Name: zebrafish corneal wound healing: from abrasion to wound closure imaging analysis
Uploaded: 2022-03-01T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Zebrafish Corneal Wound Healing: From Abrasion to Wound Closure Imaging Analysis at JoVE.com

The authors thank Pertti Panula for the access to the Zebrafish unit and Henri Koivula for the guidance and help with the zebrafish experiments. This research was supported by the Academy of Finland, the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, and the ATIP-Avenir Program. Imaging was performed at the Electron Microscopy unit and the Light Microscopy Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, supported by HiLIFE and Biocenter Finland.

All experiments were approved by the national animal experiment board.
1. Preparations
<ol>
	<li>Prepare the tricaine stock solution used for anesthesia26 in advance (0.4% stock solution used in this protocol). Use gloves and keep the materials in a fume hood whenever possible.
	<ol>
		<li>For 50 mL of a 0.4% solution, weigh 200 mg of tricaine powder into a 50 mL tube. Dissolve the powder in approximately 45 mL of double-distilled water.</li>
		<li>Ad...

<ol>
	<li>Baden, T., Euler, T., Berens, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Understanding+the+retinal+basis+of+vision+across+species.">Understanding the retinal basis of vision across species.</a> Nature Reviews.Neuroscience. 21 (1), 5-20 (2020).</li><li>Nishida, T., Saika, S., Morishige, N., Manis, M. J., Holland, E. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cornea+and+sclera:+Anatomy+and+physiology.">Cornea and sclera: Anatomy and physiology.</a> Cornea: Fundamentals, diagnosis and management, 4th ed. , 1-22 (2017).</li><li>Wilson, S. E., Liu, J. J., Mohan, R. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stromal-epithelial+interactions+in+the+cornea.">Stromal-epithelial interactions in the cornea.</a> Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 18 (3), 293-309 (1999).</li><li>Wilson, S. E., 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=Epithelial+injury+induces+keratocyte+apoptosis:+hypothesized+role+for+the+interleukin-1+system+in+the+modulation+of+corneal+tissue+organization+and+wound+healing.">Epithelial injury induces keratocyte apoptosis: hypothesized role for the interleukin-1 system in the modulation of corneal tissue organization and wound healing.</a> Experimental Eye Research. 62 (4), 325-327 (1996).</li><li>Zieske, J. D., Guimaraes, S. R., Hutcheon, A. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Kinetics+of+keratocyte+proliferation+in+response+to+epithelial+debridement.">Kinetics of keratocyte proliferation in response to epithelial debridement.</a> Experimental Eye Research. 72 (1), 33-39 (2001).</li><li>West-Mays, J. A., Dwivedi, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+keratocyte:+corneal+stromal+cell+with+variable+repair+phenotypes.">The keratocyte: corneal stromal cell with variable repair phenotypes.</a> The International Journal of Biochemistry &amp; Cell Biology. 38 (10), 1625-1631 (2006).</li><li>Ahmed, F., House, R. J., Feldman, B. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Corneal+abrasions+and+corneal+foreign+bodies.">Corneal abrasions and corneal foreign bodies.</a> Primary Care. 42 (3), 363-375 (2015).</li><li>Ben-Eli, H., Erdinest, N., Solomon, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pathogenesis+and+complications+of+chronic+eye+rubbing+in+ocular+allergy.">Pathogenesis and complications of chronic eye rubbing in ocular allergy.</a> Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 19 (5), 526-534 (2019).</li><li>Wilson, S. A., Last, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Management+of+corneal+abrasions.">Management of corneal abrasions.</a> American Family Physician. 70 (1), 123-128 (2004).</li><li>Nagata, M., 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=JBP485+promotes+corneal+epithelial+wound+healing.">JBP485 promotes corneal epithelial wound healing.</a> Scientific Reports. 5, 14776 (2015).</li><li>Wang, X., 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=MANF+promotes+diabetic+corneal+epithelial+wound+healing+and+nerve+regeneration+by+attenuating+hyperglycemia-induced+endoplasmic+reticulum+stress.">MANF promotes diabetic corneal epithelial wound healing and nerve regeneration by attenuating hyperglycemia-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress.</a> Diabetes. 69 (6), 1264-1278 (2020).</li><li>Li, F. J., 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=Evaluation+of+the+AlgerBrush+II+rotating+burr+as+a+tool+for+inducing+ocular+surface+failure+in+the+New+Zealand+White+rabbit.">Evaluation of the AlgerBrush II rotating burr as a tool for inducing ocular surface failure in the New Zealand White rabbit.</a> Experimental Eye Research. 147, 1-11 (2016).</li><li>Kalha, S., Kuony, A., Michon, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Corneal+epithelial+abrasion+with+ocular+burr+as+a+model+for+cornea+wound+healing.">Corneal epithelial abrasion with ocular burr as a model for cornea wound healing.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments:JoVE. (137), e58071 (2018).</li><li>Kalha, S., 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=Bmi1++progenitor+cell+dynamics+in+murine+cornea+during+homeostasis+and+wound+healing.">Bmi1+ progenitor cell dynamics in murine cornea during homeostasis and wound healing.</a> Stem Cells. 36 (4), 562-573 (2018).</li><li>Park, M., 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=Visualizing+the+contribution+of+keratin-14(+)+limbal+epithelial+precursors+in+corneal+wound+healing.">Visualizing the contribution of keratin-14(+) limbal epithelial precursors in corneal wound healing.</a> Stem Cell Reports. 12 (1), 14-28 (2019).</li><li>Kuony, A., 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=Ectodysplasin-A+signaling+is+a+key+integrator+in+the+lacrimal+gland-cornea+feedback+loop.">Ectodysplasin-A signaling is a key integrator in the lacrimal gland-cornea feedback loop.</a> Development. 146 (14), (2019).</li><li>Farrelly, O., 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=Two-photon+live+imaging+of+single+corneal+stem+cells+reveals+compartmentalized+organization+of+the+limbal+niche.">Two-photon live imaging of single corneal stem cells reveals compartmentalized organization of the limbal niche.</a> Cell Stem Cell. 28 (7), 1233-1247 (2021).</li><li>Ikkala, K., Michon, F., Stratoulias, V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Unilateral+Zebrafish+corneal+injury+induces+bilateral+cell+plasticity+supporting+wound+closure.">Unilateral Zebrafish corneal injury induces bilateral cell plasticity supporting wound closure.</a> Scientific Reports. , (2021).</li><li>Ormerod, L. D., Abelson, M. B., Kenyon, K. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Standard+models+of+corneal+injury+using+alkali-immersed+filter+discs.">Standard models of corneal injury using alkali-immersed filter discs.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 30 (10), 2148-2153 (1989).</li><li>Anderson, C., Zhou, Q., Wang, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+alkali-burn+injury+model+of+corneal+neovascularization+in+the+mouse.">An alkali-burn injury model of corneal neovascularization in the mouse.</a> Journal of visualized experiments: JoVE. (86), e51159 (2014).</li><li>Choi, H., 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=Comprehensive+modeling+of+corneal+alkali+injury+in+the+rat+eye.">Comprehensive modeling of corneal alkali injury in the rat eye.</a> Current Eye Research. 42 (10), 1348-1357 (2017).</li><li>Singh, P., Tyagi, M., Kumar, Y., Gupta, K. K., Sharma, P. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ocular+chemical+injuries+and+their+management.">Ocular chemical injuries and their management.</a> Oman Journal of Ophthalmology. 6 (2), 83-86 (2013).</li><li>Pal-Ghosh, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=BALB/c+and+C57BL6+mouse+strains+vary+in+their+ability+to+heal+corneal+epithelial+debridement+wounds.">BALB/c and C57BL6 mouse strains vary in their ability to heal corneal epithelial debridement wounds.</a> Experimental Eye Research. 87 (5), 478-486 (2008).</li><li>Chen, J. J., Tseng, S. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Abnormal+corneal+epithelial+wound+healing+in+partial-thickness+removal+of+limbal+epithelium.">Abnormal corneal epithelial wound healing in partial-thickness removal of limbal epithelium.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 32 (8), 2219-2233 (1991).</li><li>Xeroudaki, M., Peebo, B., Germundsson, J., Fagerholm, P., Lagali, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=RGTA+in+corneal+wound+healing+after+transepithelial+laser+ablation+in+a+rabbit+model:+a+randomized,+blinded,+placebo-controlled+study.">RGTA in corneal wound healing after transepithelial laser ablation in a rabbit model: a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study.</a> Acta Ophthalmologica. 94 (7), 685-691 (2016).</li><li>. The zebrafish book. A guide for the laboratory use of zebrafish (Danio rerio Available from: <a target="_blank" href="https://zfinorg/zf_info/zfbook/zfbk.html">https://zfinorg/zf_info/zfbook/zfbk.html</a> (2000)</li><li>Schindelin, J., 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=Fiji:+an+open-source+platform+for+biological-image+analysis.">Fiji: an open-source platform for biological-image analysis.</a> Nature Methods. 9 (7), 676-682 (2012).</li><li>Xu, C., Volkery, S., Siekmann, A. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intubation-based+anesthesia+for+long-term+time-lapse+imaging+of+adult+zebrafish.">Intubation-based anesthesia for long-term time-lapse imaging of adult zebrafish.</a> Nature Protocols. 10 (12), 2064-2073 (2015).</li><li>Crosson, C. E., Klyce, S. D., Beuerman, R. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epithelial+wound+closure+in+the+rabbit+cornea.+A+biphasic+process.">Epithelial wound closure in the rabbit cornea. A biphasic process.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 27 (4), 464-473 (1986).</li><li>Parlanti, P., 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=Axonal+debris+accumulates+in+corneal+epithelial+cells+after+intraepithelial+corneal+nerves+are+damaged:+A+focused+Ion+Beam+Scanning+Electron+Microscopy+(FIB-SEM)+study.">Axonal debris accumulates in corneal epithelial cells after intraepithelial corneal nerves are damaged: A focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB-SEM) study.</a> Experimental Eye Research. 194, 107998 (2020).</li><li>Zhao, X. C., 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=The+zebrafish+cornea:+structure+and+development.">The zebrafish cornea: structure and development.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 47 (10), 4341-4348 (2006).</li><li>Richardson, R., 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=Re-epithelialization+of+cutaneous+wounds+in+adult+zebrafish+combines+mechanisms+of+wound+closure+in+embryonic+and+adult+mammals.">Re-epithelialization of cutaneous wounds in adult zebrafish combines mechanisms of wound closure in embryonic and adult mammals.</a> Development. 143 (12), 2077-2088 (2016).</li><li>van Loon, A. P., Erofeev, I. S., Maryshev, I. V., Goryachev, A. B., Sagasti, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cortical+contraction+drives+the+3D+patterning+of+epithelial+cell+surfaces.">Cortical contraction drives the 3D patterning of epithelial cell surfaces.</a> The Journal of Cell Biology. 219 (3), (2020).</li><li>Vihtelic, T. S., Hyde, D. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Light-induced+rod+and+cone+cell+death+and+regeneration+in+the+adult+albino+zebrafish+(Danio+rerio)+retina.">Light-induced rod and cone cell death and regeneration in the adult albino zebrafish (Danio rerio) retina.</a> Journal of Neurobiology. 44 (3), 289-307 (2000).</li><li>Poss, K. D., Wilson, L. G., Keating, M. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heart+regeneration+in+zebrafish.">Heart regeneration in zebrafish.</a> Science. 298 (5601), 2188-2190 (2002).</li><li>Becker, T., Wullimann, M. F., Becker, C. G., Bernhardt, R. R., Schachner, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Axonal+regrowth+after+spinal+cord+transection+in+adult+zebrafish.">Axonal regrowth after spinal cord transection in adult zebrafish.</a> The Journal of Comparative Neurology. 377 (4), 577-595 (1997).</li><li>Hu, X., 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=Sirt6+deficiency+impairs+corneal+epithelial+wound+healing.">Sirt6 deficiency impairs corneal epithelial wound healing.</a> Aging. 10 (8), 1932-1946 (2018).</li><li>Ksander, B. 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Corneal physical injuries are the most common cause of ophthalmology patient visits to the hospital. Therefore, it is important to establish relevant models for the study of different aspects of corneal pathophysiology. So far, the mouse is the most commonly used model for the study of corneal wound healing. However, adding eyedrops on murine wounded eyes to validate the impact of specific drugs on corneal wound healing can be difficult. In this respect, the zebrafish model is particularly useful for the pharmacological ...

As most of the epithelia are in contact with the external environment, they are prone to physical injury, making them well suited for the study of wound healing processes. Among the well-studied tissues, the cornea is an extremely useful model in the investigation of the cellular and molecular aspects of wound healing. As a transparent external surface, it provides physical protection to the eye and is the first element to focus the light onto the retina. While the structure and cell composition of the retina differ between species1, these elements of the cornea are generally similar in all camera-type eyes, regardless of species.
The cornea is composed of three main layers2. The first and outermost layer is the epithelium, which is constantly renewed to ensure its transparency. The second layer is the stroma, which contains scattered cells, called keratocytes, within a thick layer of strictly organized collagen fibers. The third and innermost layer is the endothelium, which allows nutrient and liquid diffusion from the anterior chamber to the outer layers. The epithelial and stromal cells interact via growth factors and cytokines3. This interaction is highlighted by the rapid apoptosis and subsequent proliferation of keratocytes after epithelial injury4,5. In case of a deeper wound, such as a puncture, keratocytes take an active part in the healing process6.
Being in contact with the external environment, corneal physical injuries are common. Many of them are caused by small foreign objects7, such as sand or dust. The reflex of eye rubbing can lead to extensive epithelial abrasions and corneal remodelling8. According to wound size and depth, these physical injuries are painful and take several days to heal9. The optimal wound healing characteristics of a model facilitate the understanding of the cellular and molecular aspects of wound closure. Furthermore, such models have also proved useful for testing new molecules with the potential to accelerate corneal healing, as previously demonstrated10,11.
The protocol described here aims to use zebrafish as a relevant model to study corneal physical injury. This model is highly convenient for pharmacological screening studies as it allows molecules to be added directly to the tank water and, therefore, to come into contact with a healing cornea. The details provided here will help scientists perform their studies on the zebrafish model. The in vivo injury is performed with a dulled ocular burr. The impact on epithelial cells adjoining or at a distance from it can be analyzed by specifically removing the central corneal epithelium. In recent years, numerous reports focused on such a method on rodent cornea12,13,14,15,16,17; however, to date, only a single report has applied this method to zebrafish18.
Because of its simplicity, the physical wound is useful in delineating the role of epithelial cells in wound closure. Another well-established model of corneal injury is the chemical burn, especially the alkali burn19,20,21. However, such an approach indirectly damages the entire eye surface, including the peripheral cornea and corneal stroma19. Indeed, alkali burns potentially induce corneal ulcers, perforations, epithelial opacification, and swift neovascularization22, and the uncontrollable outcome of alkali burns disqualifies that approach for general wound healing studies. Numerous other methods are also used to investigate corneal wound healing according to the particular focus of the study in question (e.g., complete epithelial debridement23, the combination of chemical and mechanical injury for partial-thickness wound24, excimer laser ablation for wounds extending to the stroma25). The use of an ocular burr restricts the focal point to the epithelial response to the wound and provides a highly reproducible wound.
As with each method of wound infliction, the use of an ocular burr has advantages and disadvantages. The main disadvantage is that the response being mostly epithelial, it does not perfectly reflect the abrasions seen in the clinical setting. However, this method has numerous advantages, including the ease with which it can be set up and performed, its precision, its reproducibility, and the fact that it is noninvasive, making it a method well tolerated by animals.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr >
			<td >0.1M Na-PO4 (sodium phosphate buffer), pH 7.4</td>
			<td >in-house</td>
			<td ></td>
			<td >Solution is prepared from 1M sodium phosphate buffer (1M Na2HPO4 adjusted to pH 7.4 with 1M NaH2PO4).</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >0.2M Na-PO4 (sodium phosphate buffer), pH 7.4</td>
			<td >in-house</td>
			<td ></td>
			<td >Solution is prepared from 1M sodium phosphate buffer (1M Na2HPO4 adjusted to pH 7.4 with 1M NaH2PO4).</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >0.5mm burr tips</td>
			<td >Alger Equipment Company</td>
			<td >BU-5S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >1M Tris, pH 8.8</td>
			<td >in-house</td>
			<td ></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >adhesive tabs</td>
			<td >Agar Scientific</td>
			<td >G3347N</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Algerbrush burr, Complete instrument</td>
			<td >Alger Equipment Company</td>
			<td >BR2-5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Cotton swaps</td>
			<td >Heinz Herenz Hamburg</td>
			<td >1030128</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Dissecting plate</td>
			<td >in-house</td>
			<td ></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Dissecting tools</td>
			<td >Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td ></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >double-distilled water</td>
			<td >in-house</td>
			<td ></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Eppedorf tubes, 2ml</td>
			<td >any provider</td>
			<td ></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Ethyl 3-aminobenzoate methanesulfonate salt</td>
			<td >Sigma</td>
			<td >A5040</td>
			<td>Caution: causes irritation.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Glutaraldehyde, 50% aqueous solution, grade I</td>
			<td >Sigma</td>
			<td >G7651</td>
			<td>Caution: toxic.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Lidocaine hydrochloride</td>
			<td >Sigma</td>
			<td >L5647</td>
			<td>Caution: toxic.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >mounts</td>
			<td >Agar Scientific</td>
			<td >G301P</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Petri dish</td>
			<td >Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td >101VR20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >pH indicator strips</td>
			<td >Macherey-Nagel</td>
			<td >92110</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Plastic spoons</td>
			<td >any provider</td>
			<td ></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Plastic tubes, 15 ml</td>
			<td >Greiner Bio-One</td>
			<td >188271</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Plastic tubes, 50 ml</td>
			<td >Greiner Bio-One</td>
			<td >227261</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Scanning electron microscope</td>
			<td >FEI</td>
			<td >Quanta 250 FEG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Soft sponge</td>
			<td >any provider</td>
			<td ></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Sputter coater</td>
			<td >Quorum Technologies</td>
			<td >GQ150TS</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr >
			<td >Stereomicroscope</td>
			<td >Leica</td>
			<td ></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

zebrafish corneal wound healing: from abrasion to wound closure imaging analysis

As the transparent surface of the eye, the cornea is instrumental for clear sight. Due to its location, this tissue is prone to environmental insults. Indeed, the eye injuries most frequently encountered clinically are those to the cornea. While corneal wound healing has been extensively studied in small mammals (i.e., mice, rats, and rabbits), corneal physiology studies have neglected other species, including zebrafish, despite zebrafish being a classic research model.
This report describes a method of performing a corneal abrasion on zebrafish. The wound is performed in vivo on anesthetized fish using an ocular burr. This method allows for a reproducible epithelial wound, leaving the rest of the eye intact. After abrasion, wound closure is monitored over the course of 3 h, after which the wound is reepithelialized. By using scanning electron microscopy, followed by image processing, the epithelial cell shape, and apical protrusions can be investigated to study the various steps during corneal epithelial wound closure.
The characteristics of the zebrafish model permit study of the epithelial tissue physiology and the collective behavior of the epithelial cells when the tissue is challenged. Furthermore, the use of a model deprived of the influence of the tear film can produce&#160;new answers regarding corneal response to stress. Finally, this model also allows the delineation of the cellular and molecular events involved in any epithelial tissue subjected to a physical wound. This method can be applied to the evaluation of drug effectiveness in preclinical testing.

This study describes a method using an ophthalmic burr in zebrafish corneal wound healing experiments. The method is modified from previous studies on mice, where the burr was shown to remove the epithelial cell layers efficiently13. The challenges in zebrafish corneal wounding include the relatively small size of the eye, and in the case of time-consuming experiments, the need to maintain a constant water flow through the gills (as described by Xu and colleagues28). The ma...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Zebrafish Corneal Wound Healing: From Abrasion to Wound Closure Imaging Analysis at JoVE.com

Zebrafish Corneal Wound Healing: From Abrasion to Wound Closure Imaging Analysis

This protocol focuses on damaging the ocular surface of zebrafish through abrasion to assess the subsequent wound closure at the cellular level. This approach exploits an ocular burr to partly remove the corneal epithelium and uses scanning electron microscopy to track changes in cell morphology during wound closure.

As the transparent surface of the eye, the cornea is instrumental for clear sight. Due to its location, this tissue is prone to environmental insults. ...

Corneal transparency is instrumental to clear sight. In pathological context, this transparency can be challenge. Studying pathogenesis mechanism requires simple models having a high similarity to human organ.In these aspects, zebrafish is an excellent model. And this is the first detailed description of corneal abrasion in zebrafish. This technique is a simple and fast way to induce surface entry to the eye.The wound closure can be followed easily after abrasion. Also, chemicals, or specific factors, can be added to the tank water to study their impact on wound closure. As the wound is created manually, the method requires some practice to gain consistent results.Before the experiment, prepare a 0.02%working solution of tricaine. Thaw 2 mL of 0.4%stock solution. Add to 40 mL of system water.And place the solution in a small container. Have the ophthalmic burr ready by checking if the burr tip is clean. And if needed, remove cell debris with a moist cotton swab.Make an incision to the side of a soft sponge. And moisten the sponge with system water. Place the sponge on the stage of a dissecting microscope.Ensure enough working space for using the burr. And enough illumination from the side and above to see the eye surface correctly. Gently place the anesthetized fish with a spoon into the incision on the sponge with the head protruding from the sponge surface.Carefully approach the eye surface with the burr tip. And start moving the tip on the eye surface with a circular motion. When the abrasion is done, carefully place the fish in the fresh system water containing analgesic for recovery.Clean the burr immediately after use with a moist cotton swab. Pick up the fish at the desired time point and place it in 0.02%tricaine solution. Keep the animal in the solution until the opercular movement has ceased entirely and the fish does not react to touching.Place the fish on a Petri dish with a spoon, and hold it with tweezers. Decapitate the fish with dissecting scissors. Avoid making any scratches on the eye surface.Put the tissue into a sample tube containing 0.1 M sodium phosphate. And rinse it with a clean buffer so that no blood remains in the solution. Fix the tissue in 2.5%glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium phosphate for 24 hours at 4 C.Remove the fixing solution and rinse the sample several times with 0.1 M sodium phosphate.Dissect the sample by placing it onto a drop of 0.1 M sodium phosphate on a dissecting plate. Cut the head sample into two with fine dissecting scissors. Alternatively, collect the eyes by carefully placing the tips of fine tweezers into the eye sockets from the side of the eye.Then, pull out the eye from the socket and remove extra tissue. Transfer the dissected sample into a tube containing 0.1 M sodium phosphate. Ensure there is no extra tissue in the sample tube, as it may adhere to the top of the eye during sample processing.Place the mount with the tab on a holder. And the holder to the base of a dissecting microscope. Gently place the tissue sample on the mount with fine tweezers, cornea facing up.Coat the specimen with platinum using the appropriate device. And store the samples at room temperature until imaging. Acquire images of the desired magnification.And use 2000 to 2500x images for analysis. Adjust the brightness and contrast to clearly see all the cell borders and microridges. And avoid overexposed areas in the image.Open the TIFF image with Fiji ImageJ 1.53. And use a scale bar to set the scale. Create a line equal to the scale bar with the Line tool.Select Analyze. Then, Set scale. And type in the known distance.Then, open the ROI manager using the Analyze, Tools menu. For cell size and roundness select Analyze, Set Measurements, Shape descriptors. And use the Magnifying Glass tool to see the cells under magnification.Select cells with the Polygon tool, and add each selection to the ROI manager. Finally, measure the selected cells, and save the measurement. To proceed with microridge analysis, ensure the image is in 8-bit format by clicking on the Image, Type menu.Then, select the cell with the Polygon tool. And clear the background by clicking on Edit, then Clear Outside. Smoothen the image one to three times by selecting Process, Smooth.And adjust the brightness and contrast from Image, Adjust, Brightness/Contrast, so that the microridges stand out as clearly as possible. Convolve the image by clicking on Process, Filters, Convolve. And turn it into binary by clicking Process, Binary, Make Binary.Then, skeletonize the black and white image by selecting Process, Binary, Skeletonize. Use the Analyzed Skeleton function to measure the microridge parameters and save the values. The wound area is closed at three hours post wound.But the site where the wound borders are joined remains visible. The results showed that on abraded corneal epithelium microridges can be observed in some elongated cells next to the wound site. In some peripheral regions, the microridges are lost from the center of the cell.A comparison between the two of peripheral regions, showed elongated cells with shorter average microridges, indicating cell rearrangements as a reaction to wounding. These results suggest that cell shape changes correlate with microridge modification and emphasize the heterogeneity within the corneal epithelium in wound response. Remember that the operation requires training to perform a homogeneous and reproducible wound.In addition to electron microscopy, the tissue can be used for histology, immunological stainings and in situ hybridization. These will provide further insight in the cell and molecular changes during wound healing. Using zebrafish broadens our knowledge on corneal biology.Moreover, this model is excellent for pharmacological studies, and can be used to understand more about eye evolution.

zebrafish-corneal-wound-healing-from-abrasion-to-wound-closure

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

RNA Isolation from Embryonic Zebrafish and cDNA Synthesis for Gene Expression Analysis

Many important and complex laboratory procedures require an input of high quality, intact RNA.  A degraded sample or the presence of impurities can lead to disastrous results in downstream experimental applications.  It is therefore, of utmost importance to use solid techniques with numerous safeguards and quality control checks to ensure a superior sample.  Herein, we detail a protocol to isolate total RNA from whole zebrafish embryos using a commercially available chemical denaturant and subsequent cleanup to remove traces of DNA and impurities using a commercial RNA isolation kit. As RNA is relatively unstable and easily prone to cleavage by RNAses, most protocols assay gene expression using a cDNA product that is directly synthesized from an RNA template. We detail a procedure to convert RNA into the more stable cDNA product using a commercially available kit. Throughout these procedures there are numerous quality control checks to ensure that the sample is not degraded or contaminated.  The end product of these protocols is cDNA that is suitable for microarray analysis, RT-PCR or long-term storage.    

The isolation of high quality, intact RNA is an essential step in many laboratory protocols. Here, we demonstrate RNA extraction from whole zebrafish embryos and cDNA synthesis for subsequent application in various experimental procedures including gene expression microarray analysis.

Many important and complex laboratory procedures require an input of high quality, intact RNA.  A degraded sample or the presence of impurities can lead ...

Development of automated imaging and analysis for zebrafish chemical screens.

We demonstrate the application of image-based high-content screening (HCS) methodology to identify small molecules that can modulate the FGF/RAS/MAPK pathway in zebrafish embryos. The zebrafish embryo is an ideal system for in vivo high-content chemical screens. The 1-day old embryo is approximately 1mm in diameter and can be easily arrayed into 96-well plates, a standard format for high throughput screening. During the first day of development, embryos are transparent with most of the major organs present, thus enabling visualization of tissue formation during embryogenesis. The complete automation of zebrafish chemical screens is still a challenge, however, particularly in the development of automated image acquisition and analysis. We previously generated a transgenic reporter line that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of FGF activity and demonstrated their utility in chemical screens 1. To establish methodology for high throughput whole organism screens, we developed a system for automated imaging and analysis of zebrafish embryos at 24-48 hours post fertilization (hpf) in 96-well plates 2. In this video we highlight the procedures for arraying transgenic embryos into multiwell plates at 24hpf and the addition of a small molecule (BCI) that hyperactivates FGF signaling 3. The plates are incubated for 6 hours followed by the addition of tricaine to anesthetize larvae prior to automated imaging on a Molecular Devices ImageXpress Ultra laser scanning confocal HCS reader. Images are processed by Definiens Developer software using a Cognition Network Technology algorithm that we developed to detect and quantify expression of GFP in the heads of transgenic embryos. In this example we highlight the ability of the algorithm to measure dose-dependent effects of BCI on GFP reporter gene expression in treated embryos.

We report the development of a system for automated imaging and analysis of zebrafish transgenic embryos in multiwell plates. This demonstrates the ability to measure dose dependent effects of a small molecule, BCI, on Fibroblast Growth Factor reporter gene expression and provide technology for establishing high-throughput zebrafish chemical screens.

We demonstrate the application of image-based high-content screening (HCS) methodology to identify small molecules that can modulate the FGF/RAS/MAPK ...

Production of Transgenic Xenopus laevis by Restriction Enzyme Mediated Integration and Nuclear Transplantation

Stable integration of cloned gene products into the Xenopus genome is necessary to control the time and place of expression, to express genes at later stages of embryonic development, and to define how enhancers and promoters regulate gene expression within the embryo. The protocol demonstrated here can be used to efficiently produce transgenic Xenopus laevis embryos. This transgenesis approach involves three parts: 1. Sperm nuclei are isolated from adult X. laevis testis by treatment with lysolecithin, which permeabilizes the sperm plasma membrane. 2. Egg extract is prepared by low speed centrifugation, addition of calcium to cause the extract to progress to interphase of the cell cycle, and a high-speed centrifugation to isolate interphase cytosol. 3. Nuclear transplantation: the nuclei and extract are combined with the linearized plasmid DNA to be introduced as the transgene and a small amount of restriction enzyme. During a short reaction, egg extract partially decondenses the sperm chromatin and the restriction enzyme generates chromosomal breaks that promote recombination of the transgene into the genome. The treated sperm nuclei are then transplanted into unfertilized eggs. Integration of the transgene usually occurs prior to the first embryonic cleavage such that the resulting embryos are not chimeric. These embryos can be analyzed without any need to breed to the next generation, allowing for efficient and rapid generation of transgenic embryos for analyses of promoter and gene function. Adult X. laevis resulting from this procedure also propagate the transgene through the germline and can be used to generate lines of transgenic animals for multiple purposes.

Production of Transgenic Xenopus laevis by Restriction Enzyme Mediated Integration and Nuclear Transplantation

This video protocol demonstrates a method for generating transgenic Xenopus laevis by introduction of transgenes into sperm nuclei followed by nuclear transplantation into unfertilized eggs.

Stable integration of cloned gene products into the Xenopus genome is necessary to control the time and place of expression, to express genes at later ...

Live Imaging of Cell Extrusion from the Epidermis of Developing Zebrafish

Homeostatic maintenance of epithelial tissues requires the continual removal of damaged cells without disrupting barrier function. Our studies have found that dying cells send signals to their live neighbors to form and contract a ring of actin and myosin that ejects it out from the epithelial sheet while closing any gaps that might have resulted from its exit, a process termed cell extrusion1. The optical clarity of developing zebrafish provides an excellent system to visualize extrusion in living epithelia. Here we describe a method to induce and image extrusion in the larval zebrafish epidermis. To visualize extrusion, we inject a red fluorescent protein labeled probe for F-actin into one-cell stage transgenic zebrafish embryos expressing green fluorescent protein in the epidermis and induce apoptosis by addition of G418 to larvae. We then use time-lapse imaging on a spinning disc confocal microscope to observe actin dynamics and epithelial cell behaviors during the process of apoptotic cell extrusion. This approach allows us to investigate the extrusion process in live epithelia and will provide an avenue to study disease states caused by the failure to eliminate apoptotic cells.

Dying cells are extruded from epithelial tissues by concerted contraction of neighboring cells without disrupting barrier function. The optical clarity of developing zebrafish provides an excellent system to visualize extrusion in living epithelia. Here we describe methods to induce and image extrusion in the larval zebrafish epidermis at cellular resolution.

Homeostatic maintenance of epithelial tissues requires the continual removal of damaged cells without disrupting barrier function.  Our studies have found ...

Analysis of Embryonic and Larval Zebrafish Skeletal Myofibers from Dissociated Preparations

The zebrafish has proven to be a valuable model system for exploring skeletal muscle function and for studying human muscle diseases. Despite the many advantages offered by in vivo analysis of skeletal muscle in the zebrafish, visualizing the complex and finely structured protein milieu responsible for muscle function, especially in whole embryos, can be problematic. This hindrance stems from the small size of zebrafish skeletal muscle (60 &mu;m) and the even smaller size of the sarcomere. Here we describe and demonstrate a simple and rapid method for isolating skeletal myofibers from zebrafish embryos and larvae. We also include protocols that illustrate post preparation techniques useful for analyzing muscle structure and function. Specifically, we detail the subsequent immunocytochemical localization of skeletal muscle proteins and the qualitative analysis of stimulated calcium release via live cell calcium imaging. Overall, this video article provides a straight-forward and efficient method for the isolation and characterization of zebrafish skeletal myofibers, a technique which provides a conduit for myriad subsequent studies of muscle structure and function.

Zebrafish are an emerging system for modeling human disorders of the skeletal muscle. We describe a fast and efficient method to isolate skeletal muscle myofibers from embryonic and larval zebrafish. This method yields a high-density myofiber preparation suitable for study of single skeletal muscle fiber morphology, protein subcellular localization, and muscle physiology.

The zebrafish has  proven to be a valuable model system for exploring skeletal muscle function and  for studying human muscle diseases. Despite  the many ...

Visualizing Cytoplasmic Flow During Single-cell Wound Healing in Stentor coeruleus

Although wound-healing is often addressed at the level of whole tissues, in many cases individual cells are able to heal wounds within themselves, repairing broken cell membrane before the cellular contents leak out. The giant unicellular organism Stentor coeruleus, in which cells can be more than one millimeter in size, have been a classical model organism for studying wound healing in single cells. Stentor cells can be cut in half without loss of viability, and can even be cut and grafted together. But this high tolerance to cutting raises the question of why the cytoplasm does not simply flow out from the size of the cut. Here we present a method for cutting Stentor cells while simultaneously imaging the movement of cytoplasm in the vicinity of the cut at high spatial and temporal resolution. The key to our method is to use a &#34;double decker&#34; microscope configuration in which the surgery is performed under a dissecting microscope focused on a chamber that is simultaneously viewed from below at high resolution using an inverted microscope with a high NA lens. This setup allows a high level of control over the surgical procedure while still permitting high resolution tracking of cytoplasm.

Visualizing Cytoplasmic Flow During Single-cell Wound Healing in Stentor coeruleus

The giant ciliate Stentor coeruleus is a classical system for studying regeneration and wound healing in single cells.&#160;By imaging Stentor cells simultaneously at low and high magnification it is possible to measure cytoplasmic flows before, during, and after wounding.

Although wound-healing is often addressed at the level of whole tissues, in many cases individual cells are able to heal wounds within themselves, ...

Methods for Skin Wounding and Assays for Wound Responses in C. elegans

The C. elegans epidermis and cuticle form a simple yet sophisticated skin layer that can repair localized damage resulting from wounding. Studies of wound responses and repair in this model have illuminated our understanding of the cytoskeletal and genomic responses to tissue damage. The two most commonly used methods to wound the C. elegans adult skin are pricks with microinjection needles, and local laser irradiation. Needle wounding locally disrupts the cuticle, epidermis, and associated extracellular matrix, and may also damage internal tissues. Laser irradiation results in more localized damage. Wounding triggers a succession of readily assayed responses including elevated epidermal Ca2+ (seconds-minutes), formation and closure of an actin-containing ring at the wound site (1-2 hr), elevated transcription of antimicrobial peptide genes (2-24 hr), and scar formation. Essentially all wild type adult animals survive wounding, whereas mutants defective in wound repair or other responses show decreased survival. Detailed protocols for needle and laser wounding, and assays for quantitation and visualization of wound responses and repair processes (Ca dynamics, actin dynamics, antimicrobial peptide induction, and survival) are presented.

Methods for Skin Wounding and Assays for Wound Responses in C. elegans

The adult C. elegans skin is a tractable model for studies of epithelial wound responses, including wound closure, scar formation, and innate immunity.

The C. elegans epidermis and cuticle form a simple yet sophisticated skin layer that can repair localized damage resulting from wounding. Studies of wound ...

Nephrotoxin Microinjection in Zebrafish to Model Acute Kidney Injury

The kidneys are susceptible to harm from exposure to chemicals they filter from the bloodstream. This can lead to organ injury associated with a rapid decline in renal function and development of the clinical syndrome known as acute kidney injury (AKI). Pharmacological agents used to treat medical circumstances ranging from bacterial infection to cancer, when administered individually or in combination with other drugs, can initiate AKI. Zebrafish are a useful animal model to study the chemical effects on renal function in vivo, as they form an embryonic kidney comprised of nephron functional units that are conserved with higher vertebrates, including humans. Further, zebrafish can be utilized to perform genetic and chemical screens, which provide opportunities to elucidate the cellular and molecular facets of AKI and develop therapeutic strategies such as the identification of nephroprotective molecules. Here, we demonstrate how microinjection into the zebrafish embryo can be utilized as a paradigm for nephrotoxin studies.

Renal injuries incurred from nephrotoxins, which include drugs ranging from antibiotics to chemotherapeutics, can result in complex disorders whose pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. This protocol demonstrates how zebrafish can be used for disease modeling of these conditions, which can be applied to the identification of renoprotective measures.

The kidneys are susceptible to harm from exposure to chemicals they filter from the bloodstream. This can lead to organ injury associated with a rapid ...

Analysis of Beta-cell Function Using Single-cell Resolution Calcium Imaging in Zebrafish Islets

Pancreatic beta-cells respond to increasing blood glucose concentrations by secreting the hormone insulin. The dysfunction of beta-cells leads to hyperglycemia and severe, life-threatening consequences. Understanding how the beta-cells operate under physiological conditions and what genetic and environmental factors might cause their dysfunction could lead to better treatment options for diabetic patients. The ability to measure calcium levels in beta-cells serves as an important indicator of beta-cell function, as the influx of calcium ions triggers insulin release. Here we describe a protocol for monitoring the glucose-stimulated calcium influx in zebrafish beta-cells by using GCaMP6s, a genetically encoded sensor of calcium. The method allows monitoring the intracellular calcium dynamics with single-cell resolution in ex vivo mounted islets. The glucose-responsiveness of beta-cells within the same islet can be captured simultaneously under different glucose concentrations, which suggests the presence of functional heterogeneity among zebrafish beta-cells. Furthermore, the technique provides high temporal and spatial resolution, which reveals the oscillatory nature of the calcium influx upon glucose stimulation. Our approach opens the doors to use the zebrafish as a model to investigate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to beta-cell function and dysfunction.

Beta-cell functionality is important for blood-glucose homeostasis, which is evaluated at single-cell resolution using a genetically encoded reporter for calcium influx.

Pancreatic beta-cells respond to increasing blood glucose concentrations by secreting the hormone insulin. The dysfunction of beta-cells leads to ...

A Murine Model of a Burn Wound Reconstructed with an Allogeneic Skin Graft

Trivial superficial wounds heal without complications by primary intention. Deep wounds, such as full thickness burns, heal by secondary intention and require surgical debridement and skin grafting. Successful integration of the donor graft into a recipient wound bed depends on timely recruitment of immune cells, robust angiogenic response and new extracellular matrix formation. The development of novel therapeutic agents, which target some key processes involved in wound healing, are hindered by the lack of reliable preclinical models with optimized objective assessment of wound closure. Here, we describe an inexpensive and reproducible model of experimental full thickness burn wound reconstructed with an allogeneic skin graft. The wound is induced on the dorsum surface of anaesthetized inbred wild type mice from the BALB/C and SKH1-Hrhr backgrounds. The burn is produced using a brass template measuring 10 mm in diameter, which is preheated to 80 &#176;C and delivered at a constant pressure for 20 s. Burn eschar is excised 24 hours after the injury and replaced with a full thickness graft harvested from the tail of a genetically similar donor mouse. No specialized equipment is required for the procedure and surgical techniques are straightforward to follow. The method may be effortlessly implemented and reproduced in most research settings. Certain limitations are associated with the model. Due to technical difficulties, the harvest of thinner split thickness skin grafts is not possible. The surgical method we describe here allows for the reconstruction of burn wounds using full thickness skin grafts. It may be used to carry out preclinical therapeutic testing.

The aim of this study was to develop a murine model of burn wound healing. A thermal burn was induced on the dorsal skin of mice using a preheated brass template. Burned tissue was debrided and overlaid with a skin graft harvested from the tail of a genetically similar donor mouse.

Trivial superficial wounds heal without complications by primary intention. Deep wounds, such as full thickness burns, heal by secondary intention and ...