Name: t and b cell receptor immune repertoire analysis using next-generation sequencing
Uploaded: 2021-01-12T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about T and B Cell Receptor Immune Repertoire Analysis using Next-generation Sequencing at JoVE.com

This study was approved by the institutional review board at Sheba Medical Center, and informed written consent was obtained from all participating subjects.
1. DNA isolation and quantification
<ol>
	<li>Digestion and cell lysis of intestinal biopsies
	<ol>
		<li>Retrieve intestinal biopsies, either freshly collected or those stored at -20 &#176;C or -80 &#176;C. If using frozen biopsies, thaw on ice.</li>
		<li>Add 600 &#181;L of nuclei lysis solution to a sterile 1.7 mL micro-centrifuge tu...

<ol>
	<li>Bassing, C. H., Swat, W., Alt, F. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+mechanism+and+regulation+of+chromosomal+V(D)J+recombination.">The mechanism and regulation of chromosomal V(D)J recombination.</a> Cell. 109, 45-55 (2002).</li><li>Roth, D. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=V(D)J+Recombination:+Mechanism,+Errors,+and+Fidelity.">V(D)J Recombination: Mechanism, Errors, and Fidelity.</a> Microbiology Spectrum. 2 (6), (2014).</li><li>Heather, J. M., Ismail, M., Oakes, T., Chain, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-throughput+sequencing+of+the+T-cell+receptor+repertoire:+pitfalls+and+opportunities.">High-throughput sequencing of the T-cell receptor repertoire: pitfalls and opportunities.</a> Brief Bioinformatics. 19 (4), 554-565 (2018).</li><li>Pabst, O., Hazanov, H., Mehr, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Old+questions,+new+tools:+does+next-generation+sequencing+hold+the+key+to+unraveling+intestinal+B-cell+responses.">Old questions, new tools: does next-generation sequencing hold the key to unraveling intestinal B-cell responses.</a> Mucosal Immunology. 8 (1), 29-37 (2015).</li><li>Bashford-Rogers, R. J. M., Smith, K. G. C., Thomas, D. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Antibody+repertoire+analysis+in+polygenic+autoimmune+diseases.">Antibody repertoire analysis in polygenic autoimmune diseases.</a> Immunology. 155 (1), 3-17 (2018).</li><li>Lee, Y. 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=Characterization+of+T+and+B+cell+repertoire+diversity+in+patients+with+RAG+deficiency.">Characterization of T and B cell repertoire diversity in patients with RAG deficiency.</a> Science Immunology. 1 (6), (2016).</li><li>Werner, L., 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=Alterations+in+T+and+B+Cell+Receptor+Repertoires+Patterns+in+Patients+With+IL10+Signaling+Defects+and+History+of+Infantile-Onset+IBD.">Alterations in T and B Cell Receptor Repertoires Patterns in Patients With IL10 Signaling Defects and History of Infantile-Onset IBD.</a> Frontiers Immunology. 11, 109 (2020).</li><li>Zhang, 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=Immune+receptor+repertoires+in+pediatric+and+adult+acute+myeloid+leukemia.">Immune receptor repertoires in pediatric and adult acute myeloid leukemia.</a> Genome Medicine. 11 (1), 73 (2019).</li><li>Chapman, C. 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=Characterization+of+T-cell+Receptor+Repertoire+in+Inflamed+Tissues+of+Patients+with+Crohn's+Disease+Through+Deep+Sequencing.">Characterization of T-cell Receptor Repertoire in Inflamed Tissues of Patients with Crohn's Disease Through Deep Sequencing.</a> Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. 22 (6), 1275-1285 (2016).</li><li>Werner, L., 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=Altered+T+cell+receptor+beta+repertoire+patterns+in+pediatric+ulcerative+colitis.">Altered T cell receptor beta repertoire patterns in pediatric ulcerative colitis.</a> Clinical and Experimental Immunology. 196 (1), 1-11 (2019).</li><li>Bashford-Rogers, R. J. 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=Analysis+of+the+B+cell+receptor+repertoire+in+six+immune-mediated+diseases.">Analysis of the B cell receptor repertoire in six immune-mediated diseases.</a> Nature. 574 (7776), 122-126 (2019).</li><li>Wu, 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=Expanded+TCRbeta+CDR3+clonotypes+distinguish+Crohn's+disease+and+ulcerative+colitis+patients.">Expanded TCRbeta CDR3 clonotypes distinguish Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients.</a> Mucosal Immunology. 11 (5), 1487-1495 (2018).</li><li>Rosati, 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=Identification+of+disease-associated+traits+and+clonotypes+in+the+T-cell+receptor+repertoire+of+monozygotic+twins+affected+by+inflammatory+bowel+diseases.">Identification of disease-associated traits and clonotypes in the T-cell receptor repertoire of monozygotic twins affected by inflammatory bowel diseases.</a> Journam of Crohn's and Colitis. , (2019).</li><li>Allez, 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=T+cell+clonal+expansions+in+ileal+Crohn's+disease+are+associated+with+smoking+behaviour+and+postoperative+recurrence.">T cell clonal expansions in ileal Crohn's disease are associated with smoking behaviour and postoperative recurrence.</a> Gut. 68 (11), 1961-1970 (2019).</li><li>Li, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=IMGT/HighV+QUEST+paradigm+for+T+cell+receptor+IMGT+clonotype+diversity+and+next+generation+repertoire+immunoprofiling.">IMGT/HighV QUEST paradigm for T cell receptor IMGT clonotype diversity and next generation repertoire immunoprofiling.</a> Nature Communications. 4, 2333 (2013).</li><li>H, I. 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=Strategies+for+B-cell+receptor+repertoire+analysis+in+primary+immunodeficiencies:+from+severe+combined+immunodeficiency+to+common+variable+immunodeficiency.">Strategies for B-cell receptor repertoire analysis in primary immunodeficiencies: from severe combined immunodeficiency to common variable immunodeficiency.</a> Frontiers Immunology. 6, 157 (2015).</li><li>Ghraichy, M., Galson, J. D., Kelly, D. F., Truck, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=B-cell+receptor+repertoire+sequencing+in+patients+with+primary+immunodeficiency:+a+review.">B-cell receptor repertoire sequencing in patients with primary immunodeficiency: a review.</a> Immunology. 153 (2), 145-160 (2018).</li><li>Zhuang, Y., 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=Application+of+immune+repertoire+sequencing+in+cancer+immunotherapy.">Application of immune repertoire sequencing in cancer immunotherapy.</a> International Immunopharmacology. 74, 105688 (2019).</li><li>Liu, X., 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=T+cell+receptor+beta+repertoires+as+novel+diagnostic+markers+for+systemic+lupus+erythematosus+and+rheumatoid+arthritis.">T cell receptor beta repertoires as novel diagnostic markers for systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.</a> Annual Rheumatic Diseases. 78 (8), 1070-1078 (2019).</li><li>Wong, G. K., Heather, J. M., Barmettler, S., Cobbold, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immune+dysregulation+in+immunodeficiency+disorders:+The+role+of+T-cell+receptor+sequencing.">Immune dysregulation in immunodeficiency disorders: The role of T-cell receptor sequencing.</a> Journal of Autoimmunity. 80, 1-9 (2017).</li><li>Delhalle, S., Bode, S. F. N., Balling, R., Ollert, M., He, F. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+roadmap+towards+personalized+immunology.">A roadmap towards personalized immunology.</a> NPJ System Biology and Applications. 4, 9 (2018).</li><li>Laubli, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+T+cell+repertoire+in+tumors+overlaps+with+pulmonary+inflammatory+lesions+in+patients+treated+with+checkpoint+inhibitors.">The T cell repertoire in tumors overlaps with pulmonary inflammatory lesions in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors.</a> Oncoimmunology. 7 (2), 1386962 (2018).</li><li>Hogan, 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=Peripheral+Blood+TCR+Repertoire+Profiling+May+Facilitate+Patient+Stratification+for+Immunotherapy+against+Melanoma.">Peripheral Blood TCR Repertoire Profiling May Facilitate Patient Stratification for Immunotherapy against Melanoma.</a> Cancer Immunology Research. 7 (1), 77-85 (2019).</li><li>Aversa, I., Malanga, D., Fiume, G., Palmieri, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Molecular+T-Cell+Repertoire+Analysis+as+Source+of+Prognostic+and+Predictive+Biomarkers+for+Checkpoint+Blockade+Immunotherapy.">Molecular T-Cell Repertoire Analysis as Source of Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers for Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy.</a> International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 21 (7), (2020).</li><li>Hirsch, 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=Precision+and+prognostic+value+of+clone-specific+minimal+residual+disease+in+acute+myeloid+leukemia.">Precision and prognostic value of clone-specific minimal residual disease in acute myeloid leukemia.</a> Haematologica. 102 (7), 1227-1237 (2017).</li><li>De Simone, M., Rossetti, G., Pagani, M. <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+T+Cell+Receptor+Sequencing:+Techniques+and+Future+Challenges.">Single Cell T Cell Receptor Sequencing: Techniques and Future Challenges.</a> Frontiers Immunology. 9, 1638 (2018).</li><li>Zemmour, 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=Single-cell+gene+expression+reveals+a+landscape+of+regulatory+T+cell+phenotypes+shaped+by+the+TCR.">Single-cell gene expression reveals a landscape of regulatory T cell phenotypes shaped by the TCR.</a> Nature Immunology. 19 (3), 291-301 (2018).</li><li>Zheng, 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=Landscape+of+Infiltrating+T+Cells+in+Liver+Cancer+Revealed+by+Single-Cell+Sequencing.">Landscape of Infiltrating T Cells in Liver Cancer Revealed by Single-Cell Sequencing.</a> Cell. 169 (7), 1342-1356 (2017).</li></ol>

Changes in abundance and function of B and T lymphocytes are often encountered in different malignancies18, chronic inflammatory disorders (e.g., ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis)10,19, and in various immunodeficiencies17,20. The current method utilizes NGS to facilitate an in-depth view of TCR and BCR repertoires, enabling detection of subtle changes in T and B cell clo...

The adaptive immune system, comprised of T and B lymphocytes, utilizes immunological memory to recognize a previously encountered antigen and initiate a rapid response. Lymphocytes are generated in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus (T cells) or bone marrow (B cells). Both the T cell receptor (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR) display unique configurations that allow recognition of specific antigens. In homeostasis, T and B cells constantly circulate and survey the trillions of different peptides presented on antigen-presenting cells. TCR or BCR ligation of a specific antigen with high affinity, together with appropriate co-stimulation, leads to cell activation, resulting in cytokine secretion, clonal expansion and generation of antibodies, in the case of B cells.
The enormous array of the different T or B cells is collectively termed immune repertoire, enabling recognition of countless of different epitopes. In order to generate such a vast repertoire, a complex process of random assembly of different gene segments takes place, creating nearly endless combinations of receptors that can bind unique antigens1. This process, called V(D)J recombination, includes rearrangements of different variable (V), diversity (D) and joining (J) genes, accompanied by random deletions and insertions of nucleotides in the junctions2.
The architecture of the adaptive immune system has interested scientists in different fields for many decades. In the past, Sanger sequencing, complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) spectratyping, and flow cytometry were used to characterize the immune repertoire, but provided low resolution. In the last decade, advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods enabled in-depth insight into the characteristics and composition of an individual&#8217;s TCR and BCR repertoires3,4. These high-throughput systems (HTS) sequence and process millions of rearranged TCR or BCR products simultaneously and permit a high-resolution analysis of specific T and B cells at the nucleotide or amino acid level. NGS provides a new strategy to study the immune repertoire in both health and disease. Studies utilizing HTS demonstrated altered TCR and BCR repertoires in autoimmune diseases5, primary immunodeficiencies6,7, and malignancies, such as in acute myeloid leukemia8. Using NGS, we and others have shown oligoclonal expansion of specific T and B cell clones, in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn&#8217;s disease9,10,11,12,13,14. Overall, studies from different fields suggest changes in the repertoire have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated disorders.
The current protocol describes a method for isolation of DNA from intestinal biopsies and blood, generation of TCR&#946; and IGH PCR libraries for NGS, and performance of sequencing run. We also provide basic steps in immune repertoire data analysis. This protocol can be applied for the generation of TCR&#945;, TCR&#947;, and IGL libraries as well. The method is also compatible with other organs (e.g., lymph nodes, tumors, synovial fluid, fat tissue, etc.) as long as tissue-specific digestion protocols are used.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>2-propanol</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>I9516-500ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1.7 mL micro-centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>Axygen</td>
			<td>8187631104051</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>15 mL centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>Greiner</td>
			<td>188261</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Absolute ethanol</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>1.08543.0250</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Amplitaq Gold</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>N8080241</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>AMPure XP Beads</td>
			<td>Beckman Coulter</td>
			<td>A63881</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heat block</td>
			<td>Bioer</td>
			<td>Not applicable</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>High Sensitivity D1000 Sample Buffer</td>
			<td>Agilent</td>
			<td>5067-5603</td>
			<td>For Tapestation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>High Sensitivity D1000 ScreenTape</td>
			<td>Agilent</td>
			<td>5067-5584</td>
			<td>For Tapestation. Tubes sold seperately</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lymphotrack Assay kit</td>
			<td>Invivoscribe</td>
			<td>TRB: 70-91210039 IGH: 70-92250019</td>
			<td>Each includes 24 indexes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MiSeq Reagent Kit v2 (500 cycle)</td>
			<td>Illumina</td>
			<td>MS-102-2003</td>
			<td>Includes standard flow cell type and all reagents required</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MiSeq Sequencer</td>
			<td>Illumina</td>
			<td>SY-410-1003</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PCR strips</td>
			<td>4titude</td>
			<td>4ti-0792</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Proteinase K</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>EO0491</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Qubit 4 Fluorometer</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>Q33226</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Qubit dsDNA HS Assay Kit</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>Q32854</td>
			<td>Includes buffer, dye, standards, and specialized tubes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Shaker</td>
			<td>Biosan</td>
			<td>Not applicable</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tapestation 2100 Bioanalyzer</td>
			<td>Agilent</td>
			<td>G2940CA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ultra pure water</td>
			<td>Bio-lab</td>
			<td>7501</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wizard DNA isolation kit</td>
			<td>Promega</td>
			<td>A1120</td>
			<td>Includes cell lysis solution, nuclei lysis solution, and protein precipitation buffer</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

t and b cell receptor immune repertoire analysis using next-generation sequencing

Immunological memory, the hallmark of adaptive immunity, is orchestrated by T and B lymphocytes. In circulation and different organs, there are billions of unique T and B cell clones, and each one can bind a specific antigen, leading to proliferation, differentiation and/or cytokine secretion. The vast heterogeneity in T and B cells is generated by random recombination of different genetic segments. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, developed in the last decade, enable an unprecedented in-depth view of the T and B cell receptor immune repertoire. Studies in various inflammatory conditions, immunodeficiencies, infections and malignancies demonstrated marked changes in clonality, gene usage, and biophysical properties of immune repertoire, providing important insights about the role of adaptive immune responses in different disorders.
Here, we provide a detailed protocol for NGS of immune repertoire of T and B cells from blood and tissue. We present a pipeline starting from DNA isolation through library preparation, sequencing on NGS sequencer and ending with basic analyses. This method enables exploration of specific T and B cells at the nucleotide or amino-acid level, and thus can identify dynamic changes in lymphocyte populations and diversity parameters in different diseases. This technique is slowly entering clinical practice and has the potential for identification of novel biomarkers, risk stratification and precision medicine.

Herein, we describe a method for DNA isolation from intestinal tissue and blood, preparation of libraries for NGS, and basic steps of a sequencing run for immune repertoire sequencing. The run will generate fastq files, which can be further converted to fasta files for use in the international ImMunoGeneTics (IMGT)/HighV-QUEST platform. This HTS performs and manages many analyses of tens of thousands of rearranged TCR&#946; and IGH sequences, at the nucleotide level15. IMGT/HighV-QUEST enables ana...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about T and B Cell Receptor Immune Repertoire Analysis using Next-generation Sequencing at JoVE.com

T and B Cell Receptor Immune Repertoire Analysis using Next-generation Sequencing

The current protocol describes a method for DNA isolation from blood samples and intestinal biopsies, generation of TCR&#946; and IGH PCR libraries for next-generation sequencing, performance of a NGS run and basic data analysis.

Immunological memory, the hallmark of adaptive immunity, is orchestrated by T and B lymphocytes. In circulation and different organs, there are billions ...

This method enables exploration of specific T and B cells at the nucleotide or amino acid level and thus can identify dynamic changes in lymphocyte populations and diversity parameters in different disorders. The advantage of next-generation sequencing is the ability to identify unique T or B cell clones and track them in different anatomical sites or in different individuals. This has the potential for identification of novel biomarkers in diverse diseases.Demonstrating that procedure will be Naomi Salamon, a research assistant from my laboratory. Begin by performing digestion and cell lysis of intestinal biopsies. Retrieve intestinal biopsies either freshly collected or stored at negative 20 or negative 80 degrees Celsius.If using frozen biopsies, thaw them on ice. Add 600 microliters of nuclei lysis solution to a sterile 1.7-milliliter microcentrifuge tube, chilled on ice. Then place a biopsy into the tube, and incubate it at 65 degrees Celsius for 15 to 30 minutes.Add 17.5 microliters of 20-milligrams-per-milliliter proteinase K, and incubate the tube overnight at 55 degrees Celsius, with gentle shaking. After the incubation, allow the sample to cool to room temperature for five minutes. For DNA isolation from blood, gently rock the tube until it is thoroughly mixed.Then transfer blood to a sterile 15-milliliter centrifuge tube containing nine milliliters of cell lysis solution. Invert the tube several times during a 10-minute incubation period at room temperature. Centrifuge at 600g for 10 minutes at room temperature.Then discard as much supernatant as possible without disturbing the visible white pellet. Vortex the tube vigorously for 15 seconds until completely resuspended. Add three milliliters of nuclei lysis solution, and pipette several times, causing the solution to become viscous.Add protein precipitation buffer to the sample. Then vortex vigorously for 20 seconds, and incubate it on ice for five minutes. Centrifuge at 16, 000g for four minutes to form a tight pellet containing the precipitated proteins.Carefully transfer supernatant without disturbing the pellet to a new 1.7-milliliter tube. Add one milliliter of 2-propanol to the tube containing the supernatant, and gently mix it by inverting. The DNA should become visible as a white floating substance.Centrifuge at 16, 000 times g for one minute, and remove the supernatant completely. Add one milliliter of freshly prepared 70%ethanol, and invert the tube several times. Centrifuge it at 16, 000g for one minute at room temperature.Then carefully discard the supernatant. Repeat the ethanol wash. Then leave the DNA pellet to air-dry for 10 to 15 minutes.Add 50 microliters of ultra-pure water to the DNA, and perform DNA quantification as described in the text manuscript. Use 150 nanograms of DNA to prepare the library for sequencing. Place pipettes and tips in the hood with UV light for 15 minutes to break down residual DNA.Meanwhile, allow the different index tubes and DNA polymerase to thaw on ice. In a biological hood, add 45 microliters from the different index tubes to the PCR tubes, taking care to avoid cross-contamination. Then add 0.2 microliters of the DNA polymerase and five microliters of the prepared DNA into the PCR tubes.Run PCR using a preset program according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use magnetic beads for removal of excess primers, nucleotides, and enzymes. Warm the beads to room temperature for at least 30 minutes, and prepare enough fresh 80%ethanol for 400 microliters per sample.Add the beads to each PCR tube, and mix by pipetting 10 times. Incubate the tubes for 10 minutes at room temperature. Place the mixed sample on the magnetic stand for five minutes.Then aspirate the clear liquid, and discard. Aspirate the remaining liquid using a 10-microliter tip. Add 200 microliters of 80%ethanol to each sample, and incubate for 30 seconds.Aspirate 195 microliters of ethanol, and discard. Then aspirate the remaining liquid using a 10-microliter tip. Repeat the ethanol wash.Then open the caps of the tubes, and let them air-dry for five minutes. After five minutes, remove the samples from the magnetic stand, and add 25 microliters of elution buffer. Mix by pipetting until homogeneous, and incubate at room temperature for two minutes.Place the tubes on the magnetic stand for five minutes. Then transfer 22 microliters to a new PCR tube, and measure the DNA concentration. Quantify the amplicon as described in the text manuscript.After calculating the final DNA concentration and the size in base pairs of the product's peak, prepare a new dilution mix for each sample, and transfer two microliters of it to a new pool mix. Prepare a fresh solution of 0.2 normal sodium hydroxide, and add 10 microliters to the diluted library. Incubate for five minutes at room temperature to denature the double-stranded DNA.Then add 980 microliters of pre-chilled buffer from the kit to the tube containing DNA, and vortex briefly. Load 600 microliters of the final library onto the designated cartridge, and place the samples in the machine. To perform sequencing analysis, download sequencing metrics from the sequencer, and verify that the data is within the appropriate ranges.Repeat the run for samples that do not meet the criteria. This protocol was used to perform a basic analysis of representative autologous blood and rectal samples of a patient with IL10 receptor deficiency and a history of severe infantile-onset IBD. Samples were assayed for both TCR-beta and IGH repertoire.All clones can be identified by their unique sequence at the nucleotide or amino acid level. These sequences can be compared between different patients in search for shared clones or in the same patient between different anatomical sites. The five most frequent clones for each sample are shown here.TreeMap images were generated for a broad overview of the repertoire. Each colored square represents a different clone, and the size correlates with its frequency. These TreeMap images demonstrate clonal expansion in the intestinal IGH repertoire.In contrast, in the TCR-beta repertoire, marked clonal expansion is observed in the blood in comparison to the autologous intestine. At the gene level, NGS provides information regarding V, D, and J usage at the level of either gene, family, or allele. Moreover, specific VDJ combinations can be inferred from the data for TCR-beta and IGH repertoires, revealing differential gene usage patterns in various conditions.This protocol can be applied on both DNA and RNA and can be used to generate TCR-alpha, TCR-gamma, and IGL repertoires. It is also compatible with other organs after slight digestion modifications.

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

Transnuclear Mice with Pre-defined T Cell Receptor Specificities Against Toxoplasma gondii Obtained Via SCNT

Transnuclear Mice with Pre-defined T Cell Receptor Specificities Against Toxoplasma gondii Obtained Via SCNT

Lymphocytes, such as T cells, undergo genetic V(D)J recombination, to generate a receptor with a certain specificity1. Mice transgenic for a rearranged ...

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Immune Cells Within Murine Aortas

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

Isolation of Precursor B-cell Subsets from Umbilical Cord Blood

Umbilical cord blood is highly enriched for hematopoietic progenitor cells at different lineage commitment stages. We have developed a protocol for ...

Efficient Isolation Protocol for B and T Lymphocytes from Human Palatine Tonsils

Tonsils form a part of the immune system providing the first line of defense against inhaled pathogens. Usually the term &#8220;tonsils&#8221; refers to ...

Retroviral Transduction of Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells to Generate T-cell Receptor Retrogenic Mice

T cell receptor (TCR) signaling is essential in the development and differentiation of T cells in the thymus and periphery, respectively.  The vast array ...

Using X-ray Crystallography, Biophysics, and Functional Assays to Determine the Mechanisms Governing T-cell Receptor Recognition of Cancer Antigens

Human CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are known to play an important role in tumor control. In order to carry out this function, the cell ...

Visualizing the Actin and Microtubule Cytoskeletons at the B-cell Immune Synapse Using Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) Microscopy

Visualizing the Actin and Microtubule Cytoskeletons at the B-cell Immune Synapse Using Stimulated Emission Depletion STED Microscopy

B cells that bind to membrane-bound antigens (e.g., on the surface of an antigen-presenting cell) form an immune synapse, a specialized cellular structure ...

Analysis of Shear Flow-induced Migration of Murine Marginal Zone B Cells In Vitro

Marginal zone B cells (MZBs) are a population of B cells that reside in the mouse splenic marginal zones that envelop follicles. To reach the follicles, ...

Identification of Mouse and Human Antibody Repertoires by Next-Generation Sequencing

The immense adaptability of antigen recognition by antibodies is the basis of the acquired immune system. Despite our understanding of the molecular ...

Identification of Mediators of T-cell Receptor Signaling via the Screening of Chemical Inhibitor Libraries

Identification of Mediators of T-cell Receptor Signaling via the Screening of Chemical Inhibitor Libraries

The T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling pathway comprises a multitude of mediators that transmit signals upon the activation of the TCR. Different strategies ...