Name: gene expression analysis of endothelial cells exposed to shear stress using multiple parallel-plate flow chambers
Uploaded: 2018-10-21T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Gene Expression Analysis of Endothelial Cells Exposed to Shear Stress Using Multiple Parallel-plate Flow Chambers at JoVE.com

This work was supported by CIHR MOP 142307 to P.A.M. H.S.J.M. is a recipient of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Training Program in Regenerative Medicine Fellowship. H.S.J.M., A.N.S., K.H.K., and M.K.D. are recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarships in the Science and Technology.

1. Preparation of Exogenous Reference RNA
NOTE: Choose an exogenous reference RNA that does not exist in the species or model of interest. For mammalian systems, firefly luciferase RNA may be used.
<ol>
	<li>Linearization of exogenous reference RNA plasmid
	<ol>
		<li>Prepare exogenous reference RNA at least 48 h prior to the anticipated RNA extraction. Obtain or manufacture a cDNA clone of the chosen exogenous reference RNA, such as a firefly luciferase cDNA clone in a plas...

<ol>
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Shear stress is a physiologic condition that modulates endothelial function, in part, by affecting steady-state gene expression2,5. Models of gene regulation in various shear stress conditions will contribute to a greater understanding of endothelial function. This pragmatic workflow includes a flow circuit using a parallel-plate flow chamber adapted from Lane et al.9 and represents laminar, non-pulsatile flow. The overall set-up ...

Vascular endothelial cells form the inner cellular lining of blood vessels in the closed cardiovascular system of higher species. They form the interface between the blood and tissues and are characterized by luminal and abluminal surfaces. The endothelium is a diverse, active, and adaptive system that regulates blood flow, nutrient trafficking, immunity, and the growth of new blood vessels1. In the body, endothelial cells normally exist in an environment where they are exposed to the frictional force of circulation, shear stress2. Shear stress is an important regulator of endothelial cell gene expression3, and endothelial cells attempt to maintain shear stress within a given range2,4. Endothelial cells demonstrate angiogenic patterning in the absence of shear stress5 that can improve tissue perfusion. Regional patterns of disturbed flow and altered shear stress are associated with the expression of inflammatory genes6 and the development of atherosclerosis7,8. Thus, models that include shear stress are a major component of understanding endothelial gene regulation.
We describe a method for studying the gene regulation in vascular endothelial cells under shear stress. This system uses non-pulsatile flow and mimics fluid shear stress levels and oxygen concentration that model conditions for arterial endothelial cells. This protocol includes details of methods for the gene knockdown using RNA interference (RNAi), the set-up for the application of shear stress using the parallel-plate flow apparatus, and methods for the spike-in of an exogenous reference RNA prior to analysis by reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). This pipeline is used for studying gene regulation in endothelial cells in the presence and absence of laminar shear stress and includes an adaptation of the parallel-plate flow apparatus described by Lane et al.9. This particular set-up was designed to facilitate the simultaneous assessment of multiple experimental conditions that allows direct comparison of shear stress conditions, as well as the normalization of RNA analysis. A large heated unit with controlled humidity is utilized to allow multiple separate flow chambers and pumps to be running simultaneously with flow rates monitored for each flow chamber assembly in real-time. The application of this set-up is used for gene knockdown using RNAi in the setting of laminar flow/shear stress, but aspects of this protocol can be applied to any assessment of RNA expression.
Common approaches to the application of shear stress for endothelial cells include microfluidic systems10, a cone-and-plate viscometer11, and a parallel-plate flow chamber12. Microfluidic systems from various manufacturers have been useful in studying mechanobiology and mechanotransduction in multiple cell and tissue types and a variety of biophysical stimuli. For endothelial cells, they have been used to study endothelial cells in isolation, as well as the interaction of endothelial cells and the trafficking of immune or tumor cells10. However, these systems are less suitable for the recovery of large numbers of cells9. Both the cone-and-plate viscometer and parallel-plate flow chambers allow the recovery of large numbers of cells in confluent monolayers12. These systems can generate a range of shear forces and patterns12. The parallel-plate flow chamber assembly9 has the advantage that real-time imaging can be performed through the glass window to evaluate cellular morphology at any time point. Furthermore, the perfusate can be collected under sterile conditions. For the system presented here, the flow can also be monitored in real-time and in a multi-chamber set-up, which facilitates the maintenance of shear conditions between chambers.
For representative experiments, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), which represent a macrovascular endothelial cell type, are used, and the shear stress conditions we use (1 Pa) reflect arterial conditions (0.1 - 0.7 Pa). However, this protocol can be used with other endothelial cell types, and the shear stress conditions can be adjusted according to the experimental question. For example, the evaluation of human endothelial cells in conditions that model venous circulation would require lower levels of shear stress (1 - 6 Pa) and studies that model microvascular circulation have utilized shear stress levels of 0.4 - 1.2 Pa13,14. In addition, shear stress can vary even between endothelial cells within the same blood vessel6. In the current set-up, a single monitoring system is used that can simultaneously monitor four separate flow loops. For labs that need more flow loops, there is space in the dedicated environment for an additional monitoring system.
RT-qPCR is used for the absolute quantitation of gene expression in the setting of shear stress. The relative expression of target genes is often used to compare RNA expression across conditions. Some RNA species can exist at very low quantities or be absent, thus complicating relative measurements. For example, long noncoding RNAs in endothelial cells can exert potent effects at relatively low copy numbers per cell5. In addition, differences in primer efficiency can lead to an inaccurate interpretation from utilizing the delta-delta cycle threshold (Ct) method to analyze the data. To address this concern, we perform absolute quantitation by generating a standard curve using a known quantity of plasmid DNA. Furthermore, complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis is an inefficient process, and differences in cDNA efficiency can account for differences in RNA expression between conditions and between samples15. The application of shear stress and/or transfection reagents can affect cell proliferation, apoptosis, and viability, or add components that may interfere with RNA isolation and/or cDNA synthesis. To account for the possibility of bias from RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis, we use a spike-in RNA control synthesized in the lab, added at the time of RNA extraction and measured with each cDNA synthesis via RT-qPCR. This allows not only the adjustment for technical differences in RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis but also allows the calculation of absolute quantities per cell, when the cell count is known.
This system uses additional steps to maintain similarity or account for technical differences between conditions. We particularly emphasize these steps because of the complex nature of these experiments, which involve multiple physical set-ups and experimental conditions that can lead to experimental variability.

<table>
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			<td>0.05% Trypsin-EDTA</td>
			<td>gibco</td>
			<td>25300-062</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>10 mL Syringe</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>302995</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10 mm2 Culture Dish</td>
			<td>Sarstedt</td>
			<td>83.3902</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>30 mL Syringe</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>302832</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>4-Way Stopcocks</td>
			<td>Discofix</td>
			<td>D500</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>Aluminum foil</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>BEACH</td>
			<td>Darwin Chambers Company</td>
			<td>MN: HO85, SN: 4947549</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell Scrapers</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CO2 Meter</td>
			<td>BioSphenix, Ltd.</td>
			<td>MN: P120, SN: 0342</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>CO2 Sensor</td>
			<td>BioSphenix, Ltd.</td>
			<td>MN: C700, SN: 52852</td>
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			<td>Distilled water</td>
			<td>gibco</td>
			<td>15230-170</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dulbecco&#39;s phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS) -/-</td>
			<td>gibco</td>
			<td>14190-144</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Endothelial Cell Growth Medium 2</td>
			<td>Promo Cell</td>
			<td>C-22011</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Endothelial Cell Growth Medium 2 Supplement Mix</td>
			<td>Promo Cell</td>
			<td>C-39216</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>Fibronectin (pure)</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>11051407001</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>Filter (0.20 um)</td>
			<td>Sarstedt</td>
			<td>83.1826.001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flow Dampener and Cap</td>
			<td>U of T glass blowing shop</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flow Meter: 400 Series Console</td>
			<td>Transonic Scisense Inc.</td>
			<td>T402</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flow Meter: 400 Series Tubing</td>
			<td>Transonic Scisense Inc.</td>
			<td>TS410</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Flow Reservoir and Cap</td>
			<td>U of T glass blowing shop</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Flow Sensor</td>
			<td>Transonic Scisense Inc.</td>
			<td>ME4PXL</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Isotemp 737F Oven</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>FI-737F</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>J cloth</td>
			<td>J cloth</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Microscope Slide (25 x 75 x 1 mm)</td>
			<td>Fisherfinest</td>
			<td>12-544-4</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Paper sterilization pouch</td>
			<td>Cardinal Health</td>
			<td>92713</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Pump (Masterflex L/S Economy Drive)</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>7554-90</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Pump Head (Masterflex L/S Easy Load)</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>7518-00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rectangular 4 Well Dish</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>267061</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tweezers</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tubing</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Masterflex C-Flex L/S 25 Soft Tubing</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>06424-25</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Masterflex C-Flex L/S 14 Soft Tubing</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>06424-14</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Masterflex C-Flex L/S 16 Soft Tubing</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>06424-16</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Masterflex PharMed BPT L/S 13 Hard Tubing</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>06508-13</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Masterflex PharMed BPT L/S 14 Hard Tubing</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>06508-14</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Luer </td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3/16&#34; Male Luer</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>45518-08</td>
			<td>For #25 tubing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1/8&#34; Male Luer</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>30800-24</td>
			<td>For #16 tubing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1/8&#34; Female Luer</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>30800-08</td>
			<td>For #16 tubing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1/16&#34; Male Luer</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>45518-00</td>
			<td>For #14 tubing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1/16&#34; Female Luer</td>
			<td>Cole-Parmer</td>
			<td>45508-00</td>
			<td>For #14 tubing</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Knockdown reagents</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Oligofectamine Reagent</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>12252-011</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Opti-MEM I Reduced Serum Medium</td>
			<td>gibco</td>
			<td>31985-070</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>In vitro transcription </td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Generuler 1kb+ DNA ladder</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>SM1331</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MEGAclear Kit</td>
			<td>Ambion</td>
			<td>AM1908</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mMESSSEGE mMACHINE SP6 Transcription Kit</td>
			<td>Ambion</td>
			<td>AM1340</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pSP-luc+</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>E4471</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Supercoiled DNA Ladder</td>
			<td>New England BioLabs Inc.</td>
			<td>N0472S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>UltraPure Agarose</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>16500-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>UltraPure Ethidium Bromide</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15585011</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>XhoI Restriction Enzyme</td>
			<td>New England BioLabs Inc.</td>
			<td>R0146S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RNA extraction </td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Beta-mercaptoethanol</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>M3148-100mL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RNeasy Mini Kit</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>74104</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

gene expression analysis of endothelial cells exposed to shear stress using multiple parallel-plate flow chambers

We describe a workflow for the analysis of gene expression from endothelial cells subject to a steady laminar flow using multiple monitored parallel-plate flow chambers. Endothelial cells form the inner cellular lining of blood vessels and are chronically exposed to the frictional force of blood flow called shear stress. Under physiological conditions, endothelial cells function in the presence of various shear stress conditions. Thus, the application of shear stress conditions in in vitro models can provide greater insight into endothelial responses in vivo. The parallel-plate flow chamber previously published by Lane et al.9 is adapted to study endothelial gene regulation in the presence and absence of steady (non-pulsatile) laminar flow. Key adaptations in the set-up for laminar flow as presented here include a large, dedicated environment to house concurrent flow circuits, the monitoring of flow rates in real-time, and the inclusion of an exogenous reference RNA for the normalization of quantitative real-time PCR data. To assess multiple treatments/conditions with the application of shear stress, multiple flow circuits and pumps are used simultaneously within the same heated and humidified incubator. The flow rate of each flow circuit is measured continuously in real-time to standardize shear stress conditions throughout the experiments. Because these experiments have multiple conditions, we also use an exogenous reference RNA that is spiked-in at the time of RNA extraction for the normalization of RNA extraction and first-strand cDNA synthesis efficiencies. These steps minimize the variability between samples. This strategy is employed in our pipeline for the gene expression analysis with shear stress experiments using the parallel-plate flow chamber, but parts of this strategy, such as the exogenous reference RNA spike-in, can easily and cost-effectively be used for other applications.

Successful linearization of luciferase plasmid using restriction enzymes was confirmed by running digested products on an agarose gel (Figure 1). The size of the linearized product was confirmed using DNA ladders and by comparison with uncut plasmid.
We have adapted the parallel-plate flow chamber set-up from Lane et al.9 for experiments that require multiple conditi...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Gene Expression Analysis of Endothelial Cells Exposed to Shear Stress Using Multiple Parallel-plate Flow Chambers at JoVE.com

Gene Expression Analysis of Endothelial Cells Exposed to Shear Stress Using Multiple Parallel-plate Flow Chambers

Here, a workflow for the culture and gene expression analysis of endothelial cells under fluid shear stress is presented. Included is a physical arrangement for simultaneously housing and monitoring multiple flow chambers in a controlled environment and the use of an exogenous reference RNA for quantitative PCR.

We describe a workflow for the analysis of gene expression from endothelial cells subject to a steady laminar flow using multiple monitored parallel-plate ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

Parallel-plate Flow Chamber and Continuous Flow Circuit to Evaluate Endothelial Progenitor Cells under Laminar Flow Shear Stress

The overall goal of this method is to describe a technique to subject adherent cells to laminar flow conditions and evaluate their response to well ...

Evaluation of Polymeric Gene Delivery Nanoparticles by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis and High-throughput Flow Cytometry

Non-viral gene delivery using polymeric nanoparticles has emerged as an attractive approach for gene therapy to treat genetic diseases1 and as a ...

Transplantation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Mesoangioblast-like Myogenic Progenitors in Mouse Models of Muscle Regeneration

Patient-derived iPSCs could be an invaluable source of cells for future autologous cell therapy protocols. iPSC-derived myogenic stem/progenitor cells ...

Generation of Shear Adhesion Map Using SynVivo Synthetic Microvascular Networks

Cell/particle adhesion assays are critical to understanding the biochemical interactions involved in disease pathophysiology and have important ...

Microfluidic Flow Chambers Using Reconstituted Blood to Model Hemostasis and Platelet Transfusion In Vitro

Microfluidic Flow Chambers Using Reconstituted Blood to Model Hemostasis and Platelet Transfusion In Vitro

Blood platelets prepared for transfusion gradually lose hemostatic function during storage. Platelet function can be investigated using a variety of ...

Designing Microfluidic Devices for Studying Cellular Responses Under Single or Coexisting Chemical/Electrical/Shear Stress Stimuli

Microfluidic devices are capable of creating a precise and controllable cellular micro-environment of pH, temperature, salt concentration, and other ...

A Protocol for Multiple Gene Knockout in Mouse Small Intestinal Organoids Using a CRISPR-concatemer

CRISPR/Cas9 technology has greatly improved the feasibility and speed of loss-of-function studies that are essential in understanding gene function. In ...

Light-sheet Fluorescence Microscopy to Capture 4-Dimensional Images of the Effects of Modulating Shear Stress on the Developing Zebrafish Heart

The hemodynamic forces experienced by the heart influence cardiac development, especially trabeculation, which forms a network of branching outgrowths ...

Live Cell Analysis of Shear Stress on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using an Automated Higher-Throughput Microfluidic System

Live Cell Analysis of Shear Stress on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using an Automated Higher-Throughput Microfluidic System

A higher-throughput microfluidic in vitro bioreactor coupled with fluorescence microscopy has been used to study bacterial biofilm growth and morphology, ...

Characterizing Single-Molecule Conformational Changes Under Shear Flow with Fluorescence Microscopy

Single-molecule behavior under mechanical perturbation has been characterized widely to understand many biological processes. However, methods such as ...