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Liffner B, Absalon S. Expansion microscopy of apicomplexan parasites. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:619-635. [PMID: 37571814 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites comprise significant pathogens of humans, livestock and wildlife, but also represent a diverse group of eukaryotes with interesting and unique cell biology. The study of cell biology in apicomplexan parasites is complicated by their small size, and historically this has required the application of cutting-edge microscopy techniques to investigate fundamental processes like mitosis or cell division in these organisms. Recently, a technique called expansion microscopy has been developed, which rather than increasing instrument resolution like most imaging modalities, physically expands a biological sample. In only a few years since its development, a derivative of expansion microscopy known as ultrastructure-expansion microscopy (U-ExM) has been widely adopted and proven extremely useful for studying cell biology of Apicomplexa. Here, we review the insights into apicomplexan cell biology that have been enabled through the use of U-ExM, with a specific focus on Plasmodium, Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium. Further, we summarize emerging expansion microscopy modifications and modalities and forecast how these may influence the field of parasite cell biology in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Liffner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Sabrina Absalon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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2
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Cooper C, Thompson RCA, Clode PL. Investigating parasites in three dimensions: trends in volume microscopy. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:668-681. [PMID: 37302958 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To best understand parasite, host, and vector morphologies, host-parasite interactions, and to develop new drug and vaccine targets, structural data should, ideally, be obtained and visualised in three dimensions (3D). Recently, there has been a significant uptake of available 3D volume microscopy techniques that allow collection of data across centimetre (cm) to Angstrom (Å) scales by utilising light, X-ray, electron, and ion sources. Here, we present and discuss microscopy tools available for the collection of 3D structural data, focussing on electron microscopy-based techniques. We highlight their strengths and limitations, such that parasitologists can identify techniques best suited to answer their research questions. Additionally, we review the importance of volume microscopy to the advancement of the field of parasitology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal Cooper
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation, and Analysis, University of Western Australia, Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - R C Andrew Thompson
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Peta L Clode
- Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation, and Analysis, University of Western Australia, Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
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3
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Martinez M, Chen WD, Cova MM, Molnár P, Mageswaran SK, Guérin A, John ARO, Lebrun M, Chang YW. Rhoptry secretion system structure and priming in Plasmodium falciparum revealed using in situ cryo-electron tomography. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:1230-1238. [PMID: 35817892 PMCID: PMC7613239 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01171-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Apicomplexan parasites secrete contents of the rhoptries, club-shaped organelles in the apical region, into host cells to permit their invasion and establishment of infection. The rhoptry secretory apparatus (RSA), which is critical for rhoptry secretion, was recently discovered in Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium. It is unknown whether a similar molecular machinery exists in the malaria parasite Plasmodium. In this study, we use in situ cryo-electron tomography to investigate the rhoptry secretion system in P. falciparum merozoites. We identify the presence of an RSA at the cell apex and a morphologically distinct apical vesicle docking the tips of the two rhoptries to the RSA. We also discover two additional rhoptry organizations that lack the apical vesicle. Using subtomogram averaging, we reveal different conformations of the RSA structure corresponding to different rhoptry organizations. Our results highlight previously unknown steps in the process of rhoptry secretion and indicate a regulatory role for the conserved apical vesicle in host invasion by apicomplexan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Martinez
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - William David Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Petra Molnár
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Shrawan Kumar Mageswaran
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amandine Guérin
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Audrey R Odom John
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maryse Lebrun
- LPHI, UMR 5235 CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Yi-Wei Chang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Liedtke J, Depelteau JS, Briegel A. How advances in cryo-electron tomography have contributed to our current view of bacterial cell biology. J Struct Biol X 2022; 6:100065. [PMID: 35252838 PMCID: PMC8894267 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjsbx.2022.100065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advancements in the field of cryo-electron tomography have greatly contributed to our current understanding of prokaryotic cell organization and revealed intracellular structures with remarkable architecture. In this review, we present some of the prominent advancements in cryo-electron tomography, illustrated by a subset of structural examples to demonstrate the power of the technique. More specifically, we focus on technical advances in automation of data collection and processing, sample thinning approaches, correlative cryo-light and electron microscopy, and sub-tomogram averaging methods. In turn, each of these advances enabled new insights into bacterial cell architecture, cell cycle progression, and the structure and function of molecular machines. Taken together, these significant advances within the cryo-electron tomography workflow have led to a greater understanding of prokaryotic biology. The advances made the technique available to a wider audience and more biological questions and provide the basis for continued advances in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Liedtke
- Department of Microbial Sciences, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands.,Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jamie S Depelteau
- Department of Microbial Sciences, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands.,Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ariane Briegel
- Department of Microbial Sciences, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands.,Centre for Microbial Cell Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
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Miles S, Magnone J, García-Luna J, Ancarola ME, Cucher M, Dematteis S, Frischknecht F, Cyrklaff M, Mourglia-Ettlin G. Ultrastructural characterization of the tegument in protoscoleces of Echinococcus ortleppi. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:989-997. [PMID: 34216624 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis is a globally distributed zoonosis caused by cestodes of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) complex, with Echinococcus ortleppi mainly involved in cattle infection. Protoscoleces show high developmental plasticity, being able to differentiate into either adult worms or metacestodes within definitive or intermediate hosts, respectively. Their outermost cellular layer is called the tegument, which is important in determining the infection outcome through its immunomodulating activities. Herein, we report an in-depth characterization of the tegument of E. ortleppi protoscoleces performed through a combination of scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Using electron tomography, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the tegumental cellular territories was obtained, revealing a novel structure termed the 'tegumental vesicular body' (TVB). Vesicle-like structures, possibly involved in endocytic/exocytic routes, were found within the TVB as well as in the parasite glycocalyx, distal cytoplasm and close inner structures. Furthermore, parasite antigens (GST-1 and AgB) were unevenly localised within tegumental structures, with both being detected in vesicles found within the TBV. Finally, the presence of host (bovine) IgG was also assessed, suggesting a possible endocytic route in protoscoleces. Our data forms the basis for a better understanding of E. ortleppi and E. granulosus s.l. structural biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastián Miles
- Área Inmunología, DEPBIO/IQB, Facultad de Química/Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Javier Magnone
- Área Inmunología, DEPBIO/IQB, Facultad de Química/Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Joaquín García-Luna
- Área Inmunología, DEPBIO/IQB, Facultad de Química/Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Eugenia Ancarola
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcela Cucher
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica (IMPaM, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sylvia Dematteis
- Área Inmunología, DEPBIO/IQB, Facultad de Química/Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marek Cyrklaff
- Integrative Parasitology, Center for Infectious Diseases, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Gustavo Mourglia-Ettlin
- Área Inmunología, DEPBIO/IQB, Facultad de Química/Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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6
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Jun S, Ro HJ, Bharda A, Kim SI, Jeoung D, Jung HS. Advances in Cryo-Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy: Applications for Studying Molecular and Cellular Events. Protein J 2020; 38:609-615. [PMID: 31396855 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-019-09856-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy (Cryo-CLEM) is materializing as a widespread approach amalgamating the advantages of both fluorescence light microscopy (FLM) as well as three dimensional (3D) cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to reveal the ultrastructure of significant target molecules with specific cellular functions. Cryo-CLEM allows imaging of cells by means of fluorescence microscopy exhibiting the location of the destined molecule at high temporal and spatial resolution while cryo-ET is employed to analyze the 3D structure at a molecular resolution in close-to-physiological condition. Present review focuses upon the practical strategies for Cryo-CLEM and recent technical developments that will assist the broad implementation of this technique to investigate and answer questions pertaining to various biological events occurring in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangmi Jun
- Drug & Disease Target Team, Korea Basic Science Institute, 162, Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28119, South Korea. .,Convergent Research Center for Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, South Korea. .,Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, South Korea.
| | - Hyun-Joo Ro
- Drug & Disease Target Team, Korea Basic Science Institute, 162, Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28119, South Korea.,Convergent Research Center for Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Anahita Bharda
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon National University, 1 Kangwondaehak-gil, Chuncheon-Si, Gangwon-do, 200-701, South Korea
| | - Seung Il Kim
- Drug & Disease Target Team, Korea Basic Science Institute, 162, Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju-Si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28119, South Korea.,Convergent Research Center for Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, South Korea.,Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Dooil Jeoung
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon National University, 1 Kangwondaehak-gil, Chuncheon-Si, Gangwon-do, 200-701, South Korea
| | - Hyun Suk Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon National University, 1 Kangwondaehak-gil, Chuncheon-Si, Gangwon-do, 200-701, South Korea.
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Abstract
Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) allows three-dimensional (3D) visualization of frozen-hydrated biological samples, such as protein complexes and cell organelles, in near-native environments at nanometer scale. Protein complexes that are present in multiple copies in a set of tomograms can be extracted, mutually aligned, and averaged to yield a signal-enhanced 3D structure up to sub-nanometer or even near-atomic resolution. This technique, called subtomogram averaging (StA), is powered by improvements in EM hardware and image processing software. Importantly, StA provides unique biological insights into the structure and function of cellular machinery in close-to-native contexts. In this chapter, we describe the principles and key steps of StA. We briefly cover sample preparation and data collection with an emphasis on image processing procedures related to tomographic reconstruction, subtomogram alignment, averaging, and classification. We conclude by summarizing current limitations and future directions of this technique with a focus on high-resolution StA.
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Wang L, Frei MS, Salim A, Johnsson K. Small-Molecule Fluorescent Probes for Live-Cell Super-Resolution Microscopy. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:2770-2781. [PMID: 30550714 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b11134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 284] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy is a powerful tool to visualize biomolecules and cellular structures at the nanometer scale. Employing these techniques in living cells has opened up the possibility to study dynamic processes with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. Different physical approaches to super-resolution microscopy have been introduced over the last years. A bottleneck to apply these approaches for live-cell imaging has become the availability of appropriate fluorescent probes that can be specifically attached to biomolecules. In this Perspective, we discuss the role of small-molecule fluorescent probes for live-cell super-resolution microscopy and the challenges that need to be overcome for their generation. Recent trends in the development of labeling strategies are reviewed together with the required chemical and spectroscopic properties of the probes. Finally, selected examples of the use of small-molecule fluorescent probes in live-cell super-resolution microscopy are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wang
- Department of Chemical Biology , Max Planck Institute for Medical Research , Jahnstrasse 29 , 69120 Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Michelle S Frei
- Department of Chemical Biology , Max Planck Institute for Medical Research , Jahnstrasse 29 , 69120 Heidelberg , Germany.,Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , 1015 Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - Aleksandar Salim
- Department of Chemical Biology , Max Planck Institute for Medical Research , Jahnstrasse 29 , 69120 Heidelberg , Germany.,Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , 1015 Lausanne , Switzerland
| | - Kai Johnsson
- Department of Chemical Biology , Max Planck Institute for Medical Research , Jahnstrasse 29 , 69120 Heidelberg , Germany.,Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , 1015 Lausanne , Switzerland
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Transmission Electron Microscopy Improves the Diagnostic Sensitivity in Nonbacterial Etiology of Severe Pneumonia: A Retrospective Study. Am J Med Sci 2018; 357:289-295. [PMID: 30638601 PMCID: PMC7093854 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Background Severe pneumonia is responsible for great mortality and morbidity worldwide, and early-applied effective anti-infective therapy can improve the prognosis of patients. However, identification of infectious agents in severe pneumonia remains a major challenge so far. In this study, the potential utility of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in detecting nonbacterial pathogens in patients with severe pneumonia was retrospectively evaluated. Materials and Methods A total of 106 patients diagnosed with severe pneumonia at our hospital from September 2015 to December 2017 were included, and their baseline clinical characteristics were collected. Nonbacterial infectious agents detected by TEM in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serological tests were summarized. The detection rates were further compared between TEM and serological tests. Results BALF examination under the transmission electron microscope revealed 24 viruses, 16 mycoplasmas, 18 chlamydia, 2 fungi and 74 bacteria in 99 samples, among which 61 samples were mixed infections. The combined use of serological tests and TEM significantly improved the detection rate of nonbacterial infectious agents in patients with severe pneumonia. Conclusions Our data support that implementation of TEM could improve the sensitivity for detecting viruses, atypical pathogens and mixed infections in BALF from patient of severe pneumonia. Therefore, TEM may be used as an auxiliary diagnostic method of other microbiological tests in severe pneumonia.
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Visualizing Viral Infection In Vivo by Multi-Photon Intravital Microscopy. Viruses 2018; 10:v10060337. [PMID: 29925766 PMCID: PMC6024644 DOI: 10.3390/v10060337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral pathogens have adapted to the host organism to exploit the cellular machinery for virus replication and to modulate the host cells for efficient systemic dissemination and immune evasion. Much of our knowledge of the effects that virus infections have on cells originates from in vitro imaging studies using experimental culture systems consisting of cell lines and primary cells. Recently, intravital microscopy using multi-photon excitation of fluorophores has been applied to observe virus dissemination and pathogenesis in real-time under physiological conditions in living organisms. Critical steps during viral infection and pathogenesis could be studied by direct visualization of fluorescent virus particles, virus-infected cells, and the immune response to viral infection. In this review, I summarize the latest research on in vivo studies of viral infections using multi-photon intravital microscopy (MP-IVM). Initially, the underlying principle of multi-photon microscopy is introduced and experimental challenges during microsurgical animal preparation and fluorescent labeling strategies for intravital imaging are discussed. I will further highlight recent studies that combine MP-IVM with optogenetic tools and transcriptional analysis as a powerful approach to extend the significance of in vivo imaging studies of viral pathogens.
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