PUBLICATION

Analysis of Zebrafish Kidney Development with Time-lapse Imaging Using a Dissecting Microscope Equipped for Optical Sectioning

Authors
Perner, B., Schnerwitzki, D., Graf, M., Englert, C.
ID
ZDB-PUB-160415-2
Date
2016
Source
Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE   (110): e53921 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Englert, Christoph, Perner, Birgit
Keywords
Developmental Biology, Zebrafish, time-lapse, fluorescence dissecting microscope, autofocus strategy, relocation grid, kidney development
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Developmental Biology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/embryology*
  • Histocytological Preparation Techniques
  • Kidney/embryology*
  • Lasers
  • Microscopy, Confocal/methods
  • Morpholinos/genetics
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • Organogenesis*
  • Time-Lapse Imaging*
  • WT1 Proteins/genetics
  • Zebrafish/embryology*
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
PubMed
27078207 Full text @ J. Vis. Exp.
Abstract
In order to understand organogenesis, the spatial and temporal alterations that occur during development of tissues need to be recorded. The method described here allows time-lapse analysis of normal and impaired kidney development in zebrafish embryos by using a fluorescence dissecting microscope equipped for structured illumination and z-stack acquisition. To visualize nephrogenesis, transgenic zebrafish (Tg(wt1b:GFP)) with fluorescently labeled kidney structures were used. Renal defects were triggered by injection of an antisense morpholino oligonucleotide against the Wilms tumor gene wt1a, a factor known to be crucial for kidney development. The advantage of the experimental setup is the combination of a zoom microscope with simple strategies for re-adjusting movements in x, y or z direction without additional equipment. To circumvent focal drift that is induced by temperature variations and mechanical vibrations, an autofocus strategy was applied instead of utilizing a usually required environmental chamber. In order to re-adjust the positional changes due to a xy-drift, imaging chambers with imprinted relocation grids were employed. In comparison to more complex setups for time-lapse recording with optical sectioning such as confocal laser scanningĀ or light sheet microscopes, a zoom microscope is easy to handle. Besides, it offers dissecting microscope-specific benefits such as high depth of field and an extended working distance. The method to study organogenesis presented here can also be used with fluorescence stereo microscopes not capable of optical sectioning. Although limited for high-throughput, this technique offers an alternative to more complex equipment that is normally used for time-lapse recording of developing tissues and organ dynamics.
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Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
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Antibodies
Orthology
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Mapping