, rare-cell research and...

chromatin immunoprecipitation assay: a technique to study protein-dna interactions in cells

This video describes protocol for chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, which is a classic technique to demonstrate protein-DNA interactions.This technique is used to identify target genes in human chronic lymphocytic leukemia...

Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay: A Technique to Study Protein-DNA Interactions in Cells

polarization-sensitive two-photon microscopy for a label-free amyloid structural characterization

Author Spotlight: Non-Invasive Imaging of Complex Bio-Structures Using Polarization-Sensitive Two-Photon Microscopy 

This paper describes how polarization-sensitive two-photon microscopy could be applied to characterize the local organization within label-free amyloid superstructures-spherulites. It also describes how to prepare and measure the sample, assemble the required setup, and analyze the data to obtain information about the local organization of amyloid...

Polarization-Sensitive Two-Photon Microscopy for a Label-Free Amyloid Structural Characterization

label-free surface-enhanced raman scattering bioanalysis based on au@carbon dot nanoprobes

Author Spotlight: Advancing SERS Technology: Au@Carbon Dot Nanoprobes for Label-Free Analysis and Imaging 

In this study, we developed a low-cost surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based fingerprint nanoprobe with favorable biocompatibility to show label-free live cell bioimaging and detect two bacterial strains, showing in detail how to get SERS spectra of living cells in a non-destructive...

Label-Free Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Bioanalysis Based on Au@Carbon Dot Nanoprobes

cd spectroscopy to study dna-protein interactions

CD Spectroscopy to Study DNA-Protein Interactions

The interaction of an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler with a DNA ligand is described using CD spectroscopy. The induced conformational changes on a gene promoter analyzed by the peaks generated can be used to understand the mechanism of transcriptional...

Clamp a 24-well silicone gasket onto the room-temperature assay slide. Load the seven protein dilutions into seven of the eight wells in a column. Load protein-free PBS with 0.05% polysorbate-20 into the last well of that column. Load the sample solutions into the remaining...

Micropatterned Surfaces to Study Hyaluronic Acid Interactions with Cancer Cells

Cancer invasion and progression involves a motile cell phenotype, which is under complex regulation by growth factors/cytokines and extracellular matrix (ECM) components within the tumor microenvironment. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is one stromal ECM component that is known to facilitate tumor progression by enhancing invasion, growth, and angiogenesis1. Interaction of HA with its cell surface receptor CD44 induces signaling events that promote tumor cell growth, survival, and migration, thereby increasing metastatic spread2-3. HA is an anionic, nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan composed of repeating units of D-glucuronic acid and D-N-acetylglucosamine. Due to the presence of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups on repeating disaccharide units, native HA is largely hydrophilic and amenable to chemical modifications that introduce sulfate groups for photoreative immobilization 4-5. Previous studies involving the immobilizations of HA onto surfaces utilize the bioresistant behavior of HA and its sulfated derivative to control cell adhesion onto surfaces6-7. In these studies cell adhesion preferentially occurs on non-HA patterned regions.
To analyze cellular interactions with exogenous HA, we have developed patterned functionalized surfaces that enable a controllable study and high-resolution visualization of cancer cell interactions with HA. We utilized microcontact printing (uCP) to define discrete patterned regions of HA on glass surfaces. A "tethering" approach that applies carbodiimide linking chemistry to immobilize HA was used 8. Glass surfaces were microcontact printed with an aminosilane and reacted with a HA solution of optimized ratios of EDC and NHS to enable HA immobilization in patterned arrays. Incorporating carbodiimide chemistry with mCP enabled the immobilization of HA to defined regions, creating surfaces suitable for in vitro applications. Both colon cancer cells and breast cancer cells implicitly interacted with the HA micropatterned surfaces. Cancer cell adhesion occurred within 24 hours with proliferation by 48 hours. Using HA micropatterned surfaces, we demonstrated that cancer cell adhesion occurs through the HA receptor CD44. Furthermore, HA patterned surfaces were compatible with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and allowed high resolution imaging of cancer cell adhesive protrusions and spreading on HA patterns to analyze cancer cell motility on exogenous HA.

A novel approach that allows the high-resolution analysis of cancer cell interactions with exogenous hyaluronic acid (HA) is described. Patterned surfaces are fabricated by combining carbodiimide chemistry and microcontact printing.

Cancer invasion and progression involves a motile cell phenotype, which is under complex regulation by growth factors/cytokines and extracellular matrix ...

Non-contact, Label-free Monitoring of Cells and Extracellular Matrix using Raman Spectroscopy

Non-destructive, non-contact and label-free technologies to monitor cell and tissue cultures are needed in the field of biomedical research.1-5 However, currently available routine methods require processing steps and alter sample integrity. Raman spectroscopy is a fast method that enables the measurement of biological samples without the need for further processing steps. This laser-based technology detects the inelastic scattering of monochromatic light.6 As every chemical vibration is assigned to a specific Raman band (wavenumber in cm-1), each biological sample features a typical spectral pattern due to their inherent biochemical composition.7-9 Within Raman spectra, the peak intensities correlate with the amount of the present molecular bonds.1 Similarities and differences of the spectral data sets can be detected by employing a multivariate analysis (e.g. principal component analysis (PCA)).10
Here, we perform Raman spectroscopy of living cells and native tissues. Cells are either seeded on glass bottom dishes or kept in suspension under normal cell culture conditions (37 &deg;C, 5% CO2) before measurement. Native tissues are dissected and stored in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 4 &deg;C prior measurements. Depending on our experimental set up, we then either focused on the cell nucleus or extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as elastin and collagen. For all studies, a minimum of 30 cells or 30 random points of interest within the ECM are measured. Data processing steps included background subtraction and normalization.

Raman spectroscopy is a suitable technique for the non-contact, label-free analysis of living cells, tissue-engineered constructs and native tissues. Source-specific spectral fingerprints can be generated and analyzed using multivariate analysis.

Non-destructive, non-contact and label-free technologies to monitor cell and tissue cultures are needed in the field of biomedical research.1-5 However, ...

Correlative Microscopy for 3D Structural Analysis of Dynamic Interactions

Cryo-electron tomography (cryoET) allows 3D visualization of cellular structures at molecular resolution in a close-to-physiological state1. However, direct visualization of individual viral complexes in their host cellular environment with cryoET is challenging2, due to the infrequent and dynamic nature of viral entry, particularly in the case of HIV-1. While time-lapse live-cell imaging has yielded a great deal of information about many aspects of the life cycle of HIV-13-7, the resolution afforded by live-cell microscopy is limited (~ 200 nm). Our work was aimed at developing a correlation method that permits direct visualization of early events of HIV-1 infection by combining live-cell fluorescent light microscopy, cryo-fluorescent microscopy, and cryoET. In this manner, live-cell and cryo-fluorescent signals can be used to accurately guide the sampling in cryoET. Furthermore, structural information obtained from cryoET can be complemented with the dynamic functional data gained through live-cell imaging of fluorescent labeled target.
In this video article, we provide detailed methods and protocols for structural investigation of HIV-1 and host-cell interactions using 3D correlative high-speed live-cell imaging and high-resolution cryoET structural analysis. HeLa cells infected with HIV-1 particles were characterized first by confocal live-cell microscopy, and the region containing the same viral particle was then analyzed by cryo-electron tomography for 3D structural details. The correlation between two sets of imaging data, optical imaging and electron imaging, was achieved using a home-built cryo-fluorescence light microscopy stage. The approach detailed here will be valuable, not only for study of virus-host cell interactions, but also for broader applications in cell biology, such as cell signaling, membrane receptor trafficking, and many other dynamic cellular processes.

We describe a correlative microscopy method that combines high-speed 3D live-cell fluorescent light microscopy and high-resolution cryo-electron tomography. We demonstrate the capability of the correlative method by imaging dynamic, small HIV-1 particles interacting with host HeLa cells.

Cryo-electron tomography (cryoET) allows 3D visualization of cellular structures at molecular resolution in a close-to-physiological state1. However, ...

Use of Label-free Optical Biosensors to Detect Modulation of Potassium Channels by G-protein Coupled Receptors

Ion channels control the electrical properties of neurons and other excitable cell types by selectively allowing ions to flow through the plasma membrane1. To regulate neuronal excitability, the biophysical properties of ion channels are modified by signaling proteins and molecules, which often bind to the channels themselves to form a heteromeric channel complex2,3. Traditional assays examining the interaction between channels and regulatory proteins require exogenous labels that can potentially alter the protein&#39;s behavior and decrease the physiological relevance of the target, while providing little information on the time course of interactions in living cells. Optical biosensors, such as the X-BODY Biosciences BIND Scanner system, use a novel label-free technology, resonance wavelength grating (RWG) optical biosensors, to detect changes in resonant reflected light near the biosensor. This assay allows the detection of the relative change in mass within the bottom portion of living cells adherent to the biosensor surface resulting from ligand induced changes in cell adhesion and spreading, toxicity, proliferation, and changes in protein-protein interactions near the plasma membrane. RWG optical biosensors have been used to detect changes in mass near the plasma membrane of cells following activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), receptor tyrosine kinases, and other cell surface receptors. Ligand-induced changes in ion channel-protein interactions can also be studied using this assay. In this paper, we will describe the experimental procedure used to detect the modulation of Slack-B sodium-activated potassium (KNa) channels by GPCRs.

Optical biosensor techniques can detect changes in mass near the plasma membrane in living cells and allow one to follow cellular responses in both individual cells and populations of cells. This protocol will describe detection of the modulation of potassium channels by G-protein coupled receptors in intact cells using this approach.

Ion channels control the electrical properties of neurons and other excitable cell types by selectively allowing ions to flow through the plasma ...

Miniaturization of analytical benchtop procedures into the micro-scale provides significant advantages in regards to reaction time, cost, and integration of pre-processing steps. Utilizing these devices towards the analysis of DNA hybridization events is important because it offers a technology for real time assessment of biomarkers at the point-of-care for various diseases. However, when the device footprint decreases the dominance of various physical phenomena increases. These phenomena influence the fabrication precision and operation reliability of the device. Therefore, there is a great need to accurately fabricate and operate these devices in a reproducible manner in order to improve the overall performance. Here, we describe the protocols and the methods used for the fabrication and the operation of a microfluidic-based electrochemical biochip for accurate analysis of DNA hybridization events. The biochip is composed of two parts: a microfluidic chip with three parallel micro-channels made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and a 3 x 3 arrayed electrochemical micro-chip. The DNA hybridization events are detected using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. The EIS analysis enables monitoring variations of the properties of the electrochemical system that are dominant at these length scales. With the ability to monitor changes of both charge transfer and diffusional resistance with the biosensor, we demonstrate the selectivity to complementary ssDNA targets, a calculated detection limit of 3.8 nM, and a 13% cross-reactivity with other non-complementary ssDNA following 20 min&#160;of incubation. This methodology can improve the performance of miniaturized devices by elucidating on the behavior of diffusion at the micro-scale regime and by enabling the study of DNA hybridization events.

We present a microfluidic-based electrochemical biochip for DNA hybridization detection. Following ssDNA probe functionalization, the specificity, sensitivity, and detection limit are studied with complementary and non-complementary ssDNA targets. Results illustrate the influence of the DNA hybridization events on the electrochemical system, with a detection limit of 3.8 nM.

Miniaturization of analytical benchtop procedures into the micro-scale provides significant advantages in regards to reaction time, cost, and integration ...

Inter-cellular communication is an integral part of a complex system that helps in maintaining basic cellular activities. As a result, the malfunctioning of such signaling can lead to many disorders. To understand cell-to-cell signaling, it is essential to study the spatial and temporal nature of the secreted molecules from the cell without disturbing the local environment. Various assays have been developed to study protein secretion, however, these methods are typically based on fluorescent probes which disrupt the relevant signaling pathways. To overcome this limitation, a label-free technique is required.
In this paper, we describe the fabrication and application of a label-free localized surface plasmon resonance imaging (LSPRi) technology capable of detecting protein secretions from a single cell. The plasmonic nanostructures are lithographically patterned onto a standard glass coverslip and can be excited using visible light on commercially available light microscopes. Only a small fraction of the coverslip is covered by the nanostructures and hence this technique is well suited for combining common techniques such as fluorescence and bright-field imaging.
A multidisciplinary approach is used in this protocol which incorporates sensor nanofabrication and subsequent biofunctionalization, binding kinetics characterization of ligand and analyte, the integration of the chip and live cells, and the analysis of the measured signal. As a whole, this technology enables a general label-free approach towards mapping cellular secretions and correlating them with the responses of nearby cells.

Inter-cellular communication is critical for controlling various physiological activities within and outside the cell. This paper describes a protocol for measuring the spatio-temporal nature of single cell secretions. To achieve this, a multidisciplinary approach is used which integrates label-free nanoplasmonic sensing with live cell imaging.

Inter-cellular communication is an integral part of a complex system that helps in maintaining basic cellular activities. As a result, the malfunctioning ...

Label-free Single Molecule Detection Using Microtoroid Optical Resonators

Detecting small concentrations of molecules down to the single molecule limit has impact on areas such as early detection of disease, and fundamental studies on the behavior of molecules. Single molecule detection techniques commonly utilize labels such as fluorescent tags or quantum dots, however, labels are not always available, increase cost and complexity, and can perturb the events being studied. Optical resonators have emerged as a promising means to detect single molecules without the use of labels. Currently the smallest particle detected by a non-plasmonically-enhanced bare optical resonator system in solution is a 25 nm polystyrene sphere1. We have developed a technique known as Frequency Locking Optical Whispering Evanescent Resonator (FLOWER) that can surpass this limit and achieve label-free single molecule detection in aqueous solution2. As signal strength scales with particle volume, our work represents a &#62; 100x improvement in the signal to noise ratio (SNR) over the current state of the art. Here the procedures behind FLOWER are presented in an effort to increase its usage in the field.

We have developed a label-free biosensing system based on optical resonator technology known as Frequency Locking Optical Whispering Evanescent Resonator (FLOWER) that is capable of detecting single molecules in solution. Here the procedures behind this work are described and presented.

Detecting small concentrations of molecules down to the single molecule limit has impact on areas such as early detection of disease, and fundamental ...

Preparation of 3D Collagen Gels and Microchannels for the Study of 3D Interactions In Vivo

Historically, most cellular processes have been studied in only 2 dimensions. While these studies have been informative about general cell signaling mechanisms, they neglect important cellular cues received from the structural and mechanical properties of the local microenvironment and extracellular matrix (ECM). To understand how cells interact within a physiological ECM, it is important to study them in the context of 3 dimensional assays. Cell migration, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation are only a few processes that have been shown to be impacted by local changes in the mechanical properties of a 3-dimensional ECM. Collagen I, a core fibrillar component of the ECM, is more than a simple structural element of a tissue. Under normal conditions, mechanical cues from the collagen network direct morphogenesis and maintain cellular structures. In diseased microenvironments, such as the tumor microenvironment, the collagen network is often dramatically remodeled, demonstrating altered composition, enhanced deposition and altered fiber organization. In breast cancer, the degree of fiber alignment is important, as an increase in aligned fibers perpendicular to the tumor boundary has been correlated to poorer patient prognosis1. Aligned collagen matrices result in increased dissemination of tumor cells via persistent migration2,3. The following is a simple protocol for embedding cells within a 3-dimensional, fibrillar collagen hydrogel. This protocol is readily adaptable to many platforms, and can reproducibly generate both aligned and random collagen matrices for investigation of cell migration, cell division, and other cellular processes in a tunable, 3-dimensional, physiological microenvironment.

Preparation of 3D Collagen Gels and Microchannels for the Study of 3D Interactions In Vivo

Collagen is a core component of the ECM, and provides essential cues for several cellular processes ranging from migration to differentiation and proliferation. Provided here is a protocol for embedding cells within 3D collagen hydrogels, and a more advanced technique for generating randomized or aligned collagen matrices using PDMS microchannels.

Historically, most cellular processes have been studied in only 2 dimensions.  While these studies have been informative about general cell signaling ...

Assessing Collagen and Elastin Pressure-dependent Microarchitectures in Live, Human Resistance Arteries by Label-free Fluorescence Microscopy

The pathogenic contribution of resistance artery remodeling is documented in essential hypertension, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Investigations and development of microstructurally motivated mathematical models for understanding the mechanical properties of human resistance arteries in health and disease have the potential to aid understanding how disease and medical treatments affect the human microcirculation. To develop these mathematical models, it is essential to decipher the relationship between the mechanical and microarchitectural properties of the microvascular wall. In this work, we describe an ex vivo method for passive mechanical testing and simultaneous label-free three-dimensional imaging of the microarchitecture of elastin and collagen in the arterial wall of isolated human resistance arteries. The imaging protocol can be applied to resistance arteries of any species of interest. Image analyses are described for quantifying i) pressure-induced changes in internal elastic lamina branching angles and adventitial collagen straightness using Fiji and ii) collagen and elastin volume densities determined using Ilastik software. Preferably all mechanical and imaging measurements are performed on live, perfused arteries, however, an alternative approach using standard video-microscopy pressure myography in combination with post-fixation imaging of re-pressurized vessels is discussed. This alternative method provides users with different options for analysis approaches. The inclusion of the mechanical and imaging data in mathematical models of the arterial wall mechanics is discussed, and future development and additions to the protocol are proposed.

We describe simultaneous mechanical testing and 3D-imaging of the arterial wall of isolated, live human resistance arteries, and Fiji and Ilastik image analyses for the quantification of elastin and collagen spatial organization and volume densities. We discuss the use of these data in mathematical models of arterial wall mechanics.

The pathogenic contribution of resistance artery remodeling is documented in essential hypertension, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Investigations ...

Implementation of Interference Reflection Microscopy for Label-free, High-speed Imaging of Microtubules

There are several methods for visualizing purified biomolecules near surfaces. Total-internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy is a commonly used method, but has the drawback that it requires fluorescent labeling, which can interfere with the activity of the molecules. Also, photobleaching and photodamage are concerns. In the case of microtubules, we have found that images of similar quality to TIRF can be obtained using interference reflection microscopy (IRM). This suggests that IRM might be a general technique for visualizing the dynamics of large biomolecules and oligomers in vitro. In this paper, we show how a fluorescence microscope can be modified simply to obtain IRM images. IRM is easier and considerably cheaper to implement than other contrast techniques such as differential interference contrast microcopy or interferometric scattering microscopy. It is also less susceptible to surface defects and solution impurities than darkfield microscopy. Using IRM, together with the image analysis software described in this paper, the field of view and the frame rate is limited only by the camera; with a sCMOS camera and&#160;wide-field&#160;illumination&#160;microtubule length can be measured with precision up to 20 nm with a bandwidth of 10 Hz.&#160;

This protocol is a guide for implementing interference reflection microscopy on a standard fluorescence microscope for label-free, high-contrast, high-speed imaging of microtubules using in vitro surfaces assays.

There are several methods for visualizing purified biomolecules near surfaces. Total-internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy is a commonly used ...