Evaluation of LC3-II Release via Extracellular Vesicles in Relation to the Accumulation of Intracellular LC3-positive Vesicles

Summary

Here, we present the methodology for concisely assessing autophagosome marker LC3-II levels in extracellular vesicles (EVs) by immunoblotting. Analysis for LC3-II levels in EVs, autolysosome formation, and omegasome formation suggests the new role of STX6 in the release of LC3-II-positive EVs when autophagosome-lysosome fusion is inhibited.

Abstract

(Macro)autophagy represents a fundamental cellular degradation pathway. In this process, double-membraned vesicles known as autophagosomes engulf cytoplasmic contents, subsequently fusing with lysosomes for degradation. Beyond the canonical role, autophagy-related genes also modulate a secretory pathway involving the release of inflammatory molecules, tissue repair factors, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). Notably, the process of disseminating pathological proteins between cells, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases affecting the brain and spinal cord, underscores the significance of understanding this phenomenon. Recent research suggests that the transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43), a key player in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration, is released in an autophagy-dependent manner via EVs enriched with the autophagosome marker microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B-II (LC3-II), especially when autophagosome-lysosome fusion is inhibited.

To elucidate the mechanism underlying the formation and release of LC3-II-positive EVs, it is imperative to establish an accessible and reproducible method for evaluating both intracellular and extracellular LC3-II-positive vesicles. This study presents a detailed protocol for assessing LC3-II levels via immunoblotting in cellular and EV fractions obtained through differential centrifugation. Bafilomycin A1 (Baf), an inhibitor of autophagosome-lysosome fusion, serves as a positive control to enhance the levels of intracellular and extracellular LC3-II-positive vesicles. Tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101) is used as a marker for multivesicular bodies. Applying this protocol, it is demonstrated that siRNA-mediated knockdown of syntaxin-6 (STX6), a genetic risk factor for sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, augments LC3-II levels in the EV fraction of cells treated with Baf while showing no significant effect on TSG101 levels. These findings suggest that STX6 may negatively regulate the extracellular release of LC3-II via EVs, particularly under conditions where autophagosome-lysosome fusion is impaired. Combined with established methods for evaluating autophagy, this protocol provides valuable insights into the role of specific molecules in the formation and release of LC3-II-positive EVs.

Introduction

Transactivation response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a widely expressed heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein involved in regulating exon splicing, gene transcription, and mRNA stability, all vital for cell survival^1,2. In neurodegenerative conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), a nuclear protein TDP-43 abnormally accumulates in the cytoplasm. This shift results in a loss of TDP-43 function in the nucleus and a toxic gain-of-function in the cytoplasm. Pathological accumulation of TDP-43 begins in specific regions of the brain and spinal cord, ....

Protocol

1. Preparation of the cell, P1, and P2 EV fraction from the cultured medium of HeLa cells

1. Preparation of the P1 and P2 EV fraction from the cultured medium of HeLa cells
   1. Day 1
      1. Count the cells using a cell counter and seed 1 × 10⁶ cells on a 6 cm plate containing a culture medium composed of DMEM High Glucose, 10% FBS, and 1% penicillin/streptomycin. Incubate the cells at 37 °C with 5% CO₂ and controlled humidity for 24 h.
      .......

Discussion

The immunoblotting study revealed LC3-II and TSG101 levels in the cellular fraction, the microvesicle-rich P1 EV fraction, and the exosome-rich P2 EV fraction. Live-cell imaging was used to examine autophagosomes, autolysosomes, and omegasomes, providing insight into whether STX6 knockdown influences autophagy. These combined results suggest that STX6 knockdown affects the release of LC3-II positive EVs, potentially linked to dysregulation of the autophagy pathway. A key advantage of this method is its .......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
0.25 % Trypsin EDTA	Fujifilm Wako	201-16945
10 cm Dish	Thermo Fisher Scientific	150464
15 mL Tube	Thermo Fisher Scientific	339650
200 μL Pipette Tip	Nippon Genetics	FG-301	pipetting
2-Mercaptoethanol	Nacalai Tesque	21417-52	a material for sample buffer solution
3,3'-Diaminobenzidine Tetrahydrochloride	Nacalai Tesque	11009-41	a material for DAB solution
3.5 cm Dish	Thermo Fisher Scientific	150460
6 cm Dish	TrueLine	TR4001
Aluminium Block Thermostatic Baths (dry thermobaths)	EYELA	273860
Aspirator	SANSYO	SAP-102	inhaling solution
Avanti JXN-30	Beckman Coulter	B34193
Bafilomycin A1	Adipogen	BVT-0252
Biotin-conjugated Goat Anti-rabbit IgG Antibody	Vector Laboratories	BA-1000	2nd antibody for immunoblotting
Biotin-conjugated Horse Antimouse IgG Antibody	Vector Laboratories	BA-2000	2nd antibody for immunoblotting
Blocking One	Nacalai Tesque	03953-95	a material for immunoblotting
Bromophenol Blue	Nacalai Tesque	05808-61	a material for sample buffer solution
Calf Serum	cytiva	SH30073.03
CanoScan LiDE 220	Canon	CSLIDE220	Scanner
Centrifuge 5702 R	eppendolf	5703000039
Counting Slides Dual Chamber	Bio-Rad	1450015J	cell counting
Digital Sonifier 450	BRANSON
Dimethyl Sulfoxide	nacalai tasque	09659-14	vehicle
DMEM High Glucose	Nacalai Tesque	08458-45	culture medium
DMEM without Phenol Red	Nacalai Tesque	08489-45	culture medium
EGTA	Dojindo	348-01311	a material for A68 solution
Excel	Microsoft	version 16.16.27	satistical analysis
EZR	Reference No. 24	version 1.68	satistical analysis
FBS	Sigma	173012	Culture medium
Fiji	NIH		Image analysis tool
Glycerol	Nacalai Tesque	09886-05	a material for sample buffer solution
Hoehst33342	Dojindo	H342
Hydrogen Peroxide	Fujifilm Wako	080-0186	a material for DAB solution
Kimwipe S-200	NIPPON PAPER CRECIA	62011	cleaning wipe
Low Retention Tube	Nippon Genetics	FG-MCT015CLB	siRNA and DNA transfection
LSM780 Confocal Laser Microscope	Carl Zeiss
Monoclonal Mouse Anti-LC3 Antibody	MBL	M186-3	1st antibody for immunoblotting
Nickel(II) Chloride Hexahydrate	Fujifilm Wako	149-01041	a material for DAB solution
N-Lauroylsarcosine Sodium Salt	Nacalai Tesque	20117-12
Optima XE-90 Ultracentrifuge	Beckman Coulter	A94471
Opti-MEM I Reduced Serum Medium	Thermo Fisher Scientific	31985-070	siRNA and DNA transfection
pEGFP-C1-hAtg13	Addgene	22875
Penicillin/Streptomycin	Nacalai Tesque	26253-84	Culture medium
Pierce BCA Protein Assay Kits	Thermo Fisher Scientific	23225
Polyclonal Rabbit Anti-PCNA Antibody	BioAcademia	70-080	1st antibody for immunoblotting
Polyclonal Rabbit Anti-syntaxin 6 Antibody	ProteinTech	10841-1-AP	1st antibody for immunoblotting
Polyclonal Rabbit Anti-TSG101 Antibody	ProteinTech	28283-1-AP	1st antibody for immunoblotting
Polyclonal Rabbit Anti-ULK1 Antibody	ProteinTech	20986-1-AP	1st antibody for immunoblotting
Polyvinylidene Difluoride Membrane	Milliore	IPVH00010	a material for immunoblotting
R	R development core team	version 4.4.1	satistical analysis
RNAiMAX	Thermo Fisher Scientific	13778	siRNA transfection reagent
siRNA STX6	Thermo Fisher Scientific	HSS115604	siRNA for transfection
Sodium Chloride	Nacalai Tesque	31320-05	a material for Tris buffer and A68 solution
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate	Fujifilm Wako	192-13981	a material for sample buffer solution
SPARK Microplate Reader	TECAN
Stealth RNAi Negative Control Duplexes, Med GC	Thermo Fisher Scientific	12935300	siRNA transfection
Sucrose	Fujifilm Wako	193-00025	a material for A68 solution
TC20 Automated Cell Counter with Thermal Printer	Bio-Rad	1450109J1	cell counting
Thermobath	TOKYO RIKAKIKAI	MG-3100	incubation
TransIT-293	Mirus Bio	MIR 2700	DNA transfection reagent
TransIT-LT1	Mirus Bio	MIR2300	DNA transfection reagent
Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane	Nacalai Tesque	35406-75	a material for Tris buffer, sample buffer and A68 solution
Trypan Blue Dye 0.40%	Bio-Rad	1450021	cell counting
Ultra-Clear Open-Top Tube, 16 x 96mm	Beckman Coulter	361706	collecting for the P1 EV fraction
Ultra-Clear Tube, 14 x 89mm	Beckman Coulter	344059	collecting for the P2 EV fraction
Vectastain ABC Standard Kit	Vector Laboratories	PK-4000	immunoblotting
Wash Bottle	As One	1-4640-02	washing membrane
μ-Slide 8 Well High	ibidi	80806