The ability of inflamed endothelium to recruit leukocytes from flow is regulated by mesenchymal stromal cells. We describe two in vitro models incorporating primary human cells that can be used to assess neutrophil recruitment from flow and examine the role that mesenchymal stromal cells play in regulating this process.
Stromal cells regulate the recruitment of circulating leukocytes during inflammation through cross-talk with neighboring endothelial cells. Here we describe two in vitro “vascular” models for studying the recruitment of circulating neutrophils from flow by inflamed endothelial cells. A major advantage of these models is the ability to analyze each step in the leukocyte adhesion cascade in order, as would occur in vivo. We also describe how both models can be adapted to study the role of stromal cells, in this case mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), in regulating leukocyte recruitment.
Primary endothelial cells were cultured alone or together with human MSC in direct contact on Ibidi microslides or on opposite sides of a Transwell filter for 24 hr. Cultures were stimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) for 4 hr and incorporated into a flow-based adhesion assay. A bolus of neutrophils was perfused over the endothelium for 4 min. The capture of flowing neutrophils and their interactions with the endothelium was visualized by phase-contrast microscopy.
In both models, cytokine-stimulation increased endothelial recruitment of flowing neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of the behavior of recruited neutrophils showed a dose-dependent decrease in rolling and a dose-dependent increase in transmigration through the endothelium. In co-culture, MSC suppressed neutrophil adhesion to TNFα-stimulated endothelium.
Our flow based-adhesion models mimic the initial phases of leukocyte recruitment from the circulation. In addition to leukocytes, they can be used to examine the recruitment of other cell types, such as therapeutically administered MSC or circulating tumor cells. Our multi-layered co-culture models have shown that MSC communicate with endothelium to modify their response to pro-inflammatory cytokines, altering the recruitment of neutrophils. Further research using such models is required to fully understand how stromal cells from different tissues and conditions (inflammatory disorders or cancer) influence the recruitment of leukocytes during inflammation.
Inflammation is a protective response to microbial infection or tissue injury that requires tight regulation of leukocyte entry into and exit from the inflamed tissue to allow resolution1,2. Cross-talk between endothelial cells (EC) that line blood vessels, circulating leukocytes and tissue-resident stromal cells is essential for coordinating this process3. However, uncontrolled recruitment of leukocytes and their ineffective clearance underpin the development of chronic inflammatory diseases4. Our current understanding of leukocyte recruitment in health and disease is incomplete and more robust models are needed to analyze this process.
The mechanisms supporting the recruitment of leukocytes from blood through vascular EC in post-capillary venules have been well described1,2,5. Circulating leukocytes are captured by specialized receptors (e.g., VCAM-1, E-selectin, P-selectin) which are up-regulated on inflamed endothelium. These transient interactions allow leukocytes to interact with surface bound chemokines and lipid-derived mediators (either endothelial or stromal in origin) that activate integrins expressed by leukocytes6-11. This in turn stabilizes adhesion and drives migration across the endothelium and into the tissue12-15. Within tissue, recruited leukocytes are subjected to stromal-derived agents that influence their motility, function and survival16,17. Growing evidence strongly suggests that signals received at each stage of the recruitment process conditions leukocytes for the next. However, our understanding of leukocyte recruitment remains incomplete and very little is known about the components shaping leukocyte movement within tissue.
In Birmingham we have developed several in vitro “vascular” models to study the recruitment of leukocytes from flow9,18,19. We now understand that vascular EC act as immediate regulators of leukocyte recruitment responding to changes in their local microenvironment. Specifically, tissue-resident stromal cells can actively regulate the inflammatory response, in part by conversing with neighboring vascular EC to influence their role in recruitment3. We have previously shown that various stromal cells modulate the ability of EC to support adhesion and migration of leukocytes in a tissue-specific manner, and that these effects become altered in chronic diseases13,16,20,21. Thus, stromal cells establish tissue ‘address-codes’ that define the context of each inflammatory response22. More recently, we have demonstrated that bone-marrow derived MSC (BMMSC) potently down-regulate the response of EC to cytokines, leading to a reduction in the recruitment of both neutrophils and lymphocytes23.
The mechanisms governing recruitment elucidated in vitro have largely used assays incorporating a single cell type (e.g., EC) or protein in isolation. However, these studies do not take into consideration the effects of the local tissue environment (i.e., the presence of stromal cells) on recruitment of leukocytes and their subsequent migration into the tissue. Here we describe two flow-based methods in which stromal cells, specifically mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), are co-cultured with EC23. Such models allow us to examine the effect of stromal cell on endothelial responses, in particular their ability to support leukocyte recruitment from flow.
1. Isolation and Culture of Primary Human Endothelial Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
2. Establishing Endothelial-mesenchymal Stem Cell Co-cultures on Ibidi Microslides
3. Establishing Endothelial-Mesenchymal Stem Cell Co-cultures on Filters
4. Isolation of Leukocytes
5. Assembling the Flow System
6. Setting Up the Parallel Plate Flow Chamber Incorporating Filters
7. Setting Up Microslides for Flow
8. Perfusion of Leukocytes Over Endothelial Cells
9. Recording Neutrophil Capture and Behavior
10. Analysis of Leukocyte Recruitment and Behavior
Initially, we analyzed the effect of stimulating EC with TNFα on the recruitment of neutrophils from flow using the Ibidi microslide model (Section 7 – 9). In the absence of TNFα, little if any neutrophils adhered to the endothelial monolayer (Figure 2A). This was expected, as untreated/resting EC do not express the necessary adhesion molecules (selectins) or chemokines to support binding25,26. In contrast, cytokine-stimulation significantly increased neutrophil adhesion to the endothelium in a dose-dependent manner (Figure 2A). Adhesion normally remains stable over the course of the assay. Binding of leukocytes to untreated endothelium indicates that either the EC are activated (i.e., contaminated with LPS during the culture process) and/or the neutrophils were activated during the isolation process. Indeed, LPS has been shown to increase the expression of E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-125-27 on the surface of EC, allowing them to bind neutrophils.
When analyzing the behavior of the recruited neutrophils we typically observe a dose-dependent decrease in the percentage of neutrophils rolling (Figure 2B) with a concomitant dose dependent increase in the percentage of neutrophils migrating through the endothelial monolayer (Figure 2C). At the lower doses of TNFα-stimulation (1 U/ml) a larger proportion of neutrophils appear phase bright indicating that they are attached to the apical surface of the endothelium (Figure 2B). In contrast, at 10 and 100 U/ml (higher doses) approximately 40% of the recruited neutrophils appear phase dark at 2 min indicating that these cells have migrated through the endothelial monolayer and are underneath the endothelium (Figure 2C). Neutrophils are able to migrate through the EC within 1 – 2 min, with transmigration reaching maximal levels at ~10min post-perfusion28. Here we observed an increase in neutrophil transmigration from 40% at 2 min to 60% by 9 min post perfusion (Figure 2C). We observed no effect of TNFα concentration on the velocity of rolling (~3 µm/sec) or migrating (~10 – 12 µm/min) neutrophils.
In the filter based model, TNFα-stimulation increased neutrophil adhesion in a dose-dependent manner similar to that seen using the Ibidi microslide model (Figure 3A). In terms of behavior, neutrophil rolling was unaffected by TNFα dose (Figure 3B), whilst a dose-dependent increase in percentage transmigration was observed (Figure 3C). In this series of experiments we observed no significant effect of time on neutrophil transmigration (Figure 3C).
We provide methods on how to generate two different co-culture constructs, each of which is devised to answer specific questions. In the Ibidi microslide model, EC and MSC are cultured in a single monolayer in direct contact with one another. This model is useful for examining the effect of therapeutic injection of MSC into the blood and their subsequent integration into the EC monolayer. In contrast in the filter-based model, EC and MSC are cultured on opposite sides of the filter in close proximity but not necessarily in direct contact. This more closely resembles tissue, with endothelial cells forming a monolayer representing the blood vessel, and MSC residing in the subendothelial compartment. This allows us to examine the effects of tissue-resident MSC on the response of EC to cytokine stimulation.
Based on our experiences, we observe that maximal neutrophil recruitment and transendothelial migration occurs when EC are stimulated with 100 U/ml TNFα. As such, we have used this concentration to examine the effect of MSC co-culture on endothelial recruitment of neutrophils from flow. Here, we present data for BMMSC in co-culture with EC using the microslide and filter-based models however, other types of MSC can also be examined e.g., WJMSC. In both models the presence of BMMSC significantly reduced neutrophil adhesion to the EC when compared to EC cultured alone (Figure 4A). Co-culture had no effect on the behavior of recruited neutrophils, with similar levels of rolling and transmigration observed on EC cultured alone or with MSC (Figure 4B and C). Thus, MSC can modify the EC response to cytokine stimulation, which suppresses their ability to support neutrophil recruitment from flow.
Figure 1. Establishing EC-MSC co-culture and analyzing neutrophil recruitment using a flow-based adhesion assay. (A) Micrograph of (i) primary EC and (ii) passage 3 BMMSC grown on tissue culture flasks. (B) Micrograph of EC and MSC cultured on 6-well Transwell filter inserts. (C) Diagram of the perfusion system used to generate flow. (D) Schematic representation of the parallel plate filter flow chamber. (E) Micrograph of (i) firmly adherent (FA) and (ii) transmigrated (TM) neutrophils following recruitment from flow to EC stimulated with 100 U/ml TNFα. Images C and D are taken from Figures 2 and 3 in Methods in Molecular Biology: T-cell Trafficking, 2010, pg 53-5428 with kind permission from Springer Science and Business Media. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 2. Neutrophil recruitment from flow to TNFα-stimulated EC using Ibidi microslides. EC were stimulated with increasing concentrations of TNFα (0 – 100 U/ml) for 4 hr. A 4 min bolus of neutrophils was perfused over the EC monolayer at 0.05 Pa. (A) Neutrophil adhesion assessed at 2 min. ANOVA showed a significant effect of TNFα treatment on neutrophil adhesion, p < 0.01. Neutrophil behavior was assessed at 2 and 9 min and expressed as a percentage of adherent cells that were (B) rolling or (C) transmigrated. ANOVA showed a significant effect of TNFα treatment on the behavior of the adherent neutrophils, p < 0.001. In C, ANOVA showed a significant of time on transmigrated neutrophils p < 0.01. Data are mean ± SEM from n = 3 experiments. *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01 compared to the unstimulated (0 U/ml) EC control by Dunnett post-test. ##p < 0.01 and ###p < 0.001 compared to the 1 U/ml EC at the same time point by Bonferroni post-test.
Figure 3. Neutrophil recruitment from flow to TNFα-stimulated EC using filter-based assay. EC were stimulated with increasing concentrations of TNFα (0 – 100 U/ml) for 4 hr. A 4 min bolus of neutrophils was perfused over the EC monolayer at 0.1 Pa. (A) Neutrophil adhesion assessed at 2 min. ANOVA showed a significant effect of TNFα treatment on neutrophil adhesion, p < 0.001. Neutrophil behavior was assessed at 2 and 9 min and expressed as a percentage of adherent cells that were (B) rolling or (C) transmigrated. In C, ANOVA showed a significant effect of time and cytokine treatment on neutrophil transmigration, p < 0.05. Data are mean ± SEM from n = 3 experiments. **p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001 compared to the unstimulated (0 U/ml) EC control by Dunnett post-test. #p < 0.05 compared to the 1 U/ml EC at the same time point by Bonferroni post-test.
Figure 4. Neutrophil recruitment from flow to TNFα-stimulated EC-BMMSC co-cultures. BMMSC were co-cultured with EC for 24 hr prior to stimulation with 100 U/ml TNFα for 4 hr. A 4 min bolus of neutrophils was perfused over the EC monolayer at 0.05 Pa for (A, C, E) microslides and 0.1 Pa for (B, D, F) filters. (A-B) Neutrophil adhesion was assessed at 2 min. Neutrophil behavior was assessed at 2 and 9 min and expressed as a percentage of adherent cells that were (C-D) rolling or (E-F) transmigrated. In C and D, ANOVA showed a significant effect of culture conditions on neutrophil rolling, p < 0.05. In E and F, ANOVA showed a significant effect of time on neutrophil transmigration, p < 0.05. However, no significant differences were observed in transmigration between individual treatments by Bonferroni post-test. Data are mean ± SEM from n = 5 experiments. *p < 0.05 compared to the EC monoculture by paired t-test or Bonferroni post-test.
Supplementary Video 1. Analysis of neutrophil rolling velocities. EC cultured on a Transwell filter were stimulated with 100 U/ml TNFα for 4 hr. A bolus of neutrophils was perfused over the EC for 4min. Representative digitized sequence of a single 10 sec field taken 2 min post-perfusion. The change in position of a single rolling neutrophil from the beginning to the end of the 10 sec sequence can be used to calculate the velocity at which the neutrophil is rolling.
Supplementary Video 2. Analysis of neutrophil migration velocities. EC cultured on a Transwell filter were stimulated with 100 U/ml TNFα for 4 hr. A bolus of neutrophils was perfused over the EC for 4 min. Representative digitized sequence of a single 5 min field to track the movement of transmigrated neutrophils. This can be used to calculate the velocity.
Here we describe two in vitro “vascular” models for studying the recruitment of circulating neutrophils by inflamed endothelium. A major advantage of these models is the ability to analyze each step in the leukocyte adhesion cascade in order, as would occur in vivo. We have previously observed a dose-dependent increase in neutrophil adhesion to and transmigration through TNFα-stimulated EC9,29. We also describe how both models can be adapted to study the effects of stromal cells on leukocyte recruitment. Here, MSC were co-cultured with EC in an Ibidi microslide or on opposite sides of a porous filter. This allows both cell types to communicate with one another, thereby modifying each other’s phenotype and response. We have shown here, and in previous studies23, that the presence of MSC suppressed neutrophil adhesion to TNFα-stimulated EC. This indicates that stromal cells modify the EC response to cytokines and subsequently alters the recruitment of circulating leukocytes.
In addition to the models described above, Cellix Biochips, Bioflux plates and Glyotech parallel plate flow chambers are commercially available flow channel systems that provide a surface for culturing endothelium and observing recruitment. In all systems, certain parameters should be considered whilst establishing endothelial cultures and performing the flow-based adhesion assays, some of which are highlighted below and in previous reports30,31. Any anti-inflammatory agents, such as hydrocortisone, that may affect the cytokine responses should be omitted from the medium for the duration of the culture and assay18,29. When using the Ibidi microslide ensure that there are no air bubbles present in the flow channel during the culture of the EC as these will disrupt the EC monolayer. The integrity of the endothelial monolayer should be confirmed prior to cytokine-treatment, as neutrophils will bind to the gaps in the monolayer where the BSA has coated the microslide/filter. It is also essential to ensure that EC are maintained at 37 °C throughout the cytokine-stimulation because TNFα is temperature sensitive and only has the maximal effect at 37 °C. For the flow assay itself, select an appropriate wash buffer, we typically use PBSA for short assays (less than 30 mins) and M199 medium supplemented with BSA (0.15%) for longer assays (1 – 48 hr)30,31. Finally ensure that there are no air bubbles present in the flow channel during the assay as this disrupts the flow rate, damages the EC monolayer and activates adherent neutrophils.
One of the major advantages of the multi-cellular in vitro models described here is their ability to replicate the in vivo interactions between EC and stromal cells. It is difficult to isolate the effects of specific stromal components in vivo and to modify them in a controlled manner. In our models, stromal cells can be manipulated to elucidate how they communicate with EC and influence the inflammatory process in health and disease. For example, using siRNA technology we have previously shown that production of IL-6 by MSC during co-culture was necessary for their immunosuppressive effects23. Each model can be used to address specific questions i.e., the effect of tissue-resident stromal cells (filter-based model) or therapeutically administered stromal cells (Ibidi microslides and other commercially available systems) on leukocyte recruitment. In both cases we have titrated different stromal cell types to ensure their viability and to establish a suitable ratio of stromal cell to EC for assessing effects on recruitment15,25. Similarly culture medium must be compatible with each cell type incorporated into the model. In our hands co-cultures are typically performed in the stromal cell medium11,18,23,31.
Using the filter-based model, we have previously shown that various stromal cells modulate the ability of EC to support adhesion and migration of leukocytes in a tissue-specific manner and that these effects become altered in chronic diseases3. This led to the concept that stromal cells establish tissue-specific “address codes” which actively regulate the recruitment of leukocytes to inflamed tissue24. These models are specifically designed to examine the initial stages of recruitment in great detail but are unable to study the subsequent migration within the subendothelial space (i.e., away from the endothelium into the tissue). Multi-cellular, multilayered 3D constructs such as a static collagen gel assay12,32 would be more appropriate for studying these latter phases of recruitment.
Our flow-based adhesion models are highly versatile. We have described their use in the context of neutrophil recruitment, but other leukocyte subsets can be investigated in a similar manner. We have also used the Ibidi microslide system to investigate the recruitment of circulating MSC by EC23, and whether this occurs through the same adhesion cascade reported for leukocytes. Likewise these models could be used to examine the recruitment and incorporation of metastatic tumor cell lines, and their subsequent effects on endothelial responses and leukocyte recruitment. Alternatively, the filter-based model could be adapted to incorporate different types of stromal cells (e.g., fibroblasts, podocytes, smooth muscle cells) from healthy tissues13,21 and sites of disease11,18,20. This would enable the study of tissue-specific regulatory pathways acting at the level of on EC and/or leukocytes. In all cases the disruption of normal regulatory processes in a range of disease conditions can be examined to identify key regulatory mediators (such as IL-6 and TGFβ) and potential new therapeutic targets. In the context of chronic inflammation these agents might be used to switch off the recruitment process, whilst in cancer biology one could imagine their use to turn on recruitment to target the tumor.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Umbilical cords were collected with the assistance of the Birmingham Women’s Health Care NHS Trust. HMM was supported by an Arthritis Research UK Career Development Fellowship (19899) and Systems Science for Health, University of Birmingham (5212).
Collagenase Type Ia | Sigma | C2674 | Dilute in 10ml PBS to get a final concentration of 10mg/ml. Store at -20°C in 1ml aliquots. |
Dulbecco's PBS | Sigma | D8662 | With calcium and magnesium chloride. Keep sterile and store at room temperature. |
1X Medium M199 | Gibco | 31150-022 | Warm in 37 °C water bath before use. |
Gentamicin sulphate | Sigma | G1397 | Store at 4°C. Add to M199 500ml bottle. |
Human epidermal growth factor | Sigma | E9644 | Store at -20°C in 10µl aliquots. |
Fetal calf serum (FCS) | Sigma | F9665 | FCS must be batch tested to ensure the growth and viability of isolated EC. Heat inactivate at 56°C. Store in 10ml aliquots at -20°C. |
Amphotericin B | Gibco | 15290-026 | Potent and becomes toxic within a week so fresh complete HUVEC medium must be made up every week. Store at -20°C in 1ml aliquots. |
Hydrocortisone | Sigma | H0135 | Stock is in ethanol. Store at -20°C in 10µl aliquots. |
Collagenase Type II | Sigma | C6885 | Dilute stock in PBS to a final concentration of 100mg/ml. Store at -20°C in 100µl aliquots. |
Hyaluronidase | Sigma | H3631 | Dilute stock in PBS to a final concentration of 20,000U/ml. Store at -20°C in 100µl aliquots. |
100µm cell strainer for 50ml centifuge tube | Scientific Lab Supplies (SLS) | 352360 | Other commercially available cell strainers (e.g. Greiner bio-one) can also be used. |
DMEM low glucose | Biosera | LM-D1102/500 | Warm in 37 °C water bath before use. |
Penicillin/Streptomycin mix | Sigma | P4333 | Store at -20°C in 1ml aliquots. |
25cm2 tissue culture flask | SLS | 353109 | |
75cm2 tissue culture flask | SLS | 353136 | |
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells vial | Lonza | PT-2501 | Store in liquid nitrogen upon arrival. Cells are at passage 2 upon arrival but are designated passage 0. Exapand to passage 3 and store in liquid nitrogen for later use. |
Mesenchymal stem cell growth medium (MSCGM) | Lonza | PT-3001 | Warm in 37 °C water bath before use. For Cell Tracker Green staining use medium without FCS. |
EDTA (0.02%) solution | Sigma | E8008 | Store at 4°C. Warm in 37°C water bath before use. |
Trypsin solution | Sigma | T4424 | Store at -20°C in 2ml aliquots. Thaw at room temperature and use immediately. |
Cryovials | Greiner bio-one | 2019-02 | Keep on ice before adding before adding cell suspension. |
Mr. Frosty Freezing Container | Nalgene | 5100-0001 | Store at room temperature. When adding cryovials with cells store at -80°C for 24h before transfrring cells to liquid nitrogen. |
Ibidi u-Slide VI (0.4), T/C treated, sterile | Ibidi | IB-80606 | Alternative models include glass capillaries, Cellix Biochips (www.cellixltd.com), BioFlux Plates (www.fluxionbio.com/bioflux/) and GlycoTech parallel plate flow chambers (http://www.glycotech.com/apparatus/parallel.html). |
Cell tracker green dye | Life technologies | C2925 | Store in 5µl aliquots at -20°C. Dilute in 5ml prewarmed (at 37°C) MSCGM. |
Cell counting chambers | Nexcelom | SD-100 | Alternatively a haemocytometer can be used. |
Cellometer auto T4 cell counter | Nexcelom | Auto T4-203-0238 | |
Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) | R&D Systems | 210-TA-100 | Dilute stock in PBS to a final concentration of 100,000U/ml. Store at -80°C in 10µl aliquots. |
6-well, 0.4µm PET Transwell filters | SLS | 353090 | |
K2-EDTA in 10ml tubes | Sarstedt | Store at room temperature. | |
Histopaque 1119 | Sigma | 11191 | Store at 4°C. Warm to room temperature before use. |
Histopaque 1077 | Sigma | 10771 | Store at 4°C. Warm to room temperature before use. |
10ml round bottomed tube | Appleton Woods | SC211 142 AS | |
7.5% BSA Fraction V solution | Life technologies | 15260-037 | Store at 4°C. |
20ml Plastipak syringes | BD falcon | 300613 | |
5ml Plastipak syringes | BD falcon | 302187 | |
2ml Plastipak syringes | BD falcon | 300185 | |
3M hypo-allergenic surgical tape 9m x 2.5cm | Micropore | 1530-1 | Use to secure the syringe tap onto the wall of the perspex chamber. |
Silicon rubber tubing, internal diameter/external diameter (ID/OD) of 1/3mm (thin tubing) | Fisher Scientific | FB68854 | Cut silicon tubing to the appropriate size. All tubing leading directly to the electronic microvalve must be thin. |
Silicon rubber tubing ID/OD of 2/4mm (thick tubing) | Fisher Scientific | FB68855 | |
Portex Blue Line Manometer tubing | Smiths | 200/495/200 | Tubing leading to the syringe pump. |
3-way stopcock | BOC Ohmeda AB | ||
Glass 50ml syringe for pump | Popper Micromate | 550962 | Must be primed prior to use by removing any air bubbles. |
Glass coverslip | Raymond A Lamb | 26x76mm coverslips made to order. Lot number 2440980. | |
Parafilm gasket | American National Can Company | Cut a 26x76mm piece of parafilm using an aluminium template and cut a 20x4mm slot into it using a scalpel 10a. Gasket thickness is approximately 133µm. | |
Two perspex parallel plates | Wolfson Applied Technology Laboratory | Specially designed chamber consisting of parallel plates held together by 8 screws. The lower plate has a viewing slot cut out in the middle and a shallow recess milled to allow space for the coverslip, filter and gasket. The upper perspex plate has an inlet and outlet hole positioned over the flow channel. | |
Electronic 3-way microvalve with min. dead space | Lee Products Ltd. | LFYA1226032H | Electronically connected to a 12 volt DC power supply. |
Syringe pump for infusion/withdrawal (PHD2000) | Harvard Apparatus | 70-2001 | Set the diameter to 29mm and refill (flow) rate. |
L-shaped connector | Labhut | LE876 | To attach to the inlet and outlet ports onto the Ibidi microslide channel. |
Video camera | Qimaging | 01-QIC-F-M-12-C | Connected to a computer which enables digitall videos to be recorded. |
Image-Pro Plus 7.0 | Media Cybernetics | 41N70000-61592 | For data analysis. Manually tag cells displaying the different behaviors. Track cells for analysis of rolling and migration velocities. |
Refer to product datasheets for details on hazards of using the reagents described here. |