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Shi Y, Cui C, Chen S, Chen S, Wang Y, Xu Q, Yang L, Ye J, Hong Z, Hu H. Worm-Based Diagnosis Combining Microfluidics toward Early Cancer Screening. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:484. [PMID: 38675295 PMCID: PMC11052135 DOI: 10.3390/mi15040484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Early cancer diagnosis increases therapy efficiency and saves huge medical costs. Traditional blood-based cancer markers and endoscopy procedures demonstrate limited capability in the diagnosis. Reliable, non-invasive, and cost-effective methods are in high demand across the world. Worm-based diagnosis, utilizing the chemosensory neuronal system of C. elegans, emerges as a non-invasive approach for early cancer diagnosis with high sensitivity. It facilitates effectiveness in large-scale cancer screening for the foreseeable future. Here, we review the progress of a unique route of early cancer diagnosis based on the chemosensory neuronal system of C. elegans. We first introduce the basic procedures of the chemotaxis assay of C. elegans: synchronization, behavior assay, immobilization, and counting. Then, we review the progress of each procedure and the various cancer types for which this method has achieved early diagnosis. For each procedure, we list examples of microfluidics technologies that have improved the automation, throughput, and efficiency of each step or module. Finally, we envision that microfluidics technologies combined with the chemotaxis assay of C. elegans can lead to an automated, cost-effective, non-invasive early cancer screening technology, with the development of more mature microfluidic modules as well as systematic integration of functional modules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutao Shi
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Chen Cui
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Shengzhi Chen
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Siyu Chen
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Yiheng Wang
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Qingyang Xu
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Lan Yang
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Jiayi Ye
- Zhejiang University-University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Institute (ZJU-UIUC Institute), International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China
| | - Zhi Hong
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJU-UoE Institute), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China (S.C.); (Q.X.)
| | - Huan Hu
- Zhejiang University-University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Institute (ZJU-UIUC Institute), International Campus, Zhejiang University, Haining 314400, China
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2
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Pierron M, Woglar A, Busso C, Jha K, Mikeladze‐Dvali T, Croisier M, Gönczy P. Centriole elimination during Caenorhabditis elegans oogenesis initiates with loss of the central tube protein SAS-1. EMBO J 2023; 42:e115076. [PMID: 37987153 PMCID: PMC10711648 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023115076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In most metazoans, centrioles are lost during oogenesis, ensuring that the zygote is endowed with the correct number of two centrioles, which are paternally contributed. How centriole architecture is dismantled during oogenesis is not understood. Here, we analyze with unprecedent detail the ultrastructural and molecular changes during oogenesis centriole elimination in Caenorhabditis elegans. Centriole elimination begins with loss of the so-called central tube and organelle widening, followed by microtubule disassembly. The resulting cluster of centriolar proteins then disappears gradually, usually moving in a microtubule- and dynein-dependent manner to the plasma membrane. Our analysis indicates that neither Polo-like kinases nor the PCM, which modulate oogenesis centriole elimination in Drosophila, do so in C. elegans. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the central tube protein SAS-1 normally departs initially from the organelle, which loses integrity earlier in sas-1 mutants. Overall, our work provides novel mechanistic insights regarding the fundamental process of oogenesis centriole elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Pierron
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life SciencesSwiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Alexander Woglar
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life SciencesSwiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Coralie Busso
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life SciencesSwiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Keshav Jha
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life SciencesSwiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | | | - Marie Croisier
- BIO‐EM platform, School of Life SciencesSwiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Pierre Gönczy
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life SciencesSwiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
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3
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Rezaeianaran F, Gijs MAM. Difference in Intestine Content of Caenorhabditis elegans When Fed on Non-Pathogenic or Pathogenic Bacteria. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1386. [PMID: 37512697 PMCID: PMC10384281 DOI: 10.3390/mi14071386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the bacterial food digestion and accumulation in wild-type adult Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) worms that have fed on either non-pathogenic RFP-expressing Escherichia coli (E. coli) OP50 or pathogenic-RFP-expressing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) PAO1 during the first 4 days of adulthood. Once the worms had completed their planned feeding cycles, they were loaded on microfluidic chips, where they were fixed to allow high-resolution z-stack fluorescence imaging of their intestines utilizing a Spinning Disk Confocal Microscope (SDCM) equipped with a high-resolution oil-immersion objective (60×). IMARIS software was used to visualize and analyze the obtained images, resulting in the production of three-dimensional constructs of the intestinal bacterial load. We discovered two distinct patterns for the bacteria-derived fluorescence signal in the intestine: (i) individual fluorescent spots, originating from intact bacteria, were present in the fluorescent E. coli-OP50-fed worms, and (ii) individual fluorescent spots (originating from intact bacteria) were dispersed in large regions of diffuse fluorescence (RDF), originating from disrupted bacteria, in fluorescent P. aeruginosa-PAO1-fed worms. We performed a semi-automated single-worm-resolution quantitative analysis of the intestinal bacterial load, which showed that the intestinal bacterial load generally increases with age of the worms, but more rapidly for the fluorescent P. aeruginosa-PAO1-fed worms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzad Rezaeianaran
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martin A M Gijs
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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4
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Rezaeianaran F, Gijs MAM. High-resolution imaging and analysis of the intestinal bacterial load of Caenorhabditis elegans during early adulthood. RSC Adv 2023; 13:17230-17243. [PMID: 37304789 PMCID: PMC10248764 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra02934d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
We study the presence within the worm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) of a fluorescent strain of the worm's bacterial food (Escherichia coli (E. coli) OP50) during early adulthood. Use of a microfluidic chip based on a thin glass coverslip substrate allows investigation of the intestinal bacterial load using a Spinning Disk Confocal Microscope (SDCM) equipped with a high-resolution objective (60×). High-resolution z-stack fluorescence images of the gut bacteria in adult worms, which were loaded in the microfluidic chip and subsequently fixed, were analyzed using IMARIS software and 3D reconstructions of the intestinal bacterial load in the worms were obtained. We present an automated bivariate histogram analysis of the volumes and intensities of the bacterial spots for each worm and find that, as the worms age, the bacterial load in their hindguts increases. We show the advantage of single-worm resolution automated analysis for bacterial load studies and anticipate that the methods described in our work can be easily implemented in existing microfluidic solutions to enable thorough studies of bacterial proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzad Rezaeianaran
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne CH-1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Martin A M Gijs
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne CH-1015 Lausanne Switzerland
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5
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Sridhar N, Fajrial AK, Doser RL, Hoerndli FJ, Ding X. Surface acoustic wave microfluidics for repetitive and reversible temporary immobilization of C. elegans. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:4882-4893. [PMID: 36377422 PMCID: PMC10091851 DOI: 10.1039/d2lc00737a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans is an important genetic model for neuroscience studies, used for analyses of how genes control connectivity, neuronal function, and behavior. To date, however, most studies of neuronal function in C. elegans are incapable of obtaining microscopy imaging with subcellular resolution and behavior analysis in the same set of animals. This constraint stems from the immobilization requirement for high-resolution imaging that is incompatible with behavioral analysis using conventional immobilization techniques. Here, we present a novel microfluidic device that uses surface acoustic waves (SAW) as a non-contact method to temporarily immobilize worms for a short period (30 seconds). We optimize the SAW based protocol for rapid switching between free-swimming and immobilized states, facilitating non-invasive analysis of swimming behavior as well as high-resolution synaptic imaging in the same animal. We find that the coupling of heat and acoustic pressure play a key role in the immobilization process. We introduce a proof-of-concept longitudinal study, illustrating that the device enables repeated imaging of fluorescently tagged synaptic receptors in command interneurons and analysis of swimming behavior in the same animals for three days. This longitudinal approach provides the first correlative analysis of synaptic glutamatergic receptors and swimming behavior in aging animals. We anticipate that this device will enable further longitudinal analysis of animal motility and subcellular morphological changes during development and aging in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nakul Sridhar
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
| | - Apresio Kefin Fajrial
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
| | - Rachel L Doser
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
| | - Frederic J Hoerndli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
| | - Xiaoyun Ding
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
- Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA
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6
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Agarwal P, Shemesh T, Zaidel-Bar R. Directed cell invasion and asymmetric adhesion drive tissue elongation and turning in C. elegans gonad morphogenesis. Dev Cell 2022; 57:2111-2126.e6. [PMID: 36049484 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Development of the C. elegans gonad has long been studied as a model of organogenesis driven by collective cell migration. A somatic cell named the distal tip cell (DTC) is thought to serve as the leader of following germ cells; yet, the mechanism for DTC propulsion and maneuvering remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the DTC is not self-propelled but rather is pushed by the proliferating germ cells. Proliferative pressure pushes the DTC forward, against the resistance of the basement membrane in front. The DTC locally secretes metalloproteases that degrade the impeding membrane, resulting in gonad elongation. Turning of the gonad is achieved by polarized DTC-matrix adhesions. The asymmetrical traction results in a bending moment on the DTC. Src and Cdc42 regulate integrin adhesion polarity, whereas an external netrin signal determines DTC orientation. Our findings challenge the current view of DTC migration and offer a distinct framework to understand organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priti Agarwal
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Tom Shemesh
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel.
| | - Ronen Zaidel-Bar
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel.
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7
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Shah P, Bao Z, Zaidel-Bar R. Visualizing and quantifying molecular and cellular processes in C. elegans using light microscopy. Genetics 2022; 221:6619563. [PMID: 35766819 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac068] [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: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Light microscopes are the cell and developmental biologists' "best friend", providing a means to see structures and follow dynamics from the protein to the organism level. A huge advantage of C. elegans as a model organism is its transparency, which coupled with its small size means that nearly every biological process can be observed and measured with the appropriate probe and light microscope. Continuous improvement in microscope technologies along with novel genome editing techniques to create transgenic probes have facilitated the development and implementation of a dizzying array of methods for imaging worm embryos, larvae and adults. In this review we provide an overview of the molecular and cellular processes that can be visualized in living worms using light microscopy. A partial inventory of fluorescent probes and techniques successfully used in worms to image the dynamics of cells, organelles, DNA, and protein localization and activity is followed by a practical guide to choosing between various imaging modalities, including widefield, confocal, lightsheet, and structured illumination microscopy. Finally, we discuss the available tools and approaches, including machine learning, for quantitative image analysis tasks, such as colocalization, segmentation, object tracking, and lineage tracing. Hopefully, this review will inspire worm researchers who have not yet imaged their worms to begin, and push those who are imaging to go faster, finer, and longer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavak Shah
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles 90095, USA
| | - Zhirong Bao
- Developmental Biology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Ronen Zaidel-Bar
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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8
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Berger S, Spiri S, deMello A, Hajnal A. Microfluidic-based imaging of complete Caenorhabditis elegans larval development. Development 2021; 148:269282. [PMID: 34170296 PMCID: PMC8327290 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Several microfluidic-based methods for Caenorhabditis elegans imaging have recently been introduced. Existing methods either permit imaging across multiple larval stages without maintaining a stable worm orientation, or allow for very good immobilization but are only suitable for shorter experiments. Here, we present a novel microfluidic imaging method that allows parallel live-imaging across multiple larval stages, while maintaining worm orientation and identity over time. This is achieved through an array of microfluidic trap channels carefully tuned to maintain worms in a stable orientation, while allowing growth and molting to occur. Immobilization is supported by an active hydraulic valve, which presses worms onto the cover glass during image acquisition only. In this way, excellent quality images can be acquired with minimal impact on worm viability or developmental timing. The capabilities of the devices are demonstrated by observing the hypodermal seam and P-cell divisions and, for the first time, the entire process of vulval development from induction to the end of morphogenesis. Moreover, we demonstrate feasibility of on-chip RNAi by perturbing basement membrane breaching during anchor cell invasion. Summary: Parallel microfluidic long-term imaging allows reliable long-term study of Caenorhabditis elegans development across multiple larval stages at high-resolution and with minimal effect on physiological development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Berger
- Department of Molecular Life Science, University Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.,Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Silvan Spiri
- Department of Molecular Life Science, University Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andrew deMello
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alex Hajnal
- Department of Molecular Life Science, University Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
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9
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Viri V, Arveiler M, Lehnert T, Gijs MAM. An In Vivo Microfluidic Study of Bacterial Load Dynamics and Absorption in the C. elegans Intestine. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:832. [PMID: 34357242 PMCID: PMC8304684 DOI: 10.3390/mi12070832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Caenorhabditiselegans (C. elegans) has gained importance as a model for studying host-microbiota interactions and bacterial infections related to human pathogens. Assessing the fate of ingested bacteria in the worm's intestine is therefore of great interest, in particular with respect to normal bacterial digestion or intestinal colonization by pathogens. Here, we report an in vivo study of bacteria in the gut of C. elegans. We take advantage of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic device enabling passive immobilization of adult worms under physiological conditions. Non-pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria expressing either pH-sensitive or pH-insensitive fluorescence reporters as well as fluorescently marked indigestible microbeads were used for the different assays. Dynamic fluorescence patterns of the bacterial load in the worm gut were conveniently monitored by time-lapse imaging. Cyclic motion of the bacterial load due to peristaltic activity of the gut was observed and biochemical digestion of E. coli was characterized by high-resolution fluorescence imaging of the worm's intestine. We could discriminate between individual intact bacteria and diffuse signals related to disrupted bacteria that can be digested. From the decay of the diffuse fluorescent signal, we determined a digestion time constant of 14 ± 4 s. In order to evaluate the possibility to perform infection assays with our platform, immobilized C. elegans worms were fed pathogenic Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum) bacteria. We analyzed bacterial fate and accumulation in the gut of N2 worms and mitochondrial stress response in a hsp-6::gfp mutant.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Martin A. M. Gijs
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (V.V.); (M.A.); (T.L.)
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10
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Vertti-Quintero N, Berger S, Casadevall I Solvas X, Statzer C, Annis J, Ruppen P, Stavrakis S, Ewald CY, Gunawan R, deMello AJ. Stochastic and Age-Dependent Proteostasis Decline Underlies Heterogeneity in Heat-Shock Response Dynamics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2102145. [PMID: 34196492 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202102145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Significant non-genetic stochastic factors affect aging, causing lifespan differences among individuals, even those sharing the same genetic and environmental background. In Caenorhabditis elegans, differences in heat-shock response (HSR) are predictive of lifespan. However, factors contributing to the heterogeneity of HSR are still not fully elucidated. Here, the authors characterized HSR dynamics in isogenic C. elegans expressing GFP reporter for hsp-16.2 for identifying the key contributors of HSR heterogeneity. Specifically, microfluidic devices that enable cross-sectional and longitudinal measurements of HSR dynamics in C. elegans at different scales are developed: in populations, within individuals, and in embryos. The authors adapted a mathematical model of HSR to single C. elegans and identified model parameters associated with proteostasis-maintenance of protein homeostasis-more specifically, protein turnover, as the major drivers of heterogeneity in HSR dynamics. It is verified that individuals with enhanced proteostasis fidelity in early adulthood live longer. The model-based comparative analysis of protein turnover in day-1 and day-2 adult C. elegans revealed a stochastic-onset of age-related proteostasis decline that increases the heterogeneity of HSR capacity. Finally, the analysis of C. elegans embryos showed higher HSR and proteostasis capacity than young adults and established transgenerational contribution to HSR heterogeneity that depends on maternal age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon Berger
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Xavier Casadevall I Solvas
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems, KU Leuven, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium
| | - Cyril Statzer
- Institute of Translational Medicine, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, 8603, Switzerland
| | - Jillian Annis
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo - SUNY, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Peter Ruppen
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Stavros Stavrakis
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Collin Y Ewald
- Institute of Translational Medicine, ETH Zurich, Schwerzenbach, 8603, Switzerland
| | - Rudiyanto Gunawan
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo - SUNY, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Andrew J deMello
- Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
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11
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Abstract
Live-cell imaging analysis provides tremendous information for the study of cellular events such as growth cone migration in neuronal development. Here, we describe a protocol for live-cell imaging of migrating PVD dendritic growth cones in the nematode C. elegans by spinning-disk confocal microscopy. Fluorescently labeled growth cones and cytoskeletal proteins could be continuously observed for 4–6 h in mid-stage larvae. This protocol is suitable for revealing the dynamic molecular and cellular events in dendrite and axon development of C. elegans. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Chen et al. (2019). Conceptual framework to study real-time dendrite and axon development in C. elegans Live-cell imaging of PVD dendrite growth cones by spinning-disk confocal microscopy Analysis of F-actin dynamics in growth cones by TrackMate of Fiji (ImageJ)
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12
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Läubli NF, Burri JT, Marquard J, Vogler H, Mosca G, Vertti-Quintero N, Shamsudhin N, deMello A, Grossniklaus U, Ahmed D, Nelson BJ. 3D mechanical characterization of single cells and small organisms using acoustic manipulation and force microscopy. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2583. [PMID: 33972516 PMCID: PMC8110787 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22718-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantitative micromechanical characterization of single cells and multicellular tissues or organisms is of fundamental importance to the study of cellular growth, morphogenesis, and cell-cell interactions. However, due to limited manipulation capabilities at the microscale, systems used for mechanical characterizations struggle to provide complete three-dimensional coverage of individual specimens. Here, we combine an acoustically driven manipulation device with a micro-force sensor to freely rotate biological samples and quantify mechanical properties at multiple regions of interest within a specimen. The versatility of this tool is demonstrated through the analysis of single Lilium longiflorum pollen grains, in combination with numerical simulations, and individual Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes. It reveals local variations in apparent stiffness for single specimens, providing previously inaccessible information and datasets on mechanical properties that serve as the basis for biophysical modelling and allow deeper insights into the biomechanics of these living systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nino F Läubli
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan T Burri
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Hannes Vogler
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology & Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gabriella Mosca
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology & Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nadia Vertti-Quintero
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Andrew deMello
- Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ueli Grossniklaus
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology & Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Ahmed
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab, ETH Zurich, Rüschlikon, Switzerland.
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13
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Han X, Su Y, White H, O'Neill KM, Morgan NY, Christensen R, Potarazu D, Vishwasrao HD, Xu S, Sun Y, Huang SY, Moyle MW, Dai Q, Pommier Y, Giniger E, Albrecht DR, Probst R, Shroff H. A polymer index-matched to water enables diverse applications in fluorescence microscopy. LAB ON A CHIP 2021; 21:1549-1562. [PMID: 33629685 PMCID: PMC8058278 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01233e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate diffraction-limited and super-resolution imaging through thick layers (tens-hundreds of microns) of BIO-133, a biocompatible, UV-curable, commercially available polymer with a refractive index (RI) matched to water. We show that cells can be directly grown on BIO-133 substrates without the need for surface passivation and use this capability to perform extended time-lapse volumetric imaging of cellular dynamics 1) at isotropic resolution using dual-view light-sheet microscopy, and 2) at super-resolution using instant structured illumination microscopy. BIO-133 also enables immobilization of 1) Drosophila tissue, allowing us to track membrane puncta in pioneer neurons, and 2) Caenorhabditis elegans, which allows us to image and inspect fine neural structure and to track pan-neuronal calcium activity over hundreds of volumes. Finally, BIO-133 is compatible with other microfluidic materials, enabling optical and chemical perturbation of immobilized samples, as we demonstrate by performing drug and optogenetic stimulation on cells and C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Han
- Laboratory of High Resolution Optical Imaging, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. and Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Yijun Su
- Laboratory of High Resolution Optical Imaging, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. and Advanced Imaging and Microscopy Resource, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hamilton White
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609, USA. and Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Kate M O'Neill
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA and Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Nicole Y Morgan
- National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ryan Christensen
- Laboratory of High Resolution Optical Imaging, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Deepika Potarazu
- Laboratory of High Resolution Optical Imaging, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Harshad D Vishwasrao
- Advanced Imaging and Microscopy Resource, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Stephen Xu
- Laboratory of High Resolution Optical Imaging, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Yilun Sun
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch and Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Shar-Yin Huang
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch and Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mark W Moyle
- Department of Neuroscience and Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06536, USA
| | - Qionghai Dai
- Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Yves Pommier
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch and Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Edward Giniger
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Dirk R Albrecht
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609, USA. and Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609, USA
| | - Roland Probst
- ACUITYnano, Innovation in Biomedical Imaging, North Bethesda, MD 20850, USA
| | - Hari Shroff
- Laboratory of High Resolution Optical Imaging, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. and Advanced Imaging and Microscopy Resource, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA and Marine Biological Laboratory Fellows Program, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
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14
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Davidian D, Ziman B, Escobar AL, Oviedo NJ. Direct Current Electric Stimulation Alters the Frequency and the Distribution of Mitotic Cells in Planarians. Bioelectricity 2021; 3:77-91. [PMID: 34476379 DOI: 10.1089/bioe.2020.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The use of direct current electric stimulation (DCS) is an effective strategy to treat disease and enhance body functionality. Thus, treatment with DCS is an attractive biomedical alternative, but the molecular underpinnings remain mostly unknown. The lack of experimental models to dissect the effects of DCS from molecular to organismal levels is an important caveat. Here, we introduce the planarian flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea as a tractable organism for in vivo studies of DCS. We developed an experimental method that facilitates the application of direct current electrical stimulation to the whole planarian body (pDCS). Materials and Methods: Planarian immobilization was achieved by combining treatment with anesthesia, agar embedding, and low temperature via a dedicated thermoelectric cooling unit. Electric currents for pDCS were delivered using pulled glass microelectrodes. The electric potential was supplied through a constant voltage power supply. pDCS was administered up to six hours, and behavioral and molecular effects were measured by using video recordings, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression analysis. Results: The behavioral immobilization effects are reversible, and pDCS resulted in a redistribution of mitotic cells along the mediolateral axis of the planarian body. The pDCS effects were dependent on the polarity of the electric field, which led to either increase in reductions in mitotic densities associated with the time of pDCS. The changes in mitotic cells were consistent with apparent redistribution in gene expression of the stem cell marker smedwi-1. Conclusion: The immobilization technique presented in this work facilitates studies aimed at dissecting the effects of exogenous electric stimulation in the adult body. Treatment with DCS can be administered for varying times, and the consequences evaluated at different levels, including animal behavior, cellular and transcriptional changes. Indeed, treatment with pDCS can alter cellular and transcriptional parameters depending on the polarity of the electric field and duration of the exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon Davidian
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology and University of California Merced, Merced, California, USA
| | - Benjamin Ziman
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology and University of California Merced, Merced, California, USA
| | - Ariel L Escobar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Merced, Merced, California, USA
| | - Néstor J Oviedo
- Department of Molecular & Cell Biology and University of California Merced, Merced, California, USA
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15
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Zellag RM, Zhao Y, Poupart V, Singh R, Labbé JC, Gerhold AR. CentTracker: a trainable, machine-learning-based tool for large-scale analyses of Caenorhabditis elegans germline stem cell mitosis. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:915-930. [PMID: 33502892 PMCID: PMC8108535 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e20-11-0716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating the complex interactions between stem cells and their native environment requires an efficient means to image them in situ. Caenorhabditis elegans germline stem cells (GSCs) are distinctly accessible for intravital imaging; however, long-term image acquisition and analysis of dividing GSCs can be technically challenging. Here we present a systematic investigation into the technical factors impacting GSC physiology during live imaging and provide an optimized method for monitoring GSC mitosis under minimally disruptive conditions. We describe CentTracker, an automated and generalizable image analysis tool that uses machine learning to pair mitotic centrosomes and that can extract a variety of mitotic parameters rapidly from large-scale data sets. We employ CentTracker to assess a range of mitotic features in a large GSC data set. We observe spatial clustering of mitoses within the germline tissue but no evidence that subpopulations with distinct mitotic profiles exist within the stem cell pool. We further find biases in GSC spindle orientation relative to the germline’s distal–proximal axis and thus the niche. The technical and analytical tools provided herein pave the way for large-scale screening studies of multiple mitotic processes in GSCs dividing in situ, in an intact tissue, in a living animal, under seemingly physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Réda M Zellag
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H2A 1B1, Canada.,Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Yifan Zhao
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H2A 1B1, Canada.,Present address: Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Vincent Poupart
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Ramya Singh
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H2A 1B1, Canada.,Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Jean-Claude Labbé
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Université de Montréal, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Abigail R Gerhold
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, QC H2A 1B1, Canada
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16
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Zhang B, Zhuang L, Sun D, Li Y, Chen Z. An integrated microfluidics for assessing the anti-aging effect of caffeic acid phenethylester in Caenorhabditis elegans. Electrophoresis 2020; 42:742-748. [PMID: 33184875 DOI: 10.1002/elps.202000251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Aging is a fundamental and fascinating process. Anti-aging research tried to find the mysteries about the human lifespan. To investigate the longevity-extending role of caffeic acid phenethylester (CAPE) and reveal the possible regulation mechanism, the long-term cultivation under well-defined environments, real-time monitoring, and live imaging is highly desired. In this paper, a well-designed microfluidic device was proposed to analyze the anti-aging effect of CAPE in Caenorhabditis elegans. With the combined use of multiple functional units, including micro-pillar, worm responder, a branching network of distribution channels, and microchambers, the longitudinal measurements of the exact number of worms throughout the whole lifespans is possible. Meanwhile, the brief cooling function of temperature-controllable system can achieve temporary and repeated immobilization of nematodes for fluorescence imaging. Our research data showed that CAPE can increase the survival of worms under normal and stress condition, including heat stress and paraquat-induced oxidative stress. The further studies revealed the anti-aging mechanism of CAPE. This proposed strategy and device would be a useful platform to facilitate future anti-aging studies and the finding of new lead compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Liping Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Duanping Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,New Drug Research and Development Center, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yinbao Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zuanguang Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, P. R. China
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17
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Liu L, Song S, Zhang YP, Wang D, Zhou Z, Chen Y, Jin X, Hu CF, Shen CX. Amphiregulin promotes cardiac fibrosis post myocardial infarction by inducing the endothelial-mesenchymal transition via the EGFR pathway in endothelial cells. Exp Cell Res 2020; 390:111950. [PMID: 32188578 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.111950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) plays a key role in the development of cardiac fibrosis (CF) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The results of our previous study showed that amphiregulin (AR) expression was enhanced after MI. However, the role of AR on EndMT post MI remains unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of AR on EndMT post MI and the associated molecular mechanisms. AR expression was markedly enhanced in infarct border area post MI, and endothelial cells were one of the primary cell sources of AR secretion. Stimulation with AR promoted endothelial cell proliferation, invasion, migration, collagen synthesis and EndMT. In addition, EGFR and downstream gene expression was significantly enhanced. In vivo, EndMT was significantly inhibited after lentivirus-AR-shRNA was delivered to the myocardium post MI. In addition, silencing AR ameliorated cardiac function by decreasing the extent of CF. Furthermore, the levels of EGFR pathway components in endothelial cells extracted from infarct border myocardium were all significantly decreased in lentivirus-AR-shRNA-treated MI mice. Our results demonstrate that AR induces CF post MI by enhancing EndMT in endothelial cells. Thus, targeting the regulation of AR may provide a potentially novel therapeutic option for CF after MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuai Song
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya Ping Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhong'e Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xian Jin
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Cui Fen Hu
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Cheng Xing Shen
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
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18
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Atakan HB, Hof KS, Cornaglia M, Auwerx J, Gijs MAM. The Detection of Early Epigenetic Inheritance of Mitochondrial Stress in C. Elegans with a Microfluidic Phenotyping Platform. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19315. [PMID: 31848454 PMCID: PMC6917781 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55979-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluctuations and deterioration in environmental conditions potentially have a phenotypic impact that extends over generations. Transgenerational epigenetics is the defined term for such intergenerational transient inheritance without an alteration in the DNA sequence. The model organism Caenorhabditis elegans is exceptionally valuable to address transgenerational epigenetics due to its short lifespan, well-mapped genome and hermaphrodite behavior. While the majority of the transgenerational epigenetics on the nematodes focuses on generations-wide heritage, short-term and in-depth analysis of this phenomenon in a well-controlled manner has been lacking. Here, we present a novel microfluidic platform to observe mother-to-progeny heritable transmission in C. elegans at high imaging resolution, under significant automation, and enabling parallelized studies. After approximately 24 hours of culture of L4 larvae under various concentrations and application periods of doxycycline, we investigated if mitochondrial stress was transferred from the mother nematodes to the early progenies. Automated and custom phenotyping algorithms revealed that a minimum doxycycline concentration of 30 µg/mL and a drug exposure time of 15 hours applied to the mothers could induce mitochondrial stress in first embryo progenies indeed, while this inheritance was not clearly observed later in L1 progenies. We believe that our new device could find further usage in transgenerational epigenetic studies modeled on C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- H B Atakan
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - K S Hof
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - M Cornaglia
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - J Auwerx
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - M A M Gijs
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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19
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Breimann L, Preusser F, Preibisch S. Light-microscopy methods in C. elegans research. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coisb.2018.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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20
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Atakan HB, Cornaglia M, Mouchiroud L, Auwerx J, Gijs MAM. Automated high-content phenotyping from the first larval stage till the onset of adulthood of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. LAB ON A CHIP 2018; 19:120-135. [PMID: 30484462 PMCID: PMC6309680 DOI: 10.1039/c8lc00863a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is increasingly used as a model for human biology. However, in vivo culturing platforms for C. elegans allowing high-content phenotyping during their life cycle in an automated fashion are lacking so far. Here, a multiplexed microfluidic platform for the rapid high-content phenotyping of populations of C. elegans down to single animal resolution is presented. Nematodes are (i) reversibly and regularly confined during their life inside tapered channels for imaging fluorescence signal expression and to measure their growth parameters, and (ii) allowed to freely move in microfluidic chambers, during which the swimming behavior was video-recorded. The obtained data sets are analyzed in an automated way and 19 phenotypic parameters are extracted. Our platform is employed for studying the effect of bacteria dilution, a form of dietary restriction (DR) in nematodes, on a worm model of Huntington's disease and demonstrates the influence of DR on disease regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huseyin Baris Atakan
- Laboratory of Microsystems, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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21
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Huelgas Morales
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - David Greenstein
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
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