BH
Barbara Hochecker
  • Research scientist, Department of Life Sciences, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences, Germany
研究方向
  • Cell Biology
Quantification of Autophagosomes in Human Fibroblasts Using Cyto-ID® Staining and Cytation Imaging
利用Cyto-ID®染色和Cytation成像技术定量分析人类成纤维细胞中的自噬小体
作者:Barbara Hochecker, Katja C. Matt, Alica L. Meßmer, Melanie M. Scherer and Jörg Bergemann日期:07/05/2024,浏览量:557,Q&A: 0

As an essential process for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and function, autophagy is responsible for the lysosome-mediated degradation of damaged proteins and organelles; therefore, dysregulation of autophagy in humans can lead to a variety of diseases. The link between impaired autophagy and disease highlights the need to investigate possible interventions to address dysregulations. One possible intervention is hyperthermia, which is described in this protocol. To investigate these interventions, a method for absolute quantification of autophagosomal compartments is required that allows comparison of autophagosomal activity under different conditions. Existing methods such as western blotting and immunohistochemistry for analysing the location and relative abundance of intracellular proteins associated with autophagy, or transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which are either very time-consuming, expensive, or both, are less suitable for this purpose. The method described in this protocol allows the absolute quantification of autophagosomes per cell in human fibroblasts using the CYTO-ID® Autophagy Detection Kit after heat therapy compared to a control. The Cyto-ID® assay is based on the use of a specific dye that selectively stains autophagic compartments, combined with an additional Hoechst 33342 dye for nuclear staining. The subsequent recognition of these stained compartments by the Cytation Imager enables the software to determine the number of autophagosomes per nucleus in living cells. Additionally, this absolute quantification uses an image-based method, and the protocol is easy to use and not time-consuming. Furthermore, the method is not only suitable for heat therapy but can also be adapted to any other desired therapy or substance.

Ex vivo Assessment of Mitochondrial Function in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Using XF Analyzer
使用XF分析仪体外评估人外周血单个核细胞线粒体功能
作者:Alica Schöller-Mann, Katja Matt, Barbara Hochecker and Jörg Bergemann日期:04/05/2021,浏览量:3878,Q&A: 0

Cellular health and function, as we know today, depend on a large extent on mitochondrial function. The essential function of mitochondria is the energy production, more precisely ATP production, via oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial energy production parameters therefore represent important biomarkers. Studies on human cells have mainly been performed on in vitro cell cultures. However, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are particularly suitable for such examinations. That’s why this protocol describes a method to measure key parameters of mitochondrial function in freshly isolated PBMCs with the latest technology, the XF Analyzer. For this ex vivo approach PBMCs are first isolated out of human anticoagulated blood. Next, they are attached to the surface of special microplates pre-coated with Poly-D-Lysine. During the subsequent measurement of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) as well as extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) the stress reagents oligomycin, carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP), rotenone and antimycin A are injected. Several mitochondrial parameters can be calculated from the results obtained. The application of this protocol allows the analysis of various influences, such as pharmaceuticals or environmental factors, on human cells.