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Geyer SH, Ceci Ginistrelli L, Ilmer T, Schwendt KM, Mendjan S, Weninger WJ. Three-dimensional structural and metric characterisation of cardioids. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1426043. [PMID: 39119041 PMCID: PMC11306051 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1426043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Exact three-dimensional (3D) structural information of developing organoids is key for optimising organoid generation and for studying experimental outcomes in organoid models. We set up a 3D imaging technique and studied complexly arranged native and experimentally challenged cardioids of two stages of remodelling. The imaging technique we employed is S-HREM (Scanning High Resolution Episcopic Microscopy), a variant of HREM, which captures multiple images of subsequently exposed surfaces of resin blocks and automatically combines them to large sized digital volume data of voxels sizes below 1 μm3. We provide precise volumetric information of the examined specimens and their single components and comparisons between stages in terms of volume and micro- and macroanatomic structure. We describe the 3D arrangement and lining of different types of cavities and their changes between day 10 and day 14 and map the various cell types to their precise spatial and structural environment. Exemplarily, we conducted semiautomatic counts of nuclei. In cryo-injured cardioids, we examined the extension and composition of the injured areas. Our results demonstrate the high quality and the great potential of digital volume data produced with S-HREM. It also provides sound metric and structural information, which assists production of native and experimentally challenged left ventricle cardioids and interpretation of their structural remodelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan H. Geyer
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lavinia Ceci Ginistrelli
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tobias Ilmer
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karoline M. Schwendt
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sasha Mendjan
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Cell and Developmental Biology, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang J. Weninger
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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2
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Jäger R, Geyer SH, Kavirayani A, Kiss MG, Waltenberger E, Rülicke T, Binder CJ, Weninger WJ, Kralovics R. Effects of Tulp4 deficiency on murine embryonic development and adult phenotype. Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:854-866. [PMID: 38115643 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24476] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Genetically engineered mouse models have the potential to unravel fundamental biological processes and provide mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of human diseases. We have previously observed that germline genetic variation at the TULP4 locus influences clinical characteristics in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. To elucidate the role of TULP4 in pathological and physiological processes in vivo, we generated a Tulp4 knockout mouse model. Systemic Tulp4 deficiency exerted a strong impact on embryonic development in both Tulp4 homozygous null (Tulp4-/-) and heterozygous (Tulp4+/-) knockout mice, the former exhibiting perinatal lethality. High-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) of day 14.5 embryos allowed for the identification of multiple developmental defects in Tulp4-/- mice, including severe heart defects. Moreover, in Tulp4+/- embryos HREM revealed abnormalities of several organ systems, which per se do not affect prenatal or postnatal survival. In adult Tulp4+/- mice, extensive examinations of hematopoietic and cardiovascular features, involving histopathological surveys of multiple tissues as well as blood counts and immunophenotyping, did not provide evidence for anomalies as observed in corresponding embryos. Finally, evaluating a potential obesity-related phenotype as reported for other TULP family members revealed a trend for increased body weight of Tulp4+/- mice. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: To study the role of the TULP4 gene in vivo, we generated a Tulp4 knockout mouse model. Correlative analyses involving HREM revealed a strong impact of Tulp4 deficiency on murine embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Jäger
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan H Geyer
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Imaging Cluster, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anoop Kavirayani
- Vienna BioCenter Core Facilities GmbH, Austrian BioImaging/CMI, Vienna, Austria
| | - Máté G Kiss
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Waltenberger
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Rülicke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph J Binder
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang J Weninger
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Imaging Cluster, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Kralovics
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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3
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Reissig LF, Geyer SH, Winkler V, Preineder E, Prin F, Wilson R, Galli A, Tudor C, White JK, Mohun TJ, Weninger WJ. Detailed characterizations of cranial nerve anatomy in E14.5 mouse embryos/fetuses and their use as reference for diagnosing subtle, but potentially lethal malformations in mutants. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1006620. [PMID: 36438572 PMCID: PMC9682249 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1006620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Careful phenotype analysis of genetically altered mouse embryos/fetuses is vital for deciphering the function of pre- and perinatally lethal genes. Usually this involves comparing the anatomy of mutants with that of wild types of identical developmental stages. Detailed three dimensional information on regular cranial nerve (CN) anatomy of prenatal mice is very scarce. We therefore set out to provide such information to be used as reference data and selected mutants to demonstrate its potential for diagnosing CN abnormalities. Digital volume data of 152 wild type mice, harvested on embryonic day (E)14.5 and of 18 mutants of the Col4a2, Arid1b, Rpgrip1l and Cc2d2a null lines were examined. The volume data had been created with High Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM) as part of the deciphering the mechanisms of developmental disorders (DMDD) program. Employing volume and surface models, oblique slicing and digital measuring tools, we provide highly detailed anatomic descriptions of the CNs and measurements of the diameter of selected segments. Specifics of the developmental stages of E14.5 mice and anatomic norm variations were acknowledged. Using the provided data as reference enabled us to objectively diagnose CN abnormalities, such as abnormal formation of CN3 (Col4a2), neuroma of the motor portion of CN5 (Arid1b), thinning of CN7 (Rpgrip1l) and abnormal topology of CN12 (Cc2d2a). Although, in a first glimpse perceived as unspectacular, defects of the motor CN5 or CN7, like enlargement or thinning can cause death of newborns, by hindering feeding. Furthermore, abnormal topology of CN12 was recently identified as a highly reliable marker for low penetrating, but potentially lethal defects of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas F. Reissig
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan H. Geyer
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Viola Winkler
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ester Preineder
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fabrice Prin
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Wolfgang J. Weninger
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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4
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Wendling O, Hentsch D, Jacobs H, Lemercier N, Taubert S, Pertuy F, Vonesch JL, Sorg T, Di Michele M, Le Cam L, Rosahl T, Carballo-Jane E, Liu M, Mu J, Mark M, Herault Y. High Resolution Episcopic Microscopy for Qualitative and Quantitative Data in Phenotyping Altered Embryos and Adult Mice Using the New "Histo3D" System. Biomedicines 2021; 9:767. [PMID: 34356832 PMCID: PMC8301480 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
3D imaging in animal models, during development or in adults, facilitates the identification of structural morphological changes that cannot be achieved with traditional 2D histological staining. Through the reconstruction of whole embryos or a region-of-interest, specific changes are better delimited and can be easily quantified. We focused here on high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM), and its potential for visualizing and quantifying the organ systems of normal and genetically altered embryos and adult organisms. Although the technique is based on episcopic images, these are of high resolution and are close to histological quality. The images reflect the tissue structure and densities revealed by histology, albeit in a grayscale color map. HREM technology permits researchers to take advantage of serial 2D aligned stacks of images to perform 3D reconstructions. Three-dimensional visualization allows for an appreciation of topology and morphology that is difficult to achieve with classical histological studies. The nature of the data lends itself to novel forms of computational analysis that permit the accurate quantitation and comparison of individual embryos in a manner that is impossible with histology. Here, we have developed a new HREM prototype consisting of the assembly of a Leica Biosystems Nanocut rotary microtome with optics and a camera. We describe some examples of applications in the prenatal and adult lifestage of the mouse to show the added value of HREM for phenotyping experimental cohorts to compare and quantify structure volumes. At prenatal stages, segmentations and 3D reconstructions allowed the quantification of neural tissue and ventricular system volumes of normal brains at E14.5 and E16.5 stages. 3D representations of normal cranial and peripheric nerves at E15.5 and of the normal urogenital system from stages E11.5 to E14.5 were also performed. We also present a methodology to quantify the volume of the atherosclerotic plaques of ApoEtm1Unc/tm1Unc mutant mice and illustrate a 3D reconstruction of knee ligaments in adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Wendling
- CNRS, INSERM, CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), Université de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France; (O.W.); (H.J.); (F.P.); (T.S.); (M.M.)
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France; (D.H.); (S.T.); (J.-L.V.)
| | - Didier Hentsch
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France; (D.H.); (S.T.); (J.-L.V.)
| | - Hugues Jacobs
- CNRS, INSERM, CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), Université de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France; (O.W.); (H.J.); (F.P.); (T.S.); (M.M.)
| | | | - Serge Taubert
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France; (D.H.); (S.T.); (J.-L.V.)
| | - Fabien Pertuy
- CNRS, INSERM, CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), Université de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France; (O.W.); (H.J.); (F.P.); (T.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Jean-Luc Vonesch
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France; (D.H.); (S.T.); (J.-L.V.)
| | - Tania Sorg
- CNRS, INSERM, CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), Université de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France; (O.W.); (H.J.); (F.P.); (T.S.); (M.M.)
| | - Michela Di Michele
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), INSERM U1194, Université Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France; (M.D.M.); (L.L.C.)
- Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), Université Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Le Cam
- Institut de Recherche en Cancérologie de Montpellier (IRCM), INSERM U1194, Université Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France; (M.D.M.); (L.L.C.)
- Institut Régional du Cancer de Montpellier (ICM), Université Montpellier, 34298 Montpellier, France
| | - Thomas Rosahl
- Merck & Co. Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (T.R.); (E.C.-J.); (M.L.); (J.M.)
| | - Ester Carballo-Jane
- Merck & Co. Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (T.R.); (E.C.-J.); (M.L.); (J.M.)
| | - Mindy Liu
- Merck & Co. Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (T.R.); (E.C.-J.); (M.L.); (J.M.)
| | - James Mu
- Merck & Co. Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (T.R.); (E.C.-J.); (M.L.); (J.M.)
| | - Manuel Mark
- CNRS, INSERM, CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), Université de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France; (O.W.); (H.J.); (F.P.); (T.S.); (M.M.)
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France; (D.H.); (S.T.); (J.-L.V.)
- Service de Biologie de la Reproduction, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg (HUS), CEDEX, 67091 Strasbourg, France
| | - Yann Herault
- CNRS, INSERM, CELPHEDIA, PHENOMIN-Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), Université de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France; (O.W.); (H.J.); (F.P.); (T.S.); (M.M.)
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), Université de Strasbourg, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, 67404 Illkirch Graffenstaden, France; (D.H.); (S.T.); (J.-L.V.)
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5
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Reissig LF, Seyedian Moghaddam A, Prin F, Wilson R, Galli A, Tudor C, White JK, Geyer SH, Mohun TJ, Weninger WJ. Hypoglossal Nerve Abnormalities as Biomarkers for Central Nervous System Defects in Mouse Lines Producing Embryonically Lethal Offspring. Front Neuroanat 2021; 15:625716. [PMID: 33584208 PMCID: PMC7876247 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.625716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
An essential step in researching human central nervous system (CNS) disorders is the search for appropriate mouse models that can be used to investigate both genetic and environmental factors underlying the etiology of such conditions. Identification of murine models relies upon detailed pre- and post-natal phenotyping since profound defects are not only the result of gross malformations but can be the result of small or subtle morphological abnormalities. The difficulties in identifying such defects are compounded by the finding that many mouse lines show quite a variable penetrance of phenotypes. As a result, without analysis of large numbers, such phenotypes are easily missed. Indeed for null mutations, around one-third have proved to be pre- or perinatally lethal, their analysis resting entirely upon phenotyping of accessible embryonic stages.To simplify the identification of potentially useful mouse mutants, we have conducted three-dimensional phenotype analysis of approximately 500 homozygous null mutant embryos, produced from targeting a variety of mouse genes and harvested at embryonic day 14.5 as part of the "Deciphering the Mechanisms of Developmental Disorders" www.dmdd.org.uk program. We have searched for anatomical features that have the potential to serve as biomarkers for CNS defects in such genetically modified lines. Our analysis identified two promising biomarker candidates. Hypoglossal nerve (HGN) abnormalities (absent, thin, and abnormal topology) and abnormal morphology or topology of head arteries are both frequently associated with the full spectrum of morphological CNS defects, ranging from exencephaly to more subtle defects such as abnormal nerve cell migration. Statistical analysis confirmed that HGN abnormalities (especially those scored absent or thin) indeed showed a significant correlation with CNS defect phenotypes. These results demonstrate that null mutant lines showing HGN abnormalities are also highly likely to produce CNS defects whose identification may be difficult as a result of morphological subtlety or low genetic penetrance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas F. Reissig
- Department of Anatomy, MIC, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Atieh Seyedian Moghaddam
- Department of Anatomy, MIC, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fabrice Prin
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Antonella Galli
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Tudor
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jaqueline K. White
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan H. Geyer
- Department of Anatomy, MIC, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Wolfgang J. Weninger
- Department of Anatomy, MIC, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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6
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Dabiri B, Kampusch S, Geyer SH, Le VH, Weninger WJ, Széles JC, Kaniusas E. High-Resolution Episcopic Imaging for Visualization of Dermal Arteries and Nerves of the Auricular Cymba Conchae in Humans. Front Neuroanat 2020; 14:22. [PMID: 32477074 PMCID: PMC7236887 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic applications of auricular vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) have drawn recent attention. Since the targeted stimulation process and parameters depend on the electrode–tissue interaction, the lack of structural anatomical information on innervation and vascularization of the auricle restrain the current optimization of stimulation paradigms. For the first time, we employed high-resolution episcopic imaging (HREM) to generate histologic volume data from donated human cadaver ears. Optimal parameters for specimen preparation were evaluated. Anatomical 3D vascular and nerve structures were reconstructed in one sample of an auricular cymba conchae (CC). The feasibility of HREM to visualize anatomical structures was assessed in that diameters, occupied areas, volumes, and mutual distances between auricular arteries, nerves, and veins were registered. The selected region of CC (3 × 5.5 mm) showed in its cross-sections 21.7 ± 2.7 (mean ± standard deviation) arteries and 14.66 ± 2.74 nerve fibers. Identified nerve diameters were 33.66 ± 21.71 μm, and arteries had diameters in the range of 71.58 ± 80.70 μm. The respective occupied area showed a share of, on average, 2.71% and 0.3% for arteries and nerves, respectively, and similar volume occupancy for arteries and nerves. Inter-centroid minimum distance between arteries and nerves was 274 ± 222 μm. The density of vessels and nerves around a point within CC on a given grid was assessed, showing that 50% of all vessels and nerves were found in a radial distance of 1.6–1.8 mm from any of these points, which is strategically relevant when using stimulation needles in the auricle for excitation of nerves. HREM seems suitable for anatomical studies of the human ear. A 3D model of CC was established in the micrometer scale, which forms the basis for future optimization of the auricular VNS. Obviously, the presented single cadaver study needs to be validated by additional anatomical data on the innervation and vascularization of the auricle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Dabiri
- Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Kampusch
- Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria.,SzeleSTIM GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan H Geyer
- Division of Anatomy, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Van Hoang Le
- Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Jozsef Constantin Széles
- Department for Vascular Surgery, University Clinic for Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eugenijus Kaniusas
- Institute of Electrodynamics, Microwave and Circuit Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria.,SzeleSTIM GmbH, Vienna, Austria
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7
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High-Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM): Looking Back on 13 Years of Successful Generation of Digital Volume Data of Organic Material for 3D Visualisation and 3D Display. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/app9183826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
High-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) is an imaging technique that permits the simple and rapid generation of three-dimensional (3D) digital volume data of histologically embedded and physically sectioned specimens. The data can be immediately used for high-detail 3D analysis of a broad variety of organic materials with all modern methods of 3D visualisation and display. Since its first description in 2006, HREM has been adopted as a method for exploring organic specimens in many fields of science, and it has recruited a slowly but steadily growing user community. This review aims to briefly introduce the basic principles of HREM data generation and to provide an overview of scientific publications that have been published in the last 13 years involving HREM imaging. The studies to which we refer describe technical details and specimen-specific protocols, and provide examples of the successful use of HREM in biological, biomedical and medical research. Finally, the limitations, potentials and anticipated further improvements are briefly outlined.
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Desgrange A, Lokmer J, Marchiol C, Houyel L, Meilhac SM. Standardised imaging pipeline for phenotyping mouse laterality defects and associated heart malformations, at multiple scales and multiple stages. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm.038356. [PMID: 31208960 PMCID: PMC6679386 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.038356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Laterality defects are developmental disorders resulting from aberrant left/right patterning. In the most severe cases, such as in heterotaxy, they are associated with complex malformations of the heart. Advances in understanding the underlying physiopathological mechanisms have been hindered by the lack of a standardised and exhaustive procedure in mouse models for phenotyping left/right asymmetries of all visceral organs. Here, we have developed a multimodality imaging pipeline, which combines non-invasive micro-ultrasound imaging, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) to acquire 3D images at multiple stages of development and at multiple scales. On the basis of the position in the uterine horns, we track in a single individual, the progression of organ asymmetry, the situs of all visceral organs in the thoracic or abdominal environment, and the fine anatomical left/right asymmetries of cardiac segments. We provide reference anatomical images and organ reconstructions in the mouse, and discuss differences with humans. This standardised pipeline, which we validated in a mouse model of heterotaxy, offers a fast and easy-to-implement framework. The extensive 3D phenotyping of organ asymmetry in the mouse uses the clinical nomenclature for direct comparison with patient phenotypes. It is compatible with automated and quantitative image analyses, which is essential to compare mutant phenotypes with incomplete penetrance and to gain mechanistic insight into laterality defects. Summary: Laterality defects, which combine anomalies in several visceral organs, are challenging to phenotype. We have developed here a standardised approach for multimodality 3D imaging in mice, generating quantifiable phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Desgrange
- Imagine-Institut Pasteur, Laboratory of Heart Morphogenesis, 75015 Paris, France.,INSERM UMR1163, 75015 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Johanna Lokmer
- Imagine-Institut Pasteur, Laboratory of Heart Morphogenesis, 75015 Paris, France.,INSERM UMR1163, 75015 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Carmen Marchiol
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, 75006 Paris, France.,INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, 75014 Paris, France.,CNRS UMR8104, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Lucile Houyel
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, 75006 Paris, France.,Unité de Cardiologie Pédiatrique et Congénitale, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Centre de référence des Malformations Cardiaques Congénitales Complexes-M3C, APHP, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Sigolène M Meilhac
- Imagine-Institut Pasteur, Laboratory of Heart Morphogenesis, 75015 Paris, France .,INSERM UMR1163, 75015 Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris-Cité, 75006 Paris, France
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9
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Hsu CW, Kalaga S, Akoma U, Rasmussen TL, Christiansen AE, Dickinson ME. High Resolution Imaging of Mouse Embryos and Neonates with X-Ray Micro-Computed Tomography. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 9:e63. [PMID: 31195428 DOI: 10.1002/cpmo.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Iodine-contrast micro-computed tomography (microCT) 3D imaging provides a non-destructive and high-throughput platform for studying mouse embryo and neonate development. Here we provide protocols on preparing mouse embryos and neonates between embryonic day 8.5 (E8.5) to postnatal day 4 (P4) for iodine-contrast microCT imaging. With the implementation of the STABILITY method to create a polymer-tissue hybrid structure, we have demonstrated that not only is soft tissue shrinkage minimized but also the minimum required time for soft tissue staining with iodine is decreased, especially for E18.5 to P4 samples. In addition, we also provide a protocol on using commercially available X-CLARITYTM hydrogel solution to create the similar polymer-tissue hybrid structure on delicate early post-implantation stage (E8.5 to E14.5) embryos. With its simple sample staining and mounting processes, this protocol is easy to adopt and implement for most of the commercially available, stand-alone microCT systems in order to study mouse development between early post-implantation to early postnatal stages. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wei Hsu
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Optical Imaging and Vital Microscopy Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Sowmya Kalaga
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Optical Imaging and Vital Microscopy Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Uchechukwu Akoma
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Tara L Rasmussen
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Audrey E Christiansen
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Mary E Dickinson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Optical Imaging and Vital Microscopy Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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10
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Tinhofer IE, Zaussinger M, Geyer SH, Meng S, Kamolz LP, Tzou CH, Weninger WJ. The dermal arteries in the cutaneous angiosome of the descending genicular artery. J Anat 2018; 232:979-986. [PMID: 29441575 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies examining thick skin of the thumb pad have challenged the existence of an arterial plexus in the papillary dermis. Instead of a plexus, discrete arterial units, interconnected by arterio-arterial anastomoses, were identified. We hypothesise that the dermal arteries of thin skin are arranged likewise and that there are fewer arterio-arterial anastomoses in the centre of an angiosome than in zones where neighbouring angiosomes overlap. To test these hypotheses, we examined the dermal arteries in the centre of the cutaneous angiosome of the descending genicular artery (DGA) and its zone of overlap with neighbouring angiosomes. Using traditional perfusion techniques, the cutaneous angiosomes of the DGA and the popliteal artery were identified in 11 fresh frozen human lower limbs. Biopsies were harvested from the centre of the cutaneous DGA angiosome and from the zone where neighbouring vascular territories overlapped. Employing high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM), digital volume data were generated and the dermal arteries were three-dimensionally reconstructed and examined. In all examined skin areas, the dermal arteries showed tree-like ramifications. The branches of the dermal arteries were connected on average by 1.73 ± 1.01 arterio-arterial anastomoses in the centre of the DGA angiosome and by 3.27 ± 1.27 in the zone where angiosomes overlapped. We demonstrate that discrete but overlapping dermal arterial units with a mean dimension of 1.62 ± 1.34 and 1.80 ± 1.56 mm2 , respectively, supply oxygen and nutrients to the superficial dermis and epidermis of the thin skin of the medial femur. This forms the basis for diagnosing and researching skin pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines E Tinhofer
- Division of Anatomy, Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maximilian Zaussinger
- Division of Anatomy, Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan H Geyer
- Division of Anatomy, Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Meng
- Division of Anatomy, Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Radiology, Kaiser-Franz-Josef Hospital, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lars-Peter Kamolz
- Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medizinische Universitat Graz, Graz, Austria.,COREMED - Cooperative Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Joanneum Research GmbH, Graz, Austria
| | - Chieh-Han Tzou
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hospital of the Divine Saviour, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang J Weninger
- Division of Anatomy, Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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11
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Zhou Z, Wang J, Guo C, Chang W, Zhuang J, Zhu P, Li X. Temporally Distinct Six2-Positive Second Heart Field Progenitors Regulate Mammalian Heart Development and Disease. Cell Rep 2017; 18:1019-1032. [PMID: 28122228 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The embryonic process of forming a complex structure such as the heart remains poorly understood. Here, we show that Six2 marks a dynamic subset of second heart field progenitors. Six2-positive (Six2+) progenitors are rapidly recruited and assigned, and their descendants are allocated successively to regions of the heart from the right ventricle (RV) to the pulmonary trunk. Global ablation of Six2+ progenitors resulted in RV hypoplasia and pulmonary atresia. An early stage-specific ablation of a small subset of Six2+ progenitors did not cause any apparent structural defect at birth but rather resulted in adult-onset cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction. Furthermore, Six2 expression depends in part on Shh signaling, and Shh deletion resulted in severe deficiency of Six2+ progenitors. Collectively, these findings unveil the chronological features of cardiogenesis, in which the mammalian heart is built sequentially by temporally distinct populations of cardiac progenitors, and provide insights into late-onset congenital heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengfang Zhou
- Departments of Urology and Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510100, China
| | - Jingying Wang
- Departments of Urology and Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chaoshe Guo
- Departments of Urology and Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Weiting Chang
- Divisions of Genetics and Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jian Zhuang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510100, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510100, China.
| | - Xue Li
- Departments of Urology and Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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12
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Le Garrec JF, Domínguez JN, Desgrange A, Ivanovitch KD, Raphaël E, Bangham JA, Torres M, Coen E, Mohun TJ, Meilhac SM. A predictive model of asymmetric morphogenesis from 3D reconstructions of mouse heart looping dynamics. eLife 2017; 6:28951. [PMID: 29179813 PMCID: PMC5705212 DOI: 10.7554/elife.28951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
How left-right patterning drives asymmetric morphogenesis is unclear. Here, we have quantified shape changes during mouse heart looping, from 3D reconstructions by HREM. In combination with cell labelling and computer simulations, we propose a novel model of heart looping. Buckling, when the cardiac tube grows between fixed poles, is modulated by the progressive breakdown of the dorsal mesocardium. We have identified sequential left-right asymmetries at the poles, which bias the buckling in opposite directions, thus leading to a helical shape. Our predictive model is useful to explore the parameter space generating shape variations. The role of the dorsal mesocardium was validated in Shh-/- mutants, which recapitulate heart shape changes expected from a persistent dorsal mesocardium. Our computer and quantitative tools provide novel insight into the mechanism of heart looping and the contribution of different factors, beyond the simple description of looping direction. This is relevant to congenital heart defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-François Le Garrec
- Imagine - Institut Pasteur, Laboratory of Heart Morphogenesis, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR1163, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Jorge N Domínguez
- Department of Experimental Biology, University of Jaén, CU Las Lagunillas, Jaén, Spain
| | - Audrey Desgrange
- Imagine - Institut Pasteur, Laboratory of Heart Morphogenesis, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR1163, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Kenzo D Ivanovitch
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Etienne Raphaël
- Imagine - Institut Pasteur, Laboratory of Heart Morphogenesis, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR1163, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | | | - Miguel Torres
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrico Coen
- John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sigolène M Meilhac
- Imagine - Institut Pasteur, Laboratory of Heart Morphogenesis, Paris, France.,INSERM UMR1163, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
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13
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A simple setup for episcopic microtomy and a digital image processing workflow to acquire high-quality volume data and 3D surface models of small vertebrates. ZOOMORPHOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00435-017-0386-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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14
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Geyer SH, Reissig LF, Hüsemann M, Höfle C, Wilson R, Prin F, Szumska D, Galli A, Adams DJ, White J, Mohun TJ, Weninger WJ. Morphology, topology and dimensions of the heart and arteries of genetically normal and mutant mouse embryos at stages S21-S23. J Anat 2017; 231:600-614. [PMID: 28776665 PMCID: PMC5603791 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate identification of abnormalities in the mouse embryo depends not only on comparisons with appropriate, developmental stage‐matched controls, but also on an appreciation of the range of anatomical variation that can be expected during normal development. Here we present a morphological, topological and metric analysis of the heart and arteries of mouse embryos harvested on embryonic day (E)14.5, based on digital volume data of whole embryos analysed by high‐resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM). By comparing data from 206 genetically normal embryos, we have analysed the range and frequency of normal anatomical variations in the heart and major arteries across Theiler stages S21–S23. Using this, we have identified abnormalities in these structures among 298 embryos from mutant mouse lines carrying embryonic lethal gene mutations produced for the Deciphering the Mechanisms of Developmental Disorders (DMDD) programme. We present examples of both commonly occurring abnormal phenotypes and novel pathologies that most likely alter haemodynamics in these genetically altered mouse embryos. Our findings offer a reference baseline for identifying accurately abnormalities of the heart and arteries in embryos that have largely completed organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan H Geyer
- Division of Anatomy & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas F Reissig
- Division of Anatomy & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Hüsemann
- Division of Anatomy & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cordula Höfle
- Division of Anatomy & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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15
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Hsu CW, Wong L, Rasmussen TL, Kalaga S, McElwee ML, Keith LC, Bohat R, Seavitt JR, Beaudet AL, Dickinson ME. Three-dimensional microCT imaging of mouse development from early post-implantation to early postnatal stages. Dev Biol 2016; 419:229-236. [PMID: 27671873 PMCID: PMC5405732 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we report the use of iodine-contrast microCT to perform high-throughput 3D morphological analysis of mouse embryos and neonates between embryonic day 8.5 to postnatal day 3, with high spatial resolution up to 3µm/voxel. We show that mouse embryos at early stages can be imaged either within extra embryonic tissues such as the yolk sac or the decidua without physically disturbing the embryos. This method enables a full, undisturbed analysis of embryo turning, allantois development, vitelline vessels remodeling, yolk sac and early placenta development, which provides increased insights into early embryonic lethality in mutant lines. Moreover, these methods are inexpensive, simple to learn and do not require substantial processing time, making them ideal for high throughput analysis of mouse mutants with embryonic and early postnatal lethality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Wei Hsu
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Optical Imaging and Vital Microscopy Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Leeyean Wong
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tara L Rasmussen
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sowmya Kalaga
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Optical Imaging and Vital Microscopy Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Melissa L McElwee
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lance C Keith
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ritu Bohat
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John R Seavitt
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Arthur L Beaudet
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mary E Dickinson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Optical Imaging and Vital Microscopy Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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16
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Clarification of mammalian cloacal morphogenesis using high-resolution episcopic microscopy. Dev Biol 2015; 409:106-113. [PMID: 26485363 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The developmental process through which the cloaca transforms from one hollow structure to two separated urinary and digestive outlets remains controversial and speculative. Here, we use high-resolution episcopic microscopy to examine a comprehensive series of normal and mutant mouse cloaca in which the detailed 3-dimensional (3-D) morphological features are illuminated throughout the development. We provide evidence that the dorsal peri-cloacal mesenchyme (dPCM) remains stationary while other surrounding tissues grow towards it. This causes dramatic changes of spatial relationship among caudal structures and morphological transformation of the cloaca. The 3-D characterizations of Dkk1 mutants reveal a hyperplastic defect of dPCM, which leads to a significant anterior shift of the caudal boundary of the cloaca, premature occlusion of the cloaca and, imperforate anus phenotype. Conversely, Shh knockout causes a severe hypoplastic defect of cloaca mesenchyme including dPCM and persistent cloaca. Collectively, these findings suggest that formation of the dPCM is critical for cloacal morphogenesis and furthermore, growth and movement of the mesenchymal tissues towards the dPCM lead to the cloaca occlusion and separation of the urinary and digestive outlets.
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17
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Ivins S, Chappell J, Vernay B, Suntharalingham J, Martineau A, Mohun TJ, Scambler PJ. The CXCL12/CXCR4 Axis Plays a Critical Role in Coronary Artery Development. Dev Cell 2015; 33:455-68. [PMID: 26017770 PMCID: PMC4448146 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2015.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 have many functions during embryonic and post-natal life. We used murine models to investigate the role of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling in cardiac development and found that embryonic Cxcl12-null hearts lacked intra-ventricular coronary arteries (CAs) and exhibited absent or misplaced CA stems. We traced the origin of this phenotype to defects in the early stages of CA stem formation. CA stems derive from the peritruncal plexus, an encircling capillary network that invades the wall of the developing aorta. We showed that CXCL12 is present at high levels in the outflow tract, while peritruncal endothelial cells (ECs) express CXCR4. In the absence of CXCL12, ECs were abnormally localized and impaired in their ability to anastomose with the aortic lumen. We propose that CXCL12 is required for connection of peritruncal plexus ECs to the aortic endothelium and thus plays a vital role in CA formation. Cxcl12 and Cxcr4 mutants lack intra-ventricular coronary arteries Coronary artery stem formation is impaired in Cxcl12 mutants Peritruncal blood vessels fail to penetrate the aortic endothelium CXCL12 signaling is required for anastomosis of peritruncal endothelial cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Ivins
- Developmental Biology of Birth Defects, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
| | - Joel Chappell
- Developmental Biology of Birth Defects, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Bertrand Vernay
- Developmental Biology of Birth Defects, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Jenifer Suntharalingham
- Developmental Biology of Birth Defects, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Alexandrine Martineau
- Developmental Biology Division, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Timothy J Mohun
- Developmental Biology Division, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Peter J Scambler
- Developmental Biology of Birth Defects, UCL Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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18
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Karunamuni G, Gu S, Doughman YQ, Noonan AI, Rollins AM, Jenkins MW, Watanabe M. Using optical coherence tomography to rapidly phenotype and quantify congenital heart defects associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. Dev Dyn 2015; 244:607-18. [PMID: 25546089 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most commonly used method to analyze congenital heart defects involves serial sectioning and histology. However, this is often a time-consuming process where the quantification of cardiac defects can be difficult due to problems with accurate section registration. Here we demonstrate the advantages of using optical coherence tomography, a comparatively new and rising technology, to phenotype avian embryo hearts in a model of fetal alcohol syndrome where a binge-like quantity of alcohol/ethanol was introduced at gastrulation. RESULTS The rapid, consistent imaging protocols allowed for the immediate identification of cardiac anomalies, including ventricular septal defects and misaligned/missing vessels. Interventricular septum thicknesses and vessel diameters for three of the five outflow arteries were also significantly reduced. Outflow and atrioventricular valves were segmented using image processing software and had significantly reduced volumes compared to controls. This is the first study to our knowledge that has 3D reconstructed the late-stage cardiac valves in precise detail to examine their morphology and dimensions. CONCLUSIONS We believe, therefore, that optical coherence tomography, with its ability to rapidly image and quantify tiny embryonic structures in high resolution, will serve as an excellent and cost-effective preliminary screening tool for developmental biologists working with a variety of experimental/disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganga Karunamuni
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
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19
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Mohun TJ, Weninger WJ. Embedding embryos for high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM). Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2012; 2012:678-80. [PMID: 22661437 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot069583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Episcopic fluorescence image capturing (EFIC) and high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) are related techniques that are used to generate digital volume data and create three-dimensional (3D) images. Both techniques require specimens that are embedded in an appropriate medium, and images are captured from successive sections before removal from the embedded tissue block. EFIC detects autofluorescence emitted from the embedded tissue, whereas HREM requires the tissue to be stained with a fluorescent dye such as eosin. Different procedures are therefore necessary for embedding tissue for EFIC or HREM imaging. For HREM, the choice of fixative appears to be of little consequence. If gene expression patterns are to be visualized in addition to tissue architecture, whole-mount staining for gene expression patterns using the 4-nitro blue tetrazolium chloride (NBT)/5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate (BCIP) or LacZ detection system must be performed before embedding of samples. This protocol describes the procedure for embedding E11.5 mouse embryos for HREM imaging. Processing times should be adapted for the size and nature of other specimens.
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20
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Mohun TJ, Weninger WJ. Embedding embryos for episcopic fluorescence image capturing (EFIC). Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2012; 2012:675-7. [PMID: 22661436 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot069575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Episcopic fluorescence image capturing (EFIC) and high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) are related techniques that are used to generate digital volume data and create three-dimensional (3D) images. Both techniques require specimens that are embedded in an appropriate medium, and images are captured from successive sections before removal from the embedded tissue block. EFIC detects autofluorescence emitted from the embedded tissue, whereas HREM requires the tissue to be stained with a fluorescent dye such as eosin. Different procedures are therefore necessary for embedding tissue for EFIC or HREM imaging. This protocol describes the procedure for embedding E11.5 mouse embryos for EFIC imaging. Processing times should be adapted for the size and nature of other specimens.
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21
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Mohun TJ, Weninger WJ. Generation of volume data by episcopic three-dimensional imaging of embryos. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2012; 2012:681-2. [PMID: 22661438 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.prot069591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Episcopic fluorescence image capturing (EFIC) and high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) are related techniques that are used to generate digital volume data and create three-dimensional (3D) images. Both techniques require specimens that are embedded in an appropriate medium, and images are captured from successive sections before removal from the embedded tissue block. EFIC detects autofluorescence emitted from the embedded tissue, whereas HREM requires the tissue to be stained with a fluorescent dye such as eosin. Volume data are generated as the successive sections are imaged and removed using a microtome. This protocol describes the procedure for digital data processing, visualization, and archiving for both EFIC and HREM.
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22
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Optical projection tomography of vertebrate embryo development. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2011; 2011:586-94. [PMID: 21632785 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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