The authors acknowledge funding support from JDRF (CDA-2016-189 and SRA-2018-539), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health (R01-DK-108921), the Brehm family, and the Anthony family. The JDRF Career Development Award to S.A.S. is partly supported by the Danish Diabetes Academy, which is supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Use of de-identified donor human pancreatic islets is via an Institutional Review Board (IRB) exemption and in compliance with University of Michigan IRB policy. Human pancreatic islets were provided by the NIH/NIDDK-sponsored Integrated Islet Distribution Program (IIDP).
1. Human islet sample preparation
<ol>
	<li>Single cell dissociation
	<ol>
		<li>Culture human islet samples (4000&#8211;6000 islet equivalents/10 mL media) for at least 1 day at 37 &#176;C in pancreatic is...

<ol>
	<li>Pearson, G., 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=Clec16a,+Nrdp1,+and+USP8+Form+a+Ubiquitin-Dependent+Tripartite+Complex+That+Regulates+beta-Cell+Mitophagy.">Clec16a, Nrdp1, and USP8 Form a Ubiquitin-Dependent Tripartite Complex That Regulates beta-Cell Mitophagy.</a> Diabetes. 67 (2), 265-277 (2018).</li><li>Soleimanpour, S. 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=The+diabetes+susceptibility+gene+Clec16a+regulates+mitophagy.">The diabetes susceptibility gene Clec16a regulates mitophagy.</a> Cell. 157 (7), 1577-1590 (2014).</li><li>Kaufman, B. A., Li, C., Soleimanpour, S. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mitochondrial+regulation+of+&#946;-cell+function:+Maintaining+the+momentum+for+insulin+release.">Mitochondrial regulation of &#946;-cell function: Maintaining the momentum for insulin release.</a> Molecular Aspects of Medicine. , (2015).</li><li>Hattori, N., Saiki, S., Imai, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regulation+by+mitophagy.">Regulation by mitophagy.</a> The International Journal of Biochemistry &amp; Cell Biology. 53, 147-150 (2014).</li><li>Soleimanpour, S. 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=Diabetes+Susceptibility+Genes+Pdx1+and+Clec16a+Function+in+a+Pathway+Regulating+Mitophagy+in+beta-Cells.">Diabetes Susceptibility Genes Pdx1 and Clec16a Function in a Pathway Regulating Mitophagy in beta-Cells.</a> Diabetes. 64 (10), 3475-3484 (2015).</li><li>Zhong, L., Tan, Y., Zhou, A., Yu, Q., Zhou, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=RING+Finger+Ubiquitin-Protein+Isopeptide+Ligase+Nrdp1/FLRF+Regulates+Parkin+Stability+and+Activity.">RING Finger Ubiquitin-Protein Isopeptide Ligase Nrdp1/FLRF Regulates Parkin Stability and Activity.</a> Journal of Biological Chemistry. 280 (10), 9425-9430 (2005).</li><li>Durcan, T. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=USP8+regulates+mitophagy+by+removing+K6-linked+ubiquitin+conjugates+from+parkin.">USP8 regulates mitophagy by removing K6-linked ubiquitin conjugates from parkin.</a> The EMBO Journal. 33 (21), 2473-2491 (2014).</li><li>Gauthier, T., Claude-Taupin, A., Delage-Mourroux, R., Boyer-Guittaut, M., Hervouet, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Proximity+Ligation+In+situ+Assay+is+a+Powerful+Tool+to+Monitor+Specific+ATG+Protein+Interactions+following+Autophagy+Induction.">Proximity Ligation In situ Assay is a Powerful Tool to Monitor Specific ATG Protein Interactions following Autophagy Induction.</a> PLoS ONE. 10 (6), e0128701 (2015).</li><li>Silva Xavier, D. a., G, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Cells+of+the+Islets+of+Langerhans.">The Cells of the Islets of Langerhans.</a> Journal of Clinical Medicine. 7 (3), 54 (2018).</li><li>Steiner, D. J., Kim, A., Miller, K., Hara, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pancreatic+islet+plasticity:+Interspecies+comparison+of+islet+architecture+and+composition.">Pancreatic islet plasticity: Interspecies comparison of islet architecture and composition.</a> Islets. 2 (3), 135-145 (2010).</li><li>Cabrera, O., 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=The+unique+cytoarchitecture+of+human+pancreatic+islets+has+implications+for+islet+cell+function.">The unique cytoarchitecture of human pancreatic islets has implications for islet cell function.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 103 (7), 2334 (2006).</li><li>Brissova, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assessment+of+Human+Pancreatic+Islet+Architecture+and+Composition+by+Laser+Scanning+Confocal+Microscopy.">Assessment of Human Pancreatic Islet Architecture and Composition by Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy.</a> Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry. 53 (9), 1087-1097 (2005).</li><li>Babu, D. A., Deering, T. G., Mirmira, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+feat+of+metabolic+proportions:+Pdx1+orchestrates+islet+development+and+function+in+the+maintenance+of+glucose+homeostasis.">A feat of metabolic proportions: Pdx1 orchestrates islet development and function in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis.</a> Molecular Genetics and Metabolism. 92 (1), 43-55 (2007).</li><li>Poitout, V., 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=Glucolipotoxicity+of+the+pancreatic+beta+cell.">Glucolipotoxicity of the pancreatic beta cell.</a> Biochimica Biophysica Acta. 1801 (3), 289-298 (2010).</li><li>Pearson, G., Soleimanpour, S. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+ubiquitin-dependent+mitophagy+complex+maintains+mitochondrial+function+and+insulin+secretion+in+beta+cells.">A ubiquitin-dependent mitophagy complex maintains mitochondrial function and insulin secretion in beta cells.</a> Autophagy. 14 (7), 1160-1161 (2018).</li><li>Li, 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=Single-cell+transcriptomes+reveal+characteristic+features+of+human+pancreatic+islet+cell+types.">Single-cell transcriptomes reveal characteristic features of human pancreatic islet cell types.</a> EMBO Reports. 17 (2), 178-187 (2016).</li><li>DiGruccio, M. 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=Comprehensive+alpha,+beta+and+delta+cell+transcriptomes+reveal+that+ghrelin+selectively+activates+delta+cells+and+promotes+somatostatin+release+from+pancreatic+islets.">Comprehensive alpha, beta and delta cell transcriptomes reveal that ghrelin selectively activates delta cells and promotes somatostatin release from pancreatic islets.</a> Molecular Metabolism. 5 (7), 449-458 (2016).</li><li>Lawlor, 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=Single-cell+transcriptomes+identify+human+islet+cell+signatures+and+reveal+cell-type&#8211;specific+expression+changes+in+type+2+diabetes.">Single-cell transcriptomes identify human islet cell signatures and reveal cell-type&#8211;specific expression changes in type 2 diabetes.</a> Genome Research. 27 (2), 208-222 (2017).</li><li>Dorrell, C., 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=Human+islets+contain+four+distinct+subtypes+of+&#946;+cells.">Human islets contain four distinct subtypes of &#946; cells.</a> Nature Communications. 7, 11756 (2016).</li><li>Dorrell, C., 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=Isolation+of+major+pancreatic+cell+types+and+long-term+culture-initiating+cells+using+novel+human+surface+markers.">Isolation of major pancreatic cell types and long-term culture-initiating cells using novel human surface markers.</a> Stem Cell Research. 1 (3), 183-194 (2008).</li><li>Jayaraman, S. <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+method+for+the+detection+of+viable+human+pancreatic+beta+cells+by+flow+cytometry+using+fluorophores+that+selectively+detect+labile+zinc,+mitochondrial+membrane+potential+and+protein+thiols.">A novel method for the detection of viable human pancreatic beta cells by flow cytometry using fluorophores that selectively detect labile zinc, mitochondrial membrane potential and protein thiols.</a> Cytometry Part A. 73 (7), 615-625 (2008).</li><li>Arda, H. E., 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=Age-Dependent+Pancreatic+Gene+Regulation+Reveals+Mechanisms+Governing+Human+&#223;-Cell+Function.">Age-Dependent Pancreatic Gene Regulation Reveals Mechanisms Governing Human &#223;-Cell Function.</a> Cell Metabolism. 23 (5), 909-920 (2016).</li><li>Allen, G. F. G., Toth, R., James, J., Ganley, I. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Loss+of+iron+triggers+PINK1/Parkin-independent+mitophagy.">Loss of iron triggers PINK1/Parkin-independent mitophagy.</a> EMBO Reports. 14 (12), 1127-1135 (2013).</li><li>Villa, E., Marchetti, S., Ricci, J. -. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=No+Parkin+Zone:+Mitophagy+without+Parkin.">No Parkin Zone: Mitophagy without Parkin.</a> Trends in Cell Biology. , (2018).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Here we describe a simple and efficient approach to use NRDP1:USP8 PLA in tissues/cells of interest to quantify formation of upstream mitophagy complexes. We previously confirmed the formation of the CLEC16A-NRDP1-USP8 mitophagy complex in pancreatic beta cells by several methodologies, including co-immunoprecipitation experiments, cell-free interaction studies, and in vitro as well as cell-based ubiquitination assays, and demonstrated how this complex drives regulated mitophagic flux1,...

Pancreatic beta cells produce the insulin required to maintain normal glucose homeostasis, and their failure results in the development of all forms of diabetes. Beta cells retain a robust mitochondrial capacity to generate the energy required to couple glucose metabolism with insulin release. Recently, it has become apparent that the maintenance of functional mitochondrial mass is of pivotal importance for optimal beta cell function1,2,3. In order to sustain functional mitochondrial mass, beta cells rely on quality control mechanisms to remove dysfunctional, damaged, or aging mitochondria4. We and others have previously demonstrated that beta cells rely on a specialized form of mitochondrial turnover, called mitochondrial autophagy (or mitophagy), to maintain mitochondrial quality control in both rodent and human islets1,2,5. Unfortunately, however, there was no simple method to detect mitophagy, or endogenously expressed mitophagy components, in human pancreatic beta cells.
We have recently shown that upstream regulation of mitophagy in beta cells relies on formation of a protein complex comprising the E3 ligases CLEC16A and NRDP1 and the deubiquitinase USP81. NRDP1 and USP8 have been shown independently to affect mitophagy through action on the key mitophagy initiator PARKIN6,7. NRDP1 targets PARKIN for ubiquitination and degradation to switch off mitophagy6, and USP8 specifically deubiquitinates K6-linked PARKIN to promote its translocation to mitochondria7. Proximity ligation assay (PLA) technology has been a recent advance in the field of protein interaction biology8, allowing visualization of endogenous protein interactions in situ in single cells, and is not limited by scarce sample material. This methodology is particularly enticing for human islet/beta cell biology, due to the sparsity of sample availability, coupled to the need for understanding physiologically relevant protein complexes within heterogeneous cell types.
Utilizing the PLA approach, we are able to observe key endogenous mitophagy complexes in primary human pancreatic beta cells and&#160;neuronal cell lines, and demonstrate the effects of a diabetogenic environment on the mitophagy pathway1. In summary, the overarching goal of this protocol is to analyze specific mitophagy protein complexes in tissues lacking abundant material, or where conventional protein-interaction studies are not possible.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>0.25% trypsin-EDTA 1X</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>25200-056</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibiotic-Antimycotic</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15240-062</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Block solution</td>
			<td>Homemade</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Use 1X PBS, add 10 % donkey serum, and 0.3% Triton X-100 detergent.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Buffer A</td>
			<td>Homemade</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>To make 1L: Mix 8.8g NaCl, 1.2g Tris base, 500ul Tween-20, with 750mL ddH20. pH to 7.5 with HCl, and fill to 1L. Filter solution and store at 4C. Bring to RT before experimental use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Buffer B</td>
			<td>Homemade</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>To make 1L: Mix 5.84g NaCl, 4.24g Tris base, 26g Tris-HCl with 500mL ddH20. pH to 7.5, and fill to 1L. Filter solution and store a 4C. Bring to RT before experimental use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cy5-conjugated AffiniPure donkey anti-goat</td>
			<td>Jackson Labs</td>
			<td>705-175-147</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Detection Reagents Red</td>
			<td>Sigma- Aldrich</td>
			<td>DU092008-100RXN</td>
			<td>Kit containing: ligation solution stock (5X), ligase, amplification solution stock (5X) and polymerase.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DuoLink PLA probe anti-mouse MINUS</td>
			<td>Sigma- Aldrich</td>
			<td>DU092004-100RXN</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DuoLink PLA probe anti-rabbit PLUS</td>
			<td>Sigma- Aldrich</td>
			<td>DU092002-100RXN</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal bovine serum</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Goat polyclonal anti-PDX1 (clone A17)</td>
			<td>Santa Cruz</td>
			<td>SC-14664</td>
			<td>RRID: AB_2162373</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES (1M)</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15630-080</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MIN6 pancreatic cell line</td>
			<td>Gift from D. Stoffers</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Mouse insulinoma cell line, utilized for cell-based assays.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse monoclonal anti-USP8 antibody (clone US872)</td>
			<td>Sigma- Aldrich</td>
			<td>SAB200527</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pap-pen</td>
			<td>Research Products International</td>
			<td>195505</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Parafilm</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Use to seal antibody and probe solutions on your cells to prevent evaporation when using small solution volumes.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBT (phosphate buffered saline with triton)</td>
			<td>Homemade</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>To make 50mL: 43.5mLddH2O, 5mL 10X PBS, 0.5mL 10X BSA(100mg/mL solution), 1mL 10% triton X-100 solution in ddH20)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin-Streptomycin (100X)</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15140-122</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate buffered saline, 10X</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP399-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PIM(ABS) Human AB serum</td>
			<td>Prodo Labs</td>
			<td>PIM-ABS001GMP</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PIM(G) (glutamine)</td>
			<td>Prodo Labs</td>
			<td>PIM-G001GMP</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PIM(S) media</td>
			<td>Prodo Labs</td>
			<td>PIM-S001GMP</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PR619</td>
			<td>Apex Bio</td>
			<td>A812</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Prolong Gold antifade reagent with DAPI</td>
			<td>Life Technologies (Molecular Probes)</td>
			<td>P36935</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rabbit polyclonal anti-FLRF/RNF41 (Nrdp1)</td>
			<td>Bethyl Laboratories</td>
			<td>A300-049A</td>
			<td>RRID: AB_2181251</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SH-SY5Y cells</td>
			<td>Gift from L. Satin</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Human neuroblastoma cell line, utilized for cell-based assays.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Pyruvate (100X)</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>11360-070</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP151-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tween-20</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP337-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Water for RNA work (DEPC water)</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP361-1L</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

visualization of endogenous mitophagy complexes in situ in human pancreatic beta cells utilizing proximity ligation assay

Mitophagy is an essential mitochondrial quality control pathway, which is crucial for pancreatic islet beta cell bioenergetics to fuel glucose-stimulated insulin release. Assessment of mitophagy is challenging and often requires genetic reporters or multiple complementary techniques not easily utilized in tissue samples, such as primary human pancreatic islets. Here we demonstrate a robust approach to visualize and quantify formation of key endogenous mitophagy complexes in primary human pancreatic islets. Utilizing the sensitive proximity ligation assay technique to detect interaction of the mitophagy regulators NRDP1 and USP8, we are able to specifically quantify formation of essential mitophagy complexes in situ. By coupling this approach to counterstaining for the transcription factor PDX1, we can quantify mitophagy complexes, and the factors that can impair mitophagy, specifically within beta cells. The methodology we describe overcomes the need for large quantities of cellular extracts required for other protein-protein interaction studies, such as immunoprecipitation (IP) or mass spectrometry, and is ideal for precious human islet&#160;samples generally not available in sufficient quantities for these approaches. Further, this methodology obviates the need for flow sorting techniques to purify beta cells from a heterogeneous islet population for downstream protein applications. Thus, we describe a valuable protocol for visualization of mitophagy highly compatible for use in heterogeneous and limited cell populations.

We conducted initial experiments in the MIN6 pancreatic beta cell line and the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, to optimize and confirm both the specificity of the antibodies and the visualized protein interactions. MIN6 cells were plated onto coverslips at 30,000 cells/mL and left to adhere for 48 h, SH-SY5Y cells were plated onto coverslips at 15,000 cells/mL and left to adhere for 24 h. The PLA protocol was then followed as above, beginning at Step 1.2.3. To ensure the specific...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Visualization of Endogenous Mitophagy Complexes In Situ in Human Pancreatic Beta Cells Utilizing Proximity Ligation Assay at JoVE.com

Visualization of Endogenous Mitophagy Complexes In Situ in Human Pancreatic Beta Cells Utilizing Proximity Ligation Assay

This protocol outlines a method for quantitative analysis of mitophagy protein complex formation specifically in beta cells from primary human islet samples. This technique thus allows analysis of mitophagy from limited biological material, which are crucial in precious human pancreatic beta cell samples.

Mitophagy is an essential mitochondrial quality control pathway, which is crucial for pancreatic islet beta cell bioenergetics to fuel glucose-stimulated ...

This protocol allows us to monitor endogenous mitophagy complexes in human tissues such as beta cells, facilitating mitophagy research in pivotal translationally-relevant tissues. One advantage of this technique is its ability to visualize important mitophagy complexes in vivo in tissues with a rare availability or in small sample numbers. After isolation according to standard protocols, culture four to six times 10 to the third human islet equivalents in 10 milliliters of complete pancreatic islet medium for at least one day at 37 degrees Celsius.The next day, use a dissection light microscope at a three times magnification to count individual human islets within the culture. Pick 40 islets per treatment or condition of interest into 1.5 milliliter tubes of islet medium. Sediment the islets by centrifugation and resuspend the pellet in one milliliter of PBS supplemented with 50 micromolar PR619.Invert the tube and collect the islets by centrifugation for a second wash in fresh PBS plus deubiquitinase inhibitor. After the second centrifugation, dissociate the islets into single cells with 125 microliters of 0.25%trypsin plus inhibitor for three minutes at 37 degrees Celsius with periodic gentle pipetting. At the end of the incubation, arrest the reaction with one milliliter of 37 degree Celsius warmed pancreatic islet medium supplemented with PR619.Collect the islets by centrifugation for two washes in fresh PBS plus inhibitor per wash. After the second wash, resuspend the dissociated islets in 150 microliters of fresh PBS plus inhibitor. For adherence and fixation of the individual islets, cytospin the cell solution onto frosted charged microscope slides and outline the cellular area with a hydrophobic pen.Then fix the encircled cells with 4%paraformaldehyde and PBS for 15 minutes at room temperature. For immunohistochemical analysis of the islet samples, wash the cells with two five-minute washes in PBS at room temperature, followed by non-specific binding blocking with 10%donkey serum and PBS plus 0.3%detergent for one hour at room temperature. At the end of the blocking incubation, coincubate the cells with primary mouse antibody against ubiquitin-specific peptidase 8, primary rabbit antibody against neuregulin receptor degradation protein-1, and a marker specific for beta cell identification that was not raised in mouse or rabbit so as not to interfere with the proximity ligation assay signal overnight at four degrees Celsius.The next morning, wash the samples with two five-minute washes in PBS on a rocker. Add anti-goat Cy5 secondary antibody to a freshly prepared proximity ligation assay solution. After the second wash, label each islet sample with 20 microliters of probe solution and recover the slides with plastic film for a one-hour incubation at 37 degrees Celsius.At the end of the incubation, wash the cells with two five-minute washes in buffer A on a rocker followed by incubation with 20 microliters of freshly prepared ligation solution supplemented with 0.25 units per microliter of ligase per slide for a 30-minute incubation at 37 degrees Celsius. At the end of the ligation, wash the cells two times with buffer A for two minutes per wash. Cover each sample with 20 microliters of amplification solutions supplemented with polymerase for a 100-to 120-minute incubation at 37 degrees Celsius.To prepare the cells for imaging, wash the samples two times in fresh buffer A for 10 minutes per wash on a rocker followed by one wash in 0.1x buffer B for two minutes on the rocker. After the last wash, mount the slides with a drop of mounting medium containing DAPI and carefully place a coverslip over each sample using a scalpel to press out any bubbles. Then seal the coverslips with clear nail polish around the edges.To image the samples, place a slide onto the stage of a microscope capable of capturing multiple focal planes and select the 100 times magnification. Set the Z-stack height to approximately 0.45 micrometers and the appropriate stain, counterstain, and live cell signal excitation and emission parameters. Obtain at least nine different focal plane images.To ensure that the fluorescence image background signals and stray light are minimized, process the images utilizing a two-dimensional deconvolution nearest neighbor algorithm using a standard image processing software of choice. To quantify the proximity ligation assay interactions, open ImageJ and open the proximity ligation assay image. Starting from the first sharply in-focus image, click Image and select Adjust and Threshold.Adjust the threshold to remove all of the non-specific proximity ligation assay signal and make a note of the threshold adjustment to try to keep the signal consistent throughout analysis. Click Process and select Binary and Make Binary. Confirm that Size is set to zero to infinity, Circularity is set to zero to one, Show is set to Outlines and check the Display results and Clear results boxes.Note the number of particles analyzed in a spreadsheet denoting the sample and Z-stack position. Then click Analyze and Analyze Particles to measure the particles. When all of the in-focus Z-stacks for the sample have been analyzed, send the total number of particles for the sample in the spreadsheet to quantify the total number of interactions.The antibodies used in the proximity assay are specific for the ligands and do not demonstrate any overlap. As observed, the dispersion protocol is highly efficient at obtaining single cells in the microscope field of view for downstream analysis and the beta cell staining is retained following proximity ligation assay staining in primary human islets. Using the demonstrated techniques, it could be determined that the interaction of neuregulin receptor degradation protein-1 and ubiquitin-specific peptidase 8 is decreased following a 48-hour exposure to palmitate, highlighting the feasibility of this assay for assessing key endogenous mitophagy factors following diabetogenic stimuli.The efficient and gentle dispersion of human islets is essential for ensuring quantification of the correct cell populations downstream. PLA allows for the assessment of important mitophagy complexes in human islet samples allowing the analysis of mitophagy and biologically-important human patient samples moving the field of diabetes research forward.

visualization-endogenous-mitophagy-complexes-situ-human-pancreatic

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

5.8K Views.  University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. This protocol allows us to monitor endogenous mitophagy complexes in human tissues such as beta cells, facilitating mitophagy research in pivotal translationally-relevant tissues. One advantage of this technique is its ability to visualize important mitophagy complexes in vivo in tissues with a rare availability or in small sample numbers. After isolation according to standard protocols, culture four to six times 10 to the third human islet equivalents in 10 milliliters of complete pancreatic...