Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS): Isolation of Thymic T Lymphocytes
1. Preparation
- Before beginning, put on laboratory gloves and appropriate protective clothing.
- Wash all the dissection tools, first with a detergent and then with 70% ethanol and then dry them with a clean paper towel.
- Prepare 200 mL of Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) containing 2% fetal calf serum (FCS).
2. Dissection
- Pin a euthanized mouse on a dissection plate in the supine position.
- Using scissors and forceps perform a longitudinal laparotomy to access the chest cavity.
- Remove the heart to gain access to the thymus, which is located above the heart. Then, identify the thymus, which is composed of two white lobes and is located in the chest cavity above the heart.
- Using forceps carefully detach the thymus and place it on the Petri dish with 5 mL of HBSS 2% FCS.
3. Immune cell isolation
- Place the thymus on a 40 µm cell strainer over the same Petri dish. Crush the thymus with a plunger to dissociate it in the same dish.
- Transfer the dissociated thymus and the fluid into a 15 mL centrifuge tube.
- Wash the Petri dish with 5 mL of HBSS 2% FCS and transfer the washed medium also into the same centrifuge tube.
- Centrifuge the tube at 370 x g for 7 min at 20°C and discard the supernatant avoiding the pellet.
- Resuspend the pellet in 2 mL of potassium acetate to lyse the erythrocytes. Wait for 2 min and then make up the volume up to 14 mL using HBSS 2% FCS.
- Centrifuge the tube again at 370 x g for 7 min at 20°C. Discard the supernatant and resuspend the pellet in 5 mL of HBSS 2% FCS.
- Estimate the cell concentration using the trypan blue staining assay and adjust the final cell concentration to 107 cells/mL using appropriate volume of HBSS 2% FCS.
4. Magnetic labeling of immune cells
- Take two FACS tubes. Label one tube, "non-enriched T cells", and the other tube, "enriched T cells"- which will be separated using magnetic labeling.
- Distribute of cell solution into each of the two FACS tubes.
- Centrifuge the "enriched T cells" tube at 370 x g for 3 min at 20°C and discard the supernatant avoiding the pellet.
- Resuspend the pellet in 250 µL of anti-CD3 biotinylated antibodies mix (Table 1, Mix 1).
| Mix | Labeling reagents | Dilution |
| 1 | Anti-CD3 biotinylated antibody | 1/400 (in HBSS 2% FCS) |
| 2 | Streptavidin coupled beads | 1/5 (in HBSS 2% FCS) |
| 3 | Anti-CD3 BV421 | 1/200 (in HBSS 2% FCS) |
Table 1: Antibodies mix composition. Mixes 1 and 2 are used for magnetic separation. Mix 3 is used for evaluating the cell enrichment after magnetic separation.
- Incubate the cell suspension-antibody mix for 15 minutes at 4°C in the dark.
- Add 3 mL of HBSS 2% FCS to both the tubes and centrifuge them again at 370 x g for 3 min at 20°C.
- Discard the supernatant and resuspend the pellet in 250 µL streptavidin-coupled beads (Table 1, Mix 2).
- Incubate the cell mixture and beads for 20 min on ice.
- Next, add 3 mL of HBSS 2% FCS and mix well and centrifuge again at 370 x g for 3 min at 20°C.
- Resuspend the pellet in 2 mL of HBSS 2% FCS.
5. Magnetic Separation of CD3-Positive Cells
- Place the column on the magnet and add 3 mL of HBSS 2% FCS to humidify the system. Wait 5 minutes.
- Next, pipet the labelled cells into the column.
- After the cell suspension passes through the column, wash the column X3 times with 3 mL of HBSS 2% FCS.
- Then, remove the column from the magnet and place it in a 15 mL collection tube.
- To elute the target cells, add 5 mL of HBSS 2% FCS to the column and flush the column with the plunger.
- Repeat elution step with another 5 mL of HBSS 2% FCS.
6. Evaluation of Target-Cell Enrichment by Flow Cytometry
- Transfer 500 µL of eluted cell suspension to a FACS tube labeled "enriched T cells". Transfer 200 µL of "non-enriched T cells" suspension to a second FACS.
- Then, centrifuge both the tubes at 370 x g for 7 min at 20°C.
- Discard the supernatant, then add 100 µL of fluorescent antibody Mix 3 (see Table 1) to both tubes.
- Incubate both the tubes for 20 min at 4°C in the dark.
- Next, add 3 mL of HBSS 2% FCS to tubes and centrifuge them at 370 x g for 3 min at 20°C.
- Discard the supernatant, then resuspend each tube in 250 µL of HBSS 2% FCS.
- Now, evaluate the CD3-positive cell enrichment rate by flow cytometry.
7. Data Analysis
- Open the 'FlowJo' icon and drag the files for each tube in the "All Sample" window.
- Double click on the "enriched T cells" file to display the dot plot displaying forward scatter (FSC-A) on the X-axis and side scatter (SSC-A) on the Y-axis.
- Click on "Polygon" to circle the lymphocyte populations.
- Next, double click on the circled population to create a new window.
- Select "FSC-W" on the Y axis and "FSC-A" on the X axis, and circle the FSA-W negative cells. In the "Subpopulation identification" window, name the cell population "single cells".
- Double click on the circled population to create a new window. Select "CD3" on the Y axis, and circle the CD3-positive cells. In the "Subpopulation identification" window name your cell population "T cells".
- Repeat with the "non-enriched T cells".
- To visualize cell population, click on "Layout editor" and drag the "T cells" population from "enriched T cells" and "non-enriched T cells" files into the tab.
- Dot plots representing CD3+ lymphocytes will appear. CD3+ cells should only appear in the population of interest in the CD3+ enriched tube.
- To evaluate the enrichment of CD3+ lymphocytes in the sorted cells, click on "Table editor", and then drag the "T cells" population from "enriched T cells" and "non-enriched T cells" files into the table.
- On the "Statistic" menu, select "Frequency of lymphocytes" cells to check the percentage of CD3+ cells in all lymphocytes, then click on "Create table".
- Parameter values will appear in a new table. For the "enriched T cells", the frequency of CD3+ cells should be around 80%.
Source: Meunier Sylvain1,2,3, Perchet Thibaut1,2,3, Sophie Novault4, Rachel Golub1,2,3
1 Unit for Lymphopoiesis, Department of Immunology, Pasteur Ins…
1. Preparation
- Before beginning, put on laboratory gloves and appropriate protective clothing.
- Wash all the dissection tools, first with a detergent and then with 70% ethanol and then dry them with a clean paper towel.
- Prepare 200 mL of Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) containing 2% fetal calf serum (FCS).
2. Dissection
- Pin a euthanized mouse on a dissection plate in the supine position.
- Using scissors and forceps perform a longitudinal laparotomy to access the chest cavity.
- Remove the heart to gain access to the thymus, which is located above the heart. Then, identify the thymus, which is composed of two white lobes and is located in the chest cavity above the heart.
- Using forceps carefully detach the thymus and place it on the Petri dish with 5 mL of HBSS 2% FCS.
3. Immune cell isolation
- Place the thymus on a 40 µm cell strainer over the same Petri dish. Crush the thymus with a plunger to dissociate it in the same dish.
- Transfer the dissociated thymus and the fluid into a 15 mL centrifuge tube.
- Wash the Petri dish with 5 mL of HBSS 2% FCS and transfer the washed medium also into the same centrifuge tube.
- Centrifuge the tube at 370 x g for 7 min at 20°C and discard the supernatant avoiding the pellet.
- Resuspend the pellet in 2 mL of potassium acetate to lyse the erythrocytes. Wait for 2 min and then make up the volume up to 14 mL using HBSS 2% FCS.
- Centrifuge the tube again at 370 x g for 7 min at 20°C. Discard the supernatant and resuspend the pellet in 5 mL of HBSS 2% FCS.
- Estimate the cell concentration using the trypan blue staining assay and adjust the final cell concentration to 107 cells/mL using appropriate volume of HBSS 2% FCS.
4. Magnetic labeling of immune cells
- Take two FACS tubes. Label one tube, "non-enriched T cells", and the other tube, "enriched T cells"- which will be separated using magnetic labeling.
- Distribute of cell solution into each of the two FACS tubes.
- Centrifuge the "enriched T cells" tube at 370 x g for 3 min at 20°C and discard the supernatant avoiding the pellet.
- Resuspend the pellet in 250 µL of anti-CD3 biotinylated antibodies mix (Table 1, Mix 1).
| Mix | Labeling reagents | Dilution |
| 1 | Anti-CD3 biotinylated antibody | 1/400 (in HBSS 2% FCS) |
| 2 | Streptavidin coupled beads | 1/5 (in HBSS 2% FCS) |
| 3 | Anti-CD3 BV421 | 1/200 (in HBSS 2% FCS) |
Table 1: Antibodies mix composition. Mixes 1 and 2 are used for magnetic separation. Mix 3 is used for evaluating the cell enrichment after magnetic separation.
- Incubate the cell suspension-antibody mix for 15 minutes at 4°C in the dark.
- Add 3 mL of HBSS 2% FCS to both the tubes and centrifuge them again at 370 x g for 3 min at 20°C.
- Discard the supernatant and resuspend the pellet in 250 µL streptavidin-coupled beads (Table 1, Mix 2).
- Incubate the cell mixture and beads for 20 min on ice.
- Next, add 3 mL of HBSS 2% FCS and mix well and centrifuge again at 370 x g for 3 min at 20°C.
- Resuspend the pellet in 2 mL of HBSS 2% FCS.
5. Magnetic Separation of CD3-Positive Cells
- Place the column on the magnet and add 3 mL of HBSS 2% FCS to humidify the system. Wait 5 minutes.
- Next, pipet the labelled cells into the column.
- After the cell suspension passes through the column, wash the column X3 times with 3 mL of HBSS 2% FCS.
- Then, remove the column from the magnet and place it in a 15 mL collection tube.
- To elute the target cells, add 5 mL of HBSS 2% FCS to the column and flush the column with the plunger.
- Repeat elution step with another 5 mL of HBSS 2% FCS.
6. Evaluation of Target-Cell Enrichment by Flow Cytometry
- Transfer 500 µL of eluted cell suspension to a FACS tube labeled "enriched T cells". Transfer 200 µL of "non-enriched T cells" suspension to a second FACS.
- Then, centrifuge both the tubes at 370 x g for 7 min at 20°C.
- Discard the supernatant, then add 100 µL of fluorescent antibody Mix 3 (see Table 1) to both tubes.
- Incubate both the tubes for 20 min at 4°C in the dark.
- Next, add 3 mL of HBSS 2% FCS to tubes and centrifuge them at 370 x g for 3 min at 20°C.
- Discard the supernatant, then resuspend each tube in 250 µL of HBSS 2% FCS.
- Now, evaluate the CD3-positive cell enrichment rate by flow cytometry.
7. Data Analysis
- Open the 'FlowJo' icon and drag the files for each tube in the "All Sample" window.
- Double click on the "enriched T cells" file to display the dot plot displaying forward scatter (FSC-A) on the X-axis and side scatter (SSC-A) on the Y-axis.
- Click on "Polygon" to circle the lymphocyte populations.
- Next, double click on the circled population to create a new window.
- Select "FSC-W" on the Y axis and "FSC-A" on the X axis, and circle the FSA-W negative cells. In the "Subpopulation identification" window, name the cell population "single cells".
- Double click on the circled population to create a new window. Select "CD3" on the Y axis, and circle the CD3-positive cells. In the "Subpopulation identification" window name your cell population "T cells".
- Repeat with the "non-enriched T cells".
- To visualize cell population, click on "Layout editor" and drag the "T cells" population from "enriched T cells" and "non-enriched T cells" files into the tab.
- Dot plots representing CD3+ lymphocytes will appear. CD3+ cells should only appear in the population of interest in the CD3+ enriched tube.
- To evaluate the enrichment of CD3+ lymphocytes in the sorted cells, click on "Table editor", and then drag the "T cells" population from "enriched T cells" and "non-enriched T cells" files into the table.
- On the "Statistic" menu, select "Frequency of lymphocytes" cells to check the percentage of CD3+ cells in all lymphocytes, then click on "Create table".
- Parameter values will appear in a new table. For the "enriched T cells", the frequency of CD3+ cells should be around 80%.
Magnetic-activated cell sorting, or MACS, is a technique that allows researchers to separate cells based on specific epitopes expressed on their surfaces.
The process typically begins with extraction of an organ or tissue, such as the thymus. Then, the cells are mechanically separated, usually by crushing, until the tissue is dissociated into single cells. Unwanted cells can be removed at this stage via the addition of chemicals. For example, ammonium-chloride-potassium, or ACK buffer, can be used to lyse unwanted erythrocytes.
Next, an antibody conjugated to a molecule called biotin is added to the suspension, and these complexes bind to the epitopes of the surface of the target cells. Biotin has a high affinity for another molecule called streptavidin. In the next step, streptavidin molecules fused to magnetic beads are added to the antibody labeled cells. When the biotin and streptavidin come into contact, they tightly bind. The result is that the cells of interest are coated with magnetic beads. This complex is sometimes referred to as a sandwich. In this case, CD3 on the cell membrane on the bottom, then anti-CD3 conjugated to biotin, and finally, streptavidin conjugated to magnetic beads.
These labeled cells can now be placed into a column containing a matrix which, assisted by gravity, allows the cells to pass slowly by a magnet. As they do so, the magnetic bead-labeled cells will stick to the edge of the tube nearest the magnet, while the non-labeled cells will continue on into a collection tube below. Next, the labeled cells can be removed from the column by simply removing the magnet, adding an eluent solution, and applying gentle pressure with a plunger to flush them out of the column and into a fresh collection tube. Ultimately, this process allows for 60 to 98% retrieval of the cells of interest.
In this procedure, we will isolate thymic leukocytes from a mouse and use MACS to sort out CD3-positive T-cells before confirming the efficiency of sorting using FACS.
To begin, put on any appropriate protective equipment including a lab coat and gloves. Next, wash a pair of dissecting scissors and forceps with 70% ethanol and dry them with a clean paper towel. Then prepare 200 milliliters of HBSS 2% fetal calf serum, or FCS, by mixing four milliliters of FCS with 196 milliliters of HBSS.
Pin a euthanized mouse in a supine position on a dissection plate. Using scissors and forceps, perform a longitudinal laparotomy to access the chest cavity. First, remove the heart to gain access to the thymus, which is located above the heart. Then identify the thymus, which is composed of two white lobes. Using forceps, carefully detach the thymus and place it on a Petri dish with five milliliters of HBSS 2% FCS.
To isolate the immune cells, first place the thymus on a 40 micrometer cell strainer in the Petri dish. Crush the tissue with a plunger to dissociate it into the dish. After this, rinse the plunger and strainer with HBSS 2% FCS to recover any adhered cells. Then, pipette the dissociated thymus cells and fluid from the Petri dish into a 15 milliliter centrifuge tube. Wash the Petri dish with five milliliters of HBSS 2% FCS and transfer this wash solution to the 15 milliliter centrifuge tube also.
Next, centrifuge the tube at 370 times g for seven minutes at 20 degrees Celsius. Discard the supernatant and resuspend the pellet in two milliliters of ACK lysing buffer to lyse the erythrocytes. Incubate for two minutes at room temperature on the bench top. Then, bring the volume to 14 milliliters with HBSS 2% FCS. Centrifuge the tube at 370 times g for seven minutes at 20 degrees Celsius. Then, discard the supernatant and resuspend the cells in five milliliters of HBSS 2% FCS.
Estimate the cell concentration using a Malassez slide as shown in the protocol for FACS isolation of B lymphocytes and adjust the cell concentration to 10 to the seventh cells per milliliter with HBSS 2% FCS.
Transfer 500 microliters of cell solution into two FACS tubes. Label one tube non-enriched T-cells and the other tube enriched T-cells, which will be separated using magnetic labeling.
Centrifuge the enriched T-cells tube at 370 times g for three minutes at 20 degrees Celsius. Discard the supernatant and resuspend the pellet in 250 microliters of biotin coupled anti CD3 antibody diluted one in 400 in HBSS 2% FCS. Incubate the cells for 20 minutes on ice and in the dark. Add three milliliters of HBSS 2% FCS to the tubes and centrifuge them again at 370 times g for three minutes at 20 degrees Celsius. Discard the supernatant and resuspend the pellet in 250 microliters of streptavidin-coupled beads diluted one in five in HBSS 2% FCS. Incubate the mixture of cells and beads for 20 minutes on ice. Next, add three milliliters of HBSS 2% FCS to the tube, pipette up and down to mix, and centrifuge again at 370 times g for three minutes at 20 degrees Celsius. Resuspend the pellet in two milliliters of HBSS 2% FCS.
Place the column on the magnet and add three milliliters of HBSS 2% FCS to humidify the system. Then, pipette the stained cells into the column. After the cell suspension passes through the column, wash the column three times with three milliliters of HBSS 2% FCS. Next, remove the column from the magnet and place it in a 15 milliliter tube. To elute the target cells, add five milliliters of HBSS 2% FCS to the column and flush the column with a plunger. Repeat this step with another five milliliters of HBSS 2% FCS.
To evaluate the effectiveness of target cell isolation, first transfer 500 microliters of eluted cell suspension to a FACS tube and label it enriched T-cells. Then, centrifuge both the enriched and non-enriched tubes at 370 times g for seven minutes at 20 degrees Celsius. Discard the supernatant, then add 100 microliters of fluorescent antibody diluted one in 200 in HBSS 2% FCS to both tubes. Incubate the cells for 20 minutes on ice and in the dark. Next, add three milliliters of HBSS 2% FCS to the tubes and centrifuge them at 370 times g for three minutes at 20 degrees Celsius. Discard the supernatant, then resuspend the pellets in 250 microliters of HBSS 2% FCS. Now, evaluate the CD3-positive cell enrichment rate using flow cytometry as shown in the FACS protocol.
Now, we will determine the frequency of CD3-positive lymphocytes among all thymocytes that were isolated from the mouse thymus. To start, double click on the FlowJo icon and drag the files for each tube in the all sample window. Then, double click on the enriched T-cells file to display the cells recorded from that sample on a dot plot that displays forward scatter, FSCA, on the x-axis, and side scatter, SSCA, on the y-axis.
Click on polygon to circle the lymphocyte populations. Next, double click on the circled population to create a new window. Select FSC-W on the y-axis, and FSC-A on the x-axis and circle the FSA-W negative cells. In the sub population identification window, name your cell population Single Cells. Next, click on OK on the sub population identification window, then double click on the circled population to create a new window. Select CD3 on the y-axis, and circle the CD3-positive cells. In the sub population identification window, name your cell population T-cells. Repeat with the non-enriched T-cells file. To visualize your cell population, click Layout Editor and drag the T-cell population from enriched T-cells and non-enriched T-cells files into the tab.
Dot plots representing CD3-positive lymphocytes will appear. CD3-positive cells should only appear in the population of interest in the CD3-positive enriched tube. To evaluate the enrichment of CD3-positive lymphocytes in the sorted cells, click on Table Editor and then drag the T-cells population from enriched T-cells and non-enriched T-cells files into the table. On the statistic menu, select Frequency of Lymphocyte Cells to check the percentage of CD3-positive cells in all lymphocytes. Then, click on Create Table. Parameter values will appear in a new table. For the enriched T-cells, the frequency of CD3-positive cells should be around 80% or above.
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Q1: What is magnetic-activated cell sorting and how does it separate cells?
Magnetic-activated cell sorting, or MACS, is a technique that separates cells based on specific epitopes expressed on their surfaces. Antibodies conjugated to biotin bind target cells, then streptavidin-coupled magnetic beads attach to the biotin. Labeled cells stick to a magnet in a column while unlabeled cells pass through, achieving 60 to 98% retrieval of target cells.
Q2: How does the biotin-streptavidin interaction work in MACS?
Biotin, attached to antibodies targeting specific cell surface markers, has high affinity for streptavidin molecules fused to magnetic beads. When biotin and streptavidin come into contact, they bind tightly, coating target cells with magnetic beads. This sandwich complex of cell surface marker, antibody, and magnetic bead enables magnetic capture and separation.
Q3: What steps are involved in preparing thymic tissue for MACS isolation?
The thymus is extracted and mechanically dissociated into single cells using a cell strainer and plunger. Unwanted erythrocytes are lysed using ACK buffer. Cells are then centrifuged and resuspended in HBSS with fetal calf serum. Cell concentration is adjusted to 10 to the seventh cells per milliliter before magnetic labeling with anti-CD3 antibodies.
Q4: How are CD3-positive T cells labeled and captured during MACS?
Cells are incubated with biotin-coupled anti-CD3 antibodies on ice for 20 minutes, then washed. Streptavidin-coupled magnetic beads are added and incubated for 20 minutes. The labeled cell suspension is pipetted into a column positioned on a magnet, where CD3-positive cells adhere while unlabeled cells flow through into a collection tube.
Q5: What is the purpose of using a column in the MACS separation process?
The column contains a non-magnetic matrix that lengthens the path cells travel through the system. This slows cell flow, allowing more time for magnetic beads to capture target cells efficiently. The column improves separation efficiency and increases the percentage of recovered cells compared to direct magnetic separation without a column.
Q6: How is the enrichment efficiency of CD3-positive T cells verified after MACS?
Enriched and non-enriched cell samples are stained with fluorescent anti-CD3 antibodies and analyzed using flow cytometry. Dot plots display CD3-positive lymphocytes, which should appear predominantly in the enriched sample. The frequency of CD3-positive cells among all lymphocytes is calculated, with enriched T-cells typically showing 80% or above CD3-positive cells.
Q7: What are the differences between positive and negative magnetic sorting?
In positive sorting, cells of interest are captured using magnetic beads coupled to antibodies targeting desired surface markers. In negative sorting, unwanted cells are removed by capturing them with magnetic beads carrying appropriate antibodies. Both approaches use the same MACS principle but differ in which cell population is retained versus discarded.
Chapters in this video
0:03
Concepts
2:33
Preparation of Materials and Dissection
3:39
Immune Cell Isolation
5:22
Magnetic Labeling of Immune Cells
6:59
Magnetic Separation of CD3-Positive Cells
7:48
Evaluation of Target-Cell Enrichment by Flow Cytometry
9:00
Data Analysis
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