Isolation, culture, and use of primary murine myoblasts in small-molecule screens

Small-molecule screens (SMS) are often performed using transformed cell lines that have limited physiological relevance to the biological system being investigated, resulting in poor translational outcomes. To circumvent this limitation, we present a protocol to perform SMS in primary murine myoblasts. We describe steps for isolating primary skeletal muscle myoblasts with greater than 95% purity, then describe techniques to establish a robust dynamic range, and conclude with steps to initiate a successful SMS. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Richler and Yaffe (1970),¹ Rando and Blau (1994),² and Earle et al. (2020).³.

Protocol for differentiation of bovine adipogenic progenitor cells embedded in alginate sheets

Here, we present a cost-effective protocol to differentiate bovine fibro-adipogenic progenitors in a thin hydrogel sheet adherent to 96-well plates. We describe steps for the embedding and culturing of cells in alginate sheets, culture maintenance, and analysis. Compared to alternative three-dimensional (3D) models such as hydrogel-based microfibers, this approach simplifies automation while retaining efficient maturation of adipocytes. Embedded cells are still subjected to a 3D environment, but the sheets can be handled and analyzed like two-dimensional cultures.

Protocol for cell surface biotinylation of magnetic labeled and captured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Analysis of the surfaceome of a blood cell subset requires cell sorting, followed by surface protein enrichment. Here, we present a protocol combining magnetically activated cell sorting (MACS) and surface biotinylation of the target cell subset from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We describe the steps for isolating target cells and their in-column surface biotinylation, followed by isolation and mass spectrometry analysis of biotinylated proteins. The protocol enables in-column surface biotinylation of specific cell subsets with minimal membrane disruption.

A mouse model of Citrobacter rodentium oral infection and evaluation of innate and adaptive immune responses

Citrobacter rodentium is an extracellular enteric bacterial pathogen that induces both innate and adaptive immunity in mice, its natural host. Here, we detail the step-by-step procedure to evaluate the immune responses in a mouse model of C. rodentium infection. We describe the methods to establish infection, isolate group 3 innate lymphoid cells from lamina propria lymphocytes, and analyze their response. We also assess the response of T follicular helper cells and germinal center B cells. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Guo et al. (2015), Kennedy and Hartland, (2018), and Wang et al. (2020).

Transcription Profiles of Marker Genes Predict The Transdifferentiation Relationship between Eight Types of Liver Cell during Rat Liver Regeneration

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the transdifferentiation relationship between eight types of liver cell during rat liver regeneration (LR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

114 healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used in this experimental study. Eight types of liver cell were isolated and purified with percoll density gradient centrifugation and immunomagentic bead methods. Marker genes for eight types of cell were obtained by retrieving the relevant references and databases. Expression changes of markers for each cell of the eight cell types were measured using microarray. The relationships between the expression profiles of marker genes and transdifferentiation among liver cells were analyzed using bioinformatics. Liver cell transdifferentiation was predicted by comparing expression profiles of marker genes in different liver cells.

RESULTS

During LR hepatocytes (HCs) not only express hepatic oval cells (HOC) markers (including PROM1, KRT14 and LY6E), but also express biliary epithelial cell (BEC) markers (including KRT7 and KRT19); BECs express both HOC markers (including GABRP, PCNA and THY1) and HC markers such as CPS1, TAT, KRT8 and KRT18; both HC markers (KRT18, KRT8 and WT1) and BEC markers (KRT7 and KRT19) were detected in HOCs. Additionally, some HC markers were also significantly upregulated in hepatic stellate cells ( HSCs), sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) , Kupffer cells (KCs) and dendritic cells (DCs), mainly at 6-72 hours post partial hepatectomy (PH).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that there is a mutual transdifferentiation relationship between HC, BEC and HOC during LR, and a tendency for HSCs, SECs, KCs and DCs to transdifferentiate into HCs.