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Masselink W, Tanaka EM. Toward whole tissue imaging of axolotl regeneration. Dev Dyn 2020; 250:800-806. [PMID: 33336514 PMCID: PMC8247021 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The axolotl is a highly regenerative organism and has been studied in laboratories for over 150 years. Despite a long‐standing fascination with regeneration in general and axolotl specifically, we are still scratching the surface trying to visualize and understand the complex cellular behavior that underlies axolotl regeneration. In this review, we will discuss the progress that has been made in visualizing these processes focusing on four major aspects: cell labeling approaches, the removal of pigmentation, reductionist approaches to perform live cell imaging, and finally recent developments applying tissue clearing strategies to visualize the processes that underly regeneration. We also provide several suggestions that the community could consider exploring, notably the generation of novel alleles that further reduce pigmentation as well as improvements in tissue clearing strategies. Historical perspective on axolotl imaging and lineage tracing Description of tissue clearing approaches Refractive index matching strategies Strategies to further reduce pigmentation in axolotl
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Masselink
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BiocCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Elly M Tanaka
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna BiocCenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
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2
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Duerr TJ, Comellas E, Jeon EK, Farkas JE, Joetzjer M, Garnier J, Shefelbine SJ, Monaghan JR. 3D visualization of macromolecule synthesis. eLife 2020; 9:60354. [PMID: 33051003 PMCID: PMC7669265 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Measuring nascent macromolecular synthesis in vivo is key to understanding how cells and tissues progress through development and respond to external cues. Here we perform in vivo injection of alkyne- or azide-modified analogs of thymidine, uridine, methionine, and glucosamine to label nascent synthesis of DNA, RNA, protein, and glycosylation. Three-dimensional volumetric imaging of nascent macromolecule synthesis was performed in axolotl salamander tissue using whole-mount click chemistry-based fluorescent staining followed by light sheet fluorescent microscopy. We also developed an image processing pipeline for segmentation and classification of morphological regions of interest and individual cells, and we apply this pipeline to the regenerating humerus. We demonstrate our approach is sensitive to biological perturbations by measuring changes in DNA synthesis after limb denervation. This method provides a powerful means to quantitatively interrogate macromolecule synthesis in heterogenous tissues at the organ, cellular, and molecular levels of organization. Cells often respond to changes in their environment by producing new molecules and building new cell components, such as proteins, which perform most tasks in the cell, or DNA and RNA, which carry genetic information. Complex tissues – such as limbs, which are made up of muscles, tendons, bones and cartilage – are difficult to see through, so studying when and where cells in these tissues produce different types of molecules is challenging. New approaches combining advanced three-dimensional microscopy and fluorescent labelling of molecules could provide a way to study these processes within whole animal tissues. One application for this is studying how salamanders regrow lost limbs. When salamanders such as axolotls regrow a limb, some cells in the limb stump form a group called the blastema. The blastema contains cells that are specialized to different purposes. Each cell in the blastema produces many new proteins as well as new DNA and RNA molecules. Fluorescently labeling particular molecules and taking images of the regenerating limb at different times can help to reveal how these new molecules control and coordinate limb regrowth. Duerr et al. developed a three-dimensional microscopy technique to study the production of new molecules in regenerating axolotl limbs. The method labeled molecules of different types with fluorescent markers. As a result, new proteins, RNA and DNA glowed under different colored lights. Duerr et al. used their method to show that nerve damage, which hinders limb regrowth in salamanders, reduces DNA production in the blastema. There are many possible applications of this microscopy method. Since the technique allows the spatial arrangement of the cells and molecules studied to be preserved, it makes it possible to investigate which molecules each cell is making and how they interact across a tissue. Not only does the technique have the potential to reveal much more about limb regrowth at all stages, but the fluorescent markers used can also be easily adapted to many other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Duerr
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, United States
| | - Ester Comellas
- Department of Mathematics, Laboratori de Càlcul Numeric (LaCàN), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, United States
| | - Eun Kyung Jeon
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, United States
| | - Johanna E Farkas
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, United States
| | | | - Julien Garnier
- University of Technology of Compiègne, Compiègne, France
| | - Sandra J Shefelbine
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, United States
| | - James R Monaghan
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, United States.,Institute for Chemical Imaging of Living Systems, Northeastern University, Boston, United States
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3
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Guo W, Liu X, Hu Q, Huang F, Li N, Zhang Q, Li Y, Xiong F, Luo Q, Zeng S. Whole-mount in situ hybridization of mouse brain to precisely locate mRNAs via fluorescence tomography. J Biophotonics 2019; 12:e201800249. [PMID: 30417571 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201800249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acids of intact biological tissues are rich in biological information. Whole-mount in situ hybridization is a powerful technique to mine the wealth of data contained in DNAs or RNAs, especially mRNAs. However, there are no simple, rapid approaches to precisely locate mRNAs in whole-mount tissues such as intact brains. By combining the penetration procedures of iDISCO with the signal amplification approach termed hybridization chain reaction, we herein developed a method for whole-brain in situ hybridization at cellular resolution. Based on fluorescence tomography instead of tissue clearing, this method provides a simple, rapid way to precisely locate mRNAs in the whole brain with cytoarchitectonic landmarks. As a proof of principle, we investigated the exact distribution of Cre mRNA in a Thy1-Cre mouse brain. We found high levels of Cre mRNA in most regions of the subcortical nuclei and the brain stem but comparatively low levels in major areas of the cerebral cortex. This method may have broad applications in studies of RNA function and its relations with diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Guo
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiuli Liu
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qinglei Hu
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Fei Huang
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ning Li
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuxin Li
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Feng Xiong
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qingming Luo
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shaoqun Zeng
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Baert Y, De Kock J, Alves-Lopes JP, Söder O, Stukenborg JB, Goossens E. Primary Human Testicular Cells Self-Organize into Organoids with Testicular Properties. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 8:30-38. [PMID: 28017656 PMCID: PMC5233407 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2016.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
So far, successful de novo formation of testicular tissue followed by complete spermatogenesis in vitro has been achieved only in rodents. Our findings reveal that primary human testicular cells are able to self-organize into human testicular organoids (TOs), i.e., multi-cellular tissue surrogates, either with or without support of a biological scaffold. Despite lacking testis-specific topography, these mini-tissues harbored spermatogonia and their important niche cells, which retained specific functionalities during long-term culture. These observations indicate the posibility of in vitro re-engineering of a human testicular microenvironment from primary cells. Human TOs might help in the development of a biomimetic testicular model that would exert a tremendous impact on research and development, clinical treatment of infertility, and screening in connection with drug discovery and toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoni Baert
- Biology of the Testis, Research Laboratory for Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Joery De Kock
- Department of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology, Center for Pharmaceutical Research, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - João P Alves-Lopes
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit; Q2:08, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Olle Söder
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit; Q2:08, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan-Bernd Stukenborg
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit; Q2:08, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ellen Goossens
- Biology of the Testis, Research Laboratory for Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
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Filgo AJ, Foley JF, Puvanesarajah S, Borde AR, Midkiff BR, Reed CE, Chappell VA, Alexander LB, Borde PR, Troester MA, Bouknight SAH, Fenton SE. Mammary Gland Evaluation in Juvenile Toxicity Studies: Temporal Developmental Patterns in the Male and Female Harlan Sprague-Dawley Rat. Toxicol Pathol 2016; 44:1034-58. [PMID: 27613106 PMCID: PMC5068132 DOI: 10.1177/0192623316663864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There are currently no reports describing mammary gland development in the Harlan Sprague-Dawley (HSD) rat, the current strain of choice for National Toxicology Program (NTP) testing. Our goals were to empower the NTP, contract labs, and other researchers in understanding and interpreting chemical effects in this rat strain. To delineate similarities/differences between the female and male mammary gland, data were compiled starting on embryonic day 15.5 through postnatal day 70. Mammary gland whole mounts, histology sections, and immunohistochemically stained tissues for estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors were evaluated in both sexes; qualitative and quantitative differences are highlighted using a comprehensive visual timeline. Research on endocrine disrupting chemicals in animal models has highlighted chemically induced mammary gland anomalies that may potentially impact human health. In order to investigate these effects within the HSD strain, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, diethylstilbestrol, or vehicle control was gavage dosed on gestation day 15 and 18 to demonstrate delayed, accelerated, and control mammary gland growth in offspring, respectively. We provide illustrations of normal and chemically altered mammary gland development in HSD male and female rats to help inform researchers unfamiliar with the tissue and may facilitate enhanced evaluation of both male and female mammary glands in juvenile toxicity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Filgo
- Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA National Toxicology Program (NTP) Laboratory, Division of the NTP, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Julie F Foley
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, Division of the NTP, NIEHS, NIH, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Aditi R Borde
- National Toxicology Program (NTP) Laboratory, Division of the NTP, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bentley R Midkiff
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Casey E Reed
- National Toxicology Program (NTP) Laboratory, Division of the NTP, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Vesna A Chappell
- National Toxicology Program (NTP) Laboratory, Division of the NTP, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lydia B Alexander
- National Toxicology Program (NTP) Laboratory, Division of the NTP, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Pretish R Borde
- National Toxicology Program (NTP) Laboratory, Division of the NTP, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Melissa A Troester
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Suzanne E Fenton
- National Toxicology Program (NTP) Laboratory, Division of the NTP, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institute of Health (NIH), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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6
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Tucker DK, Foley JF, Hayes-Bouknight SA, Fenton SE. Preparation of High-quality Hematoxylin and Eosin-stained Sections from Rodent Mammary Gland Whole Mounts for Histopathologic Review. Toxicol Pathol 2016; 44:1059-64. [PMID: 27474221 DOI: 10.1177/0192623316660769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Identifying environmental exposures that cause adverse mammary gland outcomes in rodents is a first step in disease prevention in humans and domestic pets. "Whole mounts" are an easy and inexpensive tissue preparation method that can elucidate typical or abnormal mammary gland morphology in rodent studies. Here, we propose procedures to facilitate the use of whole mounts for histological identification of grossly noted tissue alterations. We noted lesions in mammary whole mounts from 14-month-old CD-1 mice that were not found in the contralateral gland hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained section. Whole mounts were removed from the slide and carefully processed to produce high-quality histological sections that mirrored the quality of the original H&E-stained section in order to properly diagnose the unidentified gross abnormalities. Incorporation of this method into testing protocols that focus on human relevant chemical and endocrine disruptors exposure will increase the chances of identifying lesions in the gland and reduce the risk of false negative findings. This method can be especially invaluable when lesions are not always palpable during the course of the study or visible at necropsy, or when a single cross section of the mammary gland is otherwise used for detecting lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre K Tucker
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Curriculum in Toxicology, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA Division of the National Toxicology Program (DNTP), NTP Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health and Science, National Institute of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Julie F Foley
- Division of the National Toxicology Program, Cellular and Molecular Pathology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health and Science, National Institute of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Suzanne E Fenton
- Division of the National Toxicology Program (DNTP), NTP Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health and Science, National Institute of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Malki S, Tharp ME, Bortvin A. A Whole-Mount Approach for Accurate Quantitative and Spatial Assessment of Fetal Oocyte Dynamics in Mice. Biol Reprod 2015; 93:113. [PMID: 26423126 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.132118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Depletion of oocytes from the embryonic ovary is a key feature of mammalian oogenesis; however, the rational and molecular bases for this phenomenon remain poorly understood. Presently in the field, the most systematic analysis used to understand the effect of a given molecular pathway on fetal oocyte attrition is to count the number of oocytes in ovaries at different stages of development. This analysis is commonly done using a sampling method based on sectioning of the ovary, a technique that includes many laborious steps culminating in an inaccurate estimate of oocyte number contained within that ovary. This inability to generate data that are directly comparable between labs hinders the field and raises questions about the timing and rate of oocyte depletion. Therefore, we set out to implement a robust method that can be easily used by most research laboratories to study the dynamics of oogenesis during fetal mouse ovary development in both normal and experimental conditions. Here we describe an approach to accurately count the total number of oocytes in embryonic ovaries. This method is based on whole-mount immunofluorescence, tissue clearing with sucrose and ScaleA2 reagent, and automatic detection and counting of germ cells in intact ovaries using confocal microscopy and three-dimensional software analyses. We demonstrate the power of the method by assessing variation of fetal oocyte numbers between left and right ovaries and between litters of mice. Finally, we anticipate that the method could be adopted to the analysis of substages of meiotic prophase I and ovarian somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safia Malki
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Marla E Tharp
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Baltimore, Maryland Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alex Bortvin
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Baltimore, Maryland
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Priester A, Natarajan S, Le JD, Garritano J, Radosavcev B, Grundfest W, Margolis DJA, Marks LS, Huang J. A system for evaluating magnetic resonance imaging of prostate cancer using patient-specific 3D printed molds. Am J Clin Exp Urol 2014; 2:127-135. [PMID: 25374914 PMCID: PMC4219304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 06/25/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
We have developed a system for evaluating magnetic resonance imaging of prostate cancer, using patient-specific 3D printed molds to facilitate MR-histology correlation. Prior to radical prostatectomy a patient receives a multiparametric MRI, which an expert genitourinary radiologist uses to identify and contour regions suspicious for disease. The same MR series is used to generate a prostate contour, which is the basis for design of a patient-specific mold. The 3D printed mold contains a series of evenly spaced parallel slits, each of which corresponds to a known MRI slice. After surgery, the patient's specimen is enclosed within the mold, and all whole-mount levels are obtained simultaneously through use of a multi-bladed slicing device. The levels are then formalin fixed, processed, and delivered to an expert pathologist, who identifies and grades all lesions within the slides. Finally, the lesion contours are loaded into custom software, which elastically warps them to fit the MR prostate contour. The suspicious regions on MR can then be directly compared to lesions on histology. Furthermore, the false-negative and false-positive regions on MR can be retrospectively examined, with the ultimate goal of developing methods for improving the predictive accuracy of MRI. This work presents the details of our analysis method, following a patient from diagnosis through the MR-histology correlation process. For this patient MRI successfully predicted the presence of cancer, but true lesion volume and extent were underestimated. Most cancer-positive regions missed on MR were observed to have patterns of low T2 signal, suggesting that there is potential to improve sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Priester
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los AngelesCA, USA
| | - Shyam Natarajan
- Department of Urology, David Geffen School of MedicineLos Angeles, USA
| | - Jesse D Le
- Department of Urology, David Geffen School of MedicineLos Angeles, USA
| | - James Garritano
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los AngelesCA, USA
| | - Bryan Radosavcev
- Department of Pathology, David Geffen School of MedicineLos Angeles, USA
| | - Warren Grundfest
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los AngelesCA, USA
| | - Daniel JA Margolis
- Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of MedicineLos Angeles, USA
| | - Leonard S Marks
- Department of Urology, David Geffen School of MedicineLos Angeles, USA
| | - Jiaoti Huang
- Department of Pathology, David Geffen School of MedicineLos Angeles, USA
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Jährling N, Becker K, Dodt HU. 3D-reconstruction of blood vessels by ultramicroscopy. Organogenesis 2012; 5:227-30. [PMID: 20539742 DOI: 10.4161/org.5.4.10403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2009] [Revised: 09/15/2009] [Accepted: 10/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As recently shown, ultramicroscopy (UM) allows 3D-visualization of even large microscopic structures with microm resolution. Thus, it can be applied to anatomical studies of numerous biological and medical specimens. We reconstructed the three-dimensional architecture of tomato-lectin (Lycopersicon esculentum) stained vascular networks by UM in whole mouse organs. The topology of filigree branches of the microvasculature was visualized. Since tumors require an extensive growth of blood vessels to survive, this novel approach may open up new vistas in neurobiology and histology, particularly in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Jährling
- Vienna University of Technology; Institute of Solid State Electronics; Dept. of Bioelectronics; Vienna, Austria; Center for Brain Research; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna, Austria; University Oldenburg; Dept. of Neurobiology; Oldenburg, Germany
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Rudel RA, Fenton SE, Ackerman JM, Euling SY, Makris SL. Environmental exposures and mammary gland development: state of the science, public health implications, and research recommendations. Environ Health Perspect 2011; 119:1053-61. [PMID: 21697028 PMCID: PMC3237346 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1002864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2010] [Accepted: 05/17/2011] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Perturbations in mammary gland (MG) development may increase risk for later adverse effects, including lactation impairment, gynecomastia (in males), and breast cancer. Animal studies indicate that exposure to hormonally active agents leads to this type of developmental effect and related later life susceptibilities. In this review we describe current science, public health issues, and research recommendations for evaluating MG development. DATA SOURCES The Mammary Gland Evaluation and Risk Assessment Workshop was convened in Oakland, California, USA, 16-17 November 2009, to integrate the expertise and perspectives of scientists, risk assessors, and public health advocates. Interviews were conducted with 18 experts, and seven laboratories conducted an MG slide evaluation exercise. Workshop participants discussed effects of gestational and early life exposures to hormonally active agents on MG development, the relationship of these developmental effects to lactation and cancer, the relative sensitivity of MG and other developmental end points, the relevance of animal models to humans, and methods for evaluating MG effects. SYNTHESIS Normal MG development and MG carcinogenesis demonstrate temporal, morphological, and mechanistic similarities among test animal species and humans. Diverse chemicals, including many not considered primarily estrogenic, alter MG development in rodents. Inconsistent reporting methods hinder comparison across studies, and relationships between altered development and effects on lactation or carcinogenesis are still being defined. In some studies, altered MG development is the most sensitive endocrine end point. CONCLUSIONS Early life environmental exposures can alter MG development, disrupt lactation, and increase susceptibility to breast cancer. Assessment of MG development should be incorporated in chemical test guidelines and risk assessment.
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Luzzati F, Fasolo A, Peretto P. Combining confocal laser scanning microscopy with serial section reconstruction in the study of adult neurogenesis. Front Neurosci 2011; 5:70. [PMID: 21625612 PMCID: PMC3097380 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2011.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Current advances in imaging techniques have extended the possibility of visualizing small structures within large volumes of both fixed and live specimens without sectioning. These techniques have contributed valuable information to study neuronal plasticity in the adult brain. However, technical limits still hamper the use of these approaches to investigate neurogenic regions located far from the ventricular surface such as parenchymal neurogenic niches, or the scattered neuroblasts induced by brain lesions. Here, we present a method to combine confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and serial section reconstruction in order to reconstruct large volumes of brain tissue at cellular resolution. In this method a series of thick sections are imaged with CLSM and the resulting stacks of images are registered and 3D reconstructed. This approach is based on existing freeware software and can be performed on ordinary laboratory personal computers. By using this technique we have investigated the morphology and spatial organization of a group of doublecortin (DCX)+ neuroblasts located in the lateral striatum of the late post-natal guinea pig. The 3D study unraveled a complex network of long and poorly ramified cell processes, often fascicled and mostly oriented along the internal capsule fiber bundles. These data support CLSM serial section reconstruction as a reliable alternative to the whole mount approaches to analyze cyto-architectural features of adult germinative niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Luzzati
- Department of Animal and Human Biology, University of TurinTurin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri OttolenghiOrbassano, Italy
| | - Aldo Fasolo
- Department of Animal and Human Biology, University of TurinTurin, Italy
| | - Paolo Peretto
- Department of Animal and Human Biology, University of TurinTurin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri OttolenghiOrbassano, Italy
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