Ion microscopy in biology and medicine

Quantitative subcellular imaging of boron compounds in individual mitotic and interphase human glioblastoma cells with imaging secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)

Boron measurements at subcellular scale are essential in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) of cancer as the nuclear localization of boron-10 atoms can enhance the effectiveness of killing individual tumour cells. Since tumours contain a heterogeneous population of cells in interphase as well as in the M phase (mitotic division) of the cell cycle, it is important to evaluate the subcellular distribution of boron in both phases. In this work, the secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) based imaging technique of ion microscopy was used to quantitatively image boron from two BNCT agents, clinically used p-boronophenylalanine (BPA) and 3-[4-(o-carboran-1-yl)butyl]thymidine (N4), in mitotic metaphase and interphase human glioblastoma T98G cells. N4 belongs to a class of experimental BNCT agents, designated 3-carboranyl thymidine analogues (3CTAs), which presumably accumulate selectively in cancer cells due to a process referred to as kinase-mediated trapping (KMT). The cells were exposed to BPA for 1 h and N4 for 2 h. A CAMECA IMS-3f SIMS ion microscope instrument capable of producing isotopic images with 500 nm spatial resolution was used in the study. Observations were made in cryogenically prepared fast frozen, and freeze-fractured, freeze-dried cells. Three discernible subcellular regions were studied: the nucleus, a characteristic mitochondria-rich perinuclear cytoplasmic region, and the remaining cytoplasm in interphase T98G cells. In metaphase cells, the chromosomes and the cytoplasm were studied for boron localization. Intracellular concentrations of potassium and sodium also were measured in each cell in which the subcellular boron concentrations were imaged. Since the healthy cells maintain a K/Na ratio of approximately 10 due to the presence of Na-K-ATPase in the plasma membrane of mammalian cells, these measurements provided validation for cryogenic sample preparation and indicated the analysis healthy, well preserved cells. The BPA-treated interphase cells revealed significantly lower concentrations of boron in the perinuclear mitochondria-rich cytoplasmic region as compared to the remaining cytoplasm and the nucleus, which were not significantly different from each other. In contrast, the BPA-treated metaphase cells revealed significantly lower concentration of boron in their chromosomes than cytoplasm. In addition, the cytoplasm of metaphase cells contained significantly less boron than the cytoplasm of interphase cells. These observations provide valuable information on the reduced uptake of boron from BPA in mitotic cells for BPA-mediated BNCT. SIMS observations on N4 revealed that boron was distributed throughout the interphase and mitotic cells, including the chromosomes. The presence of boron in chromosomes of metaphase cells treated with N4 is indicative of a possible incorporation of this thymidine analogue into DNA. The 3-D SIMS imaging approach for the analysis of mitotic cells shown in this work should be equally feasible to the evaluation of other BNCT agents.

Probing cell chemistry with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry: development and exploitation of instrumentation for studies of frozen-hydrated biological material

Imaging static secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) offers a powerful method of obtaining molecular information from biological systems with good spatial resolution. However, the technique needs further development to make it suitable for routine analysis of cells. We report here the development of a new freeze-facture device to facilitate the manipulation and analysis of biological cell material, with the cell chemistry preserved intact by rapid freezing. We illustrate performance characteristics with high-contrast images of freeze-fractured, frozen-hydrated liposomes with the drug clofazamine constrained within the lipid bilayer providing a marker to determine the fracture plane across the liposome structure. By monitoring and imaging clofazamine on the surface of yeast cells in the frozen-hydrated state, and demonstrating its absence within molecular information from a cell fractured to reveal the cell ultrastructure, we demonstrate that the molecule does not penetrate the cell wall.

Quantitative subcellular secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) imaging of boron-10 and boron-11 isotopes in the same cell delivered by two combined BNCT drugs: in vitro studies on human glioblastoma T98G cells

Ion microscopy was used for subcellular quantitative imaging of the isotopes 10B and 11B in the same cell to evaluate boron delivery using a mixture of two neutron capture therapy drugs, p-boronophenylalanine-fructose (BPA-F) and sodium borocaptate (BSH). The application of 10B-labeled BPA-F and 11B-labeled BSH allowed independent imaging of both 10B and 11B in the same cell using a CAMECA IMS-3f ion microscope. Mixed-drug treatments were compared to single-drug exposures given under identical conditions. 10BPA-F delivered 10B heterogeneously to T98G human glioblastoma cells, with a significantly reduced concentration in an organelle-rich perinuclear region. The intracellular distribution of 11B from 11BSH contrasted with that of the 10B from 10BPA-F, with 11B distributed nearly homogeneously throughout cells. The subcellular distributions of 10B and 11B were sustained in mixed-drug treatments and resembled their localizations after the single-drug treatments. In both single- and mixed-drug treatments, cellular levels of 10B from 10BPA-F nearly doubled between 1 h and 6 h, with a 3:1 intracellular to nutrient medium partitioning, while cellular levels of 11BSH remained essentially unchanged. The net effect of the combined treatment with 10BPA-F and 11BSH was an additive delivery of boron to cells. This study introduces a novel approach for checking potential synergistic, antagonistic or simple additive delivery of two mixed boronated compounds in cellular/subcellular compartments.

Studies of cell division (mitosis and cytokinesis) by dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry ion microscopy: LLC-PK1 epithelial cells as a model for subcellular isotopic imaging

The feasibility of the renal epithelial LLC-PK1 cell line as a model for cell division studies with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) was tested. In this cell line, cells undergoing all stages of mitosis and cytokinesis remained firmly attached to the substrate and could be cryogenically prepared. Fractured freeze-dried mitotic cells showed well-preserved organelles as revealed by fluorescence imaging of rhodamine-123 and C6-NBD-ceramide by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Secondary electron microscopy analysis of fractured freeze-dried dividing cells revealed minimal surface topography that does not interfere in isotopic imaging of both positive (39K, 23Na, 24Mg, 40Ca, etc.) and negative (31P, 35Cl, etc.) secondaries with a CAMECA IMS-3f ion microscope. Mitotic cells revealed well-preserved intracellular ionic composition of even the most diffusible ions (total concentrations of 39K+ and 23Na+) as revealed by K : Na ratios of approximately 10. Structurally damaged mitotic cells could be identified by their reduced K : Na ratios and an excessive loading of calcium. Quantitative three-dimensional SIMS analysis was required for studying subcellular calcium distribution in dividing cells. The LLC-PK1 model also allowed SIMS studies of M-phase arrested cells with mitosis-arresting drugs (taxol, monastrol and nocodazole). This study opens new avenues of cell division research related to ion fluxes and chemical composition with SIMS.

Imaging of total calcium in urediospore germlings of Uromyces by ion microscopy

Calcium has been implicated in growth and appressorium formation of urediospore germlings of the bean rust fungus, Uromyces appendiculatus. Using ion microscopy, a mass spectrometry-based imaging technique, intracellular stores of calcium were analyzed by direct imaging of total calcium in frozen freeze-dried germlings. Calcium concentration was calculated by ratioing and spatially registering (40)Ca to (12)C signals. Intracellular distributions of total potassium, sodium, magnesium, and carbon were similarly imaged in the same germlings for a direct comparison of their localizations to total calcium. Calcium was remarkably heterogeneous with highest concentrations (2 to 10 mM) in the mid-region of the germling between the nuclei and the apex. A similar distribution of Ca(2+) (assessed using Fluo-3) was also noted sequestered in organelles in live germlings. Distributions of remaining elements (K, Na, Mg, and C) were mostly homogeneous throughout the cytoplasm and nuclei of the fungal cell. The K/Na ratio ranged from 17 to 31.

Binding and distribution of Na2B12H11SH on cellular and subcellular level in tumor tissue of glioma patients in boron neutron capture therapy

To determine binding and distribution of Na2B12H11SH (BSH) in glioma tissue in case of boron neutron capture therapy, an antibody to this compound was produced and used in immunohistochemical investigations. It is possible to trace BSH in immunohistochemistry, because BSH is firmly bound to the glioma tissue. The antibody against BSH is specific for that antigen, as tumor tissue from patients without BSH administration did not stain. In areas of healthy brain from BSH infused patients, no staining of tissue was detectable. In tumor tissues, BSH is presenting as a strong staining in cytoplasm and nucleus areas.

Ion microscopic imaging of calcium during 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-mediated intestinal absorption

A combination of ion microscopic and conventional radionuclide techniques was employed to investigate the temporal-spatial dynamics of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]-stimulated intestinal calcium (Ca) absorption. At varying times following the administration of a single intravenous dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 to vitamin D-deficient chicks, transepithelial transport and tissue retention of Ca were quantitated in vivo, using the ligated duodenal loop technique and 47Ca as the tracer. The localization of Ca in the intestinal tissue during absorption was monitored by ion microscopy, using the stable Ca isotope, 44Ca, as the absorbed species. There was little transepithelial absorption of Ca in the vitamin D-deficient animals despite a substantial tissue accumulation of luminally derived Ca, the latter localizing predominantly in the brush border region of the enterocyte, as shown by the 44Ca-ion microscopic images. The early (30 min-1 h) response to 1,25(OH)2D3 was an increased tissue uptake of luminal 47Ca, which also primarily associated with the brush border region, again as shown by ion microscopy. At 2-4 h after the 1,25(OH)2D3 dose, there was a progressive redistribution of Ca from the brush border region throughout the cytoplasm and into the lamina propria. At 8-16 h, 47Ca absorption was maximal and 44Ca was sparsely distributed in the intestinal tissue. 47Ca absorption gradually declined and reached pre-dose levels by 72 h. At this time, tissue 44Ca was again largely limited to the brush border region. These results provide support for the multiple actions of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the intestinal Ca absorption process. The ion microscopic images provided unique information on the specific time-dependent changes in the tissue localization of Ca during the process of its intestinal absorption as affected by 1,25(OH)2D3.

Direct visualization of a vast cortical calcium compartment in Paramecium by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) microscopy: possible involvement in exocytosis

The plasma membrane of ciliates is underlaid by a vast continuous array of membrane vesicles known as cortical alveoli. Previous work had shown that a purified fraction of these vesicles actively pumps calcium, suggesting that alveoli may constitute a calcium-storage compartment. Here we provide direct confirmation of this hypothesis using in situ visualization of total cell calcium on sections of cryofixed and cryosubstituted cells analyzed by SIMS (secondary ion mass spectrometry) microscopy a method never previously applied to protists. A narrow, continuous, Ca-emitting zone located all along the cell periphery was observed on sections including the cortex. In contrast, Na and K were evenly distributed throughout the cell. Various controls confirmed that emission was from the alveoli, in particular, the emitting zone was still seen in mutants totally lacking trichocysts, the large exocytotic organelles docked at the cell surface, indicating that they make no major direct contribution to the emission. Calcium concentration within alveoli was quantified for the first time in SIMS microscopy using an external reference and was found to be in the range of 3 to 5 mM, a value similar to that for sarcoplasmic reticulum. After massive induction of trichocyst discharge, this concentration was found to decrease by about 50%, suggesting that the alveoli are the main source of the calcium involved in exocytosis.

Recent developments in medical applications of SIMS microscopy

The purpose of this review is to present the recent developments in the medical applications of SIMS microscopy. This technique is one of the microanalytical mass spectrometry methods which allow in theory the detection of all the elements of the Mendeleiev table as well as the separation of stable and radioactive isotopes. It is based on a phenomenon whereby a biological sample surface is sputtered by bombardment with an energetic 'primary ion' beam. Part of the sputtered matter is ionized and the resulting 'secondary ions' are characteristic of the atomic composition of the analyzed area. These secondary positive or negative ions are collected and separated in a mass spectrometer at low or high mass resolution, which is dependent on both the element studied and its concentration. An analytic image which conserves the tissue distribution of the selected element is displayed on a fluorescent screen linked to an image processing system. Local elemental concentration can also be measured. Results are highly dependent on the techniques used for sample preparation which should preserve both the chemical and the structural integrity of the tissue. Further, the ionic images must be correlated with corresponding images of the same areas of the serial sections observed in a photonic microscope. With our SIMS microscope (lateral resolution approximately 0.5 microns, and mass resolution 300 to 12,000) we have demonstrated that this microscopic imaging technique is suitable for physiopathological studies. We revisited thyroid iodine metabolism by mapping chemical elements such as 32S and 127I, characteristic of hormonal physiology. Newly organified iodine (radioiodine) can be evaluated in relation to previously stored iodine (127I) in a given follicle, thus allowing an appraisal of glandular adaptation to aging and iodine overload. Another area in which SIMS can be used in medicine, is for the localization of drug markers in tumor tissue (e.g. fluorine-5-fluouracil, iodine in iododeoxyrubicin). This could facilitate the evaluation of the intratumor drug concentration at the onset of the treatment. Likewise, SIMS can be used to localize radiopharmaceuticals used in diagnosis (e.g. technetium) and therapy (131I of metaiodobenzylguanidine). This would permit a better evaluation of the radiation dose delivered to tissue. Further prospects are within reach with the imminent advent of higher lateral resolution (0.05 microns) SIMS microscopes.

Radioiodine uptake as a function of stored iodine and thyroglobulin in thyroid follicles: in vitro quantitative imaging approach with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) microscopy in human nontoxic goiter

We studied by an imaging technique, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) microscopy, the ability of thyroid follicles to pick-up and organify radioiodine (125I) according to the amounts of iodine (127I) and sulfur previously stored in thyroglobulin (Tg). After incubation with radioiodine in miniorgan culture, the SIMS analysis of 14 fragments from 12 goitrous patients permitted the observation of 3 iodine distribution profiles. In group 1 125I and 127I were easily detected by imaging; 125I concentration in follicular lumen was 80-fold lower than that of 127I. In group 2 125I images were obtained after long-term exposure and image processing. 125I concentration was not measurable while that of 127I was about 1.7-fold higher than that observed in group 1. In group 3 it was not possible to detect 125I while only traces of 127I were detected. This last profile can coexist with profile 1 in the same specimen. Tg sulfur concentration was 2-fold lower in group 3 than in the other 2 groups in which they were almost the same and significantly correlated with those of 127I. These data provide new insight into Tg and 127I traffic in the development of nonfunctioning goiters.

Acute effects of various doses of iodide on thyroid iodine autoregulation. A study with 129I by means of analytical ion microscopy

Analytical ion microscopy (AIM) was used to determine alterations in the thyroid follicular lumen 127I stores of Wistar rats injected with different doses of 129I (low specific activity radionuclide). Animals fed a normal iodine diet (10 micrograms 127I/d) were divided into four groups: control group and three treated groups injected ip 24 h before sacrifice with 129I at doses of 10 micrograms (group 1), 30 micrograms (group 2), and 8500 micrograms (group 3). AIM was performed on thyroid semithin sections. The mean 129I concentration increased with the dose injected from group 1 (0.44 +/- 0.03 micrograms/mg, mean +/- SEM) to group 2 (2.05 +/- 0.14 micrograms/mg) and decreased in group 3 (0.57 +/- 0.08 microgram/mg). When compared to control group (4.14 +/- 0.17 micrograms/mg), the mean 127I concentration was not changed in group 1 (4.52 +/- 0.07 micrograms/mg), but altered in the other groups: It was significantly increased (7.14 +/- 0.41 micrograms/mg) in group 2 and slightly decreased (3.11 +/- 0.26 micrograms/mg) in group 3. These results underline the interest of AIM in the study of the effects of various doses of iodide on the thyroid autoregulation by iodide, a trace element actively trapped by this gland.

Ion microscopic imaging of calcium transport in the intestinal tissue of vitamin D-deficient and vitamin D-replete chickens: a 44Ca stable isotope study

The intestinal absorption of calcium includes at least three definable steps; transfer across the microvillar membrane, movement through the cytosolic compartment, and energy-dependent extrusion into the lamina propria, Tracing the movement of calcium through the epithelium has been hampered by lack of suitable techniques and, in this study, advantage was taken of ion microscopy in conjunction with cryosectioning and use of the stable isotope 44Ca to visualize calcium in transit during the absorptive process. The effect of vitamin D, required for optimal calcium absorption, was investigated. Twenty millimolar 44Ca was injected into the duodenal lumen in situ of vitamin D-deficient and vitamin D-replete chickens. At 2.5, 5.0, and 20.0 min after injection, duodenal tissue was obtained and processed for ion microscopic imaging. At 2.5 min. 44Ca was seen to be concentrated in the region subjacent to the microvillar membrane in tissue from both groups. At 5.0 and 20.0 min, a similar pattern of localization was evident in D-deficient tissues. In D-replete tissues, the distribution of 44Ca became more homogenous, indicating that vitamin D increased the rate of transfer of Ca2+ from the apical to the basolateral membrane, a function previously ascribed to the vitamin D-induced calcium-binding protein (28-kDa calbindin-D). Quantitative aspects of the calcium absorptive process were determined in parallel experiments with the radionuclide 47Ca. Complementary information on the localization of the naturally occurring isotopes of calcium (40Ca) and potassium (39K) is also described.

Quantitative imaging of free and total intracellular calcium in cultured cells

Techniques of fluorescence and ion microscopies were combined to study the free [Ca2+] and total Ca in NIH 3T3 fibroblast and L6 rat myoblast cells. Free Ca2+ measurements with the Ca2+ indicator fura-2 and digital imaging reveal an inhomogeneous distribution of free cytoplasmic Ca2+ in both cell lines. Fura-2 also reveals a difference in free Ca2+ activity between the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells. Ion microscopic observations on sister cells show that total Ca in the cytoplasm is also inhomogeneously distributed and that mean cytoplasmic levels of total Ca are higher than levels in the nuclei. In the nuclei of NIH 3T3 cells, the mean free [Ca2+] and total [Ca] were 110 +/- 30 nM and 225 +/- 43 microM, respectively, while regions in the cell cytoplasm contained up to 490 +/- 270 nM free [Ca2+] and 559 +/- 184 microM mean total [Ca]. Intracellular total Ca was greater than 3 orders of magnitude higher than intracellular free Ca2+ in either nuclear or cytoplasmic compartments. Perinuclear cytoplasmic regions in 3T3 cells contained higher free and total Ca than the cell nucleus. Loading of cells with fura-2 did not modify the subcellular distribution of total K, Na, Ca, or Mg. This combination of two powerful ion imaging techniques provides a comparison between free and total calcium in cells and introduces a different approach for examining the role of this important element in cell physiology.