Journal of Jilin University Medicine Edition ›› 2016, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (01): 24-30.doi: 10.13481/j.1671-587x.20160106

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Comparison of effects between adult murine TEC isolation and enrichment methods

QI Huihui1, CHEN Bing1,2, CHEN Xiaona3, WANG Yaoqi4, TONG Qingyue1, SUN Liguang1, YANG Yongguang1   

  1. 1. Institute of Immunology, Academy of Translational Medicine, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, China;
    2. Department of Anesthesia, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China;
    3. Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China;
    4. Department of Thyroid Surgery, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun1 30021, China
  • Received:2015-09-16 Published:2016-01-26

Abstract:

Objective: To compare the effects between adult murine thymic epithelial cells (TECs)isolation and enrichment methods,and to find a high-efficiency TECs enrichment method with accurate invivo representation.Methods: Twenty-seven BABL/c mice (6-8 weeks)were divided into nine groups,and each group contained three mice. ① The isolation experiment contained five isolation groups: collagenase Ⅴ 1.0 g·L-1 group and 0.5,0.7,1.0,2.0 U·mL-1 LiberaseTM groups. Thymus digestion was performed according to relevant enzyme working concentrations. ② The enrichment experiment contained four enrichment groups: control,magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS),Percoll and Ficoll enrichment groups;in each group,thymus digestion was performed using the optimal working concentration (1.0 U·mL-1)of Liberase TM and the digests were continued for TECs enrichment by MACS,Percoll,Ficoll respectively (except control group). For isolation experiment,in each group,the cell viability and the yield of thymic stromal cells (TSCs)were examined by flow cytometry. For the enrichment experiment,the cell viability,the percentage of TSCs and the expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)in TSCs in each group were examined by flow cytometry. Furthermore,in both Percoll enrichment group and control group,the percentages of cortical TECs (cTECs)and medullary TECs (mTECs)were examined as well.Results: For the isolation experiment,the yield of TSCs in 1.0 U·mL-1 LiberaseTM group was higher than those in 0.5 and 0.7 U·mL-1 LiberaseTM groups(P<0.01);the cell viability and digestion time in 1.0 U·mL-1 LiberaseTM group were superior to 1.0 g·L-1 collagenase Ⅴ group (P<0.01). The cell viabilities in three enrichment groups were higher,and there were no significant differences between them (P > 0.05).Compared with control group,the percentages of TECs in three enrichment groups were increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). And among three enrichment groups,the percentage of TECs in Percoll enrichment group was higher than those in other two groups (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the percentages of cTECs and mTECs as well as the ratios of cTEC to mTEC between control group and Percoll enrichment group (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Liberase TM is more suitable for adult murine TECs isolation than collagenase Ⅴ and its optimal digestion concentration is 1.0 U·mL-1.All the three enrichment methods mentioned above can increase the percentage of TECs,and they all do little harm to the cells;Percoll is the most efficient method for adult murine TECs enrichment among three enrichment methods,and it doesn't affect the ratio of cTEC to mTEC,thereby making it easier for the following study.

Key words: thymic epithelial cells, cell enrichment, flow cytometry

CLC Number: 

  • R-331