Immortalized cancer cell lines can be grown as 3D cell cultures, a valuable model for biological research. This protocol describes mass spectrometry imaging of 3D cell cultures, including improvements in the sample preparation platform. The goal of this protocol is to instruct users to prepare 3D cell cultures for mass spectrometry imaging analysis.
Three dimensional cell cultures are attractive models for biological research. They combine the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of cell culture with some of the spatial and molecular complexity of tissue. For example, many cell lines form 3D structures given appropriate で vitro conditions. Colon cancer cell lines form 3D cell culture spheroids, in vitro mimics of avascular tumor nodules. While immunohistochemistry and other classical imaging methods are popular for monitoring the distribution of specific analytes, mass spectrometric imaging examines the distribution of classes of molecules in an unbiased fashion. While MALDI mass spectrometric imaging was originally developed to interrogate samples obtained from humans or animal models, this report describes the analysis of in vitro three dimensional cell cultures, including improvements in sample preparation strategies. Herein is described methods for growth, harvesting, sectioning, washing, and analysis of 3D cell cultures via matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) imaging. Using colon carcinoma 3D cell cultures as a model system, this protocol demonstrates the ability to monitor analytes in an unbiased fashion across the 3D cell culture system with MALDI-MSI.
Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a powerful technique to examine the distribution of molecular species across samples of interest. Researchers have imaged biological samples from whole animals down to single cells with this technique.1–4 Using MSI hundreds of analytes may be imaged at a single time, rather than single-substrate techniques requiring the development of additional fluorophores for traditional confocal microscopy, or staining for histology.5–7 Additionally, MSI can be used in either a targeted or a discovery-based fashion, making it an attractive approach to look at the overlap between the distribution of chemical species. Presented within are methods for the growth, preparation, and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization/desorption (MALDI) imaging of small samples (~1 mm in diameter) of three-dimensional multicellular cell cultures.8–11
3D cell cultures are of particular interest to the biological community as an intermediary between traditional monolayer culture and in vivo tumors. As the name implies, 3D cell cultures are heterogeneous cellular aggregates that contain many of the chemical gradients in the microenvironment observed in small avascular tumor nodules, making them a more realistic model system to the native tumor environment than monolayer culture.10 Many human cell lines can be grown as 3D cultures, including cell lines derived from colon, breast, ovary, prostate, kidney and lung tissues.10 There are inherent challenges in imaging three dimensional cell cultures as they are smaller than many samples commonly used for mass spectrometry imaging and therefore require careful sample preparation.7 However, the advantages of these tractable model systems include lower cost and faster growth and analysis time compared to animal models. As a result, studies involving three dimensional cell cultures can be higher throughput than traditional animal studies.12–14
All of these advantages have resulted in increasing popularity for three dimensional cell cultures in biological research; there is a corresponding need to develop new analytical strategies to explore both the composition and spatial distribution of molecules in these systems.12,15–21 The goal of this manuscript is to describe the adaptation of mass spectrometry imaging methods and sample preparation to three dimensional cell cultures.
1. 3D Cell Culture and Preparation for Imaging
2. Prepare Agarose Coated 96 Well Plates
3. Seed and Tend the Three-dimensional Culture
NOTE: More or fewer cells may be seeded depending on the requirements of the culture involved, but it has been determined that these conditions result in 3D cell culture structures of approximately 1 mm in diameter after 10-14 days of culture (data not shown).
4. Harvest the 3D Cell Cultures
5. Embed the 3D Cell Cultures in Gelatin
6. Slice and Thaw Mount the Gelatin-embedded 3D Cell Cultures for Mass Spectrometric Imaging
7. Matrix Application and Sample Preparation for MALDI Imaging
8. MALDI-MSI Analysis Using a MALDI-TOF System (i.e., AutoFlex III)
NOTE: This section contains instructions and advice for setting parameters for a MALDI-TOF imaging experiment. Depending on the instrument manufacturer and software used, the process may vary.
9. Optional Data Analysis Methods
MSI imaging has the potential to reveal many different molecular distribution in 3D cell cultures. Using the method outlined above, species from small molecules (Figure 1) to large proteins (Figure 2) may be tracked across the culture. These results show visualization of a single ion with the free tool MSiReader.32 Results may be analyzed for single ions of interest across the 3D cell culture with visualization software either in a region of interest or the entire scanned region. Additionally most software will automatically visualize ions above a certain threshold set by the user, which may aid discovery efforts. Once single ion maps are obtained, most software includes an ability to overlay the images to view the colocalization of ions. Either in discovery-based approaches or in a targeted fashion, mass spectrometry imaging is a powerful tool to analyze 3D cell cultures.
Figure 1. Representative results of 3D cell culture growth and sectioning. Left) Optical image of an intact colorectal HCT-116 3D cell culture structure as viewed on day 14 prior to harvesting. Right) Optical image of an approximately equatorial slice of a colorectal 3D cell culture thaw mounted onto an ITO-coated slide for imaging. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 2. Representative results of small molecule MALDI-MSI of an equatorial section of a 3D cell culture. Top) Average mass spectra achieved with α-CHCA in the low mass (small molecule) range. Bottom) Representative images of a single mass: 327.8 m/z primarily localized to the interior of the 3D cell culture and 429.7 m/z primarily localized to the edge of the 3D cell culture. Dashed line indicates the approximate edge of the spheroid. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 3. Representative results of protein imaging by MALDI-MSI of an equatorial section of a 3D cell culture. Top) Average mass spectra achieved with sinapic acid in the higher (protein) mass range. Bottom) Representative images of a single mass: 10,871 m/z primarily localized to the edge of the spheroid, and 12,184 m/z localized more toward the interior of the spheroid. Dashed line indicates the approximate edge of the spheroid. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Using the methods outlined above, 3D cell cultures may be grown and analyzed with MALDI-MSI. Many immortalized cell lines will form 3D structures when cultured appropriately.9,10 Care should be taken to cultivate cells that have not been passed too many times, that is, have low passage numbers. In general, cells with passage numbers of ten and lower are optimal for growing 3D cell cultures. Growing the 3D cell cultures in a traditional agarose support provides a cost effective way for research groups interested in 3D cell culture to try this system. This method utilizes few components not already in most mammalian cell culture laboratories. Careful attention must be paid to the preparation of the agarose plates for growth so that the 3D cell cultures are consistent in size and shape; some aspects that require careful attention include checking that no air bubbles are entrapped to the mixture and that a proper meniscus is formed at the bottom of each well. If the meniscus does not form properly, the cells may grow in non-spheroid shapes or in small clumps. Also, care must be taken not to place PBS into the gelatin with the spheroids. If this happens, remove the PBS from the top of the gelatin using a 200 μl pipette. If cost is not a factor, ultra-low binding round bottom plates are commercially available and offer simplification of these steps. While other tissue embedding methods can also be costly and non-mass spectrometry compatible, gelatin-embedding has been shown to be both inexpensive and versatile. Preparation strategies outlined above have been optimized for 3D cell cultures to obtain the highest quality data. While gelatin-embedding has been shown to be compatible with mass spectrometry analysis, this process does narrow the available matrices due to co-crystallization. Once frozen, the 3D cell cultures are stable for months as long as they are not freeze-thawed. The gelatin becomes opaque when frozen, and the 3D cell cultures are of a similar color, so it is advisable before freezing to document the 3D cell culture placement to aid in slicing.
When preparing slides, matrix can be applied with several different methods, but it should be noted that some matrixes have been found to co-crystalize with the gelatin, such as ferulic acid, rendering the sample unusable. Smaller matrix crystals produce more consistent mass spectra. While handspotting is the simplest method of matrix application, the larger solvent volume can result in larger crystal sizes and significant analyte migration.
At the mass spectrometer, advances in MALDI-MSI technologies have reduced the expertise required for beginning analyses. Data acquisition and analysis is straightforward on most systems, allowing even a novice to obtain high quality information from ITO-coated slides. Careful selection of the instrument parameters, optimized on nearby non-image worthy 3D cell cultures, is critical to obtaining high quality data. For instance, increasing laser power may increase peak intensity but decreasing laser power may improve resolution and give more symmetrical peak shapes. 3D cell cultures should be used quickly after slicing to ensure optimal sample quality. Degradation of protein signal may be seen in less than a week without proper storage (dessicator/-80 °C freezer), particularly in the high mass region (above 20 kDa). Due to growing demand, many different visualization software programs have been developed and are free to the research public. Most imaging mass spectrometers have installed the software necessary to visualize single masses with the proprietary formats used on each instrument. These software programs may be used to obtain single-mass images and export the data. Most software will also allow the overlay of two or more masses of interest. Additionally, many different viewers for MSI data are free to download, such as MSiReader and BioMap.32,33 The mass spectrometry data obtained may also be processed post-acquisition with ease, bringing more useful information to the forefront.
From pharmaceuticals to lipids to proteins, the system outlined above allows for rapid acquisition of data to evaluate the distribution of molecules of interest across a 3D cell culture structure. Serial sections can be taken to image the entire 3D structure by building from each 2D image of a slice of the 3D cell culture. The techniques and notes in the protocol will be of use to researchers wishing to begin three-dimensional cell culture as a bridge between monolayer culture and animal models. Once mastered, these techniques can be applied to multiple types of 3D cell cultures, tissues, and cell cultures, allowing researchers to image whichever samples they choose.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
This work was supported by the Walther Cancer Foundation under the Advancing Basic Cancer Research program to the Harper Cancer Research Institute of the University of Notre Dame (DARW) and the 2011 Starter Grant from the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (ABH). Thanks also to the staff of the Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility for useful discussions.
Name of Material/Equipment | Company | Catalog Number | コメント |
HCT116 Cell line | ATCC | ATCC CCL-247 | Potential hazard, handle with care |
McCoy's 5A media | Gibco | 16600-108 | |
Fetal Bovine serum | HyClone | SH30071.03 | |
0.25% Trypsin-EDTA solution | Gibco | 25200-056 | |
Agarose | Sigma-Aldrich | A9539 | |
Phosphate Buffered Saline | Gibco | 10010049 | |
Gelatin, unflavored | Knox | — | Available at most grocery stores in single-packets |
ITO-coated glass slides | Delta Technologies, Limited | CG-90IN-S115 | |
α-Cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA) | Sigma-Aldrich | C8982 | |
Sinapic Acid | Sigma-Aldrich | 85429 | |
0.3mm Gravity Feed Dual-Action Airbrush Paint Spray Gun Kit Set | RoyalMax Airbrush | — | Many options available on sites such as Amazon.com |