Ringraziamo JW Lichtman per i suoi consigli in osservazione nel vivo dei muscoli.

RBC membrana colorazione <ol><li> Topo globuli rossi sono stati corretti dal ceppo di topi con lo stesso eparinizzazione. </li><li> Topo RBC sono state colorate con PKH26 colorante (551/567 nm; Rosso fluorescente kit linker cellulari, Sigma, USA). </li><li> RBC sono state lavate in PBS e incubate con una soluzione di 2μM PKH26 colorante per 5 minuti a temperatura ambiente. La reazione è stata bloccata con l&#39;aggiunta di plasma (inattivato con il calore per 1 ora a 65 ° C in anticipo) e incubate per 1 minuto. </li><li> Il macchiato RBC sono state lavate 5 volte con PBS. </li></ol> Preparazione del mouse <ol><li> Da tre a sei mesi di sesso maschile C57BL/10 topi sono stati utilizzati in questo studio. Siamo topi anestetizzati mediante iniezione intraperitoneale di pentobarbital (50mg/kgBW). </li><li> I topi sono poi stati intubati con un 20-gage tubo in polietilene, ventilati meccanicamente, e riscaldato a 37 ° C su un foglio di Kapton riscaldamento collegato a un sensore di temperatura termocoppia e sistema di feedback del controller. </li><li> Il lato ventrale del collo è stata rasata. I muscoli sternocleidomastoideo destro e sinistro sono stati esposti. I muscoli sono stati sostenuti da un supporto in acciaio inox e superfused con soluzione sterile Krebs Ringer. </li></ol> Iniezione <ol><li> Globuli rossi colorati sono stati riscaldati a 37 ° C, diluito con Krebs Ringer. 50ul macchiato di globuli rossi (ematocrito 12%) è stato iniettato in un mouse dalla vena del pene. </li></ol> In vivo osservazione microscopica dei muscoli scheletrici Abbiamo seguito il metodo di Jeff W. Lichtman &#39;s con modifica 1: <ol><li> Gli animali sono stati posti su una piastra elettrica in cima ad una mano di ferro di una fase di Eclipse-800 microscopio Nikon. Acqua-immersione obiettivi obiettivi sono stati utilizzati per vivere epi-fluorescenza osservazione. Abbiamo osservato PKH26 all&#39;interno macchiato RBC scorrere del vascolari sotto la luce di una lampada fluorescente Mercurio. Abbiamo identificato arteriole primaria, secondaria arteriole, capillari e delle vene dalle loro direzioni di flusso globuli rossi e le architetture. </li><li> Una telecamera intensificata SIT (Hamamatsu Photonics, C2400, Giappone) e video-frame grabber sono stati installati per catturare il segnale di bassa intensità al tempo reale tasso di video (30 fotogrammi al secondo). Le immagini sono state registrate su DVD come file video. </li></ol> Stimolazione muscolare <ol><li> Un impulso elettrico è stata generata utilizzando uno stimolatore del nervo periferico (Innervator 252, Fisher &amp; Paykel Healthcare, Nuova Zelanda), e consegnato alla superficie dei muscoli attraverso una sonda rivestita in acciaio. Una fine meno sonda è stata posta sulla parte prossimale del muscolo e una fine più è stato posto sulla parte distale del muscolo. Stimolazioni tetano sono stati dati alla velocità di 50 Hz per 5 secondi. Gli stimoli elettrici non ha causato danni diretti miofibre in prossimità della zona di contatto. </li></ol> RBC flusso di analisi <ol><li> Registrato immagini video DVD Video sono stati trasferiti i file di immagine Savant tramite il software di frame grabber (Video Savant, USA). Le immagini video sono state riviste in velocità regolata in modo da visualizzare i singoli macchiato RBC. RBC flusso è stata misurata mediante conteggio dei globuli rossi, che ha volato attraverso un arteriola focalizzato primario al minuto. </li></ol>

<ol>
	<li>Lichtman, J. W., Magrassi, L., Purves, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Visualization+of+neuromuscular+junctions+over+periods+of+several+months+in+living+mice.">Visualization of neuromuscular junctions over periods of several months in living mice.</a> J Neurosci. 7, 1215-1222 (1987).</li></ol>

Tutte le procedure relative agli esperimenti sugli animali sono stati esaminati e approvati dalla sottocommissione per i prodotti per animali di ricerca del Massachusetts General Hospital.

Importanti punti TECNICHE sono i seguenti: (1) mantenimento dello stato fisiologico dell&#39;animale (ventilazione, perfusative pH della soluzione, la temperatura corporea), (2) volume di iniezione del macchiato RBC, e (3) condizioni per l&#39;osservazione (lente ottimale selezione, intensità di fluorescenza). Potenziali applicazioni future sono i seguenti: (a) combinazione con interventi biologici pharmacophysiological e / o molecolari, (b) osservazione a lungo termine di arterio / arteriolo-sclerosi e neovascolarizzazione.

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<td>PKH26 dye </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Sigma</td>
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<td>551/567 nm; Red fluorescent cell linker kit</td>
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<td>C57BL/10 mice </td>
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<td>Three to six month old males</td>
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<td>pentobarbital </td>
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in vivo micro-circulation measurement in skeletal muscle by intra-vital microscopy

BACKGROUND: fattori di regolamentazione e la fisiologia dettagliata del microcircolo in vivo sono rimasti non del tutto chiarita, dopo molti differenti modalità di imaging aveva inventato. Mentre molti parametri macroscopici del flusso di sangue riflettono velocità di flusso, i cambiamenti nella velocità del flusso sanguigno e di globuli rossi (RBC) flusso non regge relazione lineare nelle osservazioni microscopiche. Ci sono rapporti di discrepanza tra RBC velocità e flusso di RBC, RBC flusso e il volume di flusso di plasma e di eterogeneità spaziale e temporale di regolazione del flusso nei tessuti periferici nelle osservazioni microscopiche, una base scientifica per la necessità di studi più dettagliati nella regolazione del microcircolo con microscopia intravitale. METODI: Abbiamo modificato il metodo di Jeff Lichtman di osservazione microscopica in vivo dei muscoli sternocleidomastoideo mouse. I topi sono anestetizzati, ventilato, e iniettati con PKH26L-fluorescente GR etichettati per l&#39;osservazione microscopica. RISULTATO &amp; CONCLUSIONI: globuli rossi fluorescente vengono individuati e distinti anche da un ampio campo ottico. Contrazione muscolare evocata da aumentare la stimolazione elettrica indotta nel flusso di RBC. Quantificazione di altri parametri tra cui la velocità dei globuli rossi e la densità dei capillari erano fattibili. I topi ben tollerato la chirurgia, l&#39;iniezione di globuli rossi macchiato, osservazione al microscopio, e la stimolazione elettrica. Nessun danno muscolare o vaso sanguigno è stato osservato, suggerendo che il nostro metodo è relativamente meno invasivo e adatto per osservazioni a lungo termine.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about In vivo Micro-circulation Measurement in Skeletal Muscle by Intra-vital Microscopy at JoVE.com

In vivo Micro-circulation Measurement in Skeletal Muscle by Intra-vital Microscopy

Un nuovo metodo versatile per l&#39;osservazione del microcircolo è presentato. E &#39;considerato adatto per osservazione a lungo termine, e per la combinazione con interventi biologici pharmacophysiological o molecolare.

In vivo micro-circolazione di misura nel muscolo scheletrico da Intra-vitale Microscopia

BACKGROUND: Regulatory factors and detailed physiology of in vivo microcirculation have remained not fully clarified after many different modalities of ...

in-vivo-micro-circulation-measurement-skeletal-muscle-intra-vital

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

11.1K Views.  Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School. Un nuovo metodo versatile per l'osservazione del microcircolo è presentato. E 'considerato adatto per osservazione a lungo termine, e per la combinazione con interventi biologici pharmacophysiological o molecolare.

Video: In vivo Micro-circulation Measurement in Skeletal Muscle by Intra-vital Microscopy

Tracking Dynamics of Muscle Engraftment in Small Animals by In Vivo Fluorescent Imaging

Muscular dystrophies are a group of degenerative muscle diseases characterized by progressive loss of contractile muscle cells. Currently, there is no curative treatment available. Recent advances in stem cell biology have generated new hopes for the development of effective cell based therapies to treat these diseases. Transplantation of various types of stem cells labeled with fluorescent proteins into muscles of dystrophic animal models has been used broadly in the field. A non-invasive technique with the capability to track the transplanted cell fate longitudinally can further our ability to evaluate muscle engraftment by transplanted cells more accurately and efficiently.
In the present study, we demonstrate that in vivo fluorescence imaging is a sensitive and reliable method for tracking transplanted GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein)-labeled cells in mouse skeletal muscles. Despite the concern about background due to the use of an external light necessary for excitation of fluorescent protein, we found that by using either nude mouse or eliminating hair with hair removal reagents much of this problem is eliminated. Using a CCD camera, the fluorescent signal can be detected in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle after injection of 5 x 105 cells from either GFP transgenic mice or eGFP transduced myoblast culture. For more superficial muscles such as the extensor digitorum longus (EDL), injection of fewer cells produces a detectable signal. Signal intensity can be measured and quantified as the number of emitted photons per second in a region of interest (ROI). Since the acquired images show clear boundaries demarcating the engrafted area, the size of the ROI can be measured as well. If the legs are positioned consistently every time, the changes in total number of photons per second per muscle and the size of the ROI reflect the changes in the number of engrafted cells and the size of the engrafted area. Therefore the changes in the same muscle over time are quantifiable. In vivo fluorescent imaging technique has been used primarily to track the growth of tumorogenic cells, our study shows that it is a powerful tool that enables us to track the fate of transplanted stem cells.

Tracking Dynamics of Muscle Engraftment in Small Animals by In Vivo Fluorescent Imaging

We describe an in vivo fluorescence imaging protocol to monitor muscle regeneration by GFP-labeled myoblasts after transplantation into skeletal muscles of both healthy and dystrophic mice. This protocol can be adapted to study muscle regeneration by transplantation of other types of cells and in other muscular conditions as well.

Monitoraggio Dinamica di attecchimento muscolare nei piccoli animali da In Vivo Fluorescente Imaging

Muscular dystrophies are a group of degenerative muscle diseases characterized by progressive loss of contractile muscle cells. Currently, there is no ...

Ricerca

Biologia

Procedures for Rat in situ Skeletal Muscle Contractile Properties

There are many circumstances where it is desirable to obtain the contractile response of skeletal muscle under physiological circumstances: normal circulation, intact whole muscle, at body temperature. This includes the study of contractile responses like posttetanic potentiation, staircase and fatigue. Furthermore, the consequences of disease, disuse, injury, training and drug treatment can be of interest. This video demonstrates appropriate procedures to set up and use this valuable muscle preparation.
To set up this preparation, the animal must be anesthetized, and the medial gastrocnemius muscle is surgically isolated, with the origin intact. Care must be taken to maintain the blood and nerve supplies. A long section of the sciatic nerve is cleared of connective tissue, and severed proximally. All branches of the distal stump that do not innervate the medial gastrocnemius muscle are severed. The distal nerve stump is inserted into a cuff lined with stainless steel stimulating wires. The calcaneus is severed, leaving a small piece of bone still attached to the Achilles tendon. Sonometric crystals and/or electrodes for electromyography can be inserted. Immobilization by metal probes in the femur and tibia prevents movement of the muscle origin. The Achilles tendon is attached to the force transducer and the loosened skin is pulled up at the sides to form a container that is filled with warmed paraffin oil. The oil distributes heat evenly and minimizes evaporative heat loss. A heat lamp is directed on the muscle, and the muscle and rat are allowed to warm up to 37&deg;C. While it is warming, maximal voltage and optimal length can be determined. These are important initial conditions for any experiment on intact whole muscle. The experiment may include determination of standard contractile properties, like the force-frequency relationship, force-length relationship, and force-velocity relationship.
With care in surgical isolation, immobilization of the origin of the muscle and alignment of the muscle-tendon unit with the force transducer, and proper data analysis, high quality measurements can be obtained with this muscle preparation.

Procedures for Rat in situ Skeletal Muscle Contractile Properties

This video demonstrates the surgical preparation and procedures needed to study the contractile responses of the rat medial gastrocnemius muscle preparation in situ. This preparation allows measurement of skeletal muscle contractile properties under physiological conditions. The animal is anesthetized and the muscle is separated from surrounding tissue at its distal end. The Achilles tendon is attached to a force transducer, allowing measurement of the muscle&#x2019;s contractile response at 37 degrees C with an intact circulation.

Procedure di Rat<em&gt; In situ</em&gt; Proprietà muscolatura scheletrica contrattili

There are many circumstances where it is desirable to obtain the contractile response of skeletal muscle under physiological circumstances: normal ...

Fluorescence-based Measurement of Store-operated Calcium Entry in Live Cells: from Cultured Cancer Cell to Skeletal Muscle Fiber

Store operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), earlier termed capacitative Ca2+ entry, is a tightly regulated mechanism for influx of extracellular Ca2+ into cells to replenish depleted endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ stores1,2. Since Ca2+ is a ubiquitous second messenger, it is not surprising to see that SOCE plays important roles in a variety of cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, gene transcription and motility. Due to its wide occurrence in nearly all cell types, including epithelial cells and skeletal muscles, this pathway has received great interest3,4. However, the heterogeneity of SOCE characteristics in different cell types and the physiological function are still not clear5-7.
The functional channel properties of SOCE can be revealed by patch-clamp studies, whereas a large body of knowledge about this pathway has been gained by fluorescence-based intracellular Ca2+ measurements because of its convenience and feasibility for high-throughput screening. The objective of this report is to summarize a few fluorescence-based methods to measure the activation of SOCE in monolayer cells, suspended cells and muscle fibers5,8-10. The most commonly used of these fluorescence methods is to directly monitor the dynamics of intracellular Ca2+ using the ratio of F340nm and F380nm (510 nm for emission wavelength) of the ratiometric Ca2+ indicator Fura-2. To isolate the activity of unidirectional SOCE from intracellular Ca2+ release and Ca2+ extrusion, a Mn2+ quenching assay is frequently used. Mn2+ is known to be able to permeate into cells via SOCE while it is impervious to the surface membrane extrusion processes or to ER uptake by Ca2+ pumps due to its very high affinity with Fura-2. As a result, the quenching of Fura-2 fluorescence induced by the entry of extracellular Mn2+ into the cells represents a measurement of activity of SOCE9. Ratiometric measurement and the Mn+2 quenching assays can be performed on a cuvette-based spectrofluorometer in a cell population mode or in a microscope-based system to visualize single cells. The advantage of single cell measurements is that individual cells subjected to gene manipulations can be selected using GFP or RFP reporters, allowing studies in genetically modified or mutated cells. The spatiotemporal characteristics of SOCE in structurally specialized skeletal muscle can be achieved in skinned muscle fibers by simultaneously monitoring the fluorescence of two low affinity Ca2+ indicators targeted to specific compartments of the muscle fiber, such as Fluo-5N in the SR and Rhod-5N in the transverse tubules9,11,12.

The extent of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) can be monitored using fluorescent Ca2+ indicators. Mn2+ quenching of such indicators assays SOCE in cultured cells and skeletal muscle fibers. A technique allowing spatial and temporal resolution of SOCE by confocal imaging of mechanically skinned muscle fibers is also described.

Basato sulla fluorescenza Misura Store-Entry operato di calcio in cellule vive: dal Cancer Cell coltura per fibra muscolare scheletrica

Store operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), earlier termed capacitative Ca2+ entry, is a tightly regulated mechanism for influx of extracellular Ca2+ into cells to ...

Ex Vivo Assessment of Contractility, Fatigability and Alternans in Isolated Skeletal Muscles

Described here is a method to measure contractility of isolated skeletal muscles. Parameters such as muscle force, muscle power, contractile kinetics, fatigability, and recovery after fatigue can be obtained to assess specific aspects of the excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) process such as excitability, contractile machinery and Ca2+ handling ability. This method removes the nerve and blood supply and focuses on the isolated skeletal muscle itself. We routinely use this method to identify genetic components that alter the contractile property of skeletal muscle though modulating Ca2+ signaling pathways. Here, we describe a newly identified skeletal muscle phenotype, i.e., mechanic alternans, as an example of the various and rich information that can be obtained using the in vitro muscle contractility assay. Combination of this assay with single cell assays, genetic approaches and biochemistry assays can provide important insights into the mechanisms of ECC in skeletal muscle.

Ex Vivo Assessment of Contractility, Fatigability and Alternans in Isolated Skeletal Muscles

We describe a method to directly measure muscle force, muscle power, contractile kinetics and fatigability of isolated skeletal muscles in an in vitro system using field stimulation. Valuable information on Ca2+ handling properties and contractile machinery of the muscle can be obtained using different stimulating protocols.

Vivo Valutazione Ex della contrattilità, affaticabilità e alternanza in isolati muscoli scheletrici

 
Described here is a method to measure contractility of isolated skeletal muscles. Parameters such as muscle force, muscle power, contractile kinetics, ...

Assessment of Calcium Sparks in Intact Skeletal Muscle Fibers

Maintaining homeostatic Ca2+ signaling is a fundamental physiological process in living cells. Ca2+ sparks are the elementary units of Ca2+ signaling in the striated muscle fibers that appear as highly localized Ca2+ release events mediated by ryanodine receptor (RyR) Ca2+ release channels on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane. Proper assessment of muscle Ca2+ sparks could provide information on the intracellular Ca2+&#160;handling properties of healthy and diseased striated muscles. Although Ca2+ sparks events are commonly seen in resting cardiomyocytes, they are rarely observed in resting skeletal muscle fibers; thus there is a need for methods to generate and analyze sparks in skeletal muscle fibers.
Detailed here is an experimental protocol for measuring Ca2+ sparks in isolated flexor digitorm brevis (FDB) muscle fibers using fluorescent Ca2+ indictors and laser scanning confocal microscopy. In this approach, isolated FDB fibers are exposed to transient hypoosmotic stress followed by a return to isotonic physiological solution. Under these conditions, a robust Ca2+ sparks response is detected adjacent to the sarcolemmal membrane in young healthy FDB muscle fibers. Altered Ca2+ sparks response is detected in dystrophic or aged skeletal muscle fibers. This approach has recently demonstrated that membrane-delimited signaling involving cross-talk between inositol (1,4,5)-triphosphate receptor (IP3R) and RyR contributes to Ca2+ spark activation in skeletal muscle. In summary, our studies using osmotic stress induced Ca2+ sparks showed that this intracellular response reflects a muscle signaling mechanism in physiology and aging/disease states, including mouse models of muscle dystrophy (mdx mice) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS model).

Described here is a method to directly measure calcium sparks, the elementary units of Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum&#160;in intact skeletal muscle fibers. This method utilizes osmotic-stress-mediated triggering of Ca2+ release from ryanodine receptor in isolated muscle fibers. The dynamics and homeostatic capacity of intracellular Ca2+ signaling can be employed to assess muscle function in health and disease.

Valutazione del calcio Sparks in intatte fibre muscolari scheletriche

Maintaining homeostatic Ca2+ signaling is a fundamental physiological process in living cells. Ca2+ sparks are the elementary units of Ca2+ signaling in ...

In vivo Clonal Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Marked by Five Fluorescent Proteins using Confocal and Multiphoton Microscopy

We developed and validated a fluorescent marking methodology for clonal tracking of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) with high spatial and temporal resolution to study in vivo hematopoiesis using the murine bone marrow transplant experimental model. Genetic combinatorial marking using lentiviral vectors encoding fluorescent proteins (FPs) enabled cell fate mapping through advanced microscopy imaging. Vectors encoding five different FPs: Cerulean, EGFP, Venus, tdTomato, and mCherry were used to concurrently transduce HSPCs, creating a diverse palette of color marked cells. Imaging using confocal/two-photon hybrid microscopy enables simultaneous high resolution assessment of uniquely marked cells and their progeny in conjunction with structural components of the tissues. Volumetric analyses over large areas reveal that spectrally coded HSPC-derived cells can be detected non-invasively in various intact tissues, including the bone marrow (BM), for extensive periods of time following transplantation. Live studies combining video-rate multiphoton and confocal time-lapse imaging in 4D demonstrate the possibility of dynamic cellular and clonal tracking in a quantitative manner.

In vivo Clonal Tracking of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Marked by Five Fluorescent Proteins using Confocal and Multiphoton Microscopy

Combinatorial 5 fluorescent proteins marking of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells allows in vivo clonal tracking via confocal and two-photon microscopy, providing insights into bone marrow hematopoietic architecture during regeneration. This method allows non-invasive fate mapping of spectrally-coded HSPCs-derived cells in intact tissues for extensive periods of time following transplantation.

In vivo clonale Monitoraggio di staminali ematopoietiche e cellule progenitrici Contrassegnato da cinque proteine ​​fluorescenti che utilizzano confocale e microscopia Multiphoton

We developed and validated a fluorescent marking methodology for clonal tracking of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) with high spatial and ...

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.

In Vivo inseguimento 4-dimensionale di emopoietiche staminali e progenitrici celle di topo adulto cranica di Midollo Osseo

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

Examination of Mitotic and Meiotic Fission Yeast Nuclear Dynamics by Fluorescence Live-cell Microscopy

Live-cell imaging is a microscopy technique used to examine cell and protein dynamics in living cells. This imaging method is not toxic, generally does not interfere with cell physiology, and requires minimal experimental handling. The low levels of technical interference enable researchers to study cells across multiple cycles of mitosis and to observe meiosis from beginning to end. Using fluorescent tags such as Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and Red Fluorescent Protein (RFP), researchers can analyze different factors whose functions are important for processes like transcription, DNA replication, cohesion, and segregation. Coupled with data analysis using Fiji (a free, optimized ImageJ version), live-cell imaging offers various ways of assessing protein movement, localization, stability, and timing, as well as nuclear dynamics and chromosome segregation. However, as is the case with other microscopy methods, live-cell imaging is limited by the intrinsic properties of light, which put a limit to the resolution power at high magnifications, and is also sensitive to photobleaching or phototoxicity at high wavelength frequencies. However, with some care, investigators can bypass these physical limitations by carefully choosing the right conditions, strains, and fluorescent markers to allow for the appropriate visualization of mitotic and meiotic events.

Here, we present live-cell imaging which is a non-toxic microscopy method that allows researchers to study protein behavior and nuclear dynamics in living fission yeast cells during mitosis and meiosis.

Esame della dinamica nucleare del lievito di fissione mitotico e meiotico da fluorescenza microscopia a celle vive

Live-cell imaging is a microscopy technique used to examine cell and protein dynamics in living cells. This imaging method is not toxic, generally does ...

Measurement of Microtubule Dynamics by Spinning Disk Microscopy in Monopolar Mitotic Spindles

We describe a modification of an established method to determine microtubule dynamics in living cells. The protocol is based on the expression of a genetically encoded marker for the positive ends of microtubules (EB3 labelled with tdTomato fluorescent protein) and high-speed, high-resolution, live-cell imaging using spinning disk confocal microscopy. Cell cycle synchronization and increased density of microtubules are achieved by inhibiting centrosomal separation in mitotic cells, and analysis of growth is performed using open-source U-Track software. The use of a bright and red-shifted fluorescent protein, in combination with the lower laser power and reduced exposure time required for spinning disk microscopy reduce phototoxicity and the probability of light-induced artifacts. This allows for imaging a larger number of cells in the same preparation while maintaining the cells in a growth medium under standard culture conditions. Because the analysis is performed in a supervised automatic fashion, the results are statistically robust and reproducible.

Here we present a robust and detailed method of microtubule dynamics analysis in cells synchronized in prometaphase using live-cell spinning disk confocal microscopy and MATLAB-based image processing.

Misurazione della microtubule Dynamics mediante microscopia disco rotante in spindle mitotici monopolari

We describe a modification of an established method to determine microtubule dynamics in living cells. The protocol is based on the expression of a ...

Measurement of Insulin- and Contraction-Stimulated Glucose Uptake in Isolated and Incubated Mature Skeletal Muscle from Mice

Skeletal muscle is an insulin-responsive tissue and typically takes up most of the glucose that enters the blood after a meal. Moreover, it has been reported that skeletal muscle may increase the extraction of glucose from the blood by up to 50-fold during exercise compared to resting conditions. The increase in muscle glucose uptake during exercise and insulin stimulation is dependent on the translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) from intracellular compartments to the muscle cell surface membrane, as well as phosphorylation of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate by hexokinase II. Isolation and incubation of mouse muscles such as m. soleus and m. extensor digitorum longus (EDL) is an appropriate ex vivo model to study the effects of insulin and electrically-induced contraction (a model for exercise) on glucose uptake in mature skeletal muscle. Thus, the ex vivo model permits evaluation of muscle insulin sensitivity and makes it possible to match muscle force production during contraction ensuring uniform recruitment of muscle fibers during measurements of muscle glucose uptake. Moreover, the described model is suitable for pharmacological compound testing that may have an impact on muscle insulin sensitivity or may be of help when trying to delineate the regulatory complexity of skeletal muscle glucose uptake.
Here we describe and provide a detailed protocol on how to measure insulin- and contraction-stimulated glucose uptake in isolated and incubated soleus and EDL muscle preparations from mice using radiolabeled [3H]2-deoxy-D-glucose and [14C]mannitol as an extracellular marker. This allows accurate assessment of glucose uptake in mature skeletal muscle in the absence of confounding factors that may interfere in the intact animal model. In addition, we provide information on metabolic viability of incubated mouse skeletal muscle suggesting that the method&#160;applied possesses some caveats under certain conditions when studying muscle energy metabolism.

Intact regulation of muscle glucose uptake is important for maintaining whole body glucose homeostasis. This protocol presents assessment of insulin- and contraction-stimulated glucose uptake in isolated and incubated mature skeletal muscle when delineating the impact of various physiological interventions on whole body glucose metabolism.

Misurazione dell'assorbimento di glucosio stimolato da insulina e contrazione in muscolo scheletrico maturo isolato e incubato da topi

Skeletal muscle is an insulin-responsive tissue and typically takes up most of the glucose that enters the blood after a meal. Moreover, it has been ...