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Method Article

Laser-assisted Lentiviral Gene Delivery to Mouse Fertilized Eggs

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DOI:

10.3791/58327

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November 1st, 2018

 ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 
1Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 3Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 4Signal Transduction Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

* These authors contributed equally

In This Article

Summary

Mouse fertilized eggs and early stage embryos are protected by the zona pellucida, a glycoprotein matrix that forms a barrier against gene delivery. This article describes a protocol for perforating the zona with a laser to transduce embryonic cells with lentiviral vectors and to create transgenic mice.

Abstract

Lentiviruses are efficient vectors for gene delivery to mammalian cells. Following transduction, the lentiviral genome is stably incorporated into the host chromosome and is passed on to progeny. Thus, they are ideal vectors for creation of stable cell lines, in vivo delivery of indicators, and transduction of single cell fertilized eggs to create transgenic animals. However, mouse fertilized eggs and early stage embryos are protected by the zona pellucida, a glycoprotein matrix that forms a barrier against lentiviral gene delivery. Lentiviruses are too large to penetrate the zona and are typically delivered by microinjection of viral particles into the perivitelline cavity, the space between the zona and the embryonic cells. The requirement for highly skilled technologists and specialized equipment has minimized the use of lentiviruses for gene delivery to mouse embryos. This article describes a protocol for permeabilizing the mouse fertilized eggs by perforating the zona with a laser. Laser-perforation does not result in any damage to embryos and allows lentiviruses to gain access to embryonic cells for gene delivery. Transduced embryos can develop into blastocyst in vitro, and if implanted in pseudopregnant mice, develop into transgenic pups. The laser used in this protocol is effective and easy to use. Genes delivered by lentiviruses stably incorporate into mouse embryonic cells and are germline transmittable. This is an alternative method for creation of transgenic mice that requires no micromanipulation and microinjection of fertilized eggs.

Introduction

This method provides detailed instructions for permeabilizing the zona pellucida of mouse fertilized eggs to make embryonic cells accessible for gene delivery by lentiviruses. Lentiviruses are designed by nature for efficient gene delivery to mammalian cells. They infect dividing and non-dividing cells and integrate the lentiviral genome into their host chromosomes1. The range of lentiviral host cells is readily expanded by pseudotyping the recombinant lentivirus with the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G), due to the broad tropism of the VSV-G protein2. Following transduction, lentiviral genes are stably integrated and expressed as part of their host chromosomes creating an ideal tool for generating transgenic animals. If delivered to early stage embryonic cells, the lentiviral genome is replicated and expressed in the entire organism. Lentiviral transduction has led to the production of mice, rat, chicken, quail and pig3,4,5,6,7 among other species of transgenics. The typical method of lentiviral gene delivery, however, requires skilled technicians and specialized equipment to overcome the zona pellucida barrier that encapsulates the early stage embryos. The overall goal of this method is to describe how to permeabilize the zona using a laser to facilitate lentiviral gene delivery.

Mammalian eggs are surrounded by the zona pellucida which hardens following fertilization to protect the fertilized eggs against polyspermy and to limit environmental interactions8,9. The zona forms a barrier that keeps lentiviruses away from the embryonic cells until the embryos are hatched as a blastocyst. Cultured mouse fertilized eggs hatch after 4 days and must be implanted into pseudopregnant mice prior to hatching for normal development into pups. Therefore, for transduction, lentiviruses are microinjected before hatching from the zona into the perivitelline cavity, the space between the zona and the embryonic cells.

The zona pellucida is often removed for in vitro fertilization of human eggs to increase the fertilization rate10. However, chemical removal of mouse zona pellucida adversely affects mouse embryo development and is harmful to embryonic cells11,12. Other methods for gene delivery to mouse fertilized eggs overcome the zona pellucida barrier by direct microinjection of DNA into the cell nucleus13. Pronuclear microinjection is an efficient means of delivering genes to embryos. However, since each embryo is held in place individually for microinjection, the practice can be laborious and time consuming for a novice user.

Other methods such as electroporation and photoporation are useful for transient and short-term gene delivery to mouse fertilized eggs14,15,16. These methods are extensively used for delivering CRISPR-Cas9 components and recombinases. However, electroporation and photoporation delivery of genes cannot be used efficiently to create transgenics. Spermatozoa that are collected from punctured mouse epididymis can also be transduced by lentiviruses and used for in vitro fertilization to produce transgenic animals17,18,19,20.

In this protocol, the lentiviral gene delivery to mouse embryos is facilitated by permeabilizing the zona using a laser. The XYClone laser was developed as an aid for in vitro fertilization21 and cultivation of embryonic stem cells22. It is a small apparatus that is simple to setup and easy to use. Once installed on a microscope, it occupies the space of an objective lens and the accompanying software allows for aiming the laser while looking through the microscope eyepieces (see Protocol: section 3). Once the zona is perforated by the XYClone laser, lentiviruses can be introduced into the culture media for gene delivery23. Multiple lentiviruses could be used to simultaneously deliver several genes for chromosomal incorporation.

This protocol will describe how to isolate and culture mouse fertilized eggs, illustrates the use of laser for perforation of the zona pellucida, and demonstrates the transduction of mouse embryonic cells by lentiviruses.

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Protocol

All animal procedures and treatments used in this protocol were in compliance with the NIH/NIEHS animal care guidelines and were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) at the NIH/NIEHS, Animal Protocol 2010-0004.

1. Preparations

  1. Prepare/purchase recombinant non-propagating lentiviruses carrying your gene of interest. In this study, lentivirus SBI511 expressing copepod green fluorescent protein (copGFP; abbreviated to GFP) from an elongation factor 1a promoter was used for transduction. Standard protocols2 were used to produce and titer lentiviruses at titers higher than 1e8 transducing units per mL (TU/mL).
    NOTE: Use caution and bleach all material that have been in contact with lentiviruses. Refer to your institute's guidelines for safe use and handling of lentiviruses.
  2. Setup breeding pairs of desired mouse strain the day before harvesting embryos. In this experiment, C57BL/6J strain of mice was used. Female mice used for ovaries and oviduct collection were not treated with any hormones for superovulation.
  3. 2–24 h prior to harvesting mouse fertilized eggs, prepare several Potassium Simplex Optimized Medium24 (KSOM) drop plates as follows: add a 50 μL drop of KSOM medium to the middle of a 35 mm tissue culture-treated dish and cover with 2 mL of Dimethylpolysiloxane (DMPS5X) and place at 37 oC, 5% CO2, 5% O2 and 90% N2 to equilibrate.
    NOTE: Use disposable sterile plates and discard following exposure to lentiviruses.
  4. Prepare 1x solution of hyaluronidase in M2 medium from stock solution (100x, 30 mg/mL, store at -20 °C). 100x stock solution was prepared in water.
  5. 24 h post laser-assisted transduction of mouse fertilized eggs, set up breeding pairs between vasectomized male and female mice to prepare pseudopregnant female mice.

2. Isolation of Mouse Fertilized Eggs

  1. 16–24 h post mating, select female mice with vaginal plugs indicative of successful mating and humanely euthanize25. The mice used in this study were euthanized by cervical dislocation under deep CO2 or isoflurane inhalation.
  2. Isolate ovaries and oviducts according to standard protocols25.
  3. Transfer the ovaries and oviducts to a 35 mm dish containing M2 media.
  4. For each ovary, tear ampulla apart to release fertilized eggs surrounded by cumulus cells.
  5. Transfer fertilized eggs and cumulus cells to a 35 mm dish containing 1x hyaluronidase in M2 medium and incubate at room temperature for 3–5 min.
  6. Pipet fertilized eggs up and down to release the cumulus cells.
  7. Transfer fertilized eggs to a 35 mm dish containing M2 media and pipet up and down to wash off hyaluronidase.
  8. Transfer fertilized eggs to a 35 mm dish containing KSOM and pipet up and down to wash off the remaining M2 media and hyaluronidase.
  9. Transfer fertilized eggs to the prepared KSOM drop plates from step 1.3.
    NOTE: Mouse fertilized eggs in KSOM must be kept in a tissue culture incubator at 37 °C, 5% CO2, 5% O2 and 90% N2 to equilibrate. Removing plates from the incubator for longer than 15 min will result in damage to embryos.
  10. Allow fertilized eggs to recover for 2 h in the incubator before moving to the next step.

3. Perforation of Mouse Fertilized Eggs with XYClone Laser

  1. Setup and calibrate XYClone laser according to the manufacturer's recommendation. Other lasers, typically used for in vitro fertilization, can be substituted for XYClone laser to perforate fertilized eggs.
    1. Attach the laser controller box wire to the laser apparatus on the microscope.
    2. Attach the laser controller box to the computer running the laser software via a USB port. 3.1.3. Plug in the laser controller and switch it on.
    3. Looking through the eyepiece, perforate a test sample (e.g. dry-erase markings on a glass slide).
    4. Use a small screw driver (included in the laser kit) to adjust the X and Y position of the laser to match the LED light visible through the microscope eyepiece and calibrate the laser.
  2. Place a KSOM drop plate containing mouse fertilized eggs on the microscope stage. Do not keep the plate outside of the incubator for longer than 15 min.
  3. Look through the microscope eyepiece and ensure that the embryo's zona pellucida is in focus and the laser LED light is visible.
  4. Move the microscope stage to target the zona with the LED light/laser.
  5. Using the computer software set XYClone laser to 250 μs.
  6. Adjust the LED light size to desired dimensions (setting 5 in this experiment).
  7. Perforate the zona of each fertilized egg thrice with the laser. The zona can be either pierced or thinned. Using the above settings, the laser will produce a hole with a diameter of 10 μm (Figure 2).
    NOTE: Aiming close to the polar body keeps laser away from the embryonic cell.
  8. Allow fertilized eggs to recover for 2 h in the tissue culture incubator before moving to the next step.

4. Transduction of Mouse Fertilized Eggs Following XYClone Laser Perforation

  1. Pipet 2 μL of concentrated lentivirus (greater than 1e8 TU/mL titer) into the 50 μL KSOM drop. Do not pipet up and down. Fertilized eggs readily attach to the pipet tip. Based on our experience, 1e5-5e5 transducing units of lentivirus in a volume less than 3 μL is optimal for gene delivery.
  2. Allow fertilized eggs to develop into blastocyst for 4 days in the incubator. No need to change the media.

5. Non-surgical Transfer of Transduced Mouse Embryos to Pseudo-pregnant Mice

  1. Use pseudopregnant mice, 3.5 day after mating, prepared in step 1.5.
  2. Use Non-Surgical Embryo Transfer (NSET) device to implant mouse embryos into pseudopregnant mice.
    1. Using a surgical or dissecting microscope, insert a vaginal speculum to visualize the cervix.
    2. Insert the Non-Surgical Embryo Transfer (NSET) device approximately 5 mm into the cervix and deposit embryos in a volume of approximately 2 μL.
      NOTE: A sterile NSET device is used for each transfer and discarded after the procedure. All reagents used in the manipulation of the embryos must be sterile.
  3. Transfer 10–15 healthy blastocyst in 2 μL volume of KSOM to each pseudopregnant mice.
  4. Continue to monitor and measure the weight gain in pseudopregnant mice in following days to determine whether the NSET was successful.
  5. Recover pups by allowing the pregnant mice to give birth naturally or performing a caesarean section 17 days after the embryo transfer26. A C-section is often necessary if very few embryos are present and they grow too large for natural birth.
  6. Collect tissue from pups for genotyping to determine the rate of transgenesis27.

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Results

Development of isolated/transduced mouse fertilized eggs can be checked under the microscope daily (Figure 1). Healthy embryos develop into blastocyst within 3–4 days. In this protocol, 60–70% of untreated embryos develop into blastocyst23. Out of 114 laser-perforated transduced embryos, 54 developed into blastocyst (rate of 47%) and 46 blastocysts expressed GFP (46/54=85%)23.

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Discussion

The ability of the lentiviruses to integrate into their host genome makes them an ideal vector for stable gene delivery. Lentiviral vectors can carry up to 8.5 kilobase pair (kbp) of genetic material that can accommodate cell-specific or inducible promoters, selection markers, or fluorescent moieties. Incorporated genomic material can replicate as part of their host genome and be regulated to express or deactivate at desired time points. These vectors allow for spatiotemporal control over gene expression at various stage...

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Disclosures

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). We are grateful to Dr. Robert Petrovich and Dr. Jason Williams for critical reading of the manuscript and helpful advice. We would also like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Bernd Gloss, the Knockout core, the Flow Cytometry Facility, the Fluorescence Microscopy and Imaging Center, and the Comparative Medicine Branch facilities of the NIEHS for their technical contributions. We would like to thank Mr. David Goulding from the Comparative Medicine Branch and Ms. Lois Wyrick of the Imaging Center at the NIEHS for providing us with photographs and illustrations.

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Materials

List of materials used in this article
NameCompanyCatalog NumberComments
CD510B-1 plasmidSystem BiosciencesCD510B-1used to package the lentivirus expressing EF1a-copGFP
DimethylpolysiloxaneSigmaDMPS5Xculturing embryos
hyaluronidaseSigmaH3506used to remove cumulus cells
XYClone LaserHamilton Thorne Biosciencesperforating mouse fertilized eggs
Non-Surgical Embryo Transfer (NSET) DeviceParaTechs60010NSET of embryos
KSOM mediumMilliporeMR-020P-5Fculturing embryos
Composition of KSOM:mg/100mL
NaCl555
KCl18.5
KH2PO44.75
MgSO4 7H2O4.95
CaCl2 2H2O25
NaHCO3210
Glucose3.6
Na-Pyruvate2.2
DL-Lactic Acid, sodium salt0.174mL
10 mM EDTA100µL
Streptomycin5
Penicillin6.3
0.5% phenol red0.1mL
L-Glutamine14.6
MEM Essential Amino Acids1mL
MEM Non-essential AA0.5mL
BSA100
M2 mediumMilliporeMR-015-Dculturing embryos
Composition of M2:mg/100mL
Calcium Chloride25.1
Magnesium Sulfate (anhydrous)16.5
Potassium Chloride35.6
Potassium Phosphate, Monobasic16.2
Sodium Bicarbonate35
Sodium Chloride553.2
Albumin, Bovine Fraction400
D-Glucose100
Na-HEPES54.3
Phenol Red1.1
Pyruvic Acid3.6
DL-Lactic Acid295

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Laser PerforationZona PellucidaTransgenic Mouse CreationEmbryo IsolationKSOM MediumXYClone LaserBlastocyst DevelopmentGermline Transmission
Laser-assisted Lentiviral Gene Delivery to Mouse Fertilized Eggs
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