Title: Single-cell correlations of mRNA and protein content in a human monocytic cell line after LPS stimulation

Abstract

The heterogeneity of mRNA and protein expression at the single-cell level can reveal fundamental information about cellular response to external stimuli, including the sensitivity, timing, and regulatory interactions of genes. Here we describe a fully automated system to digitally count the intron, mRNA, and protein content of up to five genes of interest simultaneously in single-cells. Full system automation of 3D microscope scans and custom image analysis routines allows hundreds of individual cells to be automatically segmented and the mRNA-protein content to be digitally counted. Single-molecule intron and mRNA content is measured by single-molecule fluorescence in-situ hybridization (smFISH), while protein content is quantified though the use of antibody probes. To mimic immune response to bacterial infection, human monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1) were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the expression of two inflammatory genes, IL1β (interleukin 1β) and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor α), were simultaneously quantified by monitoring the intron, mRNA, and protein levels over time. The simultaneous labeling of cellular content allowed for a series of correlations at the single-cell level to be explored, both in the progressive maturation of a single gene (intron-mRNA-protein) and comparative analysis between the two immune response genes. In the absence of LPS stimulation, mRNAmore » expression of IL1β and TNF-α were uncorrelated. Following LPS stimulation, mRNA expression of the two genes became more correlated, consistent with a model in which IL1β and TNF-α upregulation occurs in parallel through independent mechanistic pathways. This smFISH methodology can be applied to different complex biological systems to provide valuable insight into highly dynamic gene mechanisms that determine cell plasticity and heterogeneity of cellular response.« less

Authors:

Kalb, Daniel M.  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Kalb, Daniel M."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-9153-4347"

Adikari, Samantha Hiroshini  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Adikari, Samantha Hiroshini"
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-4515-5500"

Hong-Geller, Elizabeth  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Hong-Geller, Elizabeth"
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0001-9257-7680"

Werner, James Henry  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Werner, James Henry"
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-7616-8913"

Brody, James P. ^[2]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
2. Univ. of California, Irvine, CA (United States)

Publication Date:

Fri Apr 19 00:00:00 EDT 2019

Research Org.:

Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program

OSTI Identifier:

1511628

Report Number(s):

LA-UR-19-20143
Journal ID: ISSN 1932-6203

Grant/Contract Number:  

89233218CNA000001

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

PLoS ONE

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 14; Journal Issue: 4; Journal ID: ISSN 1932-6203

Publisher:

Public Library of Science

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES