Flow Cytometry Protocols for Surface and Intracellular Antigen Analyses of Neural Cell Types

Summary

We provide a detailed description of a protocol for flow cytometric analysis of surface antigens and/or intracellular antigens in neural cell types. Critical aspects of experimental planning, step-by-step methodological procedures, and fundamental principles of flow cytometry are explained in order to enable neurobiologists to exploit this powerful technology.

Abstract

Flow cytometry has been extensively used to define cell populations in immunology, hematology and oncology. Here, we provide a detailed description of protocols for flow cytometric analysis of the cluster of differentiation (CD) surface antigens and intracellular antigens in neural cell types. Our step-by-step description of the methodological procedures include: the harvesting of neural in vitro cultures, an optional carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-labeling step, followed by surface antigen staining with conjugated CD antibodies (e.g., CD24, CD54), and subsequent intracellar antigen detection via primary/secondary antibodies or fluorescently labeled Fab fragments (Zenon labeling). The video demonstrates the most critical steps. Moreover, principles of experimental planning, the inclusion of critical controls, and fundamentals of flow cytometric analysis (identification of target population and exclusion of debris; gating strategy; compensation for spectral overlap) are briefly explained in order to enable neurobiologists with limited prior knowledge or specific training in flow cytometry to assess its utility and to better exploit this powerful methodology.

Introduction

Flow cytometry has been extensively exploited in immunology, hematology and oncology to define cell populations via intrinsic scatter properties, cell surface antigen expression, and other fluorescence parameters^1-3. Our insights into blood lineage development and disease are a result to a significant degree of the continuous refinement of this methodology after its initial implementation^4,5. Increased awareness of the quantitative and overall analytic potential of flow cytometry has recently encouraged its more widespread use in stem cell research and may enable similarly profound progress in a shorter time frame⁶. However, the applic....

Protocol

1. Neural Cell Harvesting

1. Assessment by microscope:
   1. Prior to initiating an experiment, check the status of the culture with bright-field or phase contrast microscopy.
      NOTE: While primary neural tissue obtained from dissections is, in principle, equally amenable to flow cytometric analysis^14,28, please note that the protocol’s focus is on cells obtained from in vitro neural cell systems.
2. Harvesting cells⁷:
   1. Gently wash the dish/flask of adherent cells with Mg²⁺/ Ca²⁺ free phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at RT (e.g., 5 ml for T75 flask, 3 ml per....

Results

The protocol presented here allows for versatile experimental approaches (Figure 2). In its shortest version (steps 1, 3 and 6), it can be considered a guide for simple staining of surface antigens.  In its more complex form, a number of co-labeling paradigms with a range of intracellular antigens can be pursued (optional steps 2 and/or 4 to 5). Moreover, the CFSE-labeling step exemplifies its utility for cell label.......

Discussion

The protocol presented here is well established for neural cell cultures derived from human stem cells, but can be equally applied to other neural cell sources including primary tissue or neural cell lines. In addition to embryonic sources, neural stem or progenitor cells can be extracted from the neurogenic regions of adult brain²⁷. Moreover, flow cytometry and FACS can be exploited to quantify, analyze and isolate various cell populations including mature neurons⁵⁴, astroglia³³, microgl.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
DMEM/F12 (1:1) (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium/Nutrient Mixture F-12)	Life Technologies	11330057
DPBS without Ca2+ Mg2+	Life Technologies	14190169
Fetal bovine serum, qualified, E.U.-approved, South America origin (FBS)	Life Technologies	10270-106
MEM Non-essential amino acids (100x)	Life Technologies	11140035
TrypLE Express	Life Technologies	12604013
Trypan blue solution, 0.4%	Life Technologies	15250061
Paraformaldehyde	Carl Roth	335.3
Bovine serum albumin (BSA) Fraction V	PAA Laboratories, Coelbe	K41-001
Tween-20 Detergent	Calbiochem	655205
Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE)	eBioscience	65-0850-84
DMSO	AppliChem	A1584
Bottle top filters express plus 0.22 µm, 250 ml	Millipore	SCGPU02RE
Cell culture treated flasks (T 25)	NUNC	156367
Cell culture treated flasks (T 75)	NUNC	156499
Conical tubes (15 ml)	Greiner Bio-One	188271
Conical tubes (50 ml)	Greiner Bio-One	227261
Pasteur pipet, glass (150 mm)	STEIN Labortechnik, Remchingen	S03710150
Pipet tips (0.1-10 µl)	Corning	4125
Pipet tips (1-200 µl)	Corning	4126
Pipet tips (100-1000 µl)	Corning	4129
Serological pipets, 5 ml	Corning	4051
Serological pipets, 10 ml	Corning	4101
Serological pipets, 25 ml	Corning	4251
Microcentrifuge tubes (0.5 ml)	Sarstedt	72,699
Microcentrifuge tubes (1.5 ml)	Greiner Bio-One	616201
Microcentrifuge tubes (2.0 ml)	Sarstedt	72,695,500
Anti-Human CD24 APC monoclonal antibody	eBioscience	17-0247-42	Working dilution 1:50
Anti-Human CD54 PE monoclonal antibody	eBioscience	12-0549-42	Working dilution 1:50
Neuronal Class III β-Tubulin (Tuj1) polyclonal antibody	Covance	PRB-435P	Working dilution 1:2,000
Alexa Fluor 488 Donkey anti Rabbit	Life Technologies	A21206	Working dilution 1:2,000
Zenon® Fluorescein Rabbit IgG Labeling Kit	Life Technologies	Z-25342
Neubauer-Improved counting chamber	Marienfeld	0640010
Vortex	Scientific Industries	G560E
Thermomixer comfort	Eppendorf	5355 000.001
Accuri C6 flow cytometer	Becton Dickinson (BD)	653118
Microcentrifuge refrigerated, PerfectSpin 24 R	Peqlab	91-PSPIN-24R
Orbital shaker, Unimax 1010	Heidolph	543-12310-00
Centrifuge refrigerated, Rotanta 96 RC	Hettich	4480-50
Class II Biological safety cabinet Safe 2020	Thermo Scientific	51026640
CO2 Incubator, Heracell 240i	Thermo Scientific	51026331
Vacuum system, Vacusafe comfort	Integra Biosciences	158320
Microscope, Axiovert 40 CFL	Zeiss	451212
Pipet controller, accu-jet pro	Brand	26303
Micropipet, Pipetman neo P20N (2-20 µl)	Gilson	F144563
Micropipet, Pipetman neo P200N (20-200 µl)	Gilson	F144565
Micropipet, Pipetman neo P1000N (100-1000 µl)	Gilson	F144566