3D imaging of cellular features in kidney glomeruli using expansion microscopy and fluorescent covalent stains. Issue 2 (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Qi; Cao, Jingyuan; Xu, Huizhong
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 1865:Issue 2(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Physics -- Congresses; 530.5
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/1865/2/022063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-6588

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To develop a 3D imaging method for observing the structural features and identifying three types of cells in the glomerulus based on multiple optical sections of the specimen. Methodology: Following expansion microscopy procedures, the 50 μm thick sections of rat kidney tissues were expanded and cleared. The nuclear and cytoplasmic components of the glomerulus were then stained with dyes with optimized chemical and fluorescent properties and finally visualized by confocal microscopy. To further make the dataset friendly to pathologists, the images were pseudo-colored to resemble H&E. Results: Using the method presented here we were able to collect multiple sections of data. The different types of cells within the glomerulus can be well identified based on their anatomical features and gradual appearance changes along the thickness direction. Conclusion: Compared to two-dimensional data, our 3D multilayered data allows different glomerular cells to be more clearly identified, which lays the experimental foundation for more in-depth study of pathologic changes in the glomerulus.