Stem cells have the unique ability to self-renew or differentiate themselves into various cell types in response to appropriate signals. These cells are especially important for tissue repair, regeneration, replacement, or in the case of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to differentiate into various myeloid populations. Appropriate signals refer to the growth factor supplements or cytokines that mediate differentiation of various stem cells into the required differentiated form. For instance, HSCs can be differentiated into dendritic cells (with IL-4 and GM-CSF), macrophages (with m-CSF) and MDSCs (with IL-6 and GM-CSF). Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be first cultured in neural differentiation media (GSK3𝛃-i, TGF𝛃-i, AMPK-i, hLIF) to form neural rosettes, which can be differentiated into neural or glial progenitors (finally differentiated into oligodendrocytes). Neural progenitors can be finally differentiated into glutaminergic (dibytyryl cAMP, ascorbic acid) and dopaminergic (SHH, FGF-8, BDNF, GDNF, TGF-𝛃3) neurons. Thus, it is important to first identify the self-renewing cell line: its source and its final differentiation state, followed by the supplements and cytokines required for the differentiation, and final use. Timelines are another thing that is considered. For instance, it takes 7-10 days to form neural rosettes from iPSCs and 3 days to differentiate neural progenitors to neurons. Finally, the stability for stem cell culture media varies. It is advised to make fresh media every time when differentiating HSCs to myeloid populations, whereas neural differentiation media may remain stable for two weeks when stored in dark between 2-8C.
Short hairpin or small hairpin RNA (shRNA) is artificial RNA, which has a hairpin loop structure, and uses inherent microRNA (miRNA) machinery to silence target gene expression. This is called RNA interference (RNAi). These can be delivered via plasmids or viral/bacterial vectors. Challenges in shRNA-mediated gene silencing include 1. Off-target silencing, 2. Packaging shRNA encoding lentivirus, and 3. Stable transduction in cells. RNAi has been designed to have anywhere from 19-27 bs, but the most effective design has 19 bp. In case commercial shRNAs are not available, potential target sites can be chosen within exon, 5’- or 3’ UTR, depending on which splice variants of the gene are desired. One should use the latest algorithms and choose at least two different sequences, targeting different regions, in order to have confidence in overcoming off-target effects. A BLAST search after selecting potential design will eliminate potential off-target sequences. For the second challenge, sequencing the vector using primers for either strand (50-100 bp upstream) is suggested, along with using enzymatic digestion on agarose gel for the vector. Next, once the shRNA-containing vector is packaged in a virus, it is important to check the viral titer before transduction. Finally, using a marker in the lentiviral vector (fluorescent protein or antibiotic resistance), along with qPCR for target gene expression can help in determining the efficacy of transduction and shRNA on its target site.
The process of RNA extraction from bacteria, in general, involves an RNA-protective, effective lysis of bacterial cell wall (which may pose difficulties). EDTA promotes loss of outer membrane to provide lysozyme with access to peptidoglycan. Another common method for cell wall lysis is mechanical disruption using a homogenizer (applied for gram-positive bacteria and some strains of gram-negative bacteria). Following lysis, it is necessary to disrupt protein-nucleic acid interactions, which can be achieved by adding sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Next step involves using phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol extraction, where RNA can be obtained from the bottom organic phase, the top phase consists of DNA and the interphase contains proteins. Isoamyl alcohol is an inert and optional addition to this mixture and is added as an anti-foaming reagent to reduce the interphase. Following RNA extraction, the samples should be checked for its quality by gel electrophoresis (23S and 16S rRNAs and 5s rRNA and tRNA bands) or UV spectrophotometric or fluorescence methods.
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