This project was supported by the Innovation Fund of WNLO 2018WNLOKF023.

This study was conducted according to the principles of the Helsinki Declaration and approved by the Ethics Committee of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University (No. 2019065). The specimens were collected from a MM patient in the Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University (China).
1. Preparation of the BM smears
<ol>
	<li>Place the first 0.2 mL of BM solution on a clean disposable glass slide.</li>
	<li>Spread the BM smears to uniform thickness with sharp tails by quickly removing the BM. Then, dry naturally.</li>
	<li>Cover the BM films with 1 mL of Wright-Giemsa solution for approximately 10 s at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Add 1 mL of phosphate buffer to the slides. 
	NOTE: Take care to prevent the dye solution from drying or &#64258;owing off the slides.</li>
	<li>Mix the dye solution gently and maintain it for 15 min at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Rinse the slides with clean water and dry them in air at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Use forward light microscopy to detect malignant PCs. The PCs should be well dispersed.</li>
</ol>
2. FISH pre-processing of the BM smears
<ol>
	<li>Cover the hybridized area with fixative solution for 10 min to discolor and fix the PCs.
	<ol>
		<li>To prepare fresh fixative solution, mix methanol with glacial acetic acid in a volume ratio of 3:1.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Rinse the slide with deionized water (dH2O) and dry it in air at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Preheat a jar containing 2x SSC buffer to 56 &#176;C in a water bath. Freshly dilute the buffer to 20x SSC before use.
	<ol>
		<li>To prepare 20x SSC, thoroughly mix 176 g of sodium chloride and 88 g of sodium citrate with 800 mL of dH2O. Measure the pH and adjust to pH 5.3 &#177; 0.2. Then, add dH2O to bring the final volume to 1 L.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Wash the prepared BM smear in the preheated 2x SSC buffer for 10 min, followed by dipping it into deionized water at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Dehydrate the smear in an ethanol gradient (70%, 85%, and 100% ethanol, each for 1 min). Air-dry the smear for 10 min.</li>
</ol>
3. BM smear FISH and washing
NOTE: All steps were performed in a dark room to prevent fluorescence quenching.
<ol>
	<li>Add the TP53/centromere of chromosome 17 (CEP17) probe mixture to the hybridization area and cover it with a coverslip. Press gently with fine-pointed tweezers to remove air bubbles from underneath.</li>
	<li>Seal all sides of the coverslip with rubber cement to ensure good tightness.</li>
	<li>After solidification of the rubber cement, place the slide on an automatic FISH machine. Perform denaturation at 78 &#176;C for 5 min, followed by hybridization at 37 &#176;C overnight.</li>
	<li>Pick up the slide from the FISH machine. Use fine-pointed tweezers to remove the rubber cement gently.</li>
	<li>Immerse the slide in 2x SSC at room temperature for approximately 1 or 2 min to wash the coverslip off.</li>
	<li>Wash the slide in 68 &#176;C preheated 0.4x SSC/0.3% NP-40 buffer in a water bath for 2 min.
	<ol>
		<li>Prepare 0.4x SSC/0.3% NP-40 solution by thoroughly mixing 20 mL of 20x SSC (pH 5.3) with 950 mL of dH2O. Then, add 3 mL of NP-40 and mix thoroughly until completely dissolved. Measure the pH and adjust to 7.0-7.5 with NaOH. Then, add dH2O to bring the final volume of the total solution to 1 L.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Wash the slides with 2x SSC in a 37 &#176;C water bath for 1 min. Set upright in the dark to dry thoroughly for 10 min.</li>
	<li>Add 10 &#181;L of DAPI to the hybridized area and cover with a coverslip.</li>
</ol>
4. FISH analysis and imaging
<ol>
	<li>View the hybridized slide using a suitable filter set on a fluorescence microscope.</li>
	<li>Use a monochromatic blue fluorophore optical filter to observe the fluorescence intensity of the cell nucleus. Take cell nucleus images under a DAPI filter set.</li>
	<li>Use a chromosome centromere probe to show how many chromosomes a cell contains. Label CEP17 with green fluorescence. Use a spectrum green fluorophore optical filter to observe the location of CEP17. Take a CEP17 signals image under the green filter set.</li>
	<li>Label the TP53 gene with orange fluorescence. Use a spectrum orange fluorophore optical filter to observe TP53. Take a TP53 signals image under this set.</li>
	<li>Merge these three images and examine them for numerical abnormalities. 
	NOTE: In a normal interphase cell, two orange and two green signals are observed inside a nucleus with blue fluorescence, indicating one pair of normal chromosome 17 (Figure 1).</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Sonneveld, 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=Treatment+of+multiple+myeloma+with+high-risk+cytogenetics:+a+consensus+of+the+International+Myeloma+Working+Group.">Treatment of multiple myeloma with high-risk cytogenetics: a consensus of the International Myeloma Working Group.</a> Blood. 127, 2955-2962 (2016).</li><li>Radbruch, 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=Competence+and+competition:+the+challenge+of+becoming+a+long-lived+plasma+cell.">Competence and competition: the challenge of becoming a long-lived plasma cell.</a> Nature Reviews Immunology. 6, 741-750 (2006).</li><li>Lai, J. 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=Improved+cytogenetics+in+multiple+myeloma:+a+study+of+151+patients+including+117+patients+at+diagnosis.">Improved cytogenetics in multiple myeloma: a study of 151 patients including 117 patients at diagnosis.</a> Blood. 85 (9), 2490-2497 (1995).</li><li>Hallek, M., Bergsagel, P. L., Anderson, K. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiple+myeloma:+increasing+evidence+for+a+multistep+transformation+process.">Multiple myeloma: increasing evidence for a multistep transformation process.</a> Blood. 91, 3-21 (1998).</li><li>Munsh, N. 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=Consensus+recommendations+for+risk+stratification+in+multiple+myeloma:+report+of+the+International+Myeloma+Workshop+Consensus+Panel+2.">Consensus recommendations for risk stratification in multiple myeloma: report of the International Myeloma Workshop Consensus Panel 2.</a> Blood. 117, 4696-4700 (2011).</li><li>Gole, 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=cIg-FISH+On+Patients+with+Multiple+Myeloma+-+A+Modified+and+Simple+Technique+Easily+Incorporated+Into+Routine+Clinical+Service.">cIg-FISH On Patients with Multiple Myeloma - A Modified and Simple Technique Easily Incorporated Into Routine Clinical Service.</a> Blood. 120, 4792-4792 (2012).</li><li>Lee, S. H., Erber, W., Porwit, A., Tomonaga, M., Peterson, L. I. C. S. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hematology,+ICSH+guidelines+for+the+standardization+of+bone+marrow+specimens+and+reports.">Hematology, ICSH guidelines for the standardization of bone marrow specimens and reports.</a> International Journal of Laboratory Hematology. 30, 349-364 (2008).</li><li>&#352;tifter, 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=Combined+evaluation+of+bone+marrow+aspirate+and+biopsy+is+superior+in+the+prognosis+of+multiple+myeloma.">Combined evaluation of bone marrow aspirate and biopsy is superior in the prognosis of multiple myeloma.</a> Diagnostic Pathology. 5, 30 (2010).</li><li>Huegel, A., Coyle, L., McNeil, R., Smith, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+interphase+fluorescence+in+situ+hybridization+on+direct+hematological+bone+marrow+smears.">Evaluation of interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization on direct hematological bone marrow smears.</a> Pathology. 27, 86-90 (1995).</li><li>Jacobsson, B., Bernell, P., Arvidsson, I., Hast, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Classical+morphology,+esterase+cytochemistry,+and+interphase+cytogenetics+of+peripheral+blood+and+bone+marrow+smears.">Classical morphology, esterase cytochemistry, and interphase cytogenetics of peripheral blood and bone marrow smears.</a> The Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry. 44, 1303-1309 (1996).</li><li>Dunning, K., Safo, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+ultimate+Wright-Giemsa+stain:+60+years+in+the+making.">The ultimate Wright-Giemsa stain: 60 years in the making.</a> Biotechnic &amp; Histochemistry. 86, 69-75 (2011).</li><li>Woronzoff-Dashkoff, K. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+wright-giemsa+stain.+Secrets+revealed.">The wright-giemsa stain. Secrets revealed.</a> Clinics in Laboratory Medicine. 22, 15-23 (2002).</li><li>McPherson, R. A., Pincus, M. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Henry's+Clinical+diagnosis+and+Management+by+Laboratory+Methods+E-book.">Henry's Clinical diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods E-book.</a> Elsevier Health Sciences. , (2017).</li><li>Ross, F. 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=Report+from+the+European+Myeloma+Network+on+interphase+FISH+in+multiple+myeloma+and+related+disorders.">Report from the European Myeloma Network on interphase FISH in multiple myeloma and related disorders.</a> Haematologica. 97, 1272-1277 (2012).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

The application of FISH to genetic risk stratification in MM is essential. The critical part of FISH reports is not all nucleated cells, but clonal PCs specifically purified or identified by sorting with anti-CD138 magnetic beads or marking with cytoplasmic immunoglobulin light chain &#954; or &#955;. Interphase FISH after PC sorting or cIg-FISH was found to be significant in the diagnosis of MM due to the relatively lower proportion of PCs in the BM. However, these methods have some shortcomings, including complex proce...

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant plasma cell (PC) disease with strong biological heterogeneity and large individual differences in clinical efficacy, with survival periods ranging from months to decades. Cytogenetic characteristics are important prognostic indicators of MM. The risk stratification system and individualized treatments based on genetic characteristics have become topics of intense interest in clinical research on MM1. The aberrations of PCs tested in a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panel of bone marrow (BM) include del 13q14 (RB1), del 17p13 (TP53), t(4;14) (IGH/FGFR3), t(11;14) (IGH/MYEOV), t(14;16) (IGH/MAF), t(14:20) (IGH/MAFB), 1q21 (CKS1B) gain/amplification, and 1p (CDKN2C) deletion.
Standard metaphase cytogenetics should be included in the initial assessment of MM patients. Although conventional G-banded karyotyping offers the benefit of a whole-chromosome analysis, the low yield of this method leads to many false negative results2. Traditionally, PCs have been viewed as largely incapable of splitting because they are the end-stage products of B lymphocyte differentiation. This makes it difficult to obtain split images. Improved cytogenetic analysis in MM with long-term cultures (6 days) and stimulation of cultures by cytokines may be a promising method for identifying cytogenetic abnormalities in newly diagnosed MM patients3. Even when the culture time was prolonged to 6 days, however, cytogenetic abnormalities were accurately reported in 30%-50% of MM patients4. Furthermore, MM is characterized by complex cytogenetic aberrations that reflect its prognostic heterogeneity. However, the resolution of traditional chromosome banding technology is low, which may easily lead to missed detection of chromosomal abnormalities in MM.
Interphase FISH, preferably after CD138-positive magnetic bead-based PC sorting or marking with cytoplasmic immunoglobulin light chain &#954;/&#955;, is indispensable in the analysis of MM5,6. A CD138-positive selected sample is strongly recommended for the optimized yield of tumor cells. However, accurate quantitation of cytogenetic aberrations requires at least 4 mL of anticoagulated BM for PC sorting. Additionally, the combinations of either CD138 immunomagnetic bead sorting with FISH or cytoplasmic &#954;/&#955; light chain immunoglobulin with FISH testing (cIg-FISH) increase numerous experimental costs and are time-consuming.
Usually, the PC ratio is first assessed from the morphological examination of stained BM smears or BM biopsy sections7,8. BM specimens of the highest quality (first marrow aspirate samples) are used for morphological testing, whereas those sent for FISH or other detection are often the secondary aspirate samples with high ratios of dilution with peripheral blood.
As early as the 1990s, multiple studies showed that BM smears can be directly used for interstitial FISH examinations, which has proven to be a reliable and repeatable method9. An elegant study based on cell morphology and esterase cytochemistry combined with FISH of peripheral blood and BM smears confirmed its great clinical significance for elucidating chromosomal abnormalities in patients with granulocytic and lymphocytic leukemia10.
Herein, we provide a novel method for improving the success of interphase FISH detection in MM patients.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>automatic FISH machine</td>
			<td>Leica&#160; Corporation</td>
			<td>S500-24</td>
			<td>FINAL Assy Thermobrite 240V</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DAPI</td>
			<td>Abbott Molecular Inc.</td>
			<td>06J49-001</td>
			<td>DAPI Counterstain</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FISH Analysis Software</td>
			<td>IMSTAR&#160; Corporation</td>
			<td>IMSTAR</td>
			<td>FISH Analysis Software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FISH Probe</td>
			<td>Abbott Molecular Inc.</td>
			<td>05N56-020</td>
			<td>Vysis Locus Specifc Identifer TP53 / CEP 17 FISH Probe Kit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fixed volume pipette</td>
			<td>Eppendorf China Ltd.</td>
			<td>M33768H</td>
			<td>10&#160; microliter</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescence Microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus Corporation</td>
			<td>BX53</td>
			<td>Forward Fluorescence Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Karyotype Analysis Software</td>
			<td>IMSTAR&#160; Corporation</td>
			<td>IMSTAR</td>
			<td>Karyotype Analysis Software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Light Microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus&#160; Corporation</td>
			<td>BX41</td>
			<td>Forward Light Microscope</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NP-40</td>
			<td>Abbott Molecular Inc.</td>
			<td>07J05-001</td>
			<td>NP-40</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plastic staining dyeing rack</td>
			<td>Guangzhou Kaixiu Trading Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>RSJ-501</td>
			<td>&#160;24 slides</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plastic staining dyeing tank</td>
			<td>Guangzhou Kaixiu Trading Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>RSJ-516</td>
			<td>&#160;24 slides</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rubber Cement</td>
			<td>Marabu&#160;GmbH &#38; Co. KG</td>
			<td>FixoGum&#160;</td>
			<td>Rubber Cement</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SSC</td>
			<td>Abbott Molecular Inc.</td>
			<td>02J10-032</td>
			<td>20&#215;SSC</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Water bath</td>
			<td>Shanghai Boxun Medical Bio-Instrument Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>DK-8D</td>
			<td>Multiple Temperature Water bath</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization of bone marrow smears of multiple myeloma

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) detection is an indispensable method in genetic risk stratification in multiple myeloma (MM), which is one of the most common hematological malignancies. The identifying characteristic of MM is accumulated malignant plasma cells in bone marrow. FISH reports for MM mainly focus on purified or identified clonal plasma cells, rather than all nucleated cells, by sorting with anti-CD138 magnetic beads or marking with cytoplasmic immunoglobulin light chain &#954; or &#955;. Bone marrow interphase nuclei are usually obtained from fresh bone marrow cells. However, satisfactory enrichment of plasma cell specimens requires large amounts of fresh heparin anti-coagulated bone marrow, which cannot be obtained in the case of difficult bone marrow extraction or a bone marrow dry tap. Herein, we establish a novel method to improve the success of FISH detection on stained or unstained bone marrow smears. Bone marrow smears are easier to obtain than anticoagulated bone marrow specimens.

In the initial morphological assessment of a newly diagnosed MM patient, 15% of PCs in a BM smear were found to have larger and darker nuclei along with larger amounts of cytoplasm than normal PCs (Figure 2A). The first tube of heparin anti-coagulated BM detected by the immunophenotype technique revealed only 2.3% of the monoclonal aberrant PCs. CD138 immunomagnetic bead sorting in combination with FISH or the cIg-FISH technique is essential for obtaining an accurate FISH result. However, as...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Interphase Fluorescence in situ Hybridization of Bone Marrow Smears of Multiple Myeloma at JoVE.com

Interphase Fluorescence in situ Hybridization of Bone Marrow Smears of Multiple Myeloma

Here, we present a protocol for improving the success of interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization detection on bone marrow smears from multiple myeloma patients.

Interphase Fluorescence in situ Hybridization of Bone Marrow Smears of Multiple Myeloma

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) detection is an indispensable method in genetic risk stratification in multiple myeloma (MM), which is one of ...

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4.1K Views.  Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University. Here, we present a protocol for improving the success of interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization detection on bone marrow smears from multiple myeloma patients.

Video: Interphase Fluorescence in situ Hybridization of Bone Marrow Smears of Multiple Myeloma

Oral Biofilm Analysis of Palatal Expanders by Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of natural heterogeneous biofilm is today facilitated by a comprehensive range of staining techniques, one of them being fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).1,2 We performed a pilot study in which oral biofilm samples collected from fixed orthodontic appliances (palatal expanders) were stained by FISH, the objective being to assess the three-dimensional organization of natural biofilm and plaque accumulation.3,4 FISH creates an opportunity to stain cells in their native biofilm environment by the use of fluorescently labeled 16S rRNA-targeting probes.4-7,19 Compared to alternative techniques like immunofluorescent labeling, this is an inexpensive, precise and straightforward labeling technique to investigate different bacterial groups in mixed biofilm consortia.18,20 General probes were used that bind to Eubacteria (EUB338 + EUB338II + EUB338III; hereafter EUBmix),8-10 Firmicutes (LGC354 A-C; hereafter LGCmix),9,10 and Bacteroidetes (Bac303).11 In addition, specific probes binding to Streptococcus mutans (MUT590)12,13 and Porphyromonas gingivalis (POGI)13,14 were used. The extreme hardness of the surface materials involved (stainless steel and acrylic resin) compelled us to find new ways of preparing the biofilm. As these surface materials could not be readily cut with a cryotome, various sampling methods were explored to obtain intact oral biofilm. The most workable of these approaches is presented in this communication. Small flakes of the biofilm-carrying acrylic resin were scraped off with a sterile scalpel, taking care not to damage the biofilm structure. Forceps were used to collect biofilm from the steel surfaces. Once collected, the samples were fixed and placed directly on polysine coated glass slides. FISH was performed directly on these slides with the probes mentioned above. Various FISH protocols were combined and modified to create a new protocol that was easy to handle.5,10,14,15 Subsequently the samples were analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Well-known configurations3,4,16,17 could be visualized, including mushroom-style formations and clusters of coccoid bacteria pervaded by channels. In addition, the bacterial composition of these typical biofilm structures were analyzed and 2D and 3D images created.

We present a protocol for structural and compositional analysis of natural oral biofilm from orthodontic appliances with in situ hybridization (FISH) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Oral biofilm samples were collected from palatal expanders, scraping acrylic-resin flakes off their surface and referring them for molecular processing.

Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of natural heterogeneous biofilm is today facilitated by a comprehensive range of staining techniques, one of ...

High Throughput Sequential ELISA for Validation of Biomarkers of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Unbiased discovery proteomics strategies have the potential to identify large numbers of novel biomarkers that can improve diagnostic and prognostic testing in a clinical setting and may help guide therapeutic interventions. When large numbers of candidate proteins are identified, it may be difficult to validate candidate biomarkers in a timely and efficient fashion from patient plasma samples that are event-driven, of finite volume and irreplaceable, such as at the onset of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a potentially life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Here we describe the process of performing commercially available ELISAs for six validated GVHD proteins: IL-2R&alpha;5, TNFR16, HGF7, IL-88, elafin2, and REG3&alpha;3 (also known as PAP1) in a sequential fashion to minimize freeze-thaw cycles, thawed plasma time and plasma usage. For this procedure we perform the ELISAs in sequential order as determined by sample dilution factor as established in our laboratory using manufacturer ELISA kits and protocols with minor adjustments to facilitate optimal sequential ELISA performance. The resulting plasma biomarker concentrations can then be compiled and analyzed for significant findings within a patient cohort. While these biomarkers are currently for research purposes only, their incorporation into clinical care is currently being investigated in clinical trials.
This technique can be applied to perform ELISAs for multiple proteins/cytokines of interest on the same sample(s) provided the samples do not need to be mixed with other reagents. If ELISA kits do not come with pre-coated plates, 96-well half-well plates or 384-well plates can be used to further minimize use of samples/reagents.

High throughput validation of multiple candidate biomarkers can be performed by sequential ELISA in order to minimize freeze/thaw cycles and use of precious plasma samples. Here, we demonstrate how to sequentially perform ELISAs for six different validated plasma biomarkers1-3 of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)4 on the same plasma sample.

Unbiased discovery proteomics strategies have  the potential to identify large numbers of novel biomarkers that can improve  diagnostic and prognostic ...

Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia

Receptor tyrosine kinases have been implicated in the development and progression of many cancers, including both leukemia and solid tumors, and are attractive druggable therapeutic targets. Here we describe an efficient four-step strategy for pre-clinical evaluation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the treatment of acute leukemia. Initially, western blot analysis is used to confirm target inhibition in cultured leukemia cells. Functional activity is then evaluated using clonogenic assays in methylcellulose or soft agar cultures. Experimental compounds that demonstrate activity in cell culture assays are evaluated in vivo using NOD-SCID-gamma (NSG) mice transplanted orthotopically with human leukemia cell lines. Initial in vivo pharmacodynamic studies evaluate target inhibition in leukemic blasts isolated from the bone marrow. This approach is used to determine the dose and schedule of administration required for effective target inhibition. Subsequent studies evaluate the efficacy of the TKIs in vivo using luciferase expressing leukemia cells, thereby allowing for non-invasive bioluminescent monitoring of leukemia burden and assessment of therapeutic response using an in vivo bioluminescence imaging system. This strategy has been effective for evaluation of TKIs in vitro and in vivo and can be applied for identification of molecularly-targeted agents with therapeutic potential or for direct comparison and prioritization of multiple compounds.

Receptor tyrosine kinases are ectopically expressed in many cancers and have been identified as therapeutic targets in acute leukemia. This manuscript describes an efficient strategy for pre-clinical evaluation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of acute leukemia.

Receptor tyrosine kinases have been implicated in the development and progression of many cancers, including both leukemia and solid tumors, and are ...

Femoral Bone Marrow Aspiration in Live Mice

Serial sampling of the cellular composition of bone marrow (BM) is a routine procedure critical to clinical hematology. This protocol describes a detailed step-by-step technical procedure for an analogous procedure in live mice which allows for serial characterization of cells present in the BM. This procedure facilitates studies aimed to detect the presence of exogenously administered cells within the BM of mice as would be done in xenograft studies for instance. Moreover, this procedure allows for the retrieval and characterization of cells enriched in the BM such as hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) without sacrifice of mice. Given that the cellular composition of peripheral blood is not necessarily reflective of proportions and types of stem and progenitor cells present in the marrow, procedures which provide access to this compartment without requiring termination of the mice are very helpful. The use of femoral bone marrow aspiration is illustrated here for cytological analysis of marrow cells, flow cytometric characterization of the hematopoietic stem/progenitor compartment, and culture of sorted HSPCs obtained by femoral BM aspiration compared with conventional marrow harvest.

This protocol describes a procedure for serial sampling of femoral bone marrow (BM) without requiring the sacrifice of mice. This procedure facilitates longitudinal studies of the BM composition of mice over time and provides serial access to cells within the BM for ex vivo and transplantation studies.

Serial sampling of the cellular composition of bone marrow (BM) is a routine procedure critical to clinical hematology. This protocol describes a detailed ...

Busulfan as a Myelosuppressive Agent for Generating Stable High-level Bone Marrow Chimerism in Mice

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is often used to replace the bone marrow (BM) compartment of recipient mice with BM cells expressing a distinct biomarker isolated from donor mice. This technique allows for identification of donor-derived hematopoietic cells within the recipient mice, and can be used to isolate and characterize donor cells using various biochemical techniques. BMT typically relies on myeloablative conditioning with total body irradiation to generate niche space within the BM compartment of recipient mice for donor cell engraftment. The protocol we describe here uses myelosuppressive conditioning with the chemotherapeutic agent busulfan. Unlike irradiation, which requires the use of specialized facilities, busulfan conditioning is performed using intraperitoneal injections of 20 mg/kg busulfan until a total dose of 60-100 mg/kg has been administered. Moreover, myeloablative irradiation can have toxic side effects and requires successful engraftment of donor cells for survival of recipient mice. In contrast, busulfan conditioning using these doses is generally well tolerated and mice survive without donor cell support. Donor BM cells are isolated from the femurs and tibiae of mice ubiquitously expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP), and injected into the lateral tail vein of conditioned recipient mice. BM chimerism is estimated by quantifying the number of GFP+ cells within the peripheral blood following BMT. Levels of chimerism&nbsp;>80% are typically observed in the peripheral blood 3-4 weeks post-transplant and remain established for at least 1 year. As with irradiation, conditioning with busulfan and BMT allows for the accumulation of donor BM-derived cells within the central nervous system (CNS), particularly in mouse models of neurodegeneration. This busulfan-mediated CNS accumulation may be more physiological than total body irradiation, as the busulfan treatment is less toxic and CNS inflammation appears to be less extensive. We hypothesize that these cells can be genetically engineered to deliver therapeutics to the CNS.

We describe a protocol whereby busulfan conditioning permits the bone marrow of a recipient mouse to be replaced with bone marrow cells from donor mice ubiquitously expressing green fluorescent protein, in the absence of irradiation. This technique is useful to study bone marrow cell accumulation in the central nervous system.

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is often used to replace the bone marrow (BM) compartment of recipient mice with BM cells expressing a distinct ...

Establishment of a Human Multiple Myeloma Xenograft Model in the Chicken to Study Tumor Growth, Invasion and Angiogenesis

Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignant plasma cell disease, remains incurable and novel drugs are required to improve the prognosis of patients. Due to the lack of the bone microenvironment and auto/paracrine growth factors human MM cells are difficult to cultivate. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish proper in vitro and in vivo culture systems to study the action of novel therapeutics on human MM cells. Here we present a model to grow human multiple myeloma cells in a complex 3D environment in vitro and in vivo. MM cell lines OPM-2 and RPMI-8226 were transfected to express the transgene GFP and were cultivated in the presence of human mesenchymal cells and collagen type-I matrix as three-dimensional spheroids. In addition, spheroids were grafted on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chicken embryos and tumor growth was monitored by stereo fluorescence microscopy. Both models allow the study of novel therapeutic drugs in a complex 3D environment and the quantification of the tumor cell mass after homogenization of grafts in a transgene-specific GFP-ELISA. Moreover, angiogenic responses of the host and invasion of tumor cells into the subjacent host tissue can be monitored daily by a stereo microscope and analyzed by immunohistochemical staining against human tumor cells (Ki-67, CD138, Vimentin) or host mural cells covering blood vessels (desmin/ASMA).
In conclusion, the onplant system allows studying MM cell growth and angiogenesis in a complex 3D environment and enables screening for novel therapeutic compounds targeting survival and proliferation of MM cells.

Human multiple myeloma (MM) cells require the supportive microenvironment of mesenchymal cells and extracellular matrix components for survival and proliferation. We established an in vivo chicken embryo model with engrafted human myeloma and mesenchymal cells to study effects of cancer drugs on tumor growth, invasion and angiogenesis.

Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignant plasma cell disease, remains incurable and novel drugs are required to improve the prognosis of patients. Due to the ...

In Vivo Imaging and Tracking of Technetium-99m Labeled Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Equine Tendinopathy

Recent advances in the application of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) for the treatment of tendon and ligament injuries in the horse suggest improved outcome measures in both experimental and clinical studies. Although the BMMSC are implanted into the tendon lesion in large numbers (usually 10 - 20 million cells), only a relatively small number survive (&#60;10%) although these can persist for up to 5 months after implantation. This appears to be a common observation in other species where BMMSC have been implanted into other tissues and it is important to understand when this loss occurs, how many survive the initial implantation process and whether the cells are cleared into other organs. Tracking the fate of the cells can be achieved by radiolabeling the BMMSC prior to implantation which allows non-invasive in vivo imaging of cell location and quantification of cell numbers.
This protocol describes a cell labeling procedure that uses Technetium-99m (Tc-99m), and tracking of these cells following implantation into injured flexor tendons in horses. Tc-99m is a short-lived (t1/2 of 6.01 hr) isotope that emits gamma rays and can be internalized by cells in the presence of the lipophilic compound hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO). These properties make it ideal for use in nuclear medicine clinics for the diagnosis of many different diseases. The fate of the labeled cells can be followed in the short term (up to 36 hr) by gamma scintigraphy to quantify both the number of cells retained in the lesion and distribution of the cells into lungs, thyroid and other organs. This technique is adapted from the labeling of blood leukocytes and could be utilized to image implanted BMMSC in other organs.

In Vivo Imaging and Tracking of Technetium-99m Labeled Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Equine Tendinopathy

This protocol describes the radiolabeling of equine mesenchymal stem cells and their implantation into tendon injuries in the horse in order to determine cell survival and tissue distribution using gamma scintigraphy.

Recent advances in the application of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC) for the treatment of tendon and ligament injuries in the horse suggest ...

An Organotypic High Throughput System for Characterization of Drug Sensitivity of Primary Multiple Myeloma Cells

In this work we describe a novel approach that combines ex vivo drug sensitivity assays and digital image analysis to estimate chemosensitivity and heterogeneity of patient-derived multiple myeloma (MM) cells. This approach consists in seeding primary MM cells freshly extracted from bone marrow aspirates into microfluidic chambers implemented in multi-well plates, each consisting of a reconstruction of the bone marrow microenvironment, including extracellular matrix (collagen or basement membrane matrix) and stroma (patient-derived mesenchymal stem cells) or human-derived endothelial cells (HUVECs). The chambers are drugged with different agents and concentrations, and are imaged sequentially for 96 hr through bright field microscopy, in a motorized microscope equipped with a digital camera. Digital image analysis software detects live and dead cells from presence or absence of membrane motion, and generates curves of change in viability as a function of drug concentration and exposure time. We use a computational model to determine the parameters of chemosensitivity of the tumor population to each drug, as well as the number of sub-populations present as a measure of tumor heterogeneity. These patient-tailored models can then be used to simulate therapeutic regimens and estimate clinical response.

We describe a high-throughput drug sensitivity assay for primary multiple myeloma cells. It consists of a reconstruction of the bone marrow microenvironment (including extracellular matrix and stroma) in multi-well plates, and a non-invasive method for longitudinal quantification of cell viability.

In this work we describe a novel approach that combines ex vivo drug sensitivity assays and digital image analysis to estimate chemosensitivity and ...

Clinicopathological Analysis of miRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Tissues by Using miRNA In Situ Hybridization

In this article, we describe a detailed protocol for miRNA detection in breast cancer tissue using in situ hybridization with a digoxigenin-labelled LNA (Locked Nucleic Acid) probe. The probe was recognized by anti-DIG alkaline phosphatase antibodies and later developed using alkaline phosphatase substrate producing fluorescence signals. Here we utilized miRNA in situ hybridization (MISH) technique to analyze expression of miR-489 in tissues from breast cancer patients. This technique can detect the localization of miRNA of interest in individual tissue samples. This technique can be used to compare the expression of desired miRNA in tumor tissue with that in adjacent normal tissue and to identify the specific structures responsible for expressing this miRNA. This technique can be very useful in answering certain clinical questions, such as role of specific miRNA in the development of cancer. Our results indicate that mammary epithelial cells express significantly higher levels of miR-489 than adjacent tumor cells.

Clinicopathological Analysis of miRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Tissues by Using miRNA In Situ Hybridization

Here we present a protocol to detect miRNA expression in breast cancer patient samples using miRNA in situ hybridization.

In this article, we describe a detailed protocol for miRNA detection in breast cancer tissue using in situ hybridization with a digoxigenin-labelled LNA ...

Isolation and Cellular Phenotyping of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Synovial Fluid and Bone Marrow of Minipigs

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been established after isolation from various tissue sources, including bone marrow and synovial fluid. Recently, synovial-fluid-derived MSCs were reported to have multi-lineage differentiation potential and immunomodulatory features, which indicates that these cells can be used for tissue engineering and systemic treatments. This study presents a protocol for simple and non-invasive isolation of MSCs derived from the bone marrow and synovial fluid of minipigs to analyze cell surface markers for cell phenotyping and in vitro culturing. Using sexually mature six-month-old minipigs, bone marrow was extracted from the iliac crest bone using a bone marrow extractor, and the synovial fluid was aspirated from the femorotibial joint. Procedures for the collection of samples from both sources were non-invasive. The protocols for effective isolation of MSCs from harvested cell sources and for creating in vitro culture conditions to expand stable MSCs from minipigs and the application of systemic autologous treatments are provided. For cell phenotyping, the cell surface markers of both cells were analyzed using flow cytometry. In the results, the MSCs were isolated from the synovial fluid of the minipigs and showed that synovial-fluid-derived MSCs have a similar morphology and cell phenotype to bone-marrow-derived MSCs. Therefore, non-invasively obtained synovial fluid is a valuable source of MSCs.

A protocol establishing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from the synovial fluid and bone marrow of minipigs and non-invasively collected using syringe aspiration is presented. Cellular phenotyping was performed using flow cytometry after cell isolation and in vitro cultivation of bone marrow and synovial fluids derived from MSCs.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been established after isolation from various tissue sources, including bone marrow and synovial fluid. Recently, ...