Agradecemos ao Dr. Naidenko para ajudar a otimizar as condições refolding. Este trabalho foi financiado pelo NIH pesquisa conceder AI58181 para Laurent Brossay. Cindy Banh é suportado pelo NIH NRSA F31 AI080230. Stephanie Terrizzi e Cindy Banh contribuem igualmente para este trabalho.

Preparação de Corpos de Inclusão <ol><li> Inocular 4 x 500 ml frascos de TB, cada uma contendo 50 mg / ml de cloranfenicol carbenicilina e com uma cultura de bactérias durante a noite expressando a construir KLRG1 plasmídeo. Quando o OD atinge 0,6 Å a 600 nm, induzir com a adição de 0,4 M IPTG e incubar a cultura para um adicional de 4 horas agitação a 37 ° C. </li><li> Ressuspender as células colhidas em pH = 8,0 ressuspensão (50 mM Tris-HCl, 25% (W / V) de sacarose, 1 mM EDTA, 10 mM DTT). Nota: pellets podem ser congeladas nesta fase. </li><li> Piscina não mais que 60 ml de resuspensions bacteriana em um copo de polipropileno. Se necessário, ajustar para 60 ml com tampão TE pH 8,0 e agitar a mistura com metade da velocidade. </li><li> A mistura mexendo add-drop sábio: lisozima (final = 1 mg / ml), MgCl2 (final = 5 mM), 2 mg DNAse I em glicerol a 50% continham 75 mM NaCl, Triton X100 (final = 1%), a TDT ( final = 10 mM). </li><li> Sonicate a solução em gelo por 1,5 min e centrifugar a lisados ​​em 5.000 RPM por 10 min a 4 ° C. <ol class="lalpha"><li> Decantar o sobrenadante. </li><li> Adicionar 15 ml de lavagem pH = 8,0 (50 mM Tris-HCl, 0,5% Triton X-100, 100 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM DTT). </li><li> No gelo, sonicate solução para 1,5 min até que a pelota é completamente ressuspenso. </li><li> Centrifugar as amostras a 5.000 RPM por 10 min a 4 ° C. </li><li> Repita a lavagem 5 vezes. </li></ol></li><li> Repita 5b com tampão de lavagem sem Triton X-100 centrífugas, e ressuspender em 4 ml de tampão TE. </li><li> Pegue o peso úmido inclusão lama corpos e armazenar em tampão TE para uma concentração de 30 a 100 mg / ml. </li></ol> Redobrando de KLRG1 <ol><li> Fazer 1 L de refolding pH = 8,0 (0,4 M-arginina HCl, 0,1 M Tris pH 8-8,3, 2 mM EDTA, 0,2 mM PMSF, 3 EDTA livre de comprimidos inibidores da protease, 5 GSH mM e 0,5 mM GSSG) frio e a 4 ° C, agitando. </li><li> Preparar os corpos de inclusão para injeção a mistura dobrar: É ideal para fazer 5 10 injeções cada um com 0,25 mM de concentração 0,5, para que a concentração final da proteína será 2 3 mM. <ol class="lalpha"><li> Derreta o volume de 50 mg de polpa corpos de inclusão em 7 M GnHCl com 10 mM β-mercaptoetanol. </li><li> Mantenha a inclusão corpos / mistura GnHCl a 37 ° C por 30 - 40 min e vórtice cada 5 minutos para garantir a fusão completa (chorume ficará claro quando completamente derretido). </li><li> Centrifugar a velocidade máxima por 30 minutos em microcentrífuga a 4 ° C e transferir o sobrenadante para um tubo de centrífuga de 15 ml. Não transferir qualquer um dos pelota pequena enegrecida. </li></ol></li><li> Ajustar o volume com tampão de injeção (3 M GnHCl, 10 NaAcetate mM, pH 4.2,10 mM EDTA). </li><li> Injectar 1 ml de corpos de inclusão diluído a cada hora. Ao injetar, mexa em alta velocidade, adicionar 1 ml de diluída gota a gota, corpos de inclusão com 2 segundos entre cada gota. Quando a injeção é feita, agitar a baixa velocidade. </li><li> Continue mexendo noite para o dia em baixa velocidade, a 4 ° C. </li></ol> Concentração de reações redobrando <ol><li> Seguindo o protocolo Millipore s, concentrar a L 1 de pré-filtrada reação (0,22 mM filtrada) refolding usando um Amicon Stirred Celular e YM10 membrana de ultrafiltração NMWL 10K (Millipore) para ~ 10 ml. </li><li> Concentre-se a ≤ 2 ml usando um Centriplus YM-10 10K MWCO (Millipore). </li></ol> Purificação da KLRG1 tetrâmero <ol><li> Configurar o AKTAFPLC a 4 ° C de acordo com manuais GE Healthcare. </li><li> Purificar a forma de monômero de KLRG1 por cromatografia de exclusão utilizando um tamanho Sephacryl S-200 de alta resolução 16/60 coluna (GE Healthcare) em 20 mM HEPES e 150 mM NaCl. (Veja Figura 1). </li><li> Concentrado para 1 ml usando Centriplus YM-10 10K MWCO (Millipore). </li><li> Use enzima Bira acordo com o protocolo de avidez s para biotinylate do monômero KLRG1. </li><li> A biotina livre é eliminado por cromatografia por exclusão de tamanho como em 2. </li><li> KLRG1 molécula é tetramerized misturando KLRG1 monômero com 4 vezes molar excesso PE estreptavidina conjugada (BD Biosciences). </li></ol> Resultados representante <a href="https://www-jove-com.remotexs.ntu.edu.sg/files/ftp_upload/1702/1702fig1.jpg"><img src="/files/ftp_upload/1702/1702fig1tmb.jpg" alt="Figura 1" border="0" /></a> Figura 1. Representante resultados positivos da cromatografia de exclusão AKTA FPLC tamanho do refolded KLRG1. O gráfico mostra a separação do monômero (83,52 ml), dímero (56,36 ml), e multimer forma (36,26 ml) da KLRG1 redobrada. O pico em 94,25 ml representa a troca de buffer.

<ol>
	<li>Tessmer, M. S., Fugere, C., Stevenaert, F., Naidenko, O. V., Chong, H. J., Leclercq, G., Brossay, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=KLRG1+binds+cadherins+and+preferentially+associates+with+SHIP-1.">KLRG1 binds cadherins and preferentially associates with SHIP-1.</a> Int Immunol. 19, 391-400 (2007).</li><li>Grundemann, C., Bauer, M., Schweier, O., von Oppen, N., Lassing, U., Saudan, P., Becker, K. F., Karp, K., Hanke, T., Bachmann, M. F., Pircher, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cutting+edge:+identification+of+E-cadherin+as+a+ligand+for+the+murine+killer+cell+lectin-like+receptor+G1.">Cutting edge: identification of E-cadherin as a ligand for the murine killer cell lectin-like receptor G1.</a> J Immunol. 176, 1311-1315 (2006).</li><li>Ito, M., Maruyama, T., Saito, N., Koganei, S., Yamamoto, K., Matsumoto, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Killer+cell+lectin-like+receptor+G1+binds+three+members+of+the+classical+cadherin+family+to+inhibit+NK+cell+cytotoxicity.">Killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 binds three members of the classical cadherin family to inhibit NK cell cytotoxicity.</a> J Exp Med. 203, 289-295 (2006).</li><li>Li, Y., Hofmann, M., Wang, Q., Teng, L., Chlewicki, L. K., Pircher, H., Mariuzza, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structure+of+natural+killer+cell+receptor+KLRG1+bound+to+E-cadherin+reveals+basis+for+MHC-independent+missing+self+recognition.">Structure of natural killer cell receptor KLRG1 bound to E-cadherin reveals basis for MHC-independent missing self recognition.</a> Immunity. 31, 35-46 (2009).</li><li>Nakamura, S., Kuroki, K., Ohki, I., Sasaki, K., Kajikawa, M., Maruyama, T., Ito, M., Kameda, Y., Ikura, M., Yamamoto, K., Matsumoto, N., Maenaka, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=K.+Molecular+basis+for+E-cadherin+recognition+by+killer+cell+lectin-like+receptor+G1+(KLRG1).">K. Molecular basis for E-cadherin recognition by killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1).</a> J Biol Chem. , .</li></ol>

Neste protocolo, é mostrado como purificar, biotinylate e KLRG1 tetramerize. KLRG1 tetrâmero pode ser usado para rotular KLRG1 ligantes por citometria de fluxo. Embora as condições refolding terá de ser testado empiricamente para cada proteína, outras lectinas tipo C pode ser tetramerized usando um protocolo similar. Uso de proteínas tetramerized como sondas, ligantes para receptores órfão tipo C lectina poderia ser identificado.

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		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
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<tr>
<td>BirA Enzyme and Buffer</td>
<td>Biotinylation Kit</td>
<td>Avidity</td>
<td>BIRA500</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Complete Mini Protease Inhibitor Tablets, EDTA Free</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Roche</td>
<td>11 836 170 001</td>
<td>or equivalent</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Amicon Stirred Cell</td>
<td>Equipment</td>
<td>Millipore</td>
<td>Model #8400</td>
<td>or equivalent</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>YM10 NMWL 10K ultrafiltration membrane</td>
<td>Filtration Supply</td>
<td>Millipore</td>
<td>13642</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>15 ml YM10 concentrator</td>
<td>Filtration Supply</td>
<td>Millipore</td>
<td>4411</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>AKTAFPLC</td>
<td>Equipment</td>
<td>GE Healthcare</td>
<td>18-1900-26</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Sephacryl S-200 16/60 high-resolution column</td>
<td>Equipment</td>
<td>GE Healthcare</td>
<td>17-1166-01</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Strepavidin PE</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>BD Biosciences</td>
<td>554061</td>
<td>or equivalent</td>
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a protocol for the production of klrg1 tetramer

Assassino celular G1 receptor lectina-like (KLRG1) é um tipo de receptor da glicoproteína transmembrana II inibitória pertencentes à superfamília tipo C lectina-like. KLRG1 existe tanto como um monômero e como um homodímero dissulfeto ligadas. Este receptor bem conservada é encontrada na maioria das células maduras e recentemente activado NK, bem como em um subconjunto de células T efetoras / memória. Usando KLRG1 tetrâmero, bem como outros métodos, E, N, e R-caderinas foram identificados como KLRG1 ligantes. Estes Ca 2 + dependentes de célula-célula de moléculas de adesão compreende um domínio extracelular contendo cinco repetições caderina responsável por interações célula-célula, um domínio transmembrana e um domínio citoplasmático que está ligada ao citoesqueleto de actina. Geração do tetrâmero KLRG1 foi essencial para a identificação do KLRG1 ligantes. KLRG1 tetrâmero é também uma ferramenta única para elucidar a caderina papéis e jogar KLRG1 na regulação da resposta imune e integridade do tecido.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Protocol for the Production of KLRG1 Tetramer at JoVE.com

A Protocol for the Production of KLRG1 Tetramer

Este protocolo descreve a produção de KLRG1 tetrâmero, que é uma ferramenta poderosa para a análise de KLRG1 ligantes.

Um protocolo para a Produção de KLRG1 tetrâmero

Killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein inhibitory receptor belonging to the C type lectin-like superfamily. ...

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Biology

9.9K visualizações.  Brown University. Este protocolo descreve a produção de KLRG1 tetrâmero, que é uma ferramenta poderosa para a análise de KLRG1 ligantes.

Vídeo: A Protocol for the Production of KLRG1 Tetramer

Protocol for Mosquito Rearing (A. gambiae)

This protocol describes mosquito rearing in the insectary. The insectary rooms are maintained at 28&deg;C and ~80% humidity, with a 12 hr. day/night cycle. For this procedure, you'll need mosquito cages, 10% sterile sucrose solution, paper towels, beaker, whatman filter paper, glass feeders, human blood and serum, water bath, parafilm, distilled water, clean plastic trays, mosquito food (described below), mosquito net to cover the trays, vacuum, and a collection chamber to collect adults.

Protocol for Mosquito Rearing A. gambiae

This video illustrates the general techniques used to rear Anopheles gambiae in the laboratory. The methods for caring for laboratory mosquitoes are demonstrated through all stages of the organism's life cycle from larvae to pupae to blood-feeding adults.

Protocolo para a Criação Mosquito (A. gambiae)

This protocol describes mosquito rearing in the insectary. The insectary rooms are maintained at 28&deg;C and ~80% humidity, with a 12 hr. day/night ...

Biologia

Visualizing Antigen Specific CD4+ T Cells using MHC Class II Tetramers

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II tetramers allow the direct visualization of antigen specific CD4+ T cells by flow cytometry.  This method relies on the highly specific interaction between peptide loaded MHC and the corresponding T-cell receptor.  While the affinity of a single MHC/peptide molecule is low, cross-linking MHC/peptide complexes with streptavidin increases the avidity of the interaction, enabling their use as staining reagents.  Because of the relatively low frequencies of CD4+ T cells (~1 in 300,000 for a single specificity) this assay utilizes an in vitro amplification step to increase its threshold of detection.  Mononuclear cells are purified from peripheral blood by Ficoll underlay.  CD4+ cells are then separated by negative selection using biotinylated antibody cocktail and anti-biotin labeled magnetic beads.  Using adherent cells from the CD4- cell fraction as antigen presenting cells, CD4+ T cells are expanded in media by adding an antigenic peptide and IL-2.  The expanded cells are stained with the corresponding class II tetramer by incubating at 37 C for one hour and subsequently stained using surface antibodies such as anti-CD4, anti-CD3, and anti-CD25.  After labeling, the cells can be directly analyzed by flow cytometry.  The tetramer positive cells typically form a distinct population among the expanded CD4+ cells.  Tetramer positive cells are usually CD25+ and often CD4 high.  Because the level of background tetramer staining can vary, positive staining results should always be compared to the staining of the same cells with an irrelevant tetramer.  Multiple variations of this basic assay are possible.  Tetramer positive cells may be sorted for further phenotypic analysis, inclusion in ELISPOT or proliferation assays, or other secondary assays.  Several groups have also demonstrated co-staining using tetramers and either anti-cytokine or anti-FoxP3 antibodies.  

This procedure demonstrates the purification and in vitro expansion of antigen specific CD4+ T cells from whole peripheral blood and their visualization using MHC class II tetramers. Tetramers permit the direct visualization of T cells with a single antigen specificity and defined MHC class II restriction.

Visualizando CD4 + antígeno específico Células T usando MHC Classe II tetrâmeros

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II tetramers allow the direct visualization of antigen specific CD4+ T cells by flow cytometry.  This method ...

The Production of C. elegans Transgenes via Recombineering with the galK Selectable Marker

The creation of transgenic animals is widely utilized in C. elegans research including the use of GFP fusion proteins to study the regulation and expression pattern of genes of interest or generation of tandem affinity purification (TAP) tagged versions of specific genes to facilitate their purification. Typically transgenes are generated by placing a promoter upstream of a GFP reporter gene or cDNA of interest, and this often produces a representative expression pattern. However, critical elements of gene regulation, such as control elements in the 3' untranslated region or alternative promoters, could be missed by this approach. Further only a single splice variant can be usually studied by this means. In contrast, the use of worm genomic DNA carried by fosmid DNA clones likely includes most if not all elements involved in gene regulation in vivo which permits the greater ability to capture the genuine expression pattern and timing. To facilitate the generation of transgenes using fosmid DNA, we describe an E. coli based recombineering procedure to insert GFP, a TAP-tag, or other sequences of interest into any location in the gene. The procedure uses the galK gene as the selection marker for both the positive and negative selection steps in recombineering which results in obtaining the desired modification with high efficiency. Further, plasmids containing the galK gene flanked by homology arms to commonly used GFP and TAP fusion genes are available which reduce the cost of oligos by 50% when generating a GFP or TAP fusion protein. These plasmids use the R6K replication origin which precludes the need for extensive PCR product purification. Finally, we also demonstrate a technique to integrate the unc-119 marker on to the fosmid backbone which allows the fosmid to be directly injected or bombarded into worms to generate transgenic animals. This video demonstrates the procedures involved in generating a transgene via recombineering using this method.

The Production of C. elegans Transgenes via Recombineering with the galK Selectable Marker

The ability to produce transgenes for Caenorhabditis elegans using genomic DNA carried by fosmids is particularly attractive as all of the native regulatory elements are retained. Described is a simple and robust procedure for the production of transgenes via recombineering with the galK selectable marker.

Produção de C. elegans Transgenes via Recombineering com o GalK Marcador selecionável

The creation of transgenic animals is widely utilized in C. elegans research including the use of GFP fusion proteins to study the regulation and ...

DNA Extraction from Paraffin Embedded Material for Genetic and Epigenetic Analyses

Disease development and progression are characterized by frequent genetic and epigenetic aberrations including chromosomal rearrangements, copy number gains and losses and DNA methylation. Advances in high-throughput, genome-wide profiling technologies, such as microarrays, have significantly improved our ability to identify and detect these specific alterations. However as technology continues to improve, a limiting factor remains sample quality and availability. Furthermore, follow-up clinical information and disease outcome are often collected years after the initial specimen collection. Specimens, typically formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE), are stored in hospital archives for years to decades. DNA can be efficiently and effectively recovered from paraffin-embedded specimens if the appropriate method of extraction is applied. High quality DNA extracted from properly preserved and stored specimens can support quantitative assays for comparisons of normal and diseased tissues and generation of genetic and epigenetic signatures 1. To extract DNA from paraffin-embedded samples, tissue cores or microdissected tissue are subjected to xylene treatment, which dissolves the paraffin from the tissue, and then rehydrated using a series of ethanol washes. Proteins and harmful enzymes such as nucleases are subsequently digested by proteinase K. The addition of lysis buffer, which contains denaturing agents such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), facilitates digestion 2. Nucleic acids are purified from the tissue lysate using buffer-saturated phenol and high speed centrifugation which generates a biphasic solution. DNA and RNA remain in the upper aqueous phase, while proteins, lipids and polysaccharides are sequestered in the inter- and organic-phases respectively. Retention of the aqueous phase and repeated phenol extractions generates a clean sample. Following phenol extractions, RNase A is added to eliminate contaminating RNA. Additional phenol extractions following incubation with RNase A are used to remove any remaining enzyme. The addition of sodium acetate and isopropanol precipitates DNA, and high speed centrifugation is used to pellet the DNA and facilitate isopropanol removal. Excess salts carried over from precipitation can interfere with subsequent enzymatic assays, but can be removed from the DNA by washing with 70% ethanol, followed by centrifugation to re-pellet the DNA 3. DNA is re-suspended in distilled water or the buffer of choice, quantified and stored at -20&deg;C. Purified DNA can subsequently be used in downstream applications which include, but are not limited to, PCR, array comparative genomic hybridization 4 (array CGH), methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) and sequencing, allowing for an integrative analysis of tissue/tumor samples.

This video demonstrates the protocol for DNA extraction from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded material. This is a multi-day procedure in which tissue sections are deparaffinized with xylene, rehydrated with ethanol and treated with proteinase K to purify and isolate DNA for subsequent gene-specific or genome-wide analysis.

Extração de DNA de material parafinado Embedded para análises genéticas e epigenéticas

Disease development and progression are characterized by frequent genetic and epigenetic aberrations including chromosomal rearrangements, copy number ...

A Convenient and General Expression Platform for the Production of Secreted Proteins from Human Cells

Recombinant protein expression in bacteria, typically E. coli, has been the most successful strategy for milligram quantity expression of proteins. However, prokaryotic hosts are often not as appropriate for expression of human, viral or eukaryotic proteins due to toxicity of the foreign macromolecule, differences in the protein folding machinery, or due to the lack of particular co- or post-translational modifications in bacteria. Expression systems based on yeast (P. pastoris or S. cerevisiae) 1,2, baculovirus-infected insect (S. frugiperda or T. ni) cells 3, and cell-free in vitro translation systems 2,4 have been successfully used to produce mammalian proteins. Intuitively, the best match is to use a mammalian host to ensure the production of recombinant proteins that contain the proper post-translational modifications. A number of mammalian cell lines (Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) 293, CV-1 cells in Origin carrying the SV40 larget T-antigen (COS), Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO), and others) have been successfully utilized to overexpress milligram quantities of a number of human proteins 5-9. However, the advantages of using mammalian cells are often countered by higher costs, requirement of specialized laboratory equipment, lower protein yields, and lengthy times to develop stable expression cell lines. Increasing yield and producing proteins faster, while keeping costs low, are major factors for many academic and commercial laboratories.
Here, we describe a time- and cost-efficient, two-part procedure for the expression of secreted human proteins from adherent HEK 293T cells. This system is capable of producing microgram to milligram quantities of functional protein for structural, biophysical and biochemical studies. The first part, multiple constructs of the gene of interest are produced in parallel and transiently transfected into adherent HEK 293T cells in small scale. The detection and analysis of recombinant protein secreted into the cell culture medium is performed by western blot analysis using commercially available antibodies directed against a vector-encoded protein purification tag. Subsequently, suitable constructs for large-scale protein production are transiently transfected using polyethyleneimine (PEI) in 10-layer cell factories. Proteins secreted into litre-volumes of conditioned medium are concentrated into manageable amounts using tangential flow filtration, followed by purification by anti-HA affinity chromatography. The utility of this platform is proven by its ability to express milligram quantities of cytokines, cytokine receptors, cell surface receptors, intrinsic restriction factors, and viral glycoproteins. This method was also successfully used in the structural determination of the trimeric ebolavirus glycoprotein 5,10.
In conclusion, this platform offers ease of use, speed and scalability while maximizing protein quality and functionality. Moreover, no additional equipment, other than a standard humidified CO2 incubator, is required. This procedure may be rapidly expanded to systems of greater complexity, such as co-expression of protein complexes, antigens and antibodies, production of virus-like particles for vaccines, or production of adenoviruses or lentiviruses for transduction of difficult cell lines.

In the post-human genomics era, the availability of recombinant proteins in native conformations is crucial to structural, functional and therapeutic research and development. Here, we describe a test- and large-scale protein expression system in human embryonic kidney 293T cells that can be used to produce a variety of recombinant proteins.

A Plataforma de expressão adequada e geral para a produção de proteínas secretadas a partir de células humanas

Recombinant protein expression in bacteria, typically E. coli, has been the most successful strategy for milligram quantity expression of proteins. ...

A Simple Protocol for Extracting Hemocytes from Wild Caterpillars

Insect hemocytes (equivalent to mammalian white blood cells) play an important role in several physiological processes throughout an insect's life cycle 1. In larval stages of insects belonging to the orders of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) and Diptera (true flies), hemocytes are formed from the lymph gland (a specialized hematopoietic organ) or embryonic cells and can be carried through to the adult stage. Embryonic hemocytes are involved in cell migration during development and chemotaxis regulation during inflammation. They also take part in cell apoptosis and are essential for embryogenesis 2. Hemocytes mediate the cellular arm of the insect innate immune response that includes several functions, such as cell spreading, cell aggregation, formation of nodules, phagocytosis and encapsulation of foreign invaders 3. They are also responsible for orchestrating specific insect humoral defenses during infection, such as the production of antimicrobial peptides and other effector molecules 4, 5. Hemocyte morphology and function have mainly been studied in genetic or physiological insect models, including the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster 6, 7, the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae 8, 9 and the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta 10, 11. However, little information currently exists about the diversity, classification, morphology and function of hemocytes in non-model insect species, especially those collected from the wild 12.
Here we describe a simple and efficient protocol for extracting hemocytes from wild caterpillars. We use penultimate instar Lithacodes fasciola (yellow-shouldered slug moth) (Figure 1) and Euclea delphinii (spiny oak slug) caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) and show that sufficient volumes of hemolymph (insect blood) can be isolated and hemocyte numbers counted from individual larvae. This method can be used to efficiently study hemocyte types in these species as well as in other related lepidopteran caterpillars harvested from the field, or it can be readily combined with immunological assays designed to investigate hemocyte function following infection with microbial or parasitic organisms 13.

Insect hemocytes carry out many important functions, both immune and non-immune, throughout all stages of insect development. Our present knowledge of hemocyte types and function comes from studies on insect genetic models. Here, we present a method for extracting, quantifying and visualizing hemocytes from wild caterpillars.

Um protocolo simples para extrair Hemócitos de Lagartas selvagens

Insect hemocytes (equivalent to mammalian white blood cells) play an important role in several physiological processes throughout an insect's life cycle ...

SIVQ-LCM Protocol for the ArcturusXT Instrument

SIVQ-LCM is a new methodology that automates and streamlines the more traditional, user-dependent laser dissection process.&#160;It aims to create an advanced, rapidly customizable laser dissection platform technology. In this report, we describe the integration of the image analysis software Spatially Invariant Vector Quantization (SIVQ) onto the ArcturusXT instrument. The ArcturusXT system contains both an infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) laser, allowing for specific cell or large area dissections. The principal goal is to improve the speed, accuracy, and reproducibility of the laser dissection to increase sample throughput. This novel approach facilitates microdissection of both animal and human tissues in research and clinical workflows.

SIVQ-LCM is an innovative approach that harnesses a computer algorithm, Spatially Invariant Vector Quantization (SIVQ), to drive the laser capture microdissection (LCM) process. The SIVQ-LCM workflow greatly improves the speed and accuracy of microdissection, with applications in both the research and clinical settings.

Protocolo SIVQ-LCM para o Instrumento ArcturusXT

SIVQ-LCM is a new methodology that automates and streamlines the more traditional, user-dependent laser dissection process.&#160;It aims to create an ...

Measurement and Analysis of Extracellular Acid Production to Determine Glycolytic Rate

Extracellular measurement of oxygen consumption and acid production is a simple and powerful way to monitor rates of respiration and glycolysis1. Both mitochondrial (respiration) and non-mitochondrial (other redox) reactions consume oxygen, but these reactions can be easily distinguished by chemical inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. However, while mitochondrial oxygen consumption is an unambiguous and direct measurement of respiration rate2, the same is not true for extracellular acid production and its relationship to glycolytic rate 3-6. Extracellular acid produced by cells is derived from both lactate, produced by anaerobic glycolysis, and CO2, produced in the citric acid cycle during respiration. For glycolysis, the conversion of glucose to lactate- + H+ and the export of products into the assay medium is the source of glycolytic acidification. For respiration, the export of CO2, hydration to H2CO3 and dissociation to HCO3- + H+ is the source of respiratory acidification. The proportions of glycolytic and respiratory acidification depend on the experimental conditions, including cell type and substrate(s) provided, and can range from nearly 100% glycolytic acidification to nearly 100% respiratory acidification 6. Here, we demonstrate the data collection and calculation methods needed to determine respiratory and glycolytic contributions to total extracellular acidification by whole cells in culture using C2C12 myoblast cells as a model.

Glycolysis is a defining metabolic marker in multiple biological systems. Monitoring glycolysis by measuring the extracellular flux of H+ is common, but requires correction to be quantitative and unambiguous. Here, we demonstrate how to gather and correct extracellular flux data to distinguish between respiratory and glycolytic sources of extracellular acidification.

Medição e Análise de Produção de Ácido Extracelular determinar Glicosidases Classificação

Extracellular measurement of oxygen consumption and acid production is a simple and powerful way to monitor rates of respiration and glycolysis1. Both ...

Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods

A novel dried bacterial consortium of Lactobacillus rhamnosus yoba 2012 and Streptococcus thermophilus C106 is cultured in 1 L of milk. This fresh starter can be used for the production of fermented milk and other fermented foods either at home or at small-scale in rural settings. For the fresh starter, 1 L of milk is pasteurized in a pan that fits into a larger pan containing water, placed on a source of heat. In this water bath, the milk is heated and incubated at 85 &#176;C for 30 min. Thereafter, the milk is cooled down to 45 &#176;C, transferred to a vacuum flask, inoculated with the dried bacteria and left for at least 16 hr between 30 &#176;C and 45 &#176;C. For the purpose of frequent home production, the fresh starter is frozen into ice cubes, which can be used for the production of small volumes of up to 2 L of fermented milk. For the purpose of small-scale production in resource-poor countries, pasteurization of up to 100 L of milk is conducted in milk cans that are placed in a large sauce pan filled with water and heated on a fire at 85 &#176;C for 30 min, and subsequently cooled to 45 &#176;C. Next, the 100 L batch is inoculated with the 1 L freshly prepared starter mentioned before. To assure an effective fermentation at a temperature between 30 and 45 &#176;C, the milk can is covered with a blanket for 12 hr. For the production of non-dairy fermented foods, the fresh starter is left in a cheese cloth for 12 hr, and the drained-off whey can be subsequently used for the inoculation of a wide range of food raw materials, including vegetables and cereal-based foods.

A production protocol is described for the small-scale production of probiotic fermented dairy drink with the aid of a novel bacterial starter culture.

Protocolo de Produção da novela para em pequena escala Fabricação de alimentos fermentados probióticos

A novel dried bacterial consortium of Lactobacillus rhamnosus yoba 2012 and Streptococcus thermophilus C106 is cultured in 1 L of milk. This fresh starter ...

A Multi-hole Cryovial Eliminates Freezing Artifacts when Muscle Tissues are Directly Immersed in Liquid Nitrogen

Studies on skeletal muscle physiology face the technical challenge of appropriately processing the specimens to obtain sections with clearly visible cytoplasmic compartments. Another hurdle is the tight apposition of myofibers to the surrounding tissues. Because the process of tissue fixation and paraffin embedding leads to the shrinkage of muscle fibers, freezing is an optimal means of hardening muscle tissue for sectioning. However, a commonly encountered issue, the formation of ice crystals, occurs during the preparation of frozen sections because of the high water content of muscle. The protocol presented here first describes a simple and efficient method for properly freezing muscle tissues by immersing them in liquid nitrogen. The problem with using liquid nitrogen alone is that it causes the formation of a nitrogen gas barrier next to the tissue, which acts as an insulator and inhibits the cooling of the tissues. To avoid this "vapor blanket" effect, a new cryovial was designed to increase the speed of liquid flow around the tissue surface. This was achieved by punching a total of 14 inlet holes in the wall of the vial. According to bubble dynamics, a higher rate of liquid flow results in smaller bubbles and fewer chances to form a gas barrier. When liquid nitrogen flows into the cryovial through the inlet holes, the flow velocity around the tissue is fast enough to eliminate the gas barrier. Compared to the method of freezing muscle tissues using pre-chilled isopentane, this protocol is simpler and more efficient and can be used to freeze muscle in a throughput manner. Furthermore, this method is optimal for institutions that do not have access to isopentane, which is extremely flammable at room temperature.

This protocol describes a procedure to freeze muscle tissues by plunging them directly into liquid nitrogen. This protocol also highlights a new cryovial that can avoid the &#34;blanket effect&#34; of nitrogen gas when liquid nitrogen contacts the tissue surface of a specimen.

Um multi-furo criotubo Elimina congelação Artifacts quando tecidos musculares são directamente Imerso em azoto líquido

Studies on skeletal muscle physiology face the technical challenge of appropriately processing the specimens to obtain sections with clearly visible ...