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Liesche C, Sauer P, Prager I, Urlaub D, Claus M, Eils R, Beaudouin J, Watzl C. Single-Fluorescent Protein Reporters Allow Parallel Quantification of Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Granzyme and Caspase Activities in Single Target Cells. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1840. [PMID: 30135688 PMCID: PMC6092488 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells eliminate infected and tumorigenic cells through delivery of granzymes via perforin pores or by activation of caspases via death receptors. In order to understand how NK cells combine different cell death mechanisms, it is important to quantify target cell responses on a single cell level. However, currently existing reporters do not allow the measurement of several protease activities inside the same cell. Here, we present a strategy for the comparison of two different proteases at a time inside individual target cells upon engagement by NK cells. We developed single-fluorescent protein reporters containing the RIEAD or the VGPD cleavage site for the measurement of granzyme B activity. We show that these two granzyme B reporters can be applied in combination with caspase-8 or caspase-3 reporters. While we did not find that caspase-8 was activated by granzyme B, our method revealed that caspase-3 activity follows granzyme B activity with a delay of about 6 min. Finally, we illustrate the comparison of several different reporters for granzyme A, M, K, and H. The approach presented here is a valuable means for the investigation of the temporal evolution of cell death mediated by cytotoxic lymphocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa Liesche
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics at German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Department for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Institute for Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, BioQuant Center, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Patricia Sauer
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics at German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Department for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Institute for Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, BioQuant Center, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Isabel Prager
- Department for Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at TU Dortmund (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Doris Urlaub
- Department for Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at TU Dortmund (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Maren Claus
- Department for Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at TU Dortmund (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
| | - Roland Eils
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics at German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Department for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Institute for Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, BioQuant Center, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joël Beaudouin
- Division of Theoretical Bioinformatics at German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Department for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Institute for Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, BioQuant Center, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Watzl
- Department for Immunology, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at TU Dortmund (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
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Crawford N, Salvucci M, Hellwig CT, Lincoln FA, Mooney RE, O'Connor CL, Prehn JH, Longley DB, Rehm M. Simulating and predicting cellular and in vivo responses of colon cancer to combined treatment with chemotherapy and IAP antagonist Birinapant/TL32711. Cell Death Differ 2018; 25:1952-1966. [PMID: 29500433 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0082-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis resistance contributes to treatment failure in colorectal cancer (CRC). New treatments that reinstate apoptosis competency have potential to improve patient outcome but require predictive biomarkers to target them to responsive patient populations. Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) suppress apoptosis, contributing to drug resistance; IAP antagonists such as TL32711 have therefore been developed. We developed a systems biology approach for predicting response of CRC cells to chemotherapy and TL32711 combinations in vitro and in vivo. CRC cells responded poorly to TL32711 monotherapy in vitro; however, co-treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and oxaliplatin enhanced TL32711-induced apoptosis. Notably, cells from genetically identical populations responded highly heterogeneously, with caspases being activated both upstream and downstream of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilisation (MOMP). These data, combined with quantities of key apoptosis regulators were sufficient to replicate in vitro cell death profiles by mathematical modelling. In vivo, apoptosis protein expression was significantly altered, and mathematical modelling for these conditions predicted higher apoptosis resistance that could nevertheless be overcome by combination of chemotherapy and TL32711. Subsequent experimental observations agreed with these predictions, and the observed effects on tumour growth inhibition correlated robustly with apoptosis competency. We therefore obtained insights into intracellular signal transduction kinetics and their population-based heterogeneities for chemotherapy/TL32711 combinations and provide proof-of-concept that mathematical modelling of apoptosis competency can simulate and predict responsiveness in vivo. Being able to predict response to IAP antagonist-based treatments on the background of cell-to-cell heterogeneities in the future might assist in improving treatment stratification approaches for these emerging apoptosis-targeting agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nyree Crawford
- Cell Death & Drug Resistance Group, Centre for Cancer Research & Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Manuela Salvucci
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Christian T Hellwig
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, D-70569, Stuttgart, Germany.,Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University of Stuttgart, D-70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Frank A Lincoln
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Ruth E Mooney
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Carla L O'Connor
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Jochen Hm Prehn
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.,Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Daniel B Longley
- Cell Death & Drug Resistance Group, Centre for Cancer Research & Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
| | - Markus Rehm
- Department of Physiology & Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland. .,Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland. .,Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, D-70569, Stuttgart, Germany. .,Stuttgart Research Center Systems Biology, University of Stuttgart, D-70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
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Ledvina V, Janečková E, Matalová E, Klepárník K. Parallel single-cell analysis of active caspase-3/7 in apoptotic and non-apoptotic cells. Anal Bioanal Chem 2016; 409:269-274. [PMID: 27757513 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-016-9998-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 09/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Analysing the chemical content of individual cells has already been proven to reveal unique information on various biological processes. Single-cell analysis provides more accurate and reliable results for biology and medicine than analyses of extracts from cell populations, where a natural heterogeneity is averaged. To meet the requirements in the research of important biologically active molecules, such as caspases, we have developed a miniaturized device for simultaneous analyses of individual cells. A stainless steel body with a carousel holder enables high-sensitivity parallel detections in eight microvials. The holder is mounted in front of a photomultiplier tube with cooled photocathode working in photon counting mode. The detection of active caspase-3/7, central effector caspases in apoptosis, in single cells is based on the bioluminescence chemistry commercially available as Caspase-Glo® 3/7 reagent developed by Promega. Individual cells were captured from a culture medium under microscope and transferred by micromanipulator into detection microvial filled with the reagent. As a result of testing, the limits of detection and quantification were determined to be 0.27/0.86 of active caspase-3/7 content in an average apoptotic cell and 0.46/2.92 for non-apoptotic cells. Application potential of this technology in laboratory diagnostics and related medical research is discussed. Graphical abstract Miniaturized device for simultaneous analyses of individual cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojtěch Ledvina
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, v.v.i., Czech Academy of Sciences, Veveří 97, 60200, Brno, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 267/2, 61137, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Janečková
- Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 267/2, 61137, Brno, Czech Republic.,Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., Czech Academy of Sciences, Veveří 97, 60200, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Matalová
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., Czech Academy of Sciences, Veveří 97, 60200, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Physiology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého 1/3, 61242, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Klepárník
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, v.v.i., Czech Academy of Sciences, Veveří 97, 60200, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Parsons MJ, Bouchier-Hayes L. Measuring initiator caspase activation by bimolecular fluorescence complementation. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2015; 2015:pdb.prot082552. [PMID: 25561623 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot082552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Initiator caspases, including caspase-2, -8, and -9, are activated by the proximity-driven dimerization that occurs after their recruitment to activation platforms. Here we describe the use of caspase bimolecular fluorescence complementation (caspase BiFC) to measure this induced proximity. BiFC assays rely on the use of a split fluorescent protein to identify protein-protein interactions in cells. When fused to interacting proteins, the fragments of the split fluorescent protein (which do not fluoresce on their own) can associate and fluoresce. In this protocol, we use the fluorescent protein Venus, a brighter and more photostable variant of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), to detect the induced proximity of caspase-2. Plasmids encoding two fusion products (caspase-2 fused to either the amino- or carboxy-terminal halves of Venus) are transfected into cells. The cells are then treated with an activating (death) stimulus. The induced proximity (and subsequent activation) of caspase-2 in the cells is visualized as Venus fluorescence. The proportion of Venus-positive cells at a single time point can be determined using fluorescence microscopy. Alternatively, the increase in fluorescence intensity over time can be evaluated by time-lapse confocal microscopy. The caspase BiFC strategy described here should also work for other initiator caspases, such as caspase-8 or -9, as long as the correct controls are used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Parsons
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030 Department of Pediatrics-Hematology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Lisa Bouchier-Hayes
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030 Department of Pediatrics-Hematology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
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Parsons MJ, Rehm M, Bouchier-Hayes L. Imaging-based methods for assessing caspase activity in single cells. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2015; 2015:pdb.top070342. [PMID: 25561626 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top070342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Caspases, a family of proteases that are essential mediators of apoptosis, are divided into two groups: initiator caspases and executioner caspases. Each initiator caspase is activated at the apex of its respective pathway, which generally leads to the cleavage and activation of executioner caspases. Executioner caspases in turn cleave numerous substrates in the cell, leading to its demise. Initiator caspases are activated when inactive monomers undergo induced proximity to form an active caspase. In contrast, executioner caspases are activated by cleavage. Based on this key difference, different imaging techniques have been developed to measure caspase activation and activity on a single-cell basis. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) is used to measure induced proximity of initiator caspases, whereas Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) permits the investigation of caspase-mediated substrate cleavage in real time. Because many of the events in apoptosis, including caspase activation, are asynchronous in nature, these single-cell imaging techniques have proven to be immensely powerful in ordering and dissecting caspase pathways. When coupled with parallel detection of additional hallmark events of apoptosis, they provide detailed and quantitative kinetic and positional insights into the signal transduction pathways that regulate cell death. Here we provide a brief introduction into BiFC- and FRET-based imaging of caspase activation and activity in single cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Parsons
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030 Department of Pediatrics-Hematology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Markus Rehm
- Centre for Systems Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Lisa Bouchier-Hayes
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030 Department of Pediatrics-Hematology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
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