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Al-Diab O, Sünkel C, Blanc E, Catar RA, Ashraf MI, Zhao H, Wang P, Rinschen MM, Fritsche-Guenther R, Grahammer F, Bachmann S, Beule D, Kirwan JA, Rajewsky N, Huber TB, Gürgen D, Kusch A. Sex-specific molecular signature of mouse podocytes in homeostasis and in response to pharmacological challenge with rapamycin. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:72. [PMID: 39278930 PMCID: PMC11404044 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00647-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex differences exist in the prevalence and progression of major glomerular diseases. Podocytes are the essential cell-type in the kidney which maintain the physiological blood-urine barrier, and pathological changes in podocyte homeostasis are critical accelerators of impairment of kidney function. However, sex-specific molecular signatures of podocytes under physiological and stress conditions remain unknown. This work aimed at identifying sexual dimorphic molecular signatures of podocytes under physiological condition and pharmacologically challenged homeostasis with mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition. mTOR is a crucial regulator involved in a variety of physiological and pathological stress responses in the kidney and inhibition of this pathway may therefore serve as a general stress challenger to get fundamental insights into sex differences in podocytes. METHODS The genomic ROSAmT/mG-NPHS2 Cre mouse model was used which allows obtaining highly pure podocyte fractions for cell-specific molecular analyses, and vehicle or pharmacologic treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin was performed for 3 weeks. Subsequently, deep RNA sequencing and proteomics were performed of the isolated podocytes to identify intrinsic sex differences. Studies were supplemented with metabolomics from kidney cortex tissues. RESULTS Although kidney function and morphology remained normal in all experimental groups, RNA sequencing, proteomics and metabolomics revealed strong intrinsic sex differences in the expression levels of mitochondrial, translation and structural transcripts, protein abundances and regulation of metabolic pathways. Interestingly, rapamycin abolished prominent sex-specific clustering of podocyte gene expression and induced major changes only in male transcriptome. Several sex-biased transcription factors could be identified as possible upstream regulators of these sexually dimorphic responses. Concordant to transcriptomics, metabolomic changes were more prominent in males. Remarkably, high number of previously reported kidney disease genes showed intrinsic sexual dimorphism and/or different response patterns towards mTOR inhibition. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight remarkable intrinsic sex-differences and sex-specific response patterns towards pharmacological challenged podocyte homeostasis which might fundamentally contribute to sex differences in kidney disease susceptibilities and progression. This work provides rationale and an in-depth database for novel targets to be tested in specific kidney disease models to advance with sex-specific treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ola Al-Diab
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christin Sünkel
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Hannoversche Str 28, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eric Blanc
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rusan Ali Catar
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Muhammad Imtiaz Ashraf
- Department of Surgery, Experimental Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hongfan Zhao
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pinchao Wang
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus M Rinschen
- III. Department of Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Raphaela Fritsche-Guenther
- Metabolomics Platform, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Lindenberger Weg 80, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Florian Grahammer
- III. Department of Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Bachmann
- Institute of Functional Anatomy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Beule
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jennifer A Kirwan
- Metabolomics Platform, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Lindenberger Weg 80, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Rajewsky
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Hannoversche Str 28, 10115, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias B Huber
- III. Department of Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dennis Gürgen
- Experimental Pharmacology & Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH, 13125 Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Angelika Kusch
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy (BIA), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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2
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Son R, Yamazawa K, Oguchi A, Suga M, Tamura M, Yanagita M, Murakawa Y, Kume S. Morphomics via next-generation electron microscopy. J Mol Cell Biol 2024; 15:mjad081. [PMID: 38148118 PMCID: PMC11167312 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The living body is composed of innumerable fine and complex structures. Although these structures have been studied in the past, a vast amount of information pertaining to them still remains unknown. When attempting to observe these ultra-structures, the use of electron microscopy (EM) has become indispensable. However, conventional EM settings are limited to a narrow tissue area, which can bias observations. Recently, new trends in EM research have emerged, enabling coverage of far broader, nano-scale fields of view for two-dimensional wide areas and three-dimensional large volumes. Moreover, cutting-edge bioimage informatics conducted via deep learning has accelerated the quantification of complex morphological bioimages. Taken together, these technological and analytical advances have led to the comprehensive acquisition and quantification of cellular morphology, which now arises as a new omics science termed 'morphomics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raku Son
- RIKEN-IFOM Joint Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
- Department of Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Kenji Yamazawa
- Advanced Manufacturing Support Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics, Wako 351-0198, Japan
| | - Akiko Oguchi
- RIKEN-IFOM Joint Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
- Department of Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Mitsuo Suga
- Multimodal Microstructure Analysis Unit, RIKEN–JEOL Collaboration Center, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Masaru Tamura
- Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba 305-0074, Japan
| | - Motoko Yanagita
- Department of Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Murakawa
- RIKEN-IFOM Joint Laboratory for Cancer Genomics, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
- IFOM—The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan 20139, Italy
| | - Satoshi Kume
- Laboratory for Pathophysiological and Health Science, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
- Center for Health Science Innovation, Osaka City University, Osaka 530-0011, Japan
- Osaka Electro-Communication University, Neyagawa 572-8530, Japan
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3
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Hortsch M, Koney NKK, Oommen AM, Yohannan DG, Li Y, de Melo Leite ACR, Girão-Carmona VCC. Virtual Microscopy Goes Global: The Images Are Virtual and the Problems Are Real. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1421:79-124. [PMID: 37524985 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-30379-1_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
For the last two centuries, the scholarly education of histology and pathology has been based on technology, initially on the availability of low-cost, high-quality light microscopes, and more recently on the introduction of computers and e-learning approaches to biomedical education. Consequently, virtual microscopy (VM) is replacing glass slides and the traditional light microscope as the main instruments of instruction in histology and pathology laboratories. However, as with most educational changes, there are advantages and disadvantages associated with a new technology. The use of VM for the teaching of histology and pathology requires an extensive infrastructure and the availability of computing devices to all learners, both posing a considerable financial strain on schools and students. Furthermore, there may be valid reasons for practicing healthcare professionals to maintain competency in using light microscopes. In addition, some educators may be reluctant to embrace new technologies. These are some of the reasons why the introduction of VM as an integral part of histology and pathology instruction has been globally uneven. This paper compares the teaching of histology and pathology using traditional or VM in five different countries and their adjacent regions, representing developed, as well as developing areas of the globe. We identify general and local roadblocks to the introduction of this still-emerging didactic technology and outline solutions for overcoming these barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hortsch
- Departments of Cell and Developmental Biology and of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Nii Koney-Kwaku Koney
- Department of Anatomy, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana
| | - Aswathy Maria Oommen
- Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
- Kerala University of Health Sciences, Thrissur, Kerala, India
| | - Doris George Yohannan
- Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
- Kerala University of Health Sciences, Thrissur, Kerala, India
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Santos R, Bürgi M, Mateos JM, Luciani A, Loffing J. Too bright for 2 dimensions: recent progress in advanced 3-dimensional microscopy of the kidney. Kidney Int 2022; 102:1238-1246. [PMID: 35963448 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2022.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The kidney is a structurally and functionally complex organ responsible for the control of water, ion, and other solute homeostasis. Moreover, the kidneys excrete metabolic waste products and produce hormones, such as renin and erythropoietin. The functional unit of the kidney is the nephron, which is composed by a serial arrangement of a filter unit called the renal corpuscle and several tubular segments that modulate the filtered fluid by reabsorption and secretion. Within each kidney, thousands of nephrons are closely intermingled and surrounded by an intricate network of blood vessels and various interstitial cell types, including fibroblasts and immune cells. This complex tissue architecture is essential for proper kidney function. In fact, kidney disease is often reflected or even caused by a derangement of the histologic structures. Frequently, kidney histology is studied using microscopic analysis of 2-dimensional tissue sections, which, however, misses important 3-dimensional spatial information. Reconstruction of serial sections tries to overcome this limitation, but is technically challenging, time-consuming, and often inherently linked to sectioning artifacts. In recent years, advances in tissue preparation (e.g., optical clearing) and new light- and electron-microscopic methods have provided novel avenues for 3-dimensional kidney imaging. Combined with novel machine-learning algorithms, these approaches offer unprecedented options for large-scale and automated analysis of kidney structure and function. This review provides a brief overview of these emerging imaging technologies and presents key examples of how these approaches are already used to study the normal and the diseased kidney.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Santos
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Max Bürgi
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - José María Mateos
- Centre for Microscopy and Image Analysis, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Luciani
- Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; National Centre of Competence in Research "Kidney.CH," University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Loffing
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; National Centre of Competence in Research "Kidney.CH," University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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5
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Bazin D, Bouderlique E, Daudon M, Frochot V, Haymann JP, Letavernier E, Tielens F, Weil R. Scanning electron microscopy—a powerful imaging technique for the clinician. CR CHIM 2022. [DOI: 10.5802/crchim.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Radulović S, Sunkara S, Maurer C, Leitinger G. Digging Deeper: Advancements in Visualization of Inhibitory Synapses in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12470. [PMID: 34830352 PMCID: PMC8623765 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent research has provided strong evidence that neurodegeneration may develop from an imbalance between synaptic structural components in the brain. Lately, inhibitory synapses communicating via the neurotransmitters GABA or glycine have come to the center of attention. Increasing evidence suggests that imbalance in the structural composition of inhibitory synapses affect deeply the ability of neurons to communicate effectively over synaptic connections. Progressive failure of synaptic plasticity and memory are thus hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases. In order to prove that structural changes at synapses contribute to neurodegeneration, we need to visualize single-molecule interactions at synaptic sites in an exact spatial and time frame. This visualization has been restricted in terms of spatial and temporal resolution. New developments in electron microscopy and super-resolution microscopy have improved spatial and time resolution tremendously, opening up numerous possibilities. Here we critically review current and recently developed methods for high-resolution visualization of inhibitory synapses in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. We present advantages, strengths, weaknesses, and current limitations for selected methods in research, as well as present a future perspective. A range of new options has become available that will soon help understand the involvement of inhibitory synapses in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snježana Radulović
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (S.R.); (S.S.)
| | - Sowmya Sunkara
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (S.R.); (S.S.)
| | - Christa Maurer
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Division of Macroscopic and Clinical Anatomy, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Gerd Leitinger
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (S.R.); (S.S.)
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7
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Dittmayer C, Goebel HH, Heppner FL, Stenzel W, Bachmann S. Preparation of Samples for Large-Scale Automated Electron Microscopy of Tissue and Cell Ultrastructure. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2021; 27:815-827. [PMID: 34266508 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927621011958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Manual selection of targets in experimental or diagnostic samples by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), based on single overview and detail micrographs, has been time-consuming and susceptible to bias. Substantial information and throughput gain may now be achieved by the automated acquisition of virtually all structures in a given EM section. Resulting datasets allow the convenient pan-and-zoom examination of tissue ultrastructure with preserved microanatomical orientation. The technique is, however, critically sensitive to artifacts in sample preparation. We, therefore, established a methodology to prepare large-scale digitization samples (LDS) designed to acquire entire sections free of obscuring flaws. For evaluation, we highlight the supreme performance of scanning EM in transmission mode compared with other EM technology. The use of LDS will substantially facilitate access to EM data for a broad range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Dittmayer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neuropathology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans-Hilmar Goebel
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neuropathology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117Berlin, Germany
- Johannes-Guttenberg University, Department of Neuropathology, Langenbeckstraße 1, 55122Mainz, Germany
| | - Frank L Heppner
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neuropathology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Neurocure Cluster of Excellence, Charitéplatz 1, 10117Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Werner Stenzel
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neuropathology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Bachmann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Functional Anatomy, Charitéplatz 1, 10117Berlin, Germany
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8
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Siegert E, Uruha A, Goebel HH, Preuße C, Casteleyn V, Kleefeld F, Alten R, Burmester GR, Schneider U, Höppner J, Hahn K, Dittmayer C, Stenzel W. Systemic sclerosis-associated myositis features minimal inflammation and characteristic capillary pathology. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 141:917-927. [PMID: 33864496 PMCID: PMC8113184 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02305-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis represents a chronic connective tissue disease featuring fibrosis, vasculopathy and autoimmunity, affecting skin, multiple internal organs, and skeletal muscles. The vasculopathy is considered obliterative, but its pathogenesis is still poorly understood. This may partially be due to limitations of conventional transmission electron microscopy previously being conducted only in single patients. The aim of our study was therefore to precisely characterize immune inflammatory features and capillary morphology of systemic sclerosis patients suffering from muscle weakness. In this study, we identified 18 individuals who underwent muscle biopsy because of muscle weakness and myalgia in a cohort of 367 systemic sclerosis patients. We performed detailed conventional and immunohistochemical analysis and large-scale electron microscopy by digitizing entire sections for in-depth ultrastructural analysis. Muscle biopsies of 12 of these 18 patients (67%) presented minimal features of myositis but clear capillary alteration, which we termed minimal myositis with capillary pathology (MMCP). Our study provides novel findings in systemic sclerosis-associated myositis. First, we identified a characteristic and specific morphological pattern termed MMCP in 67% of the cases, while the other 33% feature alterations characteristic of other overlap syndromes. This is also reflected by a relatively homogeneous clinical picture among MMCP patients. They have milder disease with little muscle weakness and a low prevalence of interstitial lung disease (20%) and diffuse skin involvement (10%) and no cases of either pulmonary arterial hypertension or renal crisis. Second, large-scale electron microscopy, introducing a new level of precision in ultrastructural analysis, revealed a characteristic capillary morphology with basement membrane thickening and reduplications, endothelial activation and pericyte proliferation. We provide open-access pan-and-zoom analysis to our datasets, enabling critical discussion and data mining. We clearly highlight characteristic capillary pathology in skeletal muscles of systemic sclerosis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Siegert
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Anna-Louisa-Karsch-Str. 2, 10178, Berlin, Germany
| | - Akinori Uruha
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans-Hilmar Goebel
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Corinna Preuße
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vincent Casteleyn
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Kleefeld
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rieke Alten
- Schlosspark-Klinik, Heubnerweg 2, 14059, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerd R Burmester
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Udo Schneider
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jakob Höppner
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kathrin Hahn
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Dittmayer
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Werner Stenzel
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Leibniz ScienceCampus Chronic Inflammation, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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9
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Easy ultrastructural insight into the internal morphology of biological specimens by Atomic Force Microscopy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:10214. [PMID: 33986350 PMCID: PMC8119718 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89633-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
As a topographical technique, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) needs to establish direct interactions between a given sample and the measurement probe in order to create imaging information. The elucidation of internal features of organisms, tissues and cells by AFM has therefore been a challenging process in the past. To overcome this hindrance, simple and fast embedding, sectioning and dehydration techniques are presented, allowing the easy access to the internal morphology of virtually any organism, tissue or cell by AFM. The study at hand shows the applicability of the proposed protocol to exemplary biological samples, the resolution currently allowed by the approach as well as advantages and shortcomings compared to classical ultrastructural microscopic techniques like electron microscopy. The presented cheap, facile, fast and non-toxic experimental protocol might introduce AFM as a universal tool for the elucidation of internal ultrastructural detail of virtually any given organism, tissue or cell.
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Kawasaki Y, Hosoyamada Y, Miyaki T, Yamaguchi J, Kakuta S, Sakai T, Ichimura K. Three-Dimensional Architecture of Glomerular Endothelial Cells Revealed by FIB-SEM Tomography. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:653472. [PMID: 33777962 PMCID: PMC7991748 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.653472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Focused-ion beam-scanning electron microscopic (FIB-SEM) tomography enables easier acquisition of a series of ultrastructural, sectional images directly from resin-embedded biological samples. In this study, to clarify the three-dimensional (3D) architecture of glomerular endothelial cells (GEnCs) in adult rats, we manually extracted GEnCs from serial FIB-SEM images and reconstructed them on an Amira reconstruction software. The luminal and basal surface structures were clearly visualized in the reconstructed GEnCs, although only the luminal surface structures could be observed by conventional SEM. The luminal surface visualized via the reconstructed GEnCs was quite similar to that observed through conventional SEM, indicating that 3D reconstruction could be performed with high accuracy. Thus, we successfully described the 3D architecture of normal GEnCs in adult rats more clearly and precisely than ever before. The GEnCs were found to consist of three major subcellular compartments, namely, the cell body, cytoplasmic ridges, and sieve plates, in addition to two associated subcellular compartments, namely, the globular protrusions and reticular porous structures. Furthermore, most individual GEnCs made up a “seamless” tubular shape, and some of them formed an autocellular junction to make up a tubular shape. FIB-SEM tomography with reconstruction is a powerful approach to better understand the 3D architecture of GEnCs. Moreover, the morphological information revealed in this study will be valuable for the 3D pathologic evaluation of GEnCs in animal and human glomerular diseases and the structural analysis of developmental processes in the glomerular capillary system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Kawasaki
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasue Hosoyamada
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Chiba Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takayuki Miyaki
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junji Yamaguchi
- Laboratory of Morphology and Image Analysis, Research Support Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Soichiro Kakuta
- Laboratory of Morphology and Image Analysis, Research Support Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Sakai
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichiro Ichimura
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Laboratory of Morphology and Image Analysis, Research Support Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Xu Y, Hu J, Yilmaz DE, Bachmann S. Connexin43 is differentially distributed within renal vasculature and mediates profibrotic differentiation in medullary fibroblasts. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2021; 320:F17-F30. [PMID: 33196322 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00453.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexins (Cxs) form gap junctions for intercellular exchange of inorganic ions and messenger molecules. In the kidney, Cxs play essential roles within its compartments, but data on the precise cellular localization and cell type-related function of their isoforms are scarce. We tested whether Cx43 distribution is restricted to vascular and interstitial cells and whether medullary fibroblasts express Cx43 to coordinate profibrotic signaling. Confocal immunofluorescence techniques, ultrastructural labeling, and functional experiments in cell culture were performed. Cx43 was chiefly expressed in the vasculature but was absent from tubular epithelia. All arterial, arteriolar, and lymphatic endothelia showed continuous Cx43 signal along their borders. In the inner medulla, only the interstitium showed Cx43 signals, which were assigned to fibroblasts and their processes. Cultured Cx43-expressing medullary fibroblasts served to study the role of gap junctions in a profibrotic context. In a dye spreading assay, Cx43-sensitive diffusion of Lucifer yellow was dependent on gap junctional passage. The addition of transforming growth factor-β1 (5 ng/mL for 48 h) activated Cx43 biosynthesis and caused Cx43-sensitive transformation of the fibroblasts into a myofibroblast phenotype. This suggested that Cx43 gap junctional channels enable the coordination of profibrotic signaling between cells of the medullary interstitium. In summary, we demonstrate the presence of Cx43-expressing gap junctions within the two major renal compartments, the vasculature and interstitium. Endothelial Cx43 likely provides functions of an earlier-defined "electrical syncytium" within the vascular wall. Additionally, Cx43 facilitates profibrotic signaling between medullary interstitial fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Department of Anatomy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Junda Hu
- Department of Anatomy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Duygu Elif Yilmaz
- Department of Anatomy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Bachmann
- Department of Anatomy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Serial Section Array Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis of Cells from Lung Autopsy Specimens following Fatal A/H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza Virus Infection. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00644-19. [PMID: 31292247 PMCID: PMC6744253 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00644-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Generally, it is difficult to observe IAV particles in postmortem samples from patients with seasonal influenza. In fact, only a few viral antigens are detected in bronchial epithelial cells from autopsied lung sections. Previously, we detected many viral antigens in AEC-IIs from the lung. This was because the majority of A/H1N1/pdm09 in the lung tissue harbored an aspartic acid-to-glycine substitution at position 222 (D222G) of the hemagglutinin protein. A/H1N1/pdm09 harboring the D222G substitution has a receptor-binding preference for α-2,3-linked sialic acids expressed on human AECs and infects them in the same way as H5N1 and H7N9 avian IAVs. Here, we report the first successful observation of virus particles, not only in AEC-IIs, but also in Ms/Mϕs and Neus, using electron microscopy. The finding of a M/Mϕ harboring numerous virus particles within vesicles and at the cell surface suggests that Ms/Mϕs are involved in the pathogenesis of IAV primary pneumonia. A/H1N1 2009 pandemic influenza virus (A/H1N1/pdm09) was first identified as a novel pandemic influenza A virus (IAV) in 2009. Previously, we reported that many viral antigens were detected in type II alveolar epithelial cells (AEC-IIs) within autopsied lung tissue from a patient with A/H1N1/pdm09 pneumonia. It is important to identify the association between the virus and host cells to elucidate the pathogenesis of IAV pneumonia. To investigate the distribution of virus particles and morphological changes in host cells, the autopsied lung specimens from this patient were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and a novel scanning electron microscopy (SEM) method. We focused on AEC-IIs as viral antigen-positive cells and on monocytes/macrophages (Ms/Mϕs) and neutrophils (Neus) as innate immune cells. We identified virus particles and intranuclear dense tubules, which are associated with matrix 1 (M1) proteins from IAV. Large-scale two-dimensional observation was enabled by digitally “stitching” together contiguous SEM images. A single whole-cell analysis using a serial section array (SSA)-SEM identified virus particles in vesicles within the cytoplasm and/or around the surfaces of AEC-IIs, Ms/Mϕs, and Neus; however, intranuclear dense tubules were found only in AEC-IIs. Computer-assisted processing of SSA-SEM images from each cell type enabled three-dimensional (3D) modeling of the distribution of virus particles within an ACE-II, a M/Mϕ, and a Neu. IMPORTANCE Generally, it is difficult to observe IAV particles in postmortem samples from patients with seasonal influenza. In fact, only a few viral antigens are detected in bronchial epithelial cells from autopsied lung sections. Previously, we detected many viral antigens in AEC-IIs from the lung. This was because the majority of A/H1N1/pdm09 in the lung tissue harbored an aspartic acid-to-glycine substitution at position 222 (D222G) of the hemagglutinin protein. A/H1N1/pdm09 harboring the D222G substitution has a receptor-binding preference for α-2,3-linked sialic acids expressed on human AECs and infects them in the same way as H5N1 and H7N9 avian IAVs. Here, we report the first successful observation of virus particles, not only in AEC-IIs, but also in Ms/Mϕs and Neus, using electron microscopy. The finding of a M/Mϕ harboring numerous virus particles within vesicles and at the cell surface suggests that Ms/Mϕs are involved in the pathogenesis of IAV primary pneumonia.
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Kawasaki Y, Matsumoto A, Miyaki T, Kinoshita M, Kakuta S, Sakai T, Ichimura K. Three-dimensional architecture of pericardial nephrocytes in Drosophila melanogaster revealed by FIB/SEM tomography. Cell Tissue Res 2019; 378:289-300. [PMID: 31089884 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-019-03037-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Nephrocytes are similar in structure to podocytes and play a role in the isolation of toxic substances from hemolymph in insects. Drosophila melanogaster nephrocytes have recently been used to study podocyte function and disease. However, the three-dimensional ultrastructure of nephrocytes is not clearly understood because their surrounding basement membrane makes it difficult to observe using conventional scanning electron microscopy. We reconstructed the three-dimensional ultrastructure of Drosophila pericardial nephrocytes using serial focused-ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM) images. The basal surfaces were occupied by foot processes and slit-like spaces between them. The slit-like spaces corresponded to the podocyte filtration slits and were formed by longitudinal infolding/invagination of the basal plasma membrane. The basal surface between the slit-like spaces became the foot processes, which ran almost linearly, and had a "washboard-like" appearance. Both ends of the foot processes were usually anastomosed to neighboring foot processes and thus free ends were rarely observed. We demonstrated that FIB/SEM is a powerful tool to better understand the three-dimensional architecture of nephrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Kawasaki
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Akira Matsumoto
- Department of Biology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Inzai, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takayuki Miyaki
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Mui Kinoshita
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Soichiro Kakuta
- Laboratory of Morphology and Image Analysis, Center for Biomedical Research Resources, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Sakai
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan
| | - Koichiro Ichimura
- Department of Anatomy and Life Structure, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan. .,Laboratory of Morphology and Image Analysis, Center for Biomedical Research Resources, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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