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Ambekar YS, Singh M, Schill AW, Zhang J, Zevallos-Delgado C, Khajavi B, Aglyamov SR, Finnell RH, Scarcelli G, Larin KV. Multimodal imaging system combining optical coherence tomography and Brillouin microscopy for neural tube imaging. OPTICS LETTERS 2022; 47:1347-1350. [PMID: 35290310 PMCID: PMC9088521 DOI: 10.1364/ol.453996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To understand the dynamics of tissue stiffness during neural tube formation and closure in a murine model, we have developed a multimodal, coaligned imaging system combining optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Brillouin microscopy. Brillouin microscopy can map the longitudinal modulus of tissue but cannot provide structural images. Thus, it is limited for imaging dynamic processes such as neural tube formation and closure. To overcome this limitation, we have combined Brillouin microscopy and OCT in one coaligned instrument. OCT provided depth-resolved structural imaging with a micrometer-scale spatial resolution to guide stiffness mapping by Brillouin modality. 2D structural and Brillouin frequency shift maps were acquired of mouse embryos at gestational day (GD) 8.5, 9.5, and 10.5 with the multimodal system. The results demonstrate the capability of the system to obtain structural and stiffness information simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manmohan Singh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alexander W. Schill
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jitao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Behzad Khajavi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Salavat R. Aglyamov
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Richard H. Finnell
- Departments of Molecular and Cell Biology, Molecular and Human Genetics, and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Giuliano Scarcelli
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Kirill V. Larin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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2
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Domínguez-Bautista JA, Acevo-Rodríguez PS, Castro-Obregón S. Programmed Cell Senescence in the Mouse Developing Spinal Cord and Notochord. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:587096. [PMID: 33575260 PMCID: PMC7870793 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.587096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Programmed cell senescence is a cellular process that seems to contribute to embryo development, in addition to cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and programmed cell death, and has been observed in evolutionary distant organisms such as mammals, amphibians, birds and fish. Programmed cell senescence is a phenotype similar to stress-induced cellular senescence, characterized by the expression of the cell cycle inhibitors p21CIP1/WAF and p16INK4A, increased activity of a lysosomal enzyme with beta-galactosidase activity (coined senescence-associated beta-galactosidase) and secretion of growth factors, interleukins, chemokines, metalloproteases, etc., collectively known as a senescent-associated secretory phenotype that instructs surrounding tissue. How wide is the distribution of programmed cell senescence during mouse development and its specific mechanisms to shape the embryo are still poorly understood. Here, we investigated whether markers of programmed cell senescence are found in the developing mouse spinal cord and notochord. We found discrete areas and developmental windows with high senescence-associated beta galactosidase in both spinal cord and notochord, which was reduced in mice embryos developed ex-utero in the presence of the senolytic ABT-263. Expression of p21CIP1/WAF was documented in epithelial cells of the spinal cord and the notochord, while p16INK4A was observed in motoneurons. Treatment with the senolytic ABT-263 decreased the number of motoneurons, supporting their senescent phenotype. Our data suggest that a subpopulation of motoneurons in the developing spinal cord, as well as some notochord cells undergo programmed cell senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Susana Castro-Obregón
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
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3
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Izmailova LS, Vorotelyak EA, Vasiliev AV. In Vitro Modeling of the Early Development of Mouse and Human Embryos. Russ J Dev Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360420050045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Culshaw LH, Savery D, Greene NDE, Copp AJ. Mouse whole embryo culture: Evaluating the requirement for rat serum as culture medium. Birth Defects Res 2019; 111:1165-1177. [PMID: 31237114 PMCID: PMC6778057 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Background Whole embryo culture is a valuable research method in mammalian developmental biology and birth defects research, enabling longitudinal studies of explanted organogenesis‐stage rodent embryos. Rat serum is the primary culture medium, and can sustain growth and development over limited periods as in utero. However, the cost, labor, and time to produce culture serum are factors limiting the uptake of the methodology. The goal of replacing or at least reducing rat serum usage in culture would be in accordance with the principles of “replacement, reduction, and refinement” of animals in research (the 3Rs). Methods We performed cultures of mouse embryos for 24 hr from embryonic day 8.5 in serum‐free media or in rat serum diluted with defined media, compared with 100% rat serum. Developmental parameters scored after culture included yolk sac circulation, dorsal axial length, somite number, protein content, and completion of cranial neural tube closure. Results A literature review revealed use of both serum‐free and diluted rat serum‐based media in whole embryo culture studies, but with almost no formal comparisons of culture success against 100% rat serum. Two serum‐free media were tested, but neither could sustain development as in 100% rat serum. Dilution of rat serum 1:1 with Glasgow Minimum Essential Medium plus defined supplements supported growth and development as well as whole rat serum, whereas other diluent media yielded substandard outcomes. Conclusion Rat serum usage cannot be avoided, to achieve high quality mouse embryo cultures, but rat usage can be reduced using medium containing diluted serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy H Culshaw
- Newlife Birth Defects Research Centre, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dawn Savery
- Newlife Birth Defects Research Centre, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas D E Greene
- Newlife Birth Defects Research Centre, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Copp
- Newlife Birth Defects Research Centre, UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Yang J, Pan H, Mishina Y. Tissue Preparation and Immunostaining of Mouse Craniofacial Tissues and Undecalcified Bone. J Vis Exp 2019. [PMID: 31132049 DOI: 10.3791/59113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue immunostaining provides highly specific and reliable detection of proteins of interest within a given tissue. Here we describe a complete and simple protocol to detect protein expression during craniofacial morphogenesis/pathogenesis using mouse craniofacial tissues as examples. The protocol consists of preparation and cryosectioning of tissues, indirect immunofluorescence, image acquisition, and quantification. In addition, a method for preparation and cryosectioning of undecalcified hard tissues for immunostaining is described, using craniofacial tissues and long bones as examples. Those methods are key to determine the protein expression and morphological/anatomical changes in various tissues during craniofacial morphogenesis/pathogenesis. They are also applicable to other tissues with appropriate modifications. Knowledge of the histology and high quality of sections are critical to draw scientific conclusions from experimental outcomes. Potential limitations of this methodology include but are not limited to specificity of antibodies and difficulties of quantification, which are also discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Yang
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory for Oral Biomedicine of Ministry of Education, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University; Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan
| | - Haichun Pan
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan
| | - Yuji Mishina
- Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan;
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Toward Microsurgical Correction of Cleft Lip Ex Utero through Restoration of Craniofacial Developmental Programs. Plast Reconstr Surg 2017; 140:75-85. [PMID: 28338586 DOI: 10.1097/prs.0000000000003417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cleft lip with or without cleft palate is present in approximately one in 500 to 700 live births, representing the most common congenital craniofacial anomaly. Previously, the authors developed a unique murine model with compound Pbx deficiency that exhibits fully penetrant cleft lip with or without cleft palate. To investigate the possibility of tissue repair at an early gestational stage, the authors designed a minimally invasive surgical approach suitable for intrauterine repair using Wnt9b-soaked collagen microspheres to restore craniofacial developmental programs for cleft correction. METHODS Collagen microspheres with diameters ranging from 20 to 50 μm were fabricated to serve as a delivery vehicle for Wnt9b. At gestational day 11.5, wild-type and Pbx-deficient murine embryos were isolated. Microspheres soaked in murine purified Wnt9b protein were microsurgically implanted at the midface lambdoidal junction. Embryos were cultured in a 37°C modified whole-embryo culture system. RESULTS Targeted release of Wnt9b resulted in augmented Wnt expression at the lambdoidal junction. Microsurgical implantation of Wnt9b-soaked microspheres resulted in cleft correction in 27.1 percent of the Pbx-deficient embryos. The difference in the ratio of the areas of clefting between implanted and nonimplanted embryos was significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Ex utero correction of cleft lip with or without cleft palate in the authors' murine model by means of microsurgical intervention and targeted delivery of Wnt proteins is an innovative and promising strategy. Although further refinement and optimization of this technique will be required to improve efficacy, the authors believe that this approach will open new avenues toward unconventional prenatal interventions for patients with cleft lip with or without cleft palate, and provide future approaches for prenatal repair of other congenital head and neck disorders.
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Leung MCK, Procter AC, Goldstone JV, Foox J, DeSalle R, Mattingly CJ, Siddall ME, Timme-Laragy AR. Applying evolutionary genetics to developmental toxicology and risk assessment. Reprod Toxicol 2017; 69:174-186. [PMID: 28267574 PMCID: PMC5829367 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Evolutionary thinking continues to challenge our views on health and disease. Yet, there is a communication gap between evolutionary biologists and toxicologists in recognizing the connections among developmental pathways, high-throughput screening, and birth defects in humans. To increase our capability in identifying potential developmental toxicants in humans, we propose to apply evolutionary genetics to improve the experimental design and data interpretation with various in vitro and whole-organism models. We review five molecular systems of stress response and update 18 consensual cell-cell signaling pathways that are the hallmark for early development, organogenesis, and differentiation; and revisit the principles of teratology in light of recent advances in high-throughput screening, big data techniques, and systems toxicology. Multiscale systems modeling plays an integral role in the evolutionary approach to cross-species extrapolation. Phylogenetic analysis and comparative bioinformatics are both valuable tools in identifying and validating the molecular initiating events that account for adverse developmental outcomes in humans. The discordance of susceptibility between test species and humans (ontogeny) reflects their differences in evolutionary history (phylogeny). This synthesis not only can lead to novel applications in developmental toxicity and risk assessment, but also can pave the way for applying an evo-devo perspective to the study of developmental origins of health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell C K Leung
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.
| | - Andrew C Procter
- Institute for Advanced Analytics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Jared V Goldstone
- Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, United States
| | - Jonathan Foox
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States
| | - Robert DeSalle
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States
| | - Carolyn J Mattingly
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
| | - Mark E Siddall
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, United States
| | - Alicia R Timme-Laragy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, United States
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Potter SJ, DeFalco T. Using Ex Vivo Upright Droplet Cultures of Whole Fetal Organs to Study Developmental Processes during Mouse Organogenesis. J Vis Exp 2015:e53262. [PMID: 26556004 DOI: 10.3791/53262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigating organogenesis in utero is a technically challenging process in placental mammals due to inaccessibility of reagents to embryos that develop within the uterus. A newly developed ex vivo upright droplet culture method provides an attractive alternative to studies performed in utero. The ex vivo droplet culture provides the ability to examine and manipulate cellular interactions and diverse signaling pathways through use of various blocking and activating compounds; additionally, the effects of various pharmacological reagents on the development of specific organs can be studied without unwanted side effects of systemic drug delivery in utero. As compared to other in vitro systems, the droplet culture not only allows for the ability to study three-dimensional morphogenesis and cell-cell interactions, which cannot be reproduced in mammalian cell lines, but also requires significantly less reagents than other ex vivo and in vitro protocols. This paper demonstrates proper mouse fetal organ dissection and upright droplet culture techniques, followed by whole organ immunofluorescence to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. The ex vivo droplet culture method allows the formation of organ architecture comparable to what is observed in vivo and can be utilized to study otherwise difficult-to-study processes due to embryonic lethality in in vivo models. As a model application system, a small-molecule inhibitor will be utilized to probe the role of vascularization in testicular morphogenesis. This ex vivo droplet culture method is expandable to other fetal organ systems, such as lung and potentially others, although each organ must be extensively studied to determine any organ-specific modifications to the protocol. This organ culture system provides flexibility in experimentation with fetal organs, and results obtained using this technique will help researchers gain insights into fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Potter
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
| | - Tony DeFalco
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center;
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Wilsbacher LD, Coughlin SR. Analysis of cardiomyocyte development using immunofluorescence in embryonic mouse heart. J Vis Exp 2015:52644. [PMID: 25866997 PMCID: PMC4401388 DOI: 10.3791/52644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
During heart development, the generation of myocardial-specific structural and functional units including sarcomeres, contractile myofibrils, intercalated discs, and costameres requires the coordinated assembly of multiple components in time and space. Disruption in assembly of these components leads to developmental heart defects. Immunofluorescent staining techniques are used commonly in cultured cardiomyocytes to probe myofibril maturation, but this ex vivo approach is limited by the extent to which myocytes will fully differentiate in culture, lack of normal in vivo mechanical inputs, and absence of endocardial cues. Application of immunofluorescence techniques to the study of developing mouse heart is desirable but more technically challenging, and methods often lack sufficient sensitivity and resolution to visualize sarcomeres in the early stages of heart development. Here, we describe a robust and reproducible method to co-immunostain multiple proteins or to co-visualize a fluorescent protein with immunofluorescent staining in the embryonic mouse heart and use this method to analyze developing myofibrils, intercalated discs, and costameres. This method can be further applied to assess cardiomyocyte structural changes caused by mutations that lead to developmental heart defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D Wilsbacher
- Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Northwestern University; Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco;
| | - Shaun R Coughlin
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco
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10
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Denbeigh JM, Nixon BA, Puri MC, Foster FS. Contrast imaging in mouse embryos using high-frequency ultrasound. J Vis Exp 2015:52520. [PMID: 25867243 PMCID: PMC4401211 DOI: 10.3791/52520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound contrast-enhanced imaging can convey essential quantitative information regarding tissue vascularity and perfusion and, in targeted applications, facilitate the detection and measure of vascular biomarkers at the molecular level. Within the mouse embryo, this noninvasive technique may be used to uncover basic mechanisms underlying vascular development in the early mouse circulatory system and in genetic models of cardiovascular disease. The mouse embryo also presents as an excellent model for studying the adhesion of microbubbles to angiogenic targets (including vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) or αvβ3) and for assessing the quantitative nature of molecular ultrasound. We therefore developed a method to introduce ultrasound contrast agents into the vasculature of living, isolated embryos. This allows freedom in terms of injection control and positioning, reproducibility of the imaging plane without obstruction and motion, and simplified image analysis and quantification. Late gestational stage (embryonic day (E)16.6 and E17.5) murine embryos were isolated from the uterus, gently exteriorized from the yolk sac and microbubble contrast agents were injected into veins accessible on the chorionic surface of the placental disc. Nonlinear contrast ultrasound imaging was then employed to collect a number of basic perfusion parameters (peak enhancement, wash-in rate and time to peak) and quantify targeted microbubble binding in an endoglin mouse model. We show the successful circulation of microbubbles within living embryos and the utility of this approach in characterizing embryonic vasculature and microbubble behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet M Denbeigh
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto; Sunnybrook Research Institute;
| | - Brian A Nixon
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto; Sunnybrook Research Institute
| | - Mira C Puri
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto; Sunnybrook Research Institute; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
| | - F Stuart Foster
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto; Sunnybrook Research Institute
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Takahashi M, Makino S, Kikkawa T, Osumi N. Preparation of rat serum suitable for mammalian whole embryo culture. J Vis Exp 2014:e51969. [PMID: 25145996 DOI: 10.3791/51969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian whole embryo culture (WEC) is a widely used technique for examining pharmacological toxicity in developing mouse and rat embryos and for investigating the mechanisms of developmental processes. Immediately centrifuged (IC) rat serum is commonly used for WEC and is essential for the growth and development of cultured mouse and rat embryos ex vivo. For the culture of midgestation embryos (i.e., E8.0-12.5 for the mouse, and E10.0-14.5 for the rat), 100% rat serum is the best media for supporting the growth of the embryo ex vivo. To prepare rat serum suitable for WEC, the collected blood should be centrifuged immediately to separate the blood cells from the plasma fraction. After centrifugation, the fibrin clot forms in the upper layer; this clot should be squeezed gently using a pair of sterile forceps and subsequently centrifuged to completely separate the blood cells from the serum. In this video article, we demonstrate our standard protocol for the preparation of optimal IC rat serum, including blood collection from the abdominal aorta of male rats and extraction of the serum by centrifugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Takahashi
- Graduate School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University; Division of Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University
| | - Sayaka Makino
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, United Center for Advanced Research and Translational Medicine (ART), Tohoku University School of Medicine
| | - Takako Kikkawa
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, United Center for Advanced Research and Translational Medicine (ART), Tohoku University School of Medicine
| | - Noriko Osumi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, United Center for Advanced Research and Translational Medicine (ART), Tohoku University School of Medicine;
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