We thank Prof. Weiguo Zou and S. Kato for reagents and mice and the members of the Zou laboratory for useful discussions. We also thank the Laboratory for Digitized Stomatology and Research Center for Craniofacial Anomalies of Shanghai Ninth People&#39;s Hospital for assistance. This work was supported in part by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) [81570950,81870740,81800949], Shanghai Summit &#38; Plateau Disciplines, the SHIPM-mu fund from the Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People&#39;s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine [JC201809], the Incentive Project of High-Level Innovation Team for Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, the Cross-disciplinary Research Fund of Shanghai Ninth People&#39;s Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong university School of Medicine [JYJC201902]. And L.J. is a scholar of the Outstanding Youth Medical Talents, Shanghai &#34;Rising Stars of Medical Talent&#34; Youth Development Program and the &#8220;Chen Xing&#8221; project from Shanghai Jiaotong University.

All methods relating to the animals described here were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine.
1. Breeding of osteoclast specific Stat3 deletion mice
NOTE: Stat3fl/fl mice were obtained commercially. Ctsk-Cre mice were provided by S. Kato (University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan12). The mice were bred and maintained under specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions in the institutional animal facility under standardized conditions.
<ol>
	<li>Pair a sexually mature male mouse with two female mice of the same age. After 18 days, check daily checks for newborns. Separate the pregnant female mice and keep it alone if needed. Change male mice among different breeding cages if the female mice were not pregnant within 1 month of the pairing.</li>
	<li>Cross Stat3fl/fl mice to Ctsk-Cre mice (F0). Clip the tails for genotyping and keep the male Stat3fl/+; Ctsk-Cre mice until they are sexually mature, which is around 6 weeks of age (F1). Use the following primers: Stat3 F-TTGACCTGTGCTCCTACAAAAA; Stat3 R-CCCTAGATTAGGCCAGCACA; Ctsk-cre F-GAACGCACTGATTTCGACCA; Ctsk-cre R-GCTAACCAGCGTTTTCGTTC.</li>
	<li>Cross 6-week-old male Stat3fl/+; Ctsk-Cre mice with female Stat3fl/fl mice. Clip the tails for genotyping and keep the male Stat3 fl/fl; Ctsk-Cre mice until they are sexually mature, which is around 6 weeks of age (F2).</li>
	<li>Cross 6-week-old male Stat3 fl/fl; Ctsk-Cre mice with female Stat3fl/fl mice (F3). Clip the tails for genotyping and replace the old breeding mice with younger mice in time (F3+N).</li>
</ol>
2. Specimen collection
<ol>
	<li>Euthanize six pairs of 8-week old male Stat3fl/fl and Stat3Ctsk littermate mice separately with carbon dioxide asphyxiation. 
	NOTE: The CO2 flow rate displaces 30% of the cage volume per minute (e.g., for 45 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm cage the CO2 flow rate is 40 L/min).</li>
	<li>Place the mice in a supine position. Dislocate the bilateral hip joints gently by hand. Use ophthalmic scissors to cut off the skin vertically from the distal tibia and then dissect the entire skin from the hind limb.</li>
	<li>Cut off the articular ligament of the right hip joint and knee joint with scissors to separate the hind limb. Cut the trochanter and the junction of the fibula and then immerse the hind limb in 4% paraformaldehyde. Keep the right hind limbs for step 3. Appropriately cut the bone at both ends to fully immerse and fix the bone marrow with 4% paraformaldehyde.</li>
	<li>Cut the articular ligament of the left hip joint and knee joint with scissors, gently remove the soft tissue, and carefully separate the tibia and femur. Immerse the tibia and femur separately in 75% ethanol. Keep the femora for step 4 and tibiae for step 6. Ensure to keep the trochanter intact.</li>
</ol>
3. Paraffin section preparation
<ol>
	<li>Fix the right hind limb in 4% paraformaldehyde at 4 &#176;C for 48 h.</li>
	<li>Decalcify: Gently wash the specimens with 1x PBS for 10 min 3 times. Decalcify the specimens in 15% EDTA (150 g EDTA in 800 mL of ddH2O and 100 mL of 10x PBS) with an ultrasonic decalcifier for 3 to 4 weeks until the bones can be bent. Replace with fresh decalcifying fluid every other day.</li>
	<li>Gently wash the specimens 3x with 1x PBS and then immerse them in 75% ethanol at 4 &#176;C overnight.</li>
	<li>Dehydrate: On the second day, sequentially immerse specimens in 95% ethanol, 100% ethanol, and xylene, each for 1 h twice.</li>
	<li>Immerse specimens in 1/2 xylene 1/2 paraffin for 30 min. Immerse the specimens in paraffin at 65 &#176;C overnight.</li>
	<li>Embed: Select a suitable embedding tank for embedding. Place the tibia uniformly underneath. Place the femur and tibia at a 90&#176; angle. After the paraffin has fully cooled and solidified, remove it from the embedding tank. Number the specimens and store them at -20 &#176;C overnight.</li>
	<li>Cut 5 &#956;m thick sections continuously using the microtome. Cut 20&#8211;40 sections. Spread the sections on 37 &#176;C water, adhere them to microscope slides, and bake at 42 &#176;C overnight.</li>
</ol>
4. Micro-CT scanning and analysis
<ol>
	<li>Scan the left femora with a micro-CT scanner. Resolution: 10 &#956;m; Voltage: 70 kV; Current: 114 &#956;A; Fliter: 0.5 mm Al; Rotation step: 0.5&#176;.</li>
	<li>Reconstruct 3D images of the cortical bone and trabecular bone using the scanner&#8217;s supporting software following manufacturer&#8217;s instruction. ROIs are in a total 1 mm width of trabecular bone close to the distal growth plate and in a total 1 mm wide section of cortical bone in the middle of the femora.</li>
	<li>Calculate the quantitative microarchitecture parameters: bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th.), trabecular number (Tb.N.), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp.), and cortical bone thickness (Ct.Th.).</li>
</ol>
5. TRAP staining
<ol>
	<li>Bake the paraffin sections at 65 &#176;C for 30 min.</li>
	<li>Dewax: Immerse the sections in xylene for 10 min. Perform this step 3x with fresh xylene.</li>
	<li>Rehydrate: Immerse the sections sequentially in 100% ethanol, 95% ethanol, 70% ethanol, and ddH2O, each for 5 min twice.</li>
	<li>Prepare the staining solution using the TRAP staining kit following the manufacturer&#8217;s instructions and warm to 37 &#176;C. 
	NOTE: TRAP staining solution should be freshly prepared immediately before every assay.</li>
	<li>Add 50&#8211;100 &#956;L staining solution to each sample and incubate in a 37 &#176;C humid chamber for 20&#8211;30 min. Check the staining status of the osteoclasts under a light microscope every 5 min until red multinucleated osteoclasts can be seen. End the reaction with ddH2O.</li>
	<li>Counterstain in hematoxylin solution for 30 s. Create a stable blue color by immersion in 1% ammonia solution for 1 min. Rinse in slowly running tap water.</li>
	<li>Mount the sections with coverslips using neutral balsam and dry overnight.</li>
	<li>Capture 3&#8211;5 fields of interest by a microscope. Analyze the trabecular perimeter by Image J: measure the length of scale bar (Ls) using the &#8216;straight line&#8217; tool as L1, then measure the length of trabecular perimeter using the &#8216;segmented line&#8217; tool as L2, the physical length (Lp)= Ls*L2 /L1). Count the number of TRAP-positive cells with more than three nuclei.</li>
</ol>
6. Calcein and alizarin red double labeling
<ol>
	<li>Specimen preparation: Intraperitoneally inject 20 mg/kg calcein (1 mg/mL in 2% NaHCO3 solution) on day 0, and 25 mg/kg alizarin red S (AL, 2 mg/mL in H2O) on day 4. Sacrifice mice on day 7. Carefully disassociate the tibiae and fix in 4% paraformaldehyde at 4 &#176;C for 48 h.</li>
	<li>Dehydrate: After fixation, gently wash the tibiae 3x with 1x PBS. Sequentially immerse the specimens in 95% ethanol, 100% ethanol, and xylene for 5 min twice separately.</li>
	<li>Immerse the specimens in acetone for 12 h, in 1/2 acetone 1/2 resin for 2 h, and in pure resin in a drying oven overnight. 
	NOTE: The resin was prepared by commercially available resin (e.g., Embed 812 Resin) according to the manufacturer&#8217;s instructions.</li>
	<li>Embed: Add pure resin into a suitable silica gel embedding tank and place the specimens gently to avoid bubbles. Polymerize the resin in a drying oven at 60 &#176;C for 48 h.</li>
	<li>Cut the specimens into 5 &#956;m thick sections continuously with a rotary microtome. Store the rest of the samples with desiccant at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Adhere the sections with tweezers in a drop of 75% alcohol. Mount the sections with coverslips using neutral balsam. Capture red and green fluorescence labeling with a fluorescence microscope.</li>
	<li>Measure the width between two labeling lines (Ir.L.Wi), single-labeled trabecular perimeter (sL.Pm), double-labeled trabecular perimeter (dL.Pm), and total trabecular perimeter (Tb.Pm). Calculate the mineral apposition rate (MAR) and bone formation rate (BFR/BS). MAR = Ir.L.Wi/interval days. BFR/BS= (dL.Pm&#177;sL.Pm/2)*MAR/Tb.Pm*100 %.</li>
</ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

Genetically engineered mouse models are commonly used for studying the mechanism and pharmaceutical treatment of human disease13. Ctsk-Cre mice have been widely used for functional studies of osteoclasts6. The present study described the protocols of the methods to analyze skeletal phenotype and to study the critical genes controlling osteoclast activity in vivo.
Histological analysis is the best intuitive method to detect bone metabolis...

Skeletal bone is the main load-bearing organ of the human body and is under pressure from both the internal and external environment during walking and exercise1. Throughout one&#8217;s life, bones continuously go through self-renewal, which is balanced by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The process of osteoclasts clearing old bones and osteoblasts forming new bone maintains the homeostasis and mechanical function of the skeletal system2. Disturbance in the balance may induce bone metabolic diseases, such as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis, which is caused by excess osteoclastic activity, is globally prevalent and causes substantial economic losses to society2,3,4. According to the limited number of drugs available for osteoporosis treatment and their risk of adverse effects4, it is important to unveil the details of osteoclast formation and activity.
Osteoclasts derived from the monocyte/macrophage hematopoietic lineage have multiple nuclei (may have 2 to 50 nuclei) and are large (usually greater than 100 &#956;m in diameter)2. Although the exploration of mechanisms and the screening of drugs for osteoclastic disorders have been widely improved via in vitro osteoclast culture, the complicated organic reactions make in vivo evidence indispensable for the targeted therapy. Due to genetic and pathophysiological similarities between mice and humans, genetically engineered mouse models are commonly used for studying the mechanisms and the pharmaceutical treatments of human disease in vivo6. The Cre-loxP system is a widely-used technology for mouse gene editing and has enabled researchers to investigate gene functions in a tissue-/cell-specific manner5. Cathepsin K (CSTK) is a cysteine protease secreted by osteoclasts that can degrade bone collagen8. It is well accepted that CTSK is selectively expressed in mature osteoclasts; therefore, Ctsk-Cre mice are considered to be a useful tool for functional studies of osteoclasts and has been used6.
The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family is classical and highly significant in immunity and cancer progression and development7,8. Among seven STATs, STAT3 is reported to be the most relevant to bone homeostasis9,10. Several in vivo studies have reported that specific inactivation of STAT3 in osteoblasts decreases bone formation9,10. Nevertheless, solid evidence regarding the participation of STAT3 in osteoclast formation and bone metabolism in vivo is still limited. Recently, we provided in vivo evidence with an osteoclast-specific Stat3 deletion mouse model (Stat3fl/fl; Ctsk-Cre, hereafter called Stat3Ctsk) that STAT3 participates in osteoclast differentiation and bone metabolism11. In the present study, we describe the methods and protocols that we used to analyze the changes in bone mass, bone histomorphology, and bone anabolism and catabolism of the Stat3Ctsk mice in order to study the influence of osteoclast-specific STAT3 deletion on bone homeostasis.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>4% Paraformaldehyde solution</td>
			<td>Sangon biotech Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>E672002</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Acetone</td>
			<td>Shanghai Experimental Reagent Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>80000360</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alizarin</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A5533</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ammonia solution</td>
			<td>Shanghai Experimental Reagent Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Calcein</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>C0875</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ctsk-Cre mice</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>a gift from S. Kato, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DDSA</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>13710</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DeCa RapidlyDecalcifier</td>
			<td>Pro-Cure</td>
			<td>DX1100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMP-30</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>13600</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EDTA</td>
			<td>Shanghai Experimental Reagent Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>60-00-4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EMBED 812 RESIN</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>14900</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>fluorescence microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>IX73</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hematoxylin solution</td>
			<td>Beyotime Biotechanology</td>
			<td>C0107</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro-CT</td>
			<td>Scanco Medical AG</td>
			<td>&#956;CT 80</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaHCO3</td>
			<td>Shanghai Experimental Reagent Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>10018918</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Neutral balsam</td>
			<td>Sangon biotech Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>E675007</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NMA</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>19000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraffin</td>
			<td>Sangon biotech Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>A601889</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>rotary microtome</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>RM2265</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stat3fl/fl mice</td>
			<td>GemPharmatech Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>D000527</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TRAP staining kit</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>387A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>xylene</td>
			<td>Shanghai Experimental Reagent Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>1330-20-7</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

skeletal phenotype analysis of a conditional stat3 deletion mouse model

Transgenic mouse models are powerful for understanding the critical genes controlling osteoclast differentiation and activity, and for studying mechanisms and pharmaceutical treatments of osteoporosis. Cathepsin K (Ctsk)-Cre mice have been widely used for functional studies of osteoclasts. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is relevant in bone homeostasis, but its role in osteoclasts in vivo remains poorly defined. To provide the in vivo evidence that STAT3 participates in osteoclast differentiation and bone metabolism, we generated an osteoclast-specific Stat3 deletion mouse model (Stat3 fl/fl; Ctsk-Cre) and analyzed its skeletal phenotype. Micro-CT scanning and 3D reconstruction implied increased bone mass in the conditional knockout mice. H&#38;E staining, calcein and alizarin red double staining, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining were performed to detect bone metabolism. In short, this protocol describes some canonical methods and techniques to analyze skeletal phenotype and to study the critical genes controlling osteoclast activity in vivo.

Using the present protocol, osteoclast specific Stat3 deletion mice were generated to study the influence of STAT3 deletion on osteoclast differentiation. Stat3Ctsk mice and their wildtype (WT) littermates were bred and kept after genotyping. Bone marrow macrophages were isolated and cultured into osteoclasts, and STAT3 deletion in Stat3Ctsk mice was demonstrated (Figure 1).
Femora reconstruction a...

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Skeletal Phenotype Analysis of a Conditional Stat3 Deletion Mouse Model

This protocol describes a canonical method to understand the critical genes controlling osteoclast activity in vivo. This method uses a transgenic mouse model and some canonical techniques to analyze skeletal phenotype.

Skeletal Phenotype Analysis of a Conditional Stat3 Deletion Mouse Model

Transgenic mouse models are powerful for understanding the critical genes controlling osteoclast differentiation and activity, and for studying mechanisms ...

skeletal-phenotype-analysis-conditional-stat3-deletion-mouse

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4.3K Views.  National Clinical Research center of Stomatology. This protocol describes a canonical method to understand the critical genes controlling osteoclast activity in vivo. This method uses a transgenic mouse model and some canonical techniques to analyze skeletal phenotype.

Video: Skeletal Phenotype Analysis of a Conditional Stat3 Deletion Mouse Model

A Neuronal and Astrocyte Co-Culture Assay for High Content Analysis of Neurotoxicity

High Content Analysis (HCA) assays combine cells and detection reagents with automated imaging and powerful image analysis algorithms, allowing measurement of multiple cellular phenotypes within a single assay. In this study, we utilized HCA to develop a novel assay for neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicity assessment represents an important part of drug safety evaluation, as well as being a significant focus of environmental protection efforts. Additionally, neurotoxicity is also a well-accepted in vitro marker of the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Recently, the application of HCA to neuronal screening has been reported. By labeling neuronal cells with &beta;III-tubulin, HCA assays can provide high-throughput, non-subjective, quantitative measurements of parameters such as neuronal number, neurite count and neurite length, all of which can indicate neurotoxic effects. However, the role of astrocytes remains unexplored in these models. Astrocytes have an integral role in the maintenance of central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis, and are associated with both neuroprotection and neurodegradation when they are activated in response to toxic substances or disease states. GFAP is an intermediate filament protein expressed predominantly in the astrocytes of the CNS. Astrocytic activation (gliosis) leads to the upregulation of GFAP, commonly accompanied by astrocyte proliferation and hypertrophy. This process of reactive gliosis has been proposed as an early marker of damage to the nervous system. The traditional method for GFAP quantitation is by immunoassay. This approach is limited by an inability to provide information on cellular localization, morphology and cell number. We determined that HCA could be used to overcome these limitations and to simultaneously measure multiple features associated with gliosis - changes in GFAP expression, astrocyte hypertrophy, and astrocyte proliferation - within a single assay. In co-culture studies, astrocytes have been shown to protect neurons against several types of toxic insult and to critically influence neuronal survival. Recent studies have suggested that the use of astrocytes in an in vitro neurotoxicity test system may prove more relevant to human CNS structure and function than neuronal cells alone. Accordingly, we have developed an HCA assay for co-culture of neurons and astrocytes, comprised of protocols and validated, target-specific detection reagents for profiling &beta;III-tubulin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). This assay enables simultaneous analysis of neurotoxicity, neurite outgrowth, gliosis, neuronal and astrocytic morphology and neuronal and astrocytic development in a wide variety of cellular models, representing a novel, non-subjective, high-throughput assay for neurotoxicity assessment. The assay holds great potential for enhanced detection of neurotoxicity and improved productivity in neuroscience research and drug discovery.

This article describes a novel protocol and reagent set designed for sensitive measurement of neurotoxic effects of compounds and treatments on co-cultures of neurons and astrocytes using high content analysis. Results demonstrate that high content analysis represents an exciting novel technology for neurotoxicity assessment.

High Content Analysis (HCA) assays combine cells and detection reagents with automated imaging and powerful image analysis algorithms, allowing ...

Analysis of the Development of a Morphological Phenotype as a Function of Protein Concentration in Budding Yeast

Gene deletion and protein overexpression are common methods for studying functions of proteins. In this article, we describe a protocol for analysis of phenotype development as a function of protein concentration at population and single-cell levels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although this protocol is based on the overexpression of a protein, it can easily be adapted for morphological phenotypes dependent on suppression of protein expression. Our lab is interested in studying the signaling properties of the endocytic adaptor protein epsin. To that purpose we used a dominant negative approach in which we over-expressed the conserved Epsin N-Terminal Homology (ENTH) domain in order to interfere with the functions of endogenous epsin-2 (Ent2 or YLR206W). We observed that overexpression of the ENTH domain of Ent2 (ENTH2) in wild type cells led to a cell division defect that is dependent on the mislocalization of a family of scaffolding proteins, septins.

Gene deletion and protein overexpression are common methods for studying functions of proteins. In this article, we describe a protocol for analysis of phenotype development as a function of protein concentration at population and single-cell levels in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Gene deletion and protein overexpression are common methods for studying functions of proteins. In this article, we describe a protocol for analysis of ...

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

Human cancer and response to therapy is better represented in orthotopic animal models. This paper describes the development of an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer, treatment of cancer via oral delivery of drugs, and monitoring of tumor cell behavior in response to drug treatment in real time using in vivo imaging system. In this orthotopic model, ovarian tumor cells expressing luciferase are applied topically by injecting them directly into the mouse bursa where each ovary is enclosed. Upon injection of D-luciferin, a substrate of firefly luciferase, luciferase-expressing cells generate bioluminescence signals. This signal is detected by the in vivo imaging system and allows for a non-invasive means of monitoring tumor growth, distribution, and regression in individual animals. Drug administration via oral gavage allows for a maximum dosing volume of 10 mL/kg body weight to be delivered directly to the stomach and closely resembles delivery of drugs in clinical treatments. Therefore, techniques described here, development of an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer, oral delivery of drugs, and in vivo imaging, are useful for better understanding of human ovarian cancer and treatment and will improve targeting this disease.

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

Orthotopic animal models of ovarian cancer replicate better human disease and therefore enhance our understanding of cancer progression and tumor response to therapy. A mouse model receives an intrabursal injection of luciferase-expressing ovarian tumor cells. Treatment is administered via oral gavage. Tumor growth is monitored by in vivo imaging system.

Human cancer and response to therapy is better represented in orthotopic animal models.  This paper describes the development of an orthotopic mouse model ...

Analysis of Skeletal Muscle Defects in Larval Zebrafish by Birefringence and Touch-evoke Escape Response Assays

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become a particularly effective tool for modeling human diseases affecting skeletal muscle, including muscular dystrophies1-3, congenital myopathies4,5, and disruptions in sarcomeric assembly6,7, due to high genomic and structural conservation with mammals8. Muscular disorganization and locomotive impairment can be quickly assessed in the zebrafish over the first few days post-fertilization. Two assays to help characterize skeletal muscle defects in zebrafish are birefringence (structural) and touch-evoked escape response (behavioral).
Birefringence is a physical property in which light is rotated as it passes through ordered matter, such as the pseudo-crystalline array of muscle sarcomeres9. It is a simple, noninvasive approach to assess muscle integrity in translucent zebrafish larvae early in development. Wild-type zebrafish with highly organized skeletal muscle appear very bright amidst a dark background when visualized between two polarized light filters, whereas muscle mutants have birefringence patterns specific to the primary muscular disorder they model. Zebrafish modeling muscular dystrophies, diseases characterized by myofiber degeneration followed by repeated rounds of regeneration, exhibit degenerative dark patches in skeletal muscle under polarized light. Nondystrophic myopathies are not associated with necrosis or regenerative changes, but result in disorganized myofibers and skeletal muscle weakness. Myopathic zebrafish typically show an overall reduction in birefringence, reflecting the disorganization of sarcomeres.
The touch-evoked escape assay involves observing an embryo&#39;s swimming behavior in response to tactile stimulation10-12. In comparison to wild-type larvae, mutant larvae frequently display a weak escape contraction, followed by slow swimming or other type of impaired motion that fails to propel the larvae more than a short distance12. The advantage of these assays is that disease progression in the same fish type can be monitored in vivo for several days, and that large numbers of fish can be analyzed in a short time relative to higher vertebrates.

The zebrafish is now an established and powerful tool for modeling muscular dystrophies, congenital myopathies, and related neuromuscular diseases. Birefringence and touch-evoked escape behavior are two common noninvasive assays used to determine the degree of muscular disorganization and locomotive impairment of zebrafish embryos during early development.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become a particularly effective tool for modeling human diseases affecting skeletal muscle, including muscular ...

Alternative Cultures for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Production, Maintenance, and Genetic Analysis

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) hold great promise for regenerative medicine and biopharmaceutical applications. Currently, optimal culture and efficient expansion of large amounts of clinical-grade hPSCs are critical issues in hPSC-based therapies. Conventionally, hPSCs are propagated as colonies on both feeder and feeder-free culture systems. However, these methods have several major limitations, including low cell yields and generation of heterogeneously differentiated cells. To improve current hPSC culture methods, we have recently developed a new method, which is based on non-colony type monolayer (NCM) culture of dissociated single cells. Here, we present detailed NCM protocols based on the Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632. We also provide new information regarding NCM culture with different small molecules such as Y-39983 (ROCK I inhibitor), phenylbenzodioxane (ROCK II inhibitor), and thiazovivin (a novel ROCK inhibitor). We further extend our basic protocol to cultivate hPSCs on defined extracellular proteins such as the laminin isoform 521 (LN-521) without the use of ROCK inhibitors. Moreover, based on NCM, we have demonstrated efficient transfection or transduction of plasmid DNAs, lentiviral particles, and oligonucleotide-based microRNAs into hPSCs in order to genetically modify these cells for molecular analyses and drug discovery. The NCM-based methods overcome the major shortcomings of colony-type culture, and thus may be suitable for producing large amounts of homogeneous hPSCs for future clinical therapies, stem cell research, and drug discovery.

Here, we present human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) culture protocols, based on non-colony type monolayer (NCM) growth of dissociated single cells. This new method, utilizing Rho-associated kinase inhibitors or the laminin isoform 521 (LN-521), is suitable for producing large amounts of homogeneous hPSCs, genetic manipulation, and drug discovery.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) hold great promise for regenerative medicine and biopharmaceutical applications. Currently, optimal culture and ...

Detection and Analysis of DNA Damage in Mouse Skeletal Muscle In Situ Using the TUNEL Method

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labeling (TUNEL) is the method of using the TdT enzyme to covalently attach a tagged form of dUTP to 3&#8217; ends of double- and single-stranded DNA breaks in cells. It is a reliable and useful method to detect DNA damage and cell death in situ. This video describes dissection, tissue processing, sectioning, and fluorescence-based TUNEL labeling of mouse skeletal muscle. It also describes a method of semi-automated TUNEL signal quantitation. Inherent normal tissue features and tissue processing conditions affect the ability of the TdT enzyme to efficiently label DNA. Tissue processing may also add undesirable autofluorescence that will interfere with TUNEL signal detection. Therefore, it is important to empirically determine tissue processing and TUNEL labeling methods that will yield the optimal signal-to-noise ratio for subsequent quantitation. The fluorescence-based assay described here provides a way to exclude autofluorescent signal by digital channel subtraction. The TUNEL assay, used with appropriate tissue processing techniques and controls, is a relatively fast, reproducible, quantitative method for detecting apoptosis in tissue. It can be used to confirm DNA damage and apoptosis as pathological mechanisms, to identify affected cell types, and to assess the efficacy of therapeutic treatments in vivo.

Detection and Analysis of DNA Damage in Mouse Skeletal Muscle In Situ Using the TUNEL Method

This video describes dissection, tissue processing, sectioning, and fluorescence-based TUNEL labeling of mouse skeletal muscle. It also describes a method for semi-automated analysis of TUNEL labeling.

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labeling (TUNEL) is the method of using the TdT enzyme to covalently ...

Cryosectioning of Contiguous Regions of a Single Mouse Skeletal Muscle for Gene Expression and Histological Analyses

With this method, consecutive cryosections are collected to enable both microscopy applications for tissue histology and enrichment of RNA for gene expression using adjacent regions from a single mouse skeletal muscle. Typically, it is challenging to achieve adequate homogenization of small skeletal muscle samples because buffer volumes may be too low for efficient grinding applications, yet without sufficient mechanical disruption, the dense tissue architecture of muscle limits penetration of buffer reagents, ultimately causing low RNA yield. By following the protocol reported here, 30 &#956;m sections are collected and pooled allowing cryosectioning and subsequent needle homogenization to mechanically disrupt the muscle, increasing the surface area exposed for buffer penetration. The primary limitations of the technique are that it requires a cryostat, and it is relatively low throughput. However, high-quality RNA can be obtained from small samples of pooled muscle cryosections, making this method accessible for many different skeletal muscles and other tissues. Furthermore, this technique enables matched analyses (e.g., tissue histopathology and gene expression) from adjacent regions of a single skeletal muscle so that measurements can be directly compared across applications to reduce experimental uncertainty and to reduce replicative animal experiments necessary to source a small tissue for multiple applications.

Consecutive cryo-sections are collected to enable histological applications and enrichment of RNA for gene expression measurements using adjacent regions from a single mouse skeletal muscle. High-quality RNA is obtained from 20 - 30 mg of pooled cryosections and measurements are directly compared across applications.

With this method, consecutive cryosections are collected to enable both microscopy applications for tissue histology and enrichment of RNA for gene ...

Trans-inner Cell Mass Injection of Embryonic Stem Cells Leads to Higher Chimerism Rates

In an effort to increase efficiency in the creation of genetically modified mice via ES Cell methodologies, we present an adaptation to the current blastocyst injection protocol. Here we report that a simple rotation of the embryo, and injection through Trans-Inner cell mass (TICM) increased the percentage of chimeric mice from 31% to 50%, with no additional equipment or further specialized training. 26 different inbred clones, and 35 total clones were injected over a period of 9 months. There was no significant difference in either pregnancy rate or recovery rate of embryos between traditional injection techniques and TICM. Therefore, without any major alteration in the injection process and a simple positioning of the blastocyst and injecting through the ICM, releasing the ES cells into the blastocoel cavity can potentially improve the quantity of chimeric production and subsequent germline transmission.

Here we present a protocol to increase chimera production without the use of new equipment. A simple orientation change of the embryo for injection can increase the number of embryos produced, and potentially reduce the timeline to germline transmission.

In an effort to increase efficiency in the creation of genetically modified mice via ES Cell methodologies, we present an adaptation to the current ...

Mass Spectrometry Analysis to Identify Ubiquitylation of EYFP-tagged CENP-A (EYFP-CENP-A)

Studying the structure and the dynamics of kinetochores and centromeres is important in understanding chromosomal instability (CIN) and cancer progression. How the chromosomal location and function of a centromere (i.e., centromere identity) are determined and participate in accurate chromosome segregation is a fundamental question. CENP-A is proposed to be the non-DNA indicator (epigenetic mark) of centromere identity, and CENP-A ubiquitylation is required for CENP-A deposition at the centromere, inherited through dimerization between cell division, and indispensable to cell viability.
Here we describe mass spectrometry analysis to identify ubiquitylation of EYFP-CENP-A K124R mutant suggesting that ubiquitylation at a different lysine is induced because of the EYFP tagging in the CENP-A K124R mutant protein. Lysine 306 (K306) ubiquitylation in EYFP-CENP-A K124R was successfully identified, which corresponds to lysine 56 (K56) in CENP-A through mass spectrometry analysis. A caveat is discussed in the use of GFP/EYFP or the tagging of high molecular weight protein as a tool to analyze the function of a protein. Current technical limit is also discussed for the detection of ubiquitylated bands, identification of site-specific ubiquitylation(s), and visualization of ubiquitylation in living cells or a specific single cell during the whole cell cycle.
The method of mass spectrometry analysis presented here can be applied to human CENP-A protein with different tags and other centromere-kinetochore proteins. These combinatory methods consisting of several assays/analyses could be recommended for researchers who are interested in identifying functional roles of ubiquitylation.

Mass Spectrometry Analysis to Identify Ubiquitylation of EYFP-tagged CENP-A EYFP-CENP-A

CENP-A ubiquitylation is an important requirement for CENP-A deposition at the centromere, inherited through dimerization between cell division, and indispensable to cell viability. Here we describe mass spectrometry analysis to identify ubiquitylation of EYFP-tagged CENP-A (EYFP-CENP-A) protein.

Studying the structure and the dynamics of kinetochores and centromeres is important in understanding chromosomal instability (CIN) and cancer ...

A Mouse Model of Lumbar Spine Instability

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common pathological change leading to low back pain. Appropriate animal models are desired for understanding the pathological processes and evaluating new drugs. Here, we introduced a surgically induced lumbar spine instability (LSI) mouse model that develops IDD starting from 1 week post operation. In detail, the mouse under anesthesia was operated by low back skin incision, L3&#8211;L5 spinous processes exposure, detachment of paraspinous muscles, resection of processes and ligaments, and skin closure. L4&#8211;L5 IVDs were chosen for the observation. The LSI model develops lumbar IDD by porosity and hypertrophy in endplates at an early stage, decrease in intervertebral disc volume, shrinkage in nucleus pulposus at an intermediate stage, and bone loss in lumbar vertebrae (L5) at a later stage. The LSI mouse model has the advantages of strong operability, no requirement of special equipment, reproducibility, inexpensive, and relatively short period of IDD development. However, LSI operation is still a trauma that causes inflammation within the first week post operation. Thus, this animal model is suitable for study of lumbar IDD.

We developed a lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration mouse model by resection of L3&#8211;L5 spinous processes along with supra- and inter-spinous ligaments and detachment of paraspinous muscles.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a common pathological change leading to low back pain. Appropriate animal models are desired for understanding ...