Name: megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet formation from human cord blood-derived cd34+ cells
Uploaded: 2017-12-27T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells at JoVE.com

The authors acknowledge the support of the Australian Health and Medical Research Council (project grant 1012409 linked to BHC).

This protocol was approved by the South Eastern Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee and ratified by the University of New South Wales&#39; Human Research Ethics Committee. Umbilical cord blood obtained from healthy donors was provided by the Sydney Cord Blood Bank (Sydney, NSW, Australia). Volumes of approximately 100 mL were used for this procedure.
NOTE: Work in a Class II biosafety cabinet using aseptic technique. Decontaminate the exterior of the cord blood bag with 70% ethanol. Use ste...

<ol>
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A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gene+expression+profile+of+primary+human+CD34+CD38lo+cells+differentiating+along+the+megakaryocyte+lineage.">Gene expression profile of primary human CD34+CD38lo cells differentiating along the megakaryocyte lineage.</a> Exp Hematol. 32 (7), 638-648 (2004).</li><li>Feng, Q., 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=Scalable+generation+of+universal+platelets+from+human+induced+pluripotent+stem+cells.">Scalable generation of universal platelets from human induced pluripotent stem cells.</a> Stem cell reports. 3 (5), 817-831 (2014).</li><li>Bruno, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+and+in+vivo+megakaryocyte+differentiation+of+fresh+and+ex-vivo+expanded+cord+blood+cells:+rapid+and+transient+megakaryocyte+reconstitution.">In vitro and in vivo megakaryocyte differentiation of fresh and ex-vivo expanded cord blood cells: rapid and transient megakaryocyte reconstitution.</a> Haematologica. 88 (4), 379-387 (2003).</li><li>Iraqi, M., Perdomo, J., Yan, F., Choi, P. Y. I., Chong, B. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immune+thrombocytopenia:+antiplatelet+autoantibodies+inhibit+proplatelet+formation+by+megakaryocytes+and+impair+platelet+production+in+vitro.">Immune thrombocytopenia: antiplatelet autoantibodies inhibit proplatelet formation by megakaryocytes and impair platelet production in vitro.</a> Haematologica. 100 (5), 623-632 (2015).</li><li>Lev, P. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impaired+proplatelet+formation+in+immune+thrombocytopenia:+a+novel+mechanism+contributing+to+decreased+platelet+count.">Impaired proplatelet formation in immune thrombocytopenia: a novel mechanism contributing to decreased platelet count.</a> Br. J. Haematol. 165 (6), 854-864 (2014).</li><li>Gandhi, M. J., Drachman, J. G., Reems, J. A., Thorning, D., Lannutti, B. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+strategy+for+generating+platelet-like+fragments+from+megakaryocytic+cell+lines+and+human+progenitor+cells.">A novel strategy for generating platelet-like fragments from megakaryocytic cell lines and human progenitor cells.</a> Blood Cells Mol. Dis. 35 (1), 70-73 (2005).</li><li>Lu, S. -. J., 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=Platelets+generated+from+human+embryonic+stem+cells+are+functional+in+vitro+and+in+the+microcirculation+of+living+mice.">Platelets generated from human embryonic stem cells are functional in vitro and in the microcirculation of living mice.</a> Cell Res. 21 (3), 530-545 (2011).</li><li>Moreau, T., 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=Large-scale+production+of+megakaryocytes+from+human+pluripotent+stem+cells+by+chemically+defined+forward+programming.">Large-scale production of megakaryocytes from human pluripotent stem cells by chemically defined forward programming.</a> Nature Commun. 7, 11208 (2016).</li><li>De Bruyn, C., Delforge, A., Martiat, P., Bron, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ex+vivo+expansion+of+megakaryocyte+progenitor+cells:+cord+blood+versus+mobilized+peripheral+blood.">Ex vivo expansion of megakaryocyte progenitor cells: cord blood versus mobilized peripheral blood.</a> Stem Cells Dev. 14 (4), 415-424 (2005).</li><li>Nimgaonkar, M. T., 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=A+unique+population+of+CD34++cells+in+cord+blood.">A unique population of CD34+ cells in cord blood.</a> Stem cells. 13 (2), 158-166 (1995).</li><li>Italiano, J. E., Patel-Hett, S., Hartwig, J. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanics+of+proplatelet+elaboration.">Mechanics of proplatelet elaboration.</a> J Thromb Haemost. 5, 18-23 (2007).</li><li>Matsunaga, T., 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=Ex+vivo+large-scale+generation+of+human+platelets+from+cord+blood+CD34++cells.">Ex vivo large-scale generation of human platelets from cord blood CD34+ cells.</a> Stem cells. 24 (12), 2877-2887 (2006).</li><li>Sullenbarger, B., Bahng, J. H., Gruner, R., Kotov, N., Lasky, L. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prolonged+continuous+in+vitro+human+platelet+production+using+three-dimensional+scaffolds.">Prolonged continuous in vitro human platelet production using three-dimensional scaffolds.</a> Exp Hematol. 37 (1), 101-110 (2009).</li><li>Proulx, C., Boyer, L., Hurnanen, D. R., Lemieux, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preferential+ex+vivo+expansion+of+megakaryocytes+from+human+cord+blood+CD34+-enriched+cells+in+the+presence+of+thrombopoietin+and+limiting+amounts+of+stem+cell+factor+and+Flt-3+ligand.">Preferential ex vivo expansion of megakaryocytes from human cord blood CD34+-enriched cells in the presence of thrombopoietin and limiting amounts of stem cell factor and Flt-3 ligand.</a> J. Hematother. Stem Cell Res. 12 (2), 179-188 (2003).</li><li>Bornstein, R., Garcia-Vela, J., Gilsanz, F., Auray, C., Cales, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cord+blood+megakaryocytes+do+not+complete+maturation,+as+indicated+by+impaired+establishment+of+endomitosis+and+low+expression+of+G1/S+cyclins+upon+thrombopoietin-induced+differentiation.">Cord blood megakaryocytes do not complete maturation, as indicated by impaired establishment of endomitosis and low expression of G1/S cyclins upon thrombopoietin-induced differentiation.</a> Br. J. Haematol. 114 (2), 458-465 (2001).</li><li>Chong, B. H., Choi, P. Y. 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The protocol described here is suitable for consistent production of MK and platelets in culture from umbilical cord blood. These cells can be used to study various processes such as the effect of drugs or biological activities on MK proliferation, differentiation, proplatelet formation, and platelet production.
A variety of culture media and cytokine combinations have been presented in the literature. Addition of cytokines such as stem cell factor, Flt-3 ligand, IL-3, and IL-6 supports CD34<s...

Isolation of adequate numbers of primary human megakaryocytes (MK) for regular laboratory use is not feasible due to their low frequency in the bone marrow, where they account for ~0.01% of nucleated cells1. A convenient alternative is the ex vivo expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the presence of specific growth factors. A number of cytokines including stem cell factor (SCF; c-kit ligand) and interleukin (IL)-3 and IL-11 have been employed in culture systems to produce MKs. Thrombopoietin (TPO) is the most effective growth and differentiation factor for megakaryocytic cultures and is effective alone or with other cytokines, such as SCF and IL-32. TPO can act on stem cell populations to result in both the proliferation and maturation of MKs2.
MK produce platelets from cytoplasmic protrusions called proplatelets and, in vivo, approximately 1 x 1011 platelets are formed daily to sustain platelet counts of 150 - 400 x 109/L. Platelet production in vitro is up to 1000-fold lower than the in vivo estimates3, and this has given rise to numerous culture conditions using CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells to improve MK and platelet production in vitro. The initial source of CD34+ cells used for MK differentiation was human peripheral blood4. Other cell sources include bone marrow5,6, embryonic stem cells/induced pluripotent stem cells (ESC/iPSC)7, and umbilical cord blood (UCB)8,9,10. Human bone marrow CD34+ 11 and mouse lineage negative bone marrow cells5 produce MK and platelets in vitro; nevertheless, the lack of availability of human bone marrow limits its use as a source of CD34+ cells. In contrast, ESC and iPSC represent an unlimited source of cells for in vitro platelet production. Platelet production from these cells requires feeder cells such as murine OP9 cells and longer culture periods. Platelets derived in feeder-free conditions appear to be less functional12. iPSC-derived platelets are likely to be of use in clinical settings since they can be expanded to a large scale. This process requires lentiviral-mediated transduction of transcription factors and long-term cell culture13.
UCB is an accessible source of CD34+ cells that can be readily used in research settings. TPO alone can promote differentiation of cord blood-derived CD34+ cells and this gives rise to highly pure, mature MKs without the need for serum supplementation or co-culture with feeder cells. Other cytokines such as SCF may decrease differentiation from UCB CD34+ cells, while Flt-3 ligand and IL-11 promote the production of immature megakaryocytes14. This protocol describes the production of highly pure MK cultures from cord blood CD34+ cells in serum-free conditions.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell Culture Reagents</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Recombinant Human TPO</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-094-013</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>StemSpan SFEM II</td>
			<td>Stem Cell Technologies</td>
			<td>9605</td>
			<td>Serum-free media for CD34+ cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CD34 Isolation Reagents</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CD34 MicroBead kit ultrapure</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-100-453</td>
			<td>This kit includes the FcR human IgG blocking reagent and CD34 microbeads. These beads contain the anti-CD34 antibody clone QBEND/10. Use a different anti-CD34 clone for purity check (e.g. clone 8G12).</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lymphoprep</td>
			<td>Alere Technologies</td>
			<td>1114545</td>
			<td>Lymphocyte separation media (density 1.077 g/mL)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile separation buffer (SB)</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-091-221</td>
			<td>This buffer contains phosphate buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.2 containing 0.5% bovine serum albumin and 2 mM EDTA. It can be prepared using sterile, cell culture grade components. De-gas before use because air bubbles can block the column.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flow Cytometry and Cell Staining Reagents</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PE Mouse anti-Human CD34</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>340669</td>
			<td>Clone 8G12. This can be used for CD34 purity check. Final antibody concentration 1:10 dilution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PerCP mouse anti-human CD45</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>347464</td>
			<td>1:10 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PerCP isotype control</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>349044</td>
			<td>1:10 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FITC Mouse anti-Human CD41a</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>340929</td>
			<td>Final antibody concentration 1:5 dilution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>APC Mouse anti-Human CD42b</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>551061</td>
			<td>This antibody can also be used to detect mature MK (the percentage of positive cells in usually lower than with anti CD42a). Final antibody concentration 1:10 dilution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 647 Mouse anti-Human CD42a</td>
			<td>AbD Serotec</td>
			<td>MCA1227A647T</td>
			<td>Currently distributed by Bio-Rad. Final antibody concentration 1:10 dilution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 647 Mouse Negative Control</td>
			<td>AbD Serotec</td>
			<td>MCA928A647</td>
			<td>Currently distributed by Bio-Rad. Isotype control antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti von Willebrand factor rabbit polyclonal</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>AB6994</td>
			<td>1:200 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>V450 mouse anti-humna CD41a</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>58425</td>
			<td>1: 20 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>V450 isotype control</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>580373</td>
			<td>1:20 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PAC1-FITC antibody</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>340507</td>
			<td>1:10 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti CD62p mouse monoclonal</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>AB6632</td>
			<td>1:200 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 488 goat anti rabbit IgG</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A11008</td>
			<td>1:100 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 594 goat anti mouse IgG</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A11020</td>
			<td>1:100 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ig Isotype Control cocktail-C</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>558659</td>
			<td>Isotype control antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Propidium iodide</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>P4864</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CountBright Absolute Counting Beads</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes, Invitrogen</td>
			<td>C36950</td>
			<td>Counting beads</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Materials</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LS columns</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-042-401</td>
			<td>Smaller and larger columns are also commercially available</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MidiMACS Separator magnet</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-042-302</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MACS MultiStand</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-042-303</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Falcon 5mL round bottom polypropylene FACS tubes, with Snap Cap, Sterile</td>
			<td>In Vitro technologies</td>
			<td>352063</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass slides</td>
			<td>Menzel-Glaser</td>
			<td>J3800AMNZ</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mounting media with DAPI</td>
			<td>Vector Laboratories</td>
			<td>H-1200</td>
			<td>Antifade mounting medium with DAPI</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Equipment</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Inverted microscope</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>DMIRB inverted microscope</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescent microscope</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>Vert.A1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell analyser</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>FACS Canto II</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cytospin centrifuge</td>
			<td>ThermoScientific</td>
			<td>Cytospin 4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Software</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell analyser software</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>FACS Diva Software</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Single cell analysis software</td>
			<td>Tree Star</td>
			<td>FlowJo</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescent microscope software</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>Zen 2 blue edition</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet formation from human cord blood-derived cd34+ cells

Platelet production occurs principally in the bone marrow in a process known as thrombopoiesis. During thrombopoiesis, hematopoietic progenitor cells differentiate to form platelet precursors called megakaryocytes, which terminally differentiate to release platelets from long cytoplasmic processes termed proplatelets. Megakaryocytes are rare cells confined to the bone marrow and are therefore difficult to harvest in sufficient numbers for laboratory use. Efficient production of human megakaryocytes can be achieved in vitro by culturing CD34+ cells under suitable conditions. The protocol detailed here describes isolation of CD34+ cells by magnetic cell sorting from umbilical cord blood samples. The necessary steps to produce highly pure, mature megakaryocytes under serum-free conditions are described. Details of phenotypic analysis of megakaryocyte differentiation and determination of proplatelet formation and platelet production are also provided. Effectors that influence megakaryocyte differentiation and/or proplatelet formation, such as anti-platelet antibodies or thrombopoietin mimetics, can be added to cultured cells to examine biological function.

This protocol allows the preparation of highly pure MK cultures from cord blood-derived CD34+ cells. The percentage of CD34+ cells in cord blood is approximately 1.3%15 (Figure 1A) and the total number of mononuclear cells (step 1.8) ranges from 90 - 300 x 106 per UCB unit. The purity of CD34+/CD45+ cells after isolation ranges from 90 to 99%&#160;(Figure 1B). MK (defined a...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells at JoVE.com

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells

A highly pure population of megakaryocytes can be obtained from cord blood-derived CD34+ cells. A method for CD34+ cell isolation and megakaryocyte differentiation is described here.

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells

Platelet production occurs principally in the bone marrow in a process known as thrombopoiesis. During thrombopoiesis, hematopoietic progenitor cells ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to use human cord blood samples to isolate pure CD34-positive cells to study the effects of specific drugs of interest on megakaryocyte differentiation, proplatelet formation, and platelet production. This method can help answer key questions on the megakaryocyte and platelet field, such as what are the effects of a specific treatments on megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet production and function. The main advantage of this technique is that it provides a method for the consistent isolation of viable CD34-positive cells from fresh umbilical cord blood.Through this method can provide insight into megakaryopoiesis, other cell types such as lymphocytes, erythrocytes, and macrophages, can also be studied. Begin by adding 10 milliliters of separation buffer into 150 milliliter conical tube per 10 milliliters of cord blood. Using an 18 gauge blunt needle mounted on a 10 milliliter syringe, transfer 10 milliliters of blood into each tube, followed by the addition of 15 milliliters of lymphocyte separation medium to the bottom of each tube.Separate the cells by density gradient centrifugation, then at the end of the spin, carefully collect five to 10 milliliters of mononuclear cell containing buffy coat layer into one new tube per sample. Bring the total volume in each tube up to 50 milliliters with a fresh separation buffer and centrifuge the cells again. Re-suspend the pellets in five to 10 milliliters of fresh separation buffer and pool the cell samples.Adjust the volume to 50 milliliters with fresh separation buffer for counting and set aside 100 microliters of cells to determine the percentage of CD34 positive cells by flow cytometry. Centrifuge the cells again and re-suspend the pellet in 300 microliters of separation buffer, 100 microliters of FC receptor human IgG blocking reagent, and 100 microliters of CD34 magnetic beads per one times 10 to the eighth cells. Mix the cells gently before placing them at four degrees Celsius for a 30 to 40 minute incubation.During the incubation, place an appropriately sized magnetic bead separation column into the corresponding magnetic holder and wash the column with three milliliters of separation buffer. At the end of the incubation, remove the unbound beads by centrifugation in five to 10 milliliters of separation buffer and re-suspend the magnetic bead and cell pellet in 1.5 milliliters of fresh separation buffer. Load the labeled cells onto the column and collect the unlabeled flow through in a 15 milliliter collection tube.Load the effluent back onto the column and collect the second round of flow through into the same collection tube. Then wash the column three times with three milliliters of separation buffer and remove the column from the magnet. Using the column plunger, gradually flush two milliliters of separation buffer through the column into a new 15 milliliter tube and return the column to the magnet.Load the flushed cells back onto the column. Collect the flow through and wash the column with two milliliters of separation buffer as just demonstrated. After removing the column from the magnet, flush the column with two milliliters of fresh separation buffer to collect the CD34-positive cell fraction as just demonstrated, and collect the CD34-positive cells by centrifugation.Then resuspend the pellet in serum-free medium for CD34-positive cells. For megakaryocyte differentiation, seed five x 10 to the fifth CD34-positive cells per milliliter in 2 milliliters of serum-free medium, supplemented with recombinant human thrombopoietin per well in a 12-well plate for their incubation at 37 degrees Celsius, and 5%carbon dioxide, in a humidified atmosphere. At the appropriate differentiation monitoring time points, harvest the cells from two to three wells per time point without disturbing the cells in the other wells, and stain the collected cells with anti-CD41, and anti-CD42a antibodies to determine the percentage of mature megakaryocytes within the cultures.For microscopic visualization at the cell surface markers, wash the harvested cells in 1 milliliter of separation buffer, and resuspend the pellet in 100 microliters of fresh buffer. Use a cytospin to seed the cells onto a glass slide, and fix the cells to the slide with a 30-second submersion in methanol. After air drying, label the cells with 20 microliters of DAPI-supplemented mounting medium, and cover the cells with a cover slip for visualization by fluorescent microscopy.To count the proplatelets, harvest the cells at day eight or nine of differentiation, and seed the collected cells at one x 10 to the fourth cells per 200 microliters of fresh serum-free medium, supplemented with recombinant human thrombopoietin per well in a 48-well plate. After five days at 37 degrees Celsius and 5%carbon dioxide, count the number of proplatelet-bearing megakaryocytes per well on an inverted light microscope, using the 10 or 20 times objective. To analyze the platelet activation, on day 14 or 15 of culture, gently mix the cells with a Pasteur pipette, and collect 100 microliters of cells.Add 1 milliliter of Tyrode's buffer to the cells and pellet them by centrifugation. Collect the supernatant for centrifugation to pellet the platelet-sized particles, and resuspend the particles in 100 microliters of fresh Tyrode's buffer, then label the particles with anti-PAK1 antibody, activate them with the adenosine diphosphate for 20 minutes at room temperature, and analyze the percentage of PAK1 positive events by flow cytometry. The typical percentage of CD34-positive cells in cord blood is approximately 1.3%and the purity of the CD34-positive CD45-positive cells after isolation ranges from 90 to 99%CD41-positive megakaryocytes are observed early in serum-free CD34-positive cell cultures, with the percentage of mature CD41-positive CD42a-positive megakaryocytes reaching 30 to 40%by day 7, and the highest levels of double positive cells observed between days 10 and 12 of differentiation.Cultured megakaryocytes appear as large, usually multi-nucleated cells that express CD42b Von Willebrand factor, and P-selectin in their cytoplasm. At least three classes of ploidy are also commonly observed in these cell cultures. The percentage of megakaryocytes that bear proplatelets, long beaded fibers that extend from the megakaryocyte body, is typically around 1.3%Most platelets in the cell culture supernatant fall within the analytical gate of peripheral blood platelets, are positive for the CD41 platelet marker, can be activated by platelet agonists like adenosine diphosphate, as demonstrated by an increased binding of the activation specific PAK1 monoclonal antibody.After watching this video, you shall have a good understanding of how to isolate CD34-positive cells from cord blood. You shall also be able to set up megakaryocyte differentiation cultures, count proplatelets, and analyze platelets and megakaryocytes produced in vitro. Don't forget that working with human samples can be hazardous, and precautions, such as working in a class II biological safety cabinet should always be taken while performing this procedure.

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Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

Clinical Application of Sleeping Beauty and Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells to Genetically Modify T Cells from Peripheral and Umbilical Cord Blood

The potency of clinical-grade T cells can be improved by combining gene therapy with immunotherapy to engineer a biologic product with the potential for superior (i) recognition of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), (ii) persistence after infusion, (iii) potential for migration to tumor sites, and (iv) ability to recycle effector functions within the tumor microenvironment. Most approaches to genetic manipulation of T cells engineered for human application have used retrovirus and lentivirus for the stable expression of CAR1-3. This approach, although compliant with current good manufacturing practice (GMP), can be expensive as it relies on the manufacture and release of clinical-grade recombinant virus from a limited number of production facilities. The electro-transfer of nonviral plasmids is an appealing alternative to transduction since DNA species can be produced to clinical grade at approximately 1/10th the cost of recombinant GMP-grade virus. To improve the efficiency of integration we adapted Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon and transposase for human application4-8. Our SB system uses two DNA plasmids that consist of a transposon coding for a gene of interest (e.g. 2nd generation CD19-specific CAR transgene, designated CD19RCD28) and a transposase (e.g. SB11) which inserts the transgene into TA dinucleotide repeats9-11. To generate clinically-sufficient numbers of genetically modified T cells we use K562-derived artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPC) (clone #4) modified to express a TAA (e.g. CD19) as well as the T cell costimulatory molecules CD86, CD137L, a membrane-bound version of interleukin (IL)-15 (peptide fused to modified IgG4 Fc region) and CD64 (Fc-&gamma; receptor 1) for the loading of monoclonal antibodies (mAb)12. In this report, we demonstrate the procedures that can be undertaken in compliance with cGMP to generate CD19-specific CAR+ T cells suitable for human application. This was achieved by the synchronous electro-transfer of two DNA plasmids, a SB transposon (CD19RCD28) and a SB transposase (SB11) followed by retrieval of stable integrants by the every-7-day additions (stimulation cycle) of &gamma;-irradiated aAPC (clone #4) in the presence of soluble recombinant human IL-2 and IL-2113. Typically 4 cycles (28 days of continuous culture) are undertaken to generate clinically-appealing numbers of T cells that stably express the CAR. This methodology to manufacturing clinical-grade CD19-specific T cells can be applied to T cells derived from peripheral blood (PB) or umbilical cord blood (UCB). Furthermore, this approach can be harnessed to generate T cells to diverse tumor types by pairing the specificity of the introduced CAR with expression of the TAA, recognized by the CAR, on the aAPC.

Clinical Application of Sleeping Beauty and Artificial Antigen Presenting Cells to Genetically Modify T Cells from Peripheral and Umbilical Cord Blood

T cells expressing a CD19-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) are infused as investigational treatment of B-cell malignancies in our first-in-human gene therapy trials. We describe genetic modification of T cells using the Sleeping Beauty (SB) system to introduce CD19-specific CAR and selective propagation on designer CD19+ artificial antigen presenting cells.

The potency of clinical-grade T cells can be improved by combining gene therapy with immunotherapy to engineer  a biologic product with the potential for ...

Real-time Imaging of Heterotypic Platelet-neutrophil Interactions on the Activated Endothelium During Vascular Inflammation and Thrombus Formation in Live Mice

Interaction of activated platelets and leukocytes (mainly neutrophils) on the activated endothelium mediates thrombosis and vascular inflammation.1,2 During thrombus formation at the site of arteriolar injury, platelets adherent to the activated endothelium and subendothelial matrix proteins support neutrophil rolling and adhesion.3 Conversely, under venular inflammatory conditions, neutrophils adherent to the activated endothelium can support adhesion and accumulation of circulating platelets. Heterotypic platelet-neutrophil aggregation requires sequential processes by the specific receptor-counter receptor interactions between cells.4 It is known that activated endothelial cells release adhesion molecules such as von Willebrand factor, thereby initiating platelet adhesion and accumulation under high shear conditions.5 Also, activated endothelial cells support neutrophil rolling and adhesion by expressing selectins and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), respectively, under low shear conditions.4 Platelet P-selectin interacts with neutrophils through P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), thereby inducing activation of neutrophil &beta;2 integrins and firm adhesion between two cell types. Despite the advances in in vitro experiments in which heterotypic platelet-neutrophil interactions are determined in whole blood or isolated cells,6,7 those studies cannot manipulate oxidant stress conditions during vascular disease. In this report, using fluorescently-labeled, specific antibodies against a mouse platelet and neutrophil marker, we describe a detailed intravital microscopic protocol to monitor heterotypic interactions of platelets and neutrophils on the activated endothelium during TNF-&alpha;-induced inflammation or following laser-induced injury in cremaster muscle microvessels of live mice.

Here we report an experimental technique of fluorescence intravital microscopy to visualize heterotypic platelet-neutrophil interactions on the activated endothelium during vascular inflammation and thrombus formation in live mice. This microscopic technology will be valuable to study the molecular mechanism of vascular disease and to test pharmacologic agents under pathophysiological conditions.

Interaction of activated platelets and leukocytes (mainly neutrophils) on the activated endothelium mediates thrombosis and vascular inflammation.1,2 ...

Isolation of Myeloid Dendritic Cells and Epithelial Cells from Human Thymus

In this protocol we provide a method to isolate dendritic cells (DC) and epithelial cells (TEC) from the human thymus. DC and TEC are the major antigen presenting cell (APC) types found in a normal thymus and it is well established that they play distinct roles during thymic selection. These cells are localized in distinct microenvironments in the thymus and each APC type makes up only a minor population of cells. To further understand the biology of these cell types, characterization of these cell populations is highly desirable but due to their low frequency, isolation of any of these cell types requires an efficient and reproducible procedure. This protocol details a method to obtain cells suitable for characterization of diverse cellular properties. Thymic tissue is mechanically disrupted and after different steps of enzymatic digestion, the resulting cell suspension is enriched using a Percoll density centrifugation step. For isolation of myeloid DC (CD11c+), cells from the low-density fraction (LDF) are immunoselected by magnetic cell sorting. Enrichment of TEC populations (mTEC, cTEC) is achieved by depletion of hematopoietic (CD45hi) cells from the low-density Percoll cell fraction allowing their subsequent isolation via fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) using specific cell markers. The isolated cells can be used for different downstream applications.

This protocol details a method to isolate antigen presenting cells from human thymus via different steps of enzymatic digestion of the tissue followed by density centrifugation of the single cell suspension and finally magnetic and/or FACS sorting of the cell populations of interest.

In this protocol we provide a method to isolate dendritic cells (DC) and epithelial cells (TEC) from the human thymus. DC and TEC are the major antigen ...

Generation of Human Alloantigen-specific T Cells from Peripheral Blood

The study of human T lymphocyte biology often involves examination of responses to activating ligands. T cells recognize and respond to processed peptide antigens presented by MHC (human ortholog HLA) molecules through the T cell receptor (TCR) in a highly sensitive and specific manner. While the primary function of T cells is to mediate protective immune responses to foreign antigens presented by self-MHC, T cells respond robustly to antigenic differences in allogeneic tissues. T cell responses to alloantigens can be described as either direct or indirect alloreactivity. In alloreactivity, the T cell responds through highly specific recognition of both the presented peptide and the MHC molecule. The robust oligoclonal response of T cells to allogeneic stimulation reflects the large number of potentially stimulatory alloantigens present in allogeneic tissues. While the breadth of alloreactive T cell responses is an important factor in initiating and mediating the pathology associated with biologically-relevant alloreactive responses such as graft versus host disease and allograft rejection, it can preclude analysis of T cell responses to allogeneic ligands. To this end, this protocol describes a method for generating alloreactive T cells from naive human peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) that respond to known peptide-MHC (pMHC) alloantigens. The protocol applies pMHC multimer labeling, magnetic bead enrichment and flow cytometry to single cell in vitro culture methods for the generation of alloantigen-specific T cell clones. This enables studies of the biochemistry and function of T cells responding to allogeneic stimulation.

This article describes a method for the generation and propagation of human T cell clones that specifically respond to a defined alloantigen. This protocol can be adapted for cloning human T cells specific for a variety of peptide-MHC ligands.

The study of human T lymphocyte biology often involves examination of responses to activating ligands. T cells recognize and respond to processed peptide ...

The Isolation, Differentiation, and Quantification of Human Antibody-secreting B Cells from Blood: ELISpot as a Functional Readout of Humoral Immunity

The hallmark of humoral immunity is to generate functional ASCs, which synthesize and secrete Abs specific to an antigen (Ag), such as a pathogen, and are used for host defense. For the quantitative determination of the functional status of the humoral immune response of an individual, both serum Abs and circulating ASCs are commonly measured as functional readouts. In humans, peripheral blood is the most convenient and readily accessible sample that can be used for the determination of the humoral immune response elicited by host B cells. Distinct B-cell subsets, including ASCs, can be isolated directly from peripheral blood via selection with lineage-specific Ab-conjugated microbeads or via cell sorting with flow cytometry. Moreover, purified na&#239;ve and memory B cells can be activated and differentiated into ASCs in culture. The functional activities of ASCs to contribute to Ab secretion can be quantified by ELISpot, which is an assay that converges enzyme-linked immunoabsorbance assay (ELISA) and western blotting technologies to enable the enumeration of individual ASCs at the single-cell level. In practice, the ELISpot assay has been increasingly used to evaluate vaccine efficacy because of the ease of handling of a large number of blood samples. The methods of isolating human B cells from peripheral blood, the differentiation of B cells into ASCs in vitro, and the employment of ELISpot for the quantification of total IgM- and IgG-ASCs will be described here.

Human peripheral blood is commonly used for the assessment of the humoral immune response. Here, the methods for isolating human B cells from peripheral blood, differentiating human B cells into antibody (Ab)-secreting B cells (ASCs) in culture, and enumerating the total IgM- and IgG-ASCs via an ELISpot assay are described.

The hallmark of humoral immunity is to generate functional ASCs, which synthesize and secrete Abs specific to an antigen (Ag), such as a pathogen, and are ...

In Vitro Differentiation of Human CD4+FOXP3+ Induced Regulatory T Cells (iTregs) from Na&#239;ve CD4+ T Cells Using a TGF-&#946;-containing Protocol

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an integral part of peripheral tolerance, suppressing immune reactions against self-structures and thus preventing autoimmune diseases. Clinical approaches to adoptively transfer Tregs, or to deplete Tregs in cancer, are underway with promising first outcomes. 
Because the number of naturally occurring Tregs (nTregs) is very limited, studying certain Treg features using in vitro induced Tregs (iTregs) can be advantageous. To date, the best although not absolutely specific protein marker to delineate Tregs is the transcription factor FOXP3. Despite the importance of Tregs including non-redundant roles of peripherally induced Tregs, the protocols to generate iTregs are currently controversial, particularly for human cells. This protocol therefore describes the in vitro differentiation of human CD4+FOXP3+ iTregs from human na&#239;ve T cells using a range of Treg-inducing factors (TGF-&#946; plus IL-2 only, or their combination with retinoic acid, rapamycin or butyrate) in parallel. It also describes the phenotyping of these cells by flow cytometry and qRT-PCR. 
These protocols result in reproducible expression of FOXP3 and other Treg signature genes and enable the study of general FOXP3-regulatory mechanisms as well as protocol-specific effects to delineate the impact of certain factors. iTregs can be utilized to study various phenotypic aspects as well as molecular mechanisms of Treg induction. Detailed molecular studies are facilitated by relatively large cell numbers that can be obtained. 
A limitation for the application of iTregs is the relative instability of FOXP3 expression in these cells compared to nTregs. iTregs generated by these protocols can also be used for functional assays such as studying their suppressive function, in which iTregs induced by TGF-&#946; plus retinoic acid and rapamycin display superior suppressive activity. However, the suppressive capacity of iTregs can differ from nTregs and the use of appropriate controls is crucial.

This protocol describes the reproducible generation and phenotyping of human induced regulatory T cells (iTregs) from na&#239;ve CD4+ T cells in vitro. Different protocols for FOXP3 induction allow for the study of specific iTreg phenotypes obtained with respective protocols.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an integral part of peripheral tolerance, suppressing immune reactions against self-structures and thus preventing ...

Isolation, Expansion, and Adipogenic Induction of CD34+CD31+ Endothelial Cells from Human Omental and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue

Obesity is accompanied by an extensive remodeling of adipose tissue primarily via adipocyte hypertrophy. Extreme adipocyte growth results in a poor response to insulin, local hypoxia, and inflammation. By stimulating the differentiation of functional white adipocytes from progenitors, radical hypertrophy of the adipocyte population can be prevented and, consequently, the metabolic health of adipose tissue can be improved along with a reduction of inflammation. Also, by stimulating a differentiation of beige/brown adipocytes, the total body energy expenditure can be increased, resulting in weight loss. This approach could prevent the development of obesity co-morbidities such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
This paper describes the isolation, expansion, and differentiation of white and beige adipocytes from a subset of human adipose tissue endothelial cells that co-express the CD31 and CD34 markers. The method is relatively cheap and is not labor-intensive. It requires access to human adipose tissue and the subcutaneous depot is suitable for sampling. For this protocol, fresh adipose tissue samples from morbidly obese subjects [body mass index (BMI) &#62;35] are collected during bariatric surgery procedures. Using a sequential immunoseparation from the stromal vascular fraction, enough cells are produced from as little as 2&#8211;3 g of fat. These cells can be expanded in culture over 10&#8211;14 days, can be cryopreserved, and retain their adipogenic properties with passaging up to passage 5&#8211;6. The cells are treated for 14 days with an adipogenic cocktail using a combination of human insulin and the PPAR&#947; agonist-rosiglitazone.
This methodology can be used for obtaining proof of concept experiments on molecular mechanisms that drive adipogenic responses in adipose endothelial cells, or for screening new drugs that can enhance the adipogenic response directed either towards white or beige/brown adipocyte differentiation. Using small subcutaneous biopsies, this methodology can be used to screen out non-responder subjects for clinical trials aimed to stimulate beige/brown and white adipocytes for the treatment of obesity and co-morbidities.

The differentiation of white and beige adipocytes from adipose tissue vascular progenitors bears potential for metabolic improvement in obesity. We describe protocols for a CD34+CD31+ endothelial cell isolation from human fat and for a subsequent in vitro expansion and differentiation into white and beige adipocytes. Several downstream applications are discussed.

Obesity is accompanied by an extensive remodeling of adipose tissue primarily via adipocyte hypertrophy. Extreme adipocyte growth results in a poor ...

In Vitro Differentiation Model of Human Normal Memory B Cells to Long-lived Plasma Cells

Plasma cells (PCs) secrete large amounts of antibodies and develop from B cells that have been activated. PCs are rare cells located in the bone marrow or mucosa and ensure humoral immunity. Due to their low frequency and location, the study of PCs is difficult in human. We reported a B to PC in vitro differentiation model using selected combinations of cytokines and activation molecules that allow to reproduce the sequential cell differentiation occurring in vivo. In this in vitro model, memory B cells (MBCs) will differentiate into pre-plasmablasts (prePBs), plasmablasts (PBs), early PCs and finally, into long-lived PCs, with a phenotype close to their counterparts in healthy individuals.&#160;We also built an open access bioinformatics tools to analyze the most prominent information from GEP data related to PC differentiation. These resources can be used to study human B to PC differentiation and in the current study, we investigated the gene expression regulation of epigenetic factors during human B to PC differentiation.

Using multi-step culture systems, we report an in vitro B cell to plasma cell differentiation model.

Plasma cells (PCs) secrete large amounts of antibodies and develop from B cells that have been activated. PCs are rare cells located in the bone marrow or ...

Induced Differentiation of M Cell-like Cells in Human Stem Cell-derived Ileal Enteroid Monolayers

M (microfold) cells of the intestine function to transport antigen from the apical lumen to the underlying Peyer&#8217;s patches and lamina propria where immune cells reside and therefore contribute to mucosal immunity in the intestine. A complete understanding of how M cells differentiate in the intestine as well as the molecular mechanisms of antigen uptake by M cells is lacking. This is because M cells are a rare population of cells in the intestine and because in vitro models for M cells are not robust. The discovery of a self-renewing stem cell culture system of the intestine, termed enteroids, has provided new possibilities for culturing M cells. Enteroids are advantageous over standard cultured cell lines because they can be differentiated into several major cell types found in the intestine, including goblet cells, Paneth cells, enteroendocrine cells and enterocytes. The cytokine RANKL is essential in M cell development, and addition of RANKL and TNF-&#945; to culture media promotes a subset of cells from ileal enteroids to differentiate into M cells. The following protocol describes a method for the differentiation of M cells in a transwell epithelial polarized monolayer system of the intestine using human ileal enteroids. This method can be applied to the study of M cell development and function.

This protocol describes how to induce the differentiation of M cells in human stem cell-derived ileal monolayers and methods to assess their development.

M (microfold) cells of the intestine function to transport antigen from the apical lumen to the underlying Peyer&#8217;s patches and lamina propria where ...

Production and Characterization of Human Macrophages from Pluripotent Stem Cells

Macrophages are present in most vertebrate tissues and comprise widely dispersed and heterogeneous cell populations with different functions. They are key players in health and disease, acting as phagocytes during immune defense and mediating trophic, maintenance, and repair functions. Although it has been possible to study some of the molecular processes involved in human macrophage function, it has proved difficult to apply genetic engineering techniques to primary human macrophages. This has significantly hampered our ability to interrogate the complex genetic pathways involved in macrophage biology and to generate models for specific disease states. An off-the-shelf source of human macrophages that is amenable to the vast arsenal of genetic manipulation techniques would, therefore, provide a valuable tool in this field. We present an optimized protocol that allows for the generation of macrophages from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in vitro. These iPSC-derived macrophages (iPSC-DMs) express human macrophage cell surface markers, including CD45, 25F9, CD163, and CD169, and our live-cell imaging functional assay demonstrates that they exhibit robust phagocytic activity. Cultured iPSC-DMs can be activated to different&#160;macrophage states that display altered gene expression and phagocytic activity by the addition of LPS and IFNg, IL4, or IL10. Thus, this system provides a platform to generate human macrophages carrying genetic alterations that model specific human disease and a source of cells for drug screening or cell therapy to treat these diseases.

This protocol describes the robust generation of macrophages from human induced pluripotent stem cells, and methods for their subsequent characterization. Cell surface marker expression, gene expression, and functional assays are used to assess the phenotype and function of these iPSC-derived macrophages.

Macrophages are present in most vertebrate tissues and comprise widely dispersed and heterogeneous cell populations with different functions. They are key ...