Dataset Information

Correlative Imaging of the Murine Hind Limb Vasculature and Muscle Tissue by MicroCT and Light Microscopy.

ABSTRACT: A detailed vascular visualization and adequate quantification is essential for the proper assessment of novel angiomodulating strategies. Here, we introduce an ex vivo micro-computed tomography (microCT)-based imaging approach for the 3D visualization of the entire vasculature down to the capillary level and rapid estimation of the vascular volume and vessel size distribution. After perfusion with ?Angiofil®, a novel polymerizing contrast agent, low- and high-resolution scans (voxel side length: 2.58-0.66??m) of the entire vasculature were acquired. Based on the microCT data, sites of interest were defined and samples further processed for correlative morphology. The solidified, autofluorescent ?Angiofil® remained in the vasculature and allowed co-registering of the histological sections with the corresponding microCT-stack. The perfusion efficiency of ?Angiofil® was validated based on lectin-stained histological sections: 98?±?0.5% of the blood vessels were ?Angiofil®-positive, whereas 93?±?2.6% were lectin-positive. By applying this approach we analyzed the angiogenesis induced by the cell-based delivery of a controlled VEGF dose. Vascular density increased by 426% mainly through the augmentation of medium-sized vessels (20-40??m). The introduced correlative and quantitative imaging approach is highly reproducible and allows a detailed 3D characterization of the vasculature and muscle tissue. Combined with histology, a broad range of complementary structural information can be obtained.

SUBMITTER: Schaad L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5294414 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Correlative Imaging of the Murine Hind Limb Vasculature and Muscle Tissue by MicroCT and Light Microscopy.

Schaad Laura L Hlushchuk Ruslan R Barré Sébastien S Gianni-Barrera Roberto R Haberthür David D Banfi Andrea A Djonov Valentin V

Scientific reports 20170207

A detailed vascular visualization and adequate quantification is essential for the proper assessment of novel angiomodulating strategies. Here, we introduce an ex vivo micro-computed tomography (microCT)-based imaging approach for the 3D visualization of the entire vasculature down to the capillary level and rapid estimation of the vascular volume and vessel size distribution. After perfusion with μAngiofil®, a novel polymerizing contrast agent, low- and high-resolution scans (voxel side length: ...[more]

PMID: 28169309

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Project description:BackgroundIn biomedical research, a huge variety of different techniques is currently available for the structural examination of small specimens, including conventional light microscopy (LM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), microscopic X-ray computed tomography (microCT), and many others. Since every imaging method is physically limited by certain parameters, a correlative use of complementary methods often yields a significant broader range of information. Here we demonstrate the advantages of the correlative use of microCT, light microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy for the analysis of small biological samples.ResultsWe used a small juvenile bivalve mollusc (Mytilus galloprovincialis, approximately 0.8 mm length) to demonstrate the workflow of a correlative examination by microCT, LM serial section analysis, and TEM-re-sectioning. Initially these three datasets were analyzed separately, and subsequently they were fused in one 3D scene. This workflow is very straightforward. The specimen was processed as usual for transmission electron microscopy including post-fixation in osmium tetroxide and embedding in epoxy resin. Subsequently it was imaged with microCT. Post-fixation in osmium tetroxide yielded sufficient X-ray contrast for microCT imaging, since the X-ray absorption of epoxy resin is low. Thereafter, the same specimen was serially sectioned for LM investigation. The serial section images were aligned and specific organ systems were reconstructed based on manual segmentation and surface rendering. According to the region of interest (ROI), specific LM sections were detached from the slides, re-mounted on resin blocks and re-sectioned (ultrathin) for TEM. For analysis, image data from the three different modalities was co-registered into a single 3D scene using the software AMIRA®. We were able to register both the LM section series volume and TEM slices neatly to the microCT dataset, with small geometric deviations occurring only in the peripheral areas of the specimen. Based on co-registered datasets the excretory organs, which were chosen as ROI for this study, could be investigated regarding both their ultrastructure as well as their position in the organism and their spatial relationship to adjacent tissues. We found structures typical for mollusc excretory systems, including ultrafiltration sites at the pericardial wall, and ducts leading from the pericardium towards the kidneys, which exhibit a typical basal infolding system.ConclusionsThe presented approach allows a comprehensive analysis and presentation of small objects regarding both the overall organization as well as cellular and subcellular details. Although our protocol involves a variety of different equipment and procedures, we maintain that it offers savings in both effort and cost. Co-registration of datasets from different imaging modalities can be accomplished with high-end desktop computers and offers new opportunities for understanding and communicating structural relationships within organisms and tissues. In general, the correlative use of different microscopic imaging techniques will continue to become more widespread in morphological and structural research in zoology. Classical TEM serial section investigations are extremely time consuming, and modern methods for 3D analysis of ultrastructure such as SBF-SEM and FIB-SEM are limited to very small volumes for examination. Thus the re-sectioning of LM sections is suitable for speeding up TEM examination substantially, while microCT could become a key-method for complementing ultrastructural examinations.

Dataset Information

Correlative Imaging of the Murine Hind Limb Vasculature and Muscle Tissue by MicroCT and Light Microscopy.

Publications

Correlative Imaging of the Murine Hind Limb Vasculature and Muscle Tissue by MicroCT and Light Microscopy.

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