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Modla S, Czymmek KJ. Correlative microscopy: a powerful tool for exploring neurological cells and tissues. Micron 2011; 42:773-92. [PMID: 21782457 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2011.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2011] [Revised: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 07/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Imaging tools for exploring the neurological samples have seen a rapid transformation over the last decade. Approaches that allow clear and specific delineation of targeted tissues, individual neurons, and their cell-cell connections as well as subcellular constituents have been especially valuable. Considering the significant complexity and extent to which the nervous system interacts with every organ system in the body, one non-trivial challenge has been how to identify and target specific structures and pathologies by microscopy. To this end, correlative methods enable one to view the same exact structure of interest utilizing the capabilities of typically separate, but powerful, microscopy platforms. As such, correlative microscopy is well-positioned to address the three critical problems of identification, scale, and resolution inherent to neurological systems. Furthermore, the application of multiple imaging platforms to the study of singular biological events enables more detailed investigations of structure-function relationships to be conducted, greatly facilitating our understanding of relevant phenomenon. This comprehensive review provides an overview of methods for correlative microscopy, including histochemistry, transgenic markers, immunocytochemistry, photo-oxidation as well as various probes and tracers. An emphasis is placed on correlative light and electron microscopic strategies used to facilitate relocation of neurological structures. Correlative microscopy is an invaluable tool for neurological research, and we fully anticipate developments in automation of the process, and the increasing availability of genomic and transgenic tools will facilitate the adoption of correlative microscopy as the method of choice for many imaging experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Modla
- Delaware Biotechnology Institute, Bio-Imaging Center, 15 Innovation Way, Suite 117, Newark, DE 19711, USA.
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2
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Literature Alerts. J Microencapsul 2008. [DOI: 10.3109/02652048709021827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Abstract
In this article, we review the immunocytochemical literature with respect to a comparison between conventional colloidal gold and ultrasmall gold particles as immunoprobes. We discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of each of these types of particles for immunocytochemical applications. We present results from our own laboratories, in which we compared these immunoprobes in selected experimental situations. In addition, we discuss our work on the use of a fluorescently labeled ultrasmall immunoprobe for correlative microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Robinson
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA
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4
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Heinrich R, Jacobs K, Lakes-Harlan R. Tracing of a neuronal network in the locust by pressure injection of markers into a synaptic neuropil. J Neurosci Methods 1998; 80:81-9. [PMID: 9606053 DOI: 10.1016/s0165-0270(97)00205-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Central neuronal circuits of vertebrates have often been investigated using injection of markers into synaptic neuropils, whereas similar techniques have rarely been applied in invertebrates. In this study we tested several neuroanatomical tracers for their ability to mark central neuronal circuits in insects, using the well described auditory network of the locust, Locusta migratoria. After physiological localization of an auditory neuropil various tracers were pressure injected. Horseradish peroxidase, dextrans (3 and 10 kDa) and especially biocytin and neurobiotin were effectively incorporated by auditory interneurons, which resulted in their extensive labeling. Postsynaptic regions turned out to be the major, if not exclusive sites of uptake of injected markers, which is deduced from two lines of evidence: (i) for labeling of identified auditory neurons it was necessary to apply the tracer to postsynaptic sites of the neuron; (ii) only a few non-auditory neurons were labeled (probably by lesioning axons during electrode impalement). No evidence could be found for an activity dependent uptake. We conclude that pressure injection of certain tracers into synaptic areas can be used to identify central nervous circuits in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Heinrich
- Zoologisches Institut, Universität Göttingen, Germany
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5
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Robinson JM, Vandré DD. Efficient immunocytochemical labeling of leukocyte microtubules with FluoroNanogold: an important tool for correlative microscopy. J Histochem Cytochem 1997; 45:631-42. [PMID: 9154150 DOI: 10.1177/002215549704500501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
We tested the immunoprobe FluoroNanogold (FNG) for its utility as an immunocytochemical labeling reagent. This immunoprobe consists of a 1.4-nm gold particle to which a specific Fab' fragment and a fluorochrome are conjugated. We employed the microtubules (MTs) of human phagocytic leukocytes as a model system for testing the usefulness of FNG as a secondary antibody for immunocytochemistry. We show that these fluorescently labeled ultrasmall immunogold particles are very efficient for labeling MTs in these cells. The signal from FNG can be detected directly by fluorescence microscopy or indirectly by other modes of optical microscopy and electron microscopy, after silver-enhancement of the gold. The spatial resolution of immunolabeled MTs obtained with FNG and silver enhancement was comparable to that of conventional immunofluorescence detection. Colloidal gold (5-nm and 10-nm in diameter), on the other hand, failed to label MTs in cells prepared in a similar manner. This difference in labeling was due in large part to greater penetration of 1.4-nm gold into aldehyde-fixed cells than either 5-nm or 10-nm gold particles. The fluorescent 1.4-nm immunoprobe was shown to be an important new tool for general use in correlative microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Robinson
- Department of Cell Biology, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA
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6
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Filler AG. Axonal transport and MR imaging: prospects for contrast agent development. J Magn Reson Imaging 1994; 4:259-67. [PMID: 7520308 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.1880040308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Axonal transport plays a critical role in the physiology and pathology of neurons, yet there have been virtually no clinical tools for its evaluation in human subjects. A wide variety of molecules that can act as axonal transport facilitators have been discovered and, in many cases, used to deliver labels detectable with histologic methods. Recently a number of investigators have reported preliminary success in developing intraneural contrast agents based on various versions of dextran-coated magnetite that may render magnetic resonance imaging capable of depicting axonal transport. It is not yet clear whether any clinically useful agents will eventually be developed, but there has been considerable progress in identifying design factors for such a pharmaceutical agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Filler
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle 98104
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7
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Persson HG, Gatzinsky KP. Distribution of retrogradely transported fluorescent latex microspheres in rat lumbosacral ventral root axons following peripheral crush injury: a light and electron microscopic study. Brain Res 1993; 630:115-24. [PMID: 8118679 DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(93)90649-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The retrograde axonal transport of fluorescent latex microspheres, which are tracers extensively used for studying the neuronal connectivity in the CNS, was investigated in large myelinated lumbosacral ventral root nerve fibres of adult rats following peripheral crush injury. After crushing the sciatic nerve, a suspension of 30 nm red-fluorescent latex beads was injected in the crush region. Following postoperative survival times of 24, 48, 72 and 120 h, the animals were fixed by vascular perfusion using different types of paraformaldehyde-based fixatives. At shorter survival times, red-fluorescent granules were seen distributed mainly internodally in several axons, while at longer times (> 48 h) an accumulation at nodes of Ranvier, close to the paranodal myelin sheath, predominated. Photoconversion of the fluorescent labelling into a stable, highly electron dense reaction product was performed using diaminobenzidine, permitting ultrastructural observations. The electron dense material that formed over the fluorescent granules appeared in association with membrane-delimited bodies. In some bodies the electron dense material formed well-defined, solitary spheres of sizes corresponding to those of the latex beads. When located close to the paranodal myelin sheath, the bodies were often situated within larger membranous structures, which sometimes were partly engulfed by protrusions of the so called axon-Schwann cell network. At longer survival times, some bodies containing photoconversion reaction product appeared within the axon-Schwann cell network, thereby being segregated from the main axoplasm. The study introduces a new application for fluorescent latex microspheres. The used approach, combining light/fluorescence and electron microscopy, should be suitable for long term investigations of the fate of axonally transported non-neuronal substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- H G Persson
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Göteborg, Sweden
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Balercia G, Chen S, Bentivoglio M. Electron microscopic analysis of fluorescent neuronal labeling after photoconversion. J Neurosci Methods 1992; 45:87-98. [PMID: 1283435 DOI: 10.1016/0165-0270(92)90046-g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Ultrastructural visualization of non-electron-dense fluorescent retrograde neuronal labeling was attempted by means of photo-oxidation. This procedure was used to convert the fluorescence of neurons labeled by the tracers propidium iodide, rhodamine latex microspheres and fluorogold into a stable diaminobenzidine reaction product. The ultrastructural study revealed an accumulation of electron-dense material in these cells both within lysosomes and scattered in the cytoplasmic matrix. Comparison with several different sets of control samples indicated that this material, on the basis of its amount, electron density and appearance, specifically represents the photoconversion reaction product. The effects of the intensity of the fluorescent labeling and of a prolonged photoconversion on the fine structural features of the reaction product are also described and discussed. The present findings indicate that photoconversion can be effectively applied to ultrastructural study of fluorescent retrogradely labeled neurons. The specificity of the photoconversion reaction product should be tested routinely for each fluorochrome and tissue sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Balercia
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Verona, Italy
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Arluison M, Behzadi G, Vankova M. Mapping neuropeptide-containing pathways in the brain with special reference to data obtained from the rat limbic system. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CYTOLOGY 1990; 123:1-38. [PMID: 2289846 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(08)60669-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Arluison
- Departement de Cytologie, CNRS, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France
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10
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Quattrochi JJ, Mamelak AN, Madison RD, Macklis JD, Hobson JA. Mapping neuronal inputs to REM sleep induction sites with carbachol-fluorescent microspheres. Science 1989; 245:984-6. [PMID: 2475910 DOI: 10.1126/science.2475910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The cholinergic agonist carbachol was conjugated to latex microspheres that were fluorescently labeled with rhodamine and used as neuroanatomical probes that show little diffusion from their injection site and retrogradely label neurons projecting to the injection site. Microinjection of this pharmacologically active probe into the gigantocellular field of the cat pontine brain stem caused the awake cats to fall into rapid movement (REM) sleep indistinguishable from that produced by free carbachol. Three-dimensional computer reconstruction of the retrogradely labeled neurons revealed a widely distributed neuronal network in the pontine tegmentum. These pharmacologically active microspheres permit a new precision in the characterization and mapping of neurons associated with the control of behavioral state and of other cholinergic networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Quattrochi
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
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11
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Abstract
Colloidal gold is easily prepared, and readily adsorbs to a number of immunoreagents and other proteins for a wide variety of uses for neuronal visualization. Gold probes serve a role as immunolabels for both light and electron microscopy. As an ultrastructural immunocytochemical marker for detection of proteins, peptides or amino acids, gold can be used for immunostaining thick or thin sections prior to embedding, or for immunostaining ultrathin sections after embedding tissue in conventional or unusual embedding matrices. By virtue of its particulate nature, gold as an immunolabel facilitates a semi-quantitative analysis of relative antigen densities on ultrathin sections. Various combinations of different size gold particles or dual immunolabelling with enzymatic immunolabels together with colloidal gold or silver-intensified gold serve well for ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of two antigens in the same tissue section. Colloidal gold can be detected with light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and with confocal laser microscopy. Silver intensification allows detection of gold at both the light and electron microscope level, and increases the sensitivity of immunogold procedures. Colloidal gold is useful as a tracer for physiological studies of transport and internalization in neurons in vivo and in vitro; computer-assisted video imaging techniques allow detection and tracking of single gold particles in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N van den Pol
- Section of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Ct. 06510
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12
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Colin W, Donoff RB, Foote WE. Fluorescent latex microspheres as a retrograde tracer in the peripheral nervous system. Brain Res 1989; 486:334-9. [PMID: 2659138 DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(89)90520-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Rhodamine labeled latex microspheres were used as a fluorescent retrograde tracer in the peripheral nervous system. Examination of rabbit trigeminal ganglia following application of microspheres to crushed or intact inferior alveolar nerve revealed that: (1) microspheres were taken up by only damaged axons; (2) microspheres remained in trigeminal cell bodies for up to 3 months without degradation or diffusion to extracellular structures; and (3) cells containing microspheres were capable of regenerating axons as evidenced by the return of evoked sensory action potentials and the retrograde axonal transport of True blue. Thus, fluorescent microspheres may be useful tools for in vivo survival studies of peripheral nervous system regeneration and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Colin
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114
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Fox EA, Powley TL. False-positive artifacts of tracer strategies distort autonomic connectivity maps. BRAIN RESEARCH. BRAIN RESEARCH REVIEWS 1989; 14:53-77. [PMID: 2470452 DOI: 10.1016/0165-0173(89)90009-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of new axonal transport tracing techniques in the ANS has resulted in substantially revised and amended descriptions of ANS organization. The present review suggests, however, that at least some of the results on which proposed revisions of ANS anatomy have been based have incorporated artifacts and therefore should be cautiously interpreted. The peripheral nervous system and viscera are composed in part of connective and endothelial tissues that are porous or 'leaky' to solutes with appropriate chemical characteristics, including the major tracer compounds. As a result, several extra-axonal routes for redistribution of label from the application site into other tissues are present. These include (1) diffusion through tissue membranes to enter directly adjacent tissues and (2) leakage into extracellular fluids within the body cavity, vasculature, lymphatics, exocrine ducts, or organ lumens to migrate to more distant tissues. As a consequence of the extreme sensitivity of the methods used, such redistribution of even minute amounts of label can produce false positives. Review of autonomic neuroanatomy suggests additional mechanisms, including tracer uptake by fibers of passage, can produce artifactual staining. Based on these surveys of tissue composition, tracer characteristics and sources of artifact, experimental controls and criteria for identifying and avoiding labeling artifacts are described. Since no single procedure is foolproof for ANS experimentation, the routine application of multiple controls, particularly ones which restrict or prevent tracer diffusion, are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Fox
- Laboratory of Regulatory Psychobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
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14
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Seeley PJ, Field PM. Use of colloidal gold complexes of wheat germ agglutinin as a label for neural cells. Brain Res 1988; 449:177-91. [PMID: 3395845 DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(88)91036-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
We have made stable complexes between wheat germ agglutinin and either 5 or 10 nm particles of colloidal gold. These complexes were phagocytosed by neuronal and glial cells in embryonic rat hippocampal cultures and the incorporated gold gave intense, low-background staining in the light microscope either directly, for the most heavily labelled cells, or after intensification by physical development of silver. Cells were labelled in a punctate fashion over perikarya and processes. In the electron microscope, particles of gold were observed in lysosomal vesicles, frequently in an aggregated form. Gold complex incorporated into cells in culture was retained by those cells over periods up to 20 days. Embryonic hippocampal cells were labelled in suspension culture by incorporation of wheat germ agglutinin-gold complexes and transplanted into the brains of syngeneic adult host rats. Grafted neurons and glia were observed in the electron microscope to retain high levels of gold label over periods up to 30 days. Receipt of synaptic connections by transplanted neurones was observed. Complexes of wheat germ agglutinin with 10 nm gold particles were injected unilaterally into field CA3 of the hippocampus of adult rats. Specific retrograde transport of gold was observed in the light and electron microscopes to pyramidal and hilar neurones of the contralateral hippocampus and to neurones of the medial septal nucleus. Colloidal gold-wheat germ agglutinin complexes appear to be useful cellular markers that can be visualized at both light and electron microscope levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Seeley
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Development, National Institute for Medical Research, London, U.K
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15
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Egensperger R, Holländer H. Electron microscopic visualization of fluorescent microspheres used as a neuronal tracer. J Neurosci Methods 1988; 23:181-6. [PMID: 3367655 DOI: 10.1016/0165-0270(88)90001-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
A method is described to visualize rhodamine-labelled microspheres (RLM) at the electron microscopic level using potassium permanganate for negative contrast. Retrogradely labelled nerve cells in the thalamus of the rat and in tissue culture are examined. In addition, it is demonstrated that single beads as small as 50 nm in diameter can be identified with the fluorescent microscope.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Egensperger
- Max-Planck-Institut für Psychiatrie, Planegg-Martinsried, F.R.G
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