Fluorescence Assays for the Study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Interaction with the Immune Receptor SLAMF1

The evaluation of direct interaction between pathogens and immune receptors usually involves sophisticated techniques or implies the use of transgenic strains and genetically engineered cells. Here, an alternative method to detect biochemical interaction between the macrophage microbial sensor SLAMF1 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis is described. Two technical approaches employing flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy were developed. Total cell protein extracts from human macrophages were generated, then incubated with whole cells of M. tuberculosis (WCMtb) or M. tuberculosis antigens (Mtb Ags) overnight at 4 °C and finally cross-linked using formaldehyde/glycine/ethylene glycol bis (succinimidyl succinate) treatment. SLAMF1 interaction with WCMtb by flow cytometry was detected with a PE-specific anti-SLAMF1 antibody. The existence of interaction by fluorescence microscopy was performed by attaching Rhodamine-PE stained Mtb Ags to poly-D-lysine coated slides, which were incubated with the total protein extract from monocyte-derived macrophages. After cross-linking treatment, SLAMF1 was visualized using primary (anti-SLAMF1) and secondary (Alexa Fluor 488) antibodies. The assays provided a strong biochemical tool to measure pathogen-immunoreceptor interactions, overcoming the difficulties associated with transgenic cell lines and protein gene expression modulation experiments.