An Assay for Bacterial Extracellular Protein-Mediated Cytotoxicity on PMNs

Abstract

Source: Dankoff, J. G., et al. Quantifying the Cytotoxicity of Staphylococcus aureus Against Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes. J. Vis. Exp. (2020).

This video demonstrates an assay to investigate the cytotoxicity of proteins produced by Staphylococcus aureus, a pathogenic bacterium, on isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). The secreted cytotoxic proteins form pores on the PMN cell membrane, initiating cell death. Upon staining the dead cells using propidium iodide, flow cytometry is performed to quantify the dead cells and assess the cytotoxicity of the bacteria.

Protocol

All procedures involving human participants have been performed in compliance with the institutional, national, and international guidelines for human welfare and have been reviewed by the local institutional review board. 1. Purification of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and isolation of human serum NOTE: All reagents should be routinely checked for the presence of endotoxin using a commercially available endotoxin detection kit …

Representative Results

Figure 1: Flow cytometry analysis of purified PMNs. Representative flow cytometry dot plots of (A) purified human PMNs and (B) PMNs that have been purposely contaminated with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. (C) Representative flow cytometry histogram demonstrating minimal propidium iodide staining (<1%) of purified PMNs (shaded grey) as compared to PMNs treated with 0.05% Triton X-100 (sh…

Materials

0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, 500 mL VIAFLEX Plastic Container	Baxter	2B1323Q	PMN purification
1.5 mL micro-centrifuge tubes with Snap Caps	VWR	89000-044	Used in washing cells
1.8% Sodium Chloride Solution	Sigma-Aldrich	S5150	PMN purification
12x75mm Culture tubes	VWR	60818-430	Used as flow cytometry tubes
20% (w/w) Dextran	Sigma-Aldrich	D8802	PMN purification
3125 Hand Tally Counter	Traceable Products	3125CC	For counting cells
50 mL conical centrifuge tubes	VWR	89039-656	For dispensing media
Bacto Tryptic Soy Broth, Soybean-Casein Digest Medium	FischerScientific	211823	For growing cell cultures
BD Disposable Syringes with Luer-Lok Tips, 3 mL	FischerScientific	BD 309657	For filtering supernatants
Bright-Line Hemocytometer	Sigma-Aldrich	Z359629	Cell counting apparatus
DPBS, 1x (Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline) with calcium and magnesium	Corning	21-030-CV	Used in washing cells
Ficoll-Paque PLUS	GE Healthcare	17-1440-02	PMN purification
Fisherbrand Sterile Polystyrene Disposable Serological Pipets	FischerScientific	13-678-11E	For aspirating liquid
Greiner CELLSTAR 96 well plates	Millipore Sigma	M0687	Plate for holding experimental samples
OMICRON Syringe Filters	Omicron Scientific	SFPV13R	For filtering supernatants
Propidium iodide	ThermoFisher Scientific	P3566	Membrane impermeable DNA stain
PYREX Brand 4980 Erlenmeyer Flasks	Cole-Parmer	EW-34503-24	For growing cell cultures
RPMI 1640, 1X without L-glutamine, phenol red	Corning	17-105-CV	Used in resuspending cells
Sterile Water for Irrigation, USP	Baxter	2F7113	PMN purification
The Pipette Pump	Bel-Art Products	F37898	For aspirating liquid
Triton X-100	Sigma-Aldrich	X100	Membrane integrity positive control