Queremos agradecer a Olga Garaschuk útil para los debates sobre la optimización de la carga masiva de los indicadores de calcio.

<ol><li> Prepare la solución de calcio indicador fluorescente. Usamos tintes acetoximetil éster, o AM tintes para el cortocircuito. Estos son los tintes que pueden ser absorbidos por las células cuando se inyecta extracelular. Por lo general el uso de Oregon-Green BAPTA-1 AM o Fluo-4 AM a una concentración de 1 mM. Colorantes AM se puede obtener de Invitrogen en viales de 50 microgramos. En primer lugar, preparar una solución al 20% de Pluronic F-127 en DMSO. Calentamos la solución antes de usar todos los días hasta su claro. Disolvemos el indicador de calcio F-127/DMSO Pluronic 20% durante 15-20 minutos a una concentración de 10 mM. A continuación, se diluye la solución a 1 mM en una solución que contiene, en mm: 150 NaCl, 2,5 KCl, 10 HEPES, pH 7,4. Además, el 100 sulforodamina M 101 es por lo general incluyen a los astrocitos etiqueta y visualizar la pipeta durante la inyección. Vamos a filtrar la solución antes de la inyección con un filtro de 0,49 micras centrífuga (Stosiek et al, 2003;.. Garaschuk et al, 2006). </li><li> Implantar una ventana craneal en el área a explorar. Hemos <a href="http://jove.com/index/details.stp?ID=680" target="_blank">descrito el enfoque general en JoVe</a> , pero las siguientes modificaciones son importantes para la inyección de calcio tinte: Hacer una craneotomía menor de 2 mm de diámetro sobre el área cortical de interés, teniendo cuidado de no dañar la base dura. Asegurar un cubreobjetos en su lugar sobre la craneotomía, sino únicamente una parte de la craneotomía, dejando un pequeño espacio entre el borde de la craneotomía y el cubreobjetos para dejar espacio para una pipeta para entrar en la corteza oblicuamente. Antes de la inyección, hacer un pozo poco profundo con cemento dental alrededor de la craneotomía. El pozo debe extenderse en dirección rostral y ser lo suficientemente poco profundo para permitir la inserción de la micropipeta para inyección. </li><li> Transferir el ratón transferidos a la platina del microscopio e inmovilizar la cabeza, como se muestra en la <a href="http://jove.com/index/details.stp?ID=678" target="_blank">imagen de vídeo en el flujo sanguíneo</a> . </li><li> Tire de pipetas de vidrio de microelectrodos a un diámetro de la punta produciendo 4.2 Mega ohmios de la resistencia, usando un extractor de la pipeta. Cargar el indicador de calcio mezcla tinta en los pipeta de vidrio con una microjeringa. El uso de un micromanipulador, baje suavemente la micropipeta en la superficie del cerebro utilizando un objetivo de 4X, que luego es finamente colocados bajo un objetivo de 40X. Seleccione una ubicación adecuada para la inyección, de modo que hay que recubre los vasos pocas o ninguna sangre para ocultar la imagen. Utilizando microscopía de dos fotones, la punta de la pipeta se visualiza y avanzaba lentamente en la corteza, a una profundidad de 200 micrómetros por debajo de la duramadre. Entonces, la presión se inyecta la mezcla de tinte a 10 psi por 1 minuto con un Picospritzer. Por lo general, la entrega de dos a cuatro inyecciones de la mezcla de tinte AM calcio, separados en el espacio de aproximadamente 200 a 300 micrones. Este enfoque de carga a granel de las inyecciones de un poco por encima se asegura de que un área tan grande como 600 x 600 micrones es adecuada para el teñido de imágenes de calcio. Comenzará a marcar una hora después de la inyección de la mezcla de tinte AM, para permitir el tinte para difundir y ser tomado por las neuronas. </li><li> Realizar en vivo de dos fotones de imágenes con un microscopio por encargo de dos fotones usando un camaleón Ti-zafiro láser (en sintonía con 800-880 nm) y Cambridge Technology espejos galvanómetro. Adquirimos las imágenes utilizando el software scanimage desarrollado en el laboratorio de Karel Svoboda (Pologruto et al., 2003). Potencia del láser es normalmente muy por debajo de 70 mW en la muestra. Imágenes de todo el campo se adquieren mediante un 20X (0,95 NA) o 40x (0,8 NA) los objetivos de Olympus, a 1,95 a 15,63 fotogramas por segundo (512 x 256 píxeles a 256 x 64 píxeles). Líneas de barrido se adquieren a 500 Hz. Durante estas pruebas, los animales se mantienen bajo ligera anestesia con isoflurano (0.6-0.9%), y también se mantienen a 37 ° C usando un aparato de Harvard temperatura del dispositivo de control. Hay que tener cuidado para mantener el ritmo respiratorio de los animales, cerca de 100 respiraciones / minuto posible. Este nivel de uso de anestesia es el nivel más bajo que inmoviliza al animal, pero sigue permitiendo la actividad espontánea que se grabará. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Garaschuk, O., Milos, R. I., Konnerth, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Targeted+bulk-loading+of+fluorescent+indicators+for+two-photon+brain+imaging+in+vivo.">Targeted bulk-loading of fluorescent indicators for two-photon brain imaging in vivo.</a> Nat Protoc. 1, (2006).</li><li>Stosiek, C., Garaschuk, O., Holthoff, K., Konnerth, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In-vivo+two-photon+calcium+imaging+of+neuronal+networks.">In-vivo two-photon calcium imaging of neuronal networks.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 100, 7319-7324 (2003).</li><li>Pologruto, T. A., Sabatini, B. L., Svoboda, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=ScanImage:+flexible+software+for+operating+laser+scanning+microscopes.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;+Biomed+Eng+Online+2:13.">ScanImage: flexible software for operating laser scanning microscopes.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Biomed Eng Online 2:13.</a> Biomed Eng Online. 2, (2003).</li></ol>

La ventaja de este método sobre los registros electrofisiológicos es que es menos invasiva y permite que las grabaciones de la actividad en las densas redes neuronales neuronal. Al hacer este procedimiento s importante recordar que tener sumo cuidado al realizar la craneotomía para no dañar la duramadre. Incluso una pequeña cantidad de sangrado subdural con mucho oscurecer la imagen.

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		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
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		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
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<td>Oregon Green BAPTA1-AM</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>O-6807</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Fluo 4- AM</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>F-14201</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Sulforhodamine 101</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>S-359</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Pluronic F-127 in DMSO</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>P-3000MP</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Centrifugal Filter (0.45 micron)</td>
<td>Reagent</td>
<td>Millipore</td>
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in vivo 2-photon calcium imaging in layer 2/3 of mice

Para comprender la dinámica de la red de microcircuitos de la neocorteza, que es esencial para grabar simultáneamente la actividad de un gran número de neuronas. En vivo de dos fotones de imágenes de calcio es el único método que permite grabar la actividad de una densa población neuronal con una sola célula de resolución. El método consiste en la implantación de una ventana de imagen del cráneo, se inyecta una solución de calcio indicador fluorescente que puede ser ocupado por un gran número de neuronas y, por último registro de la actividad de las neuronas con las imágenes de calcio lapso de tiempo con una in-vivo dos microscopio de fotones. Co-inyección de astrocito específicos colorantes permite diferenciar las neuronas de los astrocitos. La técnica puede llevarse a cabo en ratones que expresan moléculas fluorescentes en subpoblaciones específicas de neuronas para entender mejor las interacciones en la red de los diferentes grupos de células.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about In Vivo 2-Photon Calcium Imaging in Layer 2/3 of Mice at JoVE.com

In Vivo 2-Photon Calcium Imaging in Layer 2/3 of Mice

Para comprender la dinámica de la red de microcircuitos de la neocorteza, que es esencial para grabar simultáneamente la actividad de un gran número de neuronas. En vivo de dos fotones de imágenes de calcio es el único método que permite grabar la actividad de una densa población neuronal con una sola célula de resolución.

En Vivo 2-Photon imágenes de calcio en la capa 2 / 3 de los ratones

To understand network dynamics of microcircuits in the neocortex, it is essential to simultaneously record the activity of a large number of neurons .  ...

in-vivo-2-photon-calcium-imaging-in-layer-23-of-mice

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

28.0K vistas.  University of California, Los Angeles. Para comprender la dinámica de la red de microcircuitos de la neocorteza, que es esencial para grabar simultáneamente la actividad de un gran número de neuronas. En vivo de dos fotones de imágenes de calcio es el único método que permite grabar la actividad de una densa población neuronal con una sola célula de resolución.

Video: In Vivo 2-Photon Calcium Imaging in Layer 2/3 of Mice

Dissection and 2-Photon Imaging of Peripheral Lymph Nodes in Mice

Two-photon imaging has revealed an elegant choreography of motility and cellular interactions within the lymph node under basal conditions and at the initiation of an immune response 1. Here, we present methods for adoptive transfer of labeled T cells, isolation of lymph nodes, and imaging motility of CD4+ T cells in the explanted lymph node as first described in 2002 2. Two-photon imaging of immune cells requires that the cells are fluorescently labeled, either by staining with a cell tracker dye or by expressing a fluorescent protein. We demonstrate the adoptive transfer procedure of injecting cells derived from donor mice into the tail vein of a recipient animal, where they home to lymphoid organs within approximately 15-30 min. We illustrate the isolation of a lymph node and describe methods to ensure proper mounting of the excised lymph node. Other considerations such as proper oxygenation of perfused media, temperature, and laser power are discussed. Finally, we present 3D video images of naive CD4+ T cells exhibiting steady state motility at 37&deg;C.

Two-photon imaging has uncovered lymphocyte motility and cellular interactions within the lymph node under basal conditions and durring an immune response 1. Here, we demonstrate adoptive transfer of T cells, isolation of lymph nodes, and imaging motility of CD4+ T cells in the explanted lymph node.

La disección y 2-Photon imagen de los ganglios linfáticos periféricos en ratones

Two-photon imaging has revealed an elegant choreography of motility and cellular interactions within the lymph node under basal conditions and at the ...

Investigación

Biología

In situ Imaging of the Mouse Thymus Using 2-Photon Microscopy

Two-photon Microscopy (TPM) enables us to image deep into the thymus and document the events that are important for thymocyte development. To follow the migration of individuals in a crowd of thymocytes , we generate neonatal chimeras where less than one percent of the thymocytes are derived from a donor that is transgenic for a ubiquitously express fluorescent protein. To generate these partial hematopoetic chimeras, neonatal recipients are injected with bone marrow between 3-7 days of age. After 4-6 weeks, the mouse is sacrificed and the thymus is carefully dissected and bissected preserving the architecture of the tissue that will be imaged. The thymus is glued onto a coverslip in preparation for ex vivo imaging by TPM. During imaging the thymus is kept in DMEM without phenol red that is perfused with 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide and warmed to 37&deg;C. Using this approach, we can study the events required for the generation of a diverse T cell repertoire.

We present step-by-step instructions for the generation of neonatal chimeras as well as the dissection and preparation of the thymus for ex vivo imaging by 2-Photon Microscopy.

En imágenes in situ del timo de ratón utilizando 2-Photon Microscopía

Two-photon Microscopy (TPM) enables us to image deep into the thymus and document the events that are important for thymocyte development.  To follow the ...

A Method for 2-Photon Imaging of Blood Flow in the Neocortex through a Cranial Window

The ability to image the cerebral vasculature (from large vessels to capillaries) and record blood flow dynamics in the intact brain of living rodents is a powerful technique. Using in vivo 2-photon microscopy through a cranial window it is possible to image fluorescent dyes injected intravenously. This permits one to image the cortical vasculature and also to obtain measurements of blood flow. This technique was originally developed by David Kleinfeld and Winfried Denk. The method can be used to study blood flow dynamics during or after cerebral ischemia, in neurodegenerative disorders, in brain tumors, or in normal brain physiology. For example, it has been used to study how stroke causes shifts in blood flow direction and changes in red blood cell velocity or flux in and around the infarct. Here we demonstrate how to use 2-photon microscopy to image blood flow dynamics in the neocortex of living mice using fluorescent dyes injected into the tail vein.

Cortical blood flow dynamics can be studied in vivo by imaging fluorescent dextran dyes injected into the tail vein of rodents with 2-photon microscopy. This video shows how to image blood flow dynamics in neocortex of mice through a glass-covered cranial window preparation.

Un método para el 2-Photon imágenes del flujo sanguíneo en la neocorteza a través de una ventana craneal

The ability to image the cerebral vasculature (from large vessels to capillaries) and record blood flow dynamics in the intact brain of living rodents is ...

Generation of Bone Marrow Derived Murine Dendritic Cells for Use in 2-photon Imaging

Several methods for the preparation of murine dendritic cells can be found in the literature. Here, we present a method that produces greater than 85% CD11c high dendritic cells in culture that home to the draining lymph node after subcutaneous injection and present antigen to antigen specific T cells (see video). Additionally, we use Essen Instruments Incucyte to track dendritic cell maturation, where, at day 10, the morphology of the cultured cells is typical of a mature dendritic cell and &lt;85% of cells are CD11chigh. The study of antigen presentation in peripheral lymph nodes by 2-photon imaging revealed that there are three distinct phases of dendritic cell and T cell interaction1, 2. Phase I consists of brief serial contacts between highly motile antigen specific T cells and antigen carrying dendritic cells1, 2. Phase two is marked by prolonged contacts between antigen-specific T cell and antigen bearing dendritic cells1, 2. Finally, phase III is characterized by T cells detaching from dendritic cells, regaining motility and beginning to divide1, 2. This is one example of the type of antigen-specific interactions that can be analyzed by two-photon imaging of antigen-loaded cell tracker dye-labeled dendritic cells.

Antigen presentation in secondary lymphoid organs by dendritic cells is crucial for the initiation of the T cell mediated adaptive immune response. Here we demonstrate the culture of bone marrow derived murine dendritic cells, activation, and labeling for 2-photon imaging.

Generación de médula ósea procedentes de células murinas dendríticas para su uso en dos fotones de imágenes

Several methods for the preparation of murine dendritic cells can be found in the literature. Here, we present a method that produces greater than 85% ...

Imaging Protein-protein Interactions in vivo

Protein-protein interactions are a hallmark of all essential cellular processes. However, many of these interactions are transient, or energetically weak, preventing their identification and analysis through traditional biochemical methods such as co-immunoprecipitation. In this regard, the genetically encodable fluorescent proteins (GFP, RFP, etc.) and their associated overlapping fluorescence spectrum have revolutionized our ability to monitor weak interactions in vivo using F&ouml;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET)1-3. Here, we detail our use of a FRET-based proximity assay for monitoring receptor-receptor interactions on the endothelial cell surface.

Imaging Protein-protein Interactions in vivo

This protocol describes how to image protein-protein interactions using a FRET-based proximity assay.

Imágenes de interacciones proteína-proteína In vivo</em

Protein-protein interactions are a hallmark of all essential cellular processes. However, many of these interactions are transient, or energetically weak, ...

Functional Imaging of Brown Fat in Mice with 18F-FDG micro-PET/CT

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) differs from white adipose tissue (WAT) by its discrete location and a brown-red color due to rich vascularization and high density of mitochondria. BAT plays a major role in energy expenditure and non-shivering thermogenesis in newborn mammals as well as the adults 1. BAT-mediated thermogenesis is highly regulated by the sympathetic nervous system, predominantly via &beta; adrenergic receptor 2, 3. Recent studies have shown that BAT activities in human adults are negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and other diabetic parameters 4-6. BAT has thus been proposed as a potential target for anti-obesity/anti-diabetes therapy focusing on modulation of energy balance 6-8. While several cold challenge-based positron emission tomography (PET) methods are established for detecting human BAT 9-13, there is essentially no standardized protocol for imaging and quantification of BAT in small animal models such as mice. Here we describe a robust PET/CT imaging method for functional assessment of BAT in mice. Briefly, adult C57BL/6J mice were cold treated under fasting conditions for a duration of 4 hours before they received one dose of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). The mice were remained in the cold for one additional hour post FDG injection, and then scanned with a small animal-dedicated micro-PET/CT system. The acquired PET images were co-registered with the CT images for anatomical references and analyzed for FDG uptake in the interscapular BAT area to present BAT activity. This standardized cold-treatment and imaging protocol has been validated through testing BAT activities during pharmacological interventions, for example, the suppressed BAT activation by the treatment of &beta;-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol 14, 15, or the enhanced BAT activation by &beta;3 agonist BRL37344 16. The method described here can be applied to screen for drugs/compounds that modulate BAT activity, or to identify genes/pathways that are involved in BAT development and regulation in various preclinical and basic studies.

Functional Imaging of Brown Fat in Mice with 18F-FDG micro-PET/CT

A method of functional imaging of mouse brown adipose tissue (BAT) is described in which cold-stimulated uptake of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in BAT is non-invasively assessed with a standardized micro-PET/CT protocol. This method is robust and sensitive to detect differences in BAT activities in mouse models.

Imagen funcional de grasa marrón en ratones con FDG micro-PET/CT

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) differs from white adipose  tissue (WAT) by its discrete location and a brown-red color due to rich  vascularization and high ...

In Vivo 4-Dimensional Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adult Mouse Calvarial Bone Marrow

Through a delicate balance between quiescence and proliferation, self renewal and production of differentiated progeny, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain the turnover of all mature blood cell lineages. The coordination of the complex signals leading to specific HSC fates relies upon the interaction between HSCs and the intricate bone marrow microenvironment, which is still poorly understood[1-2].
We describe how by combining a newly developed specimen holder for stable animal positioning with multi-step confocal and two-photon in vivo imaging techniques, it is possible to obtain high-resolution 3D stacks containing HSPCs and their surrounding niches and to monitor them over time through multi-point time-lapse imaging. High definition imaging allows detecting ex vivo labeled hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) residing within the bone marrow. Moreover, multi-point time-lapse 3D imaging, obtained with faster acquisition settings, provides accurate information about HSPC movement and the reciprocal interactions between HSPCs and stroma cells.
Tracking of HSPCs in relation to GFP positive osteoblastic cells is shown as an exemplary application of this method. This technique can be utilized to track any appropriately labeled hematopoietic or stromal cell of interest within the mouse calvarium bone marrow space.

In Vivo 4-Dimensional Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Adult Mouse Calvarial Bone Marrow

The nature of the interactions between hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and bone marrow niches is poorly understood. Custom hardware modifications and a multi-step acquisition protocol allow the use of two-photon and confocal microscopy to image ex vivo labeled HSPCs homed within bone marrow areas, tracking interactions and movement.

En Vivo Tracking 4-Dimensional de madre hematopoyéticas y células progenitoras en ratones adultos de calota de Médula Ósea

Through a delicate balance between quiescence and proliferation, self renewal and production of differentiated progeny, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) ...

En Face Detection of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide in Endothelial Layer of Intact Arteries

Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) produced from endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS) is one of the most important vasoprotective molecules in cardiovascular physiology. Dysfunctional eNOS such as uncoupling of eNOS leads to decrease in NO bioavailability and increase in superoxide anion (O2.&#8722;) production, and in turn promotes cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, appropriate measurement of NO and O2.&#8722; levels in the endothelial cells are pivotal for research on cardiovascular diseases and complications. Because of the extremely labile nature of NO and O2.&#8722;, it is difficult to measure NO and O2.&#8722; directly in a blood vessel. Numerous methods have been developed to measure NO and O2.&#8722; production. It is, however, either insensitive, or non-specific, or technically demanding and requires special equipment. Here we describe an adaption of the fluorescence dye method for en face simultaneous detection and visualization of intracellular NO and O2.&#8722; using the cell permeable diaminofluorescein-2 diacetate (DAF-2DA) and dihydroethidium (DHE), respectively, in intact aortas of an obesity mouse model induced by high-fat-diet feeding. We could demonstrate decreased intracellular NO and enhanced O2.&#8722; levels in the freshly isolated intact aortas of obesity mouse as compared to the control lean mouse. We demonstrate that this method is an easy technique for direct detection and visualization of NO and O2.&#8722; in the intact blood vessels and can be widely applied for investigation of endothelial (dys)function under (physio)pathological conditions.

En Face Detection of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide in Endothelial Layer of Intact Arteries

In this article we describe an adapted relatively easy method using the fluorescence dye diaminofluorescein-2 diacetate (DAF-2DA) and dihydroethidium (DHE) for en face simultaneous detection and visualization of intracellular nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion (O2.&#8722;) respectively, in freshly isolated intact aortas of an obesity mouse model.

En Detección de la cara del óxido nítrico y superóxido en la capa endotelial de las arterias intactas

Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) produced from endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS) is one of the most important vasoprotective molecules in cardiovascular ...

Micropuncture of Bowman's Space in Mice Facilitated by 2 Photon Microscopy

Renal micropuncture and renal 2-photon imaging are seminal techniques in renal physiology. However, micropuncture is limited by dependence on conventional microscopy to surface nephron features, and 2-photon studies are limited in that interventions can only be assessed at the organ, rather than the nephron level. In particular, micropuncture studies of the glomeruli of mice have been challenged by the paucity of surface glomeruli in mice. To address this limitation in order to pursue studies of aspirate from Bowman&#39;s space in mouse physiologic models, we developed 2-photon glomerular micropuncture. We present a novel surgical preparation that allows lateral access to the kidney while preserving the required vertical imaging column for 2-photon microscopy. Administration of high molecular weight fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran is used to render the renal vasculature and therefore glomeruli visible for 2-photon imaging. A quantum dot-coated pipette is then introduced under stereotactic guidance to a glomerulus selected from the several to many which may be visualized within the imaging window. In this protocol, we provide details of the preparation, materials, and methods necessary to carry out the procedure. This technique facilitates previously-impossible physiologic study of the kidney, including recovery of filtrate from Bowman&#39;s space and all segments of the nephron within the imaging depth limit, about 100 &#181;m below the renal capsule. Pressure, charge and flow may all be measured using the introduced pipette. Here, we provide representative data from liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry performed on aspirate from Bowman&#39;s space. We expect this technique to have wide applicability in renal physiologic investigation.

Micropuncture of Bowman&#039;s Space in Mice Facilitated by 2 Photon Microscopy

We present use of 2-photon microscopy to place a micropipette within Bowman&#39;s urinary space in mice, combining 2 foundational techniques of renal physiology. Use of 2-photon microscopy overcomes critical limitations of conventional microscopy for micropuncture renal physiology studies.

Micropunción del espacio de Bowman en ratones por 2 fotones microscopía

Renal micropuncture and renal 2-photon imaging are seminal techniques in renal physiology. However, micropuncture is limited by dependence on conventional ...

Imaging Calcium Dynamics in Subpopulations of Mouse Pancreatic Islet Cells

Pancreatic islet hormones regulate blood glucose homeostasis. Changes in blood glucose induce oscillations of cytosolic calcium in pancreatic islet cells that trigger secretion of three main hormones: insulin (from &#946;-cells), glucagon (&#945;-cells) and somatostatin (&#948;-cells). &#946;-Cells, which make up the majority of islet cells and are electrically coupled to each other, respond to the glucose stimulus as one single entity. The excitability of the minor subpopulations, &#945;-cells and &#948;-cells (making up around 20% (30%) and 4% (10%) of the total rodent1 (human2) islet cell numbers, respectively) is less predictable and is therefore of special interest.
Calcium sensors are delivered into the peripheral layer of cells within the isolated islet. The islet or a group of islets is then immobilized and imaged using a fluorescence microscope. The choice of the imaging mode is between higher throughput (wide-field) and better spatial resolution (confocal). Conventionally, laser scanning confocal microscopy is used for imaging tissue, as it provides the best separation of the signal between the neighboring cells. A wide-field system can be utilized too, if the contaminating signal from the dominating population of &#946;-cells is minimized.
Once calcium dynamics in response to specific stimuli have been recorded, data are expressed in numerical form as fluorescence intensity vs. time, normalized to the initial fluorescence and baseline-corrected, to remove the effects linked to bleaching of the fluorophore. Changes in the spike frequency or partial area under the curve (pAUC) are computed vs. time, to quantify the observed effects. pAUC is more sensitive and quite robust whereas spiking frequency provides more information on the mechanism of calcium increase.
Minor cell subpopulations can be identified using functional responses to marker compounds, such as adrenaline and ghrelin, that induce changes in cytosolic calcium in a specific populations of islet cells.

Here, we present a protocol for imaging and quantifying calcium dynamics in heterogeneous cell populations, such as pancreatic islet cells. Fluorescent reporters are delivered into the peripheral layer of cells within the islet, which is then immobilized and imaged, and per-cell analysis of the dynamics of fluorescence intensity is performed.

Imagen de la dinámica del calcio en subpoblaciones de células de islotes pancreáticos de ratón

Pancreatic islet hormones regulate blood glucose homeostasis. Changes in blood glucose induce oscillations of cytosolic calcium in pancreatic islet cells ...