The present study was supported by the NIH grants HL120947 (P.C.), HL103868 (P.C.), and the American Heart Association Grant-in-Aid (P.C.)

NOTE: General remarks: Perform all procedures involving manipulation of the egg under sterile conditions, and sterile technique should be used accordingly. Pre-clean all equipment with 70% ethanol before use. In general, influenza virus inoculation and harvest should be conducted in a BSL-2 laboratory. However, if this protocol is used to propagate much more pathogenic influenza viruses (e.g., pandemic and pre-pandemic strains, strains that pose a danger to poultry and livestock, highly pathogenic avian influenza strains, the 1918 H1N1 strain), higher biosafety levels and in some cases, biosecurity precautions and authorizations are required. The local Institutional Biosafety Committee should approve all research involving influenza virus.
1. Preparation of Eggs for Inoculation
<ol>
	<li>Obtain serum pathogen-free (SPF) freshly fertilized avian eggs from a suitable vendor. Typically, chicken eggs are used. Eggs should be used immediately upon arrival.</li>
	<li>Upon arrival place eggs in a humidified egg incubator with an automatic egg turner to rotate eggs regularly. If an automatic egg turner is not available, manually rotate eggs at least 2-3 times a day (make sure to wear gloves and keep everything as sterile as possible).</li>
	<li>Incubate eggs at 37 &#176;C and 55-60% humidity for 10-11 days.</li>
</ol>
2. Egg Candling
<ol>
	<li>Use an egg candler to examine the egg against a bright light in a dark room to check eggs for infertility by candling after about 7 or 8 days of incubation.
	<ol>
		<li>Wipe the egg candler with 70% ethanol. Change gloves often and disinfect with 70% ethanol to minimize the risk of contamination by pathogens.</li>
		<li>Remove the eggs from the incubator and place them in empty egg cartons.</li>
		<li>Turn off the lights in the room.</li>
		<li>Hold the large end of each egg one at a time against the candler.</li>
		<li>Observe the egg to determine if it is fertile or infertile. 
		NOTE: Thin blood vessels leading to a bean-shaped embryo should be clearly visible. Unfertilized eggs will appear as a small blood spot with a visible egg yolk.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Discard eggs that are unfertilized, and return the viable eggs to the incubator. Do not leave eggs outside of the incubator for more than 30 min. If the status of an egg cannot be confirmed, mark it, and observe it later.</li>
</ol>
3. Preparation of Virus Inoculum
<ol>
	<li>Dilute influenza virus stock to about 103 &#8211; 104 pfu/ml in sterile PBS containing 10 mM HEPES (pH 7.4). Critical step: Dilute the virus stock immediately before use and keep the diluted virus on ice all the time.</li>
</ol>
4. Influenza Virus Inoculation via the Allantoic Route
<ol>
	<li>On the day of virus inoculation (day 10 or 11), candle the eggs again and eliminate any dead embryos. Distinguish live embryos by looking for movement inside the egg.</li>
	<li>Remove three eggs from the incubator, and arrange the eggs in a separate holder with the air sac up.</li>
	<li>Mark the air space of the eggs with a permanent marker.</li>
	<li>Wash the eggshell above the air space with 70% ethanol.</li>
	<li>Put the eggs with the air space up in an egg carton and into a biosafety hood (BSL-2).</li>
	<li>Use a sterile 18G needle to punch a small hole in the shell over the air sac of each egg. Be careful not to insert the needle too deeply to avoid stabbing the embryo or yolk.</li>
	<li>Draw up the diluted influenza virus into a sterile 1 ml syringe and attach a 22G needle.</li>
	<li>Carefully advance the syringe with needle at a 45&#176; angle into the allantoic cavity.</li>
	<li>Inject 0.2 ml of the diluted influenza virus.</li>
	<li>Repeat the injection with the other two eggs, and then discard the syringe and needle.</li>
	<li>Seal the hole with a drop of glue from a glue gun (or melted paraffin wax). Be careful that glue does not leak inside the egg.</li>
	<li>Place the eggs back into the egg incubator with the air space pointed upward.</li>
	<li>Repeat steps 4.2 &#8211; 4.12 until all the eggs have been inoculated.</li>
</ol>
5. Incubation Time
<ol>
	<li>Incubate the infected eggs without turning at 37 &#176;C and ~60% humidity.</li>
	<li>Choose optimal incubation time depending on the influenza virus type. Incubate influenza A for 48 h; incubate influenza B and C for 72 hr.</li>
</ol>
6. Influenza Virus Harvest
<ol>
	<li>After incubation period, chill the eggs at 4 &#176;C for a minimum of 4 hr (or O/N) to kill the embryo and constrict the blood vessels to reduce the risk of contaminating the infected allantoic fluid with blood. Do this to prevent the red blood cells from absorbing the virus, which reduces the yield. Alternatively, chill eggs for 30 min at -20 &#176;C; however this increases the risk of blood contamination.</li>
	<li>After the eggs have been sufficiently chilled, transfer the eggs to a biosafety hood. Place the egg into a firm holder with the air sac facing up. Clean the egg surface with 70% ethanol.</li>
	<li>Use sterile scissors to open the eggshell above the air sac. Remove the shell around the air sac while being careful not to destroy the chorioallantoic membrane.</li>
	<li>Open the chorioallantoic membrane with sterile blunt forceps. Gently move aside the embryo and the yolk sac with a small spatula or spoon. Take care not to rupture the yolk.</li>
	<li>Using a 1 ml Eppendorf pipette, carefully collect the allantoic fluid. If needed, tilt the egg a bit to the side to collect as much fluid as possible.</li>
	<li>Combine the allantoic fluid from all the eggs into a 50 ml plastic conical tube. Keep tubes on ice at all times during virus harvest. One egg yields 5 &#8211; 10 ml of a slightly yellowish fluid.</li>
	<li>Spin the virus-containing allantoic fluid at 1,000 x g for 10 min at 4 &#176;C to pellet debris. Transfer the clear fluid into a new 50 ml tube kept on ice. Dispose eggs into a BSL-2 waste container.</li>
</ol>
7. Storage
<ol>
	<li>Immediately aliquot the clarified allantoic fluid (e.g., 50, 100 or 500 ul aliquots) and snap-freeze in liquid nitrogen. Transfer frozen virus stocks to -80 &#176;C freezer for long-term storage.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Estimates+of+deaths+associated+with+seasonal+influenza+---+United+States,+1976-2007.">Estimates of deaths associated with seasonal influenza --- United States, 1976-2007.</a> MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report. 59 (33), 1057-1062 (2010).</li><li>Neumann, G., Noda, T., Kawaoka, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Emergence+and+pandemic+potential+of+swine-origin+H1N1+influenza+virus.">Emergence and pandemic potential of swine-origin H1N1 influenza virus.</a> Nature. 459 (7249), 931-939 (2009).</li><li>Tumpey, T. M., Garcia-Sastre, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pathogenicity+of+Influenza+Viruses+with+Genes+from+the+1918+Pandemic+Virus:+Functional+Roles+of+Alveolar+Macrophages+and+Neutrophils+in+Limiting+Virus+Replication+and+Mortality+in+Mice.">Pathogenicity of Influenza Viruses with Genes from the 1918 Pandemic Virus: Functional Roles of Alveolar Macrophages and Neutrophils in Limiting Virus Replication and Mortality in Mice.</a> J Virol. 79 (23), 14933-14944 (2005).</li><li>Doherty, P. C., Turner, S. J., Webby, R. G., Thomas, P. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Influenza+and+the+challenge+for+immunology.">Influenza and the challenge for immunology.</a> Nat Immu. 7 (5), 449-455 (2006).</li><li>Webster, R. G., Govorkova, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Continuing+challenges+in+influenza.">Continuing challenges in influenza.</a> Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1323 (1), 115-139 (2014).</li><li>Szretter, K. J., Balish, A. L., Katz, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Unit+15G.1+Influenza:+propagation,+quantification,+and+storage.+.">Unit 15G.1 Influenza: propagation, quantification, and storage. .</a> Current protocols in microbiology. , (2006).</li><li>Short, K. R., Kroeze, E. J. B. V., Fouchier, R. A. M., Kuiken, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pathogenesis+of+influenza-induced+acute+respiratory+distress+syndrome.">Pathogenesis of influenza-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome.</a> Lancet Infect Dis. 14 (4), 57-69 (2014).</li><li>Ito, T., Suzuki, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differences+in+sialic+acid-galactose+linkages+in+the+chicken+egg+amnion+and+allantois+influence+human+influenza+virus+receptor+specificity+and+variant+selection.">Differences in sialic acid-galactose linkages in the chicken egg amnion and allantois influence human influenza virus receptor specificity and variant selection.</a> J Virol. 71 (4), 3357-3362 (1997).</li><li>Robertson, J. S., Nicolson, C., Major, D., Robertson, E. W., Wood, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+role+of+amniotic+passage+in+the+egg-adaptation+of+human+influenza+virus+is+revealed+by+haemagglutinin+sequence+analyses.">The role of amniotic passage in the egg-adaptation of human influenza virus is revealed by haemagglutinin sequence analyses.</a> J Gen Virol. 74 (Pt 10), 2047-2051 (1993).</li><li>Gaush, C. R., Smith, T. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Replication+and+plaque+assay+of+influenza+virus+in+an+established+line+of+canine+kidney+cells).">Replication and plaque assay of influenza virus in an established line of canine kidney cells).</a> Appl Microbiol. 16 (4), 588-594 (1968).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Influenza causes a large global burden of disease, and work continues into understanding the pathogenesis of lung injury 7. To facilitated research in this deadly disease, various methods have been developed to propagate the influenza virus 6. Here, we describe a technique to produce influenza virus in chicken eggs. The advantage of this method is that it is highly reproducible and results in large quantities of high titer influenza virus stocks, which is often necessary for in vitro studie...

Influenza A continues to be a major threat to human health. It is a potentially devastating respiratory disease with a large global burden causing up to 500,000 deaths worldwide annually 1. Influenza viruses are in the family Orthomyxoviridae and carry 8 negative-sense single-stranded RNA in their genome 1,2. The high mutability (i.e., antigenic &#8220;drift&#8221;) of the viral genome prevents long-term immunity. Moreover, influenza is increasingly resistant to anti-viral drugs 3.
The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic highlighted all the challenging issues associated with influenza disease (pandemic strain, anti-viral resistance, delayed vaccine production). The vaccine formulation is determined annually by the World Health Organization for the most likely pathogenic influenza strains (one each for H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B) 4. Because this method is based on predicted influenza strains, pathogenic strains are occasionally incorrectly identified and vaccine efficacy drops dramatically. Moreover, the appearance of novel influenza strains can circumvent these preventative programs causing pandemic disease 2.
The creation of a universal influenza vaccine has been elusive 5. Therefore, research must continue into understanding the pathogenesis of lung injury. To facility laboratory research, several methods have been developed for viral isolation and propagation 6. Human influenza viruses can be amplified in a variety of mammalian cell substrates. However, generating high titer viruses in large quantities are best achieved in embryonated eggs. The following protocol describes a technique for influenza A virus propagation and storage from existing virus stocks.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Phosphate buffered saline (PBS)</td><td>Cellgro&amp;nbsp;</td><td>21-040-CV</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>serum pathogen-free (SPF) fertilized chicken eggs&amp;nbsp;</td><td>VALO BioMedia</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>humidified egg incubator&amp;nbsp;</td><td>FARM iNNOVATORS</td><td>Model 2100</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>automatic egg turner</td><td>FARM iNNOVATORS</td><td>Model 3200</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>egg candler</td><td>FARM iNNOVATORS</td><td>Model 3300&amp;nbsp;</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1 ml syringe</td><td>BD Bioscience</td><td>309659</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>18G needle</td><td>BD Bioscience</td><td>305196</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>20G / 22G needle</td><td>BD Bioscience</td><td>305176 / 305156</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>HEPES</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>H3375</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ethanol&gt;99.5%</td><td>Sigma-Aldrich</td><td>459844</td><td>diluted to 70% using water</td></tr><tr><td>glue gun &quot;Ad tech Hi Temp Project Pro&quot;</td><td>Ad tech, Adhesive Technologies, Inc.</td><td>Model 1105</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>glue &quot;Ad tech MINI SIZE, Multi Temp&quot;</td><td>Ad tech, Adhesive Technologies, Inc.</td><td>220-34ZIP30</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>MDCK cells</td><td>ATCC</td><td>CRL-2935</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Washed Pooled Turkey Red Blood Cells, 10%</td><td>Lampire Biological Laboratories</td><td>724908</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

influenza virus propagation in embryonated chicken eggs

Influenza infection is associated with about 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations every year in the United States. The continuous emergence of new influenza virus strains due to mutation and re-assortment complicates the control of the virus and necessitates the permanent development of novel drugs and vaccines. The laboratory-based study of influenza requires a reliable and cost-effective method for the propagation of the virus. Here, a comprehensive protocol is provided for influenza A virus propagation in fertile chicken eggs, which consistently yields high titer viral stocks. In brief, serum pathogen-free (SPF) fertilized chicken eggs are incubated at 37 &#176;C and 55-60% humidity for 10 &#8211; 11 days. Over this period, embryo development can be easily monitored using an egg candler. Virus inoculation is carried out by injection of virus stock into the allantoic cavity using a needle. After 2 days of incubation at 37 &#176;C, the eggs are chilled for at least 4 hr at 4 &#176;C. The eggshell above the air sac and the chorioallantoic membrane are then carefully opened, and the allantoic fluid containing the virus is harvested. The fluid is cleared from debris by centrifugation, aliquoted and transferred to -80 &#176;C for long-term storage. The large amount (5-10 ml of virus-containing fluid per egg) and high virus titer which is usually achieved with this protocol has made the usage of eggs for virus preparation our favorable method, in particular for in vitro studies which require large quantities of virus in which high dosages of the same virus stock are needed.

Multiple methods have been developed to titer influenza virus. One consideration when choosing an appropriate method is that some determine total particles regardless of viability (e.g., hemagglutinin assay) whereas others are based on infectivity, which will assess viable virions (e.g., plaque assay) 6. Here, the viral titer of allantoic fluid collected from chicken eggs inoculated with a mouse-adapted influenza virus (A/PR/8/34) was determined by plaque assay (Figure&#160;1...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Influenza Virus Propagation in Embryonated Chicken Eggs at JoVE.com

Influenza Virus Propagation in Embryonated Chicken Eggs

Fertile chicken eggs are widely used to produce large amounts of human influenza A virus as they provide a convenient and cost-effective system to prove high yields of virus.

Influenza infection is associated with about 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations every year in the United States. The continuous ...

influenza-virus-propagation-in-embryonated-chicken-eggs

Universidad de Cartagena UDEC

Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

43.1K Views.  Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Fertile chicken eggs are widely used to produce large amounts of human influenza A virus as they provide a convenient and cost-effective system to prove high yields of virus.

Video: Influenza Virus Propagation in Embryonated Chicken Eggs

Generation of Recombinant Influenza Virus from Plasmid DNA

Efforts by a number of influenza research groups have been pivotal in the development and improvement of influenza A virus reverse genetics. Originally established in 1999 1,2 plasmid-based reverse genetic techniques to generate recombinant viruses have revolutionized the influenza research field because specific questions have been answered by genetically engineered, infectious, recombinant influenza viruses. Such studies include virus replication, function of viral proteins, the contribution of specific mutations in viral proteins in viral replication and/or pathogenesis and, also, viral vectors using recombinant influenza viruses expressing foreign proteins 3.

Rescue of influenza A viruses from plasmid DNA is a basic and essential experimental technique that allows influenza researchers to generate recombinant viruses to study multiple aspects in the biology of influenza virus, and to be used as potential vectors or vaccines.

Efforts by a number of influenza research groups have been pivotal in the development and improvement of influenza A virus reverse genetics. Originally ...

Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice

During the 1918 influenza virus pandemic, which killed approximately 50 million people worldwide, the majority of fatalities were not the result of infection with influenza virus alone. Instead, most individuals are thought to have succumbed to a secondary bacterial infection, predominately caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus). The synergistic relationship between infections caused by influenza virus and the pneumococcus has subsequently been observed during the 1957 Asian influenza virus pandemic, as well as during seasonal outbreaks of the virus (reviewed in 1, 2). Here, we describe a protocol used to investigate the mechanism(s) that may be involved in increased morbidity as a result of concurrent influenza A virus and S. pneumoniae infection. We have developed an infant murine model to reliably and reproducibly demonstrate the effects of influenza virus infection of mice colonised with S. pneumoniae. Using this protocol, we have provided the first insight into the kinetics of pneumococcal transmission between co-housed, neonatal mice using in vivo imaging 3.

Using Bioluminescent Imaging to Investigate Synergism Between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Influenza A Virus in Infant Mice

A concurrent infection with influenza A virus is one of the factors implicated in the induction of invasive pneumococcal disease during asymptomatic Streptococcus pneumoniae carriage. Here we describe a mixed infection method using infant mice to investigate the synergism between these two respiratory pathogens.

During the 1918 influenza virus pandemic, which killed approximately 50 million people worldwide, the majority of fatalities were not the result of ...

Rescue of Recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus from cDNA

Newcastle disease virus (NDV), the prototype member of the Avulavirus genus of the family Paramyxoviridae1, is a non-segmented, negative-sense, single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus (Figure 1) with potential applications as a vector for vaccination and treatment of human diseases. In-depth exploration of these applications has only become possible after the establishment of reverse genetics techniques to rescue recombinant viruses from plasmids encoding their complete genomes as cDNA2-5. Viral cDNA can be conveniently modified in vitro by using standard cloning procedures to alter the genotype of the virus and/or to include new transcriptional units. Rescue of such genetically modified viruses provides a valuable tool to understand factors affecting multiple stages of infection, as well as allows for the development and improvement of vectors for the expression and delivery of antigens for vaccination and therapy. Here we describe a protocol for the rescue of recombinant NDVs.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has been extensively studied in the last few years in order to develop new vectors for vaccination and therapy, among others. These studies have been possible due to techniques to rescue recombinant virus from cDNA, such as those we describe here.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV), the prototype member of  the Avulavirus genus of the family Paramyxoviridae1, is a non-segmented,  negative-sense, ...

Production of High-Titer Recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus from Allantoic Fluid

Newcastle disease virus (NDV), also known as avian orthoavulavirus serotype-1, is a negative sense, single-stranded RNA virus that has been developed both as an oncolytic virus and a viral-vectored vaccine. NDV is an attractive therapeutic and prophylactic agent due to its well-established reverse genetics system, potent immunostimulatory properties, and excellent safety profile. When administered as an oncolytic virus or a viral-vectored vaccine, NDV elicits a robust antitumor or antigen-specific immune response, activating both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. 
Given these desirable characteristics, NDV has been evaluated in numerous clinical trials and is one of the most well-studied oncolytic viruses. Currently, there are two registered clinical trials involving NDV: one evaluating a recombinant NDV-vectored vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 (NCT04871737), and a second evaluating a recombinant NDV encoding Interleukin-12 in combination with Durvalumab, an antiPD-L1 antibody (NCT04613492). To facilitate further advancement of this highly promising viral vector, simplified methods for generating high-titer, in vivo-grade, recombinant NDV (rNDV) are needed. 
This paper describes a detailed procedure for amplifying rNDV in specified pathogen-free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs and purifying rNDV from allantoic fluid, with improvements to reduce loss during purification. Also included are descriptions of the recommended quality control assays, which should be performed to confirm lack of contaminants and virus integrity. Overall, this detailed procedure enables the synthesis, purification, and storage of high-titer, in vivo-grade, recombinant, lentogenic, and mesogenic NDV for use in preclinical studies.

Here we provide a detailed procedure for production, purification, and quantification of high-titer recombinant Newcastle disease virus. This protocol consistently yields &#62; 6 &#215; 109 plaque-forming units/mL, providing virus quantities appropriate for in vivo animal studies. Additional quality control assays to ensure safety in vivo are described.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV), also known as avian orthoavulavirus serotype-1, is a negative sense, single-stranded RNA virus that has been developed both ...

Cancer Research

Using Chicken Embryo as a Powerful Tool in Assessment of Developmental Cardiotoxicities

Chicken embryos are a classical model in developmental studies. During the development of chicken embryos, the time window of heart development is well-defined, and it is relatively easy to achieve precise and timely exposure via multiple methods. Moreover, the process of heart development in chicken embryos is similar to mammals, also resulting in a four-chambered heart, making it a valuable alternative model in the assessment of developmental cardiotoxicities. In our lab, the chicken embryo model is routinely used in the assessment of developmental cardiotoxicities following exposure to various environmental pollutants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), particulate matter (PMs), diesel exhaust (DE) and nano materials. The exposure time can be freely selected based on the need, from the beginning of development (embryonic day 0, ED0) all the way to the day prior to hatch. The major exposure methods include air-cell injection, direct microinjection, and air-cell inhalation (originally developed in our lab), and the currently available endpoints include cardiac function (electrocardiography), morphology (histological assessments) and molecular biological assessments (immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, western blotting, etc.). Of course, the chicken embryo model has its own limitations, such as limited availability of antibodies. Nevertheless, with more laboratories starting to utilize this model, it can be used to make significant contributions to the study of developmental cardiotoxicities.

Chicken embryos, as a classical developmental model, are used in our lab to assess developmental cardiotoxicities following exposure to various environmental contaminants. Exposure methods and morphological/functional assessment methods established are described in this manuscript.

Chicken embryos are a classical model in developmental studies. During the development of chicken embryos, the time window of heart development is ...

Developmental Biology

Single Cell Transfection in Chick Embryos

A central theme in developmental biology is the diversification of lineages and the elucidation of underlying molecular mechanisms. This entails a thorough analysis of the fates of single cells under normal and experimental conditions. To this end, transfection methods that target single progenitors are a prerequisite. We describe here a technically straightforward method for transfecting single cells in chicken tissues in-ovo, allowing reliable lineage tracing as well as genetic manipulation. Specific tissue domains are targeted within the somite or neural tube, and DNA is injected directly into the epithelium of interest, resulting in sporadic transfection of single cells. Using reporters, clonal populations may consequently be traced for up to three days, and behavior of genetically manipulated clonal populations can be compared with that of controls. This method takes advantage of the accessibility of the chick embryo along with emerging tools for genetic manipulation. We compare and discuss its advantages over the widely-used electroporation method, and possible applications and use in additional in-vivo models are also suggested. We advocate the use of this method as a significant addition and complement for existing lineage tracing and genetic interference tools.

Using fine tip micropipettes we inject plasmid DNA into subdomains of chicken somites or neural tubes. The concentration of the plasmid is adjusted to generate single transfected cells. We then allow the cells to develop into clonal populations.

A central theme in developmental biology is the diversification of lineages and the elucidation of underlying molecular mechanisms. This entails a ...

Biology

In Ovo Intravascular Injection in Chicken Embryos

As a classical model system of embryo biology, the chicken embryo has been used to investigate embryonic development and differentiation. Delivering exogenous materials into chicken embryos has a great advantage for studying gene function, transgenic breeding, and chimera preparation during embryonic development. Here we show the method of in ovo intravascular injection whereby exogenous materials such as plasmid vectors or modified primordial germ cells (PGCs) can be transferred into donor chicken embryos at early developmental stages. The results show that the intravascular injection through the dorsal aorta and head allows injected materials to diffuse into the whole embryo through the blood circulatory system. In the presented protocol, the efficacy of exogenous plasmid and lentiviral vector introduction, and the colonization of injected exogenous PGCs in the recipient gonad, were determined by observing fluorescence in the embryos. This article describes detailed procedures of this method, thereby providing an excellent approach to studying gene function, embryo and developmental biology, and gonad-chimeric chicken production. In conclusion, this article will allow researchers to perform in ovo intravascular injection of exogenous materials into chicken embryos with great success and reproducibility.

In Ovo Intravascular Injection in Chicken Embryos

The overall goal of this paper is to describe how to perform in ovo intracellular injection of exogenous materials into chicken embryos. This approach is very useful to study the developmental biology of chicken embryos.

As a classical model system of embryo biology, the chicken embryo has been used to investigate embryonic development and differentiation. Delivering ...

Using Zebrafish Models of Human Influenza A Virus Infections to Screen Antiviral Drugs and Characterize Host Immune Cell Responses

Each year, seasonal influenza outbreaks profoundly affect societies worldwide. In spite of global efforts, influenza remains an intractable healthcare burden. The principle strategy to curtail infections is yearly vaccination. In individuals who have contracted influenza, antiviral drugs can mitigate symptoms. There is a clear and unmet need to develop alternative strategies to combat influenza. Several animal models have been created to model host-influenza interactions. Here, protocols for generating zebrafish models for systemic and localized human influenza A virus (IAV) infection are described. Using a systemic IAV infection model, small molecules with potential antiviral activity can be screened. As a proof-of-principle, a protocol that demonstrates the efficacy of the antiviral drug Zanamivir in IAV-infected zebrafish is described. It shows how disease phenotypes can be quantified to score the relative efficacy of potential antivirals in IAV-infected zebrafish. In recent years, there has been increased appreciation for the critical role neutrophils play in the human host response to influenza infection. The zebrafish has proven to be an indispensable model for the study of neutrophil biology, with direct impacts on human medicine. A protocol to generate a localized IAV infection in the Tg(mpx:mCherry) zebrafish line to study neutrophil biology in the context of a localized viral infection is described. Neutrophil recruitment to localized infection sites provides an additional quantifiable phenotype for assessing experimental manipulations that may have therapeutic applications. Both zebrafish protocols described faithfully recapitulate aspects of human IAV infection. The zebrafish model possesses numerous inherent advantages, including high fecundity, optical clarity, amenability to drug screening, and availability of transgenic lines, including those in which immune cells such as neutrophils are labeled with fluorescent proteins. The protocols detailed here exploit these advantages and have the potential to reveal critical insights into host-IAV interactions that may ultimately translate into the clinic.

Systemic and localized zebrafish infection models for human influenza A virus are demonstrated. Using a systemic infection model, zebrafish can be used to screen antiviral drugs. Using a localized infection model, zebrafish can be used to characterize host immune cell responses.

Each year, seasonal influenza outbreaks profoundly affect societies worldwide. In spite of global efforts, influenza remains an intractable healthcare ...

Production of High-Titer Infectious Influenza Pseudotyped Particles with Envelope Glycoproteins from Highly Pathogenic H5N1 and Avian H7N9 Viruses

The occasional direct transmission of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) and H7N9 to humans and their lethality are serious public health issues and suggest the possibility of an epidemic. However, our molecular understanding of the virus is rudimentary, and it is necessary to study the biological properties of its envelope proteins as therapeutic targets and to develop strategies to control infection. We developed a solid viral pseudotyped particle (pp) platform to study avian influenza virus, including the functional analysis of its hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) envelope glycoproteins, the reassortment characteristics of the HAs and NAs, receptors, tropisms, neutralizing antibodies, diagnosis, infectivity, for the purposes of drug development and vaccine design. Here, we describe an experimental procedure to establish pps with the envelope glycoproteins (HA, NA) from two influenza A strains (HAPI H5N1 and 2013 avian H7N9). Their generation is based on the capacity of some viruses, such as murine leukemia virus (MLV), to incorporate envelope glycoproteins into a pp. In addition, we also detail how these pps are quantified with RT-qPCR, and the infectivity detection of native and mismatched virus pps depending on the origin of the HAs and NAs. This system is highly flexible and adaptable and can be used to establish viral pps with envelope glycoproteins that can be incorporated in any other type of enveloped virus. Thus, this viral particle platform can be used to study wild viruses in many research investigations.

This protocol describes an experimental process to produce high-titer infectious viral pseudotyped particles (pp) with envelope glycoproteins from two influenza A strains and how to determine their infectivity. This protocol is highly adaptable to develop pps of any other type of enveloped viruses with different envelope glycoproteins.

The occasional direct transmission of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) and H7N9 to humans and their lethality are serious ...

Nucleofection and In Vivo Propagation of Chicken Eimeria Parasites

Transfection is a technical process through which genetic material, such as DNA and double-stranded RNA, are delivered into cells to modify the gene of interest. Currently, transgenic technology is becoming an indispensable tool for the study of Eimeria, the causative agents of coccidiosis in poultry and livestock. This protocol provides a detailed description of stable transfection in eimerian parasites: purification and nucleofection of sporozoites or second-generation merozoites, and in vivo propagation of transfected parasites. Using this protocol, we achieved transfection in several species of Eimeria. Taken together, nucleofection is a useful tool to facilitate genetic manipulation in eimerian parasites.

Nucleofection and In Vivo Propagation of Chicken Eimeria Parasites

Here, we provided a method to achieve stable transfection of chicken Eimeria parasites by nucleofecting sporozoites or second-generation merozoites. Genetically modified eimerian parasites expressing heterologous antigenic genes could be used as vaccine delivery vehicles.

Transfection is a technical process through which genetic material, such as DNA and double-stranded RNA, are delivered into cells to modify the gene of ...

Influenza Virus Propagation in Embryonated Chicken Eggs

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Production of High-Titer Infectious Influenza Pseudotyped Particles with Envelope Glycoproteins from Highly Pathogenic H5N1 and Avian H7N9 Viruses

Nucleofection and In Vivo Propagation of Chicken Eimeria Parasites