Targeted ExSeq -- Tissue Preparation v2

This protocol accompanies Expansion Sequencing (ExSeq), and describes the tissue preparation for Targeted ExSeq. The steps described here are a generalization of the protocols used for figures 4-6 of the paper, and represent our recommendations for future users of the technology. Fig. 1 shows the structure of the protocol schematically. There are three possible tissue preparation routes described in this protocol that are applicable to different experimental systems. Option (A): harvesting tissue from model organisms that can be transcardially perfused with PFA, followed by sectioning using a vibratome. We typically use this workflow for work on mouse brain sections (see figures 4-5 of ExSeq paper). Option (B): transcardially perfusing with PFA, followed by cryoprotection and cryosectioning. We occasionally use this protocol for work on mouse brain sections. Option (C): snap-freezing fresh tissue (i.e., human tumor biopsy samples, or freshly harvested tissue from mice), followed by cryoprotection and cryosectioning (see figures 2 and 6 of ExSeq paper). The final result of options (A), (B), and (C) is the preparation of fixed tissue sections (either on a glass slide or free-floating). The protocols then briefly converge for optional antibody staining, treatment with LabelX, a chemical that enables anchoring of RNA to the expansion microscopy (ExM) hydrogel, followed by casting of the the ExM gel. There are minor differences in these steps between free-floating and slide-mounted tissue sections, which are noted in the individual steps. The next step, digestion, is tissue-type dependent and may require some optimization for your tissue type. We provide two potential options here: (1) a gentle digestion for tissues such as mouse brain, and (2) a harsh digestion for non-brain tissues such as tumor biopies. The protocols then converge again for the rest of the process. After digestion, the gels are expanded and re-embedded within a second non-expanding hydrogel to lock in the sample size. The carboxylates within the expansion gel are then chemically passivated, enabling enzymatic reactions to be performed within the gel. The samples are now ready for library preparation. In more detail: Steps 1-4 describe the preparation of reagents for downstream steps. The protocol begins either along options (A)/(B), the Transcardial PFA perfusion path (Step 5, continuing to vibratome sectioning in Steps 6-7 for option (A), or cryotome sectioning in Steps 9-10 for option (B)), or along option (C), the Fresh Frozen path (Step 8, continuing to cryotome sectioning in Steps 9-10). The protocols then converge for optional antibody staining (Step 11), followed by LabelX anchoring (Step 12), optional sample trimming (Step 13), and formation of the expansion microscopy gel (Step 14). The details of the digestion step are tissue-type dependent (Step 15). The protocol then concludes with expansion (Step 16), re-embedding (Step 17), passivation, and optional trimming (Steps 18-19). This protocol was used to profile human metastatic breast cancer biopsies as a part of the Human Tumor Atlas Pilot Project (HTAPP). The tissue for this work was collected (see HTAPP-specific tissue collection protocol). The tissue sections were then frozen, cryosectioned, post-fixed, and permeabilized (following steps 9-10). No antibody staining was performed (skipping optional step 11). The sections were then treated with LabelX and gelled (steps 12-14). The gels were then digested using the robust digestion option in steps 15-16. The samples were then re-embedded, passivated, and trimmed (following steps 17-19).