Fluorescence Microscopy Imaging: (See Figure 1 in datasheet) Primary cell type, Human mesenchymal stem cells (HuMSC), were plated in a chamber slide and transduced with lentiviral particles at an MOI of 20 for 24 hours. After media replacement and 48 hours further incubation, cells were either left in complete media or incubated for 4 hours in EBSS containing a lysosome inhibitor, to induce autophagy and inhibit lysosomal degradation of autophagosomes. Cells were fixed with formaldehyde and mounted. Images were obtained by oil immersion wide-field fluores-cence microscopy. The RFP-LC3 displays a diffuse cytosolic distribution in fed cells, and a punctate distribution in starved autophagic cells.
Immunocytochemistry Comparison and Inhibitor Analysis: (See Figure 2 in datasheet) Similar to Figure 1, HeLa cells were plated in a chamber slide and transduced with lentiviral particles at an MOI of 40 for 24 hours. After media replacement and 48 hours further incubation, cells were either left in complete media, incubated for 4 hours in EBSS containing a lysosome inhibitor to induce autophagy and inhibit lysosomal degradation, or incubated as in, with the addition of 5 mM 3-methyladenine (3-MA) as an inhibitor of autophagy. 3-MA completely blocks formation of RFP-LC3-positive autophagic punctae. Immunocytochemical staining (green) of the same fields of view with a monoclonal antibody against LC3A reveals similar expression patterns to the RFP-protein (red).
Hard-to-transfect Cell Type: (See Figure 3 in datasheet) Primary cell type HUVEC were plated in a chamber slide and transduced with lentiviral particles at an MOI of 20 for 24 hours. Subsequent treatments for cells left in complete media or cells incubated in EBSS with lysosome inhibitor, were performed as in Figures 1A and 1B.
Confocal Microscopy Imaging: (See Figure 4 in datasheet) HeLa cells were treated as in Figures 1A and 1B. Images were obtained by oil immersion confocal fluorescence microscopy.
Additional Cell Type: (See Figure 5 in datasheet) HT1080 cells were treated as in Figure 1A and 1B.
For optimal fluorescent visualization, it is recommended to analyze the target expression level within 24-48 hrs after transfection/infection for optimal live cell analysis, as fluorescent intensity may dim over time, especially in difficult-to-transfect cell lines. Infected cells may be frozen down after successful transfection/infection and thawed in culture to retain positive fluorescent expression beyond 24-48 hrs. Length and intensity of fluorescent expression varies between cell lines. Higher MOIs may be required for difficult-to-transfect cell lines.
Components
TagRFP-LC3 Lentivirus: One vial containing 25 µL of lentiviral particles at a minimum of 3 x 10E8 infectious units (IFU) per mL. For lot-specific titer information, please see “Viral Titer” in the product box above. Promoter EF-1 (Elongation Factor-1) Multiplicty of Infection (MOI) MOI = Ratio of # of infectious lentiviral particles (IFU) to # of cells being infected.