The Use of Carboxyfluorescein Diacetate Succinimidyl Ester (CFSE) to Monitor Lymphocyte Proliferation

Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) is an effective and popular means to monitor lymphocyte division^1-3. CFSE covalently labels long-lived intracellular molecules with the fluorescent dye, carboxyfluorescein. Thus, when a CFSE-labeled cell divides, its progeny are endowed with half the number of carboxyfluorescein-tagged molecules and thus each cell division can be assessed by measuring the corresponding decrease in cell fluorescence via Flow cytometry. The capacity of CFSE to label lymphocyte populations with a high fluorescent intensity of exceptionally low variance, coupled with its low cell toxicity, make it an ideal dye to measure cell division. Since it is a fluorescein-based dye it is also compatible with a broad range of other fluorochromes making it applicable to multi-color flow cytometry. This article describes the procedures typically used for labeling mouse lymphocytes for the purpose of monitoring up to 8 cell divisions. These labeled cells can be used both for in vitro and in vivo studies.     

Assessment of the Immunomodulatory Properties of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)

The immunomodulatory properties of multilineage human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear to be highly relevant for clinical use towards a wide-range of immune-related diseases. Mechanisms involved are increasingly being elucidated and in this article, we describe the basic experiment to assess MSC immunomodulation by assaying for suppression of effector leukocyte proliferation. Representing activation, leukocyte proliferation can be assessed by a number of techniques, and we describe in this protocol the use of the fluorescent cellular dye carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) to label leukocytes with subsequent flow cytometric analyses. This technique can not only assess proliferation without radioactivity, but also the number of cell divisions that have occurred as well as allowing for identification of the specific population of proliferating cells and intracellular cytokine/factor expression. Moreover, the assay can be tailored to evaluate specific populations of effector leukocytes by magnetic bead surface marker selection of single peripheral blood mononuclear cell populations prior to co-culture with MSCs. The flexibility of this co-culture assay is useful for investigating cellular interactions between MSCs and leukocytes.     

Optimization of 5-(and-6)-Carboxyfluorescein Diacetate Succinimidyl Ester for Labeling Human Intervertebral Disc Cells in Vitro

We have assessed the utility of an intracellular fluorochrome, 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE), as a tracking label for human intervertebral disc cells in vitro. Although 5 JJIM provides adequate intracellular labeling for whole cell fluorescent microscopic identification of labeled cells, 20 JJLM was preferable for immunocytochemical localization of paraffin embedded labeled cells. Electron dense vesicles are seen at the ultra-structural level in labeled cells. Discrete vesicular labeling can also be observed in whole cell mounts viewed with fluorescence microscopy. Whole cells retain good label for 6 weeks. CFSE labeling is relatively easy, nontoxic to cells and nonradiocactive. Initial optimization of dose with specific cells types is recommended when confirmation of positive immunocytochemistry is needed for tissue engineering studies.     

Optimization of 5-(and-6)-Carboxyfluorescein Diacetate Succinimidyl Ester for Labeling Human Intervertebral Disc Cells in Vitro

We have assessed the utility of an intracellular fluorochrome, 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE), as a tracking label for human intervertebral disc cells in vitro. Although 5 JJIM provides adequate intracellular labeling for whole cell fluorescent microscopic identification of labeled cells, 20 JJLM was preferable for immunocytochemical localization of paraffin embedded labeled cells. Electron dense vesicles are seen at the ultra-structural level in labeled cells. Discrete vesicular labeling can also be observed in whole cell mounts viewed with fluorescence microscopy. Whole cells retain good label for 6 weeks. CFSE labeling is relatively easy, nontoxic to cells and nonradiocactive. Initial optimization of dose with specific cells types is recommended when confirmation of positive immunocytochemistry is needed for tissue engineering studies.     

抗体滴定在血液细胞流式细胞术中的应用

流式细胞术（flow cytometry）可以实现高速、逐一的细胞定量分析和分选，是研究和诊断血液病的重要手段之一。但是由于不同实验所用细胞和实验条件不同，经常存在抗原阴性细胞非特异染色等问题。利用抗体滴定法，可通过计算、比较染色指数，得到使抗原阳性细胞群和阴性细胞群达到最佳分离效果的实验条件。为了优化血液细胞流式细胞术中荧光抗体染色的实验条件，以小鼠骨髓细胞为被标记细胞，选择利用非串联荧光染料FITC标记的大鼠抗小鼠CD11b抗体（FITC Rat Anti-Mouse CD11b）和串联荧光染料APC-eFluor780标记的大鼠抗小鼠CD11b抗体（APC-eFluor780 Rat Anti-Mouse CD11b）进行标记。通过计算不同浓度抗体标记小鼠骨髓细胞的染色指数进行抗体滴定，确定合适的抗体浓度区间，进而分析细胞数量、染色时间及固定步骤对抗体染色指数的影响，探究影响血液细胞抗体染色的关键因素。结果显示，FITC Rat Anti-Mouse CD11b和APC-eFluor780 Rat Anti-Mouse CD11b的浓度分别在0.156~2.500 μg·mL-1和0.25~1.00 μg·mL-1范围内染色指数较高，但是超出这个范围的抗体浓度会使染色指数降低；抗体浓度、染色时间一定时，FITC Rat Anti-Mouse CD11b和APC-eFluor780 Rat Anti-Mouse CD11b分别在细胞数量为1.56×105~5.00×106 cells·管-1和1.56×105~3.12×105 cells·管-1范围内染色指数较高，但是超出这个范围的细胞数量会使染色指数降低；抗体浓度、细胞数量一定时，对于FITC Rat Anti-Mouse CD11b，随着染色时间的延长，染色指数降低，而APC-eFluor780 Rat Anti-Mouse CD11b与之相反；通过比较固定前后染色指数的高低发现，FITC Rat Anti-Mouse CD11b和APC-eFluor780 Rat Anti-Mouse CD11b在固定后染色指数均显著下降（P<0.01和P<0.05）。研究结果提供了一种通过抗体滴定优化流式分析血液细胞的方法，并指出在特定实验中根据抗体滴定结果选择合适的抗体浓度、细胞数量、染色时间和固定步骤对标记血液细胞进行流式检测的研究至关重要。     

A dual fluorescence flow cytometric analysis of bacterial adherence to mammalian host cells

Flow cytometry has provided a powerful tool for analyzing bacteria-host cell associations. Established approaches have used bacteria, labeled either directly with fluorochromes or indirectly with fluorescently conjugated antibodies, to detect these associations. Although useful, these techniques are consistently unable to include all host cells in the analysis while excluding free, aggregated bacteria. This study describes a new flow cytometry method of assessing bacterial adherence to host cells based on direct fluorescent labeling of both bacteria and host cells. Eukaryotic host cells were labeled with PKH-26, a red fluorescent dye, and bacteria were labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate, a green fluorescent dye. The red host cells were gated and the mean green fluorescence intensity (MFI) of these red cells was determined. We used MFI values obtained from control samples (unlabeled and labeled host cells with unlabeled bacteria) to eliminate contributions due to autofluorescence. The final MFI values represent fluorescence of host cells resulting from the adherent bacteria. Because all red fluorescent cells are analyzed, this method includes all the eukaryotic cells for analysis but excludes all free or aggregated bacteria that are not bound to target cells.     

Imaging flow cytometry challenges the usefulness of classically used extracellular vesicle labeling dyes and qualifies the novel dye Exoria for the labeling of mesenchymal stromal cell–extracellular vesicle preparations

Background aimsExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are involved in mediating intercellular communication processes. An important goal within the EV field is the study of the biodistribution of EVs and the identification of their target cells. Considering that EV uptake is assumed to be important for EVs in mediating intercellular communication processes, labeling with fluorescent dyes has emerged as a broadly distributed strategy for the identification of EV target cells and tissues. However, the accuracy and specificity of commonly utilized labeling dyes have not been sufficiently analyzed.MethodsBy combining recent advances in imaging flow cytometry for the phenotypic analysis of single EVs and aiming to identify target cells for EVs within therapeutically relevant mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-EV preparations, the authors explored the EV labeling efficacy of various fluorescent dyes, specifically carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester, calcein AM, PKH67, BODIPY TR ceramide (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Darmstadt, Germany) and a novel lipid dye called Exoria (Exopharm Limited, Melbourne, Australia).ResultsThe authors’ analyses qualified Exoria as the only dye that specifically labeled EVs within the MSC-EV preparations. Furthermore, the authors demonstrated that Exoria labeling did not interfere with the immunomodulatory properties of the MSC-EV preparations as tested in a multi-donor mixed lymphocyte reaction assay. Within this assay, labeled EVs were differentially taken up by different immune cell types.ConclusionsOverall, the results qualify Exoria as an appropriate dye for the labeling of EVs derived from the authors’ MSC-EV preparations. This study also demonstrates the need for the development of next-generation EV characterization tools that are able to localize and confirm the specificity of EV labeling.     

Sulforhodamine 101 as a specific marker of astroglia in the neocortex in vivo

Glial cells have been identified as key signaling components in the brain; however, methods to investigate their structure and function in vivo have been lacking. Here, we describe a new, highly selective approach for labeling astrocytes in intact rodent neocortex that allows in vivo imaging using two-photon microscopy. The red fluorescent dye sulforhodamine 101 (SR101) was specifically taken up by protoplasmic astrocytes after brief exposure to the brain surface. Specificity was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In addition, SR101 labeled enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-expressing astrocytes but not microglial cells in transgenic mice. We used SR101 labeling to quantify morphological characteristics of astrocytes and to visualize their close association with the cortical microvasculature. Furthermore, by combining this method with calcium indicator loading of cell populations, we demonstrated distinct calcium dynamics in astroglial and neuronal networks. We expect SR101 staining to become a principal tool for investigating astroglia in vivo.     

Babesia rodhaini, Babesia bovis, and Babesia bigemina: analysis and sorting of red cells from infected mouse or calf blood by flow fluorimetry using 33258 Hoechst.

The DNA of Babesia spp. parasites within host intact red blood cells was labeled using the fluorescent bisbenzimidazole dye 33258 Hoechst. The labeled cells were sorted on a fluorescence activated cell sorter on the basis of cell fluorescence (proportional to DNA content) and the intensity of light scattered from the cells at low angles (related to cell size). The optimal conditions for dye uptake were established for the murine parasite Babesia rodhaini and the bovine parasites B. bovis and B. bigemina. Uninfected cells were nonfluorescent after incubation with the dye and could be completely separated from infected fluorescent cells. The fluorescence of cells infected with B. rodhaini was proportional to the number of parasite nuclei per cell. With saturation levels of dye, samples infected with B. bovis or B. bigemina in which erythrocytes contained one or two parasites, both exhibited only one fluorescent cell peak. Cell sorting did not eliminate the infectivity of B. rodhaini. The method may be used to separate populations of uninfected blood cells and cells infected with Babesia spp. for biochemical and immunochemical experiments.     

Comparative suitability of CFDA‐SE and rhodamine 6G for in vivo assessment of leukocyte‐endothelium interactions

Intravital fluorescence microscopy (IVM) is a predestined tool for investigating the fate of leukocytes during the process of leukocyte recruitment. In the present study, the commonly used dye for this purpose, rhodamine 6G, and carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFDA‐SE) were compared for leukocytes labelling with respect to suitability for IVM studies. Their potential in labelling different leukocytes subpopulations as well as their fluorescence intensities were assessed by flow cytometry revealing distinct differences between both dyes. These differences had a profound impact on their application for in vivo imaging of leukocyte‐endothelium interactions. In summary, CFDA‐SE revealed superior in labelling leukocytes for in vivo microscopy with respect to image quality. In addition, we could show the efficiency of CFDA‐SE also under disease condition in an animal model of sepsis. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Activation of 5-[125I]iodonaphthyl-1-azide via excitation of fluorescent (N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)) lipid analogs in living cells. A potential tool for identification of compartment-specific proteins and proteins involved in intracellular transport and metabolism of lipids

We describe a new technique for analysis of proteins located near fluorescent lipid analogs in intact living cells using the membrane-permeant, photoactivatable probe, 5-[125I]iodonaphthyl-1-azide ([125I]INA). [125I] INA can be activated directly with UV light or indirectly through excitation of adjacent fluorophores (photosensitizers) with visible light to modify nearby proteins covalently with 125I. In this report we demonstrate that fluorescent phospholipids and sphingolipids containing N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)-6-aminocaproic acid serve as appropriate photosensitizers for [125I]INA. Using Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts, we optimized the labeling conditions with respect to lipid concentration and time of irradiation and then examined the profiles of cellular proteins that were labeled when fluorescent analogs of ceramide, sphingomyelin, and phosphatidic acid were used as photosensitizers in living cells. The use of different fluorescent lipids, which label different subcellular compartments of cells as determined by fluorescence microscopy, derivatized different sets of cellular proteins with 125I. The labeled proteins were subsets of the total set of proteins available for derivatization as determined by direct activation of [125I]INA. Most proteins labeled by this procedure were pelleted by centrifugation of cell lysates at high speed (260,000 x g), but several soluble proteins were also labeled under these conditions. The implications of using this technique for identification of compartment-specific proteins and proteins involved in lipid metabolism and transport are discussed.     

Aminoquinolines as fluorescent labels for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography of oligosaccharides

Abstract In this study, we investigated the potential of four different aminoquinoline (AQ) compounds as fluorescent labels for glycan analysis using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and fluorescence detection (FLD). We confirmed the optimal excitation and emission wavelengths of 3-AQ and 6-AQ conjugated to glycan standards using three-dimensional fluorescent spectral scanning. The optimal excitation and emission wavelengths for 6-AQ were confirmed at λex=355 nm and λem=440 nm. We concluded that the optimal wavelengths for 3-AQ were λex=355 nm and λem=420 nm, which differed considerably from the wavelengths applied in previous reports. HILIC-FLD chromatograms using experimentally determined wavelengths were similar to 2-aminobenzamide controls, but the peak capacity and resolution differed significantly when published 3-AQ λex/em values were applied. Furthermore, we found that 5-AQ and 8-AQ labeled maltohexaose did not display any fluorescent pro\xadperties when used as a carbohydrate tag for HPLC analysis. Finally, we applied experimentally determined wavelengths to 3-AQ labeled N-glycans released from human IgG to illustrate changes in retention time as well as to demonstrate that AQ labeling is applicable to complex sample analysis via exoglycosidase sequencing.     

Stimulated Emission Depletion Nanoscopy of Living Cells Using SNAP-Tag Fusion Proteins

We show far-field fluorescence nanoscopy of different structural elements labeled with an organic dye within living mammalian cells. The diffraction barrier limiting far-field light microscopy is outperformed by using stimulated emission depletion. We used the tagging protein hAGT (SNAP-tag), which covalently binds benzylguanine-substituted organic dyes, for labeling. Tetramethylrhodamine was used to image the cytoskeleton (vimentin and microtubule-associated protein 2) as well as structures located at the cell membrane (caveolin and connexin-43) with a resolution down to 40 nm. Comparison with structures labeled with the yellow fluorescent protein Citrine validates this labeling approach. Nanoscopic movies showing the movement of connexin-43 clusters across the cell membrane evidence the capability of this technique to observe structural changes on the nanoscale over time. Pulsed or continuous-wave lasers for excitation and stimulated emission depletion yield images of similar resolution in living cells. Hence fusion proteins that bind modified organic dyes expand widely the application range of far-field fluorescence nanoscopy of living cells.     

Using carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester to monitor intracellular protein glycation

Protein glycation is a ubiquitous process involved in vascular complications observed in diabetes. Glyoxal (GO), an intracellular reactive oxoaldehyde that is one of the most potent glycation agents, readily reacts with amines present on proteins to produce the lysine-derived adduct carboxymethyllysine, which is a prevalent advanced glycation end-product (AGE). Our group previously showed that cell exposure to GO leads to an alteration in the cell contractile activity that could occur as a result of the glycation of various proteins regulating the cell contractile machinery. Here, we measured the extent of glycation on three functionally distinct proteins known to participate in cell contraction and cytoskeletal organization—Rho-kinase (ROCK), actin, and gelsolin (GSN)—using an assay based on the reaction of the cell membrane-permeable fluorescent probe carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFDA–SE), which reacts with primary amine groups of proteins. By combining CFDA–SE fluorescence and Western blot detection, we observed (following GO incubation) increased glycation of actin and ROCK as well as an increased interaction between actin and GSN as observed by co-immunoprecipitation. Thus, we conclude that the use of the fluorescent probe CFDA–SE offers an interesting alternative to perform a comparative analysis of the extent of intracellular protein glycation in live cells.     

Quantitative tracking of Cryptosporidium infection in cell culture with CFSE

Immunofluorescence-based assays have been developed to detect and quantitate Cryptosporidium parvum infection in cell culture. Here, we describe a method that tracks and quantifies the early phase of attachment and invasion of C. parvum sporozoites using a fluorescent dye. Newly excysted sporozoites were labeled with the amine-reactive fluorescein probe carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl esters (CFSE) using an optimized protocol. The initial invasion of cells by labeled parasites was detected with fluorescent or confocal microscopy. The infection of cells was quantified by flow cytometry. Comparative analysis of infection of cells with CFSE-labeled and unlabeled sporozoites showed that the infectivity of C. parvum was not affected by CFSE labeling. Quantitative analysis showed that C. parvum Iowa and MD isolates were considerably more invasive than Cryptosporidium hominis isolate TU502. Unlike immunofluorescent assays, CFSE labeling permitted the tracking of the initial invasion of C. parvum. Such an assay may be useful for studying the dynamics of host cell-parasite interaction and possibly for drug screening.     

Plasmodium-infected blood cells analyzed and sorted by flow fluorimetry with the deoxyribonucleic acid binding dye 33258 Hoechst.

Red cells from Plasmodium berghei infected mouse blood can be sorted on the basis of their DNA content with the bisbenzimidazole dye 33258 Hoechst. The optimal conditions for dye uptake have been established and with these conditions uninfected cells are nonfluorescent and can be completely separated from infected cells which exhibit fluorescence in almost direct proportion to the number of parasite nuclei (i.e. DNA) they contain. The number of fluorescent cells detected and their fluorescence intensity is shown to be dependent on the dye concentration and the incubation medium being used. At least a proportion of the infected cells sorted from each fluorescence peak in the cell distribution retain their infectivity in vivo with some, but not all, conditions of labeling. This technique is being used to separate minor cell populations from infected blood for biochemical and immunochemical analyses and to screen human samples for malaria infected cells.     

Efficient labeling of mesenchymal stem cells using cell permeable magnetic nanoparticles

For the purpose of successfully monitoring labeled cells, optimum labeling efficiency without any side effect is a prerequisite. Magnetic cellular imaging is a new and growing field that allows the visualization of implanted cells in vivo. Herein, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles were conjugated with a non-toxic protein transduction domain (PTD), identified by the authors and termed low molecular weight protamine (LMWP), to generate efficient and non-toxic cell labeling tools. The cells labeled with LMWP-SPIO presented the highest iron content compared to those labeled with naked SPIO and the complex of SPIO with poly-l-lysine, which is currently used as a transfection agent. In addition to the iron content assay, Prussian staining and confocal observation demonstrated the highest intracellular LMWP-SPIO presence, and the labeling procedure did not alter the cell differentiation capacity of mesenchymal stem cells. Taken together, cell permeable magnetic nanoparticles conjugated with LMWP can be suggested as labeling tools for efficient magnetic imaging of transplanted cells.     

Resolving the Detailed Structure of Cortical and Thalamic Neurons in the Adult Rat Brain with Refined Biotinylated Dextran Amine Labeling

Biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) has been used frequently for both anterograde and retrograde pathway tracing in the central nervous system. Typically, BDA labels axons and cell somas in sufficient detail to identify their topographical location accurately. However, BDA labeling often has proved to be inadequate to resolve the fine structural details of axon arbors or the dendrites of neurons at a distance from the site of BDA injection. To overcome this limitation, we varied several experimental parameters associated with the BDA labeling of neurons in the adult rat brain in order to improve the sensitivity of the method. Specifically, we compared the effect on labeling sensitivity of: (a) using 3,000 or 10,000 MW BDA; (b) injecting different volumes of BDA; (c) co-injecting BDA with NMDA; and (d) employing various post-injection survival times. Following the extracellular injection of BDA into the visual cortex, labeled cells and axons were observed in both cortical and thalamic areas of all animals studied. However, the detailed morphology of axon arbors and distal dendrites was evident only under optimal conditions for BDA labeling that take into account the: molecular weight of the BDA used, concentration and volume of BDA injected, post-injection survival time, and toning of the resolved BDA with gold and silver. In these instances, anterogradely labeled axons and retrogradely labeled dendrites were resolved in fine detail, approximating that which can be achieved with intracellularly injected compounds such as biocytin or fluorescent dyes.     

Fluorescent staining of microfilaments with heavy meromyosin labeled with N-(7-dimethylamino-4-methylcoumarinyl) maleimide

For fluorescent staining of microfilaments in cells, heavy meromyosin (HMM) or subfragment-1 (S-1) was labeled with a novel thiol-directed fluorescent dye, N-(7-dimethylamino-4-methylcoumarinyl) maleimide (DACM), instead of the usual dyes, such as fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC). DACM-labeled HMM or S-1 gave characteristic fluorescence patterns to a variety of cell types similar to those reported with the use of FITC-labeled HMM or S-1 or with immunofluorescence techniques using anti-actin antibody. The fluorescence of DACM was fairly photoresistant as compared with FITC, so that HMM or S-1 required only 1 mol of the dye per myosin head. Consequently, F-actin need not be used to preserve the actin binding activity of the myosin fragments when labeling with the dye.     

Retrograde labeling and fine structure of olfactory receptor neurons in cat sharks

Ciliated and microvillar olfactory receptor cells have been reported in many fish species, including teleosts and elasmobranchs. Morphological studies have suggested that microvillar cells are the only olfactory receptor cells in the elasmobranchs; however, there is no direct evidence for this hypothesis. Here we used a cat shark (Scyliorhinus torazame) to determine the cell type of the olfactory receptor cells in elasmobranchs. Retrograde labeling with a fluorescent dye, Dil, labeled only cells in the second layer from the surface of the olfactory epithelium, suggesting that ciliated cells located in the surface layer are not olfactory receptor cells. In addition, electron microscopic observation revealed that the labeled cells in the second layer have a thin dendritic knob extending from the cell body to the free surface of the epithelium. A part of the dendritic knob facing the mucous layer did not have ciliary structures. These results provide evidence that the aciliate cells are the only olfactory receptor cells in the cat shark olfactory organ.