We gratefully acknowledge Dr. Deborah L. Gumucio as our advisor and for her invaluable support in defining the culture and imaging methods. We also thank Dr. Jim Brodie, Dr. Hong-Xiang Lu, Dr. Charlotte Mistretta, and Dr. Ann Grosse for their contributions to the development of the whole intestine organ culture system. Helpful discussions on imaging provided excellent advice from Dr. Chip Montrose, Michael Czerwinski and Sasha Meshinchi. All imaging was performed in the Microscopy and Image Analysis Laboratory at the University of Michigan. Funding support was provided by NIH R01 DK065850.

注：すべてのマウスを人道的に実験動物医学ミシガン大学医学部号機大学によって承認されたプロトコルを使用し、動物の使用およびケアに関する研究委員会のガイドラインに従って取り扱った。 1全臓器培養システム<ol><li>培地および培養プレートの調製<ol><li>組織培養フードでは、ストックボトルからBGJbメディアの5ミリリットルを除去し、ペニシリン/ストレプトマイシンを5ml加える。 （ペニシリン/ストレプトマイシンで）BGJb培地49 mlに5 mg / mlのアスコルビン酸の1ミリリットルを加えることで、50ミリリットルコニカルチューブ内のメディアの作業ストックを準備します。 </li><li>トランスウェルのそれぞれの下に1ミリリットルを追加することによって、6ウェル培養プレートを準備します。 注記：すべての6トランスウェルを使用しない場合は、後で使用するために、新鮮な無菌6ウェルプレートに余分なトランスウェル移動します。 3 10センチメートル無菌ペトリ皿のそれぞれに作業BGJbメディアの3ミリリットルを追加します。 </li></ol></li><li>解剖の準備<ol><li> 70％のETHAに解剖ツールを浸すとNOL作業中にきれいな道具を保管してください。 </li><li>大きな氷​​のバケツに解剖エリアを設定し、氷上でBGJbメディアを6ウェル培養プレートから10cmペトリ皿を置きます。解剖と文化のための腸の準備中に、できるだけ多くの氷の上で作業。 </li><li>胎児の腸の収穫のために頸椎脱臼により安楽死の前にイソフルラン（100μL）をチャンバー内での成体雌マウスを麻酔。 </li><li>母親から胎児を収穫した後、タイラーステージングチャート13に従って慎重にそれぞれの胎児を上演。日常的に、単一のゴミ内で観察された発生段階で最大24時間の変動などの各胎児の年齢を決定するために、後の性交日に依存しないでください。 </li></ol></li><li>胎児の腸の解剖<ol><li>前腸の除去に断頭によって胎児を安楽死させる。 </li><li> 1×ダルベッコのリン酸緩衝生理食塩水（DPBS）で各腸を分析した後、ナンプラーBGJbメディアを作業した10センチメートルペトリ皿にそれをCE。 </li><li>慎重に胃および上部十二指腸から胃や膵臓から脾臓を除去します。 </li><li>静かに腸がまっすぐにさせることが可能とだけ十分な接続を分離する限り添付大網を残すように注意しながら大網を分離。 注：E14.5より古い腸以上24時間未満培養されたもののために、静かに管腔内容が腸を通って流れるようにし、切断端から排出されるために可能にするために3等分腸を分離する。培養はE13.5前に始まっただし、漿膜が正常に腸の長さにわたって成長を可能にするために、腸の3つのセグメントを分離する前に、培養24時間後まで待ちます。 </li><li>培養プレート（1.1.2）のトランスウェル上に腸の部分を転送するために口のピペットを使用してください。 </li><li>彼らはtranswel渡って真っ直ぐになるように、必要に応じて静かに腸の位置を変更lである。 注：腸管を通って管腔内容物を移動させ始めると、腸がねじれは、腸へのバックアップや損傷の原因となります。 </li></ol></li><li>文化と治療<ol><li>トランスウェルの下に（追加された組換えタンパク質または薬理学的阻害剤と作動媒体）、トランスウェルの下から培地を除去処理培地700μlのを追加します。 </li><li>腸の上に処理媒体の滴ずつ300μlのを追加し、それがトランスウェルを通して浸すことができます。必要に応じて腸の位置を変更。 </li><li>処理媒体は、少なくとも一日一回またはより頻繁に治療試薬の半減期に応じて変化する。 </li></ol></li><li>治療試薬の局在化のためのタンパク質源浸したアガロースビーズの調製<ol><li>彼らの貯蔵容器にアガロースビーズを再懸濁し、1.5mlマイクロチューブにアガロースビーズを100μlを移す。 </li><li>無菌1×pHのチューブの残りの容量を埋めるosphate-緩衝生理食塩水（PBS）と、それらを洗浄するためにビーズを混ぜて。ビーズが底に沈殿した後、ビーズの上から、PBSをオフにピペッティングすることを可能にするために数分間ラックにマイクロチューブを置きます。無菌1×PBSでマイクロチューブを補充し、さらに2回の洗浄工程を繰り返します。 </li><li> 2回の治療のために所望の濃度で目的のタンパク質を準備します。 </li><li> 2倍のタンパク質原液5μlの水で洗浄したアガロースビーズを5μlを混合し、静かに、タンパク質中のビーズを攪拌する。静かに10〜15分毎に混合、1時間チューブを氷上に置きます。 </li><li>腸にビーズを配置する前に、滅菌1×PBS中で簡単にビーズをすすぐ。 </li></ol></li><li>アガロースビーズの配置<ol><li>静かに引っ張らキャピラリー針で口のピペットを用いて腸の上にアガロースビーズを配置します。乱暴な取り扱いが腸を損傷し、損傷した領域に絨毛の発達を防ぐことができますように細心の注意を払ってビーズを配置します。 </li><li>腸蠕動運動や培養時間にわたる腸のオフにロールバックされます置かれたビーズの約半分を受けるので、分析に必要とされる2倍のビーズを配置します。 </li></ol></li><li>培養された腸の固定<ol><li>慎重にトランスウェルの下から処理媒体を除去し、3分間空気乾燥腸を可能にします。 </li><li>その後定着時間の残りのための固定液2mlで腸の上部をカバーする、2分間のトランスウェルの下の固定液1ミリリットルを追加します。 4℃でまたは室温で2時間、4％パラホルムアルデヒドのO / Nで固定してください。 </li></ol></li></ol>固定腸の2イメージング<ol><li>ホールマウントイメージング<ol><li> 1X DPBS100μlのスライド上で（内因性蛍光を含む）全体の腸を置きます。優しく腸を配置する鉗子を使用してください。 </li><li>組織MOを作るために慎重に70％グリセロール100μlのDPBSを削除し、すぐに追加するには、実験室の組織を使用して、透明な再およびイメージングの可能性の深さを増加させる。 注：腸のさらなる浸透が望まれる場合、代わりに70％グリセロール中に腸を取り付ける、10〜30分間、フォーカスクリア溶液の数滴で腸を浸す。ピペットでフォーカスクリアソリューションオフとマウント解除と腸をマウントします。 </li><li>粘土にカバースリップの四隅を浸し、腸を平坦からカバースリップを保つために、スライドとカバーガラスの間にスペーサーとして使用するために、粘土の少量を拾う。 </li><li>綿棒で塗布溶融しVALAPでスライド上にカバーガラスを密封。 </li><li>イメージ直立または倒立型共焦点顕微鏡のいずれかで、腸。詳細については、議論を参照してください。 </li></ol></li><li> （腸の構造の断面図のために）固定された腸のビブラトーム切片<ol><li>小さなプラスチック金型7％アガロース（10×10×15ミリメートル）に埋め込む腸とにアガロースブ​​ロックを許可する冷却して凝固。 </li><li>瞬間接着剤でビブラコレクションステージにプラスチック金型及びグルーアガロースブ​​ロックからアガロースブ​​ロックを削除します。 </li><li>氷冷1X DPBSで収集段階を埋める。 </li><li> 100〜150ミクロンの間の厚さでセクションをカット。厚い部分は、断面が深く可視化すること（セクション2.1.2で説明します）決済ソリューションを使用してください。 </li><li> 4℃での保存のために6ウェルプレートのウェル内に収集段階からビブラトーム切片を注ぐ。 </li></ol></li><li>固定、ビブラトーム切片の組織の免疫蛍光染色<ol><li> 1X DPBSで24ウェルプレートにウェル当たり5-12ビブラトームのセクションを配置します。 </li><li> 1X DPBSを削除し、ウェルあたり透過処理溶液500μlを加える。静かに、室温で25分間サンプルを揺する。 </li><li>透過処理した後、1×PBSでサンプルを3回洗浄する。 </li><li>ブロッキング溶液500μlに、少なくとも30分間のサンプルをブロックします。 </li><li>ブロックした後、電子メールブロッキング溶液で希釈した一次抗体を500μlとブロッキング溶液をXchangeは、4℃のCO / Nでサンプルを保つ。 注：凍結し、パラフィン切片上でうまく動作し、一次抗体希釈液は、通常、しかし、一般的に、このプロトコル（ 例えば、BrdU）のではうまく機能しない核抗原回復を必要とする抗体、あまりにビブラトーム切片上でうまく動作します。 </li><li>翌日、ブロッキング溶液で15分間、試料を毎回3回洗浄する。 </li><li>洗浄後、ブロッキング溶液中に希釈した二次抗体を500μlを適用します。光から蛍光団を保護し、室温で2時間に45分のためのサンプルを揺するようにアルミホイルで24ウェルプレートを包みます。 </li><li> 15分ごとに1×PBSでサンプルを3回洗浄し、2.4節で説明したようにスライド上のビブラトーム切片をマウントします。 </li></ol></li><li>取付ビブラトーム切片<ol><li>ビブラトームダブルSTIの薄切りを切断して取り付けるためのスライドを準備するCKテープとスライドの長辺に沿ってそれらを配置する。 </li><li>慎重に1×100μlのPBSの低下をスライド上に両面テープの間に5-10ビブラトームセクションを配置。 </li><li>すべてのセクションを展開するとスライド全体で単一層にそれらを広げた。 </li><li>フラットに座ってからカバースリップを妨げる余分なアガロースまたは不均一なビットを削除します。 </li><li>慎重にビブラトーム切片の周囲から過剰1X PBSを吸収するために実験室組織を使用しています。 </li><li>ビブラトーム切片の上部に水性封入剤のドロップを追加し、その後カバースリップ。 </li><li>綿棒で塗布溶融しVALAPでスライド上にカバーグラスを密封。 </li><li>イメージ直立または倒立型共焦点顕微鏡のいずれかでビブラトーム切片。イメージングシステムの選択についての詳細は、説明を参照してください。 </li></ol></li></ol>全腸の3。ライブイメージング腸fetuseから収穫E12.5後のsは、そのままに接続された大網で、成功した上記のシステムを用いて、培養中の絨毛を開発しています。したがって、このエキソビボシステムは、経時的な形態形成の三次元ビューを再構成することができる現像腸の生のz断面画像の捕捉を可能にする。 <ol><li>ライブイメージングの設定<ol><li>細かいメッシュのスクリーンに個別のポリカーボネート膜を接着する瞬間接着剤を使用してください。これは直立共焦点顕微鏡の浸漬レンズ下の場所に腸を保持するための支持足場を提供します。ライブイメージング顕微鏡の選択についての詳細については、議論のセクションを参照してください。 </li><li>中央ウェルの培養プレートにメッシュスクリーンを配置します。 </li><li>ポリカーボネート膜上に解剖し、腸を置き、両端に瞬間接着剤を一滴加える。腸に固定するだけの十分な接着剤を使用してくださいではなく、コート、それ！ </li><li>ポリカーボネート以下のフェノールレッドを含まない培養培地を追加します。培養プレートの中央ウェル中の膜。 </li><li>湿度を提供するために、培養プレートの外縁に水を加える。 </li><li>イメージングしながら、腸の動きを制御するために、メディアの3ミリリットルの1×PBS中のキシラジンの5溶液：胎児の腸は、培養中の収縮の蠕動様の波を起こしているので、1を100μlを追加。この投与量は、絨毛の発達を損なうことなく、約8〜10時間、腸の動きを制御します。 </li><li>腸の横断ビューの場合は3〜4％アガロース溶液中でのライブ腸を埋め込み、ビブラトーム上の厚い部分（150〜500μm）をカット。切断された腸の剛性とアガロースの剛性を合わせて、経験的に発達段階を決定した。一般的に、3％アガロース溶液はE14.5よりも若い腸に適していますし、4％溶液腸E15-E16に適しています。 </li><li> （3.1.1項のように）メッシュスクリーンに貼付されたポリカーボネート膜にビブラトーム切片を接着し、セクション3.1.2-3.1.6で説明したように文化。 </li><li>調整可能なテーブル付きのアップライトスタンドに二光子共焦点蛍光顕微鏡（690-1,040 nmの励起レーザー）を使用したライブイメージングを実施する。 </li><li> GFPシグナルのための最高の解像度と深い浸透を提供するから900nmに同調二光子レーザー。イメージングながら、組織への損傷を低減します。また、可能な限り低い発光レーザのパワーを設定する組織損傷を減少させる。典型的には、二光子レーザーに12％の電力を使用して、GFPの良好な励起を得る。 </li></ol></li></ol>

<ol>
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P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Altered+neural+cell+fates+and+medulloblastoma+in+mouse+patched+mutants.">Altered neural cell fates and medulloblastoma in mouse patched mutants.</a> Science. 277, 1109-1113 (1997).</li><li>Fu, Y. Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microtome-free+3-dimensional+confocal+imaging+method+for+visualization+of+mouse+intestine+with+subcellular-level+resolution.">Microtome-free 3-dimensional confocal imaging method for visualization of mouse intestine with subcellular-level resolution.</a> Gastroenterology. 137, 453-465 (2009).</li></ol>

The authors have no financial conflicts to disclose.

動的な性質と途上腸の複雑な組織の相互作用は、これらの形態形成イベントの完全な理解を持つように3次元可視化を必要とします。イメージング技術の進化により、能力が/開発の改善とそれに、器官形成時の空間的なコミュニケーションと相互作用の理解が大幅に強化されている詳細に絨毛の形態形成を調べた。 全体腸を培養するための別の方法も試験されているが、...

Each intestinal villus is composed of two main tissue compartments: an epithelial surface layer and a mesenchymal core. The mouse small intestine is formed at embryonic day 10 when a sheet of endoderm closes and seals to form a tube of epithelium surrounded by mesenchymal cells3. This flat tube of epithelium undergoes rapid proliferation, growing both in length and girth and undergoes dramatic rearrangements involving dynamic cell shape changes1. At the same time, the surrounding mesenchyme also undergoes many developmental processes including the formation of the vascular plexus, differentiation of smooth muscle and recruitment of enteric neurons4. In the proximal small intestine at embryonic day 14.5, condensations (clusters) of Hedgehog- and PDGF-responsive cells begin to form adjacent to the epithelium2,5. Formation of mesenchymal clusters continues to spread along the length of the intestine so that they cover the entirety of the small intestine by embryonic day 16.52. As mesenchymal clusters form, the epithelial cells closest to the clusters begin to withdraw from the cell cycle, while the other epithelial cells continue to proliferate. Those cells directly above the mesenchymal cluster that have withdrawn from the cell cycle begin to change shape as the emerging villus buckles into the lumen. Further growth of the villus is driven in part by the continued proliferation of the epithelium between the emerging villi. The mesenchymal clusters remain tightly adhered to the epithelium of the growing villus and continue to express a variety of signaling molecules. The wave of villus emergence propagates along the length of the small intestine following the formation of mesenchymal clusters. As the intestine continues to grow and the intervillus region extends between emerging villi, new mesenchymal clusters form adjacent to the intervillus epithelium and further rounds of villus emergence and growth ensue6.
Synchronized development of the epithelium and mesenchyme is essential for villus morphogenesis. Signaling molecules are secreted from one layer to the other where receptors receive and transduce the signal message in order to coordinate development between the epithelium and mesenchyme. Mesenchymal clusters act as signaling centers and express a variety of developmental morphogens7-10. Disruption of cluster formation or pattern results in loss of villus emergence and pattern. Inhibition of PDGF signaling results in fewer clusters and fewer villi and those villi that do form are misshapen following the abnormal clusters11. Loss of Hedgehog signaling results in complete loss of cluster formation and failure of villus emergence2,12. Together, these data demonstrate that clusters coordinate development of the villus epithelium with its mesenchymal core.
Using this whole organ culture system, we are able to alter signaling involved in epithelial-mesenchymal cluster cross-talk to determine the role of those signals in villus morphogenesis. Two-photon confocal optical sectioning and reconstruction afford the ability to visualize cluster formation and villus emergence in three-dimensions and better understand the spatial relationships between the mesenchymal clusters and their overlying epithelium. Extending the culture system to four dimensions, we can capture z-stacks of developing clusters and villi over time and observe these interactions. Ultimately, the ability to follow villus development in this manner and observe changes that occur with altered signaling will revolutionize the understanding of epithelial mesenchymal interactions in villus morphogenesis.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="1308">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:508px;">Fine dissecting forceps&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">&#160;11254-20</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">2 pairs</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">70% Ethanol</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">1x sterile Dulbecco&#39;s Phosphate-Buffered Saline (DPBS)</td>
			<td>Gibco&#160;</td>
			<td>14040-133</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">500 ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">6 well plates</td>
			<td>Costar</td>
			<td>3516</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">24 well plates</td>
			<td>Costar&#160;</td>
			<td>3524</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">60 x 15 mm petri dishes</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>&#160;451007</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Transwell plates, 24 mm inserts, 8.0 mm polycarbonate membranes</td>
			<td>Corning Costar&#160;</td>
			<td>3428</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">6 inserts per plate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">BGJb media</td>
			<td>Invitrogen&#160;</td>
			<td>12591-038</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">500 ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">PenStrep (10,000U/ml Penicillin; 10,000 mg/ml Streptomycin)</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>&#160;15140</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Ascorbic Acid</td>
			<td>Sigma&#160;</td>
			<td>A0278</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">make 5 mg/ml stock, filter, aliquot and store at -20 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;">Mouth pipet (Drummond 1-15 inch aspirator tube assembly)</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">&#160;21-180-10</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">remove the aspirator assembly and replace it with a 1000 &#181;l pipet tip which acts as an adaptor to plug in a 6 inch glass Pasteur pipet.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">6 inch glass pasteur pipets</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Agarose beads</td>
			<td>BioRad&#160;</td>
			<td>153-7301</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Capillary Tubes</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments&#160;</td>
			<td>TW100F-4</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">pull to needles</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;">4% Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;">made in 1 x PBS, pH to 7.3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;"></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;"></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Live Imaging Materials</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name of Material/Equipment</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Culture plates</td>
			<td>Falcon&#160;</td>
			<td>353037</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Fine mesh stainless steel screen</td>
			<td>purchase at hardware store</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Polycarbonate membranes</td>
			<td>Thomas scientific&#160;</td>
			<td>4663H25</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">alternatively, cut Corning Costar 3428 membranes off of transwell supports</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Instant glue</td>
			<td>purchase at hardware store</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">gel based preferrably</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">35 x 10 mm plates</td>
			<td>Falcon&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">351008</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">7% agarose</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>&#160;A9414</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">prepare w/v in 1x DPBS, heating to dissolve in a waterbath</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">minutien pins</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">26002-20</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Phenol red free media (DMEM)</td>
			<td>Gibco&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">21063-029</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Xylazine (100 mg/ml)</td>
			<td>AnaSed&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">139-236</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Matrigel</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td style="width:133px;">356231</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">basement membrane matrix, growth factor reduced, phenol red-free</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;">3-4% agarose</td>
			<td>Sigma&#160;</td>
			<td>A9414</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">prepare w/v in 1x DPBS, heating to dissolve in a waterbath</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;"></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Imaging of fixed intestines</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name of Material/Equipment</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">vaseline</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">purchase at pharmacy</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>used to make VALAP: equal parts vaseline, lanolin, paraffin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">lanolin</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">Sigma&#160;</td>
			<td>L7387</td>
			<td>used to make VALAP: equal parts vaseline, lanolin, paraffin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">paraffin</td>
			<td style="width:223px;">Surgipath</td>
			<td>39601006</td>
			<td>used to make VALAP: equal parts vaseline, lanolin, paraffin</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">70% glycerol in 1 x PBS</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Focus clear and Mount Clear</td>
			<td>CelExplorer Labs Co.</td>
			<td>&#160;F101-KIT</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Modeling clay</td>
			<td>purchase at art supply store</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">double stick tape</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">cotton applicator swabs</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">plastic molds, 10mm x 10mm x 5 mm)</td>
			<td>Tissue Tek&#160;</td>
			<td>4565</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">slides</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">coverslips</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">lab wipe</td>
			<td>Kimberly Clark</td>
			<td>34155</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">lint free delicate task wipe</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Theiler staging chart&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"><a href="http://www.emouseatlas.org/emap/ema/theiler_stages/%20downloads/theiler2.pdf">http://www.emouseatlas.org/emap/ema/theiler_stages/ downloads/theiler2.pdf</a></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Leica SP5X confocal microscope&#160;</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;">Used to conduct the live imaging&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Leica DMI 6000 stand&#160;</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;">Used to conduct the live imaging&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;">Aqueous mounting medium (Prolong Gold)</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes&#160;</td>
			<td>P36930</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;"></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Materials for Immunofluorescence staining of fixed, vibratome sectioned intestines</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name of Material/Equipment</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">24 well plate</td>
			<td>Costar</td>
			<td>&#160;3524</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Triton X-100</td>
			<td>Sigma&#160;</td>
			<td>T-8787</td>
			<td style="width:444px;">used to make Permeabilization solution: 0.5% Triton X-100 in 1 x PBS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;">Goat serum</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td style="width:444px;">used to make Blocking Solution: 4% Goat serum, 0.1% Tween20 in 1x PBS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;">Tween20&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>&#160;P9416</td>
			<td style="width:444px;"></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

mouse fetal whole intestine culture system for ex vivo manipulation of signaling pathways and three-dimensional live imaging of villus development

胎児の腸内のほとんどの形態形成のプロセスは、発達段階的な変化のスナップショットを提供し、固定した組織の薄い部分から推論されてきた。薄連続切片から三次元情報が原因完全連続切片を再構築し、連続切片上の組織の適切な向きを維持することの難しさを解釈するために挑戦することができます。グロッセらによる最近の知見。、2011腸1の現像絨毛の形態形成を理解する上で三次元情報の重要性を強調している。単独でラベルされた腸細胞の三次元再構成は、腸管上皮細胞の大部分が頂端および基底表面の両方に接触することを実証した。さらに、上皮の頂端表面でのアクチン細胞骨格の三次元再構成は、腸管腔が連続しており、二次管腔は、複数のアーチファクトであることが示されectioning。これら2点は、腸管上皮におけるinterkinetic核移動の実証とともに、以前に1思った層別化多列上皮としないように開発する腸上皮を定義しました。上皮三次元的に観察する能力は、この点を実証し、胎児の腸上皮形態形成を再定義する精液だった。多光子イメージング技術と三次元再構築ソフトウェアの進化により、無傷の、現像器官を視覚化する能力が急速に向上している。二光子励起は、高解像度の組織への損傷が少ない深い浸透を可能にする。二光子イメージングとウォルトンら全体の胎児のマウスの腸の3D再構成は、2012年には絨毛伸長2のパターンを定義することができました。ここでは、許可する絨毛およびその培養系の拡張のex vivoで開発を可能にする全器官培養系を記述する腸を三次元的にその開発中に撮像される。

このシステムは、薬理学的試薬または組換えタンパク質とシグナル伝達の操作を可能として、胎児腸の全体の外植片の培養は、腸の開発を調整シグナル伝達分子の位置、分布、および期間の分析が可能になります。トランスウェル培養系（ 図1Aは 、ウォルトンらから再生される。2012）2が組織上に薬物またはタンパク質浸したアガロースビーズを配置するこ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Mouse Fetal Whole Intestine Culture System for Ex Vivo Manipulation of Signaling Pathways and Three-dimensional Live Imaging of Villus Development at JoVE.com

Mouse Fetal Whole Intestine Culture System for Ex Vivo Manipulation of Signaling Pathways and Three-dimensional Live Imaging of Villus Development

Improved imaging technology is allowing three-dimensional imaging of organs during development. Here we describe a whole organ culture system that allows live imaging of the developing villi in the fetal mouse intestine.

マウス胎児腸全体培養システム<em&gt;生体外</em&gt;シグナル伝達経路の操作と絨毛開発の3次元ライブイメージング

Most morphogenetic processes in the fetal intestine have been inferred from thin sections of fixed tissues, providing snapshots of changes over ...

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Biology

Mouse Fetal Whole Intestine Culture System for Ex Vivo Manipulation of Signaling Pathways and Three-dimensional Live Imaging of Villus Development

14.8K ビュー.  University of Michigan. Improved imaging technology is allowing three-dimensional imaging of organs during development. Here we describe a whole organ culture system that allows live imaging of the developing villi in the fetal mouse intestine. 

ビデオ: Mouse Fetal Whole Intestine Culture System for Ex Vivo Manipulation of Signaling Pathways and Three-dimensional Live Imaging of Villus Development

Method for Culture of Early Chick Embryos ex vivo (New Culture)

The chick embryo is a valuable tool in the study of early embryonic development. Its transparency, accessibility and ease of manipulation, make it an ideal tool for studying  the formation and patterning of brain, neural tube, somite and heart primordia. Applications of chick embryo culture include electroporation of DNA or RNA constructs in order to analyze gene function, grafts of growth factor coated beads such as FGFs and BMPs , as well as whole mount in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. This video demonstrates the different steps in chick embryo culture; First, the embryo is explanted in saline. Then, the embryo is centered on a glass ring. The membranes surrounding the embryo are lifted along the walls of the ring. The ring is then placed in a culture dish containing a pool of albumine. The culture dish is sealed and placed in a humid chamber, where the embryo is cultured for up to 24 hrs. Finally, the embryo is removed from the ring, fixed and processed for further applications. A troubleshooting guide is also presented.

Method for Culture of Early Chick Embryos ex vivo New Culture

This video demonstrates New culture, a method by which chick embryos are cultured outside the egg for up to 24 hr. This method enables one to study early development (primitive streak to 14 som.), a period corresponding to E7-9 in mouse. Applications of this technique include electroporation, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

初期のニワトリ胚をex vivo（新文化）の文化のための方法

The chick embryo is a valuable tool in the study of early embryonic development. Its transparency, accessibility and ease of manipulation, make it an ...

生物学

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

Human cancer and response to therapy is better represented in orthotopic animal models. This paper describes the development of an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer, treatment of cancer via oral delivery of drugs, and monitoring of tumor cell behavior in response to drug treatment in real time using in vivo imaging system. In this orthotopic model, ovarian tumor cells expressing luciferase are applied topically by injecting them directly into the mouse bursa where each ovary is enclosed. Upon injection of D-luciferin, a substrate of firefly luciferase, luciferase-expressing cells generate bioluminescence signals. This signal is detected by the in vivo imaging system and allows for a non-invasive means of monitoring tumor growth, distribution, and regression in individual animals. Drug administration via oral gavage allows for a maximum dosing volume of 10 mL/kg body weight to be delivered directly to the stomach and closely resembles delivery of drugs in clinical treatments. Therefore, techniques described here, development of an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer, oral delivery of drugs, and in vivo imaging, are useful for better understanding of human ovarian cancer and treatment and will improve targeting this disease.

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

Orthotopic animal models of ovarian cancer replicate better human disease and therefore enhance our understanding of cancer progression and tumor response to therapy. A mouse model receives an intrabursal injection of luciferase-expressing ovarian tumor cells. Treatment is administered via oral gavage. Tumor growth is monitored by in vivo imaging system.

生体イメージングおよび卵巣癌の同所性マウスモデルにおける治療的処置の

Human cancer and response to therapy is better represented in orthotopic animal models.  This paper describes the development of an orthotopic mouse model ...

An ex-ovo Chicken Embryo Culture System Suitable for Imaging and Microsurgery Applications

Understanding the relationships between genetic and microenvironmental factors that drive normal and malformed embryonic development is fundamental for discovering new therapeutic strategies. Advancements in imaging technology have enabled quantitative investigation of the organization and maturing of the body plan, but later stage embryonic morphogenesis is less clear. Chicken embryos are an attractive vertebrate animal model system for this application because of its ease of culture and surgical manipulation. Early embryos can be cultured for a short time on filter paper rings, which enables complete optical access for cell patterning and fate studies1,2. Studying advanced developmental processes such as cardiac morphogenesis are traditionally performed through a window of the eggshell3-5, but this technique limits optical access due to window size. We previously developed a simple method to culture whole embryos ex-ovo on hexagonal weigh boats for up to 10 days, which enabled high resolution imaging via ultrasonography6,7. These cultures were difficult to transport, limiting the types of imaging tools available for live experiments. We here present an improved shell-less culture system with a cost-effective, portable environmental chamber. Eggs were cracked onto a hammock created by a polyurethane membrane (cling wrap) affixed circumferentially to a plastic cup partially filled with sterile water. The dimensions of the circumference and depth of the hammock were both critical to maintain surface tension, while the mechanics of the hammock and water beneath helped dampen vibrations induced by transportation. A small footprint circulating water bath was also developed to enable continuous temperature control during experimentation. We demonstrate the ability to culture embryos in this way for at least 14 days without morphogenic defect or delay and employ this system in several microsurgical and imaging applications.

An ex-ovo Chicken Embryo Culture System Suitable for Imaging and Microsurgery Applications

In this article, we present a simple methodology to enable long-term ex-ovo avian embryo culture. This technique is ideal for longitudinal experimentation requiring complete optical accessibility and/or sterile transportation in avian embryos.

アン EX - OVO</emイメージングとマイクロサーアプリケーションに適して>ニワトリ胚培養システム

Understanding the relationships between genetic and microenvironmental factors that drive normal and malformed embryonic development is fundamental for ...

The Method of Rodent Whole Embryo Culture using the Rotator-type Bottle Culture System

Whole embryo culture (WEC) technique has been developed in 1950's by New and his colleagues, and applied for developmental biology 1. Although development and growth of mammalian embryos are critically dependent on the function of the placenta, WEC technique allows us to culture mouse and rat embryos ex vivo condition during limited periods corresponding to midgestation stages during embryonic day (E) 6.5-E12.5 in the mouse or E8.5-E14.5 in the rat 2, 3, 4. In WEC, we can directly target desired areas of embryos using fine glass capillaries because embryos can be manipulated under the microscope. Therefore, rodent WEC is very useful technique when we want to study dynamic developmental processes of postimplanted mammalian embryos. Up to date, several types of WEC systems have been developed 1. Among those, the rotator-type bottle culture system is most popular and suitable for long-term culture of embryos at midgestation, i.e., after E9.5 and E11.5 in the mouse and rat, respectively 1. In this video protocol, we demonstrate our standard procedures of rat WEC after E12.5 using a refined model of the original rotator system, which was designed by New and Cockroft 5, 6, and introduce various applications of WEC technique for studies in mammalian developmental biology.

Whole embryo culture technique allows us to culture mouse and rat embryos ex vivo condition during limited periods corresponding to midgestation stages. In this video protocol, we demonstrate our standard procedures of rat whole embryo culture after E12.5 using the rotator-type bottle culture system.

腱板断型ボトルの培養システムを使用してげっ歯類全胚培養の方法

Whole embryo culture (WEC) technique has been developed in 1950's by New and his colleagues, and applied for developmental biology 1. Although development ...

A System for ex vivo Culturing of Embryonic Pancreas

The pancreas controls vital functions of our body, including the production of digestive enzymes and regulation of blood sugar levels1. Although in the past decade many studies have contributed to a solid foundation for understanding pancreatic organogenesis, important gaps persist in our knowledge of early pancreas formation2. A complete understanding of these early events will provide insight into the development of this organ, but also into incurable diseases that target the pancreas, such as diabetes or pancreatic cancer. Finally, this information will generate a blueprint for developing cell-replacement therapies in the context of diabetes.
 During embryogenesis, the pancreas originates from distinct embryonic outgrowths of the dorsal and ventral foregut endoderm at embryonic day (E) 9.5 in the mouse embryo3,4. Both outgrowths evaginate into the surrounding mesenchyme as solid epithelial buds, which undergo proliferation, branching and differentiation to generate a fully mature organ2,5,6. Recent evidences have suggested that growth and differentiation of pancreatic cell lineages, including the insulin-producing &beta;-cells, depends on proper tissue-architecture, epithelial remodeling and cell positioning within the branching pancreatic epithelium7,8. However, how branching morphogenesis occurs and is coordinated with proliferation and differentiation in the pancreas is largely unknown. This is in part due to the fact that current knowledge about these developmental processes has relied almost exclusively on analysis of fixed specimens, while morphogenetic events are highly dynamic.
 Here, we report a method for dissecting and culturing mouse embryonic pancreatic buds ex vivo on glass bottom dishes, which allow direct visualization of the developing pancreas (Figure 1). This culture system is ideally devised for confocal laser scanning microscopy and, in particular, live-cell imaging. Pancreatic explants can be prepared not only from wild-type mouse embryos, but also from genetically engineered mouse strains (e.g. transgenic or knockout), allowing real-time studies of mutant phenotypes. Moreover, this ex vivo culture system is valuable to study the effects of chemical compounds on pancreatic development, enabling to obtain quantitative data about proliferation and growth, elongation, branching, tubulogenesis and differentiation. In conclusion, the development of an ex vivo pancreatic explant culture method combined with high-resolution imaging provides a strong platform for observing morphogenetic and differentiation events as they occur within the developing mouse embryo.

A System for ex vivo Culturing of Embryonic Pancreas

Here, we describe a method for isolation, culture and manipulation of mouse embryonic pancreas. This represents an excellent ex vivo system for studying various aspects of pancreatic development, including morphogenesis, differentiation and growth. Pancreatic bud explants can be cultured for several days and used in a range of different applications, including whole-mount immunofluorescence and live imaging.

のためのシステム<em&gt; ex vivoで</em胚膵臓&gt;培養

The pancreas controls vital functions of our body,  including the production of digestive enzymes and regulation of blood sugar  levels1. Although in the ...

Two- and Three-Dimensional Live Cell Imaging of DNA Damage Response Proteins

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most deleterious DNA lesions a cell can encounter. If left unrepaired, DSBs harbor great potential to generate mutations and chromosomal aberrations1. To prevent this trauma from catalyzing genomic instability, it is crucial for cells to detect DSBs, activate the DNA damage response (DDR), and repair the DNA. When stimulated, the DDR works to preserve genomic integrity by triggering cell cycle arrest to allow for repair to take place or force the cell to undergo apoptosis. The predominant mechanisms of DSB repair occur through nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination repair (HRR) (reviewed in2). There are many proteins whose activities must be precisely orchestrated for the DDR to function properly. Herein, we describe a method for 2- and 3-dimensional (D) visualization of one of these proteins, 53BP1.
The p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) localizes to areas of DSBs by binding to modified histones3,4, forming foci within 5-15 minutes5. The histone modifications and recruitment of 53BP1 and other DDR proteins to DSB sites are believed to facilitate the structural rearrangement of chromatin around areas of damage and contribute to DNA repair6. Beyond direct participation in repair, additional roles have been described for 53BP1 in the DDR, such as regulating an intra-S checkpoint, a G2/M checkpoint, and activating downstream DDR proteins7-9. Recently, it was discovered that 53BP1 does not form foci in response to DNA damage induced during mitosis, instead waiting for cells to enter G1 before localizing to the vicinity of DSBs6. DDR proteins such as 53BP1 have been found to associate with mitotic structures (such as kinetochores) during the progression through mitosis10.
In this protocol we describe the use of 2- and 3-D live cell imaging to visualize the formation of 53BP1 foci in response to the DNA damaging agent camptothecin (CPT), as well as 53BP1's behavior during mitosis. Camptothecin is a topoisomerase I inhibitor that primarily causes DSBs during DNA replication. To accomplish this, we used a previously described 53BP1-mCherry fluorescent fusion protein construct consisting of a 53BP1 protein domain able to bind DSBs11. In addition, we used a histone H2B-GFP fluorescent fusion protein construct able to monitor chromatin dynamics throughout the cell cycle but in particular during mitosis12. Live cell imaging in multiple dimensions is an excellent tool to deepen our understanding of the function of DDR proteins in eukaryotic cells.

This protocol describes a method for visualizing a DNA double-strand break signaling protein activated in response to DNA damage as well as its localization during mitosis.

DNA損傷応答タンパク質の2次元および3次元生細胞イメージング

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most deleterious DNA lesions a cell can encounter. If left unrepaired, DSBs harbor great potential to generate ...

Mouse Embryonic Development in a Serum-free Whole Embryo Culture System

Mid-gestation stage mouse embryos were cultured utilizing a serum-free culture medium prepared from commercially available stem cell media supplements in an oxygenated rolling bottle culture system. Mouse embryos at E10.5 were carefully isolated from the uterus with intact yolk sac and in a process involving precise surgical maneuver the embryos were gently exteriorized from the yolk sac while maintaining the vascular continuity of the embryo with the yolk sac. Compared to embryos prepared with intact yolk sac or with the yolk sac removed, these embryos exhibited superior survival rate and developmental progression when cultured under similar conditions. We show that these mouse embryos, when cultured in a defined medium in an atmosphere of 95% O2 / 5% CO2 in a rolling bottle culture apparatus at 37 &#176;&#8203;C for 16-40 hr, exhibit morphological growth and development comparable to the embryos developing in utero. We believe this method will be useful for investigators needing to utilize whole embryo culture to study signaling interactions important in embryonic organogenesis.

Serum utilized in embryo cultures contains unknown components that can affect the outcome of experiments especially in studies involving signaling interactions. Here we utilized a serum-free oxygenated culture system and show that mid-gestation mouse embryos cultured for 16-40 hr&#160;exhibit morphological development comparable to embryos developing in utero.

無血清全胚培養系で、マウス胚発生

Mid-gestation stage mouse embryos were cultured utilizing a serum-free culture medium prepared from commercially available stem cell media supplements in ...

Ex vivo Culture of Mouse Embryonic Skin and Live-imaging of Melanoblast Migration

Melanoblasts are the neural crest derived precursors of melanocytes; the cells responsible for producing the pigment in skin and hair. Melanoblasts migrate through the epidermis of the embryo where they subsequently colonize the developing hair follicles1,2. Neural crest cell migration is extensively studied in vitro but in vivo methods are still not well developed, especially in mammalian systems. One alternative is to use ex vivo organotypic culture3-6. Culture of mouse embryonic skin requires the maintenance of an air-liquid interface (ALI) across the surface of the tissue3,6. High resolution live-imaging of mouse embryonic skin has been hampered by the lack of a good method that not only maintains this ALI but also allows the culture to be inverted and therefore compatible with short working distance objective lenses and most confocal microscopes. This article describes recent improvements to a method that uses a gas permeable membrane to overcome these problems and allow high-resolution confocal imaging of embryonic skin in ex vivo culture6. By using a melanoblast specific Cre-recombinase expressing mouse line combined with the R26YFPR reporter line we are able to fluorescently label the melanoblast population within these skin cultures. The technique allows live-imaging of melanoblasts and observation of their behavior and interactions with the tissue in which they develop. Representative results are included to demonstrate the capability to live-image 6&#160;cultures in parallel.

Ex vivo Culture of Mouse Embryonic Skin and Live-imaging of Melanoblast Migration

We describe the dissection and ex vivo culture of mouse embryonic skin. The culture system maintains an air-liquid interface across the tissue surface and allows imaging on an inverted microscope. Melanoblasts, a component of the developing skin, are fluorescently labeled allowing their behavior to be observed using confocal microscopy.

ex vivoで培養マウス胚の皮膚およびメラノブラストの移行のライブイメージング

Melanoblasts are the neural crest derived precursors of melanocytes; the cells responsible for producing the pigment in skin and hair. Melanoblasts ...

An Ex vivo Culture System to Study Thyroid Development

The thyroid is a bilobated endocrine gland localized at the base of the neck, producing the thyroid hormones T3, T4, and calcitonin. T3 and T4 are produced by differentiated thyrocytes, organized in closed spheres called follicles, while calcitonin is synthesized by C-cells, interspersed in between the follicles and a dense network of blood capillaries. Although adult thyroid architecture and functions have been extensively described and studied, the formation of the &#8220;angio-follicular&#8221; units, the distribution of C-cells in the parenchyma and the paracrine communications between epithelial and endothelial cells is far from being understood.
This method describes the sequential steps of mouse embryonic thyroid anlagen dissection and its culture on semiporous filters or on microscopy plastic slides. Within a period of four days, this culture system faithfully recapitulates in vivo thyroid development. Indeed, (i) bilobation of the organ occurs (for e12.5 explants), (ii) thyrocytes precursors organize into follicles and polarize, (iii) thyrocytes and C-cells differentiate, and (iv) endothelial cells present in the microdissected tissue proliferate, migrate into the thyroid lobes, and closely associate with the epithelial cells, as they do in vivo.
Thyroid tissues can be obtained from wild type, knockout or fluorescent transgenic embryos. Moreover, explants culture can be manipulated by addition of inhibitors, blocking antibodies, growth factors, or even cells or conditioned medium. Ex vivo development can be analyzed in real-time, or at any time of the culture by immunostaining and RT-qPCR.
In conclusion, thyroid explant culture combined with downstream whole-mount or on sections imaging and gene expression profiling provides a powerful system for manipulating and studying morphogenetic and differentiation events of thyroid organogenesis.

An Ex vivo Culture System to Study Thyroid Development

This protocol describes dissection of mouse embryonic thyroid anlagen and the culture of explants on semiporous filters or on microscopy plastic slides. This system is ideal to study morphogenetic or differentiation events occurring during thyroid development of wild type or knockout embryos, and is amenable to gain- and loss-of-function experiments.

アン<em&gt;生体外</em甲状腺の開発を研究する&gt;文化システム

The thyroid is a bilobated endocrine gland localized at the base of the neck, producing the thyroid hormones T3, T4, and calcitonin. T3 and T4 are ...

FRET Imaging in Three-dimensional Hydrogels

Imaging of F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET)&#160;is a powerful tool for examining cell biology in real-time. Studies utilizing FRET commonly employ two-dimensional (2D) culture, which does not mimic the three-dimensional (3D) cellular microenvironment. A method to perform quenched emission FRET imaging using conventional widefield epifluorescence microscopy of cells within a 3D hydrogel environment is presented. Here an analysis method for ratiometric FRET probes that yields linear ratios over the probe activation range is described. Measurement of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels is demonstrated in chondrocytes under forskolin stimulation using a probe for EPAC1 activation (ICUE1) and the ability to detect differences in cAMP signaling dependent on hydrogel material type, herein a photocrosslinking hydrogel (PC-gel, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate) and a thermoresponsive hydrogel (TR-gel). Compared with 2D FRET methods, this method requires little additional work. Laboratories already utilizing FRET imaging in 2D can easily adopt this method to perform cellular studies in a 3D microenvironment. It can further be applied to high throughput drug screening in engineered 3D microtissues. Additionally, it is compatible with other forms of FRET imaging, such as anisotropy measurement and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), and with advanced microscopy platforms using confocal, pulsed, or modulated illumination.

F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) imaging is a powerful tool for real-time cell biology studies. Here a method for FRET imaging cells in physiologic three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel microenvironments using conventional epifluorescence microscopy is presented. An analysis for ratiometric FRET probes that yields linear ratios over the activation range is described.

三次元ハイドロゲルでイメージングをFRET

Imaging of F&#246;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET)&#160;is a powerful tool for examining cell biology in real-time. Studies utilizing FRET commonly ...