1
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Sandovici I, Fernandez-Twinn DS, Campbell N, Cooper WN, Sekita Y, Zvetkova I, Ferland-McCollough D, Prosser HM, Oyama LM, Pantaleão LC, Cimadomo D, Barbosa de Queiroz K, Cheuk CSK, Smith NM, Kay RG, Antrobus R, Hoelle K, Ma MKL, Smith NH, Geyer SH, Reissig LF, Weninger WJ, Siddle K, Willis AE, Lam BYH, Bushell M, Ozanne SE, Constância M. Overexpression of Igf2-derived Mir483 inhibits Igf1 expression and leads to developmental growth restriction and metabolic dysfunction in mice. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114750. [PMID: 39283743 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Mir483 is a conserved and highly expressed microRNA in placental mammals, embedded within the Igf2 gene. Its expression is dysregulated in a number of human diseases, including metabolic disorders and certain cancers. Here, we investigate the developmental regulation and function of Mir483 in vivo. We find that Mir483 expression is dependent on Igf2 transcription and the regulation of the Igf2/H19 imprinting control region. Transgenic Mir483 overexpression in utero causes fetal, but not placental, growth restriction through insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and IGF2 and also causes cardiovascular defects leading to fetal death. Overexpression of Mir483 post-natally results in growth stunting through IGF1 repression, increased hepatic lipid production, and excessive adiposity. IGF1 infusion rescues the post-natal growth restriction. Our findings provide insights into the function of Mir483 as a growth suppressor and metabolic regulator and suggest that it evolved within the INS-IGF2-H19 transcriptional region to limit excessive tissue growth through repression of IGF signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ionel Sandovici
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Denise S Fernandez-Twinn
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Niamh Campbell
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Wendy N Cooper
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Yoichi Sekita
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ilona Zvetkova
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Haydn M Prosser
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Lila M Oyama
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Departmento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas C Pantaleão
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Danilo Cimadomo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK; Laboratory of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology "Lazzaro Spallanzani," University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Karina Barbosa de Queiroz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Cecilia S K Cheuk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK; Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicola M Smith
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard G Kay
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Robin Antrobus
- Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katharina Hoelle
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marcella K L Ma
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Noel H Smith
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stefan H Geyer
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Anatomy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas F Reissig
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Anatomy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang J Weninger
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Anatomy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kenneth Siddle
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anne E Willis
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Brian Y H Lam
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Martin Bushell
- Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Susan E Ozanne
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Miguel Constância
- Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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2
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Laugwitz L, Cheng F, Collins SC, Hustinx A, Navarro N, Welsch S, Cox H, Hsieh TC, Vijayananth A, Buchert R, Bender B, Efthymiou S, Murphy D, Zafar F, Rana N, Grasshoff U, Falb RJ, Grimmel M, Seibt A, Zheng W, Ghaedi H, Thirion M, Couette S, Azizimalamiri R, Sadeghian S, Galehdari H, Zamani M, Zeighami J, Sedaghat A, Ramshe SM, Zare A, Alipoor B, Klee D, Sturm M, Ossowski S, Houlden H, Riess O, Wieczorek D, Gavin R, Maroofian R, Krawitz P, Yalcin B, Distelmaier F, Haack TB. ZSCAN10 deficiency causes a neurodevelopmental disorder with characteristic oto-facial malformations. Brain 2024; 147:2471-2482. [PMID: 38386308 PMCID: PMC11224597 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders are major indications for genetic referral and have been linked to more than 1500 loci including genes encoding transcriptional regulators. The dysfunction of transcription factors often results in characteristic syndromic presentations; however, at least half of these patients lack a genetic diagnosis. The implementation of machine learning approaches has the potential to aid in the identification of new disease genes and delineate associated phenotypes. Next generation sequencing was performed in seven affected individuals with neurodevelopmental delay and dysmorphic features. Clinical characterization included reanalysis of available neuroimaging datasets and 2D portrait image analysis with GestaltMatcher. The functional consequences of ZSCAN10 loss were modelled in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), including a knockout and a representative ZSCAN10 protein truncating variant. These models were characterized by gene expression and western blot analyses, chromatin immunoprecipitation and quantitative PCR (ChIP-qPCR) and immunofluorescence staining. Zscan10 knockout mouse embryos were generated and phenotyped. We prioritized bi-allelic ZSCAN10 loss-of-function variants in seven affected individuals from five unrelated families as the underlying molecular cause. RNA-sequencing analyses in Zscan10-/- mESCs indicated dysregulation of genes related to stem cell pluripotency. In addition, we established in mESCs the loss-of-function mechanism for a representative human ZSCAN10 protein truncating variant by showing alteration of its expression levels and subcellular localization, interfering with its binding to DNA enhancer targets. Deep phenotyping revealed global developmental delay, facial asymmetry and malformations of the outer ear as consistent clinical features. Cerebral MRI showed dysplasia of the semicircular canals as an anatomical correlate of sensorineural hearing loss. Facial asymmetry was confirmed as a clinical feature by GestaltMatcher and was recapitulated in the Zscan10 mouse model along with inner and outer ear malformations. Our findings provide evidence of a novel syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in ZSCAN10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Laugwitz
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Fubo Cheng
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | | | - Alexander Hustinx
- Institute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Nicolas Navarro
- Biogeosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, EPHE, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon 2100, France
- EPHE, PSL University, Paris 75014, France
| | - Simon Welsch
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Helen Cox
- West Midlands Regional Clinical Genetics Service and Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK
| | - Tzung-Chien Hsieh
- Institute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Aswinkumar Vijayananth
- Institute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Rebecca Buchert
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Benjamin Bender
- Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Radiologic Clinics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Stephanie Efthymiou
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - David Murphy
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Faisal Zafar
- Pediatric Neurology, Children’s Hospital, Multan 60000, Pakistan
| | - Nuzhat Rana
- Pediatric Neurology, Children’s Hospital, Multan 60000, Pakistan
| | - Ute Grasshoff
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- Center for Rare Disease, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72072, Germany
| | - Ruth J Falb
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Mona Grimmel
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Annette Seibt
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Wenxu Zheng
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Hamid Ghaedi
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717443, Iran
| | - Marie Thirion
- Inserm UMR1231, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon Cedex 21070, France
| | - Sébastien Couette
- Biogeosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, EPHE, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon 2100, France
- EPHE, PSL University, Paris 75014, France
| | - Reza Azizimalamiri
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Golestan Medical, Educational, and Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
| | - Saeid Sadeghian
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Golestan Medical, Educational, and Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
| | - Hamid Galehdari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz 6135783151, Iran
| | - Mina Zamani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz 6135783151, Iran
- Narges Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory, Kianpars, Ahvaz 6155689467, Iran
| | - Jawaher Zeighami
- Narges Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory, Kianpars, Ahvaz 6155689467, Iran
| | - Alireza Sedaghat
- Narges Medical Genetics and Prenatal Diagnosis Laboratory, Kianpars, Ahvaz 6155689467, Iran
- Diabetes Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz 6135715794, Iran
| | - Samira Molaei Ramshe
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717443, Iran
| | - Ali Zare
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717443, Iran
| | - Behnam Alipoor
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedicine, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj 7591741417, Iran
| | - Dirk Klee
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Medical Faculty, Institute of Radiology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Marc Sturm
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- Genomics England, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Stephan Ossowski
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- NGS Competence Center Tübingen (NCCT), University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- Center for Rare Disease, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72072, Germany
| | - Dagmar Wieczorek
- Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Institute of Human Genetics, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Ryan Gavin
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory, Central and South Genomic Laboratory Hub, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK
| | - Reza Maroofian
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Peter Krawitz
- Institute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics, University Hospital Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Bonn 53127, Germany
| | - Binnaz Yalcin
- Inserm UMR1231, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon Cedex 21070, France
| | - Felix Distelmaier
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Tobias B Haack
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
- Center for Rare Disease, University of Tübingen, Tübingen 72072, Germany
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3
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Fan Y, Li L, Sun S. Powerful and accurate detection of temporal gene expression patterns from multi-sample multi-stage single-cell transcriptomics data with TDEseq. Genome Biol 2024; 25:96. [PMID: 38622747 PMCID: PMC11020788 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03237-3] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
We present a non-parametric statistical method called TDEseq that takes full advantage of smoothing splines basis functions to account for the dependence of multiple time points in scRNA-seq studies, and uses hierarchical structure linear additive mixed models to model the correlated cells within an individual. As a result, TDEseq demonstrates powerful performance in identifying four potential temporal expression patterns within a specific cell type. Extensive simulation studies and the analysis of four published scRNA-seq datasets show that TDEseq can produce well-calibrated p-values and up to 20% power gain over the existing methods for detecting temporal gene expression patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Fan
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Health, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Endemic Diseases and Health Promotion in Silk Road Region; NHC Key Laboratory of Environment and Endemic Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Xi'an Jiaotong University), Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Li
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Health, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Endemic Diseases and Health Promotion in Silk Road Region; NHC Key Laboratory of Environment and Endemic Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiquan Sun
- Center for Single-Cell Omics and Health, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Endemic Diseases and Health Promotion in Silk Road Region; NHC Key Laboratory of Environment and Endemic Diseases, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Xi'an Jiaotong University), Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory for Disease Prevention and Control and Health Promotion of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, People's Republic of China.
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4
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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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5
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Adams DJ, Barlas B, McIntyre RE, Salguero I, van der Weyden L, Barros A, Vicente JR, Karimpour N, Haider A, Ranzani M, Turner G, Thompson NA, Harle V, Olvera-León R, Robles-Espinoza CD, Speak AO, Geisler N, Weninger WJ, Geyer SH, Hewinson J, Karp NA, Fu B, Yang F, Kozik Z, Choudhary J, Yu L, van Ruiten MS, Rowland BD, Lelliott CJ, Del Castillo Velasco-Herrera M, Verstraten R, Bruckner L, Henssen AG, Rooimans MA, de Lange J, Mohun TJ, Arends MJ, Kentistou KA, Coelho PA, Zhao Y, Zecchini H, Perry JRB, Jackson SP, Balmus G. Genetic determinants of micronucleus formation in vivo. Nature 2024; 627:130-136. [PMID: 38355793 PMCID: PMC10917660 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-07009-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Genomic instability arising from defective responses to DNA damage1 or mitotic chromosomal imbalances2 can lead to the sequestration of DNA in aberrant extranuclear structures called micronuclei (MN). Although MN are a hallmark of ageing and diseases associated with genomic instability, the catalogue of genetic players that regulate the generation of MN remains to be determined. Here we analyse 997 mouse mutant lines, revealing 145 genes whose loss significantly increases (n = 71) or decreases (n = 74) MN formation, including many genes whose orthologues are linked to human disease. We found that mice null for Dscc1, which showed the most significant increase in MN, also displayed a range of phenotypes characteristic of patients with cohesinopathy disorders. After validating the DSCC1-associated MN instability phenotype in human cells, we used genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screening to define synthetic lethal and synthetic rescue interactors. We found that the loss of SIRT1 can rescue phenotypes associated with DSCC1 loss in a manner paralleling restoration of protein acetylation of SMC3. Our study reveals factors involved in maintaining genomic stability and shows how this information can be used to identify mechanisms that are relevant to human disease biology1.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Adams
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK.
| | - B Barlas
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - I Salguero
- The Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - A Barros
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
- The Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - J R Vicente
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - N Karimpour
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - A Haider
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - M Ranzani
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - G Turner
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - V Harle
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - C D Robles-Espinoza
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
- Laboratorio Internacional de Investigación Sobre el Genoma Humano, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Santiago de Querétaro, México
| | - A O Speak
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - N Geisler
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
- The Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - W J Weninger
- Division of Anatomy, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - S H Geyer
- Division of Anatomy, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - J Hewinson
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - N A Karp
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - B Fu
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - F Yang
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Z Kozik
- Functional Proteomics Group, Chester Beatty Laboratories, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - J Choudhary
- Functional Proteomics Group, Chester Beatty Laboratories, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - L Yu
- Functional Proteomics Group, Chester Beatty Laboratories, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - M S van Ruiten
- Division of Cell Biology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B D Rowland
- Division of Cell Biology, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - L Bruckner
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the MDC and Charité Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - A G Henssen
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC) of the MDC and Charité Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Berlin, and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M A Rooimans
- Department of Human Genetics, Section of Oncogenetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J de Lange
- Department of Human Genetics, Section of Oncogenetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Cancer Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - T J Mohun
- Division of Developmental Biology, MRC, National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK
| | - M J Arends
- Division of Pathology, Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - K A Kentistou
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - P A Coelho
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Y Zhao
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - H Zecchini
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - J R B Perry
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - S P Jackson
- The Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - G Balmus
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK.
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- The Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Transylvanian Institute of Neuroscience, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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6
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Holroyd NA, Walsh C, Gourmet L, Walker-Samuel S. Quantitative Image Processing for Three-Dimensional Episcopic Images of Biological Structures: Current State and Future Directions. Biomedicines 2023; 11:909. [PMID: 36979887 PMCID: PMC10045950 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Episcopic imaging using techniques such as High Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM) and its variants, allows biological samples to be visualized in three dimensions over a large field of view. Quantitative analysis of episcopic image data is undertaken using a range of methods. In this systematic review, we look at trends in quantitative analysis of episcopic images and discuss avenues for further research. Papers published between 2011 and 2022 were analyzed for details about quantitative analysis approaches, methods of image annotation and choice of image processing software. It is shown that quantitative processing is becoming more common in episcopic microscopy and that manual annotation is the predominant method of image analysis. Our meta-analysis highlights where tools and methods require further development in this field, and we discuss what this means for the future of quantitative episcopic imaging, as well as how annotation and quantification may be automated and standardized across the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claire Walsh
- Centre for Computational Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Lucie Gourmet
- Centre for Computational Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Simon Walker-Samuel
- Centre for Computational Medicine, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
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7
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Aristizábal O, Qiu Z, Gallego E, Aristizábal M, Mamou J, Wang Y, Ketterling JA, Turnbull DH. Longitudinal in Utero Analysis of Engrailed-1 Knockout Mouse Embryonic Phenotypes Using High-Frequency Ultrasound. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2023; 49:356-367. [PMID: 36283941 PMCID: PMC9712241 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Large-scale international efforts to generate and analyze loss-of-function mutations in each of the approximately 20,000 protein-encoding gene mutations are ongoing using the "knockout" mouse as a model organism. Because one-third of gene knockouts are expected to result in embryonic lethality, it is important to develop non-invasive in utero imaging methods to detect and monitor mutant phenotypes in mouse embryos. We describe the utility of 3-D high-frequency (40-MHz) ultrasound (HFU) for longitudinal in utero imaging of mouse embryos between embryonic days (E) 11.5 and E14.5, which represent critical stages of brain and organ development. Engrailed-1 knockout (En1-ko) mouse embryos and their normal control littermates were imaged with HFU in 3-D, enabling visualization of morphological phenotypes in the developing brains, limbs and heads of the En1-ko embryos. Recently developed deep learning approaches were used to automatically segment the embryonic brain ventricles and bodies from the 3-D HFU images, allowing quantitative volumetric analyses of the En1-ko brain phenotypes. Taken together, these results show great promise for the application of longitudinal 3-D HFU to analyze knockout mouse embryos in utero.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orlando Aristizábal
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine and Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ziming Qiu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, New York, New York, USA
| | - Estefania Gallego
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine and Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Matias Aristizábal
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine and Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jonathan Mamou
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Daniel H Turnbull
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine and Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
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8
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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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9
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Steele RE, Sanders R, Phillips HM, Bamforth SD. PAX Genes in Cardiovascular Development. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:7713. [PMID: 35887061 PMCID: PMC9324344 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian heart is a four-chambered organ with systemic and pulmonary circulations to deliver oxygenated blood to the body, and a tightly regulated genetic network exists to shape normal development of the heart and its associated major arteries. A key process during cardiovascular morphogenesis is the septation of the outflow tract which initially forms as a single vessel before separating into the aorta and pulmonary trunk. The outflow tract connects to the aortic arch arteries which are derived from the pharyngeal arch arteries. Congenital heart defects are a major cause of death and morbidity and are frequently associated with a failure to deliver oxygenated blood to the body. The Pax transcription factor family is characterised through their highly conserved paired box and DNA binding domains and are crucial in organogenesis, regulating the development of a wide range of cells, organs and tissues including the cardiovascular system. Studies altering the expression of these genes in murine models, notably Pax3 and Pax9, have found a range of cardiovascular patterning abnormalities such as interruption of the aortic arch and common arterial trunk. This suggests that these Pax genes play a crucial role in the regulatory networks governing cardiovascular development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Simon D. Bamforth
- Bioscience Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Centre for Life, Newcastle NE1 3BZ, UK; (R.E.S.); (R.S.); (H.M.P.)
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10
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Anderson RH, Bamforth SD. Morphogenesis of the Mammalian Aortic Arch Arteries. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:892900. [PMID: 35620058 PMCID: PMC9127140 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.892900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The major vessels in mammals that take blood away from the heart and deliver it to the arms and the head take their origin from the aortic arch and are derived from the arteries formed within the embryonic pharyngeal arches. These pharyngeal arch arteries, initially symmetrical, form in a cranial to caudal sequence within the pharyngeal mesenchyme. They then undergo a complex process of remodeling to produce the asymmetrical brachiocephalic arteries as seen in the adult. A complex interaction between the tissues of the pharyngeal arches and the genes they express is required to ensure that arterial formation and remodeling is able to proceed normally. If this process is disrupted, life-threatening congenital cardiovascular malformations can occur, such as interruption of the aortic arch, isolation of individual arteries, or so-called vascular rings. Here, using state-of-the-art imaging techniques, we describe the morphogenesis of the arteries in humans and mice and the cardiovascular defects in the Tbx1 mutant mouse model. We provide details of the process of remodeling, clarifying also the morphogenesis of the external carotid artery and the so-called "migration" of the left subclavian artery.
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11
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Inefficient development of syncytiotrophoblasts in the Atp11a-deficient mouse placenta. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2200582119. [PMID: 35476530 PMCID: PMC9170144 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200582119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasma membranes are composed of a lipid bilayer in which phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) is confined to the inner leaflet by the action of flippase that translocates PtdSer from the outer to inner leaflets. Two P4-ATPases (ATP11A and ATP11C) work as flippase at plasma membranes. Here, we report that the mouse placenta expresses only ATP11A, and Atp11a-deficient mouse embryos die during embryogenesis due to inefficient formation of syncytiotrophoblasts in the placental labyrinth. The flippase-null mutation inactivates human choriocarcinoma BeWo cells to translocate PtdSer into the inner leaflet and undergo cell fusion. These findings highlight the importance of flippase to regulate the distribution of phospholipids for cell fusion, at least in trophoblast fusion. The P4-ATPases ATP11A and ATP11C function as flippases at the plasma membrane to translocate phosphatidylserine from the outer to the inner leaflet. We herein demonstrated that Atp11a-deficient mouse embryos died at approximately E14.5 with thin-walled heart ventricles. However, the cardiomyocyte- or epiblast-specific Atp11a deletion did not affect mouse development or mortality. ATP11C may have compensated for the function of ATP11A in most of the cell types in the embryo. On the other hand, Atp11a, but not Atp11c, was expressed in the mouse placenta, and the Atp11a-null mutation caused poor development of the labyrinthine layer with an increased number of TUNEL-positive foci. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy revealed a disorganized labyrinthine layer with unfused trophoblasts in the Atp11a-null placenta. Human placenta-derived choriocarcinoma BeWo cells expressed the ATP11A and ATP11C genes. A lack of ATP11A and ATP11C eliminated the ability of BeWo cells to flip phosphatidylserine and fuse when treated with forskolin. These results indicate that flippases at the plasma membrane play an important role in the formation of syncytiotrophoblasts in placental development.
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12
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Geyer SH, Maurer‐Gesek B, Reissig LF, Rose J, Prin F, Wilson R, Galli A, Tudor C, White JK, Mohun TJ, Weninger WJ. The venous system of E14.5 mouse embryos-reference data and examples for diagnosing malformations in embryos with gene deletions. J Anat 2022; 240:11-22. [PMID: 34435363 PMCID: PMC8655187 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately one-third of randomly produced knockout mouse lines produce homozygous offspring, which fail to survive the perinatal period. The majority of these die around or after embryonic day (E)14.5, presumably from cardiovascular insufficiency. For diagnosing structural abnormalities underlying death and diseases and for researching gene function, the phenotype of these individuals has to be analysed. This makes the creation of reference data, which define normal anatomy and normal variations the highest priority. While such data do exist for the heart and arteries, they are still missing for the venous system. Here we provide high-quality descriptive and metric information on the normal anatomy of the venous system of E14.5 embryos. Using high-resolution digital volume data and 3D models from 206 genetically normal embryos, bred on the C57BL/6N background, we present precise descriptive and metric information of the venous system as it presents itself in each of the six developmental stages of E14.5. The resulting data shed new light on the maturation and remodelling of the venous system at transition of embryo to foetal life and provide a reference that can be used for detecting venous abnormalities in mutants. To explore this capacity, we analysed the venous phenotype of embryos from 7 knockout lines (Atp11a, Morc2a, 1700067K01Rik, B9d2, Oaz1, Celf4 and Coro1c). Careful comparisons enabled the diagnosis of not only simple malformations, such as dual inferior vena cava, but also complex and subtle abnormalities, which would have escaped diagnosis in the absence of detailed, stage-specific referenced data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan H. Geyer
- Division of AnatomyMICBioImaging Austria/CMIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Barbara Maurer‐Gesek
- Division of AnatomyMICBioImaging Austria/CMIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Lukas F. Reissig
- Division of AnatomyMICBioImaging Austria/CMIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Julia Rose
- Division of AnatomyMICBioImaging Austria/CMIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Fabrice Prin
- Crick Advanced Light Microscopy FacilityThe Francis Crick InstituteLondonUK
| | | | - Antonella Galli
- Wellcome Trust Sanger InstituteWellcome Genome CampusCambridgeUK
| | - Catherine Tudor
- Wellcome Trust Sanger InstituteWellcome Genome CampusCambridgeUK
| | | | | | - Wolfgang J. Weninger
- Division of AnatomyMICBioImaging Austria/CMIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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13
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High-Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM) in Multimodal Imaging Approaches. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9121918. [PMID: 34944735 PMCID: PMC8698819 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
High-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) is a three-dimensional (3D) episcopic imaging modality based on the acquisition of two-dimensional (2D) images from the cut surface of a block of tissue embedded in resin. Such images, acquired serially through the entire length/depth of the tissue block, are aligned and stacked for 3D reconstruction. HREM has proven to be specifically advantageous when integrated in correlative multimodal imaging (CMI) pipelines. CMI creates a composite and zoomable view of exactly the same specimen and region of interest by (sequentially) correlating two or more modalities. CMI combines complementary modalities to gain holistic structural, functional, and chemical information of the entire sample and place molecular details into their overall spatiotemporal multiscale context. HREM has an advantage over in vivo 3D imaging techniques on account of better histomorphologic resolution while simultaneously providing volume data. HREM also has certain advantages over ex vivo light microscopy modalities. The latter can provide better cellular resolution but usually covers a limited area or volume of tissue, with limited 3D structural context. HREM has predominantly filled a niche in the phenotyping of embryos and characterisation of anatomic developmental abnormalities in various species. Under the umbrella of CMI, when combined with histopathology in a mutually complementary manner, HREM could find wider application in additional nonclinical and translational areas. HREM, being a modified histology technique, could also be incorporated into specialised preclinical pathology workflows. This review will highlight HREM as a versatile imaging platform in CMI approaches and present its benefits and limitations.
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14
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Artefacts in Volume Data Generated with High Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM). Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111711. [PMID: 34829939 PMCID: PMC8615656 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
High resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) produces digital volume data by physically sectioning histologically processed specimens, while capturing images of the subsequently exposed block faces. Our study aims to systematically define the spectrum of typical artefacts inherent to HREM data and to research their effect on the interpretation of the phenotype of wildtype and mutant mouse embryos. A total of 607 (198 wildtypes, 409 mutants) HREM data sets of mouse embryos harvested at embryonic day (E) 14.5 were systematically and comprehensively examined. The specimens had been processed according to essentially identical protocols. Each data set comprised 2000 to 4000 single digital images. Voxel dimensions were 3 × 3 × 3 µm3. Using 3D volume models and virtual resections, we identified a number of characteristic artefacts and grouped them according to their most likely causality. Furthermore, we highlight those that affect the interpretation of embryo data and provide examples for artefacts mimicking tissue defects and structural pathologies. Our results aid in optimizing specimen preparation and data generation, are vital for the correct interpretation of HREM data and allow distinguishing tissue defects and pathologies from harmless artificial alterations. In particular, they enable correct diagnosis of pathologies in mouse embryos serving as models for deciphering the mechanisms of developmental disorders.
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15
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Khasawneh RR, Kist R, Queen R, Hussain R, Coxhead J, Schneider JE, Mohun TJ, Zaffran S, Peters H, Phillips HM, Bamforth SD. Msx1 haploinsufficiency modifies the Pax9-deficient cardiovascular phenotype. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2021; 21:14. [PMID: 34615475 PMCID: PMC8493722 DOI: 10.1186/s12861-021-00245-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Successful embryogenesis relies on the coordinated interaction between genes and tissues. The transcription factors Pax9 and Msx1 genetically interact during mouse craniofacial morphogenesis, and mice deficient for either gene display abnormal tooth and palate development. Pax9 is expressed specifically in the pharyngeal endoderm at mid-embryogenesis, and mice deficient for Pax9 on a C57Bl/6 genetic background also have cardiovascular defects affecting the outflow tract and aortic arch arteries giving double-outlet right ventricle, absent common carotid arteries and interruption of the aortic arch. RESULTS In this study we have investigated both the effect of a different genetic background and Msx1 haploinsufficiency on the presentation of the Pax9-deficient cardiovascular phenotype. Compared to mice on a C57Bl/6 background, congenic CD1-Pax9-/- mice displayed a significantly reduced incidence of outflow tract defects but aortic arch defects were unchanged. Pax9-/- mice with Msx1 haploinsufficiency, however, have a reduced incidence of interrupted aortic arch, but more cases with cervical origins of the right subclavian artery and aortic arch, than seen in Pax9-/- mice. This alteration in arch artery defects was accompanied by a rescue in third pharyngeal arch neural crest cell migration and smooth muscle cell coverage of the third pharyngeal arch arteries. Although this change in phenotype could theoretically be compatible with post-natal survival, using tissue-specific inactivation of Pax9 to maintain correct palate development whilst inducing the cardiovascular defects was unable to prevent postnatal death in the mutant mice. Hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage formation were abnormal in Pax9-/- mice. CONCLUSIONS Msx1 haploinsufficiency mitigates the arch artery defects in Pax9-/- mice, potentially by maintaining the survival of the 3rd arch artery through unimpaired migration of neural crest cells to the third pharyngeal arches. With the neural crest cell derived hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage also being defective in Pax9-/- mice, we speculate that the pharyngeal endoderm is a key signalling centre that impacts on neural crest cell behaviour highlighting the ability of cells in different tissues to act synergistically or antagonistically during embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramada R. Khasawneh
- grid.419328.50000 0000 9225 6820Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ UK ,grid.14440.350000 0004 0622 5497Present Address: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Ralf Kist
- grid.419328.50000 0000 9225 6820Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ UK ,grid.1006.70000 0001 0462 7212School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE2 4BW UK
| | - Rachel Queen
- grid.1006.70000 0001 0462 7212Bioinformatics Support Unit, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ UK
| | - Rafiqul Hussain
- grid.1006.70000 0001 0462 7212Genomics Core Facility, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ UK
| | - Jonathan Coxhead
- grid.1006.70000 0001 0462 7212Genomics Core Facility, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ UK
| | - Jürgen E. Schneider
- grid.9909.90000 0004 1936 8403Biomedical Imaging, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
| | - Timothy J. Mohun
- grid.451388.30000 0004 1795 1830The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT UK
| | - Stéphane Zaffran
- grid.5399.60000 0001 2176 4817INSERM, Marseille Medical Genetics, U1251, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Heiko Peters
- grid.419328.50000 0000 9225 6820Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ UK
| | - Helen M. Phillips
- grid.419328.50000 0000 9225 6820Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ UK
| | - Simon D. Bamforth
- grid.419328.50000 0000 9225 6820Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle, NE1 3BZ UK
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16
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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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17
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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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18
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Cinnamon Y, Genin O, Yitzhak Y, Riov J, David I, Shaya F, Izhaki A. High-resolution episcopic microscopy enables three-dimensional visualization of plant morphology and development. PLANT DIRECT 2019; 3:e00161. [PMID: 31709382 PMCID: PMC6834379 DOI: 10.1002/pld3.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The study of plant anatomy, which can be traced back to the seventeenth century, advanced hand in hand with light microscopy technology and relies on traditional histologic techniques, which are based on serial two-dimensional (2D) sections. However, these valuable techniques lack spatial arrangement of the tissue and hence provide only partial information. A new technique of whole-mount three-dimensional (3D) imaging termed high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) can overcome this obstacle and generate a 3D model of the specimen at a near-histological resolution. Here, we describe the application of HREM technique in plants by analyzing two plant developmental processes in woody plants: oil secretory cavity development in citrus fruit and adventitious root formation in persimmon rootstock cuttings. HREM 3D models of citrus fruit peel showed that oil cavities were initiated schizogenously during the early stages of fruitlet development. Citrus secretory cavity formation, shape, volume, and distribution were analyzed, and new insights are presented. HREM 3D model comparison of persimmon rootstock clones, which differ in their rooting ability, revealed that difficult-to-root clones failed to develop adventitious roots due to their inability to initiate root primordia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Cinnamon
- Institute of Animal ScienceVolcani Center, Agricultural Research OrganizationRishon LeZionIsrael
| | - Olga Genin
- Institute of Animal ScienceVolcani Center, Agricultural Research OrganizationRishon LeZionIsrael
| | - Yiftah Yitzhak
- Institute of Plant SciencesVolcani center, Agricultural Research OrganizationRishon LeZionIsrael
- The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and EnvironmentThe Hebrew University of JerusalemRehovotIsrael
| | - Joseph Riov
- The Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and EnvironmentThe Hebrew University of JerusalemRehovotIsrael
| | - Israel David
- Institute of Plant SciencesVolcani center, Agricultural Research OrganizationRishon LeZionIsrael
| | - Felix Shaya
- Institute of Plant SciencesVolcani center, Agricultural Research OrganizationRishon LeZionIsrael
| | - Anat Izhaki
- Institute of Plant SciencesVolcani center, Agricultural Research OrganizationRishon LeZionIsrael
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19
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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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20
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Reissig LF, Herdina AN, Rose J, Maurer-Gesek B, Lane JL, Prin F, Wilson R, Hardman E, Galli A, Tudor C, Tuck E, Icoresi-Mazzeo C, White JK, Ryder E, Gleeson D, Adams DJ, Geyer SH, Mohun TJ, Weninger WJ. The Col4a2em1(IMPC)Wtsi mouse line: lessons from the Deciphering the Mechanisms of Developmental Disorders program. Biol Open 2019; 8:bio.042895. [PMID: 31331924 PMCID: PMC6737985 DOI: 10.1242/bio.042895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Deciphering the Mechanisms of Developmental Disorders (DMDD) program uses a systematic and standardised approach to characterise the phenotype of embryos stemming from mouse lines, which produce embryonically lethal offspring. Our study aims to provide detailed phenotype descriptions of homozygous Col4a2em1(IMPC)Wtsi mutants produced in DMDD and harvested at embryonic day 14.5. This shall provide new information on the role Col4a2 plays in organogenesis and demonstrate the capacity of the DMDD database for identifying models for researching inherited disorders. The DMDD Col4a2em1(IMPC)Wtsi mutants survived organogenesis and thus revealed the full spectrum of organs and tissues, the development of which depends on Col4a2 encoded proteins. They showed defects in the brain, cranial nerves, visual system, lungs, endocrine glands, skeleton, subepithelial tissues and mild to severe cardiovascular malformations. Together, this makes the DMDD Col4a2em1(IMPC)Wtsi line a useful model for identifying the spectrum of defects and for researching the mechanisms underlying autosomal dominant porencephaly 2 (OMIM # 614483), a rare human disease. Thus we demonstrate the general capacity of the DMDD approach and webpage as a valuable source for identifying mouse models for rare diseases. Summary: We define the spectrum of phenotypic abnormalities linked with Col4a2 disruption and demonstrate the opportunities the Deciphering the Mechanisms of Developmental Disorders (DMDD) program offers for exploring rare human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas F Reissig
- Division of Anatomy, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Str. 13, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Nele Herdina
- Division of Anatomy, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Str. 13, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Rose
- Division of Anatomy, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Str. 13, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Maurer-Gesek
- Division of Anatomy, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Str. 13, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jenna L Lane
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Fabrice Prin
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Robert Wilson
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Emily Hardman
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Antonella Galli
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Catherine Tudor
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Elizabeth Tuck
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | | | - Jacqueline K White
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Ed Ryder
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Diane Gleeson
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - David J Adams
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Stefan H Geyer
- Division of Anatomy, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Str. 13, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Timothy J Mohun
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Wolfgang J Weninger
- Division of Anatomy, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Str. 13, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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21
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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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22
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Collins JE, White RJ, Staudt N, Sealy IM, Packham I, Wali N, Tudor C, Mazzeo C, Green A, Siragher E, Ryder E, White JK, Papatheodoru I, Tang A, Füllgrabe A, Billis K, Geyer SH, Weninger WJ, Galli A, Hemberger M, Stemple DL, Robertson E, Smith JC, Mohun T, Adams DJ, Busch-Nentwich EM. Common and distinct transcriptional signatures of mammalian embryonic lethality. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2792. [PMID: 31243271 PMCID: PMC6594971 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10642-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Deciphering the Mechanisms of Developmental Disorders programme has analysed the morphological and molecular phenotypes of embryonic and perinatal lethal mouse mutant lines in order to investigate the causes of embryonic lethality. Here we show that individual whole-embryo RNA-seq of 73 mouse mutant lines (>1000 transcriptomes) identifies transcriptional events underlying embryonic lethality and associates previously uncharacterised genes with specific pathways and tissues. For example, our data suggest that Hmgxb3 is involved in DNA-damage repair and cell-cycle regulation. Further, we separate embryonic delay signatures from mutant line-specific transcriptional changes by developing a baseline mRNA expression catalogue of wild-type mice during early embryogenesis (4-36 somites). Analysis of transcription outside coding sequence identifies deregulation of repetitive elements in Morc2a mutants and a gene involved in gene-specific splicing. Collectively, this work provides a large scale resource to further our understanding of early embryonic developmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Collins
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Richard J White
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Nicole Staudt
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Ian M Sealy
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Ian Packham
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Neha Wali
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Catherine Tudor
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Cecilia Mazzeo
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Angela Green
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Emma Siragher
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Edward Ryder
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Jacqueline K White
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | - Irene Papatheodoru
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Amy Tang
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Anja Füllgrabe
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Konstantinos Billis
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Stefan H Geyer
- Division of Anatomy, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstr. 13, 1090, Wien, Austria
| | - Wolfgang J Weninger
- Division of Anatomy, MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstr. 13, 1090, Wien, Austria
| | - Antonella Galli
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Myriam Hemberger
- The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
- Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Derek L Stemple
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
- Camena Bioscience, The Science Village, Chesterford Research Park, Cambridge, CB10 1XL, UK
| | - Elizabeth Robertson
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - James C Smith
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Timothy Mohun
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - David J Adams
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Elisabeth M Busch-Nentwich
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK.
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23
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Visualising the Cardiovascular System of Embryos of Biomedical Model Organisms with High Resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM). J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2018; 5:jcdd5040058. [PMID: 30558275 PMCID: PMC6306920 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd5040058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The article will briefly introduce the high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) technique and will focus on its potential for researching cardiovascular development and remodelling in embryos of biomedical model organisms. It will demonstrate the capacity of HREM for analysing the cardiovascular system of normally developed and genetically or experimentally malformed zebrafish, frog, chick and mouse embryos in the context of the whole specimen and will exemplarily show the possibilities HREM offers for comprehensive visualisation of the vasculature of adult human skin. Finally, it will provide examples of the successful application of HREM for identifying cardiovascular malformations in genetically altered mouse embryos produced in the deciphering the mechanisms of developmental disorders (DMDD) program.
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24
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Brown JM, Horner NR, Lawson TN, Fiegel T, Greenaway S, Morgan H, Ring N, Santos L, Sneddon D, Teboul L, Vibert J, Yaikhom G, Westerberg H, Mallon AM. A bioimage informatics platform for high-throughput embryo phenotyping. Brief Bioinform 2018; 19:41-51. [PMID: 27742664 PMCID: PMC5862285 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbw101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput phenotyping is a cornerstone of numerous functional genomics projects. In recent years, imaging screens have become increasingly important in understanding gene-phenotype relationships in studies of cells, tissues and whole organisms. Three-dimensional (3D) imaging has risen to prominence in the field of developmental biology for its ability to capture whole embryo morphology and gene expression, as exemplified by the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC). Large volumes of image data are being acquired by multiple institutions around the world that encompass a range of modalities, proprietary software and metadata. To facilitate robust downstream analysis, images and metadata must be standardized to account for these differences. As an open scientific enterprise, making the data readily accessible is essential so that members of biomedical and clinical research communities can study the images for themselves without the need for highly specialized software or technical expertise. In this article, we present a platform of software tools that facilitate the upload, analysis and dissemination of 3D images for the IMPC. Over 750 reconstructions from 80 embryonic lethal and subviable lines have been captured to date, all of which are openly accessible at mousephenotype.org. Although designed for the IMPC, all software is available under an open-source licence for others to use and develop further. Ongoing developments aim to increase throughput and improve the analysis and dissemination of image data. Furthermore, we aim to ensure that images are searchable so that users can locate relevant images associated with genes, phenotypes or human diseases of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Brown
- MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire
- Corresponding author: James Brown, MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD. Tel. +44-0-1235-841237; Fax: +44-0-1235-841172; E-mail:
| | | | | | - Tanja Fiegel
- MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire
| | | | - Hugh Morgan
- MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire
| | - Natalie Ring
- MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire
| | - Luis Santos
- MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire
| | | | - Lydia Teboul
- MRC Harwell Institute, Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire
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25
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Brown SDM, Holmes CC, Mallon AM, Meehan TF, Smedley D, Wells S. High-throughput mouse phenomics for characterizing mammalian gene function. Nat Rev Genet 2018; 19:357-370. [PMID: 29626206 PMCID: PMC6582361 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-018-0005-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
We are entering a new era of mouse phenomics, driven by large-scale and economical generation of mouse mutants coupled with increasingly sophisticated and comprehensive phenotyping. These studies are generating large, multidimensional gene-phenotype data sets, which are shedding new light on the mammalian genome landscape and revealing many hitherto unknown features of mammalian gene function. Moreover, these phenome resources provide a wealth of disease models and can be integrated with human genomics data as a powerful approach for the interpretation of human genetic variation and its relationship to disease. In the future, the development of novel phenotyping platforms allied to improved computational approaches, including machine learning, for the analysis of phenotype data will continue to enhance our ability to develop a comprehensive and powerful model of mammalian gene-phenotype space.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chris C Holmes
- Nuffield Department of Medicine and Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | | | - Terrence F Meehan
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory - European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
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26
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Abstract
Large-scale phenotyping efforts have demonstrated that approximately 25-30% of mouse gene knockouts cause intra-uterine lethality. Analysis of these mutants has largely focussed on the embryo but not the placenta, despite the critical role of this extra-embryonic organ for developmental progression. Here, we screened 103 embryonic lethal and subviable mouse knockout lines from the Deciphering the Mechanisms of Developmental Disorders programme (https://dmdd.org.uk) for placental phenotypes. 68% of lines that are lethal at or after mid-gestation exhibited placental dys-morphologies. Early lethality (E9.5-E14.5) is almost always associated with severe placental malformations. Placental defects strongly correlate with abnormal brain, heart and vascular development. Analysis of mutant trophoblast stem cells and conditional knockouts suggests primary gene function in trophoblast for a significant number of factors that cause embryonic lethality when ablated. Our data highlight the hugely under-appreciated importance of placental defects in contributing to abnormal embryo development and suggest key molecular nodes governing placentation.
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27
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Three-dimensional microCT imaging of murine embryonic development from immediate post-implantation to organogenesis: application for phenotyping analysis of early embryonic lethality in mutant animals. Mamm Genome 2017; 29:245-259. [PMID: 29170794 PMCID: PMC5887010 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-017-9723-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we applied three-dimensional microCT imaging to study murine embryogenesis in the range from immediate post-implantation period (embryonic day 5.5) to mid-gestation (embryonic day 12.5) with the resolution up to 1.4 µm/voxel. Also, we introduce an imaging procedure for non-invasive volumetric estimation of an entire litter of embryos within the maternal uterine structures. This method allows for an accurate, detailed and systematic morphometric analysis of both embryonic and extra-embryonic components during embryogenesis. Three-dimensional imaging of unperturbed embryos was performed to visualize the egg cylinder, primitive streak, gastrulation and early organogenesis stages of murine development in the C57Bl6/N mouse reference strain. Further, we applied our microCT imaging protocol to determine the earliest point when embryonic development is arrested in a mouse line with knockout for tRNA splicing endonuclease subunit Tsen54 gene. Our analysis determined that the embryonic development in Tsen54 null embryos does not proceed beyond implantation. We demonstrated that application of microCT imaging to entire litter of non-perturbed embryos greatly facilitate studies to unravel gene function during early embryogenesis and to determine the precise point at which embryonic development is arrested in mutant animals. The described method is inexpensive, does not require lengthy embryos dissection and can be applicable for detailed analysis of mutant mice at laboratory scale as well as for high-throughput projects.
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28
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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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29
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Geyer SH, Maurer-Gesek B, Reissig LF, Weninger WJ. High-resolution Episcopic Microscopy (HREM) - Simple and Robust Protocols for Processing and Visualizing Organic Materials. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28715372 PMCID: PMC5609318 DOI: 10.3791/56071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We provide simple protocols for generating digital volume data with the high-resolution episcopic microscopy (HREM) method. HREM is capable of imaging organic materials with volumes up to 5 x 5 x 7 mm3 in typical numeric resolutions between 1 x 1 x 1 and 5 x 5 x 5 µm3. Specimens are embedded in methacrylate resin and sectioned on a microtome. After each section an image of the block surface is captured with a digital video camera that sits on the phototube connected to the compound microscope head. The optical axis passes through a green fluorescent protein (GFP) filter cube and is aligned with a position, at which the bock holder arm comes to rest after each section. In this way, a series of inherently aligned digital images, displaying subsequent block surfaces are produced. Loading such an image series in three-dimensional (3D) visualization software facilitates the immediate conversion to digital volume data, which permit virtual sectioning in various orthogonal and oblique planes and the creation of volume and surface rendered computer models. We present three simple, tissue specific protocols for processing various groups of organic specimens, including mouse, chick, quail, frog and zebra fish embryos, human biopsy material, uncoated paper and skin replacement material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan H Geyer
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna
| | - Barbara Maurer-Gesek
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna
| | - Lukas F Reissig
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna
| | - Wolfgang J Weninger
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna;
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30
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Wilson R, Geyer SH, Reissig L, Rose J, Szumska D, Hardman E, Prin F, McGuire C, Ramirez-Solis R, White J, Galli A, Tudor C, Tuck E, Mazzeo CI, Smith JC, Robertson E, Adams DJ, Mohun T, Weninger WJ. Highly variable penetrance of abnormal phenotypes in embryonic lethal knockout mice. Wellcome Open Res 2017. [PMID: 27996060 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.9899.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Identifying genes that are essential for mouse embryonic development and survival through term is a powerful and unbiased way to discover possible genetic determinants of human developmental disorders. Characterising the changes in mouse embryos that result from ablation of lethal genes is a necessary first step towards uncovering their role in normal embryonic development and establishing any correlates amongst human congenital abnormalities. Methods: Here we present results gathered to date in the Deciphering the Mechanisms of Developmental Disorders (DMDD) programme, cataloguing the morphological defects identified from comprehensive imaging of 220 homozygous mutant and 114 wild type embryos from 42 lethal and subviable lines, analysed at E14.5. Results: Virtually all mutant embryos show multiple abnormal phenotypes and amongst the 42 lines these affect most organ systems. Within each mutant line, the phenotypes of individual embryos form distinct but overlapping sets. Subcutaneous edema, malformations of the heart or great vessels, abnormalities in forebrain morphology and the musculature of the eyes are all prevalent phenotypes, as is loss or abnormal size of the hypoglossal nerve.Conclusions: Overall, the most striking finding is that no matter how profound the malformation, each phenotype shows highly variable penetrance within a mutant line. These findings have challenging implications for efforts to identify human disease correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan H Geyer
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Lukas Reissig
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Julia Rose
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Wolfgang J Weninger
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
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31
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Wilson R, Geyer SH, Reissig L, Rose J, Szumska D, Hardman E, Prin F, McGuire C, Ramirez-Solis R, White J, Galli A, Tudor C, Tuck E, Mazzeo CI, Smith JC, Robertson E, Adams DJ, Mohun T, Weninger WJ. Highly variable penetrance of abnormal phenotypes in embryonic lethal knockout mice. Wellcome Open Res 2017; 1:1. [PMID: 27996060 PMCID: PMC5159622 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.9899.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Identifying genes that are essential for mouse embryonic development and survival through term is a powerful and unbiased way to discover possible genetic determinants of human developmental disorders. Characterising the changes in mouse embryos that result from ablation of lethal genes is a necessary first step towards uncovering their role in normal embryonic development and establishing any correlates amongst human congenital abnormalities. Methods: Here we present results gathered to date in the Deciphering the Mechanisms of Developmental Disorders (DMDD) programme, cataloguing the morphological defects identified from comprehensive imaging of 220 homozygous mutant and 114 wild type embryos from 42 lethal and subviable lines, analysed at E14.5. Results: Virtually all mutant embryos show multiple abnormal phenotypes and amongst the 42 lines these affect most organ systems. Within each mutant line, the phenotypes of individual embryos form distinct but overlapping sets. Subcutaneous edema, malformations of the heart or great vessels, abnormalities in forebrain morphology and the musculature of the eyes are all prevalent phenotypes, as is loss or abnormal size of the hypoglossal nerve. Conclusions: Overall, the most striking finding is that no matter how profound the malformation, each phenotype shows highly variable penetrance within a mutant line. These findings have challenging implications for efforts to identify human disease correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan H Geyer
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Lukas Reissig
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Julia Rose
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Wolfgang J Weninger
- Division of Anatomy, Center for Anatomy & Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
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32
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Geyer SH, Reissig L, Rose J, Wilson R, Prin F, Szumska D, Ramirez-Solis R, Tudor C, White J, Mohun TJ, Weninger WJ. A staging system for correct phenotype interpretation of mouse embryos harvested on embryonic day 14 (E14.5). J Anat 2017; 230:710-719. [PMID: 28185240 PMCID: PMC5382591 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a simple and quick system for accurately scoring the developmental progress of mouse embryos harvested on embryonic day 14 (E14.5). Based solely on the external appearance of the maturing forelimb, we provide a convenient way to distinguish six developmental sub‐stages. Using a variety of objective morphometric data obtained from the commonly used C57BL/6N mouse strain, we show that these stages correlate precisely with the growth of the entire embryo and its organs. Applying the new staging system to phenotype analyses of E14.5 embryos of 58 embryonic lethal null mutant lines from the DMDD research programme (https://dmdd.org.uk) and its pilot, we show that homozygous mutant embryos are frequently delayed in development. To demonstrate the importance of our staging system for correct phenotype interpretation, we describe stage‐specific changes of the palate, heart and gut, and provide examples in which correct diagnosis of malformations relies on correct staging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan H Geyer
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Reissig
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Rose
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Wilson
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, London, UK
| | - Fabrice Prin
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Jacqui White
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Timothy J Mohun
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, London, UK
| | - Wolfgang J Weninger
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology & MIC, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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33
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Dickinson ME, Flenniken AM, Ji X, Teboul L, Wong MD, White JK, Meehan TF, Weninger WJ, Westerberg H, Adissu H, Baker CN, Bower L, Brown JM, Caddle LB, Chiani F, Clary D, Cleak J, Daly MJ, Denegre JM, Doe B, Dolan ME, Edie SM, Fuchs H, Gailus-Durner V, Galli A, Gambadoro A, Gallegos J, Guo S, Horner NR, Hsu CW, Johnson SJ, Kalaga S, Keith LC, Lanoue L, Lawson TN, Lek M, Mark M, Marschall S, Mason J, McElwee ML, Newbigging S, Nutter LM, Peterson KA, Ramirez-Solis R, Rowland DJ, Ryder E, Samocha KE, Seavitt JR, Selloum M, Szoke-Kovacs Z, Tamura M, Trainor AG, Tudose I, Wakana S, Warren J, Wendling O, West DB, Wong L, Yoshiki A, MacArthur DG, Tocchini-Valentini GP, Gao X, Flicek P, Bradley A, Skarnes WC, Justice MJ, Parkinson HE, Moore M, Wells S, Braun RE, Svenson KL, de Angelis MH, Herault Y, Mohun T, Mallon AM, Henkelman RM, Brown SD, Adams DJ, Lloyd KK, McKerlie C, Beaudet AL, Bucan M, Murray SA. High-throughput discovery of novel developmental phenotypes. Nature 2016; 537:508-514. [PMID: 27626380 PMCID: PMC5295821 DOI: 10.1038/nature19356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 799] [Impact Index Per Article: 99.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Approximately one-third of all mammalian genes are essential for life. Phenotypes resulting from knockouts of these genes in mice have provided tremendous insight into gene function and congenital disorders. As part of the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium effort to generate and phenotypically characterize 5,000 knockout mouse lines, here we identify 410 lethal genes during the production of the first 1,751 unique gene knockouts. Using a standardized phenotyping platform that incorporates high-resolution 3D imaging, we identify phenotypes at multiple time points for previously uncharacterized genes and additional phenotypes for genes with previously reported mutant phenotypes. Unexpectedly, our analysis reveals that incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity are common even on a defined genetic background. In addition, we show that human disease genes are enriched for essential genes, thus providing a dataset that facilitates the prioritization and validation of mutations identified in clinical sequencing efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E. Dickinson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ann M. Flenniken
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiao Ji
- Genomics and Computational Biology Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA 19104
| | - Lydia Teboul
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Michael D. Wong
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jacqueline K. White
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Terrence F. Meehan
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Wolfgang J. Weninger
- Centre for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Henrik Westerberg
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Hibret Adissu
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Lynette Bower
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis
| | - James M. Brown
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | | | - Francesco Chiani
- Monterotondo Mouse Clinic, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Monterotondo Scalo, Itally
| | - Dave Clary
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis
| | - James Cleak
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Mark J. Daly
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Brendan Doe
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Helmut Fuchs
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Valerie Gailus-Durner
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Antonella Galli
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alessia Gambadoro
- Monterotondo Mouse Clinic, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Monterotondo Scalo, Itally
| | - Juan Gallegos
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Shiying Guo
- SKL of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Model Animal Research Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, China
| | - Neil R. Horner
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Chih-wei Hsu
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sara J. Johnson
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Sowmya Kalaga
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lance C. Keith
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Louise Lanoue
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis
| | - Thomas N. Lawson
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Monkol Lek
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Manuel Mark
- Infrastructure Nationale PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), et Institut de Génétique Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC) CNRS, INSERM, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Susan Marschall
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jeremy Mason
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Susan Newbigging
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lauryl M.J. Nutter
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Ramiro Ramirez-Solis
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Edward Ryder
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kaitlin E. Samocha
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - John R. Seavitt
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Mohammed Selloum
- Infrastructure Nationale PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), et Institut de Génétique Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC) CNRS, INSERM, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Zsombor Szoke-Kovacs
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | | | | | - Ilinca Tudose
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Jonathan Warren
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Olivia Wendling
- Infrastructure Nationale PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), et Institut de Génétique Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC) CNRS, INSERM, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - David B. West
- Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, CA 94609
| | - Leeyean Wong
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel G. MacArthur
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Glauco P. Tocchini-Valentini
- Monterotondo Mouse Clinic, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Monterotondo Scalo, Itally
| | - Xiang Gao
- SKL of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Model Animal Research Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, China
| | - Paul Flicek
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Allan Bradley
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - William C. Skarnes
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | - Monica J. Justice
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Helen E. Parkinson
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory- European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Sara Wells
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | | | | | - Martin Hrabe de Angelis
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Experimental Genetics and German Mouse Clinic, Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair of Experimental Genetics, School of Life Science Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Yann Herault
- Infrastructure Nationale PHENOMIN, Institut Clinique de la Souris (ICS), et Institut de Génétique Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC) CNRS, INSERM, University of Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Tim Mohun
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London, UK
| | - Ann-Marie Mallon
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - R. Mark Henkelman
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steve D.M. Brown
- Medical Research Council Harwell (Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mary Lyon Centre), Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - David J. Adams
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Colin McKerlie
- The Centre for Phenogenomics, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Arthur L. Beaudet
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX USA
| | - Maja Bucan
- Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry, Perlman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA 19104
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34
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Henkelman RM, Friedel M, Lerch JP, Wilson R, Mohun T. Comparing homologous microscopic sections from multiple embryos using HREM. Dev Biol 2016; 415:1-5. [PMID: 27208393 PMCID: PMC6278891 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
3D HREM embryo images can be registered. Homologous microscopic sections can be obtained from multiple embryos. Anatomical phenotypes can be analyzed by computer.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Mark Henkelman
- Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Miriam Friedel
- Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre (MICe), Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Robert Wilson
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, London, UK
| | - Timothy Mohun
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, London, UK
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35
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Wilson R, McGuire C, Mohun T. Deciphering the mechanisms of developmental disorders: phenotype analysis of embryos from mutant mouse lines. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 44:D855-61. [PMID: 26519470 PMCID: PMC4702824 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv1138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The Deciphering the Mechanisms of Developmental Disorders (DMDD) consortium is a research programme set up to identify genes in the mouse, which if mutated (or knocked-out) result in embryonic lethality when homozygous, and initiate the study of why disruption of their function has such profound effects on embryo development and survival. The project uses a combination of comprehensive high resolution 3D imaging and tissue histology to identify abnormalities in embryo and placental structures of embryonic lethal lines. The image data we have collected and the phenotypes scored are freely available through the project website (http://dmdd.org.uk). In this article we describe the web interface to the images that allows the embryo data to be viewed at full resolution in different planes, discuss how to search the database for a phenotype, and our approach to organising the data for an embryo and a mutant line so it is easy to comprehend and intuitive to navigate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Wilson
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Christina McGuire
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Timothy Mohun
- The Francis Crick Institute Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK
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36
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A mouse informatics platform for phenotypic and translational discovery. Mamm Genome 2015; 26:413-21. [PMID: 26314589 PMCID: PMC4602054 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-015-9599-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC) is providing the world's first functional catalogue of a mammalian genome by characterising a knockout mouse strain for every gene. A robust and highly structured informatics platform has been developed to systematically collate, analyse and disseminate the data produced by the IMPC. As the first phase of the project, in which 5000 new knockout strains are being broadly phenotyped, nears completion, the informatics platform is extending and adapting to support the increasing volume and complexity of the data produced as well as addressing a large volume of users and emerging user groups. An intuitive interface helps researchers explore IMPC data by giving overviews and the ability to find and visualise data that support a phenotype assertion. Dedicated disease pages allow researchers to find new mouse models of human diseases, and novel viewers provide high-resolution images of embryonic and adult dysmorphologies. With each monthly release, the informatics platform will continue to evolve to support the increased data volume and to maintain its position as the primary route of access to IMPC data and as an invaluable resource for clinical and non-clinical researchers.
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