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Martinez ME, Pinz I, Preda M, Norton CR, Gridley T, Hernandez A. DIO3 protects against thyrotoxicosis-derived cranio-encephalic and cardiac congenital abnormalities. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e161214. [PMID: 36166296 PMCID: PMC9675556 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.161214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal hyperthyroidism is associated with an increased incidence of congenital abnormalities at birth, but it is not clear which of these defects arise from a transient developmental excess of thyroid hormone and which depend on pregnancy stage, antithyroid drug choice, or unwanted subsequent fetal hypothyroidism. To address this issue, we studied a mouse model of comprehensive developmental thyrotoxicosis secondary to a lack of type 3 deiodinase (DIO3). Dio3-/- mice exhibited reduced neonatal viability on most genetic backgrounds and perinatal lethality on a C57BL/6 background. Dio3-/- mice exhibited severe growth retardation during the neonatal period and cartilage loss. Mice surviving after birth manifested brain and cranial dysmorphisms, severe hydrocephalus, choanal atresia, and cleft palate. These abnormalities were noticeable in C57BL/6J Dio3-/- mice at fetal stages, in addition to a thyrotoxic heart with septal defects and thin ventricular walls. Our findings stress the protecting role of DIO3 during development and support the hypothesis that human congenital abnormalities associated with hyperthyroidism during pregnancy are caused by transient thyrotoxicosis before clinical intervention. Our results also suggest thyroid hormone involvement in the etiology of idiopathic pathologies including cleft palate, choanal atresia, Chiari malformations, Kaschin-Beck disease, and Temple and other cranio-encephalic and heart syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Elena Martinez
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, Maine, USA
| | - Ilka Pinz
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, Maine, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marilena Preda
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, Maine, USA
| | - Christine R. Norton
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, Maine, USA
| | - Thomas Gridley
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, Maine, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Arturo Hernandez
- Center for Molecular Medicine, MaineHealth Institute for Research, MaineHealth, Scarborough, Maine, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
- Department of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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2
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Magat J, Fouillet A, Constantin M, Haliot K, Naulin J, El Hamrani D, Benoist D, Charron S, Walton R, Bernus O, Quesson B. 3D magnetization transfer (MT) for the visualization of cardiac free-running Purkinje fibers: an ex vivo proof of concept. MAGMA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 34:605-618. [PMID: 33484367 PMCID: PMC8338918 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-020-00905-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We investigate the possibility to exploit high-field MRI to acquire 3D images of Purkinje network which plays a crucial role in cardiac function. Since Purkinje fibers (PF) have a distinct cellular structure and are surrounded by connective tissue, we investigated conventional contrast mechanisms along with the magnetization transfer (MT) imaging technique to improve image contrast between ventricular structures of differing macromolecular content. METHODS Three fixed porcine ventricular samples were used with free-running PFs on the endocardium. T1, T2*, T2, and M0 were evaluated on 2D slices for each sample at 9.4 T. MT parameters were optimized using hard pulses with different amplitudes, offset frequencies and durations. The cardiac structure was assessed through 2D and 3D T1w images with isotropic resolutions of 150 µm. Histology, immunofluorescence, and qPCR were performed to analyze collagen contents of cardiac tissue and PF. RESULTS An MT preparation module of 350 ms duration inserted into the sequence with a B1 = 10 µT and frequency offset = 3000 Hz showed the best contrast, approximately 0.4 between PFs and myocardium. Magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) appeared higher in the cardiac tissue (MTR = 44.7 ± 3.5%) than in the PFs (MTR = 25.2 ± 6.3%). DISCUSSION MT significantly improves contrast between PFs and ventricular myocardium and appears promising for imaging the 3D architecture of the Purkinje network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Magat
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Foundation Bordeaux Université, Hopital Xavier Arnozan, Avenue du Haut Lévêque, 33604, Pessac cedex, France.
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux Inserm, U1045, Université de Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Arnaud Fouillet
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Foundation Bordeaux Université, Hopital Xavier Arnozan, Avenue du Haut Lévêque, 33604, Pessac cedex, France
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux Inserm, U1045, Université de Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Marion Constantin
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Foundation Bordeaux Université, Hopital Xavier Arnozan, Avenue du Haut Lévêque, 33604, Pessac cedex, France
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux Inserm, U1045, Université de Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Kylian Haliot
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Foundation Bordeaux Université, Hopital Xavier Arnozan, Avenue du Haut Lévêque, 33604, Pessac cedex, France
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux Inserm, U1045, Université de Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jérôme Naulin
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Foundation Bordeaux Université, Hopital Xavier Arnozan, Avenue du Haut Lévêque, 33604, Pessac cedex, France
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux Inserm, U1045, Université de Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Dounia El Hamrani
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Foundation Bordeaux Université, Hopital Xavier Arnozan, Avenue du Haut Lévêque, 33604, Pessac cedex, France
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux Inserm, U1045, Université de Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - David Benoist
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Foundation Bordeaux Université, Hopital Xavier Arnozan, Avenue du Haut Lévêque, 33604, Pessac cedex, France
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux Inserm, U1045, Université de Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sabine Charron
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Foundation Bordeaux Université, Hopital Xavier Arnozan, Avenue du Haut Lévêque, 33604, Pessac cedex, France
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux Inserm, U1045, Université de Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Richard Walton
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Foundation Bordeaux Université, Hopital Xavier Arnozan, Avenue du Haut Lévêque, 33604, Pessac cedex, France
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux Inserm, U1045, Université de Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Olivier Bernus
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Foundation Bordeaux Université, Hopital Xavier Arnozan, Avenue du Haut Lévêque, 33604, Pessac cedex, France
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux Inserm, U1045, Université de Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
| | - Bruno Quesson
- IHU Liryc, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Foundation Bordeaux Université, Hopital Xavier Arnozan, Avenue du Haut Lévêque, 33604, Pessac cedex, France
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux Inserm, U1045, Université de Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France
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3
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Kalisch-Smith JI, Ved N, Szumska D, Munro J, Troup M, Harris SE, Rodriguez-Caro H, Jacquemot A, Miller JJ, Stuart EM, Wolna M, Hardman E, Prin F, Lana-Elola E, Aoidi R, Fisher EMC, Tybulewicz VLJ, Mohun TJ, Lakhal-Littleton S, De Val S, Giannoulatou E, Sparrow DB. Maternal iron deficiency perturbs embryonic cardiovascular development in mice. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3447. [PMID: 34103494 PMCID: PMC8187484 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23660-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common class of human birth defects, with a prevalence of 0.9% of births. However, two-thirds of cases have an unknown cause, and many of these are thought to be caused by in utero exposure to environmental teratogens. Here we identify a potential teratogen causing CHD in mice: maternal iron deficiency (ID). We show that maternal ID in mice causes severe cardiovascular defects in the offspring. These defects likely arise from increased retinoic acid signalling in ID embryos. The defects can be prevented by iron administration in early pregnancy. It has also been proposed that teratogen exposure may potentiate the effects of genetic predisposition to CHD through gene-environment interaction. Here we show that maternal ID increases the severity of heart and craniofacial defects in a mouse model of Down syndrome. It will be important to understand if the effects of maternal ID seen here in mice may have clinical implications for women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta I Kalisch-Smith
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nikita Ved
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Dorota Szumska
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jacob Munro
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular, Structural and Computational Biology Division, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael Troup
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular, Structural and Computational Biology Division, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shelley E Harris
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Institute of Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Helena Rodriguez-Caro
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Aimée Jacquemot
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Ealing Hospital, London, UK
| | - Jack J Miller
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Physics, Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Eleanor M Stuart
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Magda Wolna
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Emily Hardman
- Heart Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Fabrice Prin
- Heart Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Advanced Light Microscopy Facility, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Eva Lana-Elola
- Immune Cell Biology and Down Syndrome Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Rifdat Aoidi
- Immune Cell Biology and Down Syndrome Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Victor L J Tybulewicz
- Immune Cell Biology and Down Syndrome Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Timothy J Mohun
- Heart Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Samira Lakhal-Littleton
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah De Val
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Limited, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Eleni Giannoulatou
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Molecular, Structural and Computational Biology Division, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Duncan B Sparrow
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, BHF Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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4
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Keller BB, Kowalski WJ, Tinney JP, Tobita K, Hu N. Validating the Paradigm That Biomechanical Forces Regulate Embryonic Cardiovascular Morphogenesis and Are Fundamental in the Etiology of Congenital Heart Disease. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2020; 7:E23. [PMID: 32545681 PMCID: PMC7344498 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd7020023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of this review is to provide a broad overview of the biomechanical maturation and regulation of vertebrate cardiovascular (CV) morphogenesis and the evidence for mechanistic relationships between function and form relevant to the origins of congenital heart disease (CHD). The embryonic heart has been investigated for over a century, initially focusing on the chick embryo due to the opportunity to isolate and investigate myocardial electromechanical maturation, the ability to directly instrument and measure normal cardiac function, intervene to alter ventricular loading conditions, and then investigate changes in functional and structural maturation to deduce mechanism. The paradigm of "Develop and validate quantitative techniques, describe normal, perturb the system, describe abnormal, then deduce mechanisms" was taught to many young investigators by Dr. Edward B. Clark and then validated by a rapidly expanding number of teams dedicated to investigate CV morphogenesis, structure-function relationships, and pathogenic mechanisms of CHD. Pioneering studies using the chick embryo model rapidly expanded into a broad range of model systems, particularly the mouse and zebrafish, to investigate the interdependent genetic and biomechanical regulation of CV morphogenesis. Several central morphogenic themes have emerged. First, CV morphogenesis is inherently dependent upon the biomechanical forces that influence cell and tissue growth and remodeling. Second, embryonic CV systems dynamically adapt to changes in biomechanical loading conditions similar to mature systems. Third, biomechanical loading conditions dynamically impact and are regulated by genetic morphogenic systems. Fourth, advanced imaging techniques coupled with computational modeling provide novel insights to validate regulatory mechanisms. Finally, insights regarding the genetic and biomechanical regulation of CV morphogenesis and adaptation are relevant to current regenerative strategies for patients with CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley B. Keller
- Cincinnati Children’s Heart Institute, Greater Louisville and Western Kentucky Practice, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - William J. Kowalski
- Laboratory of Stem Cell and Neuro-Vascular Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Joseph P. Tinney
- Kosair Charities Pediatric Heart Research Program, Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
| | - Kimimasa Tobita
- Department of Medical Affairs, Abiomed Japan K.K., Muromachi Higashi Mitsui Bldg, Tokyo 103-0022, Japan;
| | - Norman Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA;
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5
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Vallejo Ramirez PP, Zammit J, Vanderpoorten O, Riche F, Blé FX, Zhou XH, Spiridon B, Valentine C, Spasov SE, Oluwasanya PW, Goodfellow G, Fantham MJ, Siddiqui O, Alimagham F, Robbins M, Stretton A, Simatos D, Hadeler O, Rees EJ, Ströhl F, Laine RF, Kaminski CF. OptiJ: Open-source optical projection tomography of large organ samples. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15693. [PMID: 31666606 PMCID: PMC6821862 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52065-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The three-dimensional imaging of mesoscopic samples with Optical Projection Tomography (OPT) has become a powerful tool for biomedical phenotyping studies. OPT uses visible light to visualize the 3D morphology of large transparent samples. To enable a wider application of OPT, we present OptiJ, a low-cost, fully open-source OPT system capable of imaging large transparent specimens up to 13 mm tall and 8 mm deep with 50 µm resolution. OptiJ is based on off-the-shelf, easy-to-assemble optical components and an ImageJ plugin library for OPT data reconstruction. The software includes novel correction routines for uneven illumination and sample jitter in addition to CPU/GPU accelerated reconstruction for large datasets. We demonstrate the use of OptiJ to image and reconstruct cleared lung lobes from adult mice. We provide a detailed set of instructions to set up and use the OptiJ framework. Our hardware and software design are modular and easy to implement, allowing for further open microscopy developments for imaging large organ samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro P Vallejo Ramirez
- Laser Analytics Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joseph Zammit
- Sensor CDT 2015-2016 student cohort, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Oliver Vanderpoorten
- Laser Analytics Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Sensor CDT 2015-2016 student cohort, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fergus Riche
- Sensor CDT 2015-2016 student cohort, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Francois-Xavier Blé
- Clinical Discovery Unit, Early Clinical Development, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Xiao-Hong Zhou
- Bioscience, Respiratory, Inflammation and Autoimmunity, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bogdan Spiridon
- Sensor CDT 2015-2016 student cohort, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Simeon E Spasov
- Sensor CDT 2015-2016 student cohort, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Gemma Goodfellow
- Sensor CDT 2015-2016 student cohort, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marcus J Fantham
- Laser Analytics Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Omid Siddiqui
- Sensor CDT 2015-2016 student cohort, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Farah Alimagham
- Sensor CDT 2015-2016 student cohort, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Miranda Robbins
- Laser Analytics Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Sensor CDT 2015-2016 student cohort, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew Stretton
- Sensor CDT 2015-2016 student cohort, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dimitrios Simatos
- Sensor CDT 2015-2016 student cohort, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Oliver Hadeler
- Laser Analytics Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Eric J Rees
- Laser Analytics Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Florian Ströhl
- Laser Analytics Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physics and Technology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Romain F Laine
- Laser Analytics Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Medical Research Council Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology (LMCB), University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Clemens F Kaminski
- Laser Analytics Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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6
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Visualising the Cardiovascular System of Embryos of Biomedical Model Organisms with High Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM). J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2018; 5:jcdd5040058. [PMID: 30558275 PMCID: PMC6306920 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd5040058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The article will briefly introduce the high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) technique and will focus on its potential for researching cardiovascular development and remodelling in embryos of biomedical model organisms. It will demonstrate the capacity of HREM for analysing the cardiovascular system of normally developed and genetically or experimentally malformed zebrafish, frog, chick and mouse embryos in the context of the whole specimen and will exemplarily show the possibilities HREM offers for comprehensive visualisation of the vasculature of adult human skin. Finally, it will provide examples of the successful application of HREM for identifying cardiovascular malformations in genetically altered mouse embryos produced in the deciphering the mechanisms of developmental disorders (DMDD) program.
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7
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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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8
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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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9
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Karunamuni G, Gu S, Doughman YQ, Noonan AI, Rollins AM, Jenkins MW, Watanabe M. Using optical coherence tomography to rapidly phenotype and quantify congenital heart defects associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. Dev Dyn 2015; 244:607-18. [PMID: 25546089 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most commonly used method to analyze congenital heart defects involves serial sectioning and histology. However, this is often a time-consuming process where the quantification of cardiac defects can be difficult due to problems with accurate section registration. Here we demonstrate the advantages of using optical coherence tomography, a comparatively new and rising technology, to phenotype avian embryo hearts in a model of fetal alcohol syndrome where a binge-like quantity of alcohol/ethanol was introduced at gastrulation. RESULTS The rapid, consistent imaging protocols allowed for the immediate identification of cardiac anomalies, including ventricular septal defects and misaligned/missing vessels. Interventricular septum thicknesses and vessel diameters for three of the five outflow arteries were also significantly reduced. Outflow and atrioventricular valves were segmented using image processing software and had significantly reduced volumes compared to controls. This is the first study to our knowledge that has 3D reconstructed the late-stage cardiac valves in precise detail to examine their morphology and dimensions. CONCLUSIONS We believe, therefore, that optical coherence tomography, with its ability to rapidly image and quantify tiny embryonic structures in high resolution, will serve as an excellent and cost-effective preliminary screening tool for developmental biologists working with a variety of experimental/disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganga Karunamuni
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
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10
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Norris FC, Siow BM, Cleary JO, Wells JA, De Castro SC, Ordidge RJ, Greene ND, Copp AJ, Scambler PJ, Alexander DC, Lythgoe MF. Diffusion microscopic MRI of the mouse embryo: Protocol and practical implementation in the splotch mouse model. Magn Reson Med 2015; 73:731-9. [PMID: 24634098 PMCID: PMC4737188 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.25145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 01/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Advanced methodologies for visualizing novel tissue contrast are essential for phenotyping the ever-increasing number of mutant mouse embryos being generated. Although diffusion microscopic MRI (μMRI) has been used to phenotype embryos, widespread routine use is limited by extended scanning times, and there is no established experimental procedure ensuring optimal data acquisition. METHODS We developed two protocols for designing experimental procedures for diffusion μMRI of mouse embryos, which take into account the effect of embryo preparation and pulse sequence parameters on resulting data. We applied our protocols to an investigation of the splotch mouse model as an example implementation. RESULTS The protocols provide DTI data in 24 min per direction at 75 μm isotropic using a three-dimensional fast spin-echo sequence, enabling preliminary imaging in 3 h (6 directions plus one unweighted measurement), or detailed imaging in 9 h (42 directions plus six unweighted measurements). Application to the splotch model enabled assessment of spinal cord pathology. CONCLUSION We present guidelines for designing diffusion μMRI experiments, which may be adapted for different studies and research facilities. As they are suitable for routine use and may be readily implemented, we hope they will be adopted by the phenotyping community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca C. Norris
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and EXperimental Biology (CoMPLEX)University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Bernard M. Siow
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Centre for Medical Image Computing, Departments of Medical Physics and Bioengineering and Computer ScienceUniversity College LondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Jon O. Cleary
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceUniversity of MelbourneAustralia
| | - Jack A. Wells
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Sandra C.P. De Castro
- Neural Development Unit, UCL Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Roger J. Ordidge
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceUniversity of MelbourneAustralia
| | - Nicholas D.E. Greene
- Neural Development Unit, UCL Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Copp
- Neural Development Unit, UCL Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Peter J. Scambler
- Molecular Medicine Unit, UCL Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Daniel. C. Alexander
- Centre for Medical Image Computing, Departments of Medical Physics and Bioengineering and Computer ScienceUniversity College LondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Mark F. Lythgoe
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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11
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Lombardi CM, Zambelli V, Botta G, Moltrasio F, Cattoretti G, Lucchini V, Fesslova V, Cuttin MS. Postmortem microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) of small fetuses and hearts. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2014; 44:600-609. [PMID: 24585450 DOI: 10.1002/uog.13330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/31/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility and utility of contrast-enhanced microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) for identifying structural anomalies in ex-vivo first- and second-trimester human fetuses and isolated fetal hearts. METHODS Radiopaque iodine staining and micro-CT scanning protocols were first developed in rodent studies and then used to examine routinely fixed whole human fetuses (n = 7, weight 0.1-90 g, gestational age, 7-17 weeks) and isolated fetal hearts (n = 14, weight 0.1-5.2 g, gestational age, 11-22 weeks). Samples were scanned using an isotropic resolution of 18 (and, if necessary, 9 or 35) µm and findings were interpreted jointly by four fetal pathologists, a fetal cardiologist and a radiologist. Samples with gestational ages ≥ 13 weeks also underwent conventional autopsy or dissection. RESULTS Micro-CT identified all anatomical structures and abnormalities documented by the macroscopic examination. In all seven cases involving fetuses ≤ 13 weeks (four fetuses, three isolated hearts), micro-CT excluded the presence of structural anomalies. In the remaining 14 cases, it provided all the information obtained with invasive autopsy or dissection and in seven of the 14 (two fetuses, five isolated hearts) it furnished additional diagnostic details. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study confirms the feasibility of postmortem contrast-enhanced micro-CT assessment of structural anomalies in whole small fetuses and fetal hearts. Further study is needed to confirm our findings, particularly in whole fetuses, and to define the extent to which this virtual examination might be used instead of conventional invasive autopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Lombardi
- Department of Radiology-Studio Diagnostico Eco, Vimercate, Milan, Italy
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12
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Phenotyping the central nervous system of the embryonic mouse by magnetic resonance microscopy. Neuroimage 2014; 97:95-106. [PMID: 24769183 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2013] [Revised: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders are being massively generated, but technologies for their high-throughput phenotyping are missing. The potential of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for structural phenotyping has been demonstrated before. However, application to the embryonic mouse central nervous system has been limited by the insufficient anatomical detail. Here we present a method that combines staining of live embryos with a contrast agent together with MR microscopy after fixation, to provide unprecedented anatomical detail at relevant embryonic stages. By using this method we have phenotyped the embryonic forebrain of Robo1/2(-/-) double mutant mice enabling us to identify most of the well-known anatomical defects in these mutants, as well as novel more subtle alterations. We thus demonstrate the potential of this methodology for a fast and reliable screening of subtle structural abnormalities in the developing mouse brain, as those associated to defects in disease-susceptibility genes of neurologic and psychiatric relevance.
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13
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Liu X, Tobita K, Francis RJB, Lo CW. Imaging techniques for visualizing and phenotyping congenital heart defects in murine models. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 99:93-105. [PMID: 23897594 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.21037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Mouse model is ideal for investigating the genetic and developmental etiology of congenital heart disease. However, cardiovascular phenotyping for the precise diagnosis of structural heart defects in mice remain challenging. With rapid advances in imaging techniques, there are now high throughput phenotyping tools available for the diagnosis of structural heart defects. In this review, we discuss the efficacy of four different imaging modalities for congenital heart disease diagnosis in fetal/neonatal mice, including noninvasive fetal echocardiography, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), micro-magnetic resonance imaging (micro-MRI), and episcopic fluorescence image capture (EFIC) histopathology. The experience we have gained in the use of these imaging modalities in a large-scale mouse mutagenesis screen have validated their efficacy for congenital heart defect diagnosis in the tiny hearts of fetal and newborn mice. These cutting edge phenotyping tools will be invaluable for furthering our understanding of the developmental etiology of congenital heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Liu
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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14
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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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15
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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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16
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Corsten-Janssen N, Kerstjens-Frederikse WS, du Marchie Sarvaas GJ, Baardman ME, Bakker MK, Bergman JE, Hove HD, Heimdal KR, Rustad CF, Hennekam RC, Hofstra RM, Hoefsloot LH, Van Ravenswaaij-Arts CM, Kapusta L. The Cardiac Phenotype in Patients With a
CHD7
Mutation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 6:248-54. [DOI: 10.1161/circgenetics.113.000054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background—
Loss-of-function mutations in
CHD7
cause Coloboma, Heart Disease, Atresia of Choanae, Retardation of Growth and/or Development, Genital Hypoplasia, and Ear Abnormalities With or Without Deafness (CHARGE) syndrome, a variable combination of multiple congenital malformations including heart defects. Heart defects are reported in 70% to 92% of patients with a
CHD7
mutation, but most studies are small and do not provide a detailed classification of the defects. We present the first, detailed, descriptive study on the cardiac phenotype of 299 patients with a
CHD7
mutation and discuss the role of CHD7 in cardiac development.
Methods and Results—
We collected information on congenital heart defects in 299 patients with a pathogenic
CHD7
mutation, of whom 220 (74%) had a congenital heart defect. Detailed information on the heart defects was available for 202 of these patients. We classified the heart defects based on embryonic cardiac development and compared the distribution to 1007 equally classified nonsyndromic heart defects of patients registered by EUROCAT, a European Registry of Congenital Anomalies. Heart defects are highly variable in patients with
CHD7
mutations, but atrioventricular septal defects and conotruncal heart defects are over-represented. Sex did not have an effect on the presence of heart defects, but truncating
CHD7
mutations resulted in a heart defect significantly more often than missense or splice-site mutations (χ
2
,
P
<0.001).
Conclusions—
CHD7 plays an important role in cardiac development, given that we found a wide range of heart defects in 74% of a large cohort of patients with a CHD7 mutation. Conotruncal defects and atrioventricular septal defects are over-represented in patients with
CHD7
mutations compared with patients with nonsyndromic heart defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Corsten-Janssen
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
| | - Wilhelmina S. Kerstjens-Frederikse
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
| | - Gideon J. du Marchie Sarvaas
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
| | - Maria E. Baardman
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
| | - Marian K. Bakker
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
| | - Jorieke E.H. Bergman
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
| | - Hanne D. Hove
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
| | - Ketil R. Heimdal
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
| | - Cecilie F. Rustad
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
| | - Raoul C.M. Hennekam
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
| | - Robert M.W. Hofstra
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
| | - Lies H. Hoefsloot
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
| | - Conny M.A. Van Ravenswaaij-Arts
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
| | - Livia Kapusta
- From the Department of Genetics (N.C.-J., W.S.K.-F., M.E.B., M.K.B., J.E.H.B., C.M.A.V.R.-A.) and Center for Congenital Heart Diseases (G.J.d.M.S.), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark (H.D.H.); Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (K.R.H., C.F.R.); Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam,
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17
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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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18
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Norris FC, Betts-Henderson J, Wells JA, Cleary JO, Siow BM, Walker-Samuel S, McCue K, Salomoni P, Scambler PJ, Lythgoe MF. Enhanced tissue differentiation in the developing mouse brain using magnetic resonance micro-histology. Magn Reson Med 2012; 70:1380-8. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.24573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2012] [Revised: 10/29/2012] [Accepted: 10/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca C. Norris
- Department of Medicine and UCL Institute of Child Health; Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging; University College London; UK
- Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and EXperimental Biology (CoMPLEX); University College London; UK
| | | | - Jack A. Wells
- Department of Medicine and UCL Institute of Child Health; Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging; University College London; UK
| | - Jon O. Cleary
- Department of Medicine and UCL Institute of Child Health; Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging; University College London; UK
- Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering; University College London; UK
| | - Bernard M. Siow
- Department of Medicine and UCL Institute of Child Health; Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging; University College London; UK
- Departments of Medical Physics and Bioengineering and Computer Science; Centre for Medical Image Computing; University College London; UK
| | - Simon Walker-Samuel
- Department of Medicine and UCL Institute of Child Health; Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging; University College London; UK
| | - Karen McCue
- Molecular Medicine Unit; UCL Institute of Child Health; University College London; UK
| | - Paolo Salomoni
- Samantha Dickson Brain Cancer Unit; UCL Cancer Institute; London UK
| | - Peter J. Scambler
- Molecular Medicine Unit; UCL Institute of Child Health; University College London; UK
| | - Mark F. Lythgoe
- Department of Medicine and UCL Institute of Child Health; Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging; University College London; UK
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19
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Geyer SH, Maurer B, Dirnbacher K, Weninger WJ. Dimensions of the Great Intrathoracic Arteries of Early Mouse Fetuses of the C57BL/6 Strain. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.2174/1877609401204010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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20
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Norris FC, Modat M, Cleary JO, Price AN, McCue K, Scambler PJ, Ourselin S, Lythgoe MF. Segmentation propagation using a 3D embryo atlas for high-throughput MRI phenotyping: comparison and validation with manual segmentation. Magn Reson Med 2012; 69:877-83. [PMID: 22556102 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.24306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2012] [Revised: 02/29/2012] [Accepted: 03/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Effective methods for high-throughput screening and morphometric analysis are crucial for phenotyping the increasing number of mouse mutants that are being generated. Automated segmentation propagation for embryo phenotyping is an emerging application that enables noninvasive and rapid quantification of substructure volumetric data for morphometric analysis. We present a study to assess and validate the accuracy of brain and kidney volumes generated via segmentation propagation in an ex vivo mouse embryo MRI atlas comprising three different groups against the current "gold standard"--manual segmentation. Morphometric assessment showed good agreement between automatically and manually segmented volumes, demonstrating that it is possible to assess volumes for phenotyping a population of embryos using segmentation propagation with the same variation as manual segmentation. As part of this study, we have made our average atlas and segmented volumes freely available to the community for use in mouse embryo phenotyping studies. These MRI datasets and automated methods of analyses will be essential for meeting the challenge of high-throughput, automated embryo phenotyping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca C Norris
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Department of Medicine and UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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21
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Janssen N, Bergman JEH, Swertz MA, Tranebjaerg L, Lodahl M, Schoots J, Hofstra RMW, van Ravenswaaij-Arts CMA, Hoefsloot LH. Mutation update on the CHD7 gene involved in CHARGE syndrome. Hum Mutat 2012; 33:1149-60. [DOI: 10.1002/humu.22086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2011] [Accepted: 03/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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22
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Ward JM, Elmore SA, Foley JF. Pathology methods for the evaluation of embryonic and perinatal developmental defects and lethality in genetically engineered mice. Vet Pathol 2011; 49:71-84. [PMID: 22146849 DOI: 10.1177/0300985811429811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The normal embryonic development of organs and other tissues in mice and all species is preprogrammed by genes. Inactivation of a gene involved in any stage of normal embryonic development can have severe consequences leading to embryonic or postnatal developmental defects and lethality. Pathology methods are reviewed for evaluating normal and abnormal placenta and embryo, especially after E12.5. These methods include pathology protocols for necropsy and histopathology in addition to references that will provide additional knowledge for embryo assessment including histology atlases and advanced embryo imaging techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Ward
- Global VetPathology, Montgomery Village, MD 20886, USA.
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23
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Powell KA, Wilson D. 3-dimensional imaging modalities for phenotyping genetically engineered mice. Vet Pathol 2011; 49:106-15. [PMID: 22146851 DOI: 10.1177/0300985811429814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A variety of 3-dimensional (3D) digital imaging modalities are available for whole-body assessment of genetically engineered mice: magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM), X-ray microcomputed tomography (microCT), optical projection tomography (OPT), episcopic and cryoimaging, and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). Embryo and adult mouse phenotyping can be accomplished at microscopy or near microscopy spatial resolutions using these modalities. MRM and microCT are particularly well-suited for evaluating structural information at the organ level, whereas episcopic and OPT imaging provide structural and functional information from molecular fluorescence imaging at the cellular level. UBM can be used to monitor embryonic development longitudinally in utero. Specimens are not significantly altered during preparation, and structures can be viewed in their native orientations. Technologies for rapid automated data acquisition and high-throughput phenotyping have been developed and continually improve as this exciting field evolves.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Powell
- Small Animal Imaging Shared Resource, The James Comprehensive Cancer Center Department of Biomedical Informatics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
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24
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Cleary JO, Wiseman FK, Norris FC, Price AN, Choy M, Tybulewicz VL, Ordidge RJ, Brandner S, Fisher EM, Lythgoe MF. Structural correlates of active-staining following magnetic resonance microscopy in the mouse brain. Neuroimage 2011; 56:974-83. [PMID: 21310249 PMCID: PMC3590453 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.01.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2010] [Revised: 12/14/2010] [Accepted: 01/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive worldwide efforts are underway to produce knockout mice for each of the ~25,000 mouse genes, which may give new insights into the underlying pathophysiology of neurological disease. Microscopic magnetic resonance imaging (μMRI) is a key method for non-invasive morphological phenotyping, capable of producing high-resolution 3D images of ex-vivo brains, after fixation with an MR contrast agent. These agents have been suggested to act as active-stains, enhancing structures not normally visible on MRI. In this study, we investigated the structural correlates of the MRI agent Gd-DTPA, together with the optimal preparation and scan parameters for contrast-enhanced gradient-echo imaging of the mouse brain. We observed that in-situ preparation was preferential to ex-situ due to the degree of extraction damage. In-situ brains scanned with optimised parameters, enabled images with a high signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR ~30) and comprehensive anatomical delineation. Direct correlation of the MR brain structures to histology, detailed fine histoarchitecture in the cortex, cerebellum, olfactory bulb and hippocampus. Neurofilament staining demonstrated that regions of negative MR contrast strongly correlated to myelinated white-matter structures, whilst structures of more positive MR contrast corresponded to areas with high grey matter content. We were able to identify many sub-regions, particularly within the hippocampus, such as the unmyelinated mossy fibres (stratum lucidum) and their region of synapse in the stratum pyramidale, together with the granular layer of the dentate gyrus, an area of densely packed cell bodies, which was clearly visible as a region of hyperintensity. This suggests that cellular structure influences the site-specific distribution of the MR contrast agent, resulting in local variations in T(2)*, which leads to enhanced tissue discrimination. Our findings provide insights not only into the cellular distribution and mechanism of MR active-staining, but also allow for three dimensional analysis, which enables interpretation of magnetic resonance microscopy brain data and highlights cellular structure for investigation of disease processes in development and disease.
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Key Words
- mri, magnetic resonance imaging
- cns, central nervous system
- gd-dtpa, gadolinium-diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid
- snr, signal-to-noise ratio
- cnr, contrast-to-noise ratio
- fov, field of view
- nsa, number of signal averages
- te, echo time
- tr, repetition time
- fa, flip angle
- magnetic resonance microscopy
- mouse brain phenotyping
- active staining
- mouse brain histology
- immunohistochemistry
- myelin
- grey matter
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon O. Cleary
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Department of Medicine and Institute of Child Health, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
- Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Frances K. Wiseman
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Francesca C. Norris
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Department of Medicine and Institute of Child Health, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
- Centre for Mathematics and Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology (CoMPLEX), University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Anthony N. Price
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Department of Medicine and Institute of Child Health, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - ManKin Choy
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Department of Medicine and Institute of Child Health, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Victor L.J. Tybulewicz
- MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London, NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Roger J. Ordidge
- Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
- Wellcome Trust Advanced MRI Group, University College London, 8–11 Queen Square, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Sebastian Brandner
- Division of Neuropathology and Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Elizabeth M.C. Fisher
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Mark F. Lythgoe
- Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Department of Medicine and Institute of Child Health, University College London, 72 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
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25
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Tobita K, Liu X, Lo CW. Imaging modalities to assess structural birth defects in mutant mouse models. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 90:176-84. [PMID: 20860057 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.20187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Assessment of structural birth defects (SBDs) in animal models usually entails conducting detailed necropsy for anatomical defects followed by histological analysis for tissue defects. Recent advances in new imaging technologies have provided the means for rapid phenotyping of SBDs, such as using ultra-high frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography, micro-CT, and micro-MRI. These imaging modalities allow the detailed assessment of organ/tissue structure, and with ultrasound biomicroscopy, structure and function of the cardiovascular system also can be assessed noninvasively, allowing the longitudinal tracking of the fetus in utero. In this review, we briefly discuss the application of these state-of-the-art imaging technologies for phenotyping of SBDs in rodent embryos and fetuses, showing how these imaging modalities may be used for the detection of a wide variety of SBDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimimasa Tobita
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224, USA.
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26
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Price AN, Cheung KK, Cleary JO, Campbell AE, Riegler J, Lythgoe MF. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in experimental models. Open Cardiovasc Med J 2010; 4:278-92. [PMID: 21331311 PMCID: PMC3040459 DOI: 10.2174/1874192401004010278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2010] [Revised: 09/27/2010] [Accepted: 10/04/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is the modality of choice for clinical studies of the heart and vasculature, offering detailed images of both structure and function with high temporal resolution. Small animals are increasingly used for genetic and translational research, in conjunction with models of common pathologies such as myocardial infarction. In all cases, effective methods for characterising a wide range of functional and anatomical parameters are crucial for robust studies. CMR is the gold-standard for the non-invasive examination of these models, although physiological differences, such as rapid heart rate, make this a greater challenge than conventional clinical imaging. However, with the help of specialised magnetic resonance (MR) systems, novel gating strategies and optimised pulse sequences, high-quality images can be obtained in these animals despite their small size. In this review, we provide an overview of the principal CMR techniques for small animals for example cine, angiography and perfusion imaging, which can provide measures such as ejection fraction, vessel anatomy and local blood flow, respectively. In combination with MR contrast agents, regional dysfunction in the heart can also be identified and assessed. We also discuss optimal methods for analysing CMR data, particularly the use of semi-automated tools for parameter measurement to reduce analysis time. Finally, we describe current and emerging methods for imaging the developing heart, aiding characterisation of congenital cardiovascular defects. Advanced small animal CMR now offers an unparalleled range of cardiovascular assessments. Employing these methods should allow new insights into the structural, functional and molecular basis of the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony N Price
- UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, Department of Medicine and UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, UK
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27
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Magnetic resonance virtual histology for embryos: 3D atlases for automated high-throughput phenotyping. Neuroimage 2010; 54:769-78. [PMID: 20656039 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2010] [Revised: 06/11/2010] [Accepted: 07/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Ambitious international efforts are underway to produce gene-knockout mice for each of the 25,000 mouse genes, providing a new platform to study mammalian development and disease. Robust, large-scale methods for morphological assessment of prenatal mice will be essential to this work. Embryo phenotyping currently relies on histological techniques but these are not well suited to large volume screening. The qualitative nature of these approaches also limits the potential for detailed group analysis. Advances in non-invasive imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may surmount these barriers. We present a high-throughput approach to generate detailed virtual histology of the whole embryo, combined with the novel use of a whole-embryo atlas for automated phenotypic assessment. Using individual 3D embryo MRI histology, we identified new pituitary phenotypes in Hesx1 mutant mice. Subsequently, we used advanced computational techniques to produce a whole-body embryo atlas from 6 CD-1 embryos, creating an average image with greatly enhanced anatomical detail, particularly in CNS structures. This methodology enabled unsupervised assessment of morphological differences between CD-1 embryos and Chd7 knockout mice (n=5 Chd7(+/+) and n=8 Chd7(+/-), C57BL/6 background). Using a new atlas generated from these three groups, quantitative organ volumes were automatically measured. We demonstrated a difference in mean brain volumes between Chd7(+/+) and Chd7(+/-) mice (42.0 vs. 39.1mm(3), p<0.05). Differences in whole-body, olfactory and normalised pituitary gland volumes were also found between CD-1 and Chd7(+/+) mice (C57BL/6 background). Our work demonstrates the feasibility of combining high-throughput embryo MRI with automated analysis techniques to distinguish novel mouse phenotypes.
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28
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Cleary JO, McCue K, Price AN, Beddow S, Ordidge RJ, Scambler PJ, Lythgoe MF. Micro-MRI phenotyping of a novel double-knockout mouse model of congenital heart disease. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2010. [DOI: 10.1186/1532-429x-12-s1-p1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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