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Assessing Collagen D-Band Periodicity with Atomic Force Microscopy. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15041608. [PMID: 35208148 PMCID: PMC8877100 DOI: 10.3390/ma15041608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The collagen superfamily includes more than fifty collagen and/or collagen-like proteins with fibril-forming collagen type I being the most abundant protein within the extracellular matrix. Collagen type I plays a crucial role in a variety of functions, it has been associated with many pathological conditions and it is widely used due to its unique properties. One unique nano-scale characteristic of natural occurring collagen type I fibers is the so-called D-band periodicity, which has been associated with collagen natural structure and properties, while it seems to play a crucial role in the interactions between cells and collagen and in various pathological conditions. An accurate characterization of the surface and structure of collagen fibers, including D-band periodicity, on collagen-based tissues and/or (nano-)biomaterials can be achieved by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). AFM is a scanning probe microscope and is among the few techniques that can assess D-band periodicity. This review covers issues related to collagen and collagen D-band periodicity and the use of AFM for studying them. Through a systematic search in databases (PubMed and Scopus) relevant articles were identified. The study of these articles demonstrated that AFM can offer novel information concerning D-band periodicity. This study highlights the importance of studying collagen D-band periodicity and proves that AFM is a powerful tool for investigating a number of different properties related to collagen D-band periodicity.
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Stylianou A, Kontomaris SV, Grant C, Alexandratou E. Atomic Force Microscopy on Biological Materials Related to Pathological Conditions. SCANNING 2019; 2019:8452851. [PMID: 31214274 PMCID: PMC6535871 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8452851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an easy-to-use, powerful, high-resolution microscope that allows the user to image any surface and under any aqueous condition. AFM has been used in the investigation of the structural and mechanical properties of a wide range of biological matters including biomolecules, biomaterials, cells, and tissues. It provides the capacity to acquire high-resolution images of biosamples at the nanoscale and allows at readily carrying out mechanical characterization. The capacity of AFM to image and interact with surfaces, under physiologically relevant conditions, is of great importance for realistic and accurate medical and pharmaceutical applications. The aim of this paper is to review recent trends of the use of AFM on biological materials related to health and sickness. First, we present AFM components and its different imaging modes and we continue with combined imaging and coupled AFM systems. Then, we discuss the use of AFM to nanocharacterize collagen, the major fibrous protein of the human body, which has been correlated with many pathological conditions. In the next section, AFM nanolevel surface characterization as a tool to detect possible pathological conditions such as osteoarthritis and cancer is presented. Finally, we demonstrate the use of AFM for studying other pathological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), through the investigation of amyloid fibrils and viruses, respectively. Consequently, AFM stands out as the ideal research instrument for exploring the detection of pathological conditions even at very early stages, making it very attractive in the area of bio- and nanomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stylianou
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 2238, Cyprus
| | - Stylianos-Vasileios Kontomaris
- Mobile Radio Communications Laboratory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Polytechniou, Athens 15780, Greece
- Athens Metropolitan College, Sorou 74, Marousi 15125, Greece
| | - Colin Grant
- Hitachi High-Technologies Europe, Techspace One, Keckwick Lane, Warrington WA4 4AB, UK
| | - Eleni Alexandratou
- Biomedical Optics and Applied Biophysics Laboratory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Polytechniou, Athens 15780, Greece
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Stylianou A, Lekka M, Stylianopoulos T. AFM assessing of nanomechanical fingerprints for cancer early diagnosis and classification: from single cell to tissue level. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:20930-20945. [PMID: 30406223 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr06146g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Cancer development and progression are closely associated with changes both in the mechano-cellular phenotype of cancer and stromal cells and in the extracellular matrix (ECM) structure, composition, and mechanics. In this paper, we review the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) as a tool for assessing the nanomechanical fingerprints of solid tumors, so as to be potentially used as a diagnostic biomarker for more accurate identification and early cancer grading/classification. The development of such a methodology is expected to provide new insights and a novel approach for cancer diagnosis. We propose that AFM measurements could be employed to complement standard biopsy procedures, offering an objective, novel and quantitative diagnostic approach with the properties of a blind assay, allowing unbiased evaluation of the sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stylianou
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Cyprus.
| | - Malgorzata Lekka
- Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, PL-31342 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Triantafyllos Stylianopoulos
- Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Cyprus.
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4
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Visualization of internal in situ cell structure by atomic force microscopy. Histochem Cell Biol 2018; 150:521-527. [PMID: 30206694 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-018-1721-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Light and electron microscopy have been used to study cell structure for many years, but atomic force microscopy is a more recent technique used to analyze cells, mainly due to the absence of techniques to prepare the samples. Isolated molecules or organelles, whole cells, and to a lesser extent in situ cell structure have been observed by different atomic force microscopy imaging modes. Here, we review efforts intended to analyze in situ the cell structures using approaches involving imaging of the surface of semithin sections of samples embedded in resin and sections prepared with an ultramicrotome. The results of such studies are discussed in relation to their implications to analyze the fine structure of organelles at the nanoscale in situ at enhanced resolution compared to light microscopy.
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Use of 3D imaging for providing insights into high-order structure of mitotic chromosomes. Chromosoma 2018; 128:7-13. [PMID: 30175387 PMCID: PMC6394650 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-018-0678-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The high-order structure of metaphase chromosomes remains still under investigation, especially the 30-nm structure that is still controversial. Advanced 3D imaging has provided useful information for our understanding of this detailed structure. It is evident that new technologies together with improved sample preparations and image analyses should be adequately combined. This mini review highlights 3D imaging used for chromosome analysis so far with future imaging directions also highlighted.
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Lohrer MF, Hanna DM, Liu Y, Wang KH, Liu FT, Laurence TA, Liu GY. Applying Pattern Recognition to High-Resolution Images to Determine Cellular Signaling Status. IEEE Trans Nanobioscience 2017; 16:438-446. [PMID: 28644811 PMCID: PMC5633003 DOI: 10.1109/tnb.2017.2717871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Two frequently used tools to acquire high- resolution images of cells are scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The former provides a nanometer resolution view of cellular features rapidly and with high throughput, while the latter enables visualizing hydrated and living cells. In current practice, these images are viewed by eye to determine cellular status, e.g., activated versus resting. Automatic and quantitative data analysis is lacking. This paper develops an algorithm of pattern recognition that works very effectively for AFM and SEM images. Using rat basophilic leukemia cells, our approach creates a support vector machine to automatically classify resting and activated cells. Ten-fold cross-validation with cells that are known to be activated or resting gives a good estimate of the generalized classification results. The pattern recognition of AFM images achieves 100% accuracy, while SEM reaches 95.4% for our images as well as images published in prior literature. This outcome suggests that our methodology could become an important and frequently used tool for researchers utilizing AFM and SEM for structural characterization as well as determining cellular signaling status and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F. Lohrer
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Oakland University, Rochester MI 48309, USA
| | - Darrin M. Hanna
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Oakland University, Rochester MI 48309, USA
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Kang-Hsin Wang
- Department of chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Fu-Tong Liu
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Ted A. Laurence
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA
| | - Gang-Yu Liu
- Department of chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
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Kontomaris SV, Yova D, Stylianou A, Balogiannis G. The effects of UV irradiation on collagen D-band revealed by atomic force microscopy. SCANNING 2015; 37:101-11. [PMID: 25521598 DOI: 10.1002/sca.21185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Revised: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this paper was to investigate the influence of UV irradiation on collagen D-band periodicity by using the AFM imaging and nanoindentation methods. It is well known than UV irradiation is one of the main factors inducing destabilization of collagen molecules. Due to the human's skin chronic exposure to sun light, the research concerning the influence of UV radiation on collagen is of great interest. The impact of UV irradiation on collagen can be studied in nanoscale using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). AFM is a powerful tool as far as surface characterization is concerned, due to its ability to relate high resolution imaging with mechanical properties. Hence, high resolution images of individual collagen fibrils and load-displacement curves on the overlapping and gap regions, under various time intervals of UV exposure, were obtained. The results demonstrated that the UV rays affect the height level differences between the overlapping and gap regions. Under various time intervals of UV exposure, the height difference between overlaps and gaps reduced from ~3.7 nm to ~0.8 nm and the fibril diameters showed an average of 8-10% reduction. In addition, the irradiation influenced the mechanical properties of collagen fibrils. The Young's modulus values were reduced per 66% (overlaps) and 61% (gaps) compared to their initial values. The observed alterations on the structural and the mechanical properties of collagen fibrils are probably a consequence of the polypeptide chain scission due to the impact of the UV irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stylianos V Kontomaris
- Biomedical Optics & Applied Biophysics Lab, Division of Electromagnetics, Electrooptics & Electronic Materials, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Polytechniou, Athens, Greece; Interuniversity Postgraduate Programme on Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Patras, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the School of Mechanical Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Scanning ion conductance microscopy for imaging biological samples in liquid: A comparative study with atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Micron 2012; 43:1390-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2012.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2011] [Revised: 01/25/2012] [Accepted: 01/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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de Souza W, Rocha GM. Atomic force microscopy: a tool to analyze the structural organization of pathogenic protozoa. Trends Parasitol 2011; 27:160-7. [PMID: 21273123 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2010.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2010] [Revised: 12/22/2010] [Accepted: 12/23/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The fine structure of parasitic protozoa has been the subject of intense investigation with the use of electron microscopy. The recent development of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and all of the techniques associated with AFM has created new ways to further analyze the structure of cells. In this review, the various, presently-available modalities of AFM are discussed, as well as the results obtained in analysis of: (i) the structure of intact and detergent-extracted protozoa; (ii) the surface of infected cells; (iii) the structure of parasite macromolecules; (iv) the measurement of surface potential; and (v) force spectroscopy, the measurement of elasticity and ligand-receptor interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanderley de Souza
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho and Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagens - Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brasil.
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POLYMENI R, SPANAKIS E, ARGIROPOULOS A, RHIZOPOULOU S. Aspects on the relief of living surfaces using atomic force microscopy allow “art” to imitate nature. Integr Zool 2010; 5:218-25. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4877.2010.00207.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
AFM (atomic force microscopy) analysis, both of fixed cells, and live cells in physiological environments, is set to offer a step change in the research of cellular function. With the ability to map cell topography and morphology, provide structural details of surface proteins and their expression patterns and to detect pico-Newton force interactions, AFM represents an exciting addition to the arsenal of the cell biologist. With the explosion of new applications, and the advent of combined instrumentation such as AFM-confocal systems, the biological application of AFM has come of age. The use of AFM in the area of biomedical research has been proposed for some time, and is one where a significant impact could be made. Fixed cell analysis provides qualitative and quantitative subcellular and surface data capable of revealing new biomarkers in medical pathologies. Image height and contrast, surface roughness, fractal, volume and force analysis provide a platform for the multiparameter analysis of cell and protein functions. Here, we review the current status of AFM in the field and discuss the important contribution AFM is poised to make in the understanding of biological systems.
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IGF-1 does not moderate the time-dependent transcriptional patterns of key homeostatic genes induced by sustained compression of bovine cartilage. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2009; 17:944-52. [PMID: 19250984 PMCID: PMC2752631 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2009.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2008] [Revised: 02/03/2009] [Accepted: 02/09/2009] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine changes in chondrocyte transcription of a range of anabolic, catabolic and signaling genes following simultaneous treatment of cartilage with Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and ramp-and-hold mechanical compression, and compare with effects on biosynthesis. METHODS Explant disks of bovine calf cartilage were slowly compressed (unconfined) over 3-min to their 1mm cut-thickness (0%-compression) or to 50%-compression with or without 300 ng/ml IGF-1. Expression of 24 genes involved in cartilage homeostasis was measured using qPCR at 2, 8, 24, 32, 48 h after compression +/-IGF-1. Clustering analysis was used to identify groups of co-expressed genes to further elucidate mechanistic pathways. RESULTS IGF-1 alone stimulated gene expression of aggrecan and collagen II, but simultaneous 24h compression suppressed this effect. Compression alone up-regulated expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif (ADAMTS)-5 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, an effect not reversed by simultaneous IGF-1 treatment. Temporal changes in expression following IGF-1 treatment were generally slower than that following compression. Clustering analysis revealed five distinct groups within which the pairings, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-3 and ADAMTS-5, MMP-1 and IGF-2, and IGF-1 and Collagen II, were all robustly co-expressed, suggesting inherent regulation and feedback in chondrocyte gene expression. While aggrecan synthesis was transcriptionally regulated by IGF-1, inhibition of aggrecan synthesis by sustained compression appeared post-transcriptionally regulated. CONCLUSION Sustained compression markedly altered the effects of IGF-1 on expression of genes involved in cartilage homeostasis, while IGF-1 was largely unable to moderate the transcriptional effects of compression alone. The demonstrated co-expressed gene pairings suggest a balance of anabolic and catabolic activity following simultaneous mechanical and growth factor stimuli.
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Ushiki T, Shigeno M, Hoshi O. Techniques for imaging human metaphase chromosomes in liquid conditions by atomic force microscopy. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2008; 19:384022. [PMID: 21832581 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/19/38/384022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to obtain three-dimensional images of wet chromosomes by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in liquid conditions. Human metaphase chromosomes-obtained either by chromosome spreads or by an isolation technique-were observed in a dynamic mode by AFM in a buffer solution. Under suitable operating conditions with a soft triangular cantilever (with the spring constant of 0.08-0.4 N m(-1)), clear images of fixed chromosomes in the chromosome spread were obtained by AFM. For imaging isolated chromosomes with the height of more than 400 nm, a cantilever with a high aspect ratio probing tip was required. The combination of a Q-control system and the sampling intelligent scan (SIS) system in dynamic force mode AFM was useful for obtaining high-quality images of the isolated chromosomes, in which globular or cord-like structures about 50 nm thick were clearly observed on the surface of each chromatid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuo Ushiki
- Division of Microscopic Anatomy and Bio-imaging, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
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Abstract
The present study introduces the principle of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and reviews our results of human metaphase chromosomes obtained by AFM. AFM imaging of the chromosomes revealed that the chromatid arm was not uniform in structure but had ridges and grooves along its length, which was most prominent in the late metaphase. The arrangement of these ridges and grooves was roughly symmetrical with the counterpart of the paired sister chromatids. AFM imaging of banded chromosomes also showed that the ridges and grooves were related to the G/Q-positive and G/Q-negative bands, respectively. At high magnification, the chromatid was seen to be produced by the compaction of highly twisted chromatin fiber loops, and its compaction tended to be stronger in the ridged regions of the chromosomes than in the grooved regions. Our AFM studies also showed the presence of catenation of chromatin fibers between the ridged portions of the chromatid in the late metaphase. Thus, AFM is useful for obtaining the three-dimensional surface topography not only in ambient conditions but also in physiological liquid conditions, and is expected to be an attractive tool for investigating the structure of chromosomes.
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Blair-Levy JM, Watts CE, Fiorentino NM, Fiorientino NM, Dimitriadis EK, Marini JC, Lipsky PE. A type I collagen defect leads to rapidly progressive osteoarthritis in a mouse model. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 58:1096-106. [PMID: 18383364 DOI: 10.1002/art.23277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that abnormalities of the subchondral bone can result in osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS We used a knockin model of human osteogenesis imperfecta, the Brittle IV (Brtl) mouse, in which defective type I collagen is expressed in bone. OA in individual mice was documented by micro-magnetic resonance imaging (micro-MRI) and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Alterations in the knee joints were confirmed by histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis. In addition, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to assess the ultrastructure of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone matrix. RESULTS Brtl mice had decreased integrity of bone but initially normal articular cartilage. However, by the second month of life, Brtl mice developed alterations of the cartilage that were characteristic of OA, as documented by micro-CT, micro-MRI, and histologic evaluation. In addition, chondrocyte loss and breakdown of the collagen matrix in the residual cartilage were demonstrated using AFM. CONCLUSION The Brtl mouse model demonstrates that progressive destruction of articular cartilage characteristic of OA may be secondary to altered architecture of the underlying subchondral bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Blair-Levy
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1560, USA
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Rocha GM, Miranda K, Weissmüller G, Bisch PM, de Souza W. Ultrastructure of Trypanosoma cruzi revisited by atomic force microscopy. Microsc Res Tech 2008; 71:133-9. [PMID: 17992694 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.20535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Most advances in atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been accomplished in recent years. Previous attempts to use AFM to analyze the organization of pathogenic protozoa did not significantly contribute with new structural information. In this work, we introduce a new perspective to the study of the ultrastructure of the epimastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi by AFM. Images were compared with those obtained using field emission scanning electron microscopy of critical point dried cells and transmission electron microscopy of negative stained detergent-extracted and air-dried cells. AFM images of epimastigote forms showed a flagellum furrow separating the axoneme from the paraflagellar rod (PFR) present from the emergence of the flagellar pocket to the tip of the flagellum. At high magnification, a row of periodically organized structures, which probably correspond to the link between the axoneme, the PFR and the flagellar membrane were seen along the furrow. In the origin of the flagellum, two basal bodies were identified. Beyond the basal bodies, small periodically arranged protrusions, positioned at 400 nm from the flagellar basis were seen. This structure was formed by nine substructures distributed around the flagellar circumference and may correspond to the flagellar necklace. Altogether, our results demonstrate the importance of the application of AFM in the structural characterization of the surface components and cytoskeleton on protozoan parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Miranda Rocha
- Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho s/n, 21941-902, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Hoshi O, Shigeno M, Ushiki T. Atomic force microscopy of native human metaphase chromosomes in a liquid. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 69:73-8. [PMID: 16609271 DOI: 10.1679/aohc.69.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The present study introduces a method for obtaining three-dimensional images of native (i.e., unfixed) chromosomes by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in a liquid. Human metaphase chromosomes were isolated from a human lymphoblast-like cell line, K562, by the hexylene glycol procedure according to Wray and Stubble- field (1970), adsorbed on a silane-coated glass slide, and observed in a dynamic force mode (i.e., intermittent contact mode) of AFM in a hexylene buffer solution. In adequate operating conditions, the shape of chromosomes with paired chromatids was clearly and three-dimensionally observed by AFM. At high magnification, globular or fibrous structures about 50 nm thick could be found on the surface of each chromaid, implying that chromatin fibers were strongly wound or twisted in the chromatid. Thus, AFM imaging enabled the direct visualization of native chromosomes in a liquid at high resolution--which is comparable with that of scanning electron microscopy--and can serve to analyze the mechanism of chromosome condensation and separation in relation to the structure of chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamu Hoshi
- Division of Microscopic Anatomy and Bio-imaging, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
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USHIKI T, HOSHI O. 走査型プローブ顕微鏡の生物学応用. ELECTROCHEMISTRY 2005. [DOI: 10.5796/electrochemistry.73.908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Tiribilli B, Bani D, Quercioli F, Ghirelli A, Vassalli M. Atomic force microscopy of histological sections using a chemical etching method. Ultramicroscopy 2005; 102:227-32. [PMID: 15639354 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2004.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2004] [Revised: 10/05/2004] [Accepted: 10/12/2004] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Physiology and pathology have a big deal on tissue morphology, and the intrinsic spatial resolution of an atomic force microscope (AFM) is able to observe ultrastructural details. In order to investigate cellular and subcellular structures in histological sections with the AFM, we used a new simple method for sample preparation, i.e. chemical etching of semithin sections from epoxy resin-embedded specimens: such treatment appears to melt the upper layers of the embedding resin; thus, removing the superficial roughness caused by the edge of the microtome knife and bringing into high relief the biological structures hidden in the bulk. Consecutive ultrathin sections embedded in epoxy resin were observed with a transmission electron microscope (TEM) to compare the different imaging properties on the same specimen sample. In this paper we report, as an example, our AFM and TEM images of two different tissue specimens, rat pancreas and skeletal muscle fibres, showing that most of the inner details are visible with the AFM. These results suggest that chemical etching of histological sections may be a simple, fast and cost-effective method for AFM imaging with ultrastructural resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Tiribilli
- Biophotonics Laboratory, National Institute of Applied Optics, Florence, Italy.
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Lundvig D, Lindersson E, Jensen PH. Pathogenic effects of α-synuclein aggregation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 134:3-17. [PMID: 15790525 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/09/2004] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Biochemical and genetic evidence point towards alpha-synuclein aggregation as having a pivotal role in the onset and progression of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy and Lewy body dementia. We review recent data on how alpha-synuclein aggregates may impact on cellular homeostatic mechanisms including cellular transport and degradation and transcriptional regulation. alpha-Synuclein aggregates can exist as several molecular species and their different features are discussed in the context of the methodologies used for their study and the many chemical and physical factors that influence their formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ditte Lundvig
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Aarhus, Building 170, Ole Worms Alle 170, DK-8000, Aarchus, Denmark
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Kimura E, Hoshi O, Ushiki T. Atomic force microscopy of human metaphase chromosomes after differential staining of sister chromatids. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 67:171-7. [PMID: 15468956 DOI: 10.1679/aohc.67.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Human metaphase chromosomes, in which 5-bromo-deoxyuridine (BrdU) had been incorporated into the DNA, were treated with the fluorescent plus Giemsa (FPG) method. Use of this method distinctly stained one of the paired sister chromatids with the Giemsa solution due to the difference in content of BrdU in the two chromatids. These chromosomes with their differential staining of sister chromatids were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). In the air-dried specimens, one of the paired chromatids that was stained strongly with Giemsa solution was about two times higher than the counterpart that was stained faintly with Giemsa solution. In the critical point dried chromosomes, the height of the Giemsa positive chromatid roughly matched that of the Giemsa negative counterpart. These findings imply that the arrangement of the Giemsa negative chromatid after FPG staining is fragile and easily collapses due to the surface tension of water during air-drying. At higher magnifications, the surface structure differed between Giemsa positive and negative chromatids; the Giemsa positive chromatid (i.e., unifilarly BrdU-incorporated chromatid) was composed of fibrous structures while the Giemsa negative chromatid (i.e., bifilarly BrdU-incorporated chromatid) exhibited a fine granular appearance. These structural changes in the sister chromatids are thought to arise from the ultraviolet irradiation and heating of the chromosomes during FPG staining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiji Kimura
- Division of Microscopic Anatomy and Bio-imaging, Department of Cellular Function, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
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Ohmido N, Kijima K, Hoshi O, Ushiki T, Fukui K. Comparison of Surface Structures between Extended and Condensed Stages of Barley Chromosomes Revealed with Atomic Force Microscopy. CYTOLOGIA 2005. [DOI: 10.1508/cytologia.70.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Osamu Hoshi
- Division of Microscopic Anatomy and Bio-imaging, Department of Cellular Function, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences
| | - Tatsuo Ushiki
- Division of Microscopic Anatomy and Bio-imaging, Department of Cellular Function, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences
| | - Kiichi Fukui
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University
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Tojima T, Ito E. Signal transduction cascades underlying de novo protein synthesis required for neuronal morphogenesis in differentiating neurons. Prog Neurobiol 2004; 72:183-93. [PMID: 15130709 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2004.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2003] [Accepted: 03/03/2004] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Differentiating neurons must acquire many unique morphological and functional characteristics in creating the precise neural circuits of the mature nervous system. The phenomenon of 'neuronal differentiation' includes a special set of simple, separate processes, that is, neuritogenesis, neurite outgrowth, pathfinding, targeting and synaptogenesis. All of these processes are critically dependent on the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton by many actin-binding proteins that function downstream of Rho-family GTPases. Furthermore, de novo synthesis of key proteins are critically involved in the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton during neuronal differentiation. In this article, we review recent progresses in the general mechanisms that control actin dynamics by various actin-binding proteins in differentiating neurons, including a series of recent studies from our laboratory on de novo synthesis of several key proteins that are essential for actin reorganization induced by second messengers. We demonstrated that dual regulation of cyclic AMP and Ca2+ determines cofilin (an actin-binding protein) phosphorylation states and LIM kinase 1 (a cofilin kinase) expression level during neuritogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuro Tojima
- Division of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, North 10, West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
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24
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Melling M, Karimian-Teherani D, Mostler S, Behnam M, Hochmeister S. 3-D morphological characterization of the liver parenchyma by atomic force microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy. Microsc Res Tech 2004; 64:1-9. [PMID: 15287013 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.20045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A comparative study of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of the healthy human liver parenchyma was carried out to determine the similarities and the differences. In this study, we compared the fine hepatic structures as observed by SEM and AFM. Although AFM revealed such typical hepatic structures as bile canaliculi and hepatocytes, it also showed the location of the nucleus and chromatin granules in rough relief structure, which was not visible by SEM. By contrast, SEM visualized other structures, such as microvilli, the central vein, and collagenous fibers, none of which was visualized by AFM. For better orientation and confirmation of most of the structures imaged by SEM and AFM, Congo Red-stained specimens were also examined. Amyloid deposits in the Disse's spaces were shown especially clearly in these images. The differences between the SEM and AFM images reflected the characteristics of the detection systems and methods used for sample preparation. Our results reveal that more detailed information on hepatic morphology is obtained by exploiting the advantages of both SEM and AFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Melling
- First Department of Anatomy, University of Vienna, A-1170 Vienna, Austria.
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25
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Yoshino T, Sugiyama S, Hagiwara S, Fukushi D, Shichiri M, Nakao H, Kim JM, Hirose T, Muramatsu H, Ohtani T. Nano-scale imaging of chromosomes and DNA by scanning near-field optical/atomic force microscopy. Ultramicroscopy 2003; 97:81-7. [PMID: 12801660 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3991(03)00032-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Nano-scale structures of the YOYO-1-stained barley chromosomes and lambda-phage DNA were investigated by scanning near-field optical/atomic force microscopy (SNOM/AFM). This technique enabled precise analysis of fluorescence structural images in relation to the morphology of the biomaterials. The results suggested that the fluorescence intensity does not always correspond to topographic height of the chromosomes, but roughly reflects the local amount and/or density of DNA. Various sizes of the bright fluorescence spots were clearly observed in fluorescence banding-treated chromosomes. Furthermore, fluorescence-stained lambda-phage DNA analysis by SNOM/AFM demonstrated the possibility of nanometer-scale imaging for a novel technique termed nano-fluorescence in situ hybridization (nano-FISH). Thus, SNOM/AFM is a powerful tool for analyzing the structure and the function of biomaterials with higher resolution than conventional optical microscopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Yoshino
- National Food Research Institute, 2-1-12 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8642, Japan
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26
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Mizuta R, Mizuta M, Kitamura D. Atomic force microscopy analysis of rolling circle amplification of plasmid DNA. ARCHIVES OF HISTOLOGY AND CYTOLOGY 2003; 66:175-81. [PMID: 12846557 DOI: 10.1679/aohc.66.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Rolling circle amplification (RCA) of plasmid DNA using random hexamers and bacteriophage phi29 DNA polymerase is an increasingly applied technique for amplifying template DNA for DNA sequencing. We analyzed this RCA reaction at a single-molecular level by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and found that multibranched amplified products containing tandem repeats of a circle unit are formed within 1 h. We also used the RCA product of a GFP expression vector for the protein expression in cells, and found that the crude RCA product from one bacterial colony is sufficient for the GFP expression. Thus, the RCA reaction is useful in amplifying DNA for both DNA sequencing and protein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryushin Mizuta
- Research Institute for Biological Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan.
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Liu X, Sugiyama S, Xu Q, Kobori T, Hagiwara S, Ohtani T. Atomic force microscopy study of chromosome surface structure changed by protein extraction. Ultramicroscopy 2003; 94:217-23. [PMID: 12524192 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3991(02)00292-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We applied atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate the surface structure of barley chromosome in combination with a chemical treatment method. As a result, we have obtained high-resolution topographic images of granular structures with a diameter of ca. 50 nm on the surface of critical-point dried metaphase chromosomes. Treatment with 2M NaCl significantly modified the chromosome surface structure: surface roughness was increased and chromosome thickness was decreased. The NaCl treatment extracted two major proteins with molecular weights of 4000 and 20,000 Da. These proteins might be belonging to non-histone protein families that do not contain any aromatic amino acid. The results demonstrate the advantage of the combined method of high-resolution AFM imaging and chemical treatments for understanding nano-scale surface structures of the chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- XinQi Liu
- National Food Research Institute, Kannondai 2-1-12, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8642, Japan
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28
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Mizuta R, Iwai K, Shigeno M, Mizuta M, Uemura T, Ushiki T, Kitamura D. Molecular visualization of immunoglobulin switch region RNA/DNA complex by atomic force microscope. J Biol Chem 2003; 278:4431-4. [PMID: 12475983 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m209262200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulin heavy-chain (IgH) class switch recombination (CSR) is initiated by DNA breakage in the switch (S) region featuring tandem repetitive nucleotide sequences. Various studies have demonstrated that S-region transcription and splicing proceed to genomic recombination and are indispensable for CSR in vivo, although the precise molecular mechanism is largely unknown. Here, we show the novel physical property of the in vitro transcribed S-region RNA by direct visualization using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The S-region sense RNA, but not the antisense RNA, forms a persistent hybrid with the template plasmid DNA and changes the plasmid conformation from supercoil to open circle in the presence of spermidine. In addition, the S-region transcripts generate globular forms and are assembled on the template DNA into a large aggregate that may stall replication and increase the recombinogenicity of the S-region DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryushin Mizuta
- Research Institute for Biological Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, 2669 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba 278-0022, Japan.
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29
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Ushiki T, Hoshi O, Iwai K, Kimura E, Shigeno M. The structure of human metaphase chromosomes: its histological perspective and new horizons by atomic force microscopy. ARCHIVES OF HISTOLOGY AND CYTOLOGY 2002; 65:377-90. [PMID: 12680454 DOI: 10.1679/aohc.65.377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Studies on the structure of the human chromosome were reviewed from the histological perspective and discussed in connection with our recent findings obtained mainly by atomic force microscopy (AFM). In this paper, we introduce several hitherto known models of the high-order structure of the metaphase chromosome and discuss the actual structure of chromosomes in relation to such structures as spiral chromatids, chromosome bands, and chromosome scaffolds. In chromosomes treated with Ohnuki's hypotonic solution, the chromosome arms were elongated and showed a characteristic spiral pattern of chromatid fibers. On the other hand, alternating transverse ridges and grooves were clearly observed on the surface of chromosomes treated with 0.025% trypsin for G-banding, and these ridges and grooves corresponded to the dark and pale bands of G-banded chromosomes. Similar findings were also found in chromosomes treated with quinacrine mastards for Q-banding. Fibers bridging the gap between the sister chromatids were often observed in G/Q-banded chromosomes; these fibers tended to be restricted within the G/Q-positive portions, suggesting the presence of chromatin fibers bridging these regions. Based on these findings in conjunction with previous studies, we outlined the high-order structure of the human chromosome. Recent advances in nanotechnology have provided new AFM techniques for the imaging and handling of materials at nano-scale resolution. Application of these techniques to chromosome research is expected to provide valuable information on the chromosome structure in relation to its function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuo Ushiki
- Division of Microscopic Anatomy and Bio-imaging, Department of Cellular Function, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan.
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30
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Inaga S, Tanaka K, Iino A. Three-dimensional helical coiling structures and band patterns of hydrous metaphase chromosomes observed by low vacuum scanning electron microscopy. ARCHIVES OF HISTOLOGY AND CYTOLOGY 2002; 65:415-23. [PMID: 12680457 DOI: 10.1679/aohc.65.415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Helical coiling structures and band patterns of hydrous metaphase chromosomes were documented three-dimensionally by low vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fixed or unfixed isolated Chinese hamster metaphase chromosomes were stained with platinum blue (Pt blue) and observed in the backscattered electron mode for low vacuum SEM without any hypotonic treatment or drying processes. Fibrous structures were shown both in the fixed and unfixed hydrous chromosomes; helical chromatid coils and their subcoils were clarified especially in the fixed chromosomes having contrasting alternative bands of light and darkness, while the translucent perichromosomal matrix and compact fibrous structures were recognized in the unfixed chromosomes. The helical coils were more clearly represented in a loosened chromatid of metaphase chromosomes. Treatment with a tris-HCl buffer solution and Pt blue staining in a hydrous condition successfully produced banding patterns similar to G-bands on metaphase chromosomes. These banded chromosomes observed by low vacuum SEM were also analyzed stereoscopically by field emission SEM after critical point drying. These findings indicate that: 1) native or unfixed chromosomes maintain the compact arrangement of high-order helical structures covered with the peri-chromosomal matrix; 2) helical coiling appearances of chromatids frequently observed in previous papers might be caused by loosening of the final level of the high-order structure of the metaphase chromosome; and 3) banding patterns might be produced by the rearrangement or reorganization of chromatin fibers at the 30 nm fiber level after the extraction of some chromosomal components including the peri- or intra-chromosomal materials during the banding procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumire Inaga
- Division of Genome Morphology, Department of Functional, Morphological and Regulatory Science, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Japan.
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31
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Ohtani T, Shichirii M, Fukushi D, Sugiyama S, Yoshino T, Kobori T, Hagiwara S, Ushiki T. Imaging of chromosomes at nano-meter scale resolution using scanning near-field optical/atomic force microscopy. ARCHIVES OF HISTOLOGY AND CYTOLOGY 2002; 65:425-34. [PMID: 12680458 DOI: 10.1679/aohc.65.425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Topographic and fluorescent images of whole barley chromosomes stained with YOYO-1 were observed simultaneously by scanning near-field optical/ atomic force microscopy (SNOM/AFM). The chromosome was relatively smooth and flat in the topographic images and no significant difference in height was present between regions of high fluorescent and low fluorescent intensity in the chromosomes. The telomeric region, labeled by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method, was also observed by SNOM/AFM at high resolution, and fluorescent signals of the telomeric region were clearly defined on the topographic image of chromatin fibers on the chromosome at the nano-meter scale level. Although the telomeric signals were usually visualized as a single fluorescent region at the end of sister chromatids by conventional light microscopy, they were observed separately as two fluorescent regions, less than 100-200 nm distance, using the SNOM/AFM. The SNOM/AFM offers great potential in identifying particular single gene location on chromosomes in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshio Ohtani
- National Food Research Institute, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
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32
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Kimura E, Hitomi J, Ushiki T. Scanning near field optical/atomic force microscopy of bromodeoxyuridine-incorporated human chromosomes. ARCHIVES OF HISTOLOGY AND CYTOLOGY 2002; 65:435-44. [PMID: 12680459 DOI: 10.1679/aohc.65.435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The present study applied scanning near field optical/atomic force microscopy (SNOM/AFM) to the observation of human chromosomes immunostained with an anti-BrdU antibody after incorporation of BrdU into DNA. Human lymphocytes were cultured in BrdU for 72 h and their chromosomes were prepared with a standard method for light microscopy. After additional fixation with 15% formalin in phosphate buffered saline, the specimens were denatured with 2N HCI with 0.1% Triton-X 100, immunostained with the anti-BrdU antibody, and observed both by fluorescence microscopy and by SNOM/AFM. The preparation technique used in the present study enabled the differential staining of sister chromatids in each chromosome, and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) were recognized in some chromosomes of the metaphase spread. Observations of the specimens by SNOM/AFM further provided the simultaneous collection of topographical and fluorescent images of the same portions of BrdU-incorporated chromosomes. The resolution of the fluorescence images by SNOM/AFM was greater than that obtained by fluorescence microscopy. Superimposition of topographical and fluorescent images of the chromosomes is useful for the precise analysis of the fine structure of chromosomes in relation to the SCEs. The application of SNOM/AFM to the BrdU-incorporated chromosomes is thus useful for the analysis of the fine structure of chromosomes in relation to their function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiji Kimura
- Division of Microscopic Anatomy and Bio-imaging, Department of Cellular Function, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan.
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Ushiki T. Collagen fibers, reticular fibers and elastic fibers. A comprehensive understanding from a morphological viewpoint. ARCHIVES OF HISTOLOGY AND CYTOLOGY 2002; 65:109-26. [PMID: 12164335 DOI: 10.1679/aohc.65.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 279] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Fibrous components of the extracellular matrix are light-microscopically classified into three types of fibers: collagen, reticular and elastic. The present study reviews the ultrastructure of these fibrous components as based on our previous studies by light, electron, and atomic force microscopy. Collagen fibers present a cord- or tape-shape 1-20 microm wide and run a wavy course in tissues. These fibers consist of closely packed thin collagen fibrils (30-100 nm thick in ordinary tissues of mammals), and exhibit splitting and joining in altering the number of the fibrils to form a three-dimensional network as a whole. Individual collagen fibrils (i.e., unit fibrils) in collagen fibers have a characteristic D-banding pattern whose length is ranges from 64 to 67 nm, depending on tissues and organs. During fibrogenesis, collagen fibrils are considered to be produced by fusing short and thin fibrils with tapered ends. Reticular fibers are usually observed as a delicate meshwork of fine fibrils stained black by the silver impregnation method. They usually underlie the epithelium and cover the surface of such cells of muscle cells, adipose cells and Schwann cells. Electronmicroscopically, reticular fibers are observed as individual collagen fibrils or a small bundle of the fibrils, although the diameter of the fibrils is thin (about 30 nm) and uniform. Reticular fibers are continuous with collagen fibers through the exchange of these collagen fibrils. In silver-impregnated specimens, individual fibrils in reticular fibers are densely coated with coarse metal particles, probably due to the high content of glycoproteins around the fibrils. Elastic fibers and laminae are composed of microfibrils and elastin components. Observations of the extracted elastin have revealed that elastin components are comprised of elastin fibrils about 0.1-0.2 microm thick. Elastic fibers and laminae are continuous with networks and/or bundles of microfibrils (or oxytalan fibers), and form an elastic network specific to individual tissues. The fibrous components of the extracellular matrix are thereby morphologically categorized into two systems: the collagen fibrillar system as a supporting framework of tissues and cells, and the microfibrilelastin system for uniformly distributing stress to maintain the resilience adapted to local tissue requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuo Ushiki
- Department of Cellular Function, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Japan.
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Raspanti M, Congiu T, Guizzardi S. Structural aspects of the extracellular matrix of the tendon: an atomic force and scanning electron microscopy study. ARCHIVES OF HISTOLOGY AND CYTOLOGY 2002; 65:37-43. [PMID: 12002609 DOI: 10.1679/aohc.65.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The mutual interactions of small proteoglycans with collagen fibrils in the extracellular matrix remain to be completely understood. The present research investigated the extracellular matrix of the rat tail tendon by atomic force microscopy (AFM) as well as by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Observations showed simply dehydrated specimens made of large heterogeneous fibrils, tightly packed in mutual contact with no visible interfibrillar spaces. Proteoglycans usually extended onto neighboring fibrils, forming an intricate interfibrillar weaving highly sensitive to chondroitinase digestion. Pre-treatment with cupromeronic blue only affected the proteoglycans side chains, which appeared better preserved but somewhat thickened. Observation of hydrated specimens by AFM confirmed the close packing of collagen fibrils and the abundance of collagen-bound proteoglycans. Interfibrillar bridges were only occasionally observed in this tissue, whose fibrils are instead tightly bound together by proteoglycans in a structure quite consistent with its functional requirements. The molecular machinery responsible for these interactions is the subject of ongoing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Raspanti
- Laboratory of Human Morphology, Insubria University, Parma University, Italy.
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Sonoda E, Matsusaka T, Morrison C, Vagnarelli P, Hoshi O, Ushiki T, Nojima K, Fukagawa T, Waizenegger IC, Peters JM, Earnshaw WC, Takeda S. Scc1/Rad21/Mcd1 is required for sister chromatid cohesion and kinetochore function in vertebrate cells. Dev Cell 2001; 1:759-70. [PMID: 11740938 DOI: 10.1016/s1534-5807(01)00088-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Proteolytic cleavage of the cohesin subunit Scc1 is a consistent feature of anaphase onset, although temporal differences exist between eukaryotes in cohesin loss from chromosome arms, as distinct from centromeres. We describe the effects of genetic deletion of Scc1 in chicken DT40 cells. Scc1 loss caused premature sister chromatid separation but did not disrupt chromosome condensation. Scc1 mutants showed defective repair of spontaneous and induced DNA damage. Scc1-deficient cells frequently failed to complete metaphase chromosome alignment and showed chromosome segregation defects, suggesting aberrant kinetochore function. Notably, the chromosome passenger INCENP did not localize normally to centromeres, while the constitutive kinetochore proteins CENP-C and CENP-H behaved normally. These results suggest a role for Scc1 in mitotic regulation, along with cohesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Sonoda
- CREST Research Project, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, Radiation Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Konoe Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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36
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Hoshi O, Ushiki T. Three-dimensional structure of G-banded human metaphase chromosomes observed by atomic force microscopy. ARCHIVES OF HISTOLOGY AND CYTOLOGY 2001; 64:475-82. [PMID: 11838707 DOI: 10.1679/aohc.64.475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The structure of G-bands in human metaphase chromosomes was analyzed by comparison between light microscopic and atomic force microscopic (AFM) images of the same chromosomes. G-bands of the chromosomes were made by trypsin treatment followed by staining with a Giemsa solution. The banded chromosomes examined by light microscopy were dried either in air or in a critical point-drier, and observed by non-contact mode AFM. Air-dried chromosomes after G-band staining showed alternating ridges and grooves on their surface, which corresponded to light-microscopically determined G-positive and G-negative bands, respectively. At high magnification, the G-positive ridges were composed of densely packed chromatin fibers, while the fibers were loose in the G-negative grooves. Fibers bridging the gap between sister chromatids of a mitotic pair were often found, especially in the G-positive portions. These findings suggest that the G-banding pattern reflects the high-order structure of human metaphase chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Hoshi
- Department of Cellular Function, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Japan
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37
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Abstract
With the advent of the atomic force microscope (AFM), the study of biological samples has become more realistic because, in most cases, samples are not covered or fixed, which makes it possible to observe them while the cells are alive. This advantage of the AFM allowed the advent of a new invention: nanobiosensors using the cantilever (probe) of the AFM and, in this case, it is possible to observe the entering or exiting of specific molecules (including medications) from living cells. This is the smallest biosensor in the world, measuring about 100 microm long (about the width of a hair). Beyond sensing the area of interest with this biosensor, it is also possible to see the area and exactly what is occurring on it, in real time. This new tool will be very useful for several areas: molecular pharmacology, enzymology, physiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, biophysics, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and organic chemistry. This article discusses, mainly, the applications of this new technique to the field of pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- R S Pereira
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICB), Rua Jean Nassif Mokarzel, 174 Barão Geraldo, Campinas, 13084-480, São Paulo, Brazil.
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38
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Shevchuk AI, Gorelik J, Harding SE, Lab MJ, Klenerman D, Korchev YE. Simultaneous measurement of Ca2+ and cellular dynamics: combined scanning ion conductance and optical microscopy to study contracting cardiac myocytes. Biophys J 2001; 81:1759-64. [PMID: 11509385 PMCID: PMC1301650 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3495(01)75826-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed a distance modulated protocol for scanning ion conductance microscopy to provide a robust and reliable distance control mechanism for imaging contracting cells. The technique can measure rapid changes in cell height from 10 nm to several micrometers, with millisecond time resolution. This has been demonstrated on the extreme case of a contracting cardiac myocyte. By combining this method with laser confocal microscopy, it was possible to simultaneously measure the nanometric motion of the cardiac myocyte, and the local calcium concentration just under the cell membrane. Despite large cellular movement, simultaneous tracking of the changes in cell height and measurement of the intracellular Ca2+ near the cell surface is possible while retaining the cell functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- A I Shevchuk
- MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Division of Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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39
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Auerbach ID, Sorensen C, Hansma HG, Holden PA. Physical morphology and surface properties of unsaturated Pseudomonas putida biofilms. J Bacteriol 2000; 182:3809-15. [PMID: 10850998 PMCID: PMC94554 DOI: 10.1128/jb.182.13.3809-3815.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Unsaturated biofilms of Pseudomonas putida, i.e., biofilms grown in humid air, were analyzed by atomic force microscopy to determine surface morphology, roughness, and adhesion forces in the outer and basal cell layers of fresh and desiccated biofilms. Desiccated biofilms were equilibrated with a 75.5% relative humidity atmosphere, which is far below the relative humidity of 98 to 99% at which these biofilms were cultured. In sharp contrast to the effects of drying on biofilms grown in fluid, we observed that drying caused little change in morphology, roughness, or adhesion forces in these unsaturated biofilms. Surface roughness for moist and dry biofilms increased approximately linearly with increasing scan sizes. This indicated that the divides between bacteria contributed more to overall roughness than did extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on individual bacteria. The EPS formed higher-order structures we termed mesostructures. These mesostructures are much larger than the discrete polymers of glycolipids and proteins that have been previously characterized on the outer surface of these gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- I D Auerbach
- Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
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Yamamoto S, Hashizume H, Hitomi J, Shigeno M, Sawaguchi S, Abe H, Ushiki T. The subfibrillar arrangement of corneal and scleral collagen fibrils as revealed by scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. ARCHIVES OF HISTOLOGY AND CYTOLOGY 2000; 63:127-35. [PMID: 10885449 DOI: 10.1679/aohc.63.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The present study was designed to analyze the subfibrillar structure of corneal and scleral collagen fibrils by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Isolated collagen fibrils of the bovine cornea and sclera were fixed with 1% OsO4, stained with phosphotungstic acid and uranyl acetate, dehydrated in ethanol, critical point-dried, metal-coated, and observed in an in-lens type field emission SEM. Some isolated collagen fibrils were fixed with 1% OsO4, dehydrated, critical point-dried and observed without metal-coating in an AFM. Isolated collagen fibrils treated with acetic acid were also examined by SEM and AFM. SEM and AFM images revealed that corneal and scleral collagen fibrils had periodic transverse grooves and ridges on their surface; the periodicity (i.e., D-periodicity) was about 63 nm in the cornea and about 67 nm in the sclera. Both corneal and scleral collagen fibrils contained subfibrils running helicoidally in a rightward direction to the longitudinal axis of the fibril; the inclination angle was about 15 degrees in the corneal fibrils and 5 degrees in the scleral fibrils. These findings indicate that the different D-periodicity between corneal and scleral fibrils depends on the different inclinations of the subfibrils in each fibril. The present study thus showed that corneal collagen fibrils differ from scleral collagen fibrils not only in diameter but also in substructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Yamamoto
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Niigata University, Japan.
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Linder A, Weiland U, Apell HJ. Novel polymer substrates for SFM investigations of living cells, biological membranes, and proteins. J Struct Biol 1999; 126:16-26. [PMID: 10329485 DOI: 10.1006/jsbi.1999.4104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Extended studies were performed to prepare substrates for scanning force microscopy of biological samples with a surface roughness below 1 nm rms over an area of 500 x 500 nm2. The substrate smoothness and the lack of tip obscuring material are indispensable in order to visualize detailed structures of membrane surfaces, particularly when scanning the lamellipodia of mechanically sensitive goldfish glial cells where peripheral lamellipodia are only 20-30 nm in thickness. Appropriate substrates are poly(vinyl phenyl ketone) or furan polymers with corrugations of 0.3 and 0.15 nm rms, respectively, to which the growth-promoting protein laminin adsorbs directly with an acceptably increased roughness. Cells show normal growth behavior on these substrates and stick to the substrates in a stable fashion during several scans. Thus details of the membrane's surface may be resolved and are not obscured by the substrate texture. The uncoated furan polymer substrates are suitable for immobilization of membrane preparations such as purified membrane fragments containing bacteriorhodopsin or Na, K-ATPase and protein preparations such as antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Linder
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, D-78457, Germany
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Nag K, Munro JG, Hearn SA, Rasmusson J, Petersen NO, Possmayer F. Correlated atomic force and transmission electron microscopy of nanotubular structures in pulmonary surfactant. J Struct Biol 1999; 126:1-15. [PMID: 10329484 DOI: 10.1006/jsbi.1999.4089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary surfactant stabilizes the lung by reducing surface tension at the air-water interface of the alveoli. Surfactant is present in the lung in a number of morphological forms, including tubular myelin (TM). TM is composed of unusual 40 x 40 nm square elongated proteolipid tubes. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was performed on polymer-embedded Lowicryl and London Resin-White (LR-White) unstained thin sections. AFM was used in imaging regions of the sections where TM was detected by transmission electron microscopy (EM) of corresponding stained sections. Tapping- and contact-mode AFM imaging of the unstained sections containing TM indicated a highly heterogeneous surface topography with height variations ranging from 10 to 100 nm. In tapping-mode AFM, tubular myelin was seen as hemispherical protrusions of 30-70 nm in diameter, with vertical dimensions of 5-8 nm. In contact-mode AFM and with phase imaging using a sharper (>10 nm nominal radius) probe, square open-ended tubes which resembled typical electron micrographs of such regions were observed. The cross-hatch structures observed inside the tubes using EM were not observed using AFM, although certain multilobe structures and topographic heterogeneity were detected inside some tubes. Other regions of multilamellar bodies and some regions where such bilayer lamella appear to fuse with the tubes were found in association with TM using AFM. EM of acetone-delipidated tubes in LR-White revealed rectangular tubular cores containing cross-hatched structures, presumably protein skeletons. AFM surface topography of these regions showed hollow depressions at positions at which the protein was anticipated instead of the protrusions seen in the lipid-containing sections. Gold-labeled antibody to surfactant protein A was found associated somewhat randomly within the regions containing the protein skeletons. The topography of the gold particles was observed as sharp peaks in contact-mode AFM. This study suggests a method for unambiguous detection of three-dimensional nanotubes present in low abundance in a biological macromolecular complex. Only limited detection of proteins and lipids in surfaces of embedded tubular myelin was possible. EM and AFM imaging of such unusual biological structures may suggest unique lipid-protein associations and arrangements in three dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Nag
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N5X 2L9, Canada
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Ergün MA, Tan E, Sahin FI, Menevşe A. Numerical chromosomal abnormalities detected by atomic force microscopy. SCANNING 1999; 21:182-186. [PMID: 10390864 DOI: 10.1002/sca.4950210302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The numerical abnormalities of human metaphase chromosomes, fixed according to standard procedures for optical microscopy but not treated for banding, were detected by atomic force microscopy (AFM). High-resolution AFM imaging of chromosomes in trisomy 13, 21, and Klinefelter syndrome can be compared directly with the traditional optical image. The unbanded metaphase chromosomes, including the extra ones in trisomic patients showed a structural pattern very similar to G-banding. Comparison of AFM images with light microscopic data allows the identification of specific chromosomes, and images of chromosomes showing numerical and structural abnormalities can then be analysed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Ergün
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
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Taatjes DJ, Quinn AS, Lewis MR, Bovill EG. Quality assessment of atomic force microscopy probes by scanning electron microscopy: correlation of tip structure with rendered images. Microsc Res Tech 1999; 44:312-26. [PMID: 10090206 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0029(19990301)44:5<312::aid-jemt2>3.0.co;2-p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
While image quality from instruments such as electron microscopes, light microscopes, and confocal laser scanning microscopes is mostly influenced by the alignment of optical train components, the atomic force microscope differs in that image quality is highly dependent upon a consumable component, the scanning probe. Although many types of scanning probes are commercially available, specific configurations and styles are generally recommended for specific applications. For instance, in our area of interest, tapping mode imaging of biological constituents in fluid, double ended, oxide-sharpened pyramidal silicon nitride probes are most often employed. These cantilevers contain four differently sized probes; thick- and thin-legged 100 microm long and thick- and thin-legged 200 microm long, with only one probe used per cantilever. In a recent investigation [Taatjes et al. (1997) Cell Biol. Int. 21:715-726], we used the scanning electron microscope to modify the oxide-sharpened pyramidal probe by creating an electron beam deposited tip with a higher aspect ratio than unmodified tips. Placing the probes in the scanning electron microscope for modification prompted us to begin to examine the probes for defects both before and after use with the atomic force microscope. The most frequently encountered defect was a mis-centered probe, or a probe hanging off the end of the cantilever. If we had difficulty imaging with a probe, we would examine the probe in the scanning electron microscope to determine if any defects were present, or if the tip had become contaminated during scanning. Moreover, we observed that electron beam deposited tips were blunted by the act of scanning a hard specimen, such as colloidal gold with the atomic force microscope. We also present a mathematical geometric model for deducing the interaction between an electron beam deposited tip and either a spherical or elliptical specimen. Examination of probes in the scanning electron microscope may assist in interpreting images generated by the atomic force microscope.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Taatjes
- Department of Pathology, and Cell Imaging Facility, University of Vermont, Burlington 05405, USA.
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Ushiki T, Hitomi J, Umemoto T, Yamamoto S, Kanazawa H, Shigeno M. Imaging of living cultured cells of an epithelial nature by atomic force microscopy. ARCHIVES OF HISTOLOGY AND CYTOLOGY 1999; 62:47-55. [PMID: 10223742 DOI: 10.1679/aohc.62.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The present paper describes the applicability of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to the observation of living cultured cells of an epithelial nature (human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells, or C7 subclone of KESC2 cells) in a culture medium. For this purpose, we made a fluid chamber system which allows a constant-speed perfusion of fluid at a regulated temperature in the chamber. Using this system, AFM images of living cells were successfully obtained for over one hour at time intervals of 2-4 min during continuous perfusion of the fresh culture medium. A series of these AFM images proved useful for examining the movements of cellular processes in relation to subcellular cytoskeletal elements. Time-lapse movie records produced by sequential AFM images further verify the reality of the cellular dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ushiki
- Department of Anatomy, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan.
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Taatjes DJ, Quinn AS, Lewis MR, Bovill EG. Quality assessment of atomic force microscopy probes by scanning electron microscopy: Correlation of tip structure with rendered images. Microsc Res Tech 1999. [DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0029(19990301)44:5%3c312::aid-jemt2%3e3.0.co;2-p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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47
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Hiyama S, Abe K, Mikuni H, Fukuda S, Inuyama Y. Type A fibril of the mouse tectorial membrane shows D-periodicity: an atomic force microscopic examination. Hear Res 1998; 124:118-23. [PMID: 9822909 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-5955(98)00123-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study demonstrated that type A fibrils of the mouse tectorial membrane showed a morphology characteristic of collagen, as demonstrated using an atomic force microscope. In the topographical imaging mode, the surface of the type A fibrils showed a periodic pattern, consisting of alternating grooves and ridges. The periodicity of the type A fibrils was 69.1 +/- 0.6 nm, which is in accordance with characteristic collagen D-periodicity. The difference in height between grooves and ridges was 1.6 +/- 0.3 nm. In the variable deflection imaging mode, the type A fibrils showed a clear banding pattern, which consisted of alternating light and dark zones, with D-periodicity. In addition, the type A fibrils exhibited one minor dark band in the light zone and one minor light band in the dark zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hiyama
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
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Braet F, Seynaeve C, De Zanger R, Wisse E. Imaging surface and submembranous structures with the atomic force microscope: a study on living cancer cells, fibroblasts and macrophages. J Microsc 1998; 190:328-38. [PMID: 9674158 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2818.1998.00333.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to image a wide variety of cells. Fixed and dried-coated, wet-fixed or living cells were investigated. The major advantage of AFM over SEM is the avoidance of vacuum and electrons, whereas imaging can be done at environmental pressure and in aqueous conditions. Evidence of the successful application of AFM in biological imaging is provided by comparing results of AFM with SEM and/or TEM. In this study, we investigated surface and submembranous structures of living and glutaraldehyde-fixed colon carcinoma cells, skin fibroblasts and liver macrophages by AFM. Special attention was paid to the correct conditions for the acquisition of images of the surface of these cells, because quality SEM examinations have already been abundantly presented. AFM imaging of living cells revealed specific structures, such as the cytoskeleton, which were not observed by SEM. Membrane structures, such as ruffles, lamellipodia, microspikes and microvilli, could only clearly be observed after fixing the cells with 0.1% glutaraldehyde. AFM images of living cells were comparable to SEM images of fixed, dried and coated cells, but contained a number of artefacts due to tip-sample interaction. In addition, AFM imaging allowed the visualization of cytoplasmic submembranous structures without the necessity for further preparative steps, allowing us: (i) to follow cytoskeletal changes in fibroblasts under the influence of the microfilament disrupting agent latrunculin A; (ii) to study particle phagocytosis in macrophages. Therefore, in spite of the slow image acquisition of the AFM, the instrument can be used for high-resolution real-time studies of dynamic changes in submembranous structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Braet
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Histology, Free University of Brussels, Jette, Belgium.
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Yoshida K, Yoshimoto M, Sasaki K, Ohnishi T, Ushiki T, Hitomi J, Yamamoto S, Sigeno M. Fabrication of a new substrate for atomic force microscopic observation of DNA molecules from an ultrasmooth sapphire plate. Biophys J 1998; 74:1654-7. [PMID: 9545030 PMCID: PMC1299512 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3495(98)77878-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A new stable substrate applicable to the observation of DNA molecules by atomic force microscopy (AFM) was fabricated from a ultrasmooth sapphire (alpha-Al2O3 single crystal) plate. The atomically ultrasmooth sapphire as obtained by high-temperature annealing has hydrophobic surfaces and could not be used for the AFM observation of DNA. However, sapphire treated with Na3PO4 aqueous solution exhibited a hydrophilic character while maintaining a smooth surface structure. The surface of the wet-treated sapphire was found by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and AFM to be approximately 0.3 nm. The hydrophilic surface character of the ultrasmooth sapphire plate made it easy for DNA molecules to adhere to the plate. Circular molecules of the plasmid DNA could be imaged by AFM on the hydrophilic ultrasmooth sapphire plate.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Yoshida
- Materials and Structures Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
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