Bioluminescence Imaging for Assessment and Normalization in Transfected Cell Arrays

Authors

• Angela K. Pannier, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
• Eric A. Ariazi, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Abigail D. Bellis, Northwestern University,Follow
• Zain Bengali, Northwestern University,
• V. Craig Jordan, Northwestern University,
• Lonnie D. Shea, Northwestern University,Follow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

10-2007

Comments

Published in Biotechnology and Bioengineering 98:2 (October 1, 2007), pp. 486–497; doi: 10.1002/bit.21477 Copyright © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Used by permission. http://www.interscience.wiley.com

Abstract

Transfected cell arrays (TCAs) represent a high-throughput technique to correlate gene expression with functional cell responses. Despite advances in TCAs, improvements are needed for the widespread application of this technology. We have developed a TCA that combines a two-plasmid system and dual-bioluminescence imaging to quantitatively normalize for variability in transfection and increase sensitivity. The two-plasmids consist of: (i) normalization plasmid present within each spot, and (ii) functional plasmid that varies between spots, responsible for the functional endpoint of the array. Bioluminescence imaging of dual-luciferase reporters (renilla, firefly luciferase) provides sensitive and quantitative detection of cellular response, with minimal post-transfection processing. The array was applied to quantify estrogen receptor α (ERα) activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. A plasmid containing an ERα-regulated promoter directing firefly luciferase expression was mixed with a normalization plasmid, complexed with cationic lipids and deposited into an array. ER induction mimicked results obtained through traditional assays methods, with estrogen inducing luciferase expression 10-fold over the antiestrogen fulvestrant or vehicle. Furthermore, the array captured a dose response to estrogen, demonstrating the sensitivity of bioluminescence quantification. This system provides a tool for basic science research, with potential application for the development of patient specific therapies.