Source: Bourgognon, M., et al. Kupffer Cell Isolation for Nanoparticle Toxicity Testing. J. Vis. Exp. (2015)
In this video, we demonstrate the isolation of Kupffer cells or liver macrophages from the mouse liver. The liver is perfused with a digestion solution followed by density gradient separation. The isolated adherent Kupffer cells can be used for further analysis.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Euthatal (pentobarbital sodium) | Merial | ||
CD1 mice | Charles River | – | Mouse weight should vary from 35 to 45 g. We advise the use of male CD1 mice as their weight increase rapidly (e.g. a male CD1 mouse of 7 weeks old exceeds 35 g in weight). It is also advised to contact the animal supplier in advance to arrange for the delivery of older animals. Alternatively animals can be in-house to reach the desired weight. |
HBSS (Ca2+ and Mg2+ free, with bicarbonate) | Life Technologies | 14175-053 | HBSS must be Ca2+ free. |
Ethylene Glycol Tetraacetic Acid (EGTA) tetrasodium salt | Sigma-Aldrich | E8145 | EDTA can also be used but EGTA has the advantage of chelating Ca2+ selectively. |
HEPES (1M) | Life Technologies | 15630-056 | 100 ml |
Collagenase type-IV | Worthington | CSL-4 | It is advised to test different batches of collagenase or at least mention to the supplier the product has to be suitable for liver cell isolation |
Low glucose DMEM | Sigma-Aldrich | D5523 | 500 ml |
RPMI (with sodium pyruvate and Glutamax®) | Life Technologies | 12633-012 | 500 ml |
Penicillin/Steptomycin | Life Technologies | 15140-122 | 100 ml |
Fetal Bovine Serum | First-Link | 60-00-850 | 500 ml |
Trypan blue solution | Sigma-Aldrich | T8154 | 100 ml |
Coated silica particle solution (Percoll®) | GE Healtcare | 17-0891-02 | Percoll® is very stable and can be kept for several years |
1x Phosphate-Buffered Saline | Life Technologies | 10010-023 | 500 ml |
10x Phosphate-Buffered Saline | Life Technologies | 70011-036 | 500 ml |
Butterfly blood collection set (23G/305mm long tubing) | BD | 367288 | |
Syringe Filters (0.22 μm Blue Rim) | Minisart | 16534-K | |
Centrifuge Tubes (50 ml Blue Cap) | BD Biosciences, Falcon | 35 2070 | |
Petri dish (90 x 15 mm) | Thermo Fisher Scientific | BSN 101VR20 | |
100 μm cell strainer | BD | 352360 | |
Peristaltic pump | Watson Marlow | SciQ 300 | Rinse tubing before and after each usage with sterile PBS and 70% ethanol. |
24-well plates | Corning | 3526 | |
Centrifuge | Eppendorf | 5810R | |
Serrefine forceps | Hammacher GmbH | Art. Nr. HSE 004-35 / Cat. Nr. 221-0051 | The serrefine forceps allow to clamp the vessel cannulated with the 23G needle without the need of holding the forceps during the perfusion procedure. URL: (http://www.hammacher.de/Laboratory-Products/Clamps-forceps/Serrefines/HSE-004-35-Serrefine::25126.html) |
Cell scraper | BD Biosciences, Falcon | 353086 | Cut blade extremities with a pair of scissors to scrape cells in 24-well plates. |
EGTA (Ethylene Glycol Tetraacetic Acid)/HBSS (Hank's Balanced Salt Solution) Solution | HBSS containing 0.5 mM EGTA and 25 mM HEPES. Adjust pH to 7.4. Prepare 50 ml for each liver to perfuse. | ||
Collagenase Solution | DMEM low glucose containing collagenase type IV at 100 UI/ml, 15 mM HEPES and 1% Penicllin/Streptamycin (v/v). Adjust pH to 7.4. Prepare 100 ml for each liver to perfuse. After adding the collagenase, it is advised to warm up the solution for 30 min before use. This allows the collagenase activity to be optimum. | ||
Kupffer Cell Isolation Medium | RPMI containing, 1% Non-Essential Amino-Acids (v/v),1% glutamax® (v/v) and 1% Penicllin/Streptomycin (v/v). Prepare at least 100 ml for 1-3 livers. | ||
Kupffer Cell Culture Medium | RPMI containing 10% Fetal Bovine Serum, 1% Non-Essential Amino-Acids (v/v),1% Glutamax® (v/v) and 1% Penicllin/Streptamycin (v/v). Prepare at least 100 ml for 1-3 livers. | ||
SIP (solution of isotonic coated silica particles) | Mix 1.7 ml of 10x Phosphate Buffered Saline with 15.3 ml of Percoll® to obtain 17mL of SIP. | ||
25% SIP solution | Mix 5 ml of SIP with 15 ml of 1x Phosphate Buffered Saline | ||
50% SIP solution | Mix 10 ml of SIP with 10 ml of 1x Phosphate Buffered Saline | ||
Lysis Buffer | DMEM media with 0.9% Triton X-100 | ||
PBS/BSA Solution | Prepare fresh Phosphate-Buffered Saline pH 7.4 with 1% Bovine Serum Albumin. |