We thank P. Chu for performing H&#38;E and histology; and C. Wang and A. McCarty for helpful discussions. Research was supported through funding from the Virginia and D. K. Ludwig Fund for Cancer Research; the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL058770 and U01HL099999); and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (RC1 00354) grants to I.W. Y.R. was supported by the Human Frontier Science Program Career Development Award (CDA00017), the German Research Foundation (RI 2787/1), the Siebel Stem Cell Institute, and the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation (1119368-104-GHBJI). J.M.T. was supported by the NIH (T32GM007365), the National Research Service Award (1F30DK108561), and the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans.

All animal experiments were carried out in strict accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) and Stanford University&#39;s Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care (APLAC), (Protocol number #10266) and in the United States, or the European Animal Welfare Act, Directive 2010/63/EU. The protocol was approved by the Committee on the Ethics of Animal Experiments of the Government of Bavaria, Germany, and received the permission No: 55.2-1-54-2532-150-2015.
1. Animal Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Prepare an empty cage with appropriate bedding on a heating pad.</li>
	<li>Prior to touching animals with gloves, rub the mother&#39;s bedding onto the gloves.</li>
	<li>Remove all pups from their mother and place into the empty cage. Remove some of the mother&#39;s bedding and place it in the empty cage with the pups.</li>
	<li>Place the mother in a separate, clean, dry cage away from the surgical field.</li>
	<li>Don new, clean sterile gloves prior to surgical field preparation.&#160;</li>
</ol>
2. Surgical Field Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Using a 10-mL pipette, add 10 mL of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) to a 10-cm Petri dish.</li>
	<li>Pipette 2 mL of betadine or equivalent anti-septic solution in the 10-cm Petri dish.</li>
	<li>Place a dissecting scope on the surgical field. Turn on dissecting scope lamp and adjust the level of light to the surgeon&#39;s comfort. A pup can be placed in the surgical field underneath the dissecting scope lamp. Adequate light can be confirmed by the absence of shadows on the ventral surface of the pup.</li>
	<li>Prepare the isoflurane anesthesia chamber (see Table of Materials) with a nose cone. The chamber should be cleaned without evidence of urine or feces. Place the nose cone and associated tubing under the dissecting scope in the surgical field. Divert the flow of oxygen and isoflurane solely to the nose cone.</li>
	<li>Prepare a post-operative recovery area with a heating pad set at approximately 37 &#176;C. The post-operative recovery should consist of 4 pieces of gauze placed on top of the heating pad. If possible, rub gauze pads in the mother&#39;s bedding, feces, and urine to preserve the mother&#39;s scent. 
	NOTE: It is ill-advised to use a heat lamp, as this makes it difficult to control the temperature. Elevated temperatures will result in the death of neonatal mice.</li>
	<li>Prepare and sterilize all surgical instruments with an autoclave. The tools needed include: micro-dissecting scissors, micro-dissecting forceps, gauze, hemostat, and any 6-0 monofilament non-absorbable suture. Surgical instruments can be resterilzed with any glass bead sterilizer.&#160;</li>
</ol>
3. Partial Lobular Hepatectomy
<ol>
	<li>Anesthetize the pup by placing it in the nose cone on its back and gently taping its feet and hands in place. The pup should be receiving 5% isoflurane in oxygen.
	<ol>
		<li>Allow the pup to sit for 5 min or until adequately anesthetized, which can be verified by a toe pinch test.</li>
		<li>Inject 5 mg/kg of carprofen subcutaneously prior to incision. 
		NOTE: The entire surgery should take no longer than 30 min. Poorer outcomes may be observed in neonates that are under general anesthesia for over 30 min. Take precautions to minimize the length of surgery through thorough field preparation and wetting of the skin prior to closure to minimize suture induced skin tears.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Gently clean off the posterior abdominal wall with a small gauze pad wet with betadine. Allow the betadine to dry for 1 min.</li>
	<li>Make a left mid-clavicular 0.5 cm incision immediately below the rib cage with the micro-dissecting scissors and forceps. Gently separate the skin using forceps and make a second deeper incision into the peritoneal cavity (See&#160;Figure 1C, left and center)</li>
	<li>Gently apply lateral pressure from both sides of the abdomen using the back, blunt ends of the micro-dissecting scissors and forceps to force the apex of the left lobe out of the peritoneal cavity. The left apex of the left lobe should be easily visualized (Figure 1C, right).</li>
	<li>From the apex, amputate and weigh the amount of tissue to be removed.
	<ol>
		<li>Using the micro-dissection scissors, gently amputate the desired amount of tissue from the apex of the left lobe.</li>
		<li>Place the amputated tissue into a 1.5-mL tube filled with PBS. Weigh the amputated tissue using an analytical balance (see Table of Materials). 
		NOTE: Place a piece of gauze or paper on the balance and tare it. Then place the amputated tissue on the gauze or paper and measure its mass.</li>
		<li>Fix the amputated area in 2% paraformaldehyde at room temperature for 1 h and place in optimal cutting temperature (OCT) compound over dry ice for frozen section analysis. Analyze frozen sections by cutting 7-10 &#181;m sections using any standard cryostat.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Using a rolled piece of gauze, gently replace the left lobe into the peritoneal cavity. Leave the gauze in the cavity until the bleeding stops.</li>
	<li>Remove the gauze and wet the surgical site and the surrounding area with gauze soaked with PBS.</li>
	<li>Close the surgical site with 6-0 monofilament, non-absorbable sutures with a running stitch. The peritoneum and skin should be closed separately. 
	NOTE: Gently wetting the skin with gauze soaked with PBS may minimize suture induced tears.</li>
	<li>Gently but thoroughly clean the pup with gauze soaked with PBS and ensure no blood or betadine remains. Roll the soaked gauze pad and gently scrub over the wound sign to clean off any blood or betadine. 
	NOTE: This is especially important as the mother may cannibalize the pups if they are cleaned inadequately.</li>
	<li>Remove the pup from the nose cone and place it on the recovery area that includes the gauze pads exposed to the mother&#39;s feces and urine. Once the pup recovers, replace the pup in the empty cage with the mother&#39;s bedding. 
	NOTE: Do not use a heat lamp. The use of a heat lamp can cause the neonate to overheat.</li>
	<li>Repeat the procedure on the desired number of pups. Although all pups can be used, it is generally advisable to leave a few pups not operated on to be replaced together with the operated pups.</li>
	<li>Replace all pups simultaneously with their mother&#39;s bedding in the mother&#39;s cage.</li>
</ol>
4. Recovery and Analysis
<ol>
	<li>Follow up on the mice daily.
	<ol>
		<li>Check that the wound remains closed and remove any dead pups, if present.</li>
		<li>If the wound reopens, prepare the surgical site and recovery area as previously described, and repeat steps 3.8 to 3.12.</li>
		<li>Inject 5 mg/kg of carpofen subcutaneously 24 and 48 h following the procedure.</li>
		<li>Follow Pups for 56 days or more.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Euthanize the animals after the desired amount of post-operative days by carbon dioxide (CO2) exposure and cervical dislocation.
	<ol>
		<li>Place mice in the induction / euthanasia chamber and turn on the CO2 until mice stop breathing.</li>
		<li>Ensure euthanasia by cervical dislocation. Push down on the dorsal neck of the mouse using the fore-finger and thumb and using the other hand, pull down on tail.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Remove the entire liver en bloc and weigh it.
	<ol>
		<li>Carefully separate each lobe and weigh separately. 
		NOTE: Remove the liver by careful dissection of the diaphragm and hepatic and portal vessels. Separate the lobes from each other by carefully dissecting each lobe at its proximal attachment.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Determine the extent of regeneration by comparing the mass of the amputated left lobe to the mass of the whole liver. An uninjured left lobe is approximately 30% of the whole liver.</li>
</ol>

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The authors have no disclosures.

Acute hepatic injury has traditionally been studied using chemical (acetaminophen, ethanol, carbon tetrachloride), or surgical models (70% partial hepatectomy). The regenerative response after 70% partial hepatectomy has been characterized to involve global hepatocyte hypertrophy and multiple rounds of cell division4,5. To stop hemorrhaging, however, this model is limited, as the major vessels must be ligated leaving an abnormal environment for regeneration. Many...

The ability to regenerate an organ, or to restore form and function, has been thought to be mostly lost over evolutionary time. The regenerative potential of the adult mammalian liver after acute chemical or physical injury has been found to involve the mobilization of all remaining hepatocytes resulting in waves of hypertrophy and few rounds of cell division, resulting in a functional but architecturally different organ1,2,3,4,5. Recently, studies have begun to characterize the regenerative response of neonatal mammalian organs to injury within the first week of life6,7,8. These studies have shown that when injured during neonatal development, certain mammalian organs respond with morphological regeneration instead of compensatory growth or fibrosis7,8.
Recent studies have shown that regeneration of both global structure and function occurs during the early neonatal period6,7,8. Established liver injury protocols involve chemical injury or administration of ethanol9,10,11, acetaminophen12,13,14,15, carbon tetrachloride16,17,18,19, 70% partial hepatectomy4,20,21, or removal of the left and median lobes. Chemical administration leads to hepatocyte cell death, but often leaves micro- and macro-structures intact. Morphologic regeneration cannot be readily studied in this context, as the overall hepatic architecture was not obliterated. The 70% partial hepatectomy involves suture ligation of the major vessels, which is necessary to stop bleeding, but leaves a non-physiologic environment with permanent disruption of vasculature. Furthermore, this method has only been used on adult rodents, and its application to neonates is technically extremely difficult. With this in mind, we developed a method in which 20-30% of the apex of the left lobe is removed in a newborn P0 mouse (Figure 1A-1B). This method is surgically conservative, minimally invasive, not technically challenging, and leads to gross loss of morphology without the ligation of vasculature, leaving room for regeneration to occur. The resulting step-by-step protocol, described below, allows for any researcher to perform a partial lobular hepatectomy on neonatal mice in order to study mammalian neonatal regeneration in the early stages of post-natal life. This method also has clear applications to comparative studies in regenerative medicine and stem cell biology, as it can be used in the liver during later stages of life.
The most common acute liver injury studies are chemically-induced damage, adult liver amputation, or 70% partial hepatectomy. Chemical damage often involves intravenous, intraperitoneal or oral administration of acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride, or ethanol, and is a relatively easy and non-invasive injury model. As previously discussed, chemical damage results in hepatocyte cell death, but often leaves stroma and parenchyma structures intact, making it difficult to make claims about morphologic regeneration. Chemical damage often centers on hepatic vessels, making it a useful technique to study site and cell-specific injury, but also makes it difficult to interrogate, at the whole organ level, other populations that may be situated further from vessels and that may contribute to regeneration. Despite these limitations, chemical damage still remains a useful and highly physiologically relevant injury model.
Adult 70% partial hepatectomy involves the removal of the left and median lobes following ligation of hepatic vasculature. The response to hepatectomy has been well characterized: the amputated liver 14 days post 70% partial hepatectomy develops a grossly different architecture from that of the original undamaged lobe, as the hepatocytes of the remaining right and caudate lobes undergo hypertrophy and a few rounds of cell division4,5. This makes up lost mass and function, but fails to regenerate the two amputated lobes, and therefore does not replace gross morphology. As a result, the injury response to 70% partial hepatectomy is useful to study compensatory growth mechanisms with limited regeneration.
Here, we fully describe a protocol for a neonatal partial lobular hepatectomy. The procedure involves appropriate animal selection and preparation, surgical field preparation, surgery, and recovery. Optimization and adaptation of each of these steps may be required for different applications of the protocol.
We have extensively performed and optimized this protocol on wild type C57BL/6J pups (JAX 000664), however, to study different cell populations and mechanisms of regeneration, we also used various transgenic animals including mice harboring various Cre and CreERT2 transgenes and/or knock-ins (Axin2CreERT2 JAX 018867, and Sox9CreERT2 JAX 018829) in combination with fluorescent reporters, such as the Rainbow and mTmG systems (R26VT2/GK3, R26mT/mG)22,23. We found no need to change this methodology for different mouse strains, as no differences in survival outcomes or regenerative potential were observed.
In addition to using different animal strains, we also performed partial lobular hepatectomies on neonatal mice treated with small molecules, such as 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen and 5-ethynyl-2&#8242;-deoxyuridine (EdU). Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethanol were used as solvents, as it was found that corn oil was a significant cause of morbidity. We otherwise found that intraperitoneal administration of small molecules did not affect survival or regenerative outcomes. We predict that this protocol will be adapted for use with other small molecules to interrogate various aspects of regeneration.
Neonatal mouse surgeries can be technically challenging and may require special expertise in animal handling and microscopic dissection. Animal husbandry expertise is necessary to avoid maternal cannibalism following surgery and during the immediate recovery period.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Animals</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mother with litter of day 0 neonatal pups (any strain)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surrogate mother and surrogate litter (optional)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Standard Reagents</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphate Buffered Serum (PBS)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Providine-iodine or equivalent antiseptic solution</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical Equipment</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissecting microscope</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>ZEMSDV4L MFR # 435421-9901-000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3mm straight spring micro scissors</td>
			<td>Vannas</td>
			<td>72932-01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5SF Forceps</td>
			<td>Dumont</td>
			<td>11252-00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Straight Kelly forceps</td>
			<td>Grainger</td>
			<td>17-050G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heating pad</td>
			<td>Sunbeam</td>
			<td>000771-810-000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane</td>
			<td>Abbott Labs</td>
			<td>0044-5260-05</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rodent Anesthesia System</td>
			<td>Kent Scientific</td>
			<td>1205S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gauze, 10.16 x 10.16cm</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>13-761-52</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Standard Equipment</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1.5ml microcentrifuge tube</td>
			<td>Eppendorf</td>
			<td>22363204</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
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			<td>6-0 monocryl sutures</td>
			<td>Ethicon</td>
			<td>MCP489G</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Petri dish</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>&#160;S35839</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipet-Aid, Plain, 110V</td>
			<td>Drummond</td>
			<td>4-000-110</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mettler Toledo NewClassic ME Analytical Balances</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>01-912-402</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Low Cost Induction Chamber</td>
			<td>Kent Scientific</td>
			<td>SOMNO-0730</td>
			<td></td>
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partial lobular hepatectomy: a surgical model for morphologic liver regeneration

Morphological organ regeneration following acute tissue loss is common among lower vertebrates, but is rarely observed in mammalian postnatal life. Adult liver regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy results in hepatocyte hypertrophy with some replication in remaining lobes with restoration of metabolic activity, but with permanent loss of the injured lobe&#39;s morphology and architecture. Here, we detail a new surgical method in the neonate that leaves a physiologic environment conducive to regeneration. This model involves amputation of the left lobe apex and a subsequent conservative management regimen, and lacks the necessity for ligation of major liver vessels or chemical injury, leaving a physiologic environment where regeneration may occur. We extend this protocol to amputations on juvenile (P7-14) mice, during which the injured liver transitions from organ regeneration to compensatory growth by hypertrophy. The presented, brief 30 min protocol provides a framework to study the mechanisms of regeneration, its age-associated decline in mammals, and the characterization of putative hepatic stem or progenitors.

Figure 1A details a general timeline of the neonatal partial lobular hepatectomy (schematic in Figure 1B), and the expected length of time to wait until regeneration is observed. Subtle regeneration of the left lobe can be observed 7-14 days post surgery. Full regeneration was often observed after 56 days post surgery. Mice should show no signs of physiologic abnormalities after surgery.
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Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Partial Lobular Hepatectomy: A Surgical Model for Morphologic Liver Regeneration at JoVE.com

Partial Lobular Hepatectomy: A Surgical Model for Morphologic Liver Regeneration

Here, we present a new method for partial resection of the left hepatic lobe in neonatal (day 0) mice. This new protocol is suitable for studying acute liver injury and injury response in the neonatal setting.

Morphological organ regeneration following acute tissue loss is common among lower vertebrates, but is rarely observed in mammalian postnatal life. Adult ...

partial-lobular-hepatectomy-surgical-model-for-morphologic-liver

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JoVE Journal

Developmental Biology

12.0K Views.  Stanford University School of Medicine. Here, we present a new method for partial resection of the left hepatic lobe in neonatal (day 0) mice. This new protocol is suitable for studying acute liver injury and injury response in the neonatal setting.

Video: Partial Lobular Hepatectomy: A Surgical Model for Morphologic Liver Regeneration

Kidney Regeneration in Adult Zebrafish by Gentamicin Induced Injury

The kidney is essential for fluid homeostasis, blood pressure regulation and filtration of waste from the body. The fundamental unit of kidney function is the nephron. Mammals are able to repair existing nephrons after injury, but lose the ability to form new nephrons soon after birth. In contrast to mammals, adult fish produce new nephrons (neonephrogenesis) throughout their lives in response to growth requirements or injury. Recently, lhx1a has been shown to mark nephron progenitor cells in the adult zebrafish kidney, however mechanisms controlling the formation of new nephrons after injury remain unknown. Here we show our method for robust and reproducible injury in the adult zebrafish kidney by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of gentamicin, which uses a noninvasive visual screening process to select for fish with strong but nonlethal injury. Using this method, we can determine optimal gentamicin dosages for injury and go on to demonstrate the effect of higher temperatures on kidney regeneration in zebrafish.

Here we present a reliable method to study adult kidney regeneration by inducing acute kidney injury by gentamicin injection. We show that injury is dependent on gentamicin dosage and environmental temperature using in situ hybridization to label lhx1a+ developing new nephrons.

The kidney is essential for fluid homeostasis, blood pressure regulation and filtration of waste from the body. The fundamental unit of kidney function is ...

Deriving Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) from Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells by Different Sizes of Embryoid Bodies

Pluripotent stem cells possess the ability to proliferate indefinitely and to differentiate into almost any cell type. Additionally, the development of techniques to reprogram somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has generated interest and excitement towards the possibility of customized personal regenerative medicine. However, the efficiency of stem cell differentiation towards a desired lineage remains low. The purpose of this study is to describe a protocol to derive retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from iPS cells (iPS-RPE) by applying a tissue engineering approach to generate homogenous populations of embryoid bodies (EBs), a common intermediate during in vitro differentiation. The protocol applies the formation of specific size of EBs using microwell plate technology. The methods for identifying protein and gene markers of RPE by immunocytochemistry and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) are also explained. Finally, the efficiency of differentiation in different sizes of EBs monitored by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of RPE markers is described. These techniques will facilitate the differentiation of iPS cells into RPE for future applications.

Deriving Retinal Pigment Epithelium RPE from Induced Pluripotent Stem iPS Cells by Different Sizes of Embryoid Bodies

The objective of this report is to describe the protocols to derive the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells using different sizes of embryoid bodies.

Pluripotent stem cells possess the ability to proliferate indefinitely and to differentiate into almost any cell type. Additionally, the development of ...

Hepatocyte-specific Ablation in Zebrafish to Study Biliary-driven Liver Regeneration

The liver has a great capacity to regenerate. Hepatocytes, the parenchymal cells of the liver, can regenerate in one of two ways: hepatocyte- or biliary-driven liver regeneration. In hepatocyte-driven liver regeneration, regenerating hepatocytes are derived from preexisting hepatocytes, whereas, in biliary-driven regeneration, regenerating hepatocytes are derived from biliary epithelial cells (BECs). For hepatocyte-driven liver regeneration, there are excellent rodent models that have significantly contributed to the current understanding of liver regeneration. However, no such rodent model exists for biliary-driven liver regeneration. We recently reported on a zebrafish liver injury model in which BECs extensively give rise to hepatocytes upon severe hepatocyte loss. In this model, hepatocytes are specifically ablated by a pharmacogenetic means. Here we present in detail the methods to ablate hepatocytes and to analyze the BEC-driven liver regeneration process. This hepatocyte-specific ablation model can be further used to discover the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of biliary-driven liver regeneration. Moreover, these methods can be applied to chemical screens to identify small molecules that augment or suppress liver regeneration.

To help assess the molecular mechanisms underlying zebrafish biliary-driven liver regeneration, we established a liver injury model in which the nitroreductase-expressing hepatocytes are genetically ablated upon metronidazole treatment. In this protocol, we describe how to adeptly manipulate, monitor and analyze hepatocyte ablation and biliary-driven liver regeneration.

The liver has a great capacity to regenerate. Hepatocytes, the parenchymal cells of the liver, can regenerate in one of two ways: hepatocyte- or ...

Development of an Ethanol-induced Fibrotic Liver Model in Zebrafish to Study Progenitor Cell-mediated Hepatocyte Regeneration

Sustained liver fibrosis with continuation of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein build-up results in the loss of cellular competency of the liver, leading to cirrhosis with hepatocellular dysfunction. Among multiple hepatic insults, alcohol abuse can lead to significant health problems including liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Nonetheless, the identity of endogenous cellular sources that regenerate hepatocytes in response to alcohol has not been properly investigated. Moreover, few studies have effectively modeled hepatocyte regeneration upon alcohol-induced injury. We recently reported on establishing an ethanol (EtOH)-induced fibrotic liver model in zebrafish in which hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) gave rise to hepatocytes upon near-complete hepatocyte loss in the presence of fibrogenic stimulus. Furthermore, through chemical screens using this model, we identified multiple small molecules that enhance hepatocyte regeneration. Here we describe in detail the procedures to develop an EtOH-induced fibrotic liver model and to perform chemical screens using this model in zebrafish. This protocol will be a critical tool to delineate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of how hepatocyte regenerates in the fibrotic liver. Furthermore, these methods will facilitate potential discovery of novel therapeutic strategies for chronic liver disease in vivo.

Sustained fibrosis with deposition of excessive extracellular matrix proteins leads to cirrhosis. Alcohol abuse is one of the main causes of severe liver disease. We established an ethanol-induced zebrafish fibrotic liver model to study the mechanisms and strategies of promoting hepatocyte regeneration upon alcohol-induced injury.

Sustained liver fibrosis with continuation of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein build-up results in the loss of cellular competency of the liver, leading ...

Isolation of Mouse Endometrial Epithelial and Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization

Decidualization is a progesterone-dependent differentiation process of endometrial stromal cells and is a prerequisite for successful embryo implantation. Although many efforts have been made to reveal the underlying mechanisms of decidualization, the exact signaling between the epithelial cells that are in contact with the embryo and the underlying stromal cells remains poorly understood. Therefore, studying decidualization in a way that takes both the epithelial and stromal cells into account could improve our knowledge about the molecular details of decidualization. For this purpose, in vivo models of artificial decidualization are physiologically the most relevant; however, manipulation of intercellular communication is limited. Currently, in vitro cultures of endometrial stromal cells are being used to investigate the modulation of decidualization by several signaling molecules. Conventionally, human or mouse endometrial stromal cells are used. However, the availability of human samples is very often limited. Furthermore, the use of murine tissues is accompanied with variety in the method of culturing. This study presents a validated and standardized method to obtain pure Endometrial Epithelial Cell (EEC) and Stromal Cell (ESC) cultures using adult intact mice treated with estrogen for three consecutive days. The protocol is optimized to improve the yield, viability, and purity of the cells and was further extended in order to study decidualization in a coculture of EEC and ESC. This model may be suitable to exploit the importance of both cell types in decidualization and to evaluate the contribution of significant signaling molecules secreted by EEC or ESC during the intercellular communication.

Isolation of Mouse Endometrial Epithelial and Stromal Cells for In Vitro Decidualization

This study presents a standardized and validated method for the isolation and culture of primary mouse endometrial stromal and epithelial cells, which can be used in a coculture system to study in vitro decidualization.

Decidualization is a progesterone-dependent differentiation process of endometrial stromal cells and is a prerequisite for successful embryo implantation. ...

Surgical Ablation Assay for Studying Eye Regeneration in Planarians

In the study of adult stem cells and regenerative mechanisms, planarian flatworms are a staple in vivo model system. This is due in large part to their abundant pluripotent stem cell population and ability to regenerate all cell and tissue types after injuries that would be catastrophic for most animals. Recently, planarians have gained popularity as a model for eye regeneration. Their ability to regenerate the entire eye (comprised of two tissue types: pigment cells and photoreceptors) allows for the dissection of the mechanisms regulating visual system regeneration. Eye ablation has several advantages over other techniques (such as decapitation or hole punch) for examining eye-specific pathways and mechanisms, the most important of which is that regeneration is largely restricted to eye tissues alone. The purpose of this video article is to demonstrate how to reliably remove the planarian optic cup without disturbing the brain or surrounding tissues. The handling of worms and maintenance of an established colony is also described. This technique uses a 31 G, 5/16-inch insulin needle to surgically scoop out the optic cup of planarians immobilized on a cold plate. This method encompasses both single and double eye ablation, with eyes regenerating within 1-2 weeks, allowing for a wide range of applications. In particular, this ablation technique can be easily combined with pharmacological and genetic (RNA interference) screens for a better understanding of regenerative mechanisms and their evolution, eye stem cells and their maintenance, and phototaxic behavioral responses and their neurological basis.

This protocol shows how to consistently excise planarian eyes (optic cups) without disturbing surrounding tissues. Using an insulin needle and syringe, either one or both eyes can be ablated to facilitate investigations into the mechanisms regulating eye regeneration, the evolution of visual regeneration, and the neural basis of light-induced behavior.

In the study of adult stem cells and regenerative mechanisms, planarian flatworms are a staple in vivo model system. This is due in large part to their ...

Chemical Amputation and Regeneration of the Pharynx in the Planarian Schmidtea mediterranea

Planarians are flatworms that are extremely efficient at regeneration. They owe this ability to a large number of stem cells that can rapidly respond to any type of injury. Common injury models in these animals remove large amounts of tissue, which damages multiple organs. To overcome this broad tissue damage, we describe here a method to selectively remove a single organ, the pharynx, in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. We achieve this by soaking animals in a solution containing the cytochrome oxidase inhibitor sodium azide. Brief exposure to sodium azide causes extrusion of the pharynx from the animal, which we call &#34;chemical amputation.&#34;&#160;Chemical amputation removes the entire pharynx, and generates a small wound where the pharynx attaches to the intestine. After extensive rinsing, all amputated animals regenerate a fully functional pharynx in approximately one week. Stem cells in the rest of the body drive regeneration of the new pharynx. Here, we provide a detailed protocol for chemical amputation, and describe both histological and behavioral methods to assess successful amputation and regeneration.

Chemical Amputation and Regeneration of the Pharynx in the Planarian Schmidtea mediterranea

The planarian Schmidtea mediterranea is an excellent model for studying stem cells and tissue regeneration. This publication describes a method to selectively remove one organ, the pharynx, by exposing animals to the chemical sodium azide. This protocol also outlines methods for monitoring pharynx regeneration.

Planarians are flatworms that are extremely efficient at regeneration. They owe this ability to a large number of stem cells that can rapidly respond to ...

A Familial Hypercholesterolemia Human Liver Chimeric Mouse Model Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Hepatocytes

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is mostly caused by low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) mutations and results in an increased risk of early-onset cardiovascular disease due to marked elevation of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) in blood. Statins are the first line of lipid-lowering drugs for treating FH and other types of hypercholesterolemia, but new approaches are emerging, in particular PCSK9 antibodies, which are now being tested in clinical trials. To explore novel therapeutic approaches for FH, either new drugs or new formulations, we need appropriate in vivo models. However, differences in the lipid metabolic profiles compared to humans are a key problem of the available animal models of FH. To address this issue, we have generated a human liver chimeric mouse model using FH induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived hepatocytes (iHeps). We used Ldlr-/-/Rag2-/-/Il2rg-/- (LRG) mice to avoid immune rejection of transplanted human cells and to assess the effect of LDLR-deficient iHeps in an LDLR null background. Transplanted FH iHeps could repopulate 5-10% of the LRG mouse liver based on human albumin staining. Moreover, the engrafted iHeps responded to lipid-lowering drugs and recapitulated clinical observations of increased efficacy of PCSK9 antibodies compared to statins. Our human liver chimeric model could thus be useful for preclinical testing of new therapies to FH. Using the same protocol, similar human liver chimeric mice for other FH genetic variants, or mutations corresponding to other inherited liver diseases, may also be generated.

Here, we present a protocol to generate a human liver chimeric mouse model of familial hypercholesterolemia using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocytes. This is a valuable model for testing new therapies for hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is mostly caused by low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) mutations and results in an increased risk of early-onset ...

Methods for the Study of Regeneration in Stentor

Cells need to be able to regenerate their parts to recover from external perturbations. The unicellular ciliate Stentor coeruleus is an excellent model organism to study wound healing and subsequent cell regeneration. The Stentor genome became available recently, along with modern molecular biology methods, such as RNAi. These tools make it possible to study single-cell regeneration at the molecular level. The first section of the protocol covers establishing Stentor cell cultures from single cells or cell fragments, along with general guidelines for maintaining Stentor cultures. Culturing Stentor in large quantities allows for the use of valuable tools like biochemistry, sequencing, and mass spectrometry. Subsequent sections of the protocol cover different approaches to inducing regeneration in Stentor. Manually cutting cells with a glass needle allows studying the regeneration of large cell parts, while treating cells with either sucrose or urea allows studying the regeneration of specific structures located at the anterior end of the cell. A method for imaging individual regenerating cells is provided, along with a rubric for staging and analyzing the dynamics of regeneration. The entire process of regeneration is divided in three stages. By visualizing the dynamics of the progression of a population of cells through the stages, the heterogeneity in regeneration timing is demonstrated.

Methods for the Study of Regeneration in Stentor

The giant ciliate, Stentor coeruleus, is an excellent system to study regeneration and wound healing. We present procedures for establishing Stentor cell cultures from single cells or cell fragments, inducing regeneration by cutting cells, chemically inducing the regeneration of membranellar band and oral apparatus, imaging, and analysis of cell regeneration.

Cells need to be able to regenerate their parts to recover from external perturbations. The unicellular ciliate Stentor coeruleus is an excellent model ...

A Simplified and Efficient Method to Isolate Primary Human Keratinocytes from Adult Skin Tissue

Primary human keratinocytes isolated from fresh skin tissues and their expansion in vitro have been widely used for laboratory research and for clinical applications. The conventional isolation method of human keratinocytes involves a two-step sequential enzymatic digestion procedure, which has been proven to be inefficient in generating primary cells from adult tissues due to the low cell recovery rate and reduced cell viability. We recently reported an advanced method to isolate human primary epidermal progenitor cells from skin tissues that utilizes the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 in the medium. Compared with the traditional protocol, this new method is simpler, easier, and less time-consuming, and increases epithelial stem cell yield and enhances their stem cell characteristics. Moreover, the new methodology does not require the separation of the epidermis from the dermis, and, therefore, is suitable for isolating cells from different types of adult tissues. This new isolation method overcomes the major shortcomings of conventional methods and is more suitable for producing large numbers of epidermal cells with high potency both for laboratory and for clinical applications. Here, we describe the new method in detail.

Here we present a protocol to efficiently isolate primary human keratinocytes from adult skin tissues. This method simplifies the conventional procedure by using the ROCK Inhibitor Y-27632 in the inoculation medium to spontaneously separate epidermal cells from dermal cells.

Primary human keratinocytes isolated from fresh skin tissues and their expansion in vitro have been widely used for laboratory research and for clinical ...