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Crowell HL, Nagesan RS, Davis Rabosky AR, Kolmann MA. Differential performance of aqueous- and ethylic-Lugol's iodine stain to visualize anatomy in μCT-scanned vertebrates. J Anat 2024. [PMID: 39323056 DOI: 10.1111/joa.14148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Museum specimens are an increasingly important tool for studying global biodiversity. With the advent of diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT), researchers can now visualize an organism's internal soft tissue anatomy without the need for physical dissection or other highly destructive sampling methods. However, there are many considerations when deciding which method of staining to use for diceCT to produce the best gray-scale contrast for facilitating downstream anatomical analyses. The general lack of direct comparisons among staining methodologies can make it difficult for researchers to determine which approaches are most appropriate for their study. Here, we compare the performance of ethylic-Lugol's iodine solution with aqueous-Lugol's staining solution across several vertebrate orders to assess differential imaging outcomes. We found that ethylic-Lugol's is better for visualizing muscle attachment to bone but provides overall lower contrast between soft tissue types. Comparatively, aqueous-based Lugol's provides high-contrast imaging among soft tissue types, although bone is more difficult to discern. We conclude that the choice of staining methodology largely depends on the type of anatomical data the researcher wishes to collect, and we provide a decision-based framework for assessing which staining methodology (ethylic or aqueous) is most appropriate for desired imaging results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley L Crowell
- Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Ramon S Nagesan
- Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alison R Davis Rabosky
- Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Matthew A Kolmann
- Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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Tkachev S, Chepelova N, Galechyan G, Ershov B, Golub D, Popova E, Antoshin A, Giliazova A, Voloshin S, Efremov Y, Istranova E, Timashev P. Three-Dimensional Cell Culture Micro-CT Visualization within Collagen Scaffolds in an Aqueous Environment. Cells 2024; 13:1234. [PMID: 39120266 PMCID: PMC11311787 DOI: 10.3390/cells13151234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 06/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Among all of the materials used in tissue engineering in order to develop bioequivalents, collagen shows to be the most promising due to its superb biocompatibility and biodegradability, thus becoming one of the most widely used materials for scaffold production. However, current imaging techniques of the cells within collagen scaffolds have several limitations, which lead to an urgent need for novel methods of visualization. In this work, we have obtained groups of collagen scaffolds and selected the contrasting agents in order to study pores and patterns of cell growth in a non-disruptive manner via X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT). After the comparison of multiple contrast agents, a 3% aqueous phosphotungstic acid solution in distilled water was identified as the most effective amongst the media, requiring 24 h of incubation. The differences in intensity values between collagen fibers, pores, and masses of cells allow for the accurate segmentation needed for further analysis. Moreover, the presented protocol allows visualization of porous collagen scaffolds under aqueous conditions, which is crucial for the multimodal study of the native structure of samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Tkachev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Natalia Chepelova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Gevorg Galechyan
- Laboratory of Clinical Smart Nanotechnologies, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Boris Ershov
- Laboratory of Clinical Smart Nanotechnologies, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Danila Golub
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Elena Popova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Artem Antoshin
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Aliia Giliazova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Sergei Voloshin
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Yuri Efremov
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Elena Istranova
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Peter Timashev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Laboratory of Clinical Smart Nanotechnologies, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
- World-Class Research Center “Digital Biodesign and Personalized Healthcare”, Sechenov University, Moscow 119991, Russia
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Balcaen T, Benova A, de Jong F, de Oliveira Silva R, Cajka T, Sakellariou D, Tencerova M, Kerckhofs G, De Borggraeve WM. Exploring contrast-enhancing staining agents for studying adipose tissue through contrast-enhanced computed tomography. J Lipid Res 2024; 65:100572. [PMID: 38823780 PMCID: PMC11259937 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Contrast-enhanced computed tomography offers a nondestructive approach to studying adipose tissue in 3D. Several contrast-enhancing staining agents (CESAs) have been explored, whereof osmium tetroxide (OsO4) is the most popular nowadays. However, due to the toxicity and volatility of the conventional OsO4, alternative CESAs with similar staining properties were desired. Hf-WD 1:2 POM and Hexabrix have proven effective for structural analysis of adipocytes using contrast-enhanced computed tomography but fail to provide chemical information. This study introduces isotonic Lugol's iodine (IL) as an alternative CESA for adipose tissue analysis, comparing its staining potential with Hf-WD 1:2 POM and Hexabrix in murine caudal vertebrae and bovine muscle tissue strips. Single and sequential staining protocols were compared to assess the maximization of information extraction from each sample. The study investigated interactions, distribution, and reactivity of iodine species towards biomolecules using simplified model systems and assesses the potential of the CESA to provide chemical information. (Bio)chemical analyses on whole tissues revealed that differences in adipocyte gray values post-IL staining were associated with chemical distinctions between bovine muscle tissue and murine caudal vertebrae. More specific, a difference in the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids was identified as a likely contributor, though not the sole determinant of gray value differences. This research sheds light on the potential of IL as a CESA, offering both structural and chemical insights into adipose tissue composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Balcaen
- MolDesignS, Sustainable Chemistry for Metals and Molecules, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Institute of Mechanics, Materials and Civil Engineering, Mechatronic, Electrical Energy and Dynamic Systems, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; Pole of Morphology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Andrea Benova
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology of Bone, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Flip de Jong
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rodrigo de Oliveira Silva
- Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis, and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions (cMACS), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tomas Cajka
- Laboratory of Translational Metabolism, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dimitrios Sakellariou
- Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis, and Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions (cMACS), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michaela Tencerova
- Laboratory of Molecular Physiology of Bone, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Greet Kerckhofs
- Institute of Mechanics, Materials and Civil Engineering, Mechatronic, Electrical Energy and Dynamic Systems, UCLouvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium; Pole of Morphology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium; Department Materials Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Wim M De Borggraeve
- MolDesignS, Sustainable Chemistry for Metals and Molecules, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Kairišs K, Sokolova N, Zilova L, Schlagheck C, Reinhardt R, Baumbach T, Faragó T, van de Kamp T, Wittbrodt J, Weinhardt V. Visualisation of gene expression within the context of tissues using an X-ray computed tomography-based multimodal approach. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8543. [PMID: 38609416 PMCID: PMC11015006 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58766-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of an organism is orchestrated by the spatial and temporal expression of genes. Accurate visualisation of gene expression patterns in the context of the surrounding tissues offers a glimpse into the mechanisms that drive morphogenesis. We developed correlative light-sheet fluorescence microscopy and X-ray computed tomography approach to map gene expression patterns to the whole organism`s 3D anatomy. We show that this multimodal approach is applicable to gene expression visualized by protein-specific antibodies and fluorescence RNA in situ hybridisation offering a detailed understanding of individual phenotypic variations in model organisms. Furthermore, the approach offers a unique possibility to identify tissues together with their 3D cellular and molecular composition in anatomically less-defined in vitro models, such as organoids. We anticipate that the visual and quantitative insights into the 3D distribution of gene expression within tissue architecture, by multimodal approach developed here, will be equally valuable for reference atlases of model organisms development, as well as for comprehensive screens, and morphogenesis studies of in vitro models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristaps Kairišs
- Centre for Organismal Studies, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- HeiKa Graduate School On "Functional Materials", Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Natalia Sokolova
- Centre for Organismal Studies, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg International Biosciences Graduate School HBIGS, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lucie Zilova
- Centre for Organismal Studies, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christina Schlagheck
- Centre for Organismal Studies, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- HeiKa Graduate School On "Functional Materials", Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg International Biosciences Graduate School HBIGS, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Robert Reinhardt
- Centre for Organismal Studies, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tilo Baumbach
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation (IPS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Laboratory for Applications of Synchrotron Radiation (LAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Tomáš Faragó
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation (IPS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Thomas van de Kamp
- Institute for Photon Science and Synchrotron Radiation (IPS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
- Laboratory for Applications of Synchrotron Radiation (LAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
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Boix-Lemonche G, Hildebrand T, Haugen HJ, Petrovski G, Nogueira LP. Contrast-enhanced Micro-CT 3D visualization of cell distribution in hydrated human cornea. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25828. [PMID: 38356495 PMCID: PMC10865036 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The cornea, a vital component of the human eye, plays a crucial role in maintaining visual clarity. Understanding its ultrastructural organization and cell distribution is fundamental for elucidating corneal physiology and pathology. This study comprehensively examines the microarchitecture of the hydrated human cornea using contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Method Fresh human corneal specimens were carefully prepared and hydrated to mimic their in vivo state. Contrast enhancement with Lugol's iodine-enabled high-resolution Micro-CT imaging. The cells' three-dimensional (3D) distribution within the cornea was reconstructed and analyzed. Results The micro-CT imaging revealed exquisite details of the corneal ultrastructure, including the spatial arrangement of cells throughout its depth. This novel approach allowed for the visualization of cells' density and distribution in different corneal layers. Notably, our findings highlighted variations in cell distribution between non-hydrated and hydrated corneas. Conclusions This study demonstrates the potential of contrast-enhanced micro-CT as a valuable tool for non-destructive, 3D visualization and quantitative analysis of cell distribution in hydrated human corneas. These insights contribute to a better understanding of corneal physiology and may have implications for research in corneal diseases and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Boix-Lemonche
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Goran Petrovski
- Center for Eye Research and Innovative Diagnostics, Department of Ophthalmology, Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, and Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Split School of Medicine and University Hospital Centre, Split, Croatia
- UKLO Network, University St. Kliment Ohridski – Bitola, Bitola, Macedonia
| | - Liebert Parreiras Nogueira
- Oral Research Laboratory, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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