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Bullard MR, Cervantes JCM, Quaicoe NB, Jin A, Adams DA, Lin JM, Iliadis E, Seidler TM, Cervantes-Sandoval I, He HY. Accelerated protein retention expansion microscopy using microwave radiation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.11.593228. [PMID: 38766072 PMCID: PMC11100821 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.11.593228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Protein retention expansion microscopy (ExM) retains genetically encoded fluorescent proteins or antibody-conjugated fluorescent probes in fixed tissue and isotropically expands the tissue through a swellable polymer network to allow nanoscale (<70 nm) resolution on diffraction-limited confocal microscopes. Despite numerous advantages ExM brings to biological studies, the full protocol is time-consuming and can take multiple days to complete. Here, we adapted the ExM protocol to the vibratome-sectioned brain tissue of Xenopus laevis tadpoles and implemented a microwave-assisted protocol to reduce the workflow from days to hours. In addition to the significantly accelerated processing time, our microwave-assisted ExM (M/WExM) protocol maintains the superior resolution and signal-to-noise ratio of the original ExM protocol. Furthermore, the M/WExM protocol yields higher magnitude of expansion, suggesting that in addition to accelerating the process through increased diffusion rate of reagents, microwave radiation may also facilitate the expansion process. To demonstrate the applicability of this method to other specimens and protocols, we adapted the microwave-accelerated protocol to whole mount adult brain tissue of Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies, and successfully reduced the total processing time of a widely-used Drosophila IHC-ExM protocol from 6 days to 2 days. Our results demonstrate that with appropriate adjustment of the microwave parameters (wattage, pulse duration, interval, and number of cycles), this protocol can be readily adapted to different model organisms and tissue types to greatly increase the efficiency of ExM experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Amanda Jin
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057
| | - Danya A. Adams
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057
| | - Jessica M. Lin
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057
| | - Elena Iliadis
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057
| | - Tess M. Seidler
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057
| | | | - Hai-yan He
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057
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2
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Hümpfer N, Thielhorn R, Ewers H. Expanding boundaries - a cell biologist's guide to expansion microscopy. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs260765. [PMID: 38629499 PMCID: PMC11058692 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.260765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Expansion microscopy (ExM) is a revolutionary novel approach to increase resolution in light microscopy. In contrast to super-resolution microscopy methods that rely on sophisticated technological advances, including novel instrumentation, ExM instead is entirely based on sample preparation. In ExM, labeled target molecules in fixed cells are anchored in a hydrogel, which is then physically enlarged by osmotic swelling. The isotropic swelling of the hydrogel pulls the labels apart from one another, and their relative organization can thus be resolved using conventional microscopes even if it was below the diffraction limit of light beforehand. As ExM can additionally benefit from the technical resolution enhancements achieved by super-resolution microscopy, it can reach into the nanometer range of resolution with an astoundingly low degree of error induced by distortion during the physical expansion process. Because the underlying chemistry is well understood and the technique is based on a relatively simple procedure, ExM is easily reproducible in non-expert laboratories and has quickly been adopted to address an ever-expanding spectrum of problems across the life sciences. In this Review, we provide an overview of this rapidly expanding new field, summarize the most important insights gained so far and attempt to offer an outlook on future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Hümpfer
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ria Thielhorn
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Helge Ewers
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Institut für Chemie und Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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3
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Woodworth MA, Lakadamyali M. Toward a comprehensive view of gene architecture during transcription. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 85:102154. [PMID: 38309073 PMCID: PMC10989512 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
The activation of genes within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells is a tightly regulated process, orchestrated by a complex interplay of various physical properties and interacting factors. Studying the multitude of components and features that collectively contribute to gene activation has proven challenging due to the complexities of simultaneously visualizing the dynamic and transiently interacting elements that coalesce within the small space occupied by each individual gene. However, various labeling and imaging advances are now starting to overcome this challenge, enabling visualization of gene activation at different lengths and timescales. In this review, we aim to highlight these microscopy-based advances and suggest how they can be combined to provide a comprehensive view of the mechanisms regulating gene activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus A Woodworth
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Melike Lakadamyali
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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4
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Carsten A, Wolters M, Aepfelbacher M. Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy for investigating bacterial cell biology. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:646-658. [PMID: 38041391 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy technologies developed over the past two decades have pushed the resolution limit for fluorescently labeled molecules into the nanometer range. These technologies have the potential to study bacterial structures, for example, macromolecular assemblies such as secretion systems, with single-molecule resolution on a millisecond time scale. Here we review recent applications of super-resolution fluorescence microscopy with a focus on bacterial secretion systems. We also describe MINFLUX fluorescence nanoscopy, a relatively new technique that promises to one day produce molecular movies of molecular machines in action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Carsten
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manuel Wolters
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Aepfelbacher
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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5
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Vojnovic I, Caspari OD, Hoşkan MA, Endesfelder U. Combining single-molecule and expansion microscopy in fission yeast to visualize protein structures at the nanostructural level. Open Biol 2024; 14:230414. [PMID: 38320620 PMCID: PMC10846934 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
In this work, we have developed an expansion microscopy (ExM) protocol that combines ExM with photoactivated localization microscopy (ExPALM) for yeast cell imaging, and report a robust protocol for single-molecule and expansion microscopy of fission yeast, abbreviated as SExY. Our optimized SExY protocol retains about 50% of the fluorescent protein signal, doubling the amount obtained compared to the original protein retention ExM (proExM) protocol. It allows for a fivefold, highly isotropic expansion of fission yeast cells, which we carefully controlled while optimizing protein yield. We demonstrate the SExY method on several exemplary molecular targets and explicitly introduce low-abundant protein targets (e.g. nuclear proteins such as cbp1 and mis16, and the centromere-specific histone protein cnp1). The SExY protocol optimizations increasing protein yield could be beneficial for many studies, when targeting low abundance proteins, or for studies that rely on genetic labelling for various reasons (e.g. for proteins that cannot be easily targeted by extrinsic staining or in case artefacts introduced by unspecific staining interfere with data quality).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilijana Vojnovic
- Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Marburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Oliver D. Caspari
- Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Marburg, Germany
- Department of Microbiology, Institute Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Mehmet Ali Hoşkan
- Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Marburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Endesfelder
- Department of Systems and Synthetic Microbiology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO), Marburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Login FH, Dam VS, Nejsum LN. Following the cellular itinerary of renal aquaporin-2 shuttling with 4.5x expansion microscopy. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C194-C205. [PMID: 38047301 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00397.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The shuttling of renal collecting duct aquaporin-2 (AQP2) between intracellular vesicles and the apical plasma membrane is paramount for regulation of renal water reabsorption. The binding of the circulating antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP) to the basolateral AVP receptor increases intracellular cAMP, which ultimately leads to AQP2 plasma membrane accumulation via a dual effect on AQP2 vesicle fusion with the apical plasma membrane and reduced AQP2 endocytosis. This AQP2 plasma membrane accumulation increases water reabsorption and consequently urine concentration. Conventional fluorescent microscopy provides a lateral resolution of ∼250 nm, which is insufficient to resolve the AQP2-containing endosomes/vesicles. Therefore, detailed information regarding the AQP2 vesicular population is still lacking. Newly established 4.5x Expansion Microscopy (ExM) can increase resolution to 60-70 nm. Using 4.5x ExM, we detected AQP2 vesicles/endosomes as small as 79 nm considering an average expansion factor of 4.3 for endosomes. Using different markers of the endosomal system provided detailed information of the cellular AQP2 itinerary upon changes in endogenous cAMP levels. Before cAMP elevation, AQP2 colocalized with early and recycling, but not late endosomes. Forskolin-induced cAMP increase was characterized by AQP2 insertion into the plasma membrane and AQP2 withdrawal from large perinuclear endosomes as well as some localization to lysosomal compartments. Forskolin washout promoted AQP2 endocytosis where AQP2 localized to not only early and recycling endosomes but also late endosomes and lysosomes indicating increased AQP2 degradation. Thus, our results show that 4.5 ExM is an attractive approach to obtain detailed information regarding AQP2 shuttling.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Renal aquaporin-2 (AQP2) imaged by expansion microscopy provides unprecedented 3-D information regarding the AQP2 itinerary in response to changes in cellular cAMP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric H Login
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Vibeke S Dam
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lene N Nejsum
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Eilts J, Reinhard S, Michetschläger N, Werner C, Sauer M. Enhanced synaptic protein visualization by multicolor super-resolution expansion microscopy. NEUROPHOTONICS 2023; 10:044412. [PMID: 37886043 PMCID: PMC10599331 DOI: 10.1117/1.nph.10.4.044412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Significance Understanding the organization of biomolecules into complexes and their dynamics is crucial for comprehending cellular functions and dysfunctions, particularly in neuronal networks connected by synapses. In the last two decades, various powerful super-resolution (SR) microscopy techniques have been developed that produced stunning images of synapses and their molecular organization. However, current SR microscopy methods do not permit multicolor fluorescence imaging with 20 to 30 nm spatial resolution. Aim We developed a method that enables 4-color fluorescence imaging of synaptic proteins in neurons with 20 to 30 nm lateral resolution. Approach We used post-expansion immunolabeling of eightfold expanded hippocampal neurons in combination with Airyscan and structured illumination microscopy (SIM). Results We demonstrate that post-expansion immunolabeling of approximately eightfold expanded hippocampal neurons enables efficient labeling of synaptic proteins in crowded compartments with minimal linkage error and enables in combination with Airyscan and SIM four-color three-dimensional fluorescence imaging with 20 to 30 nm lateral resolution. Using immunolabeling of Synaptobrevin 2 as an efficient marker of the vesicle pool allowed us to identify individual synaptic vesicles colocalized with Rab3-interacting molecule 1 and 2 (RIM1/2), a marker of pre-synaptic fusion sites. Conclusions Our optimized expansion microscopy approach improves the visualization and location of pre- and post-synaptic proteins and can thus provide invaluable insights into the spatial organization of proteins at synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna Eilts
- University of Würzburg, Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Biocenter, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Reinhard
- University of Würzburg, Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Biocenter, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nikolas Michetschläger
- University of Würzburg, Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Biocenter, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Werner
- University of Würzburg, Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Biocenter, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Sauer
- University of Würzburg, Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Biocenter, Würzburg, Germany
- University of Würzburg, Rudolf Virchow Center, Research Center for Integrative and Translational Bioimaging, Würzburg, Germany
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8
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Saal KA, Shaib AH, Mougios N, Crzan D, Opazo F, Rizzoli SO. Heat denaturation enables multicolor X10-STED microscopy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5366. [PMID: 37005431 PMCID: PMC10067834 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32524-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Expansion microscopy (ExM) improves imaging quality by physically enlarging the biological specimens. In principle, combining a large expansion factor with optical super-resolution should provide extremely high imaging precision. However, large expansion factors imply that the expanded specimens are dim and are therefore poorly suited for optical super-resolution. To solve this problem, we present a protocol that ensures the expansion of the samples up to 10-fold, in a single expansion step, through high-temperature homogenization (X10ht). The resulting gels exhibit a higher fluorescence intensity than gels homogenized using enzymatic digestion (based on proteinase K). This enables the sample analysis by multicolor stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, for a final resolution of 6-8 nm in neuronal cell cultures or isolated vesicles. X10ht also enables the expansion of 100-200 µm thick brain samples, up to 6-fold. The better epitope preservation also enables the use of nanobodies as labeling probes and the implementation of post-expansion signal amplification. We conclude that X10ht is a promising tool for nanoscale resolution in biological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Ann Saal
- Department of Sensory- and Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Ali H Shaib
- Department of Sensory- and Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Nikolaos Mougios
- Department of Sensory- and Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN), Von-Sieboldt-Str. 3a, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dagmar Crzan
- Department of Sensory- and Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Felipe Opazo
- Department of Sensory- and Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
- NanoTag Biotechnologies GmbH, Rudolf Wissell Str. 28a, 37079, Göttingen, Germany
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN), Von-Sieboldt-Str. 3a, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silvio O Rizzoli
- Department of Sensory- and Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Humboldtallee 23, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN), Von-Sieboldt-Str. 3a, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
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9
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Suen KM, Sheard TM, Lin CC, Milonaityte D, Jayasinghe I, Ladbury JE. Expansion microscopy reveals subdomains in C. elegans germ granules. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201650. [PMID: 36750365 PMCID: PMC9905708 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Light and electron microscopy techniques have been indispensable in the identification and characterization of liquid-liquid phase separation membraneless organelles. However, for complex membraneless organelles such as the perinuclear germ granule in C. elegans, our understanding of how the intact organelle is regulated is hampered by (1) technical limitations in confocal fluorescence imaging for the simultaneous examination of multiple granule protein markers and (2) inaccessibility of electron microscopy. We take advantage of the newly developed super resolution method of expansion microscopy (ExM) and in situ staining of the whole proteome to examine the C. elegans germ granule, the P granule. We show that in small RNA pathway mutants, the P granule is smaller compared with WT animals. Furthermore, we investigate the relationship between the P granule and two other germ granules, Mutator foci and Z granule, and show that they are located within the same protein-dense regions while occupying distinct subdomains within this ultrastructure. This study will serve as an important tool in our understanding of germ granule biology and the biological role of liquid-liquid phase separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kin M Suen
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Chi-Chuan Lin
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Dovile Milonaityte
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Izzy Jayasinghe
- School of Biosciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - John E Ladbury
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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10
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Wen G, Leen V, Rohand T, Sauer M, Hofkens J. Current Progress in Expansion Microscopy: Chemical Strategies and Applications. Chem Rev 2023; 123:3299-3323. [PMID: 36881995 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Expansion microscopy (ExM) is a newly developed super-resolution technique, allowing visualization of biological targets at nanoscale resolution on conventional fluorescence microscopes. Since its introduction in 2015, many efforts have been dedicated to broaden its application range or increase the resolution that can be achieved. As a consequence, recent years have witnessed remarkable advances in ExM. This review summarizes recent progress in ExM, with the focus on the chemical aspects of the method, from chemistries for biomolecule grafting to polymer synthesis and the impact on biological analysis. The combination of ExM with other microscopy techniques, in search of additional resolution improvement, is also discussed. In addition, we compare pre- and postexpansion labeling strategies and discuss the impact of fixation methods on ultrastructure preservation. We conclude this review with a perspective on existing challenges and future directions. We believe that this review will provide a comprehensive understanding of ExM and facilitate its usage and further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Wen
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Leuven 3001, Belgium
| | - Volker Leen
- Chrometra Scientific, Kortenaken 3470, Belgium
| | - Taoufik Rohand
- Laboratory of Analytical and Molecular Chemistry, Faculty Polydisciplinaire of Safi, University Cadi Ayyad Marrakech, BP 4162, 46000 Safi, Morocco
| | - Markus Sauer
- Department of Biotechnology & Biophysics, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Johan Hofkens
- Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Leuven 3001, Belgium
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, 55128 Mainz, Germany
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11
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Galiani S, Eggeling C, Reglinski K. Super-resolution microscopy and studies of peroxisomes. Biol Chem 2023; 404:87-106. [PMID: 36698322 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2022-0314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence microscopy is an important tool for studying cellular structures such as organelles. Unfortunately, many details in the corresponding images are hidden due to the resolution limit of conventional lens-based far-field microscopy. An example is the study of peroxisomes, where important processes such as molecular organization during protein important can simply not be studied with conventional far-field microscopy methods. A remedy is super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, which is nowadays a well-established technique for the investigation of inner-cellular structures but has so far to a lesser extent been applied to the study of peroxisomes. To help advancing the latter, we here give an overview over the different super-resolution microscopy approaches and their potentials and challenges in cell-biological research, including labelling issues and a focus on studies on peroxisomes. Here, we also highlight experiments beyond simple imaging such as observations of diffusion dynamics of peroxisomal proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Galiani
- Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Christian Eggeling
- Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.,Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology e.V., Albert-Einstein Strasse 9, D-07745 Jena, Germany, Member of the Leibniz Centre for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Applied Optics and Biophysics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany.,Jena Center for Soft Matter, Philosophenweg 7, D-07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Katharina Reglinski
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology e.V., Albert-Einstein Strasse 9, D-07745 Jena, Germany, Member of the Leibniz Centre for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI), Jena, Germany.,Institute of Applied Optics and Biophysics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany.,University Clinics Jena, Bachstraße 18, D-07743 Jena, Germany
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12
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Truckenbrodt
- Convergent Research, E11 Bio. 1600 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, California94502, United States
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13
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Nahas KL, Connor V, Scherer KM, Kaminski CF, Harkiolaki M, Crump CM, Graham SC. Near-native state imaging by cryo-soft-X-ray tomography reveals remodelling of multiple cellular organelles during HSV-1 infection. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010629. [PMID: 35797345 PMCID: PMC9262197 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) is a large, enveloped DNA virus and its assembly in the cell is a complex multi-step process during which viral particles interact with numerous cellular compartments such as the nucleus and organelles of the secretory pathway. Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy are commonly used to study HSV-1 infection. However, 2D imaging limits our understanding of the 3D geometric changes to cellular compartments that accompany infection and sample processing can introduce morphological artefacts that complicate interpretation. In this study, we used soft X-ray tomography to observe differences in whole-cell architecture between HSV-1 infected and uninfected cells. To protect the near-native structure of cellular compartments we used a non-disruptive sample preparation technique involving rapid cryopreservation, and a fluorescent reporter virus was used to facilitate correlation of structural changes with the stage of infection in individual cells. We observed viral capsids and assembly intermediates interacting with nuclear and cytoplasmic membranes. Additionally, we observed differences in the morphology of specific organelles between uninfected and infected cells. The local concentration of cytoplasmic vesicles at the juxtanuclear compartment increased and their mean width decreased as infection proceeded, and lipid droplets transiently increased in size. Furthermore, mitochondria in infected cells were elongated and highly branched, suggesting that HSV-1 infection alters the dynamics of mitochondrial fission/fusion. Our results demonstrate that high-resolution 3D images of cellular compartments can be captured in a near-native state using soft X-ray tomography and have revealed that infection causes striking changes to the morphology of intracellular organelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal L. Nahas
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Beamline B24, Diamond Light Source, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Viv Connor
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Katharina M. Scherer
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Clemens F. Kaminski
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Colin M. Crump
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen C. Graham
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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14
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Faulkner EL, Pike JA, Densham RM, Garlick E, Thomas SG, Neely RK, Morris JR. Imaging nanoscale nuclear structures with expansion microscopy. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:276027. [PMID: 35748225 PMCID: PMC9450888 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Commonly applied super-resolution light microscopies have provided insight into subcellular processes at the nanoscale. However, imaging depth, speed, throughput and cost remain significant challenges, limiting the numbers of three-dimensional (3D) nanoscale processes that can be investigated and the number of laboratories able to undertake such analysis. Expansion microscopy (ExM) solves many of these limitations, but its application to imaging nuclear processes has been constrained by concerns of unequal nuclear expansion. Here, we demonstrate the conditions for isotropic expansion of the nucleus at a resolution equal to or better than 120–130 nm (pre-expansion). Using the DNA damage response proteins BRCA1, 53BP1 (also known as TP53BP1) and RAD51 as exemplars, we quantitatively describe the 3D nanoscale organisation of over 50,000 DNA damage response structures. We demonstrate the ability to assess chromatin-regulated events and show the simultaneous assessment of four elements. This study thus demonstrates how ExM can contribute to the investigation of nanoscale nuclear processes. Summary: Expansion microscopy provides quantitative insight into the impact of chromatin modifiers on spatiotemporal organisation of the DNA repair proteins BRCA1, 53BP1 and RAD51 at a resolution of 65–70 nm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Faulkner
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.,Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jeremy A Pike
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,COMPARE, University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands, UK
| | - Ruth M Densham
- Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology and Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Evelyn Garlick
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,COMPARE, University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands, UK
| | - Steven G Thomas
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,COMPARE, University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, Midlands, UK
| | - Robert K Neely
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Joanna R Morris
- Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology and Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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15
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Sun Y, Zhang Z, Bing T, Liu J, Li W, Liu X, Zhang N, Shu Y, Wang J, Shangguan D. Aptamer-Based Cell Nucleus Imaging via Expansion Microscopy. Anal Chem 2022; 94:6044-6049. [PMID: 35380789 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c00773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Expansion microscopy (ExM) is a newly developed technology in recent years that enables nanoscale imaging under conventional microscopes. Herein, we report an aptamer-based ExM imaging strategy. A nucleus-targeting aptamer Ch4-1 was chemically labeled with a dye and an acrydite at each end to perform the functions of molecular recognition, fluorescence reporting, and gel anchoring. After binding cell nucleus, the dual labeled aptamer Ac-Ch4-1-FAM directly participated in gelation and anchored in polyacrylamide gel. After expanding the gel, high-resolution imaging was achieved by confocal microscopy. Multicolor ExM imaging was also realized by combining Ac-Ch4-1-FAM, antibodies and fluorescent dyes. This aptamer-based ExM could clearly image the chromatin morphology at different mitotic stages. The expansion process is simple and the aptamer labeling is easy. The aptamer-based ExM holds great promise in super-resolution imaging of cells and tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Sun
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China.,Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Zhicheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China.,Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Tao Bing
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Weiwei Li
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.,School of Molecular Medicine, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China
| | - Xiangjun Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yang Shu
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Dihua Shangguan
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Living Biosystems, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,School of Molecular Medicine, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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16
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Understanding immune signaling using advanced imaging techniques. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:853-866. [PMID: 35343569 PMCID: PMC9162467 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Advanced imaging is key for visualizing the spatiotemporal regulation of immune signaling which is a complex process involving multiple players tightly regulated in space and time. Imaging techniques vary in their spatial resolution, spanning from nanometers to micrometers, and in their temporal resolution, ranging from microseconds to hours. In this review, we summarize state-of-the-art imaging methodologies and provide recent examples on how they helped to unravel the mysteries of immune signaling. Finally, we discuss the limitations of current technologies and share our insights on how to overcome these limitations to visualize immune signaling with unprecedented fidelity.
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17
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18
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Trinks N, Reinhard S, Drobny M, Heilig L, Löffler J, Sauer M, Terpitz U. Subdiffraction-resolution fluorescence imaging of immunological synapse formation between NK cells and A. fumigatus by expansion microscopy. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1151. [PMID: 34608260 PMCID: PMC8490467 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02669-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Expansion microscopy (ExM) enables super-resolution fluorescence imaging on standard microscopes by physical expansion of the sample. However, the investigation of interactions between different organisms such as mammalian and fungal cells by ExM remains challenging because different cell types require different expansion protocols to ensure identical, ideally isotropic expansion of both partners. Here, we introduce an ExM method that enables super-resolved visualization of the interaction between NK cells and Aspergillus fumigatus hyphae. 4-fold expansion in combination with confocal fluorescence imaging allows us to resolve details of cytoskeleton rearrangement as well as NK cells' lytic granules triggered by contact with an RFP-expressing A. fumigatus strain. In particular, subdiffraction-resolution images show polarized degranulation upon contact formation and the presence of LAMP1 surrounding perforin at the NK cell-surface post degranulation. Our data demonstrate that optimized ExM protocols enable the investigation of immunological synapse formation between two different species with so far unmatched spatial resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Trinks
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Reinhard
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Drobny
- Department of Internal Medicine II, WÜ4i, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Linda Heilig
- Department of Internal Medicine II, WÜ4i, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Löffler
- Department of Internal Medicine II, WÜ4i, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Sauer
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Terpitz
- Department of Biotechnology and Biophysics, Theodor-Boveri-Institute, Biocenter, Julius Maximilian University, Würzburg, Germany.
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19
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Lipid Self-Assemblies under the Atomic Force Microscope. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221810085. [PMID: 34576248 PMCID: PMC8467407 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipid model membranes are important tools in the study of biophysical processes such as lipid self-assembly and lipid–lipid interactions in cell membranes. The use of model systems to adequate and modulate complexity helps in the understanding of many events that occur in cellular membranes, that exhibit a wide variety of components, including lipids of different subfamilies (e.g., phospholipids, sphingolipids, sterols…), in addition to proteins and sugars. The capacity of lipids to segregate by themselves into different phases at the nanoscale (nanodomains) is an intriguing feature that is yet to be fully characterized in vivo due to the proposed transient nature of these domains in living systems. Model lipid membranes, instead, have the advantage of (usually) greater phase stability, together with the possibility of fully controlling the system lipid composition. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful tool to detect the presence of meso- and nanodomains in a lipid membrane. It also allows the direct quantification of nanomechanical resistance in each phase present. In this review, we explore the main kinds of lipid assemblies used as model membranes and describe AFM experiments on model membranes. In addition, we discuss how these assemblies have extended our knowledge of membrane biophysics over the last two decades, particularly in issues related to the variability of different model membranes and the impact of supports/cytoskeleton on lipid behavior, such as segregated domain size or bilayer leaflet uncoupling.
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20
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Gorilak P, Pružincová M, Vachova H, Olšinová M, Schmidt Cernohorska M, Varga V. Expansion microscopy facilitates quantitative super-resolution studies of cytoskeletal structures in kinetoplastid parasites. Open Biol 2021; 11:210131. [PMID: 34465213 PMCID: PMC8437234 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Expansion microscopy (ExM) has become a powerful super-resolution method in cell biology. It is a simple, yet robust approach, which does not require any instrumentation or reagents beyond those present in a standard microscopy facility. In this study, we used kinetoplastid parasites Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major, which possess a complex, yet well-defined microtubule-based cytoskeleton, to demonstrate that this method recapitulates faithfully morphology of structures as previously revealed by a combination of sophisticated electron microscopy (EM) approaches. Importantly, we also show that due to the rapidness of image acquisition and three-dimensional reconstruction of cellular volumes ExM is capable of complementing EM approaches by providing more quantitative data. This is demonstrated on examples of less well-appreciated microtubule structures, such as the neck microtubule of T. brucei or the pocket, cytosolic and multivesicular tubule-associated microtubules of L. major. We further demonstrate that ExM enables identifying cell types rare in a population, such as cells in mitosis and cytokinesis. Three-dimensional reconstruction of an entire volume of these cells provided details on the morphology of the mitotic spindle and the cleavage furrow. Finally, we show that established antibody markers of major cytoskeletal structures function well in ExM, which together with the ability to visualize proteins tagged with small epitope tags will facilitate studies of the kinetoplastid cytoskeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Gorilak
- Laboratory of Cell Motility, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague, 14220, Czech Republic,Charles University, Faculty of Science, Albertov 6, Prague, 128 00, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Pružincová
- Laboratory of Cell Motility, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague, 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Vachova
- Laboratory of Cell Motility, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague, 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Olšinová
- IMCF at BIOCEV, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Průmyslová 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Marketa Schmidt Cernohorska
- Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague, 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Varga
- Laboratory of Cell Motility, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, Prague, 14220, Czech Republic
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21
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Campbell LA, Pannoni KE, Savory NA, Lal D, Farris S. Protein-retention expansion microscopy for visualizing subcellular organelles in fixed brain tissue. J Neurosci Methods 2021; 361:109285. [PMID: 34242703 PMCID: PMC8370715 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein expansion microscopy (proExM) is a powerful technique that crosslinks proteins to a swellable hydrogel to physically expand and optically clear biological samples. The resulting increased resolution (~70 nm) and physical separation of labeled proteins make it an attractive tool for studying the localization of subcellular organelles in densely packed tissues, such as the brain. However, the digestion and expansion process greatly reduce fluorescence signals making it necessary to optimize ExM conditions per sample for specific end goals. NEW METHOD Here we compare the staining and digestion conditions of existing proExM workflows to identify the optimal protocol for visualizing subcellular organelles (mitochondria and the Golgi apparatus) within reporter-labeled neurons in fixed mouse brain tissue. RESULTS We found that immunostaining before proExM and using a proteinase K based digestion for 8 h consistently resulted in robust fluorescence retention for immunolabeled subcellular organelles and genetically-encoded reporters. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS With these methods, we more accurately quantified mitochondria size and number and better visualized Golgi ultrastructure in individual CA2 neurons in the mouse hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS This organelle optimized proExM protocol will be broadly useful for investigators interested in visualizing the spatial distribution of immunolabeled subcellular organelles in various reporter mouse lines, reducing effort, time and resources on the optimization process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan A Campbell
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Center for Neurobiology Research, Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Katy E Pannoni
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Center for Neurobiology Research, Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Niesha A Savory
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Center for Neurobiology Research, Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA; School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Dinesh Lal
- Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA
| | - Shannon Farris
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Center for Neurobiology Research, Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
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22
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Dankovich TM, Rizzoli SO. Challenges facing quantitative large-scale optical super-resolution, and some simple solutions. iScience 2021; 24:102134. [PMID: 33665555 PMCID: PMC7898072 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Optical super-resolution microscopy (SRM) has enabled biologists to visualize cellular structures with near-molecular resolution, giving unprecedented access to details about the amounts, sizes, and spatial distributions of macromolecules in the cell. Precisely quantifying these molecular details requires large datasets of high-quality, reproducible SRM images. In this review, we discuss the unique set of challenges facing quantitative SRM, giving particular attention to the shortcomings of conventional specimen preparation techniques and the necessity for optimal labeling of molecular targets. We further discuss the obstacles to scaling SRM methods, such as lengthy image acquisition and complex SRM data analysis. For each of these challenges, we review the recent advances in the field that circumvent these pitfalls and provide practical advice to biologists for optimizing SRM experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal M. Dankovich
- University Medical Center Göttingen, Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Göttingen 37073, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Neuroscience, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silvio O. Rizzoli
- University Medical Center Göttingen, Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Göttingen 37073, Germany
- Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) Center & Multiscale Bioimaging Excellence Center, Göttingen 37075, Germany
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23
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Büttner M, Lagerholm CB, Waithe D, Galiani S, Schliebs W, Erdmann R, Eggeling C, Reglinski K. Challenges of Using Expansion Microscopy for Super-resolved Imaging of Cellular Organelles. Chembiochem 2021; 22:686-693. [PMID: 33049107 PMCID: PMC7894168 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Expansion microscopy (ExM) has been successfully used to improve the spatial resolution when imaging tissues by optical microscopy. In ExM, proteins of a fixed sample are crosslinked to a swellable acrylamide gel, which expands when incubated in water. Therefore, ExM allows enlarged subcellular structures to be resolved that would otherwise be hidden to standard confocal microscopy. Herein, we aim to validate ExM for the study of peroxisomes, mitochondria, nuclei and the plasma membrane. Upon comparison of the expansion factors of these cellular compartments in HEK293 cells within the same gel, we found significant differences, of a factor of above 2, in expansion factors. For peroxisomes, the expansion factor differed even between peroxisomal membrane and matrix marker; this underlines the need for a thorough validation of expansion factors of this powerful technique. We further give an overview of possible quantification methods for the determination of expansion factors of intracellular organelles, and we highlight some potentials and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Büttner
- MRC Human Immunology Unit MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Oxford Headley WayOxfordOX3 9DSUK
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell BiologyMartin-Luther-University Halle-WittenbergGroße Steinstraße 5206108HalleGermany
| | - Christoffer B. Lagerholm
- Wolfson Imaging Centre MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Oxford Headley WayOxfordOX3 9DSUK
| | - Dominic Waithe
- MRC Human Immunology Unit MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Oxford Headley WayOxfordOX3 9DSUK
- Wolfson Imaging Centre MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Oxford Headley WayOxfordOX3 9DSUK
| | - Silvia Galiani
- MRC Human Immunology Unit MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Oxford Headley WayOxfordOX3 9DSUK
- Wolfson Imaging Centre MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Oxford Headley WayOxfordOX3 9DSUK
| | - Wolfgang Schliebs
- Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry Systemic BiochemistryRuhr-University BochumUniversitätsstraße 15044801BochumGermany
| | - Ralf Erdmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry Systemic BiochemistryRuhr-University BochumUniversitätsstraße 15044801BochumGermany
| | - Christian Eggeling
- MRC Human Immunology Unit MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Oxford Headley WayOxfordOX3 9DSUK
- Leibniz-Institute of Photonic Technologies & Institute of Applied Optic and BiophysicsFriedrich-Schiller University JenaMax-Wien-Platz 107743JenaGermany
| | - Katharina Reglinski
- MRC Human Immunology Unit MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular MedicineUniversity of Oxford Headley WayOxfordOX3 9DSUK
- Leibniz-Institute of Photonic Technologies & Institute of Applied Optic and BiophysicsFriedrich-Schiller University JenaMax-Wien-Platz 107743JenaGermany
- University Hospital JenaBachstraße 1807743JenaGermany
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