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Spiteri AG, Pilkington KR, Wishart CL, Macia L, King NJC. High-Dimensional Methods of Single-Cell Microglial Profiling to Enhance Understanding of Neuropathological Disease. Curr Protoc 2024; 4:e985. [PMID: 38439574 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Microglia are the innate myeloid cells of the central nervous system (CNS) parenchyma, functionally implicated in almost every defined neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorder. Current understanding of disease pathogenesis for many neuropathologies is limited and/or lacks reliable diagnostic markers, vaccines, and treatments. With the increasing aging of society and rise in neurogenerative diseases, improving our understanding of their pathogenesis is essential. Analysis of microglia from murine disease models provides an investigative tool to unravel disease processes. In many neuropathologies, bone-marrow-derived monocytes are recruited to the CNS, adopting a phenotype similar to that of microglia. This significantly confounds the accurate identification of cell-type-specific functions and downstream therapeutic targeting. The increased capacity to analyze more phenotypic markers using spectral-cytometry-based technologies allows improved separation of microglia from monocyte-derived cells. Full-spectrum profiling enables enhanced marker resolution, time-efficient analysis of >40 fluorescence parameters, and extraction of cellular autofluorescence parameters. Coupling this system with additional cytometric technologies, including cell sorting and high-parameter imaging, can improve the understanding of microglial phenotypes in disease. To this end, we provide detailed, step-by-step protocols for the analysis of murine brain tissue by high-parameter ex vivo cytometric analysis using the Aurora spectral cytometer (Cytek), including best practices for unmixing and autofluorescence extraction, cell sorting for single-cell RNA analysis, and imaging mass cytometry. Together, this provides a toolkit for researchers to comprehensively investigate microglial disease processes at protein, RNA, and spatial levels for the identification of therapeutic targets in neuropathology. © 2024 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Processing the mouse brain into a single-cell suspension for microglia isolation Basic Protocol 2: Staining single-cell mouse brain suspensions for microglial phenotyping by spectral cytometry Basic Protocol 3: Flow cytometric sorting of mouse microglia for ex vivo analysis Basic Protocol 4: Processing the mouse brain for imaging mass cytometry for spatial microglia analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alanna G Spiteri
- Viral Immunopathology Laboratory, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research Theme, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Claire L Wishart
- Viral Immunopathology Laboratory, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research Theme, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Laurence Macia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Cytometry, The University of Sydney and Centenary Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicholas J C King
- Viral Immunopathology Laboratory, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research Theme, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Cytometry, The University of Sydney and Centenary Institute, Sydney, Australia
- The University of Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The University of Sydney Nano Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Ferrer-Font L, Small SJ, Hyde E, Pilkington KR, Price KM. Panel Design and Optimization for Full Spectrum Flow Cytometry. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2779:99-124. [PMID: 38526784 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3738-8_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Technological advancements in fluorescence flow cytometry and an ever-expanding understanding of the complexity of the immune system have led to the development of large flow cytometry panels, reaching up to 40 markers at the single-cell level. Full spectrum flow cytometry, which measures the full emission range of all the fluorophores present in the panel instead of only the emission peaks, is now routinely used in laboratories around the world, and the demand for this technology is rapidly increasing. With the ability to use larger and more complex staining panels, optimized protocols are vital for achieving the best panel design, panel optimization, and high-dimensional data analysis outcomes. In addition, a better understanding of how to fully characterize the autofluorescence of the sample, coupled with an intelligent panel design approach, allows improved marker resolution on highly autofluorescent tissues or cells. Here, we provide optimized step-by-step protocols for full spectrum flow cytometry, covering panel design and optimization, autofluorescence evaluation and strategy selection, and methods for performing longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ferrer-Font
- Hugh Green Cytometry Centre, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Sam J Small
- Hugh Green Cytometry Centre, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Evelyn Hyde
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Kylie M Price
- Hugh Green Cytometry Centre, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
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Hally KE, Ferrer-Font L, Pilkington KR, Larsen PD. OMIP 083: A 21-marker 18-color flow cytometry panel for in-depth phenotyping of human peripheral monocytes. Cytometry A 2022; 101:374-379. [PMID: 35274803 PMCID: PMC9310743 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.24545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Hally
- Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia, The University of Otago, Wellington.,School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington.,Wellington Cardiovascular Research Group, Wellington
| | - Laura Ferrer-Font
- Hugh Green Cytometry Centre, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Peter D Larsen
- Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia, The University of Otago, Wellington.,School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington.,Wellington Cardiovascular Research Group, Wellington
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Ferrer-Font L, Small SJ, Lewer B, Pilkington KR, Johnston LK, Park LM, Lannigan J, Jaimes MC, Price KM. Panel Optimization for High-Dimensional Immunophenotyping Assays Using Full-Spectrum Flow Cytometry. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e222. [PMID: 34492732 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Technological advancements in fluorescence flow cytometry and an ever-expanding understanding of the complexity of the immune system have led to the development of large flow cytometry panels reaching up to 43 colors at the single-cell level. However, as panel size and complexity increase, so too does the detail involved in designing and optimizing successful high-quality panels fit for downstream high-dimensional data analysis. In contrast to conventional flow cytometers, full-spectrum flow cytometers measure the entire emission spectrum of each fluorophore across all lasers. This allows for fluorophores with very similar emission maxima but unique overall spectral fingerprints to be used in conjunction, enabling relatively straightforward design of larger panels. Although a protocol for best practices in full-spectrum flow cytometry panel design has been published, there is still a knowledge gap in going from the theoretically designed panel to the necessary steps required for panel optimization. Here, we aim to guide users through the theory of optimizing a high-dimensional full-spectrum flow cytometry panel for immunophenotyping using comprehensive step-by-step protocols. These protocols can also be used to troubleshoot panels when issues arise. A practical application of this approach is exemplified with a 24-color panel designed for identification of conventional T-cell subsets in human peripheral blood. © 2021 Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Cytek Biosciences. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Preparation and evaluation of optimal spectral reference controls Support Protocol 1: Antibody titration Support Protocol 2: Changing instrument settings Basic Protocol 2: Unmixing evaluation of fully stained sample Basic Protocol 3: Evaluation of marker resolution Support Protocol 3: Managing heterogeneous autofluorescence Basic Protocol 4: Assessment of data quality using expert gating and dimensionality reduction algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ferrer-Font
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sam J Small
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Brittany Lewer
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kylie M Price
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
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Hope CM, Grace BS, Pilkington KR, Coates PT, Bergmann IP, Carroll RP. The immune phenotype may relate to cancer development in kidney transplant recipients. Kidney Int 2014; 86:175-83. [PMID: 24429406 DOI: 10.1038/ki.2013.538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Revised: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
High regulatory T-cell (Treg) numbers predict recurrent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in kidney transplant recipients, and the Treg immune phenotype may identify kidney transplant recipients at risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma and/or solid-organ cancer. To investigate this, a total of 116 kidney transplant recipients, of whom 65 had current or past cancer, were immune-phenotyped and followed up prospectively for a median of 15 months. Higher Treg (CD3+CD4+FOXP3+CD25(Hi)CD127(Lo)) proportion and numbers significantly increased the odds of developing cancer (odds ratios (95% CI) 1.61 (1.17-2.20) and 1.03 (1.00-1.06), respectively) after adjusting for age, gender, and duration of immunosuppression. Class-switched memory B cells (CD19+CD27+IgD-) had a significant association to cancer, 1.04 (1.00-1.07). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves for squamous cell carcinoma development within 100 days of immune phenotyping were significant for Tregs, memory B cells, and γδ T cells (AUC of 0.78, 0.68, and 0.65, respectively). After cancer resection, Treg, NK cell, and γδ T-cell numbers fell significantly. Immune-phenotype profiles associated with both squamous cell carcinoma and solid-organ cancer in kidney transplant recipients and depended on the presence of cancer tissue. Thus, immune profiling could be used to stratify kidney transplant recipients at risk of developing cancers to identify those who could qualify for prevention therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Hope
- 1] The Centre of Clinical and Experimental Transplantation (CCET), Central Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Services (CNARTS), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia [2] Department of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Blair S Grace
- 1] Department of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia [2] The Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Katherine R Pilkington
- 1] Detmold Family Imaging Facility, Hanson Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia [2] Department of Haematology, South Australia Pathology, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Patrick T Coates
- 1] The Centre of Clinical and Experimental Transplantation (CCET), Central Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Services (CNARTS), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia [2] Department of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Ivo P Bergmann
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Berne, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Robert P Carroll
- 1] The Centre of Clinical and Experimental Transplantation (CCET), Central Northern Adelaide Renal and Transplantation Services (CNARTS), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia [2] Department of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Liebregts T, Adam B, Bredack C, Gururatsakul M, Pilkington KR, Brierley SM, Blackshaw LA, Gerken G, Talley NJ, Holtmann G. Small bowel homing T cells are associated with symptoms and delayed gastric emptying in functional dyspepsia. Am J Gastroenterol 2011; 106:1089-98. [PMID: 21245834 DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2010.512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Immune activation may have an important pathogenic role in the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While little is known about immunologic function in functional dyspepsia (FD), we have observed an association between cytokine secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and symptoms in IBS. Upper gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases are characterized by enhanced small bowel homing α4-, β7-integrin, chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9) positive T lymphocytes. We hypothesized that increased cytokine release and elevated circulating small bowel homing T cells are linked to the severity of symptoms in patients with FD. Thus, we aimed to (i) compare cytokine release in FD and healthy controls (HCs), (ii) quantify "gut homing" T cells in FD compared with HC and patients with IBS, and (iii) correlate the findings to symptom severity and gastric emptying. METHODS PBMC from 45 (Helicobacter pylori negative) patients with FD (Rome II) and 35 matched HC were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and cultured for 24 h. Cytokine production (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CD4+ α4β7+CCR9+ T cells were quantified by flow cytometry in FD, HC and 23 patients with IBS. Gastric emptying was measured by scintigraphy. Symptom severity was assessed utilizing the standardized Gastrointestinal Symptom Score. RESULTS FD patients had significantly higher TNF-α (107.2 ± 42.8 vs. 58.7 ± 7.4 pg/ml), IL-1β (204.8 ± 71.5 vs. 80.2 ± 17.4 pg/ml), and IL-10 (218 ± 63.3 vs. 110.9 ± 18.5 pg/ml) levels compared with HC, and enhanced gut homing lymphocytes compared with HC or IBS. Cytokine release and CD4+α4β7+CCR9+ lymphocytes were correlated with the symptom intensity of pain, cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Delayed gastric emptying was significantly associated (r = 0.78, P = 0.021) with CD4+α4β7+CCR9+ lymphocytes and IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10 secretion. CONCLUSIONS Cellular immune activation with increased small bowel homing T cells may be key factors in the clinical manifestations of H. pylori-negative FD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Liebregts
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany.
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Pilkington KR, Clark-Lewis I, McColl SR. Inhibition of generation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity by a CCL19/macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-3beta antagonist. J Biol Chem 2004; 279:40276-82. [PMID: 15231820 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m405808200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemokines constitute a group of over 40 secreted peptides that are important for the control of leukocyte migration both during homeostasis and inflammation. Recent studies have implicated the ligands CCL19 and CCL21 and their receptor, CCR7, in the specific migration of naïve lymphocytes and mature dendritic cells to secondary lymphoid organs during immune homeostasis. However, the role that these molecules play during immune priming is not well understood. In this study, using CCL19((8-83)), a novel N-terminal truncation mutant, we have investigated the role of CCL19 in a primary allogeneic immune response, a response of particular relevance to transplant rejection. This antagonist specifically inhibited wild type CCL19-induced chemotaxis and intracellular calcium mobilization without affecting that of CCL21. The treatment of mice with CCL19((8-83)) did not globally inhibit the recruitment of cells into lymph nodes; however, it inhibited the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes toward allogeneic dendritic cells. This is the first evidence that CCL19 plays a role in immune priming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R Pilkington
- School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, The University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
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