We gratefully acknowledge Molecular Devices Analytical technologies/Arcturus for their generous donation of reagents used for the study. We also thank the Harvard Tissue Resource Center for providing postmortem human brain tissue. Funding: RO1MH76060 and P50MH080272.

<ol>
	<li>Imbeaud, S., Graudens, E., Boulanger, V., Barlet, X., Zaborski, P., Eveno, E., Mueleer, O., Schroeder, A., Auffray, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Towards+standardization+of+RNA+quality+assessment+using+user-independent+classifiers+of+microcapillary+electrophoresis+traces.">Towards standardization of RNA quality assessment using user-independent classifiers of microcapillary electrophoresis traces.</a> Nucleic Acids Res. 33, e56-e56 (2005).</li></ol>

The production of this video-article was sponsored by Life Technologies.

Here, we attempt to customize a protocol to extract homogeneous cell populations from heterogeneous postmortem brain tissue using the Arcturus XT system and related RNA extraction kits. As outlined above, we have made some modifications to the original protocols provided by the company, in order to maximize RNA integrity. The successful capturing of single cells depends solely on optimizing the steps prior to capture in order to achieve maximum cells with good RNA. These steps include the various parameters associated with tissue sectioning and staining. In short, with regards to tissue preparation these include: 1) decreasing the temperature gradient when sectioning, 2) only placing 2 sections per slide, 3) performing all dehydration steps on ice, 4) adding RNase Inhibitor to the stain, 5) increasing the dehydration duration in the final 100% ethanol to 3 minutes.
With regards to capturing, we feel that the combination of CapSure HS caps, with the software on Macro setting, should ensure optimal results. A humidity-controlled environment is critical to capturing single cells, as high humidity drastically reduces tissue "lift". High temperatures can also have a negative effect on RNA quality.
During the RNA isolation protocol with the PicoPure kit, there are two wash steps. It is important to check that all wash buffer is removed before transferring to another microcentrifuge tube for RNA elution, as any presence of the buffer in your final sample will result in less starting RNA for amplification. To ensure this, we centrifuge the final wash step for 2.5 minutes instead of 2 minutes as suggested in the protocol provided.
For the most part, the linear amplification protocol was according to the manufacturer's instructions. However, two crucial points should be taken into account when using this protocol: 1) try to limit loss of RNA via excess transferring of samples between tubes, by using only the 0.5ml tubes provided in conjunction with a 0.5ml block in the thermal cycler; and 2) when transferring the sample to the purification column for purification of cDNA, be sure to spin down the sample tubes after the first transfer. This will result in an additional 1-2ul of sample to add to the purification column and therefore can increase cDNA recovery.
When making use of the TURBO end-labeling kit for biotin-labeling of your limited aRNA samples, we suggest adding an extra few &mu;l's of water before the centrifugation step, to increase the labeled RNA yield extracted from the column. An extra minute of centrifugation will also help in this regard, especially if you are working with degraded tissue, such as FFPE tissue.
We feel confident that this protocol will enable the user to isolate small homogeneous structures, such as single cell populations, within heterogenous postmortem brain tissue. This reduces dilution effects of surrounding structures and other cell-types located in the various layers within the brain, leading to results targeted towards the specific cell types under investigation. As the quality of the resulting RNA is good enough for microarray studies, we can begin to pinpoint specific molecular signatures of specific cell populations affected in disease states.

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		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>4.5&#x201D; Forceps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>82027-392</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Arcturus XT&trade; Laser-Capture Microdissection (LCM) System</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MDS Analytical Technologies</td>
<td>13821-00</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>CapSure&trade; HS LCM Caps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MDS Analytical Technologies</td>
<td>LCM 0214</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>CapSure&reg; Macro LCM Caps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MDS Analytical Technologies</td>
<td>LCM 0211</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Experion&trade; Automated Electrophoresis Station</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Bio-Rad</td>
<td>700-7001</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Experion&trade; RNA HighSens Chips</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Bio-Rad</td>
<td>700-7155</td>
<td>10 chips</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Experion&#x2122; RNA HighSens Reagents</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Bio-Rad</td>
<td>700-7156</td>
<td>10 chips</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Experion&#x2122; RNA StdSens Chips</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Bio-Rad</td>
<td>700-7153</td>
<td>10 chips</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Experion&trade; RNA StdSens Reagents</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Bio-Rad</td>
<td>700-7154</td>
<td>10 chips</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Falcon&reg; polypropylene Conical tube</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Becton-Dickinson Labware</td>
<td>352070</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>GeneAmp&reg; thin-walled reaction tube with domed cap</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Applied Biosystems</td>
<td>N8010611</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>GeneChip&reg; Human X3P array</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Affymetrix</td>
<td>900516</td>
<td>6 chips</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Histogene&reg; LCM Frozen Section Staining kit</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MDS Analytical Technologies</td>
<td>KIT0401</td>
<td>For staining solution, jars, ethanols and Xylene</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Histogene&trade; LCM slides</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MDS Analytical Technologies</td>
<td>12231-00</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Micro Slide Box</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>VWR</td>
<td>48444-004</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Microm HM 505E cryostat</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
<td>22-050-350</td>
<td>Catalogue number for similar product as current product no longer available</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Microprocessor Controlled 280 series Water bath</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Thermo Electron Corporation</td>
<td>51221048</td>
<td>Model 282</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Molecular Sieve</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>EMD&trade;</td>
<td>MX1583L-1</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>NanoDrop 1000 Spectrophotometer</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
<td>n/a</td>
<td>The NanoDrop 1000 is not available anymore, but the NanoDrop 2000 is comparable.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nuclease-free water</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Ambion&reg;</td>
<td>AM9932</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>PEN Membrane glass slides</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MDS Analytical Technologies</td>
<td>LCM 0522</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>PicoPure&reg; RNA Isolation kit</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MDS Analytical Technologies</td>
<td>KIT0204</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>RiboAmp&reg;HSPLUS with Biotin labeling</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>MDS Analytical Technologies</td>
<td>KIT0511B</td>
<td>12 reactions Includes TURBO biotin labeling&trade; kit</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RNase Zap&reg;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Ambion&reg;</td>
<td>AM9780/2</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>RNase-Free DNase Set</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Qiagen</td>
<td>79254</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>RNasin&reg; Plus</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Promega</td>
<td>N261B</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>SuperScript&trade; III Reverse Transcriptase</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>18080-044</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

obtaining high quality rna from single cell populations in human postmortem brain tissue

We proposed to investigate the gray matter reduction in the superior temporal gyrus seen in schizophrenia patients, by interrogating gene expression profiles of pyramidal neurons in layer III. It is well known that the cerebral cortex is an exceptionally heterogeneous structure comprising diverse regions, layers and cell types, each of which is characterized by distinct cellular and molecular compositions and therefore differential gene expression profiles. To circumvent the confounding effects of tissue heterogeneity, we used laser-capture microdissection (LCM) in order to isolate our specific cell-type i.e pyramidal neurons.
Approximately 500 pyramidal neurons stained with the Histogene staining solution were captured using the Arcturus XT LCM system. RNA was then isolated from captured cells and underwent two rounds of T7-based linear amplification using Arcturus/Molecular Devices kits. The Experion LabChip (Bio-Rad) gel and electropherogram indicated good quality a(m)RNA, with a transcript length extending past 600nt required for microarrays. The amount of mRNA obtained averaged 51&mu;g, with acceptable mean sample purity as indicated by the A260/280 ratio, of 2.5. Gene expression was profiled using the Human X3P GeneChip probe array from Affymetrix.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Obtaining High Quality RNA from Single Cell Populations in Human Postmortem Brain Tissue at JoVE.com

Obtaining High Quality RNA from Single Cell Populations in Human Postmortem Brain Tissue

We describe a process using laser-capture microdissection to isolate and extract RNA from a homogeneous cell population, pyramidal neurons, in layer III of the superior temporal gyrus in postmortem human brains. We subsequently linearly amplify (T7-based) mRNA, and hybridize the sample to the Affymetrix human X3P microarray.

We proposed to investigate the gray matter reduction in the superior temporal gyrus seen in schizophrenia patients, by interrogating gene expression ...

obtaining-high-quality-rna-from-single-cell-populations-human

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

30.6K 조회수.  McLean Hospital. 우리는 사후에 인간의 두뇌에있는 우수한 시간적 이랑의 레이어 III에서 단일 세포 인구, 피라미드 뉴런에서 RNA를 분리하고 추출 레이저 캡처 microdissection를 사용하여 프로세스를 설명합니다. 우리는 이후 선형 (T7 기준) mRNA를 증폭하고, Affymetrix microarray 인간 X3P에 샘플을 잡종.

비디오: Obtaining High Quality RNA from Single Cell Populations in Human Postmortem Brain Tissue

Obtaining Eggs from Xenopus laevis Females

The eggs of Xenopus laevis intact, lysed, and/or fractionated are useful for a wide variety of experiments. This protocol shows how to induce egg laying, collect and dejelly the eggs, and sort the eggs to remove any damaged eggs.

The eggs of Xenopus laevis intact, lysed, and/or fractionated are useful for a wide variety of experiments. This protocol shows how to induce egg laying, collect and dejelly the eggs, and sort the eggs to remove any damaged eggs.

The eggs of Xenopus laevis intact, lysed, and/or fractionated are useful for a wide variety of experiments. This protocol shows how to induce egg laying, ...

Neuronal Nuclei Isolation from Human Postmortem Brain Tissue

Neurons in the human brain become postmitotic largely during prenatal development, and thus maintain their nuclei throughout the full lifespan. However, little is known about changes in neuronal chromatin and nuclear organization during the course of development and aging, or in chronic neuropsychiatric disease. However, to date most chromatin and DNA based assays (other than FISH) lack single cell resolution. To this end, the considerable cellular heterogeneity of brain tissue poses a significant limitation, because typically various subpopulations of neurons are intermingled with different types of glia and other non-neuronal cells. One possible solution would be to grow cell-type specific cultures, but most CNS cells, including neurons, are ex vivo sustainable, at best, for only a few weeks and thus would provide an incomplete model for epigenetic mechanisms potentially operating across the full lifespan.  Here, we provide a protocol to extract and purify nuclei from frozen (never fixed) human postmortem brain. The method involves extraction of nuclei in hypotonic lysis buffer, followed by ultracentrifugation and immunotagging with anti-NeuN antibody. Labeled neuronal nuclei are then collected separately using fluorescence-activated sorting. This method should be applicable to any brain region in a wide range of species and suitable for chromatin immunoprecipitation studies with site- and modification-specific anti-histone antibodies, and for DNA methylation and other assays. 

The cellular heterogeneity of brain tissue poses a significant limitation for the study of epigenetic markings in chromatin because most assays lack single cell resolution. Neurons typically are intermingled with glia and other non-neuronal cells. We provide a protocol to extract and collect neuronal nuclei from human brain.

Neurons in the human brain become postmitotic largely during prenatal development, and thus maintain their nuclei throughout the full lifespan. However, ...

Generation of Single-Cell Suspensions from Mouse Neural Tissue

Within the nervous system, hundreds of neuronal and glial cell types have been described. Each specific cell type in the brain or spinal cord has a repertoire of cell surface molecules, or molecular determinants, through which it can be identified and characterized. Currently, robust cell identification and separation technologies require single-cell preparations to be generated while simultaneously limiting cell death and destruction of characteristic surface protein. The gentleMACS Dissociator, when used in combination with trypsin or papain-based dissociation kits, can effectively and gently dissociate brain tissue while preserving antigen epitopes and limiting cell loss. Standardized preparation of single-cell suspensions is achieved using C Tubes and optimized, preset gentleMACS Programs. Once generated, single-cell suspensions can be treated with monoclonal conjugates like Anti-Prominin-1 MicroBeads, which identify neural progenitors, or purified further using Myelin Removal Beads.

Dissociating cells from specific tissue types requires specific parameters for tissue aggitation to obtain a high volume of viable, culturable cells. The Miltenyi gentleMACS Dissociator optimizes this task with a simple, practical protocol. In this publication the use of this apparatus on nerual tissue is explained.

Within the nervous system, hundreds of neuronal and glial cell types have been described. Each specific cell type in the brain or spinal cord has a ...

Single-cell Suction Recordings from Mouse Cone Photoreceptors

Rod and cone photoreceptors in the retina are responsible for light detection. In darkness, cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels in the outer segment are open and allow cations to flow steadily inwards across the membrane, depolarizing the cell. Light exposure triggers the closure of the CNG channels, blocks the inward cation current flow, and thus results in cell hyperpolarization. Based on the polarity of photoreceptors, a suction recording method was developed in 1970s that, unlike the classic patch-clamp technique, does not require penetrating the plasma membrane 1. Drawing the outer segment into a tightly-fitting glass pipette filled with extracellular solution allows recording the current changes in individual cells upon test-flash exposure. However, this well-established "outer-segment-in (OS-in)" suction recording is not suitable for mouse cone recordings, because of the low percentage of cones in the mouse retina (3%) and the difficulties in identifying the cone outer segments. Recently, an inner-segment-in (IS-in) recording configuration was developed to draw the inner segment/nuclear region of the photoreceptor into the recording pipette 2,3. In this video, we will show how to record from individual mouse cone photoresponses using single-cell suction electrode.

We will show how to record flash responses from single mouse cones using a suction electrode.

Rod and cone photoreceptors in the retina are responsible for light detection. In darkness, cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels in the outer segment ...

Robust Generation of Hepatocyte-like Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cell Populations

Despite progress in modelling human drug toxicity, many compounds fail during clinical trials due to unpredicted side effects. The cost of clinical studies are substantial, therefore it is essential that more predictive toxicology screens are developed and deployed early on in drug development (Greenhough et al 2010). Human hepatocytes represent the current gold standard model for evaluating drug toxicity, but are a limited resource that exhibit variable function. Therefore, the use of immortalised cell lines and animal tissue models are routinely employed due to their abundance. While both sources are informative, they are limited by poor function, species variability and/or instability in culture (Dalgetty et al 2009). Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are an attractive alternative source of human hepatocyte like cells (HLCs) (Medine et al 2010). PSCs are capable of self renewal and differentiation to all somatic cell types found in the adult and thereby represent a potentially inexhaustible source of differentiated cells. We have developed a procedure that is simple, highly efficient, amenable to automation and yields functional human HLCs (Hay et al 2008 ; Fletcher et al 2008 ; Hannoun et al 2010 ; Payne et al 2011 and Hay et al 2011). We believe our technology will lead to the scalable production of HLCs for drug discovery, disease modeling, the construction of extra-corporeal devices and possibly cell based transplantation therapies.

This article will focus on the generation of human hepatic endoderm from human embryonic stem cell populations.

Despite progress in modelling human drug toxicity, many compounds fail during clinical trials due to unpredicted side effects. The cost of clinical ...

Generation of High Quality Chromatin Immunoprecipitation DNA Template for High-throughput Sequencing (ChIP-seq)

ChIP-sequencing (ChIP-seq) methods directly offer whole-genome coverage, where combining chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and massively parallel sequencing can be utilized to identify the repertoire of mammalian DNA sequences bound by transcription factors in vivo. "Next-generation" genome sequencing technologies provide 1-2 orders of magnitude increase in the amount of sequence that can be cost-effectively generated over older technologies thus allowing for ChIP-seq methods to directly provide whole-genome coverage for effective profiling of mammalian protein-DNA interactions.
For successful ChIP-seq approaches, one must generate high quality ChIP DNA template to obtain the best sequencing outcomes. The description is based around experience with the protein product of the gene most strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, namely the transcription factor transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2). This factor has also been implicated in various cancers.
Outlined is how to generate high quality ChIP DNA template derived from the colorectal carcinoma cell line, HCT116, in order to build a high-resolution map through sequencing to determine the genes bound by TCF7L2, giving further insight in to its key role in the pathogenesis of complex traits.

Generation of High Quality Chromatin Immunoprecipitation DNA Template for High-throughput Sequencing ChIP-seq

The combination of chromatin immunoprecipitation and ultra-high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) can identify and map protein-DNA interactions in a given tissue or cell line. Outlined is how to generate a high quality ChIP template for subsequent sequencing, using experience with the transcription factor TCF7L2 as an example.

ChIP-sequencing (ChIP-seq) methods directly  offer whole-genome coverage, where combining chromatin immunoprecipitation  (ChIP) and massively parallel ...

A Laser Capture Microdissection Protocol That Yields High Quality RNA from Fresh-frozen Mouse Bones

RNA yield and integrity are decisive for RNA analysis. However, it is often technically challenging to maintain RNA integrity throughout the entire laser capture microdissection (LCM) procedure. Since LCM studies work with low amounts of material, concerns about limited RNA yields are also important. Therefore, an LCM protocol was developed to obtain sufficient quantity of high-quality RNA for gene expression analysis in bone cells. The effect of staining protocol, thickness of cryosections, microdissected tissue quantity, RNA extraction kit, and LCM system used on RNA yield and integrity obtained from microdissected bone cells was evaluated. Eight-&#181;m-thick frozen bone sections were made using an adhesive film and stained using a rapid protocol for a commercial LCM stain. The sample was sandwiched between a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membrane and the adhesive film. An LCM system that uses gravity for sample collection and a column-based RNA extraction method were used to obtain high quality RNAs of sufficient yield. The current study focusses on mouse femur sections. However, the LCM protocol reported here can be used to study in situ gene expression in cells of any hard tissue in both physiological conditions and disease processes.

A laser capture microdissection (LCM) protocol was developed to obtain sufficient quantity of high-quality RNA for gene expression analysis in bone cells. The current study focusses on mouse femur sections. However, the LCM protocol reported here can be used to study gene expression in cells of any hard tissue.

RNA yield and integrity are decisive for RNA analysis. However, it is often technically challenging to maintain RNA integrity throughout the entire laser ...

Quantitative Proteomics Workflow using Multiple Reaction Monitoring Based Detection of Proteins from Human Brain Tissue

The proteomic analysis of the human brain tissue over the last decade has greatly enhanced our understanding of the brain. However, brain related disorders continue to be a major contributor of deaths around the world, necessitating the need for even greater understanding of their pathobiology. Traditional antibody-based techniques like western blotting or immunohistochemistry suffer from being low-throughput besides being labor-intensive and qualitative or semi-quantitative. Even conventional mass spectrometry-based shotgun approaches fail to provide conclusive evidence to support a certain hypothesis. Targeted proteomics approaches are largely hypothesis driven and differ from the conventional shotgun proteomics approaches that have been long in use. Multiple reaction monitoring is one such targeted approach that requires the use of a special mass spectrometer called the tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer or triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. In the current study, we have systematically highlighted the major steps involved in performing a successful tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry-based proteomics workflow using human brain tissue with an aim to introduce this workflow to a broader research community.

The protocol aims to introduce the use of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) of proteins from clinical samples. We have provided a systematic workflow starting from sample preparation to data analysis for clinical samples with all the necessary precautions to be taken.

The proteomic analysis of the human brain tissue over the last decade has greatly enhanced our understanding of the brain. However, brain related ...

Tissue Collection and RNA Extraction from the Human Osteoarthritic Knee Joint

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and degenerative joint disease most often affecting the knee. As there is currently no cure, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common surgical intervention. Experiments using primary human OA tissues obtained from TKA provide the capability to investigate disease mechanisms ex vivo. While OA was previously thought to impact mainly the cartilage, it is now known to impact multiple tissues in the joint. This protocol describes patient selection, sample processing, tissue homogenization, RNA extraction, and quality control (based on RNA purity, integrity, and yield) from each of seven unique tissues to support disease mechanism investigation in the knee joint. With informed consent, samples were obtained from patients undergoing TKA for OA. Tissues were dissected, washed, and stored within 4 h of surgery by flash freezing for RNA or formalin fixation for histology. Collected tissues included articular cartilage, subchondral bone, meniscus, infrapatellar fat pad, anterior cruciate ligament, synovium, and vastus medialis oblique muscle. RNA extraction protocols were tested for each tissue type. The most significant modification involved the method of disintegration used for low-cell, high-matrix, hard tissues (considered as cartilage, bone, and meniscus) versus relatively high-cell, low-matrix, soft tissues (considered as fat pad, ligament, synovium, and muscle). It was found that pulverization was appropriate for hard tissues, and homogenization was appropriate for soft tissues. A proclivity for some subjects to yield higher RNA integrity number (RIN) values than other subjects consistently across multiple tissues was observed, suggesting that underlying factors such as disease severity may impact RNA quality. The ability to isolate high-quality RNA from primary human OA tissues provides a physiologically relevant model for sophisticated gene expression experiments, including sequencing, that can lead to clinical insights that are more readily translated to patients.

Primary tissues obtained from patients following total knee arthroplasty provide an experimental model for osteoarthritis research with maximal clinical translatability. This protocol describes how to identify, process, and isolate RNA from seven unique knee tissues to support mechanistic investigation in human osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and degenerative joint disease most often affecting the knee. As there is currently no cure, total knee arthroplasty ...

Nuclei Isolation from Adult Mouse Kidney for Single-Nucleus RNA-Sequencing

The kidneys regulate diverse biological processes such as water, electrolyte, and acid-base homeostasis. Physiological functions of the kidney are executed by multiple cell types arranged in a complex architecture across the corticomedullary axis of the organ. Recent advances in single-cell transcriptomics have accelerated the understanding of cell type-specific gene expression in renal physiology and disease. However, enzyme-based tissue dissociation protocols, which are frequently utilized for single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), require mostly fresh (non-archived) tissue, introduce transcriptional stress responses, and favor the selection of abundant cell types of the kidney cortex resulting in an underrepresentation of cells of the medulla.
Here, we present a protocol that avoids these problems. The protocol is based on nuclei isolation at 4 &#176;C from frozen kidney tissue. Nuclei are isolated from a central piece of the mouse kidney comprised of the cortex, outer medulla, and inner medulla. This reduces the overrepresentation of cortical cells typical for whole-kidney samples for the benefit of medullary cells such that data will represent the entire corticomedullary axis at sufficient abundance. The protocol is simple, rapid, and adaptable and provides a step towards the standardization of single-nuclei transcriptomics in kidney research.

Here, we present a protocol to isolate high-quality nuclei from frozen mouse kidneys that improve the representation of medullary kidney cell types and avoids the gene expression artifacts from enzymatic tissue dissociation.