Name: culture and imaging of human nasal epithelial organoids
Uploaded: 2021-12-17T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Culture and Imaging of Human Nasal Epithelial Organoids at JoVE.com

We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of all the participants who donated HNE brush biopsies to develop this protocol. We thank Latona Kersh and Children&#39;s Research Unit staff for coordinating study volunteer recruitment and sample collections. We thank Lily Deng, Johnathan Bailey, and Stephen Mackay, former trainees in our laboratory, for technical assistance. We thank Zhong Liu and Rui Zhao for their technical help. Steven M. Rowe, Director of the CF Research Center at UAB, provides leadership and resources, without which this work would not be possible. We also would like to thank Sarah Guadiana at Biotek for assistance with instrument training, Robert Grabski for confocal microscopy assistance at the UAB High-Resolution Imaging Facility, and Dezhi Wang for histological assistance at the UAB Histology Core. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH.) Grant K23HL143167 (to JSG), Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Grant GUIMBE18A0-Q (to JSG), the Gregory Fleming James Cystic Fibrosis Center [NIH Grants R35HL135816 and DK072482 and the CFF University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Research and Development Program (Rowe19RO)], and the UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Science (NIH Grant UL1TR001417).

HNE samples were collected at the Children&#39;s of Alabama hospital. All procedures and methods described here have been approved by the IRB University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB IRB #151030001). To facilitate the expansion and improve the function of human nasal epithelial cells (HNEs), the present culturing methods are adapted from the well-known air-liquid interface (ALI) culture method28,34. HNEs were initially collected by brush biopsy as previously desc...

<ol>
	<li>Brewington, J. 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=Brushed+nasal+epithelial+cells+are+a+surrogate+for+bronchial+epithelial+CFTR+studies.">Brushed nasal epithelial cells are a surrogate for bronchial epithelial CFTR studies.</a> JCI Insight. 3 (13), (2018).</li><li>Brewington, J. 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=Generation+of+human+nasal+epithelial+cell+spheroids+for+individualized+cystic+fibrosis+transmembrane+conductance+regulator+study.">Generation of human nasal epithelial cell spheroids for individualized cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator study.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (134), e57492 (2018).</li><li>Brewington, J. 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=Detection+of+CFTR+function+and+modulation+in+primary+human+nasal+cell+spheroids.">Detection of CFTR function and modulation in primary human nasal cell spheroids.</a> Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. 17 (1), 26-33 (2017).</li><li>Bridges, M. A., Walker, D. C., Davidson, A. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cystic+fibrosis+and+control+nasal+epithelial+cells+harvested+by+a+brushing+procedure.">Cystic fibrosis and control nasal epithelial cells harvested by a brushing procedure.</a> In Vitro Cellular &amp; Developmental Biology. 27 (9), 684-686 (1991).</li><li>Bridges, M. A., Walker, D. C., Harris, R. A., Wilson, B. R., Davidson, A. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cultured+human+nasal+epithelial+multicellular+spheroids:+polar+cyst-like+model+tissues.">Cultured human nasal epithelial multicellular spheroids: polar cyst-like model tissues.</a> Biochemistry and Cell Biology. 69 (2-3), 102-108 (1991).</li><li>Collie, G., Buchwald, M., Harper, P., Riordan, J. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Culture+of+sweat+gland+epithelial+cells+from+normal+individuals+and+patients+with+cystic+fibrosis.">Culture of sweat gland epithelial cells from normal individuals and patients with cystic fibrosis.</a> In Vitro Cellular &amp; Developmental Biology. 21 (10), 597-602 (1985).</li><li>Conger, B. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+cystic+fibrosis+transmembrane+conductance+regulator+(CFTR)+and+ciliary+beat+frequency+activation+by+the+CFTR+Modulators+Genistein,+VRT-532,+and+UCCF-152+in+primary+sinonasal+epithelial+cultures.">Comparison of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and ciliary beat frequency activation by the CFTR Modulators Genistein, VRT-532, and UCCF-152 in primary sinonasal epithelial cultures.</a> JAMA Otolaryngology-Head &amp; Neck Surgery. 139 (8), 822-827 (2013).</li><li>de Courcey, F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+primary+human+nasal+epithelial+cell+cultures+for+the+study+of+cystic+fibrosis+pathophysiology.">Development of primary human nasal epithelial cell cultures for the study of cystic fibrosis pathophysiology.</a> American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology. 303 (11), 1173-1179 (2012).</li><li>Gruenert, D. C., Basbaum, C. B., Widdicombe, J. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Long-term+culture+of+normal+and+cystic+fibrosis+epithelial+cells+grown+under+serum-free+conditions.">Long-term culture of normal and cystic fibrosis epithelial cells grown under serum-free conditions.</a> In Vitro Cellular &amp; Developmental Biology. 26 (4), 411-418 (1990).</li><li>Mosler, K., 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=Feasibility+of+nasal+epithelial+brushing+for+the+study+of+airway+epithelial+functions+in+CF+infants.">Feasibility of nasal epithelial brushing for the study of airway epithelial functions in CF infants.</a> Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. 7 (1), 44-53 (2008).</li><li>Anderson, J. D., Liu, Z., Odom, L. V., Kersh, L., Guimbellot, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=CFTR+function+and+clinical+response+to+modulators+parallel+nasal+epithelial+organoid+swelling.">CFTR function and clinical response to modulators parallel nasal epithelial organoid swelling.</a> The American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. 321 (1), 119-129 (2021).</li><li>Guimbellot, J. 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=Nasospheroids+permit+measurements+of+CFTR-dependent+fluid+transport.">Nasospheroids permit measurements of CFTR-dependent fluid transport.</a> JCI Insight. 2 (22), (2017).</li><li>Liu, Z., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+nasal+epithelial+organoids+for+therapeutic+development+in+cystic+fibrosis.">Human nasal epithelial organoids for therapeutic development in cystic fibrosis.</a> Genes (Basel). 11 (6), (2020).</li><li>Muller, L., Brighton, L. E., Carson, J. L., Fischer, W. A., Jaspers, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Culturing+of+human+nasal+epithelial+cells+at+the+air+liquid+interface.">Culturing of human nasal epithelial cells at the air liquid interface.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. , (2013).</li><li>Dekkers, J. F., vander Ent, C. K., Beekman, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Novel+opportunities+for+CFTR-targeting+drug+development+using+organoids.">Novel opportunities for CFTR-targeting drug development using organoids.</a> Rare Diseases. 1, 27112 (2013).</li><li>Dekkers, J. F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+functional+CFTR+assay+using+primary+cystic+fibrosis+intestinal+organoids.">A functional CFTR assay using primary cystic fibrosis intestinal organoids.</a> Nature Medicine. 19 (7), 939-945 (2013).</li><li>Okiyoneda, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanism-based+corrector+combination+restores+DeltaF508-CFTR+folding+and+function.">Mechanism-based corrector combination restores DeltaF508-CFTR folding and function.</a> Nature Chemical Biology. 9 (7), 444-454 (2013).</li><li>Schwank, 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=Functional+repair+of+CFTR+by+CRISPR/Cas9+in+intestinal+stem+cell+organoids+of+cystic+fibrosis+patients.">Functional repair of CFTR by CRISPR/Cas9 in intestinal stem cell organoids of cystic fibrosis patients.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 13 (6), 653-658 (2013).</li><li>Geurts, M. 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=CRISPR-based+adenine+editors+correct+nonsense+mutations+in+a+cystic+fibrosis+organoid+biobank.">CRISPR-based adenine editors correct nonsense mutations in a cystic fibrosis organoid biobank.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 26 (4), 503-510 (2020).</li><li>Bove, P. F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Breaking+the+in+vitro+alveolar+type+II+cell+proliferation+barrier+while+retaining+ion+transport+properties.">Breaking the in vitro alveolar type II cell proliferation barrier while retaining ion transport properties.</a> American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. 50 (4), 767-776 (2014).</li><li>Chapman, S., Liu, X., Meyers, C., Schlegel, R., McBride, A. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+keratinocytes+are+efficiently+immortalized+by+a+Rho+kinase+inhibitor.">Human keratinocytes are efficiently immortalized by a Rho kinase inhibitor.</a> Journal of Clinical Investigation. 120 (7), 2619-2626 (2010).</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=ROCK+inhibitor+and+feeder+cells+induce+the+conditional+reprogramming+of+epithelial+cells.">ROCK inhibitor and feeder cells induce the conditional reprogramming of epithelial cells.</a> The American Journal of Pathology. 180 (2), 599-607 (2012).</li><li>Palechor-Ceron, 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=Radiation+induces+diffusible+feeder+cell+factor(s)+that+cooperate+with+ROCK+inhibitor+to+conditionally+reprogram+and+immortalize+epithelial+cells.">Radiation induces diffusible feeder cell factor(s) that cooperate with ROCK inhibitor to conditionally reprogram and immortalize epithelial cells.</a> The American Journal of Pathology. 183 (6), 1862-1870 (2013).</li><li>Scudieri, 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=Ionocytes+and+CFTR+chloride+channel+expression+in+normal+and+cystic+fibrosis+nasal+and+bronchial+epithelial+cells.">Ionocytes and CFTR chloride channel expression in normal and cystic fibrosis nasal and bronchial epithelial cells.</a> Cells. 9 (9), (2020).</li><li>Marthin, J. K., Stevens, E. M., Larsen, L. A., Christensen, S. T., Nielsen, K. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Patient-specific+three-dimensional+explant+spheroids+derived+from+human+nasal+airway+epithelium:+a+simple+methodological+approach+for+ex+vivo+studies+of+primary+ciliary+dyskinesia.">Patient-specific three-dimensional explant spheroids derived from human nasal airway epithelium: a simple methodological approach for ex vivo studies of primary ciliary dyskinesia.</a> Cilia. 6, 3 (2017).</li><li>Blouquit, 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=Ion+and+fluid+transport+properties+of+small+airways+in+cystic+fibrosis.">Ion and fluid transport properties of small airways in cystic fibrosis.</a> American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. 174 (3), 299-305 (2006).</li><li>Birket, S. 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=Combination+therapy+with+cystic+fibrosis+transmembrane+conductance+regulator+modulators+augment+the+airway+functional+microanatomy.">Combination therapy with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator modulators augment the airway functional microanatomy.</a> The American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. 310 (10), 928-939 (2016).</li><li>Birket, S. 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=A+functional+anatomic+defect+of+the+cystic+fibrosis+airway.">A functional anatomic defect of the cystic fibrosis airway.</a> American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 190 (4), 421-432 (2014).</li><li>Chu, K. K., 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=Particle-tracking+microrheology+using+micro-optical+coherence+tomography.">Particle-tracking microrheology using micro-optical coherence tomography.</a> Biophysical Journal. 111 (5), 1053-1063 (2016).</li><li>Chu, K. K., 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=et+al.+In+vivo+imaging+of+airway+cilia+and+mucus+clearance+with+micro-optical+coherence+tomography.">et al. In vivo imaging of airway cilia and mucus clearance with micro-optical coherence tomography.</a> Biomedical Optics Express. 7 (7), 2494-2505 (2016).</li><li>Liu, 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=Method+for+quantitative+study+of+airway+functional+microanatomy+using+micro-optical+coherence+tomography.">Method for quantitative study of airway functional microanatomy using micro-optical coherence tomography.</a> PLoS One. 8 (1), 54473 (2013).</li><li>Tuggle, K. 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=Characterization+of+defects+in+ion+transport+and+tissue+development+in+cystic+fibrosis+transmembrane+conductance+regulator+(CFTR)-knockout+rats.">Characterization of defects in ion transport and tissue development in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-knockout rats.</a> PLoS One. 9 (3), 91253 (2014).</li><li>McCravy, M. 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=Personalised+medicine+for+non-classic+cystic+fibrosis+resulting+from+rare+CFTR+mutations.">Personalised medicine for non-classic cystic fibrosis resulting from rare CFTR mutations.</a> European Respiratory Journal. 56 (1), 2000062 (2020).</li><li>Mutyam, V., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Therapeutic+benefit+observed+with+the+CFTR+potentiator,+ivacaftor,+in+a+CF+patient+homozygous+for+the+W1282X+CFTR+nonsense+mutation.">Therapeutic benefit observed with the CFTR potentiator, ivacaftor, in a CF patient homozygous for the W1282X CFTR nonsense mutation.</a> Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. 16 (1), 24-29 (2017).</li><li>Corning Inc. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> CORNING CELL-TAK CELL AND TISSUE ADHESIVE. , (2013).</li><li>Anderson, J. D., Liu, Z., Odom, L. V., Kersh, L., Guimbellot, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=CFTR+function+and+clinical+response+to+modulators+parallel+nasal+epithelial+organoid+swelling.">CFTR function and clinical response to modulators parallel nasal epithelial organoid swelling.</a> The American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. 321 (1), 119-129 (2021).</li><li>Biotek Instruments, Incorporated. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Lionheart FX Live Cell Imager Operator's Manual. , (2016).</li><li>Schneider, C. A., Rasband, W. S., Eliceiri, K. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=NIH+Image+to+ImageJ:+25+years+of+image+analysis.">NIH Image to ImageJ: 25 years of image analysis.</a> Nature Methods. 9 (7), 671-675 (2012).</li><li>Simmonds, N. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Is+it+cystic+fibrosis?+The+challenges+of+diagnosing+cystic+fibrosis.">Is it cystic fibrosis? The challenges of diagnosing cystic fibrosis.</a> Paediatric Respiratory Reviews. 31, 6-8 (2019).</li><li>McGarry, M. 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=In+vivo+and+in+vitro+ivacaftor+response+in+cystic+fibrosis+patients+with+residual+CFTR+function:+N-of-1+studies.">In vivo and in vitro ivacaftor response in cystic fibrosis patients with residual CFTR function: N-of-1 studies.</a> Pediatric Pulmonology. 52 (4), 472-479 (2017).</li><li>Garratt, L. W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Determinants+of+culture+success+in+an+airway+epithelium+sampling+program+of+young+children+with+cystic+fibrosis.">Determinants of culture success in an airway epithelium sampling program of young children with cystic fibrosis.</a> Experimental Lung Research. 40 (9), 447-459 (2014).</li></ol>

This manuscript provides detailed methodologies for comprehensive live and fixed imaging of the airway epithelial organoids derived from HNE brush biopsy. It describes functional assays that can determine CFTR activity in an individual. HNEs provide a minimally invasive, primary tissue for a variety of applications. The expansion techniques offered here can be used for modeling airways disease, including organoids. Organoids can be used for precision therapeutic approaches and to monitor the stability of gene or mRNA-bas...

Introduction to the technique 
Ex vivo culture-based assays are an increasingly utilized tool for precision medicine and the study of disease pathophysiology. Primary human nasal epithelial (HNE) cell culture has been used in numerous studies of cystic fibrosis1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13, an autosomal recessive disease that affects epithelial cell function in multiple organs. HNE culture provides a renewable source of airway epithelia that may be obtained prospectively and recapitulates electrophysiological and biochemical qualities to test Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) activity. HNE cells can be sampled with minimal side effects14, similar to common viral respiratory swabs. Research work describing a model for cystic fibrosis study derived from HNE brush biopsies has been recently published11,13. While similar to other models using primary HNE2,3 and intestinal tissue15,16,17,18,19, detailed characterization of the differentiation and imaging of this model are described here for use in CF research and for aiding in the studies of other airways diseases13. The organoid model is not unlimited like immortalized cell lines but can be expanded by conditional reprogramming (using irradiated and inactivated feeder fibroblasts and Rho-kinase inhibitors) to a more stem cell-like state20,21,22,23. The processing of HNE brush biopsies using this method yields large numbers of epithelial cells for use in multiple applications at higher throughput while still retaining the ability to differentiate fully. While this protocol was developed using feeder cells, other methodologies may be used by investigators wishing to avoid feeder cell technology14,24.
Importance of the technique to pulmonary biology 
A significant study has been devoted to understanding how the absence of regular, functioning CFTR in the cell membrane of epithelial cells results in dysfunction in the lungs, pancreas, liver, intestine, or other tissues. Dysfunctional epithelial ion transport, particularly that of chloride and bicarbonate, results in a decreased volume of the epithelial lining fluids and changes in mucous secretions, leading to mucous stasis and obstruction. In other airway diseases, such as primary ciliary dyskinesia, altered ciliary motion impairs mucociliary clearance and leads to mucous stasis and obstruction25. Therefore, the current HNE organoid model has been developed for various applications, depending on the investigator&#39;s experimental design and resources. This includes live-cell imaging using live-cell stains; fixation and sectioning to characterize the morphology; immunofluorescence staining with antibodies and whole-mount confocal imaging to avoid disrupting intraluminal structures; and bright-field imaging and micro-optical coherence tomography for quantitative measurements of ciliary beat frequency and mucociliary transport13. To facilitate expansion to other investigators, commercially available reagents and supplies were used for culturing. A functional assay was developed that used common microscope techniques and more specialized equipment. Overall, while the present model was designed to assess CFTR activity at baseline or in response to therapeutics, the techniques described in this protocol can be applied to other diseases involving epithelial cell function, especially epithelial cell fluid transport.
Comparison to other methodologies 
Recently the utility of this organoid model was developed by correlating in vitro CFTR modulator responses of patients&#39; organoids with their clinical response11. Notably, it is also demonstrated that the present model paralleled short-circuit current responses, the current gold standard for assessing CFTR function, in the same patients. Short-circuit current differs from the swelling assay because the former measures CFTR function via ion transport26. In contrast, this assay measures a more downstream effect with fluid transport, providing additional information about the overall function of CFTR27,28,29,30,31,32. Short-circuit current measurements have continued to be a common and reliable method for determining CFTR chloride channel activity1,33. These electrophysiological assays require specialized, expensive equipment, require many times more cells for each experimental replicate than the organoid assay, cannot be easily automated, and are not amenable to scaling up for higher throughput applications. Another organoid model derived from intestinal epithelia has additional advantages15,16,17,18, such as more excellent replicative capability, but is neither derived from an airway tissue nor is universally available. HNE brushings are obtained with inexpensive cytology brushes without the need for sedation and at minimal risk. Getting the brushing does not require a clinician and can be performed by trained research coordinators and other research staff14. The HNE organoid model can be cultured by any laboratory with primary cell culture capabilities, and some of the applications can be performed with standard microscopy techniques. Altogether, these advantages provide additional access to technology for assessing airway epithelial function that might otherwise be unavailable to some laboratories. Furthermore, HNE organoids can be utilized to study other disease states that affect the airway, such as primary ciliary dyskinesia25 or viral infection, which intestinal organoids cannot.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Nasal brush</td>
			<td>Medical Packaging CYB1</td>
			<td>CYB-1</td>
			<td>Length: 8 inches, width approximately 7 mm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Large-Orifice Pipette Tips</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>02-707-141</td>
			<td>Large bore pipette tips</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Accutase</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>A1110501</td>
			<td>Cell detachment solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.05% trypsin -EDTA</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>25300-054</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin inhibitor from soybean</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T6522</td>
			<td>Working solution: 1mg/mL in 1XDPBS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Matrigel matrix</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>356255</td>
			<td>Extracellular matrix (EM)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>&#181;-Slide Angiogenesis</td>
			<td>Ibidi</td>
			<td>81506</td>
			<td>15-well slide</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24-Well Transwell</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>7200154</td>
			<td>Culture insert</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chambered Coverglass</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>155409</td>
			<td>8-well glass-bottom chamber slides</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell-Tak Cell and Tissue Adhesive</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>354240</td>
			<td>Cell adhesive</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
			<td>50980487</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Alfa Aesar</td>
			<td>A16046</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BSA</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>BP1600-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NucBlue</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>R37605</td>
			<td>DAPI</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Eclipse Ts2-FL (Inverted Routine Microscope)</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Inverted epi-fluorescence microscope or bright-field microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nikon A1R-HD25</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Confocal microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NIS Elements- Basic Research</td>
			<td>Nikon</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>manual imaging analysis software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Histogel</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>HG-4000-012</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Disposable Base Molds</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>41-740</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lionheart FX</td>
			<td>BioTek</td>
			<td>BTLFX</td>
			<td>Automated image system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lionheart Cover</td>
			<td>BioTek</td>
			<td>BT1450009</td>
			<td>Environmental Control Lid</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Humidity Chamber</td>
			<td>BioTek</td>
			<td>BT1450006</td>
			<td>Stage insert (environmental chamber)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gas Controller for CO2 and O2</td>
			<td>BioTek</td>
			<td>BT1210013</td>
			<td>Gas controller</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microplate/Slide Stage Insert</td>
			<td>BioTek</td>
			<td>BT1450527</td>
			<td>Slide holder</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gen5 Imaging Prime Software</td>
			<td>BioTek</td>
			<td>BTGEN5IPRIM</td>
			<td>Automated imaging analysis software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4x Phase Contrast Objective</td>
			<td>BioTek</td>
			<td>BT1320515</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10x Phase Contrast Objective</td>
			<td>BioTek</td>
			<td>BT1320516</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LED Cube</td>
			<td>BioTek</td>
			<td>BT1225007</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Filter Cube (DAPI)</td>
			<td>BioTek</td>
			<td>BT1225100</td>
			<td>DAPI</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CFTRinh-172</td>
			<td>Selleck Chemicals</td>
			<td>S7139</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Forskolin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>F6886</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>IBMX</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>I5879</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Expansion Media</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>11965</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>F12 Nutrient mix</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>11765</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Bovine Serum</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>&#160;16140-071</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin/Streptomycin</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>&#160;15-140-122</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cholera Toxin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>&#160;C8052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>&#160;PHG0314</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hydrocortisone (HC)</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>&#160;H0888</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Insulin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>&#160;I9278</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Adenine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>&#160;A2786</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Y-27632</td>
			<td>Stemgent</td>
			<td>&#160;04-0012-02</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibiotic Media</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ceftazidime</td>
			<td>Alfa Aesar</td>
			<td>&#160;J66460-03</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tobramycin</td>
			<td>Alfa Aesar</td>
			<td>&#160;J67340</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vancomycin</td>
			<td>Alfa Aesar</td>
			<td>&#160;J67251</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Amphotericin B</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>&#160;A2942</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Differentiation Media</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM/F-12 (1:1)</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher Scientific</td>
			<td>&#160;11330-32</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultroser-G</td>
			<td>Pall</td>
			<td>&#160;15950-017</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fetal Clone II</td>
			<td>Hyclone</td>
			<td>&#160;SH30066.03</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine Brain Extract</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>&#160;CC-4098</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Insulin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>&#160;I-9278</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hydrocortisone</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>&#160;H-0888</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triiodothyronine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>&#160;T-6397</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Transferrin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>&#160;T-0665</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethanolamine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>&#160;E-0135</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Epinephrine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>E-4250</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>O-Phosphorylethanolamine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P-0503</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Retinoic Acid</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>R-2625</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Primary antibodies</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human CFTR antibody</td>
			<td>R&#38;D Systems</td>
			<td>MAB1660</td>
			<td>Dilution: 100x</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ZO-1 antibody</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>MA3-39100-A647</td>
			<td>Dilution: 1000x</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-MUC5B antibody</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>HPA008246</td>
			<td>Dilution: 100x</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-acetylated tubulin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>T7451</td>
			<td>Dilution: 100x</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-beta IV Tubulin antibody</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>Ab11315</td>
			<td>Dilution: 100x</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Secondary antibodies</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey anti-Mouse IgG (H+L), Alexa Fluor 488</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A21202</td>
			<td>Dilution: 2000x</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Donkey anti-Rabbit IgG (H+L), Alexa Fluor 594</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A21207</td>
			<td>Dilution: 2000x</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

culture and imaging of human nasal epithelial organoids

Individualized therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients can be achieved with an in vitro disease model to understand baseline Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) activity and restoration from small molecule compounds. Our group recently focused on establishing a well-differentiated organoid model directly derived from primary human nasal epithelial cells (HNE). Histology of sectioned organoids, whole-mount immunofluorescent staining, and imaging (using confocal microscopy, immunofluorescent microscopy, and bright field) are essential to characterize organoids and confirm epithelial differentiation in preparation for functional assays. Furthermore, HNE organoids produce lumens of varying sizes that correlate with CFTR activity, distinguishing between CF and non-CF organoids. In this manuscript, the methodology for culturing HNE organoids are described in detail, focusing on the assessment of differentiation using the imaging modalities, including the measurement of baseline lumen area (a method of CFTR activity measurement in organoids that any laboratory with a microscope can employ) as well as the developed automated approach to a functional assay (which requires more specialized equipment).

HNEs expansion is essential for a thriving organoid culture. HNEs from a successful sample collection should expand to over 70% confluence around 10 days. An example of successful and unsuccessful samples is shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B, respectively. The cells must be discarded if they cannot reach 70% confluence by 14 days after co-culture with irradiated 3T3 cells. Any contaminated cells are to be immediately discarded if unable to rescue...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Culture and Imaging of Human Nasal Epithelial Organoids at JoVE.com

Culture and Imaging of Human Nasal Epithelial Organoids

A detailed protocol is presented here to describe an in vitro organoid model from human nasal epithelial cells. The protocol has options for measurements requiring standard laboratory equipment, with additional possibilities for specialized equipment and software.

Individualized therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients can be achieved with an in vitro disease model to understand baseline Cystic Fibrosis ...

Individualized therapy for cystic fibrosis patients can be achieved by an in vitro disease model to understand the CFTR activity at baseline. Human nasal epithelial organoids, or HNE organoids, produce lumens of varying sizes that correlate with the CFTR activity, distinguishing between CF and non-CF organoids. Here, we have described a methodology for culturing and imaging these HNE organoids in detail.Dysfunctional epithelial ion transport, particularly that of chloride and bicarbonate, results in a decreased volume of the epithelial lining fluids. This also affects the mucus secretions leading to mucostasis and obstruction. Therefore, our HNE model has been developed for various applications, depending on the investigator's experimental design and resources.Apart from assessing CFTR activity at baseline or in response to therapeutics, this technique can also be applied to other diseases involving epithelial cell function, especially epithelial cell fluid transport. These methods were developed primarily for use in cystic fibrosis studies. Other studies evaluating the airway epithelia, such as primary ciliary dyskinesia, may also find these methods helpful.These techniques require attention to detail and precision. They also require careful observation to ensure that the initial expansion of cells is appropriate. Monitor all cultures every day, and the success will be more likely.To begin, dissociate the nasal brush biopsy into 8 milliters of RPMI media in a 15 milliliter conical tube by passing the cytology brush several times through a one milliliter large-bore pipette tip. Centrifuge the cells at 500 times g for five minutes at four degrees Celsius. Discard the supernatant and then re-suspend the cell pellet in three milliliters of cell detachment solution.Incubate at room temperature for 16 minutes to digest. Use five milliliters of the expansion media to wash the cells twice. Then, add them to a T75 flask, pre-seeded with irradiated, inactivated, and 50 to 60%confluent 3T3 fibroblasts.Allow the cells to co-culture and expand in the expansion media for 7 to 14 days. If antibiotics were introduced for cells derived from patients with cystic fibrosis, the media should be replaced with antibiotic-free expansion media after the initial three days of culture, and can continue changing media every two days until 80%confluent. Wash the cells with 1x DPBS.Then, add 1.5 milliliters of 0.05%trypsin-EDTA into the T75 flask and incubate for four minutes at 37 degrees Celsius to remove the irradiated and inactivated 3T3 fibroblast from the culture. Rinse the T75 flask with 1x DPBS twice to thoroughly wash away any remaining 3T3 fibroblasts. Add 1.5 milliliters of 0.05%trypsin-EDTA into the T75 flask and incubate for 10 minutes at 37 degrees Celsius to detach HNEs.Neutralize the trypsin with soybean trypsin inhibitor at a one-to-one ratio. Centrifuge the cells at 500 times gi for five minutes. Then, discard the supernatant and wash the cells with five milliliters of expansion media once.The cells are now ready for seeding to grow organoids. Thaw the organoid culture extracellular matrix or ECM overnight at four degrees Celsius. Cool the 15-well angiogenesis slides overnight at the same temperature.Next, cool the pipette tips to four degrees Celsius. Coat the slides with five microliters of cold 100%ECM on ice. Place them into a cell culture incubator at 37 degrees Celsius for at least 30 minutes for consolidation.Count the HNEs harvested from co-culture using a hemocytometer. Then, dilute the cells to 500 cells per microliters in total number, with 20%ECM diluted by differentiation media on ice. Take the ECM coated slides out of the incubator and seed five microliters of the cold cell ECM mixture into each of the wells.Transfer the slides immediately into a culture incubator at 37 degrees Celsius for an hour to consolidate the cell ECM mixture. After that, take the slides out of the incubator and feed the cells into each well of the 15-well angiogenesis slides with 50 microliters of the differentiation media. Return the slide into the culture incubator at 37 degrees Celsius, changing the media every other day until the organoids are ready for further experiments.Pre-treat the 8-well glass-bottom chamber slides with cell adhesive for 30 minutes. Discard the solution and air-dry the wells for another 30 minutes. Next, discard the media from the top of the ECM and then add 50 microliters of the cold 1x PBS into each well of the 15-well slides on ice.Pipette up and down three to five times using 200 microliters of the large-bore pipette tip. Dispense the solution onto the center of a well of the 8-well chamber slides. Remove the excess liquid immediately from the wells by a fine-tip pipette.Then, place the chamber slide into a 37 degree Celsius incubator for 40 minutes to enhance the organoid adhering to the glass bottom. After 40 minutes, gently wash the organoids with 1x PBS twice and fix them with 300 microliters of 4%paraformaldehyde in each well for 30 minutes set room temperature. Wash twice with 1x PBS and store the organoids in 1x PBS set four degrees Celsius for immunostaining for up to two weeks.To harvest the organoids for histological studies, remove the media from the culture and add 50 microliters of cold one 1x PBS into each well of the slides on ice. Pipette up and down three to five times using a 200 microliter large-bore pipette tip. Combine all the solutions from the 15-well slide or culture inserts into a 15 milliliter conical tube on ice.Adjust the total solution volume in the tube to 10 milliliters by adding cold 1x PBS. Centrifuge the tube at four degrees Celsius, 300 times g for five minutes. Then, aspirate out the supernatant and add 60 microliters of warm histogel to mix with the organoid pellet using a 200 microliter large-bore pipette tip.Transfer the suspension immediately to a histology mold. After consolidating the histogel at room temperature, put the mold block into 4%paraformaldehyde for fixation overnight at four degrees Celsius. Open the software and right click at the bottom of the screen.Then, select Analysis Controls, followed by Automated Measurement Results. Open the organoid image and select 5 to 10 organoids with visible lumens. Hold right click on the image to open the menu and select Polygonal ROI to outline the full organoid to obtain the organoid's total surface area.Then, outline the lumen to obtain the lumen area. Repeat this for the remaining organoids in the well, and all the wells in the assay. Finally, export the data to Excel.Divide the lumen area by the total surface area and average all the organoids from the sample to get the Baseline Lumen Ratio. The bright field images represent HNEs from a successful and unsuccessful samples collection. The HNEs grow well in a large cluster.In contrast, the HNEs grow poorly in two small clusters surrounding the irradiated 3T3 cells. Organoids in the 15-well slide have more precise and sharper images than those in the culture insert. Besides this, no significant morphological difference was observed in these two culture methods.Non-CF organoids typically have a larger lumen and more fluid than CF organoids. The HNE staining in organoids from a non-CF, F508del/F508del subject, and the immunofluorescent staining of cilia in an organoid are shown in these images. The cilia stained with acetylated-tubulin, FITC labeled secondary antibody, and the nuclei labeled with DAPI are shown here.Maximum projection images of the two representative organoids by whole-mount immunofluorescent staining and their corresponding three-dimensional reconstruction images are shown here. Mucus and cilia within the lumen of the organoids are shown. The graphical images represent the forskolin-induced swelling assay to test CFTR function on the primary nasal epithelial cells.A representative forskolin dose-response experiment of non-CF volunteers is shown here. FSK dose-response is compared with average fractional change at one hour, versus at eight hours, which suggests that the eight hours assay can produce a more significant swelling difference among different FSK doses than those at one hour. The area under the curve can show a minor difference in swelling compared to average fractional change at eight hours.While attempting this procedure, keep in mind that organoids will be lost during the collection, fixation and staining process. So, meticulous care must be taken during each step and sufficient starting numbers must be obtained to ensure success. Growing organoids in culture inserts can help in this regard, as these techniques are developed.Here, we have used commercially available reagents and supplies to facilitate expansion to other investigators. A functional assay was also developed that used common microscope techniques and more specialized equipment.

culture-and-imaging-of-human-nasal-epithelial-organoids

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

Isolation, Culture, and Imaging of Human Fetal Pancreatic Cell Clusters

For almost 30 years, scientists have demonstrated that human fetal ICCs transplanted under the kidney capsule of nude mice matured into functioning endocrine cells, as evidenced by a significant increase in circulating human C-peptide following glucose stimulation1-9. However in vitro, genesis of insulin producing cells from human fetal ICCs is low10; results reminiscent of recent experiments performed with human embryonic stem cells (hESC), a renewable source of cells that hold great promise as a potential therapeutic treatment for type 1 diabetes. Like ICCs, transplantation of partially differentiated hESC generate glucose responsive, insulin producing cells, but in vitro genesis of insulin producing cells from hESC is much less robust11-17. A complete understanding of the factors that influence the growth and differentiation of endocrine precursor cells will likely require data generated from both ICCs and hESC. While a number of protocols exist to generate insulin producing cells from hESC in vitro11-22, far fewer exist for ICCs10,23,24. Part of that discrepancy likely comes from the difficulty of working with human fetal pancreas. Towards that end, we have continued to build upon existing methods to isolate fetal islets from human pancreases with gestational ages ranging from 12 to 23 weeks, grow the cells as a monolayer or in suspension, and image for cell proliferation, pancreatic markers and human hormones including glucagon and C-peptide. ICCs generated by the protocol described below result in C-peptide release after transplantation under the kidney capsule of nude mice that are similar to C-peptide levels obtained by transplantation of fresh tissue6. Although the examples presented here focus upon the pancreatic endoderm proliferation and &#946;&#160;cell genesis, the protocol can be employed to study other aspects of pancreatic development, including exocrine, ductal, and other hormone producing cells.

A protocol to isolate, culture, and image islet cell clusters (ICCs) derived from human fetal pancreatic cells is described.&#160; The method details the steps necessary to generate ICCs from tissue, culture as monolayers or in suspension as aggregates, and image for markers of proliferation and pancreatic cell fate decisions.

For almost 30 years, scientists have demonstrated that human fetal ICCs transplanted under the kidney capsule of nude mice matured into functioning ...

Primary Culture of Human Vestibular Schwannomas

Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) represent Schwann cell (SC) tumors of the vestibular nerve, compromising 10% of all intracranial neoplasms. VSs occur in either sporadic or familial (neurofibromatosis type 2, NF2) forms, both associated with inactivating defects in the NF2 tumor suppressor gene. Treatment for VSs is generally surgical resection or radiosurgery, however the morbidity of such procedures has driven investigations into less invasive treatments. Historically, lack of access to fresh tissue specimens and the fact that schwannoma cells are not immortalized have significantly hampered the use of primary cultures for investigation of schwannoma tumorigenesis. To overcome the limited supply of primary cultures, the immortalized HEI193 VS cell line was generated by transduction with HPV E6 and E7 oncogenes. This oncogenic transduction introduced significant molecular and phenotypic alterations to the cells, which limit their use as a model for human schwannoma tumors. We therefore illustrate a simplified, reproducible protocol for culture of primary human VS cells. This easily mastered technique allows for molecular and cellular investigations that more accurately recapitulate the complexity of VS disease.

Vestibular Schwannomas (VSs) are non-malignant tumors of Schwann cell (SC) origin, associated with mutations in the NF2 tumor suppressor gene. We report a reproducible, efficient protocol for primary human VS cell culture that allows for molecular and cellular experimental manipulation and analysis and recapitulates the heterogeneous nature of human disease.

Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) represent Schwann cell (SC) tumors of the vestibular nerve, compromising 10% of all intracranial neoplasms. VSs occur in ...

Isolation, Cryopreservation and Culture of Human Amnion Epithelial Cells for Clinical Applications

Human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) derived from term or pre-term amnion membranes have attracted attention from researchers and clinicians as a potential source of cells for regenerative medicine. The reason for this interest is evidence that these cells have highly multipotent differentiation ability, low immunogenicity, and anti-inflammatory functions. These properties have prompted researchers to investigate the potential of hAECs to be used to treat a variety of diseases and disorders in pre-clinical animal studies with much success.
hAECs have found widespread application for the treatment of a range of diseases and disorders. Potential clinical applications of hAECs include the treatment of stroke, multiple sclerosis, liver disease, diabetes and chronic and acute lung diseases. Progressing from pre-clinical animal studies into clinical trials requires a higher standard of quality control and safety for cell therapy products. For safety and quality control considerations, it is preferred that cell isolation protocols use animal product-free reagents. 
We have developed protocols to allow researchers to isolate, cryopreserve and culture hAECs using animal product-free reagents. The advantage of this method is that these cells can be isolated, characterized, cryopreserved and cultured without the risk of delivering potentially harmful animal pathogens to humans, while maintaining suitable cell yields, viabilities and growth potential. For researchers moving from pre-clinical animal studies to clinical trials, these methodologies will greatly accelerate regulatory approval, decrease risks and improve the quality of their therapeutic cell population.

We describe a protocol to isolate and culture human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) using animal product-free reagents in accordance with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) guidelines.

Human amnion epithelial cells (hAECs) derived from term or pre-term amnion membranes have attracted attention from researchers and clinicians as a ...

Establishment of Human Epithelial Enteroids and Colonoids from Whole Tissue and Biopsy

The epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract is constantly renewed as it turns over. This process is triggered by the proliferation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and progeny that progressively migrate and differentiate toward the tip of the villi. These processes, essential for gastrointestinal homeostasis, have been extensively studied using multiple approaches. Ex vivo technologies, especially primary cell cultures have proven to be promising for understanding intestinal epithelial functions. A long-term primary culture system for mouse intestinal crypts has been established to generate 3-dimensional epithelial organoids. These epithelial structures contain crypt- and villus-like domains reminiscent of normal gut epithelium. Commonly, termed &#8220;enteroids&#8221; when derived from small intestine and &#8220;colonoids&#8221; when derived from colon, they are different from organoids that also contain mesenchyme tissue. Additionally, these enteroids/colonoids continuously produce all cell types found normally within the intestinal epithelium. This in vitro organ-like culture system is rapidly becoming the new gold standard for investigation of intestinal stem cell biology and epithelial cell physiology. This technology has been recently transferred to the study of human gut. The establishment of human derived epithelial enteroids and colonoids from small intestine and colon has been possible through the utilization of specific culture media that allow their growth and maintenance over time. Here, we describe a method to establish a small intestinal and colon crypt-derived system from human whole tissue or biopsies. We emphasize the culture modalities that are essential for the successful growth and maintenance of human enteroids and colonoids.

We describe a method to establish human enteroids from small intestinal crypts and colonoids from colon crypts collected from both surgical tissue and biopsies. In this methodological article, we present the culture modalities that are essential for the successful growth and maintenance of human enteroids and colonoids.

The epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract is constantly renewed as it turns over. This process is triggered by the proliferation of intestinal stem ...

Absorption of Nasal and Bronchial Fluids: Precision Sampling of the Human Respiratory Mucosa and Laboratory Processing of Samples

The methods of nasal absorption (NA) and bronchial absorption (BA) use synthetic absorptive matrices (SAM) to absorb the mucosal lining fluid (MLF) of the human respiratory tract. NA is a non-invasive technique which absorbs fluid from the inferior turbinate, and causes minimal discomfort. NA has yielded reproducible results with the ability to frequently repeat sampling of the upper airway. 
By comparison, alternative methods of sampling the respiratory mucosa, such as nasopharyngeal aspiration (NPA) and conventional swabbing, are more invasive and may result in greater data variability. Other methods have limitations, for instance, biopsies and bronchial procedures are invasive, sputum contains many dead and dying cells and requires liquefaction, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) contains water and saliva, and lavage samples are dilute and variable.
BA can be performed through the working channel of a bronchoscope in clinic. Sampling is well tolerated and can be conducted at multiple sites in the airway. BA results in MLF samples being less dilute than bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples.
This article demonstrates the techniques of NA and BA, as well as the laboratory processing of the resulting samples, which can be tailored to the desired downstream biomarker being measured. These absorption techniques are useful alternatives to the conventional sampling techniques used in clinical respiratory research.

This manuscript describes the use of nasal and bronchial absorption techniques, specifically using synthetic absorptive matrices (SAM) to sample the mucosal lining fluid (MLF) of the upper and lower airway. These methods provide better standardization and tolerability than existing respiratory sampling techniques.

The methods of nasal absorption (NA) and bronchial absorption (BA) use synthetic absorptive matrices (SAM) to absorb the mucosal lining fluid (MLF) of the ...

Standardized Measurement of Nasal Membrane Transepithelial Potential Difference (NPD)

We describe a standardized measurement of nasal potential difference (NPD). In this technique, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) function are monitored by the change in voltage across the nasal epithelium after the superfusion of solutions that modify ion channel activity. This is enabled by the measurement of the potential difference between the subcutaneous compartment and the airway epithelium in the nostril, utilizing a catheter in contact with the inferior nasal turbinate.
The test allows the measurement of the stable baseline voltage and the successive net voltage changes after perfusion of 100 &#181;M amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+ reabsorption in Ringer&#39;s solution; a chloride-free solution containing amiloride to drive chloride secretion and 10 &#181;M isoproterenol in a chloride-free solution with amiloride to stimulate the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent chloride conductance related to CFTR.
This technique has the advantage of demonstrating the electrophysiological properties of two key components establishing the hydration of the airway surface liquid of the respiratory epithelium, ENaC, and CFTR. Therefore, it is a useful research tool for phase 2 and proof of concept trials of agents that target CFTR and ENaC activity for the treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease. It is also a key follow-up procedure to establish CFTR dysfunction when genetic testing and sweat testing are equivocal. Unlike sweat chloride, the test is relatively more time consuming and costly. It also requires operator training and expertise to conduct the test effectively. Inter- and intra-subject variability has been reported in this technique especially in young or uncooperative subjects. To assist with this concern, interpretation has been improved through a recently validated algorithm.

Standardized Measurement of Nasal Membrane Transepithelial Potential Difference NPD

Here, we present a standardized protocol to measure the nasal potential difference (NPD). Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) function are evaluated by the change in the voltage across the nasal epithelium after superfusion of solutions that modify ion channel activity, providing an outcome measure.

We describe a standardized measurement of nasal potential difference (NPD). In this technique, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) ...

Generation of Human Nasal Epithelial Cell Spheroids for Individualized Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Study

While the introduction of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) modulator drugs has revolutionized care in Cystic Fibrosis (CF), the genotype-directed therapy model currently in use has several limitations. First, rare or understudied mutation groups are excluded from definitive clinical trials. Moreover, as additional modulator drugs enter the market, it will become difficult to optimize the modulator choices for an individual subject. Both of these issues are addressed with the use of patient-derived, individualized preclinical model systems of CFTR function and modulation. Human nasal epithelial cells (HNEs) are an easily accessible source of respiratory tissue for such a model. Herein, we describe the generation of a three-dimensional spheroid model of CFTR function and modulation using primary HNEs. HNEs are isolated from subjects in a minimally invasive fashion, expanded in conditional reprogramming conditions, and seeded into the spheroid culture. Within 2 weeks of seeding, spheroid cultures generate HNE spheroids that can be stimulated with 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-generating agonists to activate CFTR function. Spheroid swelling is then quantified as a proxy of CFTR activity. HNE spheroids capitalize on the minimally invasive, yet respiratory origin of nasal cells to generate an accessible, personalized model relevant to an epithelium reflecting disease morbidity and mortality. Compared to the air-liquid interface HNE cultures, spheroids are relatively quick to mature, which reduces the overall contamination rate. In its current form, the model is limited by low throughput, though this is offset by the relative ease of tissue acquisition. HNE spheroids can be used to reliably quantify and characterize CFTR activity at the individual level. An ongoing study to tie this quantification to in vivo drug response will determine if HNE spheroids are a true preclinical predictor of patient response to CFTR modulation.

Here we describe a method to generate three-dimensional spheroid cultures of human nasal epithelial cells. Spheroids are then stimulated to drive Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR)-dependent ion and fluid secretion, quantifying the change in the spheroid luminal size as a proxy for CFTR function.

While the introduction of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) modulator drugs has revolutionized care in Cystic Fibrosis (CF), the ...

Muscle Imbalances: Testing and Training Functional Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Athletic Populations

Many hamstring injuries that occur during physical activity occur while the muscles are lengthening, during eccentric hamstring muscle actions. Opposite of these eccentric hamstring actions are concentric quadriceps actions, where the larger and likely stronger quadriceps straighten the knee. Therefore, to stabilize the lower limbs during movement, the hamstrings must eccentrically combat against the strong knee-straightening torque of the quadriceps. As such, eccentric hamstring strength expressed relative to concentric quadricep strength is commonly referred to as the &#34;functional ratio&#34; as most movements in sports require simultaneous concentric knee extension and eccentric knee flexion. To increase the strength, resiliency, and functional performance of the hamstrings, it is necessary to test and train the hamstrings at different eccentric speeds. The main purpose of this work is to provide instructions for measuring and interpreting eccentric hamstring strength. Techniques for measuring the functional ratio using isokinetic dynamometry are provided and sample data will be compared. Additionally, we briefly describe how to address hamstring strength deficiencies or unilateral strength differences using exercises that specifically focus on increasing eccentric hamstring strength.

The hamstrings are a group of muscles that are sometimes problematic for athletes, resulting in soft tissue injury in the lower limbs. To prevent such injuries, functional training of the hamstrings requires intensive eccentric contractions. Additionally, hamstring function should be tested in relation to quadricep function at different contraction speeds.

Many hamstring injuries that occur during physical activity occur while the muscles are lengthening, during eccentric hamstring muscle actions. Opposite ...

Generation of Porcine Testicular Organoids with Testis Specific Architecture using Microwell Culture

Organoids are three dimensional structures composed of multiple cell types that are capable of recapitulating tissue architecture and functions of organs in vivo. Formation of organoids has opened up different avenues of basic and translational research. In recent years, testicular organoids have garnered interest in the field of male reproductive biology. Testicular organoids allow for the study of cell-cell interactions, tissue development, and the germ cell niche microenvironment and facilitate high throughput drug and toxicity screening. A method is needed to reliably and reproducibly generate testicular organoids with testis specific tissue architecture. The microwell culture system contains a dense array of pyramid-shaped microwells. Testicular cells derived from pre-pubertal testes are centrifuged into these microwells and cultured to generate testicular organoids with testis-specific tissue architecture and cell associations. Thousands of homogeneous organoids can be generated via this process. The protocol reported here will be of broad interest to researchers studying male reproduction.

Here, we present a protocol for the reproducible generation of porcine testicular organoids with testis specific tissue architecture using the commercially available microwell culture system.

Organoids are three dimensional structures composed of multiple cell types that are capable of recapitulating tissue architecture and functions of organs ...

Investigating Intestinal Barrier Breakdown in Living Organoids

Organoids and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures allow the investigation of complex biological mechanisms and regulations in vitro, which previously was not possible in classical cell culture monolayers. Moreover, monolayer cell cultures are good in vitro model systems but do not represent the complex cellular differentiation processes and functions that rely on 3D structure. This has so far only been possible in animal experiments, which are laborious, time consuming, and hard to assess by optical techniques. Here we describe an assay to quantitatively determine the barrier integrity over time in living small intestinal mouse organoids. To validate our model, we applied interferon gamma (IFN-&#947;) as a positive control for barrier destruction and organoids derived from IFN-&#947; receptor 2 knock out mice as a negative control. The assay allowed us to determine the impact of IFN-&#947; on the intestinal barrier integrity and the IFN-&#947; induced degradation of the tight junction proteins claudin-2, -7, and -15. This assay could also be used to investigate the impact of chemical compounds, proteins, toxins, bacteria, or patient-derived probes on the intestinal barrier integrity.

Here we describe a technique to quantify the barrier integrity of small intestinal organoids. The fact that the method is based on living organoids enables the sequential investigation of different barrier integrity modulating substances or combinations thereof in a time-resolved manner.

Organoids and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures allow the investigation of complex biological mechanisms and regulations in vitro, which previously was ...