Name: application of laser microdissection to uncover regional transcriptomics in human kidney tissue
Uploaded: 2020-06-09T14:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Application of Laser Microdissection to Uncover Regional Transcriptomics in Human Kidney Tissue at JoVE.com

General: The authors would like to thank the investigators of the Kidney Precision Medicine Project (www.kpmp.org) for their gracious support and advice.
Funding: Support for this work was provided by the NIH/NIDDK K08DK107864 (M.T.E.); NIH/NIDDK UG3DK114923 (T.M.E., P.C.D.); R01DK099345 (T.A.S.). Research reported in this manuscript was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and the Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Kidney Precision Medicine Project (KPMP), (www.kpmp.org), under award number U2CDK114886.
Data and materials availability: Data is archived in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO # pending)

The study was approved for use by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Indiana University.
NOTE: Use this protocol with kidney nephrectomy tissue (up to 2 cm in both the X and Y dimensions) preserved in the Optimal Cutting Temperature (OCT) compound and stored at -80 &#176;C. Perform all work in a manner that limits RNA contamination, use clean disposable gloves and a face mask. Ensure the cleanliness of all surfaces. The equipment for which this protocol was optimized is a laser microdisse...

<ol>
	<li>El-Serag, H. 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=Gene+expression+in+Barrett's+esophagus:+laser+capture+versus+whole+tissue.">Gene expression in Barrett's esophagus: laser capture versus whole tissue.</a> Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. 44 (7), 787-795 (2009).</li><li>Kohda, Y., Murakami, H., Moe, O. W., Star, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+of+segmental+renal+gene+expression+by+laser+capture+microdissection.">Analysis of segmental renal gene expression by laser capture microdissection.</a> Kidney International. 57 (1), 321-331 (2000).</li><li>Murakami, H., Liotta, L., Star, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=IF-LCM:+laser+capture+microdissection+of+immunofluorescently+defined+cells+for+mRNA+analysis+rapid+communication.">IF-LCM: laser capture microdissection of immunofluorescently defined cells for mRNA analysis rapid communication.</a> Kidney International. 58 (3), 1346-1353 (2000).</li><li>Woroniecki, R. P., Bottinger, E. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Laser+capture+microdissection+of+kidney+tissue.">Laser capture microdissection of kidney tissue.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 466, 73-82 (2009).</li><li>Noppert, S. J., Eder, S., Rudnicki, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Laser-capture+microdissection+of+renal+tubule+cells+and+linear+amplification+of+RNA+for+microarray+profiling+and+real-time+PCR.">Laser-capture microdissection of renal tubule cells and linear amplification of RNA for microarray profiling and real-time PCR.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 755, 257-266 (2011).</li><li>Amini, P., 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=An+optimised+protocol+for+isolation+of+RNA+from+small+sections+of+laser-capture+microdissected+FFPE+tissue+amenable+for+next-generation+sequencing.">An optimised protocol for isolation of RNA from small sections of laser-capture microdissected FFPE tissue amenable for next-generation sequencing.</a> BMC Molecular Biology. 18 (1), 22 (2017).</li><li>. Catalytic FFPE Nucleic Acid Isolation for best NGS Performance Available from: <a target="_blank" href="https://celldatasci.com/products/RNAstorm/RNAstorm_Technical_Note.pdf">https://celldatasci.com/products/RNAstorm/RNAstorm_Technical_Note.pdf</a> (2016)</li><li>Micanovic, R., Khan, S., El-Achkar, T. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immunofluorescence+laser+micro-dissection+of+specific+nephron+segments+in+the+mouse+kidney+allows+targeted+downstream+proteomic+analysis.">Immunofluorescence laser micro-dissection of specific nephron segments in the mouse kidney allows targeted downstream proteomic analysis.</a> Physiological Reports. 3 (2), (2015).</li><li>Lake, B. 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=A+single-nucleus+RNA-sequencing+pipeline+to+decipher+the+molecular+anatomy+and+pathophysiology+of+human+kidneys.">A single-nucleus RNA-sequencing pipeline to decipher the molecular anatomy and pathophysiology of human kidneys.</a> Nature Communications. 10 (1), 2832 (2019).</li><li>Rodriguez-Canales, 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=Optimal+molecular+profiling+of+tissue+and+tissue+components:+defining+the+best+processing+and+microdissection+methods+for+biomedical+applications.">Optimal molecular profiling of tissue and tissue components: defining the best processing and microdissection methods for biomedical applications.</a> Methods in Molecular Biology. 980, 61-120 (2013).</li><li>Hipp, J. D., 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=Computer-Aided+Laser+Dissection:+A+Microdissection+Workflow+Leveraging+Image+Analysis+Tools.">Computer-Aided Laser Dissection: A Microdissection Workflow Leveraging Image Analysis Tools.</a> Journal of Pathology Informatics. 9, 45 (2018).</li></ol>

LMD based transcriptomics is a useful technology that anchors gene expression to specific areas within the tissue. The basis of this technology and its potential application in the kidney has been described previously8. However, optimization, modernization and streamlining of fluorescence-based dissection specifically aimed at high accuracy dissection for downstream RNA sequencing is less ubiquitous. Because this methodology is spatially grounded within the tissue, it has the potential to reveal n...

Technological advances in studying tissue specimens have improved understanding of the state of health and disease in various organs. Such advances have underscored that pathology can start in limited regions or in specific cell types, yet have important implications on the entire organ. Therefore, in the current era of personalized medicine, it is important to understand the biology at both the cell and regional level and not only globally1. This is particularly true in the kidney, which is composed of various specialized cells and structures that differentially initiate and/or respond to pathological stress. The pathogenesis of various types of human kidney disease is still not well understood. Generating a methodology to study changes in gene expression in specific tubular segments, structures or areas of the interstitium in the human kidney will enhance the ability to uncover region specific changes that could inform on the pathogenesis of disease.
Human kidney biopsy specimens are a limited and precious resource. Therefore, technologies interrogating transcriptomics in kidney tissue should be optimized to economize tissue. The available methods to study transcriptomics at the cell and regional level include single cell RNA sequencing (scRNaseq), single nuclear RNaseq (snRNaseq), in situ spatial hybridization, and laser microdissection (LMD). The latter is well suited for precise isolation of regions or structures of interest within tissue sections, for downstream RNA sequencing and analysis2,3,4,5. LMD can be adopted to rely on identification of specific cell types or structures based on validated markers using fluorescence-based imaging during dissection.
The unique features of laser microdissection assisted regional transcriptomics include: 1) the preservation of the spatial context of cells and structures, which complements single cell technologies where cells are identified by expression rather than histologically; 2) the technology informs and is informed by other imaging technologies because an antibody marker defines expression signatures; 3) the ability to identify structures even when markers change in disease; 4) detection of lowly expressed transcripts in approximately 20,000 genes; and 5) remarkable tissue economy. The technology is scalable to a kidney biopsy with less than 100 &#181;m thickness of a core necessary for sufficient RNA acquisition and enables the use of archived frozen tissue, which are commonly available in large repositories or academic centers6.
In the ensuing work, we describe the regional and bulk transcriptomics technology in detail, optimized with a novel rapid fluorescence staining protocol for use with human kidney tissue. This approach improves upon classic LMD explorations because it provides separate expression data for the interstitium and nephron sub-segments as opposed to aggregate tubulointerstitial expression. Included are the quality assurance and control measures implemented to ensure rigor and reproducibility. The protocol enables visualization of cells and regions of interest, resulting in satisfactory acquisition of RNA from these isolated areas to allow downstream RNA sequencing.

<table>
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		<tr>
			<td>Acetone</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>270725-1L</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>AMPure Beads</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>A63880</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bioanalyzer</td>
			<td>Agilent</td>
			<td>2100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>0332-100G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DAPI</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>62248</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Desiccant Cartridge</td>
			<td>Bel-Art</td>
			<td>F42046-0000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DNAse</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>79254</td>
			<td>RDD buffer is included in the pakage</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Laser Microdissection Microscope</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>LMD6500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Megalin/LRP2 Antibody</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>ab76969</td>
			<td>Directly conjugated to Alexa Fluor 568</td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Microcentrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>AB-0350</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Microscope camera</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>DFC700T</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>PBS (RNAse Free)</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>K812-500ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phalloidin (Oregon Green 488)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>O7466</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PicoPure RNA Isolation Kit</td>
			<td>Applied Biosystems</td>
			<td>KIT0204</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PPS-membrane slides</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>11505268</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
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			<td>qPCR Human Reference Total RNA 25 &#181;g</td>
			<td>Takara Clontech</td>
			<td>636690</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>RNA 6000 Eukaryote Total RNA Pico Chip</td>
			<td>Agilent</td>
			<td>5067-1513</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RNAse Away</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>7000</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>RNAse Inhibitor</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>AM2696</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Sequencer (HiSeq or NovaSeq)</td>
			<td>Illumina</td>
			<td>NA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SMARTer Stranded Total RNAseq Pico Input v2</td>
			<td>Takara Clontech</td>
			<td>634411</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tamm-Horsfall Protein Antibody</td>
			<td>R&#38;D Systems</td>
			<td>AF5144</td>
			<td>Directly conjugated to Alexa Fluor 546</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue-Tek&#174; O.C.T. Compound</td>
			<td>Sakura</td>
			<td>4583</td>
			<td></td>
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application of laser microdissection to uncover regional transcriptomics in human kidney tissue

Gene expression analysis of human kidney tissue is an important tool to understand homeostasis and disease pathophysiology. Increasing the resolution and depth of this technology and extending it to the level of cells within the tissue is needed. Although the use of single nuclear and single cell RNA sequencing has become widespread, the expression signatures of cells obtained from tissue dissociation do not maintain spatial context. Laser microdissection (LMD) based on specific fluorescent markers would allow the isolation of specific structures and cell groups of interest with known localization, thereby enabling the acquisition of spatially-anchored transcriptomic signatures in kidney tissue. We have optimized an LMD methodology, guided by a rapid fluorescence-based stain, to isolate five distinct compartments within the human kidney and conduct subsequent RNA sequencing from valuable human kidney tissue specimens. We also present quality control parameters to enable the assessment of adequacy of the collected specimens. The workflow outlined in this manuscript shows the feasibility of this approach to isolate sub-segmental transcriptomic signatures with high confidence. The methodological approach presented here may also be applied to other tissue types with substitution of relevant antibody markers.

Samples
We present data from nine reference nephrectomies (3 specimens obtained at Indiana University and 6 specimens obtained through Kidney Precision Medicine Project), utilizing the rapid fluorescence staining protocol to isolate kidney nephron segments and interstitial areas. The sections utilized in this process were obtained from deceased kidney donors or unaffected tumor nephrectomies. These samples did not have pathologic evidence of disease as visualized in the H&#38;...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Application of Laser Microdissection to Uncover Regional Transcriptomics in Human Kidney Tissue at JoVE.com

Application of Laser Microdissection to Uncover Regional Transcriptomics in Human Kidney Tissue

We describe a protocol for laser microdissection of sub-segments of the human kidney, including the glomerulus, proximal tubule, thick ascending limb, collecting duct and interstitium. The RNA is then isolated from the obtained compartments and RNA sequencing is carried out to determine changes in the transcriptomic signature within each sub-segment.

Gene expression analysis of human kidney tissue is an important tool to understand homeostasis and disease pathophysiology. Increasing the resolution and ...

Laser microdissection allows for the transcriptomic analysis of spatially defined regions within the kidney tissue samples. This enables us the unique opportunity to identify structures of interest even after disease induced changes took place. The main advantages of this methodology are its complementarity to other omics technologies, such as single cell RNA sequencing.It affords remarkable tissue economy and even allows the detection of lowly expressed transcripts. After acquiring the tissue sample, use a cryostat set to minus 20 degrees Celsius to cut the specimen to a thickness of 12 micrometers and use the slide adapter to fix the specimen to a specialized laser microdissection slide. Within 10 days of cryosectioning, mix 89.2 microliters of RNase-free 10%BSA in PBS with four microliters of FITC phalloidin, 1.5 microliters of DAPI, two microliters of the antibody of interest directly conjugated to Alexa Fluor 546, and 3.3 microliters of RNase inhibitor.Wash the slide in minus 20 degrees Celsius 100%acetone for one minute and place the slide in a humidity chamber. Wash the top of the slide two times with fresh RNase-free PBS for 30 seconds per wash, followed by two 30 second washes with 10%BSA in RNase-free PBS. After the last wash, treat the sample with the prepared antibody solution for five minutes at room temperature before washing two more times with 10%BSA in RNase-free PBS.After the second wash, air dry the slide for five minutes in a tissue culture hood before loading the slide onto the laser microdissection cutting platform. Install autoclaved 500 microliter micro-centrifuge collection tubes, appropriate for PCR work, containing 50 microliters of extraction buffer from an RNA isolation kit onto the device. After loading, identify regions of interest within the sample by staining, morphology, and location.Use immunofluorescence to outline at least 500, 000 micrometer square segments of interest. Then initiate the laser microdissection to excise the region using a laser power of greater than 40. Upon completion of the laser microdissection process, cap the microcentrifuge collection tubes and flick the tubes vigorously to ensure that the contents move from the caps to the bottoms of the tubes.After centrifugation, incubate the tubes in a 42 degrees Celsius water bath for 30 minutes before centrifuging the tubes again. Then transfer the supernatants to new 500 microliter tubes from minus 80 degrees Celsius storage. The identification of tubular sub-segments in the kidney is accomplished through antibody staining of unique tubular markers in addition to cell morphology and structural landmarks.Fluorescence labeling in conjunction with morphological tissue features and the spatial positioning of the image structures facilitates the visualization of renal sub-segments with a high degree of confidence. In this representative downstream sequencing analysis, the success rate of meeting the minimum dissection area input was greater than 90%resulting in a high total mRNA quantity available for gene detection. In this analysis, 100%of the samples met the minimum detection threshold of at least 10, 000 genes.After laser microdissection, enrichment analysis of the gene expression of known markers can be compared to those from other compartments. In this analysis, one marker for each sub-segment was identified through laser microdissection regional transcriptomics that also yielded a specific immunohistochemical staining of the corresponding nephron sub-segment. It's important to note that laser microdissection relies heavily on the expertise of the user to precisely identify the structures of interest to be dissected.This technique allows the study of specific regional gene expression signatures that can be used to assess potential pathways involved in disease progression, as well as the biology of healthy tissue.

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Biology

Laser Capture Microdissection of Mammalian Tissue

Laser capture microscopy, also known as laser microdissection (LMD), enables the user to isolate small numbers of cells or tissues from frozen or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. LMD techniques rely on a thermo labile membrane placed either on top of, or underneath, the tissue section. In one method, focused laser energy is used to melt the membrane onto the underlying cells, which can then be lifted out of the tissue section. In the other, the laser energy vaporizes the foil along a path "drawn" on the tissue, allowing the selected cells to fall into a collection device. Each technique allows the selection of cells with a minimum resolution of several microns. DNA, RNA, protein, and lipid samples may be isolated and analyzed from micro-dissected samples. In this video, we demonstrate the use of the Leica AS-LMD laser microdissection instrument in seven segments, including an introduction to the principles of LMD, initializing the instrument for use, general considerations for sample preparation, mounting the specimen and setting up capture tubes, aligning the microscope, adjusting the capture controls, and capturing tissue specimens. Laser-capture micro-dissection enables the investigator to isolate samples of pure cell populations as small as a few cell-equivalents. This allows the analysis of cells of interest that are free of neighboring contaminants, which may confound experimental results.

Laser capture microscopy, also known as laser microdissection (LMD), enables the user to isolate small numbers of cells or tissues from frozen or ...

Laser Microdissection Applied to Gene Expression Profiling of Subset of Cells from the Drosophila Wing Disc

Heterogeneous nature of tissues has proven to be a limiting factor in the amount of information that can be generated from biological samples, compromising downstream analyses. Considering the complex and dynamic cellular associations existing within many tissues, in order to recapitulate the in vivo interactions thorough molecular analysis one must be able to analyze specific cell populations within their native context. Laser-mediated microdissection can achieve this goal, allowing unambiguous identification and successful harvest of cells of interest under direct microscopic visualization while maintaining molecular integrity. We have applied this technology to analyse gene expression within defined areas of the developing Drosophila wing disc, which represents an advantageous model system to study growth control, cell differentiation and organogenesis. Larval imaginal discs are precociously subdivided into anterior and posterior, dorsal and ventral compartments by lineage restriction boundaries. Making use of the inducible GAL4-UAS binary expression system, each of these compartments can be specifically labelled in transgenic flies expressing an UAS-GFP transgene under the control of the appropriate GAL4-driver construct. In the transgenic discs, gene expression profiling of discrete subsets of cells can precisely be determined after laser-mediated microdissection, using the fluorescent GFP signal to guide laser cut. 
Among the variety of downstream applications, we focused on RNA transcript profiling after localised RNA interference (RNAi). With the advent of RNAi technology, GFP labelling can be coupled with localised knockdown of a given gene, allowing to determinate the transcriptional response of a discrete cell population to the specific gene silencing. To validate this approach, we dissected equivalent areas of the disc from the posterior (labelled by GFP expression), and the anterior (unlabelled) compartment upon regional silencing in the P compartment of an otherwise ubiquitously expressed gene. RNA was extracted from microdissected silenced and unsilenced areas and comparative gene expression profiling determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. We show that this method can effectively be applied for accurate transcriptomics of subsets of cells within the Drosophila imaginal discs. Indeed, while massive disc preparation as source of RNA generally assumes cell homogeneity, it is well known that transcriptional expression can vary greatly within these structures in consequence of positional information. Using localized fluorescent GFP signal to guide laser cut, more accurate transcriptional analyses can be performed and profitably applied to disparate applications, including transcript profiling of distinct cell lineages within their native context.

Laser Microdissection Applied to Gene Expression Profiling of Subset of Cells from the Drosophila Wing Disc

Laser microdissection was applied to analyse gene expression profiling in specific compartments of Drosophila wing disc subjected to localised RNAi in vivo. RNA extracted from equivalent areas of silenced and unsilenced compartments was analysed by quantitative RT-PCR to determine comparative gene expression profiling within the context of native tissue microecology.

Heterogeneous nature of tissues has proven to be a limiting factor in the amount of information that can be generated from biological samples, ...

RNA Isolation from Cell Specific Subpopulations Using Laser-capture Microdissection Combined with Rapid Immunolabeling

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) allows the isolation of specific cells from thin tissue sections with high spatial resolution. Effective LCM requires precise identification of cells subpopulations from a heterogeneous tissue. Identification of cells of interest for LCM is usually based on morphological criteria or on fluorescent protein reporters. The combination of LCM and rapid immunolabeling offers an alternative and efficient means to visualize specific cell types and to isolate them from surrounding tissue. High-quality RNA can then be extracted from a pure cell population and further processed for downstream applications, including RNA-sequencing, microarray or qRT-PCR. This approach has been previously performed and briefly described in few publications. The goal of this article is to illustrate how to perform rapid immunolabeling of a cell population while keeping RNA integrity, and how to isolate these specific cells using LCM. Herein, we illustrated this multi-step procedure by immunolabeling and capturing dopaminergic cells in brain tissue from one-day-old mice. We highlight key critical steps that deserve special consideration. This protocol can be adapted to a variety of tissues and cells of interest. Researchers from different fields will likely benefit from the demonstration of this approach.

Gene expression analysis of a subset of cells in a specific tissue represents a major challenge. This article describes how to isolate high-quality total RNA from a specific cell population by combining a rapid immunolabeling method with laser capture microdissection.

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) allows the isolation of specific cells from thin tissue sections with high spatial resolution. Effective LCM requires ...

Laser-assisted Microdissection (LAM) as a Tool for Transcriptional Profiling of Individual Cell Types

The understanding of developmental processes at the molecular level requires insights into transcriptional regulation, and thus the transcriptome, at the level of individual cell types. While the methods described here are generally applicable to a wide range of species and cell types, our research focuses on plant reproduction. Plant cultivation and seed production is of crucial importance for human and animal nutrition. A detailed understanding of the regulatory networks that govern the formation of the reproductive lineage (germline) and ultimately of seeds is a precondition for the targeted manipulation of plant reproduction. In particular, the engineering of apomixis (asexual reproduction through seeds) into crop plants promises great improvements, as it leads to the formation of clonal seeds that are genetically identical to the mother plant. Consequently, the cell types of the female germline are of major importance for the understanding and engineering of apomixis. However, as the corresponding cells are deeply embedded within the floral tissues, they are very difficult to access for experimental analyses, including cell-type specific transcriptomics. To overcome this limitation, sections of individual cells can be isolated by laser-assisted microdissection (LAM). While LAM in combination with transcriptional profiling allows the identification of genes and pathways active in any cell type with high specificity, establishing a suitable protocol can be challenging. Specifically, the quality of RNA obtained after LAM can be compromised, especially when small, single cells are targeted. To circumvent this problem, we have established a workflow for LAM that reproducibly results in high RNA quality that is well suitable for transcriptomics, as exemplified here by the isolation of cells of the female germline in apomictic Boechera. In this protocol, procedures are described for tissue preparation and LAM, also with regard to RNA extraction and quality control.

Laser-assisted Microdissection LAM as a Tool for Transcriptional Profiling of Individual Cell Types

Here we present a protocol for laser-assisted microdissection of specific plant cell types for transcriptional profiling. While the protocol is suitable for different species and cell types, the focus is on highly inaccessible cells of the female germline important for sexual and apomictic reproduction in the crucifer genus Boechera.

The understanding of developmental processes at the molecular level requires insights into transcriptional regulation, and thus the transcriptome, at the ...

The Mouse Isolated Perfused Kidney Technique

The mouse isolated perfused kidney (MIPK) is a technique for keeping a mouse kidney under ex vivo conditions perfused and functional for 1 hr. This is a prerequisite for studying the physiology of the isolated organ and for many innovative applications that may be possible in the future, including perfusion decellularization for kidney bioengineering or the administration of anti-rejection or genome-editing drugs in high doses to prime the kidney for transplantation. During the time of the perfusion, the kidney can be manipulated, renal function can be assessed, and various pharmaceuticals administered. After the procedure, the kidney can be transplanted or processed for molecular biology, biochemical analysis, or microscopy.
This paper describes the perfusate and the surgical technique needed for the ex vivo perfusion of mouse kidneys. Details of the perfusion apparatus are given and data are presented showing the viability of the kidney&#39;s preparation: renal blood flow, vascular resistance, and urine data as functional, transmission electron micrographs of different nephron segments as morphological readouts, and western blots of transport proteins of different nephron segments as molecular readout.

The mouse isolated perfused kidney (MIPK) is a technique for keeping a mouse kidney under ex vivo conditions perfused and functional for 1 hr. The buffers and surgical technique are described in detail.

The mouse isolated perfused kidney (MIPK) is a technique for keeping a mouse kidney under ex vivo conditions perfused and functional for 1 hr. This is a ...

Laser Capture Microdissection of Highly Pure Trabecular Meshwork from Mouse Eyes for Gene Expression Analysis

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) has allowed gene expression analysis of single cells and enriched cell populations in tissue sections. LCM is a great tool for the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying cell differentiation and the development and progression of various diseases, including glaucoma. Glaucoma, which comprises a family of progressive optic neuropathies, is the most common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Structural changes and damage within the trabecular meshwork (TM) can result in increased intraocular pressure (IOP), which is a major risk factor for developing glaucoma. However, the precise molecular mechanisms involved are still poorly understood. The ability to perform gene expression analysis will be crucial in obtaining further insights into the function of these cells and its role in the regulation of IOP and glaucoma development. To achieve this, a reproducible method for isolating highly enriched TM from frozen sections of mouse eyes and a method for downstream gene expression analysis, such as RT-qPCR and RNA-Seq is needed. The method described herein is developed to isolate highly pure TM from mouse eyes for downstream digital PCR and microarray analysis. In addition, this technique can be easily adapted for the isolation of other highly enriched ocular cells and cell compartments that have been difficult to isolate from mouse eyes. The combination of LCM and RNA analysis can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the cellular events underlying glaucoma.

Here, we describe a protocol for a reproducible laser capture microdissection (LCM) for isolating trabecular meshwork (TM) for downstream RNA analysis. The ability to analyze changes in gene expression in the TM will help in understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of TM-related ocular diseases.

Laser capture microdissection (LCM) has allowed gene expression analysis of single cells and enriched cell populations in tissue sections. LCM is a great ...

A Laser Capture Microdissection Protocol That Yields High Quality RNA from Fresh-frozen Mouse Bones

RNA yield and integrity are decisive for RNA analysis. However, it is often technically challenging to maintain RNA integrity throughout the entire laser capture microdissection (LCM) procedure. Since LCM studies work with low amounts of material, concerns about limited RNA yields are also important. Therefore, an LCM protocol was developed to obtain sufficient quantity of high-quality RNA for gene expression analysis in bone cells. The effect of staining protocol, thickness of cryosections, microdissected tissue quantity, RNA extraction kit, and LCM system used on RNA yield and integrity obtained from microdissected bone cells was evaluated. Eight-&#181;m-thick frozen bone sections were made using an adhesive film and stained using a rapid protocol for a commercial LCM stain. The sample was sandwiched between a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membrane and the adhesive film. An LCM system that uses gravity for sample collection and a column-based RNA extraction method were used to obtain high quality RNAs of sufficient yield. The current study focusses on mouse femur sections. However, the LCM protocol reported here can be used to study in situ gene expression in cells of any hard tissue in both physiological conditions and disease processes.

A laser capture microdissection (LCM) protocol was developed to obtain sufficient quantity of high-quality RNA for gene expression analysis in bone cells. The current study focusses on mouse femur sections. However, the LCM protocol reported here can be used to study gene expression in cells of any hard tissue.

RNA yield and integrity are decisive for RNA analysis. However, it is often technically challenging to maintain RNA integrity throughout the entire laser ...

Laser-Capture Microdissection RNA-Sequencing for Spatial and Temporal Tissue-Specific Gene Expression Analysis in Plants

The development of a complex multicellular organism is governed by distinct cell types that have different transcriptional profiles. To identify transcriptional regulatory networks that govern developmental processes it is necessary to measure the spatial and temporal gene expression profiles of these individual cell types. Therefore, insight into the spatio-temporal control of gene expression is essential to gain understanding of how biological and developmental processes are regulated. Here, we describe a laser-capture microdissection (LCM) method to isolate small number of cells from three barley embryo organs over a time-course during germination followed by transcript profiling. The method consists of tissue fixation, tissue processing, paraffin embedding, sectioning, LCM and RNA extraction followed by real-time PCR or RNA-seq. This method has enabled us to obtain spatial and temporal profiles of seed organ transcriptomes from varying numbers of cells (tens to hundreds), providing much greater tissue-specificity than typical bulk-tissue analyses. From these data we were able to define and compare transcriptional regulatory networks as well as predict candidate regulatory transcription factors for individual tissues. The method should be applicable to other plant tissues with minimal optimization.

Presented here is a protocol for laser-capture microdissection (LCM) of plant tissues. LCM is a microscopic technique for isolating areas of tissue in a contamination-free manner. The procedure includes tissue fixation, paraffin embedding, sectioning, LCM and RNA extraction. RNA is used in the downstream tissue-specific, temporally resolved analysis of transcriptomes.

The development of a complex multicellular organism is governed by distinct cell types that have different transcriptional profiles. To identify ...

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy of Calcium Dynamics in Acute Mouse Pancreatic Tissue Slices

The acute mouse pancreatic tissue slice is a unique in situ preparation with preserved intercellular communication and tissue architecture that entails significantly fewer preparation-induced changes than isolated islets, acini, ducts, or dispersed cells described in typical in vitro studies. By combining the acute pancreatic tissue slice with live-cell calcium imaging in confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), calcium signals can be studied in a large number of endocrine and exocrine cells simultaneously, with a single-cell or even subcellular resolution. The sensitivity permits the detection of changes and enables the study of intercellular waves and functional connectivity as well as the study of the dependence of physiological responses of cells on their localization within the islet and paracrine relationship with other cells. Finally, from the perspective of animal welfare, recording signals from a large number of cells at a time lowers the number of animals required in experiments, contributing to the 3R-replacement, reduction, and refinement-principle.

We present the preparation of acute pancreatic tissue slices and their use in confocal laser scanning microscopy to study calcium dynamics simultaneously in a large number of live cells, over long time periods, and with high spatiotemporal resolution.

The acute mouse pancreatic tissue slice is a unique in situ preparation with preserved intercellular communication and tissue architecture that entails ...

Generation of Human Kidney Tubuloids from Tissue and Urine

Adult stem cell (ASC)-derived human kidney epithelial organoids, or tubuloids, can be established from healthy and diseased kidney epithelium with high efficiency. Normal kidney tubuloids recapitulate many aspects of their tissue of origin. They represent distinct nephron segments - most notably of the proximal tubule, loop of Henle, distal tubules, and collecting duct - and can be used to study normal kidney physiology. Furthermore, tubuloid technology facilitates disease modeling, e.g., for infectious diseases as well as for cancer. Obtaining kidney epithelial cells for tubuloid generation is, however, dependent on leftover surgical material (such as partial) nephrectomies) or needle biopsies. The ability to grow tubuloids from urine would provide an alternative, less invasive source of healthy kidney epithelial cells. It has been previously shown that tubuloid cultures can be successfully generated from only a few milliliters of freshly collected urine. This article describes the protocols to generate and propagate ASC-derived human kidney tubuloid cultures from tissue and urine samples.

Human kidney tubuloid cultures represent a valuable in vitro model to study kidney physiology and disease. Tubuloids can be established from kidney tissue (healthy and diseased) as well as urine, the latter representing an easily obtainable and less invasive source of research material.

Adult stem cell (ASC)-derived human kidney epithelial organoids, or tubuloids, can be established from healthy and diseased kidney epithelium with high ...