Name: digestion of the murine liver for a flow cytometric analysis of lymphatic endothelial cells
Uploaded: 2019-01-07T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Digestion of the Murine Liver for a Flow Cytometric Analysis of Lymphatic Endothelial Cells at JoVE.com

The authors would like to thank the GI and Liver Innate Immune Programs for monetary support of this project. B.A.J.T. is also funded by R01 AI121209.

All methods described here have been approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
1.&#160;Preparation of the Materials
<ol>
	<li>Make a 5 mg/mL solution of DNase I in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).</li>
	<li>Make a digestion mixture by adding 5,000 U/mL of collagenase IV to Click&#8217;s EHAA media.</li>
	<li>Warm the digestion mixture at 37 &#176;C for 30 min prior to use.</li>
...

<ol>
	<li>Tanaka, M., Iwakiri, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lymphatics+in+the+liver.">Lymphatics in the liver.</a> Current Opinion in Immunology. 53, 137-142 (2018).</li><li>Vollmar, B., Wolf, B., Siegmund, S., Katsen, A. D., Menger, M. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Lymph+vessel+expansion+and+function+in+the+development+of+hepatic+fibrosis+and+cirrhosis.">Lymph vessel expansion and function in the development of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis.</a> The American Journal of Pathology. 151 (1), 169-175 (1997).</li><li>Podgrabinska, 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=Molecular+characterization+of+lymphatic+endothelial+cells.">Molecular characterization of lymphatic endothelial cells.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 99 (25), 16069-16074 (2002).</li><li>Cohen, J. N., 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=Lymph+node-resident+lymphatic+endothelial+cells+mediate+peripheral+tolerance+via+Aire-independent+direct+antigen+presentation.">Lymph node-resident lymphatic endothelial cells mediate peripheral tolerance via Aire-independent direct antigen presentation.</a> Journal of Experimental Medicine. 207 (4), 681-688 (2010).</li><li>Cohen, J. N., 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=Tolerogenic+properties+of+lymphatic+endothelial+cells+are+controlled+by+the+lymph+node+microenvironment.">Tolerogenic properties of lymphatic endothelial cells are controlled by the lymph node microenvironment.</a> PLoS One. 9 (2), e87740 (2014).</li><li>Rouhani, 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=Roles+of+lymphatic+endothelial+cells+expressing+peripheral+tissue+antigens+in+CD4+T-cell+tolerance+induction.">Roles of lymphatic endothelial cells expressing peripheral tissue antigens in CD4 T-cell tolerance induction.</a> Nature Communications. 6, 6771 (2015).</li><li>Tewalt, E. F., 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=Lymphatic+endothelial+cells+induce+tolerance+via+PD-L1+and+lack+of+costimulation+leading+to+high-level+PD-1+expression+on+CD8+T+cells.">Lymphatic endothelial cells induce tolerance via PD-L1 and lack of costimulation leading to high-level PD-1 expression on CD8 T cells.</a> Blood. 120 (24), 4772-4782 (2012).</li><li>Dubrot, 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=Lymph+node+stromal+cells+acquire+peptide-MHCII+complexes+from+dendritic+cells+and+induce+antigen-specific+CD4(+)+T+cell+tolerance.">Lymph node stromal cells acquire peptide-MHCII complexes from dendritic cells and induce antigen-specific CD4(+) T cell tolerance.</a> Journal of Experimental Medicine. 211 (6), 1153-1166 (2014).</li><li>Hirosue, 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=Steady-state+antigen+scavenging,+cross-presentation,+and+CD8++T+cell+priming:+a+new+role+for+lymphatic+endothelial+cells.">Steady-state antigen scavenging, cross-presentation, and CD8+ T cell priming: a new role for lymphatic endothelial cells.</a> Journal of Immunology. 192 (11), 5002-5011 (2014).</li><li>Lund, A. W., 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=VEGF-C+promotes+immune+tolerance+in+B16+melanomas+and+cross-presentation+of+tumor+antigen+by+lymph+node+lymphatics.">VEGF-C promotes immune tolerance in B16 melanomas and cross-presentation of tumor antigen by lymph node lymphatics.</a> Cell Reports. 1 (3), 191-199 (2012).</li><li>Lund, A. W., 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=Lymphatic+vessels+regulate+immune+microenvironments+in+human+and+murine+melanoma.">Lymphatic vessels regulate immune microenvironments in human and murine melanoma.</a> Journal of Clinical Investigation. 126 (9), 3389-3402 (2016).</li><li>Swartz, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immunomodulatory+roles+of+lymphatic+vessels+in+cancer+progression.">Immunomodulatory roles of lymphatic vessels in cancer progression.</a> Cancer Immunology Research. 2 (8), 701-707 (2014).</li><li>Dietrich, 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=Cutting+edge:+lymphatic+vessels,+not+blood+vessels,+primarily+mediate+immune+rejections+after+transplantation.">Cutting edge: lymphatic vessels, not blood vessels, primarily mediate immune rejections after transplantation.</a> Journal of Immunology. 184 (2), 535-539 (2010).</li><li>Kedl, 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=Migratory+Dendritic+Cells+acquire+archived+antigen+from+Lymphatic+Endothelial+Cells+for+antigen+presentation+during+lymph+node+contraction.">Migratory Dendritic Cells acquire archived antigen from Lymphatic Endothelial Cells for antigen presentation during lymph node contraction.</a> Nature Communications. 8, 2034 (2017).</li><li>Kedl, R. M., Tamburini, B. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antigen+archiving+by+lymph+node+stroma:+A+novel+function+for+the+lymphatic+endothelium.">Antigen archiving by lymph node stroma: A novel function for the lymphatic endothelium.</a> European Journal of Immunology. 45 (10), 2721-2729 (2015).</li><li>Tamburini, B. A., Burchill, M. A., Kedl, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antigen+capture+and+archiving+by+lymphatic+endothelial+cells+following+vaccination+or+viral+infection.">Antigen capture and archiving by lymphatic endothelial cells following vaccination or viral infection.</a> Nature Communications. 5, 3989 (2014).</li><li>Yokomori, H., 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=Lymphatic+marker+podoplanin/D2-40+in+human+advanced+cirrhotic+liver--re-evaluations+of+microlymphatic+abnormalities.">Lymphatic marker podoplanin/D2-40 in human advanced cirrhotic liver--re-evaluations of microlymphatic abnormalities.</a> BMC Gastroenterology. 10, 131 (2010).</li><li>Nonaka, H., Tanaka, M., Suzuki, K., Miyajima, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+murine+hepatic+sinusoidal+endothelial+cells+characterized+by+the+expression+of+hyaluronan+receptors.">Development of murine hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells characterized by the expression of hyaluronan receptors.</a> Developmental Dynamics. 236 (8), 2258-2267 (2007).</li><li>Dudas, 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=Prospero-related+homeobox+1+(Prox1)+is+a+stable+hepatocyte+marker+during+liver+development,+injury+and+regeneration,+and+is+absent+from+"oval+cells".">Prospero-related homeobox 1 (Prox1) is a stable hepatocyte marker during liver development, injury and regeneration, and is absent from "oval cells".</a> Histochemistry and Cell Biology. 126 (5), 549-562 (2006).</li><li>Schrage, A., 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=Murine+CD146+is+widely+expressed+on+endothelial+cells+and+is+recognized+by+the+monoclonal+antibody+ME-9F1.">Murine CD146 is widely expressed on endothelial cells and is recognized by the monoclonal antibody ME-9F1.</a> Histochemistry and Cell Biology. 129 (4), 441-451 (2008).</li><li>Amatschek, 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=Blood+and+lymphatic+endothelial+cell-specific+differentiation+programs+are+stringently+controlled+by+the+tissue+environment.">Blood and lymphatic endothelial cell-specific differentiation programs are stringently controlled by the tissue environment.</a> Blood. 109 (11), 4777-4785 (2007).</li><li>Huang, L., Soldevila, G., Leeker, M., Flavell, R., Crispe, I. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+liver+eliminates+T+cells+undergoing+antigen-triggered+apoptosis+in+vivo.">The liver eliminates T cells undergoing antigen-triggered apoptosis in vivo.</a> Immunity. 1 (9), 741-749 (1994).</li><li>Shay, T., Kang, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immunological+Genome+Project+and+systems+immunology.">Immunological Genome Project and systems immunology.</a> Trends in Immunology. 34 (12), 602-609 (2013).</li><li>Li, B., 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=Adult+Mouse+Liver+Contains+Two+Distinct+Populations+of+Cholangiocytes.">Adult Mouse Liver Contains Two Distinct Populations of Cholangiocytes.</a> Stem Cell Reports. 9 (2), 478-489 (2017).</li><li>Randolph, G. J., Ivanov, S., Zinselmeyer, B. H., Scallan, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Lymphatic+System:+Integral+Roles+in+Immunity.">The Lymphatic System: Integral Roles in Immunity.</a> Annual Review of Immunology. 35, 31-52 (2016).</li><li>Olszewski, W. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+lymphatic+system+in+body+homeostasis:+physiological+conditions.">The lymphatic system in body homeostasis: physiological conditions.</a> Lymphatic Research and Biology. 1 (1), 11-21 (2003).</li></ol>

The overall importance of LECs in immune homeostasis and regulation has recently come to light25. Much of the published lymphatic literature focuses on skin and lymph nodes; however, lymphatics are found throughout the body26 and, thus, our understanding of their importance in different organs is needed. Here we show a method in which LECs in the liver can be studied on a cell-by-cell basis to better understand their concurrent expression of different surface markers, cytok...

The role of lymphatic vessels and LECs in the liver is not well understood. While lymphatic vessels are found within the portal triad of the liver1 and expand during disease2, very little is understood regarding the function and phenotype of LECs within the liver. With the discovery of markers that are found primarily on LECs3, the importance of these cells within different tissue niches in homeostasis and disease will fill a significant gap in our understanding. LECs have a major role in maintaining peripheral tolerance in the lymph node and in metastatic tumors by interacting directly with T cells4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13. LECs in the lymph node can promote protective immunity via their interactions with migratory dendritic cells14,15,16. Therefore, there are multiple roles for LECs which may be specific to the tissues and interactions in which they are present. However, very little is understood about how LECs interact with immune cells in the tissue or how LECs function in different organ systems; thus, evaluating LECs on a per cell basis within the liver or other organs may lead to advances in how LECs program tissue-specific immunity. While much of the literature that focuses on LECs in the liver uses microscopy to visualize LECs using one or two markers and morphology17, very little has been done to specifically evaluate LECs on a cell by cell basis using flow cytometry, though one study did evaluate differences between liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and LECs18. Being able to analyze LEC populations in the liver by flow cytometry allows for the in-depth study of LEC phenotype during normal homeostasis or disease.
To evaluate LECs by flow cytometry, multiple surface markers are needed. Typically, LECs are visualized by the expression of prospero-related homeobox 1 (Prox-1), lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE1) or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3) using microscopy. However, in the liver, the expression of these markers is not restricted to LECs. Prox-1 is widely expressed by hepatocytes during liver development, regeneration, and injury19, and LYVE1 and VEGFR3 are expressed by the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells18. In the lymph node, LECs are identified using flow cytometry as clusters of differentiation (CD) CD45-, CD31+, and podoplanin+ (PDPN)16. However, this approach is too minimal to isolate LECs in the liver since CD45- CD31+ cells will capture endothelial cells, and the predominant population of vascular endothelial cells in the liver are LSECs. Thus, other markers are needed to distinguish the rare LEC population from the abundant LSEC population. Both CD16/32 (expressed by mature LSECs18) and CD146 (a common vascular endothelial cell marker that is predominately expressed within the liver sinusoids by liver sinusoidal endothelial cells20 with little to no expression by lymphatic endothelial cells21) were candidate markers.
Therefore, we optimized a method for isolating and visualizing LECs in the liver using the above markers, CD45, CD31, CD146, CD16/32, and PDPN for flow cytometry. We describe the use of collagenase IV, DNase 1, and mechanical separation for liver tissue digestion into a single-cell suspension. We also describe the use of iodixanol density gradient for the isolation of non-parenchymal cells (NPC) and to eliminate cellular debris. Finally, using multiple markers, we determine the optimal flow cytometry gating strategy to identify LECs from the liver with PDPN as the predominant marker.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Clicks/EHAA media</td>
			<td>Irvine Scientific</td>
			<td>9195</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagenase IV</td>
			<td>Worthington Biochemical corporation</td>
			<td>LS004188</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DNase I</td>
			<td>Worthington Biochemical corporation</td>
			<td>LS002145</td>
			<td>Deoxyribonuclease 1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>OptiPrep</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>D1556</td>
			<td>Density Gradient Medium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>V450 anti mouse CD146(clone ME-9F1</td>
			<td>BD biosciences</td>
			<td>562232</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FITC anti mouse CD146 (clone ME-9F1</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>134706</td>
			<td>Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pacific Blue anti mouse CD31(clone 390)</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>102422</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PerCp/Cy5.5 anti mouse CD31( clone 390)</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>102420</td>
			<td>Peridinin-chlorophyll proteins-Cyanine 5.5 (PerCP-Cy5.5)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>APC anti mouse PDPN (clone 8.1.1)</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>127410</td>
			<td>Allophycocyanin (APC), podoplanin (PDPN)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>APC/Cy7 anti mouse CD45 (clone 30-F11)</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>103116</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Brilliant Violet 510 anti mouse CD45 (clone 30-F11</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>103138</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FITC anti mouse CD16/32 (clone 93)</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>101306</td>
			<td>Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PerCp/Cy5.5 anti mouse CD16/32( clone 93)</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>101324</td>
			<td>Peridinin-chlorophyll proteins-Cyanine 5.5 (PerCP-Cy5.5)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ghost red 780 viability dye</td>
			<td>TONBO biosceinces</td>
			<td>3-0865-T100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>APC syrian hamster IgG (clone SHG-1)</td>
			<td>Biolegened</td>
			<td>402102</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PerCp/Cy5.5 rat IgG2a (clone RTK2758)</td>
			<td>Biolegend</td>
			<td>400531</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FITC rat IgG2 (clone eBR2a)</td>
			<td>ebioscience</td>
			<td>1-4321-80</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti mouse LYVE1 (clone 223322)</td>
			<td>R&#38;D systems</td>
			<td>FAB2125A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-mouse Cytokeratin(clone EPR17078)</td>
			<td>abcam</td>
			<td>ab181598</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>anti-mouse F4/80 (clone Cl:A3-1)</td>
			<td>Bio-rad</td>
			<td>MCA497</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA (fraction V)</td>
			<td>Fischer</td>
			<td>BP1600-100</td>
			<td>Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat serum</td>
			<td>Jackson Immunoresearch</td>
			<td>017-000-121</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey Serum</td>
			<td>Jackson Immunoresearch</td>
			<td>017-000-121</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EDTA</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>E177</td>
			<td>Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) -for RBC lysis buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ammonium Chloride</td>
			<td>Fischer</td>
			<td>A687-500</td>
			<td>for RBC Lysis buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Potassium Bicarbonate</td>
			<td>Fischer</td>
			<td>P184-500</td>
			<td>for RBC Lysis buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scalpel</td>
			<td>Feather</td>
			<td>2975#21</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100um cell strainer</td>
			<td>Fischer</td>
			<td>22363549</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2.4G2</td>
			<td>in house/ATCC</td>
			<td>ATCC HB-197</td>
			<td>FC block to inhibit non-specific binding to Fc gamma + cells -made from hybridoma</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS)</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>21-040-CV</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS)</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>14185-052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)</td>
			<td>Atlanta biologicals</td>
			<td>S11550</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>96 well plate</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3788</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6 well plate</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3506</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 ml conical</td>
			<td>Truline</td>
			<td>TR2004</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>15 ml conical</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>352196</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1 ml Pipete tip</td>
			<td>USA scientific</td>
			<td>1111-2721</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>200 &#181;l pipete tip</td>
			<td>USA scientific</td>
			<td>1110-1700</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10 &#181;l pipete tip</td>
			<td>USA scientific</td>
			<td>1111-3700</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>seriological 10ml pipete</td>
			<td>greiner bio-one</td>
			<td>607107</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>seriological 5ml pipete</td>
			<td>greiner bio-one</td>
			<td>606107</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell incubator</td>
			<td>Fischer</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Heracell 160i</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BD FacsCanto II flow cytometer</td>
			<td>BD biosciences</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Clinical Centrifuge</td>
			<td>Beckman coulter</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>model X-14R</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

digestion of the murine liver for a flow cytometric analysis of lymphatic endothelial cells

Within the liver, lymphatic vessels are found within the portal triad, and their described function is to remove interstitial fluid from the liver to the lymph nodes where cellular debris and antigens can be surveyed. We are very interested in understanding how the lymphatic vasculature might be involved in inflammation and immune cell function within the liver. However, very little has been published establishing digestion protocols for the isolation of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) from the liver or specific markers that can be used to evaluate liver LECs on a per cell basis. Therefore, we optimized a method for the digestion and staining of the liver in order to evaluate the LEC population in the liver. We are confident that the method outlined here will be useful for the identification and isolation of LECs from the liver and will strengthen our understanding of how LECs respond to the liver microenvironment.

Studies analyzing liver lymphatics have primarily used immunohistochemistry to quantitate the frequency and diameter of lymphatic vessels in the liver. However, this method does not allow for the evaluation of LECs on a cell-by-cell basis or for expression of multiple markers, cytokines, chemokines, or transcription factors. Therefore, we asked whether liver LECs could be isolated from the liver and evaluated using flow cytometry. Previous work isolating lymph node LECs was performed usin...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Digestion of the Murine Liver for a Flow Cytometric Analysis of Lymphatic Endothelial Cells at JoVE.com

Digestion of the Murine Liver for a Flow Cytometric Analysis of Lymphatic Endothelial Cells

The goal of this protocol is to identify lymphatic endothelial cell populations within the liver using described markers. We utilize collagenase IV and DNase and a gentle mincing of tissue, combined with flow cytometry, to identify a distinct population of lymphatic endothelial cells.

Within the liver, lymphatic vessels are found within the portal triad, and their described function is to remove interstitial fluid from the liver to the ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Immune Cells Within Murine Aortas

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process of medium and large size vessels that is characterized by the formation of plaques consisting of foam ...

Flow Cytometric Isolation of Primary Murine Type II Alveolar Epithelial Cells for Functional and Molecular Studies

Throughout  the last years, the contribution of alveolar type II epithelial cells (AECII)  to various aspects of immune regulation in the lung has been ...

Non-invasive Optical Imaging of the Lymphatic Vasculature of a Mouse

The lymphatic  vascular system is an important component of the circulatory system that  maintains fluid homeostasis, provides immune surveillance, and ...

Isolation and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Immune Cells from the Ischemic Mouse Brain

Ischemic stroke initiates a robust inflammatory response that starts in the intravascular compartment and involves rapid activation of brain resident ...

Isolation and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Glioma-infiltrating Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Our laboratory has recently demonstrated that natural killer (NK) cells are capable of eradicating orthotopically implanted mouse GL26 and rat CNS-1 ...

Isolation and Flow Cytometric Characterization of Murine Small Intestinal Lymphocytes

The intestines &#8212; which contain the largest number of immune cells of any organ in the body &#8212; are constantly exposed to foreign antigens, both ...

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Particle-bound Bet v 1 Allergen in PM10

Flow cytometry is a method widely used to quantify suspended solids such as cells or bacteria in a size range from 0.5 to several tens of micrometers in ...

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Natural Killer Cell Lytic Activity in Human Whole Blood

NK cell cytotoxicity is a widely used measure to determine the effect of outside intervention on NK cell function. However, the accuracy and ...

Isolation and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Gamma Delta T Cells

The female reproductive tract (FRT) mucosal immune system serves as the first line of defense. Better knowledge of the genital mucosa is therefore ...

Preparation of Whole Bone Marrow for Mass Cytometry Analysis of Neutrophil-lineage Cells

In this article, we present a protocol that is optimized to preserve neutrophil-lineage cells in fresh BM for whole BM CyTOF analysis. We utilized a ...