Abstract

Understanding vascular structures and dysfunction is a fundamental challenge. This task has been approached by using traditional methodologies such as microscopic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Both techniques are not only expensive but also time-consuming. Here, we present a new method for visualizing vascular structures in different organs in an efficient manner. A cationic near infrared (NIR) fluorescent dye was developed with attractive features to specifically stain blood vessels. Furthermore, we refined the process of organ staining and harvesting by retrograde perfusion and optimized the subsequent dehydration and clearing process by the use of an automatic tissue processor and a non-toxic substance, ethyl-cinnamate. Using this approach, the time interval between organ harvesting and microscopic analysis can be reduced from day(s) or weeks to 4 hours. Finally, we have demonstrated that the new NIR fluorescent agent in combination with confocal or light-sheet microscopy can be efficiently used for visualization of vascular structures, such as the blood vessels in different organs e.g. glomeruli in kidneys, with an extremely high resolution. Our approach facilitates the development of automatic image processing and the quantitative analysis to study vascular and kidney diseases.

Details

Title
A cationic near infrared fluorescent agent and ethyl-cinnamate tissue clearing protocol for vascular staining and imaging
Author
Huang Jiaguo 1 ; Brenna Cinzia 1 ; Khan Arif ul Maula 1 ; Daniele, Cristina 1 ; Rüdiger, Rudolf 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Heuveline, Vincent 3 ; Gretz Norbert 1 

 University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, Medical Research Center, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany (GRID:grid.7700.0) (ISNI:0000 0001 2190 4373); Institute for Medical Technology, University of Heidelberg and University of Applied Sciences, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, Mannheim, Germany (GRID:grid.7700.0) 
 Institute for Medical Technology, University of Heidelberg and University of Applied Sciences, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, Mannheim, Germany (GRID:grid.7700.0); Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Mannheim, Germany (GRID:grid.440963.c) (ISNI:0000 0001 2353 1865) 
 Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 293, Director of the Computing Centre, Heidelberg, Germany (GRID:grid.7700.0) (ISNI:0000 0001 2190 4373) 
Publication year
2019
Publication date
Jan 2019
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20452322
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2344211404
Copyright
This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.