scholarly journals A method to facilitate and monitor expression of exogenous genes in the rat kidney using plasmid and viral vectors

2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (9) ◽  
pp. F1217-F1229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter R. Corridon ◽  
George J. Rhodes ◽  
Ellen C. Leonard ◽  
David P. Basile ◽  
Vincent H. Gattone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Renal Vein ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Adenovirus Vectors

Gene therapy has been proposed as a novel alternative to treat kidney disease. This goal has been hindered by the inability to reliably deliver transgenes to target cells throughout the kidney, while minimizing injury. Since hydrodynamic forces have previously shown promising results, we optimized this approach and designed a method that utilizes retrograde renal vein injections to facilitate transgene expression in rat kidneys. We show, using intravital fluorescence two-photon microscopy, that fluorescent albumin and dextrans injected into the renal vein under defined conditions of hydrodynamic pressure distribute broadly throughout the kidney in live animals. We found injection parameters that result in no kidney injury as determined by intravital microscopy, histology, and serum creatinine measurements. Plasmids, baculovirus, and adenovirus vectors, designed to express EGFP, EGFP-actin, EGFP-occludin, EGFP-tubulin, tdTomato-H2B, or RFP-actin fusion proteins, were introduced into live kidneys in a similar fashion. Gene expression was then observed in live and ex vivo kidneys using two-photon imaging and confocal laser scanning microscopy. We recorded widespread fluorescent protein expression lasting more than 1 mo after introduction of transgenes. Plasmid and adenovirus vectors provided gene transfer efficiencies ranging from 50 to 90%, compared with 10–50% using baculovirus. Using plasmids and adenovirus, fluorescent protein expression was observed 1) in proximal and distal tubule epithelial cells; 2) within glomeruli; and 3) within the peritubular interstitium. In isolated kidneys, fluorescent protein expression was observed from the cortex to the papilla. These results provide a robust approach for gene delivery and the study of protein function in live mammal kidneys.

scholarly journals Potential role of nuclear translocation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in apoptosis and oxidative stress

2001 ◽  
Vol 114 (9) ◽  
pp. 1643-1653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Dastoor ◽  
J.L. Dreyer
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Apoptotic Cells ◽  
Transfected Cells ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

Recent studies indicating a role of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in apoptosis or oxidative stress has been reported. Using confocal laser-scanning microscopy, we have investigated the cellular distribution of GAPDH in central nervous system (CNS)-derived cells (neuroblastoma mNB41A3), in non-CNS derived cells (R6 fibroblast) and in an apoptosis-resistant Bcl2 overexpressing cell line (R6-Bcl2). Induction of apoptosis by staurosporine or MG132 and oxidative stress by H(2)O(2) or FeCN enhanced the nuclear translocation of endogenous GAPDH in all cell types, as detected by immunocytochemistry. In apoptotic cells, GAPDH expression is three times higher than in non-apoptotic cells. Consistent with a role for GAPDH in apoptosis, overexpression of a GAPDH-green fluorescent protein (GAPDH-GFP) hybrid increased nuclear import of GAPDH-GFP into transfected cells and the number of apoptotic cells, and made them more sensitive to agents that induce apoptosis. Bcl2 overexpression prevents nuclear translocation of GAPDH and apoptosis in untransfected cells, but not in transfected cells that overexpress GAPDH-GFP. Our observations indicate that nuclear translocation of GAPDH may play a role in apoptosis and oxidative stress, probably related to the activity of GAPDH as a DNA repair enzyme or as a nuclear carrier for pro-apoptotic molecules.

Postharvest Handling Conditions Affect Internalization of Salmonella in Baby Spinach during Washing

2013 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
pp. 1145-1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
VICENTE M. GÓMEZ-LÓPEZ ◽  
ALICIA MARÍN ◽  
ANA ALLENDE ◽  
LARRY R. BEUCHAT ◽  
MARÍA I. GIL
Keyword(s):  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Negative Temperature ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Temperature Differential ◽  
Postharvest Handling ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Spinach Leaves

Internalization of foodborne pathogens in fruits and vegetables is an increasing safety concern. The aim of this research was to assess the potential for internalization of an enteric pathogen (Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium) in a leafy vegetable (baby spinach) during washing as influenced by three postharvest handling conditions: (i) illumination, (ii) negative temperature differential, and (iii) relative humidity (RH). To compare these potential postharvest handling conditions, leaves were exposed to different levels of illumination (0, 1,000, and 2,000 lx), temperature differential (5, 11, 14, 20, and 26uC), and RH (99, 85, and 74%) for a short time before or during washing. Washing of baby spinach was carried out in water containing green fluorescent protein–tagged Salmonella Typhimurium (6.5 log CFU/ml) at 5uC for 2 min, followed by surface disinfection with chlorine (10,000 μg/ml) for 1 min, two rinses in water for 10 s, and spin drying for 15 s. Internalization was assessed by enumerating the pathogen on Salmonella-Shigella agar and by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Illumination of spinach leaves before and during washing and a negative temperature differential during washing did not significantly (P > 0.05) increase the number of internalized bacteria. However, exposure of leaves to low-RH conditions before washing, which reduced the tissue water content, decreased internalization of Salmonella compared with internalization in baby spinach exposed to high RH (P ≤ 0.05). Green fluorescent protein–tagged Salmonella Typhimurium was visualized by confocal laser scanning microscopy at a depth of up to 30 μm beneath the surface of spinach leaves after exposure to a high inoculum level (8 log CFU/ml) for an extended time (2 h). Results show that internalization of Salmonella into baby spinach leaves can occur but can be minimized under specific postharvest handling conditions such as low RH.

scholarly journals Visualization of the Peroxisomal Compartment in Living Mammalian Cells: Dynamic Behavior and Association with Microtubules

1997 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik A.C. Wiemer ◽  
Thibaut Wenzel ◽  
Thomas J. Deerinck ◽  
Mark H. Ellisman ◽  
Suresh Subramani
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Subcellular Compartment ◽  
Directional Movement ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Peroxisomes in living CV1 cells were visualized by targeting the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to this subcellular compartment through the addition of a COOH-terminal peroxisomal targeting signal 1 (GFP–PTS1). The organelle dynamics were examined and analyzed using time-lapse confocal laser scanning microscopy. Two types of movement could be distinguished: a relatively slow, random, vibration-like movement displayed by the majority (∼95%) of the peroxisomes, and a saltatory, fast directional movement displayed by a small subset (∼5%) of the peroxisomes. In the latter instance, peak velocities up to 0.75 μm/s and sustained directional velocities up to 0.45 μm/s over 11.5 μm were recorded. Only the directional type of motion appeared to be energy dependent, whereas the vibrational movement continued even after the cells were depleted of energy. Treatment of cells, transiently expressing GFP–PTS1, with microtubule-destabilizing agents such as nocodazole, vinblastine, and demecolcine clearly altered peroxisome morphology and subcellular distribution and blocked the directional movement. In contrast, the microtubule-stabilizing compound paclitaxel, or the microfilament-destabilizing drugs cytochalasin B or D, did not exert these effects. High resolution confocal analysis of cells expressing GFP–PTS1 and stained with anti-tubulin antibodies revealed that many peroxisomes were associated with microtubules. The GFP–PTS1–labeled peroxisomes were found to distribute themselves in a stochastic, rather than ordered, manner to daughter cells at the time of mitosis.

Migration of Salmonella Enteritidis Phage Type 30 through Almond Hulls and Shells

2008 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHELLE D. DANYLUK ◽  
MARIA T. BRANDL ◽  
LINDA J. HARRIS
Keyword(s):  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Salmonella Enteritidis ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Phage Type ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Aqueous Environment ◽  
Serovar Typhimurium ◽  
Green Fluorescent

The ability of Salmonella to migrate from an external aqueous environment through the almond hull and shell, and to colonize the kernel, was evaluated in two ways. First, the outer surface of shell halves from five varieties of almonds that differed in shell hardness were placed in contact with a suspension of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis phage type 30 for 24hat24°C. Salmonella Enteritidis was isolated from the inside of these almond shells in 46 and 100% of the samples, by direct swabbing of the inner surface of the shell and by enrichment from the swab, respectively. These findings suggested that hardness of the shell is not a significant factor in the migration of the pathogen through that tissue. In addition, both motile and nonmotile strains of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium migrated through the almond shells to the same extent under the conditions of this assay, indicating that bacterial migration through the wet shell may be a passive process. Second, whole almonds (intact hull, shell, and kernel) were soaked for 24 to 72 h at 24°C in a suspension of Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 30 labeled with the green fluorescent protein. Green fluorescent protein–labeled Salmonella cells were observed on the outer and inner surfaces of both the almond hull and shell, and on the kernel, by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Our data provide direct evidence that wet conditions allow for Salmonella migration through the hull and shell and onto the almond kernel, thus providing a means by which almond kernels may become contaminated in the field.

Testate Amoebae Examined by Confocal and Two-Photon Microscopy: Implications for Taxonomy and Ecophysiology

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 735-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuzana Burdíková ◽  
Martin Čapek ◽  
Pavel Ostašov ◽  
Jiří Machač ◽  
Radek Pelc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Testate Amoebae ◽  
Shell Morphology ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Polarization Microscopy ◽  
Sem Images ◽  
Two Photon

AbstractTestate amoebae (TA) are a group of free-living protozoa, important in ecology and paleoecology. Testate amoebae taxonomy is mainly based on the morphological features of the shell, as examined by means of light microscopy or (environmental) scanning electron microscopy (SEM/ESEM). We explored the potential applications of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), two photon excitation microscopy (TPEM), phase contrast, differential interference contrast (DIC Nomarski), and polarization microscopy to visualize TA shells and inner structures of living cells, which is not possible by SEM or environmental SEM. Images captured by CLSM and TPEM were utilized to create three-dimensional (3D) visualizations and to evaluate biovolume inside the shell by stereological methods, to assess the function of TA in ecosystems. This approach broadens the understanding of TA cell and shell morphology, and inner structures including organelles and endosymbionts, with potential implications in taxonomy and ecophysiology.

Alginate production affects Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm development and architecture, but is not essential for biofilm formation

2004 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 679-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Plata Stapper ◽  
Giri Narasimhan ◽  
Dennis E. Ohman ◽  
Johnny Barakat ◽  
Morten Hentzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Alginate Production ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Biofilm Development

Extracellular polymers can facilitate the non-specific attachment of bacteria to surfaces and hold together developing biofilms. This study was undertaken to qualitatively and quantitatively compare the architecture of biofilms produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 and its alginate-overproducing (mucA22) and alginate-defective (algD) variants in order to discern the role of alginate in biofilm formation. These strains, PAO1, Alg+ PAOmucA22 and Alg− PAOalgD, tagged with green fluorescent protein, were grown in a continuous flow cell system to characterize the developmental cycles of their biofilm formation using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Biofilm Image Processing (bip) and Community Statistics (comstat) software programs were used to provide quantitative measurements of the two-dimensional biofilm images. All three strains formed distinguishable biofilm architectures, indicating that the production of alginate is not critical for biofilm formation. Observation over a period of 5 days indicated a three-stage development pattern consisting of initiation, establishment and maturation. Furthermore, this study showed that phenotypically distinguishable biofilms can be quantitatively differentiated.

scholarly journals Systemic Colonization of Potato Plants by a Soilborne, Green Fluorescent Protein-Tagged Strain of Dickeya sp. Biovar 3

2010 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Czajkowski ◽  
Waldo J. de Boer ◽  
Henk Velvis ◽  
Jan M. van der Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Agar Medium ◽  
Lateral Roots ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Potato Plants ◽  
Soil Inoculation ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Colonization of potato plants by soilborne, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Dickeya sp. IPO2254 was investigated by selective plating, epifluorescence stereo microscopy (ESM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Replicated experiments were carried out in a greenhouse using plants with an intact root system and plants from which ca. 30% of the lateral roots was removed. One day after soil inoculation, adherence of the pathogen on the roots and the internal colonization of the plants were detected using ESM and CLSM of plant parts embedded in an agar medium. Fifteen days post-soil inoculation, Dickeya sp. was found on average inside 42% of the roots, 13% of the stems, and 13% of the stolons in plants with undamaged roots. At the same time-point, in plants with damaged roots, Dickeya sp. was found inside 50% of the roots, 25% of the stems, and 25% of the stolons. Thirty days postinoculation, some plants showed true blackleg symptoms. In roots, Dickeya sp. was detected in parenchyma cells of the cortex, both inter- and intracellularly. In stems, bacteria were found in xylem vessels and in protoxylem cells. Microscopical observations were confirmed by dilution spread-plating the plant extracts onto agar medium directly after harvest. The implications of infection from soilborne inoculum are discussed.

scholarly journals Phenological and Phytochemical Changes Correlate with Differential Interactions of Verticillium dahliae with Broccoli and Cauliflower

2011 ◽  
Vol 101 (5) ◽  
pp. 523-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. C. Njoroge ◽  
G. E. Vallad ◽  
S.-Y. Park ◽  
S. Kang ◽  
S. T. Koike ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Verticillium Dahliae ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Plant Phenology ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Plant Age ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Glucosinolate Content ◽  
Developing Seed ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis subvar. cauliflora) is susceptible to wilt caused by Verticillium dahliae but broccoli (B. oleracea var. italica subvar. cyamosa) is not. Infection of broccoli and cauliflower by a green fluorescent protein-expressing isolate of V. dahliae was examined using epifluorescence and confocal laser-scanning microscopy to follow infection and colonization in relation to plant phenology. Plant glucosinolate, phenolic, and lignin contents were also assayed at 0, 4, 14, and 28 days postinoculation. V. dahliae consistently infected and colonized the vascular tissues of all cauliflower plants regardless of age at inoculation, with the pathogen ultimately appearing in the developing seed; however, colonization decreased with plant age. In broccoli, V. dahliae infected and colonized root and stem xylem tissues of plants inoculated at 1, 2, or 3 weeks postemergence. However, V. dahliae colonized only the root xylem and the epidermal and cortical tissues of broccoli plants inoculated at 4, 5, and 6 weeks postemergence. The frequency of reisolation of V. dahliae from the stems (4 to 22%) and roots (10 to 40%) of mature broccoli plants was lower than for cauliflower stems (25 to 64%) and roots (31 to 71%). The mean level of aliphatic glucosinolates in broccoli roots was 6.18 times higher than in the shoots and did not vary with age, whereas it was 3.65 times higher in cauliflower shoots than in the roots and there was a proportional increase with age. Indole glucosinolate content was identical in both cauliflower and broccoli, and both indole and aromatic glucosinolates did not vary with plant age in either crop. Qualitative differences in characterized glucosinolates were observed between broccoli and cauliflower but no differences were observed between inoculated and noninoculated plants for either broccoli or cauliflower. However, the phenolic and lignin contents were significantly higher in broccoli following inoculation than in noninoculated broccoli or inoculated cauliflower plants. The increased resistance of broccoli to V. dahliae infection was related to the increase in phenolic and lignin contents. Significant differential accumulation of glucosinolates associated with plant phenology may also contribute to the resistant and susceptible reactions of broccoli and cauliflower, respectively, against V. dahliae.

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