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Guignet M, Schmuck M, Harvey DJ, Nguyen D, Bruun D, Echeverri A, Gurkoff G, Lein PJ. Novel image analysis tool for rapid screening of cell morphology in preclinical animal models of disease. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13449. [PMID: 36873154 PMCID: PMC9975095 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The field of cell biology has seen major advances in both cellular imaging modalities and the development of automated image analysis platforms that increase rigor, reproducibility, and throughput for large imaging data sets. However, there remains a need for tools that provide accurate morphometric analysis of single cells with complex, dynamic cytoarchitecture in a high-throughput and unbiased manner. We developed a fully automated image-analysis algorithm to rapidly detect and quantify changes in cellular morphology using microglia cells, an innate immune cell within the central nervous system, as representative of cells that exhibit dynamic and complex cytoarchitectural changes. We used two preclinical animal models that exhibit robust changes in microglia morphology: (1) a rat model of acute organophosphate intoxication, which was used to generate fluorescently labeled images for algorithm development; and (2) a rat model of traumatic brain injury, which was used to validate the algorithm using cells labeled using chromogenic detection methods. All ex vivo brain sections were immunolabeled for IBA-1 using fluorescence or diaminobenzidine (DAB) labeling, images were acquired using a high content imaging system and analyzed using a custom-built algorithm. The exploratory data set revealed eight statistically significant and quantitative morphometric parameters that distinguished between phenotypically distinct groups of microglia. Manual validation of single-cell morphology was strongly correlated with the automated analysis and was further supported by a comparison with traditional stereology methods. Existing image analysis pipelines rely on high-resolution images of individual cells, which limits sample size and is subject to selection bias. However, our fully automated method integrates quantification of morphology and fluorescent/chromogenic signals in images from multiple brain regions acquired using high-content imaging. In summary, our free, customizable image analysis tool provides a high-throughput, unbiased method for accurately detecting and quantifying morphological changes in cells with complex morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Guignet
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Martin Schmuck
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Danielle J. Harvey
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California-Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Danh Nguyen
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, 100 Theory, Suite 120, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA
| | - Donald Bruun
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Angela Echeverri
- Department of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, 4800 Y Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Gene Gurkoff
- Department of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, 4800 Y Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California-Davis, 1544 Newton Court, Davis, CA, 95618, USA
| | - Pamela J. Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- MIND Institute, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
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Hansen JN, Brückner M, Pietrowski MJ, Jikeli JF, Plescher M, Beckert H, Schnaars M, Fülle L, Reitmeier K, Langmann T, Förster I, Boche D, Petzold GC, Halle A. MotiQ: an open-source toolbox to quantify the cell motility and morphology of microglia. Mol Biol Cell 2022; 33:ar99. [PMID: 35731557 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e21-11-0585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia are the primary resident innate immune cells of the CNS. They possess branched, motile cell processes that are important for their cellular functions. To study the pathways that control microglial morphology and motility under physiological and disease conditions, it is necessary to quantify microglial morphology and motility precisely and reliably. Several image analysis approaches are available for the quantification of microglial morphology and motility. However, they are either not automated, not freely accessible, and/or limited in the number of morphology and motility parameters that can be assessed. Thus, we have developed MotiQ, an open-source, freely accessible software for automated quantification of microglial motility and morphology. MotiQ allows quantification of a diverse set of cellular motility and morphology parameters, including the parameters that have become the gold standard in the microglia field. We demonstrate that MotiQ can be applied to in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro data from confocal, epifluorescence, or two-photon microscopy, and we compare its results to other analysis approaches. We suggest MotiQ as a versatile and customizable tool to study microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan N Hansen
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany.,Max-Planck Research Group Neuroimmunology and
| | | | - Marie J Pietrowski
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jan F Jikeli
- Minerva Research Group Molecular Physiology, Research Center Caesar, 53175 Bonn, Germany
| | - Monika Plescher
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany.,Max-Planck Research Group Neuroimmunology and
| | - Hannes Beckert
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany.,Max-Planck Research Group Neuroimmunology and
| | | | - Lorenz Fülle
- Immunology and Environment, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Katharina Reitmeier
- Laboratory for Experimental Immunology of the Eye, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Langmann
- Laboratory for Experimental Immunology of the Eye, Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Irmgard Förster
- Immunology and Environment, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Delphine Boche
- Clinical Neurosciences and Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
| | - Gabor C Petzold
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany.,Department of Neurology and
| | - Annett Halle
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127 Bonn, Germany.,Max-Planck Research Group Neuroimmunology and.,Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Palamà IE, D'Amone S, Ratano P, Donatelli A, Liscio A, Antonacci G, Testini M, Di Angelantonio S, Ragozzino D, Cortese B. Mechanical Durotactic Environment Enhances Specific Glioblastoma Cell Responses. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E643. [PMID: 31075964 PMCID: PMC6562761 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: A hallmark of glioblastoma is represented by their ability to widely disperse throughout the brain parenchyma. The importance of developing new anti-migratory targets is critical to reduce recurrence and improve therapeutic efficacy. Methods: Polydimethylsiloxane substrates, either mechanically uniform or presenting durotactic cues, were fabricated to assess GBM cell morphological and dynamical response with and without pharmacological inhibition of NNMII contractility, of its upstream regulator ROCK and actin polymerization. Results: Glioma cells mechanotactic efficiency varied depending on the rigidity compliance of substrates. Morphologically, glioma cells on highly rigid and soft bulk substrates displayed bigger and elongated aggregates whereas on durotactic substrates the same cells were homogeneously dispersed with a less elongated morphology. The durotactic cues also induced a motility change, cell phenotype dependent, and with cells being more invasive on stiffer substrates. Pharmacological inhibition of myosin or ROCK revealed a rigidity-insensitivity, unlike inhibition of microfilament contraction and polymerization of F-actin, suggesting that alternative signalling is used to respond to durotactic cues. Conclusions: The presence of a distinct mechanical cue is an important factor in cell migration. Together, our results provide support for a durotactic role of glioma cells that acts through actomyosin contractility to regulate the aggressive properties of GBM cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefania D'Amone
- National Research Council-Nanotechnology Institute, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Ratano
- National Research Council-Nanotechnology Institute, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Amato Donatelli
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Andrea Liscio
- National Research Council-Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Roma, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Antonacci
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy.
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Davide Ragozzino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Barbara Cortese
- National Research Council-Nanotechnology Institute, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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