51
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Boughner JC, van Eede MC, Spring S, Yu LX, Rostampour N, Henkelman RM. P63 expression plays a role in developmental rate, embryo size, and local morphogenesis. Dev Dyn 2018; 247:779-787. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julia C. Boughner
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, College of Medicine; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada
| | | | - Shoshana Spring
- Mouse Imaging Centre; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Lisa X. Yu
- Mouse Imaging Centre; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Nasim Rostampour
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, College of Medicine; University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada
| | - R. Mark Henkelman
- Mouse Imaging Centre; Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics; University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario Canada
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52
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Kerckhofs G, Stegen S, van Gastel N, Sap A, Falgayrac G, Penel G, Durand M, Luyten FP, Geris L, Vandamme K, Parac-Vogt T, Carmeliet G. Simultaneous three-dimensional visualization of mineralized and soft skeletal tissues by a novel microCT contrast agent with polyoxometalate structure. Biomaterials 2018; 159:1-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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53
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Three-dimensional microCT imaging of murine embryonic development from immediate post-implantation to organogenesis: application for phenotyping analysis of early embryonic lethality in mutant animals. Mamm Genome 2017; 29:245-259. [PMID: 29170794 PMCID: PMC5887010 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-017-9723-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we applied three-dimensional microCT imaging to study murine embryogenesis in the range from immediate post-implantation period (embryonic day 5.5) to mid-gestation (embryonic day 12.5) with the resolution up to 1.4 µm/voxel. Also, we introduce an imaging procedure for non-invasive volumetric estimation of an entire litter of embryos within the maternal uterine structures. This method allows for an accurate, detailed and systematic morphometric analysis of both embryonic and extra-embryonic components during embryogenesis. Three-dimensional imaging of unperturbed embryos was performed to visualize the egg cylinder, primitive streak, gastrulation and early organogenesis stages of murine development in the C57Bl6/N mouse reference strain. Further, we applied our microCT imaging protocol to determine the earliest point when embryonic development is arrested in a mouse line with knockout for tRNA splicing endonuclease subunit Tsen54 gene. Our analysis determined that the embryonic development in Tsen54 null embryos does not proceed beyond implantation. We demonstrated that application of microCT imaging to entire litter of non-perturbed embryos greatly facilitate studies to unravel gene function during early embryogenesis and to determine the precise point at which embryonic development is arrested in mutant animals. The described method is inexpensive, does not require lengthy embryos dissection and can be applicable for detailed analysis of mutant mice at laboratory scale as well as for high-throughput projects.
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54
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Hikspoors JPJM, Peeters MMJP, Mekonen HK, Kruepunga N, Mommen GMC, Cornillie P, Köhler SE, Lamers WH. The fate of the vitelline and umbilical veins during the development of the human liver. J Anat 2017; 231:718-735. [PMID: 28786203 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiation of endodermal cells into hepatoblasts is well studied, but the remodeling of the vitelline and umbilical veins during liver development is less well understood. We compared human embryos between 3 and 10 weeks of development with pig and mouse embryos at comparable stages, and used Amira 3D reconstruction and Cinema 4D remodeling software for visualization. The vitelline and umbilical veins enter the systemic venous sinus on each side via a common entrance, the hepatocardiac channel. During expansion into the transverse septum at Carnegie Stage (CS)12 the liver bud develops as two dorsolateral lobes or 'wings' and a single ventromedial lobe, with the liver hilum at the intersection of these lobes. The dorsolateral lobes each engulf a vitelline vein during CS13 and the ventromedial lobe both umbilical veins during CS14, but both venous systems remain temporarily identifiable inside the liver. The dominance of the left-sided umbilical vein and the rightward repositioning of the sinuatrial junction cause de novo development of left-to-right shunts between the left umbilical vein in the liver hilum and the right hepatocardiac channel (venous duct) and the right vitelline vein (portal sinus), respectively. Once these shunts have formed, portal branches develop from the intrahepatic portions of the portal vein on the right side and the umbilical vein on the left side. The gall bladder is a reliable marker for this hepatic vascular midline. We found no evidence for large-scale fragmentation of embryonic veins as claimed by the 'vestigial' theory. Instead and in agreement with the 'lineage' theory, the vitelline and umbilical veins remained temporally identifiable inside the liver after being engulfed by hepatoblasts. In agreement with the 'hemodynamic' theory, the left-right shunts develop de novo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill P J M Hikspoors
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mathijs M J P Peeters
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Hayelom K Mekonen
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nutmethee Kruepunga
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Greet M C Mommen
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter Cornillie
- Department of Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - S Eleonore Köhler
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,NUTRIM Research School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter H Lamers
- Department of Anatomy & Embryology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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55
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Abstract
We have developed an imaging method designated as correlative light microscopy and block-face imaging (CoMBI), which contributes to improve the reliability of morphological analyses. This method can collect both the frozen sections and serial block-face images in a single specimen. The frozen section can be used for conventional light microscopic analysis to obtain 2-dimensional (2D) anatomical and molecular information, while serial block-face images can be used as 3-dimensional (3D) volume data for anatomical analysis. Thus, the sections maintain positional information in the specimen, and allows the correlation of 2D microscopic data and 3D volume data in a single specimen. The subjects can vary in size and type, and can cover most specimens encountered in biology. In addition, the required system for our method is characterized by cost-effectiveness. Here, we demonstrated the utility of CoMBI using specimens ranging in size from several millimeters to several centimeters, i.e., mouse embryos, human brainstem samples, and stag beetle larvae, and present successful correlation between the 2D light microscopic images and 3D volume data in a single specimen.
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56
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Liu X, Kim AJ, Reynolds W, Wu Y, Lo CW. Phenotyping cardiac and structural birth defects in fetal and newborn mice. Birth Defects Res 2017; 109:778-790. [PMID: 28544620 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models are invaluable for investigating the developmental etiology and molecular pathogenesis of structural birth defects. While this has been deployed for studying a wide spectrum of birth defects, mice are particularly valuable for modeling congenital heart disease, given they have the same four-chamber cardiac anatomy as in humans. We have developed the use of noninvasive fetal ultrasound together with micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging for high throughput phenotyping of mice for congenital heart defects (CHD) and other developmental anomalies. We showed the efficacy of fetal ultrasound and micro-CT imaging for diagnosis of a wide spectrum of CHD. With fetal ultrasound, longitudinal scans can be conducted to track the developmental profile of disease pathogenesis, providing both structural information with two-dimensional (2D) imaging, as well as functional data from hemodynamic assessments with color flow and spectral Doppler imaging. In contrast, with micro-CT imaging, virtual necropsies can be conducted rapidly postmortem for diagnosis of not only CHD, but also other structural birth defects. To validate the CHD diagnosis, we further showed the use of a novel histological technique with episcopic confocal microscopy to obtain rapid 3D reconstructions for accurate diagnosis of even the most complex anatomical defect. The latter histological imaging technique when combined with the use of ultrasound and micro-CT imaging provides a powerful combination of imaging modalities that will be invaluable in meeting the accelerating demands for high throughput mouse phenotyping of genetically engineered mice in the coming age of functional genomics. Birth Defects Research 109:778-790, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Liu
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrew J Kim
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - William Reynolds
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Yijen Wu
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Cecilia W Lo
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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57
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Hutchinson JC, Shelmerdine SC, Simcock IC, Sebire NJ, Arthurs OJ. Early clinical applications for imaging at microscopic detail: microfocus computed tomography (micro-CT). Br J Radiol 2017; 90:20170113. [PMID: 28368658 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20170113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Microfocus CT (micro-CT) has traditionally been used in industry and preclinical studies, although it may find new applicability in the routine clinical setting. It can provide high-resolution three-dimensional digital imaging data sets to the same level of detail as microscopic examination without the need for tissue dissection. Micro-CT is already enabling non-invasive detailed internal assessment of various tissue specimens, particularly in breast imaging and early gestational fetal autopsy, not previously possible from more conventional modalities such as MRI or CT. In this review, we discuss the technical aspects behind micro-CT image acquisition, how early work with small animal studies have informed our knowledge of human disease and the imaging performed so far on human tissue specimens. We conclude with potential future clinical applications of this novel and emerging technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Ciaran Hutchinson
- 1 Department of Histopathology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,2 UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Susan C Shelmerdine
- 2 UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.,3 Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ian C Simcock
- 2 UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.,3 Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Neil J Sebire
- 1 Department of Histopathology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,2 UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Owen J Arthurs
- 2 UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.,3 Department of Radiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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58
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Wilson R, Geyer SH, Reissig L, Rose J, Szumska D, Hardman E, Prin F, McGuire C, Ramirez-Solis R, White J, Galli A, Tudor C, Tuck E, Mazzeo CI, Smith JC, Robertson E, Adams DJ, Mohun T, Weninger WJ. Highly variable penetrance of abnormal phenotypes in embryonic lethal knockout mice. Wellcome Open Res 2017. [PMID: 27996060 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.9899.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Identifying genes that are essential for mouse embryonic development and survival through term is a powerful and unbiased way to discover possible genetic determinants of human developmental disorders. Characterising the changes in mouse embryos that result from ablation of lethal genes is a necessary first step towards uncovering their role in normal embryonic development and establishing any correlates amongst human congenital abnormalities. Methods: Here we present results gathered to date in the Deciphering the Mechanisms of Developmental Disorders (DMDD) programme, cataloguing the morphological defects identified from comprehensive imaging of 220 homozygous mutant and 114 wild type embryos from 42 lethal and subviable lines, analysed at E14.5. Results: Virtually all mutant embryos show multiple abnormal phenotypes and amongst the 42 lines these affect most organ systems. Within each mutant line, the phenotypes of individual embryos form distinct but overlapping sets. Subcutaneous edema, malformations of the heart or great vessels, abnormalities in forebrain morphology and the musculature of the eyes are all prevalent phenotypes, as is loss or abnormal size of the hypoglossal nerve.Conclusions: Overall, the most striking finding is that no matter how profound the malformation, each phenotype shows highly variable penetrance within a mutant line. These findings have challenging implications for efforts to identify human disease correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan H Geyer
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Lukas Reissig
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Julia Rose
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Wolfgang J Weninger
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
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59
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Wilson R, Geyer SH, Reissig L, Rose J, Szumska D, Hardman E, Prin F, McGuire C, Ramirez-Solis R, White J, Galli A, Tudor C, Tuck E, Mazzeo CI, Smith JC, Robertson E, Adams DJ, Mohun T, Weninger WJ. Highly variable penetrance of abnormal phenotypes in embryonic lethal knockout mice. Wellcome Open Res 2017; 1:1. [PMID: 27996060 PMCID: PMC5159622 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.9899.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Identifying genes that are essential for mouse embryonic development and survival through term is a powerful and unbiased way to discover possible genetic determinants of human developmental disorders. Characterising the changes in mouse embryos that result from ablation of lethal genes is a necessary first step towards uncovering their role in normal embryonic development and establishing any correlates amongst human congenital abnormalities. Methods: Here we present results gathered to date in the Deciphering the Mechanisms of Developmental Disorders (DMDD) programme, cataloguing the morphological defects identified from comprehensive imaging of 220 homozygous mutant and 114 wild type embryos from 42 lethal and subviable lines, analysed at E14.5. Results: Virtually all mutant embryos show multiple abnormal phenotypes and amongst the 42 lines these affect most organ systems. Within each mutant line, the phenotypes of individual embryos form distinct but overlapping sets. Subcutaneous edema, malformations of the heart or great vessels, abnormalities in forebrain morphology and the musculature of the eyes are all prevalent phenotypes, as is loss or abnormal size of the hypoglossal nerve. Conclusions: Overall, the most striking finding is that no matter how profound the malformation, each phenotype shows highly variable penetrance within a mutant line. These findings have challenging implications for efforts to identify human disease correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan H Geyer
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Lukas Reissig
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Julia Rose
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Wolfgang J Weninger
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
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60
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Geyer SH, Reissig L, Rose J, Wilson R, Prin F, Szumska D, Ramirez-Solis R, Tudor C, White J, Mohun TJ, Weninger WJ. A staging system for correct phenotype interpretation of mouse embryos harvested on embryonic day 14 (E14.5). J Anat 2017; 230:710-719. [PMID: 28185240 PMCID: PMC5382591 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a simple and quick system for accurately scoring the developmental progress of mouse embryos harvested on embryonic day 14 (E14.5). Based solely on the external appearance of the maturing forelimb, we provide a convenient way to distinguish six developmental sub‐stages. Using a variety of objective morphometric data obtained from the commonly used C57BL/6N mouse strain, we show that these stages correlate precisely with the growth of the entire embryo and its organs. Applying the new staging system to phenotype analyses of E14.5 embryos of 58 embryonic lethal null mutant lines from the DMDD research programme (https://dmdd.org.uk) and its pilot, we show that homozygous mutant embryos are frequently delayed in development. To demonstrate the importance of our staging system for correct phenotype interpretation, we describe stage‐specific changes of the palate, heart and gut, and provide examples in which correct diagnosis of malformations relies on correct staging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan H Geyer
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Reissig
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Rose
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Wilson
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, London, UK
| | - Fabrice Prin
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Jacqui White
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Timothy J Mohun
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, London, UK
| | - Wolfgang J Weninger
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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61
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Green RM, Leach CL, Hoehn N, Marcucio RS, Hallgrímsson B. Quantifying three-dimensional morphology and RNA from individual embryos. Dev Dyn 2017; 246:431-436. [PMID: 28152580 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantitative analysis of morphogenesis aids our understanding of developmental processes by providing a method to link changes in shape with cellular and molecular processes. Over the last decade, many methods have been developed for 3D imaging of embryos using microCT scanning to quantify the shape of embryos during development. These methods generally involve a powerful, cross-linking fixative such as paraformaldehyde to limit shrinkage during the CT scan. However, the extended time frames that these embryos are incubated in such fixatives prevent use of the tissues for molecular analysis after microCT scanning. This is a significant problem because it limits the ability to correlate variation in molecular data with morphology at the level of individual embryos. Here we outline a novel method that allows RNA, DNA, or protein isolation following CT scan while also allowing imaging of different tissue layers within the developing embryo. We show shape differences early in craniofacial development (E11.5) between common mouse genetic backgrounds, and demonstrate that we are able to generate RNA from these embryos after CT scanning that is suitable for downstream real time PCR (RT-PCR) and RNAseq analyses. Developmental Dynamics 246:431-436, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M Green
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Courtney L Leach
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Natasha Hoehn
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ralph S Marcucio
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, Orthopaedic Trauma Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Benedikt Hallgrímsson
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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62
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Zdora MC, Vila-Comamala J, Schulz G, Khimchenko A, Hipp A, Cook AC, Dilg D, David C, Grünzweig C, Rau C, Thibault P, Zanette I. X-ray phase microtomography with a single grating for high-throughput investigations of biological tissue. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2017; 8:1257-1270. [PMID: 28271016 PMCID: PMC5330582 DOI: 10.1364/boe.8.001257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The high-throughput 3D visualisation of biological specimens is essential for studying diseases and developmental disorders. It requires imaging methods that deliver high-contrast, high-resolution volumetric information at short sample preparation and acquisition times. Here we show that X-ray phase-contrast tomography using a single grating can provide a powerful alternative to commonly employed techniques, such as high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM). We present the phase tomography of a mouse embryo in paraffin obtained with an X-ray single-grating interferometer at I13-2 Beamline at Diamond Light Source and discuss the results in comparison with HREM measurements. The excellent contrast and quantitative density information achieved non-destructively and without staining using a simple, robust setup make X-ray single-grating interferometry an optimum candidate for high-throughput imaging of biological specimens as an alternative for existing methods like HREM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Christine Zdora
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE,
UK
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University College London, London WC1E 6BT,
UK
| | - Joan Vila-Comamala
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich,
Switzerland
| | - Georg Schulz
- Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, 4123 Allschwil,
Switzerland
| | - Anna Khimchenko
- Biomaterials Science Center, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, 4123 Allschwil,
Switzerland
| | | | - Andrew C. Cook
- University College London Institute of Cardiovascular Science, London WC1E 6BT,
UK
| | - Daniel Dilg
- University College London Institute of Cardiovascular Science, London WC1E 6BT,
UK
| | | | | | - Christoph Rau
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE,
UK
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7HS,
UK
- Department of Otolaryngology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611,
USA
| | - Pierre Thibault
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ,
UK
| | - Irene Zanette
- Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE,
UK
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63
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Hsu CW, Wong L, Rasmussen TL, Kalaga S, McElwee ML, Keith LC, Bohat R, Seavitt JR, Beaudet AL, Dickinson ME. Three-dimensional microCT imaging of mouse development from early post-implantation to early postnatal stages. Dev Biol 2016; 419:229-236. [PMID: 27671873 PMCID: PMC5405732 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we report the use of iodine-contrast microCT to perform high-throughput 3D morphological analysis of mouse embryos and neonates between embryonic day 8.5 to postnatal day 3, with high spatial resolution up to 3µm/voxel. We show that mouse embryos at early stages can be imaged either within extra embryonic tissues such as the yolk sac or the decidua without physically disturbing the embryos. This method enables a full, undisturbed analysis of embryo turning, allantois development, vitelline vessels remodeling, yolk sac and early placenta development, which provides increased insights into early embryonic lethality in mutant lines. Moreover, these methods are inexpensive, simple to learn and do not require substantial processing time, making them ideal for high throughput analysis of mouse mutants with embryonic and early postnatal lethality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wei Hsu
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Optical Imaging and Vital Microscopy Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Leeyean Wong
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tara L Rasmussen
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sowmya Kalaga
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Optical Imaging and Vital Microscopy Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Melissa L McElwee
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lance C Keith
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ritu Bohat
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John R Seavitt
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Arthur L Beaudet
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mary E Dickinson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Optical Imaging and Vital Microscopy Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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64
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Dickinson ME, Flenniken AM, Ji X, Teboul L, Wong MD, White JK, Meehan TF, Weninger WJ, Westerberg H, Adissu H, Baker CN, Bower L, Brown JM, Caddle LB, Chiani F, Clary D, Cleak J, Daly MJ, Denegre JM, Doe B, Dolan ME, Edie SM, Fuchs H, Gailus-Durner V, Galli A, Gambadoro A, Gallegos J, Guo S, Horner NR, Hsu CW, Johnson SJ, Kalaga S, Keith LC, Lanoue L, Lawson TN, Lek M, Mark M, Marschall S, Mason J, McElwee ML, Newbigging S, Nutter LM, Peterson KA, Ramirez-Solis R, Rowland DJ, Ryder E, Samocha KE, Seavitt JR, Selloum M, Szoke-Kovacs Z, Tamura M, Trainor AG, Tudose I, Wakana S, Warren J, Wendling O, West DB, Wong L, Yoshiki A, MacArthur DG, Tocchini-Valentini GP, Gao X, Flicek P, Bradley A, Skarnes WC, Justice MJ, Parkinson HE, Moore M, Wells S, Braun RE, Svenson KL, de Angelis MH, Herault Y, Mohun T, Mallon AM, Henkelman RM, Brown SD, Adams DJ, Lloyd KK, McKerlie C, Beaudet AL, Bucan M, Murray SA. High-throughput discovery of novel developmental phenotypes. Nature 2016; 537:508-514. [PMID: 27626380 PMCID: PMC5295821 DOI: 10.1038/nature19356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 799] [Impact Index Per Article: 99.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Approximately one-third of all mammalian genes are essential for life. Phenotypes resulting from knockouts of these genes in mice have provided tremendous insight into gene function and congenital disorders. As part of the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium effort to generate and phenotypically characterize 5,000 knockout mouse lines, here we identify 410 lethal genes during the production of the first 1,751 unique gene knockouts. Using a standardized phenotyping platform that incorporates high-resolution 3D imaging, we identify phenotypes at multiple time points for previously uncharacterized genes and additional phenotypes for genes with previously reported mutant phenotypes. Unexpectedly, our analysis reveals that incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity are common even on a defined genetic background. In addition, we show that human disease genes are enriched for essential genes, thus providing a dataset that facilitates the prioritization and validation of mutations identified in clinical sequencing efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E. Dickinson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ann M. Flenniken
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiao Ji
- Genomics and Computational Biology Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA 19104
| | - Lydia Teboul
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Michael D. Wong
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jacqueline K. White
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Terrence F. Meehan
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Wolfgang J. Weninger
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Henrik Westerberg
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Hibret Adissu
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Lynette Bower
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis
| | - James M. Brown
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | | | - Francesco Chiani
- Monterotondo Mouse Clinic, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Monterotondo Scalo, Itally
| | - Dave Clary
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis
| | - James Cleak
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Mark J. Daly
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Brendan Doe
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Helmut Fuchs
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Valerie Gailus-Durner
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Antonella Galli
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alessia Gambadoro
- Monterotondo Mouse Clinic, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Monterotondo Scalo, Itally
| | - Juan Gallegos
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Shiying Guo
- SKL of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Model Animal Research Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, China
| | - Neil R. Horner
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Chih-wei Hsu
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sara J. Johnson
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Sowmya Kalaga
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lance C. Keith
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Louise Lanoue
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis
| | - Thomas N. Lawson
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Monkol Lek
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Manuel Mark
- Infrastructure Nationale PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), et Institut de Génétique Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC) CNRS, INSERM, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Susan Marschall
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jeremy Mason
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Susan Newbigging
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauryl M.J. Nutter
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Ramiro Ramirez-Solis
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Edward Ryder
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kaitlin E. Samocha
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - John R. Seavitt
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Mohammed Selloum
- Infrastructure Nationale PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), et Institut de Génétique Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC) CNRS, INSERM, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Zsombor Szoke-Kovacs
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | | | | | - Ilinca Tudose
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Jonathan Warren
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Olivia Wendling
- Infrastructure Nationale PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), et Institut de Génétique Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC) CNRS, INSERM, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - David B. West
- Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, CA 94609
| | - Leeyean Wong
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel G. MacArthur
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Glauco P. Tocchini-Valentini
- Monterotondo Mouse Clinic, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Monterotondo Scalo, Itally
| | - Xiang Gao
- SKL of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Model Animal Research Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, China
| | - Paul Flicek
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Allan Bradley
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - William C. Skarnes
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Monica J. Justice
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Helen E. Parkinson
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Sara Wells
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | | | | | - Martin Hrabe de Angelis
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair of Experimental Genetics, School of Life Science Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Yann Herault
- Infrastructure Nationale PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), et Institut de Génétique Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC) CNRS, INSERM, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Tim Mohun
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London, UK
| | - Ann-Marie Mallon
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - R. Mark Henkelman
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steve D.M. Brown
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - David J. Adams
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Colin McKerlie
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Arthur L. Beaudet
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Maja Bucan
- Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry, Perlman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA 19104
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Henkelman RM, Friedel M, Lerch JP, Wilson R, Mohun T. Comparing homologous microscopic sections from multiple embryos using HREM. Dev Biol 2016; 415:1-5. [PMID: 27208393 PMCID: PMC6278891 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
3D HREM embryo images can be registered. Homologous microscopic sections can be obtained from multiple embryos. Anatomical phenotypes can be analyzed by computer.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Mark Henkelman
- Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Miriam Friedel
- Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Robert Wilson
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, London, UK
| | - Timothy Mohun
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, London, UK
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66
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Shojaie S, Lee J, Wang J, Ackerley C, Post M. Generation of ESC-derived Mouse Airway Epithelial Cells Using Decellularized Lung Scaffolds. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27214388 DOI: 10.3791/54019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung lineage differentiation requires integration of complex environmental cues that include growth factor signaling, cell-cell interactions and cell-matrix interactions. Due to this complexity, recapitulation of lung development in vitro to promote differentiation of stem cells to lung epithelial cells has been challenging. In this protocol, decellularized lung scaffolds are used to mimic the 3-dimensional environment of the lung and generate stem cell-derived airway epithelial cells. Mouse embryonic stem cell are first differentiated to the endoderm lineage using an embryoid body (EB) culture method with activin A. Endoderm cells are then seeded onto decellularized scaffolds and cultured at air-liquid interface for up to 21 days. This technique promotes differentiation of seeded cells to functional airway epithelial cells (ciliated cells, club cells, and basal cells) without additional growth factor supplementation. This culture setup is defined, serum-free, inexpensive, and reproducible. Although there is limited contamination from non-lung endoderm lineages in culture, this protocol only generates airway epithelial populations and does not give rise to alveolar epithelial cells. Airway epithelia generated with this protocol can be used to study cell-matrix interactions during lung organogenesis and for disease modeling or drug-discovery platforms of airway-related pathologies such as cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharareh Shojaie
- Department of Physiology and Experimental Medicine, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children
| | - Joyce Lee
- Department of Physiology and Experimental Medicine, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children
| | - Jinxia Wang
- Department of Physiology and Experimental Medicine, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children
| | - Cameron Ackerley
- Department of Physiology and Experimental Medicine, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children
| | - Martin Post
- Department of Physiology and Experimental Medicine, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Hospital for Sick Children;
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67
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Balint R, Lowe T, Shearer T. Optimal Contrast Agent Staining of Ligaments and Tendons for X-Ray Computed Tomography. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153552. [PMID: 27078030 PMCID: PMC4831740 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
X-ray computed tomography has become an important tool for studying the microstructures of biological soft tissues, such as ligaments and tendons. Due to the low X-ray attenuation of such tissues, chemical contrast agents are often necessary to enhance contrast during scanning. In this article, the effects of using three different contrast agents—iodine potassium iodide solution, phosphotungstic acid and phosphomolybdic acid—are evaluated and compared. Porcine anterior cruciate ligaments, patellar tendons, medial collateral ligaments and lateral collateral ligaments were used as the basis of the study. Three samples of each of the four ligament/tendon types were each assigned a different contrast agent (giving a total of twelve samples), and the progression of that agent through the tissue was monitored by performing a scan every day for a total period of five days (giving a total of sixty scans). Since the samples were unstained on day one, they had been stained for a total of four days by the time of the final scans. The relative contrast enhancement and tissue deformation were measured. It was observed that the iodine potassium iodide solution penetrated the samples fastest and caused the least sample shrinkage on average (although significant deformation was observed by the time of the final scans), whereas the phosphomolybdic acid caused the greatest sample shrinkage. Equations describing the observed behaviour of the contrast agents, which can be used to predict optimal staining times for ligament and tendon X-ray computed tomography, are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Balint
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Tristan Lowe
- Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility, School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Shearer
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- School of Mathematics, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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68
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Gonzalez PN, Gasperowicz M, Barbeito-Andrés J, Klenin N, Cross JC, Hallgrímsson B. Chronic Protein Restriction in Mice Impacts Placental Function and Maternal Body Weight before Fetal Growth. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152227. [PMID: 27018791 PMCID: PMC4809512 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms of resource allocation are essential for maternal and fetal survival, particularly when the availability of nutrients is limited. We investigated the responses of feto-placental development to maternal chronic protein malnutrition to test the hypothesis that maternal low protein diet produces differential growth restriction of placental and fetal tissues, and adaptive changes in the placenta that may mitigate impacts on fetal growth. C57BL/6J female mice were fed either a low-protein diet (6% protein) or control isocaloric diet (20% protein). On embryonic days E10.5, 17.5 and 18.5 tissue samples were prepared for morphometric, histological and quantitative RT-PCR analyses, which included markers of trophoblast cell subtypes. Potential endocrine adaptations were assessed by the expression of Prolactin-related hormone genes. In the low protein group, placenta weight was significantly lower at E10.5, followed by reduction of maternal weight at E17.5, while the fetuses became significantly lighter no earlier than at E18.5. Fetal head at E18.5 in the low protein group, though smaller than controls, was larger than expected for body size. The relative size and shape of the cranial vault and the flexion of the cranial base was affected by E17.5 and more severely by E18.5. The junctional zone, a placenta layer rich in endocrine and energy storing glycogen cells, was smaller in low protein placentas as well as the expression of Pcdh12, a marker of glycogen trophoblast cells. Placental hormone gene Prl3a1 was altered in response to low protein diet: expression was elevated at E17.5 when fetuses were still growing normally, but dropped sharply by E18.5 in parallel with the slowing of fetal growth. This model suggests that nutrients are preferentially allocated to sustain fetal and brain growth and suggests the placenta as a nutrient sensor in early gestation with a role in mitigating impacts of poor maternal nutrition on fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula N. Gonzalez
- Instituto de Genética Veterinaria, CCT-CONICET, La Plata, Argentina
- de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, UNLP, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Malgorzata Gasperowicz
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jimena Barbeito-Andrés
- Instituto de Genética Veterinaria, CCT-CONICET, La Plata, Argentina
- de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, UNLP, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Natasha Klenin
- Department Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - James C. Cross
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- * E-mail: (BH); (JC)
| | - Benedikt Hallgrímsson
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, and McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health. University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- * E-mail: (BH); (JC)
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69
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Gignac PM, Kley NJ, Clarke JA, Colbert MW, Morhardt AC, Cerio D, Cost IN, Cox PG, Daza JD, Early CM, Echols MS, Henkelman RM, Herdina AN, Holliday CM, Li Z, Mahlow K, Merchant S, Müller J, Orsbon CP, Paluh DJ, Thies ML, Tsai HP, Witmer LM. Diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT): an emerging tool for rapid, high-resolution, 3-D imaging of metazoan soft tissues. J Anat 2016; 228:889-909. [PMID: 26970556 PMCID: PMC5341577 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 297] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphologists have historically had to rely on destructive procedures to visualize the three‐dimensional (3‐D) anatomy of animals. More recently, however, non‐destructive techniques have come to the forefront. These include X‐ray computed tomography (CT), which has been used most commonly to examine the mineralized, hard‐tissue anatomy of living and fossil metazoans. One relatively new and potentially transformative aspect of current CT‐based research is the use of chemical agents to render visible, and differentiate between, soft‐tissue structures in X‐ray images. Specifically, iodine has emerged as one of the most widely used of these contrast agents among animal morphologists due to its ease of handling, cost effectiveness, and differential affinities for major types of soft tissues. The rapid adoption of iodine‐based contrast agents has resulted in a proliferation of distinct specimen preparations and scanning parameter choices, as well as an increasing variety of imaging hardware and software preferences. Here we provide a critical review of the recent contributions to iodine‐based, contrast‐enhanced CT research to enable researchers just beginning to employ contrast enhancement to make sense of this complex new landscape of methodologies. We provide a detailed summary of recent case studies, assess factors that govern success at each step of the specimen storage, preparation, and imaging processes, and make recommendations for standardizing both techniques and reporting practices. Finally, we discuss potential cutting‐edge applications of diffusible iodine‐based contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (diceCT) and the issues that must still be overcome to facilitate the broader adoption of diceCT going forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Gignac
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | - Nathan J Kley
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Julia A Clarke
- Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Matthew W Colbert
- Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - Donald Cerio
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA
| | - Ian N Cost
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Philip G Cox
- Department of Archaeology, University of York and Hull York Medical School, York, UK
| | - Juan D Daza
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
| | | | | | - R Mark Henkelman
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - A Nele Herdina
- Department of Theoretical Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Casey M Holliday
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Zhiheng Li
- Department of Geological Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Kristin Mahlow
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätforschung an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Samer Merchant
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Johannes Müller
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- und Biodiversitätforschung an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Courtney P Orsbon
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Daniel J Paluh
- Department of Biology, Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA
| | - Monte L Thies
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
| | - Henry P Tsai
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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70
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Solomon HM, Makris SL, Alsaid H, Bermudez O, Beyer BK, Chen A, Chen CL, Chen Z, Chmielewski G, DeLise AM, de Schaepdrijver L, Dogdas B, French J, Harrouk W, Helfgott J, Henkelman RM, Hesterman J, Hew KW, Hoberman A, Lo CW, McDougal A, Minck DR, Scott L, Stewart J, Sutherland V, Tatiparthi AK, Winkelmann CT, Wise LD, Wood SL, Ying X. Micro-CT imaging: Developing criteria for examining fetal skeletons in regulatory developmental toxicology studies - A workshop report. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2016; 77:100-8. [PMID: 26930635 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
During the past two decades the use and refinements of imaging modalities have markedly increased making it possible to image embryos and fetuses used in pivotal nonclinical studies submitted to regulatory agencies. Implementing these technologies into the Good Laboratory Practice environment requires rigorous testing, validation, and documentation to ensure the reproducibility of data. A workshop on current practices and regulatory requirements was held with the goal of defining minimal criteria for the proper implementation of these technologies and subsequent submission to regulatory agencies. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is especially well suited for high-throughput evaluations, and is gaining popularity to evaluate fetal skeletons to assess the potential developmental toxicity of test agents. This workshop was convened to help scientists in the developmental toxicology field understand and apply micro-CT technology to nonclinical toxicology studies and facilitate the regulatory acceptance of imaging data. Presentations and workshop discussions covered: (1) principles of micro-CT fetal imaging; (2) concordance of findings with conventional skeletal evaluations; and (3) regulatory requirements for validating the system. Establishing these requirements for micro-CT examination can provide a path forward for laboratories considering implementing this technology and provide regulatory agencies with a basis to consider the acceptability of data generated via this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan L Makris
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Environmental Assessment, Washington, DC, United States.
| | - Hasan Alsaid
- GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, PA, United States
| | - Oscar Bermudez
- ILSI Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | | | - Antong Chen
- Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, United States
| | - Connie L Chen
- ILSI Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Zhou Chen
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of New Drugs, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | | | - Anthony M DeLise
- Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, United States
| | | | - Belma Dogdas
- Merck Research Laboratories, Kenilworth, NJ, United States
| | - Julian French
- Morphology Consulting Ltd., Staffordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Wafa Harrouk
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of New Drugs, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | | | - R Mark Henkelman
- The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Kok-Wah Hew
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Deerfield, IL, United States
| | - Alan Hoberman
- Charles River Laboratories, Preclinical Services, Horsham, PA, United States
| | - Cecilia W Lo
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Andrew McDougal
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of New Drugs, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Daniel R Minck
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Office of New Drugs, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Lelia Scott
- Charles River Laboratories, Preclinical Services, Horsham, PA, United States
| | | | - Vicki Sutherland
- National Toxicology Program/NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | | | | | - L David Wise
- Independent Teratologist, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sandra L Wood
- Merck Research Laboratories, Upper Gwynedd, PA, United States
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Wong MD, van Eede MC, Spring S, Jevtic S, Boughner JC, Lerch JP, Henkelman RM. 4D atlas of the mouse embryo for precise morphological staging. Development 2016; 142:3583-91. [PMID: 26487781 DOI: 10.1242/dev.125872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
After more than a century of research, the mouse remains the gold-standard model system, for it recapitulates human development and disease and is quickly and highly tractable to genetic manipulations. Fundamental to the power and success of using a mouse model is the ability to stage embryonic mouse development accurately. Past staging systems were limited by the technologies of the day, such that only surface features, visible with a light microscope, could be recognized and used to define stages. With the advent of high-throughput 3D imaging tools that capture embryo morphology in microscopic detail, we now present the first 4D atlas staging system for mouse embryonic development using optical projection tomography and image registration methods. By tracking 3D trajectories of every anatomical point in the mouse embryo from E11.5 to E14.0, we established the first 4D atlas compiled from ex vivo 3D mouse embryo reference images. The resulting 4D atlas comprises 51 interpolated 3D images in this gestational range, resulting in a temporal resolution of 72 min. From this 4D atlas, any mouse embryo image can be subsequently compared and staged at the global, voxel and/or structural level. Assigning an embryonic stage to each point in anatomy allows for unprecedented quantitative analysis of developmental asynchrony among different anatomical structures in the same mouse embryo. This comprehensive developmental data set offers developmental biologists a new, powerful staging system that can identify and compare differences in developmental timing in wild-type embryos and shows promise for localizing deviations in mutant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Wong
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3H7, Canada Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Matthijs C van Eede
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Shoshana Spring
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Stefan Jevtic
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Julia C Boughner
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3H7, Canada Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - R Mark Henkelman
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3H7, Canada Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
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A Novel Procedure for Rapid Imaging of Adult Mouse Brains with MicroCT Using Iodine-Based Contrast. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142974. [PMID: 26571123 PMCID: PMC4646620 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
High-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been the primary modality for obtaining 3D cross-sectional anatomical information in animals for soft tissue, particularly brain. However, costs associated with MRI can be considerably high for large phenotypic screens for gross differences in the structure of the brain due to pathology and/or experimental manipulations. MicroCT (mCT), especially benchtop mCT, is becoming a common laboratory equipment with throughput rates equal or faster than any form of high-resolution MRI at lower costs. Here we explore adapting previously developed contrast based mCT to image adult mouse brains in-situ. We show that 2% weight per volume (w/v) iodine-potassium iodide solution can be successfully used to image adult mouse brains within 48 hours post-mortem when a structural support matrix is used. We demonstrate that hydrogel can be effectively used as a perfusant which limits the tissue shrinkage due to iodine.
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73
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Richardson L, Graham L, Moss J, Burton N, Roochun Y, Armit C, Baldock RA. Developing the eHistology Atlas. Database (Oxford) 2015; 2015:bav105. [PMID: 26500249 PMCID: PMC4618478 DOI: 10.1093/database/bav105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The eMouseAtlas project has undertaken to generate a new resource providing access to high-resolution colour images of the slides used in the renowned textbook 'The Atlas of Mouse Development' by Matthew H. Kaufman. The original histology slides were digitized, and the associated anatomy annotations captured for display in the new resource. These annotations were assigned to objects in the standard reference anatomy ontology, allowing the eHistology resource to be linked to other data resources including the Edinburgh Mouse Atlas Gene-Expression database (EMAGE) an the Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI) gene-expression database (GXD). The provision of the eHistology Atlas resource was assisted greatly by the expertise of the eMouseAtlas project in delivering large image datasets within a web environment, using IIP3D technology. This technology also permits future extensions to the resource through the addition of further layers of data and annotations to the resource. Database URL: www.emouseatlas.org/emap/eHistology/index.php.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna Richardson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Liz Graham
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Julie Moss
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Nick Burton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Yogmatee Roochun
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Chris Armit
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Richard A Baldock
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Abstract
PURPOSE This paper presents a deformable mouse atlas of the laboratory mouse anatomy. This atlas is fully articulated and can be positioned into arbitrary body poses. The atlas can also adapt body weight by changing body length and fat amount. PROCEDURES A training set of 103 micro-CT images was used to construct the atlas. A cage-based deformation method was applied to realize the articulated pose change. The weight-related body deformation was learned from the training set using a linear regression method. A conditional Gaussian model and thin-plate spline mapping were used to deform the internal organs following the changes of pose and weight. RESULTS The atlas was deformed into different body poses and weights, and the deformation results were more realistic compared to the results achieved with other mouse atlases. The organ weights of this atlas matched well with the measurements of real mouse organ weights. This atlas can also be converted into voxelized images with labeled organs, pseudo CT images and tetrahedral mesh for phantom studies. CONCLUSIONS With the unique ability of articulated pose and weight changes, the deformable laboratory mouse atlas can become a valuable tool for preclinical image analysis.
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75
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Xie Z, Liang X, Guo L, Kitamoto A, Tamura M, Shiroishi T, Gillies D. Automatic classification framework for ventricular septal defects: a pilot study on high-throughput mouse embryo cardiac phenotyping. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 2015; 2:041003. [PMID: 26835488 DOI: 10.1117/1.jmi.2.4.041003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Intensive international efforts are underway toward phenotyping the entire mouse genome by modifying all its [Formula: see text] genes one-by-one for comparative studies. A workload of this scale has triggered numerous studies harnessing image informatics for the identification of morphological defects. However, existing work in this line primarily rests on abnormality detection via structural volumetrics between wild-type and gene-modified mice, which generally fails when the pathology involves no severe volume changes, such as ventricular septal defects (VSDs) in the heart. Furthermore, in embryo cardiac phenotyping, the lack of relevant work in embryonic heart segmentation, the limited availability of public atlases, and the general requirement of manual labor for the actual phenotype classification after abnormality detection, along with other limitations, have collectively restricted existing practices from meeting the high-throughput demands. This study proposes, to the best of our knowledge, the first fully automatic VSD classification framework in mouse embryo imaging. Our approach leverages a combination of atlas-based segmentation and snake evolution techniques to derive the segmentation of heart ventricles, where VSD classification is achieved by checking whether the left and right ventricles border or overlap with each other. A pilot study has validated our approach at a proof-of-concept level and achieved a classification accuracy of 100% through a series of empirical experiments on a database of 15 images.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongliu Xie
- Imperial College London, Department of Computing, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom; National Institute of Informatics, 2-1-2 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8430, Japan
| | - Xi Liang
- National Institute of Informatics, 2-1-2 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8430, Japan; University of Melbourne, Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Parkville Campus, Melbourne VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Liucheng Guo
- Imperial College London , Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Asanobu Kitamoto
- National Institute of Informatics , 2-1-2 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8430, Japan
| | - Masaru Tamura
- National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan; RIKEN BioResource Center, 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Shiroishi
- National Institute of Genetics , 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Duncan Gillies
- Imperial College London , Department of Computing, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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Anderson GA, Udan RS, Dickinson ME, Henkelman RM. Cardiovascular Patterning as Determined by Hemodynamic Forces and Blood Vessel Genetics. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137175. [PMID: 26340748 PMCID: PMC4560395 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vascular patterning depends on coordinated timing of arteriovenous specification of endothelial cells and the concomitant hemodynamic forces supplied by the onset of cardiac function. Using a combination of 3D imaging by OPT and embryo registration techniques, we sought to identify structural differences between three different mouse models of cardiovascular perturbation. Results Endoglin mutant mice shared a high degree of similarity to Mlc2a mutant mice, which have been shown to have a primary developmental heart defect causing secondary vessel remodeling failures. Dll4 mutant mice, which have well-characterized arterial blood vessel specification defects, showed distinct differences in vascular patterning when compared to the disruptions seen in Mlc2a-/- and Eng-/- models. While Mlc2a-/- and Eng-/- embryos exhibited significantly larger atria than wild-type, Dll4-/- embryos had significantly smaller hearts than wild-type, but this quantitative volume decrease was not limited to the developing atrium. Dll4-/- embryos also had atretic dorsal aortae and smaller trunks, suggesting that the cardiac abnormalities were secondary to primary arterial blood vessel specification defects. Conclusions The similarities in Eng-/- and Mlc2a-/- embryos suggest that Eng-/- mice may suffer from a primary heart developmental defect and secondary defects in vessel patterning, while defects in Dll4-/- embryos are consistent with primary defects in vessel patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A. Anderson
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Hospital For Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Ryan S. Udan
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Mary E. Dickinson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - R. Mark Henkelman
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Hospital For Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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A mouse informatics platform for phenotypic and translational discovery. Mamm Genome 2015; 26:413-21. [PMID: 26314589 PMCID: PMC4602054 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-015-9599-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC) is providing the world's first functional catalogue of a mammalian genome by characterising a knockout mouse strain for every gene. A robust and highly structured informatics platform has been developed to systematically collate, analyse and disseminate the data produced by the IMPC. As the first phase of the project, in which 5000 new knockout strains are being broadly phenotyped, nears completion, the informatics platform is extending and adapting to support the increasing volume and complexity of the data produced as well as addressing a large volume of users and emerging user groups. An intuitive interface helps researchers explore IMPC data by giving overviews and the ability to find and visualise data that support a phenotype assertion. Dedicated disease pages allow researchers to find new mouse models of human diseases, and novel viewers provide high-resolution images of embryonic and adult dysmorphologies. With each monthly release, the informatics platform will continue to evolve to support the increased data volume and to maintain its position as the primary route of access to IMPC data and as an invaluable resource for clinical and non-clinical researchers.
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Asadulina A, Conzelmann M, Williams EA, Panzera A, Jékely G. Object-based representation and analysis of light and electron microscopic volume data using Blender. BMC Bioinformatics 2015. [PMID: 26208945 PMCID: PMC4513682 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-015-0652-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rapid improvements in light and electron microscopy imaging techniques and the development of 3D anatomical atlases necessitate new approaches for the visualization and analysis of image data. Pixel-based representations of raw light microscopy data suffer from limitations in the number of channels that can be visualized simultaneously. Complex electron microscopic reconstructions from large tissue volumes are also challenging to visualize and analyze. Results Here we exploit the advanced visualization capabilities and flexibility of the open-source platform Blender to visualize and analyze anatomical atlases. We use light-microscopy-based gene expression atlases and electron microscopy connectome volume data from larval stages of the marine annelid Platynereis dumerilii. We build object-based larval gene expression atlases in Blender and develop tools for annotation and coexpression analysis. We also represent and analyze connectome data including neuronal reconstructions and underlying synaptic connectivity. Conclusions We demonstrate the power and flexibility of Blender for visualizing and exploring complex anatomical atlases. The resources we have developed for Platynereis will facilitate data sharing and the standardization of anatomical atlases for this species. The flexibility of Blender, particularly its embedded Python application programming interface, means that our methods can be easily extended to other organisms. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12859-015-0652-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albina Asadulina
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Spemannstrasse 35, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Markus Conzelmann
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Spemannstrasse 35, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Elizabeth A Williams
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Spemannstrasse 35, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Aurora Panzera
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Spemannstrasse 35, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Gáspár Jékely
- Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Spemannstrasse 35, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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79
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Abstract
In order to understand the consequences of the mutation on behavioral and biological phenotypes relevant to autism, mutations in many of the risk genes for autism spectrum disorder have been experimentally generated in mice. Here, we summarize behavioral outcomes and neuroanatomical abnormalities, with a focus on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of postmortem mouse brains. Results are described from multiple mouse models of autism spectrum disorder and comorbid syndromes, including the 15q11-13, 16p11.2, 22q11.2, Cntnap2, Engrailed2, Fragile X, Integrinβ3, MET, Neurexin1a, Neuroligin3, Reelin, Rett, Shank3, Slc6a4, tuberous sclerosis, and Williams syndrome models, and inbred strains with strong autism-relevant behavioral phenotypes, including BTBR and BALB. Concomitant behavioral and neuroanatomical abnormalities can strengthen the interpretation of results from a mouse model, and may elevate the usefulness of the model system for therapeutic discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Ellegood
- />Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, 25 Orde Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7 Canada
| | - Jacqueline N. Crawley
- />MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 4625 2nd Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95817 USA
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80
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Sonnaert M, Kerckhofs G, Papantoniou I, Van Vlierberghe S, Boterberg V, Dubruel P, Luyten FP, Schrooten J, Geris L. Multifactorial Optimization of Contrast-Enhanced Nanofocus Computed Tomography for Quantitative Analysis of Neo-Tissue Formation in Tissue Engineering Constructs. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130227. [PMID: 26076131 PMCID: PMC4467978 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
To progress the fields of tissue engineering (TE) and regenerative medicine, development of quantitative methods for non-invasive three dimensional characterization of engineered constructs (i.e. cells/tissue combined with scaffolds) becomes essential. In this study, we have defined the most optimal staining conditions for contrast-enhanced nanofocus computed tomography for three dimensional visualization and quantitative analysis of in vitro engineered neo-tissue (i.e. extracellular matrix containing cells) in perfusion bioreactor-developed Ti6Al4V constructs. A fractional factorial ‘design of experiments’ approach was used to elucidate the influence of the staining time and concentration of two contrast agents (Hexabrix and phosphotungstic acid) and the neo-tissue volume on the image contrast and dataset quality. Additionally, the neo-tissue shrinkage that was induced by phosphotungstic acid staining was quantified to determine the operating window within which this contrast agent can be accurately applied. For Hexabrix the staining concentration was the main parameter influencing image contrast and dataset quality. Using phosphotungstic acid the staining concentration had a significant influence on the image contrast while both staining concentration and neo-tissue volume had an influence on the dataset quality. The use of high concentrations of phosphotungstic acid did however introduce significant shrinkage of the neo-tissue indicating that, despite sub-optimal image contrast, low concentrations of this staining agent should be used to enable quantitative analysis. To conclude, design of experiments allowed us to define the most optimal staining conditions for contrast-enhanced nanofocus computed tomography to be used as a routine screening tool of neo-tissue formation in Ti6Al4V constructs, transforming it into a robust three dimensional quality control methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Sonnaert
- Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Greet Kerckhofs
- Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Biomechanics Research Unit, Université de Liege, Liège, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Ioannis Papantoniou
- Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Veerle Boterberg
- Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Dubruel
- Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frank P. Luyten
- Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Schrooten
- Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Geris
- Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Biomechanics Research Unit, Université de Liege, Liège, Belgium
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Biomechanics Section, KU Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium
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81
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Weninger WJ, Geyer SH, Martineau A, Galli A, Adams DJ, Wilson R, Mohun TJ. Phenotyping structural abnormalities in mouse embryos using high-resolution episcopic microscopy. Dis Model Mech 2015; 7:1143-52. [PMID: 25256713 PMCID: PMC4174525 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.016337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The arrival of simple and reliable methods for 3D imaging of mouse embryos has opened the possibility of analysing normal and abnormal development in a far more systematic and comprehensive manner than has hitherto been possible. This will not only help to extend our understanding of normal tissue and organ development but, by applying the same approach to embryos from genetically modified mouse lines, such imaging studies could also transform our knowledge of gene function in embryogenesis and the aetiology of developmental disorders. The International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium is coordinating efforts to phenotype single gene knockouts covering the entire mouse genome, including characterising developmental defects for those knockout lines that prove to be embryonic lethal. Here, we present a pilot study of 34 such lines, utilising high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) for comprehensive 2D and 3D imaging of homozygous null embryos and their wild-type littermates. We present a simple phenotyping protocol that has been developed to take advantage of the high-resolution images obtained by HREM and that can be used to score tissue and organ abnormalities in a reliable manner. Using this approach with embryos at embryonic day 14.5, we show the wide range of structural abnormalities that are likely to be detected in such studies and the variability in phenotypes between sibling homozygous null embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang J Weninger
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria.
| | - Stefan H Geyer
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Wien, Austria
| | | | | | - David J Adams
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Robert Wilson
- MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Timothy J Mohun
- MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London NW7 1AA, UK
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82
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Integration of comprehensive 3D microCT and signaling analysis reveals differential regulatory mechanisms of craniofacial bone development. Dev Biol 2015; 400:180-90. [PMID: 25722190 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Growth factor signaling regulates tissue-tissue interactions to control organogenesis and tissue homeostasis. Specifically, transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling plays a crucial role in the development of cranial neural crest (CNC) cell-derived bone, and loss of Tgfbr2 in CNC cells results in craniofacial skeletal malformations. Our recent studies indicate that non-canonical TGFβ signaling is activated whereas canonical TGFβ signaling is compromised in the absence of Tgfbr2 (in Tgfbr2(fl/fl);Wnt1-Cre mice). A haploinsufficiency of Tgfbr1 (aka Alk5) (Tgfbr2(fl/fl);Wnt1-Cre;Alk5(fl/+)) largely rescues craniofacial deformities in Tgfbr2 mutant mice by reducing ectopic non-canonical TGFβ signaling. However, the relative involvement of canonical and non-canonical TGFβ signaling in regulating specific craniofacial bone formation remains unclear. We compared the size and volume of CNC-derived craniofacial bones (frontal bone, premaxilla, maxilla, palatine bone, and mandible) from E18.5 control, Tgfbr2(fl/fl);Wnt1-Cre, and Tgfbr2(fl/fl);Wnt1-Cre;Alk5(fl/+)mice. By analyzing three dimensional (3D) micro-computed tomography (microCT) images, we found that different craniofacial bones were restored to different degrees in Tgfbr2(fl/fl);Wnt1-Cre;Alk5(fl/+) mice. Our study provides comprehensive information on anatomical landmarks and the size and volume of each craniofacial bone, as well as insights into the extent that canonical and non-canonical TGFβ signaling cascades contribute to the formation of each CNC-derived bone. Our data will serve as an important resource for developmental biologists who are interested in craniofacial morphogenesis.
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83
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Shen H, Cavallero S, Estrada KD, Sandovici I, Kumar SR, Makita T, Lien CL, Constancia M, Sucov HM. Extracardiac control of embryonic cardiomyocyte proliferation and ventricular wall expansion. Cardiovasc Res 2015; 105:271-8. [PMID: 25560321 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvu269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The strategies that control formation of the ventricular wall during heart development are not well understood. In previous studies, we documented IGF2 as a major mitogenic signal that controls ventricular cardiomyocyte proliferation and chamber wall expansion. Our objective in this study was to define the tissue source of IGF2 in heart development and the upstream pathways that control its expression. METHODS AND RESULTS Using a number of mouse genetic tools, we confirm that the critical source of IGF2 is the epicardium. We find that epicardial Igf2 expression is controlled in a biphasic manner, first induced by erythropoietin and then regulated by oxygen and glucose with onset of placental function. Both processes are independently controlled by retinoic acid signalling. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that ventricular wall cardiomyocyte proliferation is subdivided into distinct regulatory phases. Each involves instructive cues that originate outside the heart and thereby act on the epicardium in an endocrine manner, a mode of regulation that is mostly unknown in embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Shen
- Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, 1425 San Pablo Street, BCC-511, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Susana Cavallero
- Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, 1425 San Pablo Street, BCC-511, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Kristine D Estrada
- Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, 1425 San Pablo Street, BCC-511, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Ionel Sandovici
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Cambridge, UK Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - S Ram Kumar
- Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Takako Makita
- Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ching-Ling Lien
- Saban Research Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Miguel Constancia
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories, Cambridge, UK Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Henry M Sucov
- Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, 1425 San Pablo Street, BCC-511, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Kowalski WJ, Pekkan K, Tinney JP, Keller BB. Investigating developmental cardiovascular biomechanics and the origins of congenital heart defects. Front Physiol 2014; 5:408. [PMID: 25374544 PMCID: PMC4204442 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Innovative research on the interactions between biomechanical load and cardiovascular (CV) morphogenesis by multiple investigators over the past 3 decades, including the application of bioengineering approaches, has shown that the embryonic heart adapts both structure and function in order to maintain cardiac output to the rapidly growing embryo. Acute adaptive hemodynamic mechanisms in the embryo include the redistribution of blood flow within the heart, dynamic adjustments in heart rate and developed pressure, and beat to beat variations in blood flow and vascular resistance. These biomechanically relevant events occur coincident with adaptive changes in gene expression and trigger adaptive mechanisms that include alterations in myocardial cell growth and death, regional and global changes in myocardial architecture, and alterations in central vascular morphogenesis and remodeling. These adaptive mechanisms allow the embryo to survive these biomechanical stresses (environmental, maternal) and to compensate for developmental errors (genetic). Recent work from numerous laboratories shows that a subset of these adaptive mechanisms is present in every developing multicellular organism with a “heart” equivalent structure. This chapter will provide the reader with an overview of some of the approaches used to quantify embryonic CV functional maturation and performance, provide several illustrations of experimental interventions that explore the role of biomechanics in the regulation of CV morphogenesis including the role of computational modeling, and identify several critical areas for future investigation as available experimental models and methods expand.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Kowalski
- Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville Louisville, KY, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Kerem Pekkan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joseph P Tinney
- Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville Louisville, KY, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Bradley B Keller
- Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville Louisville, KY, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville Louisville, KY, USA ; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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85
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Zhou YQ, Cahill LS, Wong MD, Seed M, Macgowan CK, Sled JG. Assessment of flow distribution in the mouse fetal circulation at late gestation by high-frequency Doppler ultrasound. Physiol Genomics 2014; 46:602-14. [PMID: 24963005 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00049.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This study used high-frequency ultrasound to evaluate the flow distribution in the mouse fetal circulation at late gestation. We studied 12 fetuses (embryonic day 17.5) from 12 pregnant CD1 mice with 40 MHz ultrasound to assess the flow in 11 vessels based on Doppler measurements of blood velocity and M-mode measurements of diameter. Specifically, the intrahepatic umbilical vein (UVIH), ductus venosus (DV), foramen ovale (FO), ascending aorta (AA), main pulmonary artery (MPA), ductus arteriosus (DA), descending thoracic aorta (DTA), common carotid artery (CCA), inferior vena cava (IVC), and right and left superior vena cavae (RSVC, LSVC) were examined, and anatomically confirmed by micro-CT. The mouse fetal circulatory system was found to be similar to that of the humans in terms of the major circuit and three shunts, but characterized by bilateral superior vena cavae and a single umbilical artery. The combined cardiac output (CCO) was 1.22 ± 0.05 ml/min, with the left ventricle (flow in AA) contributing 47.8 ± 2.3% and the right ventricle (flow in MPA) 52.2 ± 2.3%. Relative to the CCO, the flow percentages were 13.6 ± 1.0% for the UVIH, 10.4 ± 1.1% for the DV, 35.6 ± 2.4% for the DA, 41.9 ± 2.6% for the DTA, 3.8 ± 0.3% for the CCA, 29.5 ± 2.2% for the IVC, 12.7 ± 1.0% for the RSVC, and 9.9 ± 0.9% for the LSVC. The calculated flow percentage was 16.6 ± 3.4% for the pulmonary circulation and 31.2 ± 5.3% for the FO. In conclusion, the flow in mouse fetal circulation can be comprehensively evaluated with ultrasound. The baseline data of the flow distribution in normal mouse fetus serve as the reference range for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Qing Zhou
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
| | - Lindsay S Cahill
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael D Wong
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mike Seed
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher K Macgowan
- Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - John G Sled
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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86
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Wong MD, Maezawa Y, Lerch JP, Henkelman RM. Automated pipeline for anatomical phenotyping of mouse embryos using micro-CT. Development 2014; 141:2533-41. [PMID: 24850858 DOI: 10.1242/dev.107722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC) plans to phenotype 20,000 single-gene knockout mice to gain an insight into gene function. Approximately 30% of these knockout mouse lines will be embryonic or perinatal lethal. The IMPC has selected three-dimensional (3D) imaging to phenotype these mouse lines at relevant stages of embryonic development in an attempt to discover the cause of lethality using detailed anatomical information. Rate of throughput is paramount as IMPC production centers have been given the ambitious task of completing this phenotyping project by 2021. Sifting through the wealth of data within high-resolution 3D mouse embryo data sets by trained human experts is infeasible at this scale. Here, we present a phenotyping pipeline that identifies statistically significant anatomical differences in the knockout, in comparison with the wild type, through a computer-automated image registration algorithm. This phenotyping pipeline consists of three analyses (intensity, deformation, and atlas based) that can detect missing anatomical structures and differences in volume of whole organs as well as on the voxel level. This phenotyping pipeline was applied to micro-CT images of two perinatal lethal mouse lines: a hypomorphic mutation of the Tcf21 gene (Tcf21-hypo) and a knockout of the Satb2 gene. With the proposed pipeline we were able to identify the majority of morphological phenotypes previously published for both the Tcf21-hypo and Satb2 mutant mouse embryos in addition to novel phenotypes. This phenotyping pipeline is an unbiased, automated method that highlights only those structural abnormalities that survive statistical scrutiny and illustrates them in a straightforward fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Wong
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Yoshiro Maezawa
- The Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3H7, Canada Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - R Mark Henkelman
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3H7, Canada Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
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87
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Wise LD, Winkelmann CT, Dogdas B, Bagchi A. Micro-computed tomography imaging and analysis in developmental biology and toxicology. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 99:71-82. [PMID: 23897592 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.21033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is a high resolution imaging technique that has expanded and strengthened in use since it was last reviewed in this journal in 2004. The technology has expanded to include more detailed analysis of bone, as well as soft tissues, by use of various contrast agents. It is increasingly applied to questions in developmental biology and developmental toxicology. Relatively high-throughput protocols now provide a powerful and efficient means to evaluate embryos and fetuses subjected to genetic manipulations or chemical exposures. This review provides an overview of the technology, including scanning, reconstruction, visualization, segmentation, and analysis of micro-CT generated images. This is followed by a review of more recent applications of the technology in some common laboratory species that highlight the diverse issues that can be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L David Wise
- Merck Research Laboratories, Departments of Safety Assessment and Laboratory Animal Resources, Imaging, and Informatics IT, West Point, PA, USA.
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88
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Aggarwal M, Gobius I, Richards LJ, Mori S. Diffusion MR Microscopy of Cortical Development in the Mouse Embryo. Cereb Cortex 2014; 25:1970-80. [PMID: 24518754 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhu006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical development in the mouse embryo involves complex changes in the microstructure of the telencephalic wall, which are challenging to examine using three-dimensional (3D) imaging techniques. In this study, high-resolution 3D diffusion magnetic resonance (dMR) microscopy of the embryonic mouse cortex is presented. Using diffusion-weighted gradient- and spin-echo based acquisition, dMR microimaging data were acquired from fixed mouse embryos at 7 developmental stages from embryonic day (E)12.5 to E18.5. The dMR imaging (dMRI) contrasts revealed microscopic structural detail in the mouse telencephalic wall, allowing delineation of transient zones in the developing cortex based on their unique diffusion signatures. With the high-resolution 3D data of the mouse embryo, we were able to visualize the complex microstructure of embryonic cerebral tissue and to resolve its regional and temporal evolution during cortical formation. Furthermore, averaged dMRI contrasts generated via deformable registration revealed distinct spatial and temporal gradients of anisotropy variation across the developing embryonic cortical plate and the ventricular zone. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential of 3D dMRI to resolve the complex microstructure of the embryonic mouse cortex, and will be important for investigations of corticogenesis and its disruption in embryonic mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manisha Aggarwal
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Linda J Richards
- Queensland Brain Institute School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Susumu Mori
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
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89
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Yap CH, Liu X, Pekkan K. Characterization of the vessel geometry, flow mechanics and wall shear stress in the great arteries of wildtype prenatal mouse. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86878. [PMID: 24475188 PMCID: PMC3903591 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Abnormal fluid mechanical environment in the pre-natal cardiovascular system is hypothesized to play a significant role in causing structural heart malformations. It is thus important to improve our understanding of the prenatal cardiovascular fluid mechanical environment at multiple developmental time-points and vascular morphologies. We present such a study on fetal great arteries on the wildtype mouse from embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5) to near-term (E18.5). Methods Ultrasound bio-microscopy (UBM) was used to measure blood velocity of the great arteries. Subsequently, specimens were cryo-embedded and sectioned using episcopic fluorescent image capture (EFIC) to obtain high-resolution 2D serial image stacks, which were used for 3D reconstructions and quantitative measurement of great artery and aortic arch dimensions. EFIC and UBM data were input into subject-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for modeling hemodynamics. Results In normal mouse fetuses between E14.5–18.5, ultrasound imaging showed gradual but statistically significant increase in blood velocity in the aorta, pulmonary trunk (with the ductus arteriosus), and descending aorta. Measurement by EFIC imaging displayed a similar increase in cross sectional area of these vessels. However, CFD modeling showed great artery average wall shear stress and wall shear rate remain relatively constant with age and with vessel size, indicating that hemodynamic shear had a relative constancy over gestational period considered here. Conclusion Our EFIC-UBM-CFD method allowed reasonably detailed characterization of fetal mouse vascular geometry and fluid mechanics. Our results suggest that a homeostatic mechanism for restoring vascular wall shear magnitudes may exist during normal embryonic development. We speculate that this mechanism regulates the growth of the great vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choon Hwai Yap
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaoqin Liu
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Kerem Pekkan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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90
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Wong MD, Spring S, Henkelman RM. Structural stabilization of tissue for embryo phenotyping using micro-CT with iodine staining. PLoS One 2013; 8:e84321. [PMID: 24386367 PMCID: PMC3875560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium has been established to conduct large-scale phenotyping of the approximately 23,000 single-gene knockout mice generated by the International Knockout Mouse Consortium to investigate the role of each gene in the mouse genome. Of the generated mouse lines, 30% are predicted to be embryonic lethal, requiring the implementation of imaging techniques and analysis tools specific to late gestation mouse embryo phenotyping. A well-adopted technique combines the use of iodinated contrast solutions and micro-computed tomography imaging. This simple iodine immersion technique provides superior soft-tissue contrast enhancement, however, the hypertonic nature of iodine promotes dehydration causing moderate to severe tissue deformation. Here, we combine the stabilizing properties of a hydrogel mesh with the enhanced contrast properties of iodine. The protocol promotes cross linking of tissue through formaldehyde fixation and the linking of hydrogel monomers to biomolecules. As a result, the hydrogel supports tissue structure and preserves its conformation taking advantage of iodine-enhanced soft tissue contrast to produce high quality mouse embryo images with minimal tissue distortion. Hydrogel stabilization substantially reduces intersample anatomical variation of mature mouse embryos subjected to iodine preparation protocols. A 20% and 50% reduction in intersample variation of normalized brain and lung volume is achieved through hydrogel stabilization, as well as a 20% reduction in variation in overall embryo anatomy as measured through image registration methods. This increases the sensitivity of computer automated analysis to reveal significant anatomical differences between mutant and wild-type mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Wong
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Shoshana Spring
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - R. Mark Henkelman
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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91
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Richardson L, Venkataraman S, Stevenson P, Yang Y, Moss J, Graham L, Burton N, Hill B, Rao J, Baldock RA, Armit C. EMAGE mouse embryo spatial gene expression database: 2014 update. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 42:D835-44. [PMID: 24265223 PMCID: PMC3965061 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt1155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
EMAGE (http://www.emouseatlas.org/emage/) is a freely available database of in situ gene expression patterns that allows users to perform online queries of mouse developmental gene expression. EMAGE is unique in providing both text-based descriptions of gene expression plus spatial maps of gene expression patterns. This mapping allows spatial queries to be accomplished alongside more traditional text-based queries. Here, we describe our recent progress in spatial mapping and data integration. EMAGE has developed a method of spatially mapping 3D embryo images captured using optical projection tomography, and through the use of an IIP3D viewer allows users to view arbitrary sections of raw and mapped 3D image data in the context of a web browser. EMAGE now includes enhancer data, and we have spatially mapped images from a comprehensive screen of transgenic reporter mice that detail the expression of mouse non-coding genomic DNA fragments with enhancer activity. We have integrated the eMouseAtlas anatomical atlas and the EMAGE database so that a user of the atlas can query the EMAGE database easily. In addition, we have extended the atlas framework to enable EMAGE to spatially cross-index EMBRYS whole mount in situ hybridization data. We additionally report on recent developments to the EMAGE web interface, including new query and analysis capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna Richardson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital EH4 2XU, UK
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92
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Norris FC, Wong MD, Greene NDE, Scambler PJ, Weaver T, Weninger WJ, Mohun TJ, Henkelman RM, Lythgoe MF. A coming of age: advanced imaging technologies for characterising the developing mouse. Trends Genet 2013; 29:700-11. [PMID: 24035368 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2013.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The immense challenge of annotating the entire mouse genome has stimulated the development of cutting-edge imaging technologies in a drive for novel information. These techniques promise to improve understanding of the genes involved in embryo development, at least one third of which have been shown to be essential. Aligning advanced imaging technologies with biological needs will be fundamental to maximising the number of phenotypes discovered in the coming years. International efforts are underway to meet this challenge through an integrated and sophisticated approach to embryo phenotyping. We review rapid advances made in the imaging field over the past decade and provide a comprehensive examination of the relative merits of current and emerging techniques. The aim of this review is to provide a guide to state-of-the-art embryo imaging that will enable informed decisions as to which technology to use and fuel conversations between expert imaging laboratories, researchers, and core mouse production facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca C Norris
- University College London (UCL) Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of Medicine, UCL, London, UK; Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology (CoMPLEX), UCL, London, UK
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93
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Wong MD, Dazai J, Walls JR, Gale NW, Henkelman RM. Design and implementation of a custom built optical projection tomography system. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73491. [PMID: 24023880 PMCID: PMC3762719 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Optical projection tomography (OPT) is an imaging modality that has, in the last decade, answered numerous biological questions owing to its ability to view gene expression in 3 dimensions (3D) at high resolution for samples up to several cm3. This has increased demand for a cabinet OPT system, especially for mouse embryo phenotyping, for which OPT was primarily designed for. The Medical Research Council (MRC) Technology group (UK) released a commercial OPT system, constructed by Skyscan, called the Bioptonics OPT 3001 scanner that was installed in a limited number of locations. The Bioptonics system has been discontinued and currently there is no commercial OPT system available. Therefore, a few research institutions have built their own OPT system, choosing parts and a design specific to their biological applications. Some of these custom built OPT systems are preferred over the commercial Bioptonics system, as they provide improved performance based on stable translation and rotation stages and up to date CCD cameras coupled with objective lenses of high numerical aperture, increasing the resolution of the images. Here, we present a detailed description of a custom built OPT system that is robust and easy to build and install. Included is a hardware parts list, instructions for assembly, a description of the acquisition software and a free download site, and methods for calibration. The described OPT system can acquire a full 3D data set in 10 minutes at 6.7 micron isotropic resolution. The presented guide will hopefully increase adoption of OPT throughout the research community, for the OPT system described can be implemented by personnel with minimal expertise in optics or engineering who have access to a machine shop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D. Wong
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Jun Dazai
- Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Johnathon R. Walls
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, New York, United States of America
| | - Nicholas W. Gale
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, New York, United States of America
| | - R. Mark Henkelman
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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94
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Artegiani B, Calegari F. Lentiviruses allow widespread and conditional manipulation of gene expression in the developing mouse brain. Development 2013; 140:2818-22. [PMID: 23757413 DOI: 10.1242/dev.093823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Generation of transgenic mice, in utero electroporation and viral injection are common approaches to manipulate gene expression during embryonic development of the mammalian brain. While very powerful in many contexts, these approaches are each characterized by their own limitations: namely, that generation of transgenic mice is time-consuming and electroporation only allows the targeting of a small area of the brain. Similarly, viral injection has been predominantly characterized by using retroviruses or adenoviruses that are limited by a relatively low infectivity or lack of integration, respectively. Here we report the use of integrating lentiviral vectors as a system to achieve widespread and efficient infection of the whole brain after in utero injection in the telencephalic ventricle of mouse embryos. In addition, we explored the use of Cre-mediated recombination of loxP-containing lentiviral vectors to achieve spatial and temporal control of gene expression of virtually any transgene without the need for generation of additional mouse lines. Our work provides a system to overcome the limitations of retroviruses and adenoviruses by achieving widespread and high efficiency of transduction. The combination of lentiviral injection and site-specific recombination offers a fast and efficient alternative to complement and diversify the current methodologies to acutely manipulate gene expression in developing mammalian embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Artegiani
- DFG-Research Center and Cluster of Excellence for Regenerative Therapies, Medical Faculty, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 105, Dresden 01307, Germany
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95
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Adams D, Baldock R, Bhattacharya S, Copp AJ, Dickinson M, Greene NDE, Henkelman M, Justice M, Mohun T, Murray SA, Pauws E, Raess M, Rossant J, Weaver T, West D. Bloomsbury report on mouse embryo phenotyping: recommendations from the IMPC workshop on embryonic lethal screening. Dis Model Mech 2013; 6:571-9. [PMID: 23519032 PMCID: PMC3634642 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.011833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying genes that are important for embryo development is a crucial first step towards understanding their many functions in driving the ordered growth, differentiation and organogenesis of embryos. It can also shed light on the origins of developmental disease and congenital abnormalities. Current international efforts to examine gene function in the mouse provide a unique opportunity to pinpoint genes that are involved in embryogenesis, owing to the emergence of embryonic lethal knockout mutants. Through internationally coordinated efforts, the International Knockout Mouse Consortium (IKMC) has generated a public resource of mouse knockout strains and, in April 2012, the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC), supported by the EU InfraCoMP programme, convened a workshop to discuss developing a phenotyping pipeline for the investigation of embryonic lethal knockout lines. This workshop brought together over 100 scientists, from 13 countries, who are working in the academic and commercial research sectors, including experts and opinion leaders in the fields of embryology, animal imaging, data capture, quality control and annotation, high-throughput mouse production, phenotyping, and reporter gene analysis. This article summarises the outcome of the workshop, including (1) the vital scientific importance of phenotyping embryonic lethal mouse strains for basic and translational research; (2) a common framework to harmonise international efforts within this context; (3) the types of phenotyping that are likely to be most appropriate for systematic use, with a focus on 3D embryo imaging; (4) the importance of centralising data in a standardised form to facilitate data mining; and (5) the development of online tools to allow open access to and dissemination of the phenotyping data.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Adams
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | | | | | - Andrew J. Copp
- UCL Institute of Child Health, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Timothy Mohun
- MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London, NW7 1AA, UK
| | | | - Erwin Pauws
- UCL Institute of Child Health, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Michael Raess
- Helmholtz Zentrum Munich and Infrafrontier, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1 85764 Neuherberg, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Tom Weaver
- MRC Harwell, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxford, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - David West
- CHORI, 5700 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland, CA 94609, USA
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96
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Anderson GA, Wong MD, Yang J, Henkelman RM. 3D imaging, registration, and analysis of the early mouse embryonic vasculature. Dev Dyn 2013; 242:527-38. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.23947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Revised: 02/07/2013] [Accepted: 02/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jian Yang
- Mouse Imaging Centre; The Hospital For Sick Children; Toronto; Canada
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97
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Roy S, Liang X, Kitamoto A, Tamura M, Shiroishi T, Brown MS. Phenotype detection in morphological mutant mice using deformation features. MEDICAL IMAGE COMPUTING AND COMPUTER-ASSISTED INTERVENTION : MICCAI ... INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MEDICAL IMAGE COMPUTING AND COMPUTER-ASSISTED INTERVENTION 2013; 16:437-444. [PMID: 24505791 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-40760-4_55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Large-scale global efforts are underway to knockout each of the approximately 25,000 mouse genes and interpret their roles in shaping the mammalian embryo. Given the tremendous amount of data generated by imaging mutated prenatal mice, high-throughput image analysis systems are inevitable to characterize mammalian development and diseases. Current state-of-the-art computational systems offer only differential volumetric analysis of pre-defined anatomical structures between various gene-knockout mice strains. For subtle anatomical phenotypes, embryo phenotyping still relies on the laborious histological techniques that are clearly unsuitable in such big data environment. This paper presents a system that automatically detects known phenotypes and assists in discovering novel phenotypes in muCT images of mutant mice. Deformation features obtained from non-linear registration of mutant embryo to a normal consensus average image are extracted and analyzed to compute phenotypic and candidate phenotypic areas. The presented system is evaluated using C57BL/10 embryo images. All cases of ventricular septum defect and polydactyly, well-known to be present in this strain, are successfully detected. The system predicts potential phenotypic areas in the liver that are under active histological evaluation for possible phenotype of this mouse line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmili Roy
- School of Computing, National University of Singapore.
| | - Xi Liang
- National ICT Australia (NICTA), Australia
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