Chapter 5 Visualizing cells and the CSK 1. Visible Light microscopy Ordinary microscopy trans-illuminates the specimen (light shining from above the specimen into the objective lens), whose image contrast is based on differences in optical density, i.e. light absorbance, within the specimen. Improved images can be obtained through phase contrast microscopy, where contrast is based on differences in refractive index, i.e. the optical path of light as it travels through the specimen. Phase contrast gives better definition of cell borders, allowing easier micromanipulation of the cells. Another type of microscope useful for cytomechanics is differential interference contrast (DIC) that registers the phase shift of light through the specimen. DIC microscopy is much more accurate for metrological measurements, compared with conventional microscopy, as illustrated below (from Fung). In the left panel of Figure 5.1 are phase contrast images of RBCs (transverse and sagittal views) in which the focus was slightly changed from top to bottom. The center panel gives the best view of its biconcave structure, but with slight focus changes, halo effects around the cell perimeter significantly change the cell appearance and apparent size. The 2 DIC images, however, are also taken at different focus adjustments, however the apparent size does not change and measurement would be more reliable. Figure 5.1 Comparison of phase contrast with differential interference micrscopy. At left are views of an RBC at 3 slightly different focal adjustments. Border definition is difficult. At right, DIC images show a clear border, independent of focal adjustment.. 2. Fluorescent Labeling Fluorescent probes enable researchers to detect particular components of complex biomolecular assemblies, including live cells. Most compounds, ranging from minerals to proteins, can be detected or labeled with a fluorescent dye. Calcium, for example, can be detected quantitatively in its ionic form using dyes whose light output is proportional to [Ca++]. Proteins can be specifically labeled with an antibody carrying a fluorescent dye. The basic plan is schematized below. To look at a specific protein, cells are labeled with a fluorescent dye that is conjugated with an antibody for that protein. This process is sometimes called ‘decorating’ the cell with a dye. Standard techniques and commercial dyes for many different CSK components are available (i.e. , Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR). Once labeled, the protein can be visualized by exciting the dye with a short wavelength light, usually in the ultraviolet range. The dye will then emit (fluoresce) light at a longer wavelength that can be quantified and turned into an image. The mixture of reflected and emitted fluorescent light is focused onto a photodetector (photomultiplier) via a dichroic mirror (beam splitter). The reflected light is deviated by the dichroic mirror while the emitted fluorescent light passes through in the direction of the photomultiplier (PM). The PM can quantify the number of photons, and relate it to concentration of proteins. Cameras can also produce images such as those shown in below: Structure by immunofluorescence Photo Antibody-labelled specimen PMT Filter Dichroic mirror Short Figure 5.2 Multiple proteins can be imaged simultaneously, as shown in the cell below that was decorated with Phalloidin, staining F actin green, and with Texas red, staining G actin. Specific antibodies for both F and G actin were attached to those dyes. Note that the exact colorization of different proteins was determined by computer imaging software and thus represents ‘false’ colors. It should be appreciated that the only light seen in this image has come from either F or G actin- all other components of the cell are dark, due to the optics of fluorescent microscopes. Figure 5.3 Fibroblast Since the image was obtained from an ordinary fluorescent microscope, the light collected from the proteins represents most or all of the light coming from the entire cell. In other words, while the 2-D resolution is excellent, the 3-D resolution is not, since the cell has a thickness. The consequence of this is that the red coming from the G actin in the nucleus appears more diffuse relative to that coming from F actin. This is because the nucleus is thicker than the rest of cell, and the relative abundance of G actin emits a saturating amount of red light, diffusing its appearance. The nucleus may actually have a lower proportion of G actin for its volume than is indicated. Higher resolution microscopy can be obtained using con-focal optics, as described below. Dyes that are sensitive to cellular salts, such as Na+, K+ and Ca++ can be introduced into the cell to indicate their respective concentrations. Ca++ is perhaps the most important small-molecule regulator of cell mechanics, and its concentration can be imaged in several ways.. Certain events, such as electrical depolarization, or mechanical stimuli, can release Ca from internal stores, as exemplified below. These image sequences (read left to right) show a temporal wave of Ca++ after an egg cell has been perturbed mechanically at its upper right quadrant (arrow). The experiment started at top left. The wave is indicated by the spectrum of colors that represent calibrated concentrations of Ca++, according to the bar at lower right. Note that the color-coding is done by the computer based on photon intensity, not on color, since Ca++ produces only one color. Thus red represents the highest [Ca++], and blue the lowest (background). These images, taken in near real-time show that a Ca++ wave results from the poke. Fluorescent dyes for Ca++ include Fura-2 and Indo. Begin Calibration bar Figure 5.4 Ca Wave To see the effect of a sudden rise in Ca++ into a cell, it can be introduced into the cell while trapped in a cage compound loaded with Ca++, and then release it all of a sudden have been devised to see its instantaneous effects on cells. One such is the ‘caged compound’ technique, where an organic compound is structured to hold Ca++ in a cage until it is needed. This procedure is analogous to placing a Trojan horse into the cell. The cage releases upon deliverance of a pulse of high-energy light. An example of a caged release of Ca++ in a nerve cell is shown below, where green is the color of the Ca dye. Figure 5.5 Caged Ca release Physical Basis of Immunofluorescence (Adapted From http://www.probes.com/handbook/sections/0001.html) Fluorescence is the result of a three-stage process that occurs in certain molecules (generally polyaromatic hydrocarbons or heterocycles) called fluorophores or fluorescent dyes. A fluorescent probe is a fluorophore designed to localize within a specific region of a biological specimen or to respond to a specific stimulus. The process responsible for the fluorescence of fluorescent probes and other fluorophores is illustrated by the simple electronic-state diagram (Jablonski diagram) shown in Figure 1. Stage 1: Excitation A photon of energy h EX is supplied by an external source such as an incandescent lamp or a laser and absorbed by the fluorophore, creating an excited electronic singlet state (S1'). This process distinguishes fluorescence from chemiluminescence, in which the excited state is populated by a chemical reaction. Stage 2: Excited-State Lifetime The excited state exists for a finite time (typically 1–10 nanoseconds). During this time, the fluorophore undergoes conformational changes and is also subject to a multitude of possible interactions with its molecular environment. These processes have two important consequences. First, the energy of S1' is partially dissipated, yielding a relaxed singlet excited state (S1) from which fluorescence emission originates. Second, not all the molecules initially excited by absorption (Stage 1) return to the ground state (S0) by fluorescence emission. Other processes such as collisional quenching, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and intersystem crossing (see below) may also depopulate S1. The fluorescence quantum yield, which is the ratio of the number of fluorescence photons emitted (Stage 3) to the number of photons absorbed (Stage 1), is a measure of the relative extent to which these processes occur. Stage 3: Fluorescence Emission A photon of energy h EM is emitted, returning the fluorophore to its ground state S0. Due to energy dissipation during the excited-state lifetime, the energy of this photon is lower, and therefore of longer wavelength, than the excitation photon h EX. The difference in energy or wavelength represented by (h EX – h EM) is called the Stokes shift. The Stokes shift is fundamental to the sensitivity of fluorescence techniques because it allows emission photons to be detected against a low background, isolated from excitation photons. In contrast, absorption spectrophotometry requires measurement of transmitted light relative to high incident light levels at the same wavelength. Fluorescence Spectra The entire fluorescence process is cyclical. Unless the fluorophore is irreversibly destroyed in the excited state (an important phenomenon known as photobleaching, see below), the same fluorophore can be repeatedly excited and detected. The fact that a single fluorophore can generate many thousands of detectable photons is fundamental to the high sensitivity of fluorescence detection techniques. For polyatomic molecules in solution, the discrete electronic transitions represented by h EX and h EM in Figure 1 are replaced by rather broad energy spectra called the fluorescence excitation spectrum and fluorescence emission spectrum, respectively. The bandwidths of these spectra are parameters of particular importance for applications in which two or more different fluorophores are simultaneously detected (see below). With few exceptions, the fluorescence excitation spectrum of a single fluorophore species in dilute solution is identical to its absorption spectrum. Under the same conditions, the fluorescence emission spectrum is independent of the excitation wavelength, due to the partial dissipation of excitation energy during the excited-state lifetime, as illustrated in Figure 1. The emission intensity is proportional to the amplitude of the fluorescence excitation spectrum at the excitation wavelength (Figure 2). Fluorescence Instrumentation Four essential elements of fluorescence detection systems can be identified from the preceding discussion: 1) an excitation source, 2) a fluorophore, 3) wavelength filters to isolate emission photons from excitation photons and 4) a detector that registers emission photons and produces a recordable output, usually as an electrical signal or a photographic image. Regardless of the application, compatibility of these four elements is essential for optimizing fluorescence detection. Fluorescence instruments are primarily of four types, each providing distinctly different information: Spectrofluorometers and microplate readers measure the average properties of bulk (µL to mL) samples. Fluorescence microscopes resolve fluorescence as a function of spatial coordinates in two or three dimensions for microscopic objects (less than ~0.1 mm diameter). Fluorescence scanners, including microarray readers, resolve fluorescence as a function of spatial coordinates in two dimensions for macroscopic objects such as electrophoresis gels, blots and chromatograms. Flow cytometers measure fluorescence per cell in a flowing stream, allowing subpopulations within a large sample to be identified and quantitated. Other types of instrumentation that use fluorescence detection include capillary electrophoresis apparatus, DNA sequencers and microfluidic devices. Each type of instrument produces different measurement artifacts and makes different demands on the fluorescent probe. For example, although photobleaching is often a significant problem in fluorescence microscopy, it is not a major impediment in flow cytometry or DNA sequencers because the dwell time of individual cells or DNA molecules in the excitation beam is short. Fluorescence Signals Fluorescence intensity is quantitatively dependent on the same parameters as absorbance — defined by the Beer–Lambert law as the linear relationship between absorbance and concentration of an absorbing species. It is the product of the molar extinction coefficient, optical path length and solute concentration — as well as on the fluorescence quantum yield of the dye and the excitation source intensity and fluorescence collection efficiency of the instrument. The general Beer-Lambert law applies to dilute solutions or suspensions as: A= -dependent molar -1 -1 absorptivity coefficient with units of M cm , b is the path length, and c is the analyte concentration. In, fluorescence intensity is linearly proportional to these parameters. When sample absorbance exceeds about 0.05 in a 1 cm pathlength, the relationship becomes nonlinear and measurements may be distorted by artifacts such as selfabsorption and the inner-filter effect. Because fluorescence quantitation is dependent on the instrument, fluorescent reference standards are essential for calibrating measurements made at different times or using different instrument configurations. To meet these requirements, Molecular Probes offers high-precision fluorescent microsphere reference standards for fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry and a set of readymade fluorescent standard solutions for spectrofluorometry A spectrofluorometer is extremely flexible, providing continuous ranges of excitation and emission wavelengths. Laser-scanning microscopes and flow cytometers, however, require probes that are excitable at a single fixed wavelength. In contemporary instruments, the excitation source is usually the 488 nm spectral line of the argon-ion laser. As shown in Figure 3, separation of the fluorescence emission signal (S1) from Rayleigh-scattered (diffraction) excitation light (EX) is facilitated by a large fluorescence Stokes shift (i.e., separation of A1 and E1). Biological samples labeled with fluorescent probes typically contain more than one fluorescent species, making signal-isolation issues more complex. Additional optical signals, represented in Figure 3 as S2, may be due to background fluorescence or to a second fluorescent probe. Background Fluorescence Fluorescence detection sensitivity is severely compromised by background signals, which may originate from endogenous sample constituents (referred to as autofluorescence) or from unbound or nonspecifically bound probes (referred to as reagent background). Detection of autofluorescence can be minimized either by selecting filters that reduce the transmission of E2 relative to E1 or by selecting probes that absorb and emit at longer wavelengths. Although narrowing the fluorescence detection bandwidth increases the resolution of E1 and E2, it also compromises the overall fluorescence intensity detected. Signal distortion caused by autofluorescence of cells, tissues and biological fluids is most readily minimized by using probes that can be excited at >500 nm. Furthermore, at longer wavelengths, light scattering by dense media such as tissues is much reduced, resulting in greater penetration of the excitation light. Multicolor Labeling Experiments A multicolor labeling experiment entails the deliberate introduction of two or more probes to simultaneously monitor different biochemical functions. This technique has major applications in flow cytometry, DNA sequencing, fluorescence in situ hybridization and fluorescence microscopy. Signal isolation and data analysis are facilitated by maximizing the spectral separation of the multiple emissions (E1 and E2 in Figure 3). Consequently, fluorophores with narrow spectral bandwidths, such as Molecular Probes' Alexa Fluor dyes and BODIPY dyes, are particularly useful in multicolor applications. An ideal combination of dyes for multicolor labeling would exhibit strong absorption at a coincident excitation wavelength and well-separated emission spectra (Figure 3). Unfortunately, it is not easy to find single dyes with the requisite combination of a large extinction coefficient for absorption and a large Stokes shift Ratiometric Measurements In some cases, for example the Ca2+ indicators fura-2 and indo-1 and the pH indicators BCECF and SNARF, the free and ion-bound forms of fluorescent ion indicators have different emission or excitation spectra. With this type of indicator, the ratio of the optical signals (S1 and S2 in Figure 3) can be used to monitor the association equilibrium and to calculate ion concentrations. Ratiometric measurements eliminate distortions of data caused by photobleaching and variations in probe loading and retention, as well as by instrumental factors such as illumination stability. . Comparing Different Dyes Fluorophores currently used as fluorescent probes offer sufficient permutations of wavelength range, Stokes shift and spectral bandwidth to meet requirements imposed by instrumentation (e.g., 488 nm excitation), while allowing flexibility in the design of multicolor labeling experiments (Figure 4). The fluorescence output of a given dye depends on the efficiency with which it absorbs and emits photons, and its ability to undergo repeated excitation/emission cycles. Absorption and emission efficiencies are most usefully quantified in terms of the molar extinction coefficient ( ) for absorption and the quantum yield (QY) for fluorescence. Both are constants under specific environmental conditions. The value of is specified at a single wavelength (usually the absorption maximum), whereas QY is a measure of the total photon emission over the entire fluorescence spectral profile. Fluorescence intensity per dye molecule is proportional to the product of and QY. The range of these parameters among fluorophores of current practical importance is approximately 5000 to 200,000 cm-1M-1 for and 0.05 to 1.0 for QY. Phycobiliproteins such as R-phycoerythrin have multiple fluorophores on each protein and consequently have much larger extinction coefficients (on the order of 2 106 cm-1M-1) than low molecular weight fluorophores. Photobleaching Under high-intensity illumination conditions, the irreversible destruction or photobleaching of the excited fluorophore becomes the factor limiting fluorescence detectability. The multiple photochemical reaction pathways responsible for photobleaching of fluorescein have been investigated and described in considerable detail. Some pathways include reactions between adjacent dye molecules, making the process considerably more complex in labeled biological specimens than in dilute solutions of free dye. In all cases, photobleaching originates from the triplet excited state, which is created from the singlet state (S1, Figure 1) via an excited-state process called intersystem crossing. The most effective remedy for photobleaching is to maximize detection sensitivity, which allows the excitation intensity to be reduced. Detection sensitivity is enhanced by lowlight detection devices such as CCD cameras, as well as by high–numerical aperture objectives and the widest bandpass emission filters compatible with satisfactory signal isolation. Alternatively, a less photolabile fluorophore may be substituted in the experiment. Molecular Probes' Alexa Fluor 488 dye is an important fluorescein substitute that provides significantly greater photostability than fluorescein , ), yet is compatible with standard fluorescein optical filters. Antifade reagents can also be applied to reduce photobleaching; however, they are usually incompatible with live cells. In general, it is difficult to predict the necessity for and effectiveness of such countermeasures because photobleaching rates are dependent to some extent on the INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.probes.com/images/ref.gif" \* MERGEFORMATINET Signal Amplification The most straightforward way to enhance fluorescence signals is to increase the number of fluorophores available for detection. Fluorescent signals can be amplified using 1) avidin–biotin or antibody–hapten secondary detection techniques, 2) enzyme-labeled secondary detection reagents in conjunction with fluorogenic substrates or 3) probes that contain multiple fluorophores such as phycobiliproteins and fluorescent microspheres. Simply increasing the probe concentration can be counterproductive and often produces marked changes in the probe's chemical and optical characteristics. It is important to note that the effective intracellular concentration of probes loaded by bulk permeabilization methods is usually much higher (>10-fold) than the extracellular incubation concentration. Also, increased labeling of proteins or membranes ultimately leads to precipitation of the protein or gross changes in membrane permeability. Antibodies labeled with more than four to six fluorophores per protein may exhibit reduced specificity and reduced binding affinity. Furthermore, at high degrees of substitution, the extra fluorescence obtained per added fluorophore typically decreases due to selfquenching. 5.3 Video tracking Myocytes isolated directly from hearts are log shaped, as shown below. Their speed and magnitude of contraction can be monitored with a video camera and imaging software that tracks motion of the edges. Records from such an imaging set-up are shown below. Figure 4.14 Myocyte contraction Contraction Measurement contracting 30 m resting TTP 90% R 0.5 sec Resting contraction Max relaxation velocity Max shortening velocity 3. Scanning Microscopy Laser Confocal Microscopy (Adapted from Kees van der Wulp) Imaging of thin optical slices, and 3-D reconstructions of cells and components can be done with scanning microscopy. One type is Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Here the laser light beam scans the specimen that has been decorated with a fluorescent label. A confocal aperture (pinhole) is placed in front of the photodetector, such that the fluorescent light (not the reflected light!) from points on the specimen that are not within the focal plane (the so called out-of-focus light) where the laser beam was focused will be largely obstructed by the pinhole. In this way, out-of-focus information (both above and below the focal plane) is greatly reduced. This becomes especially important when dealing with thick specimens. The spot that is focused on the center of the pinhole is often referred to as the "confocal spot." A 2-D image of a small partial volume of the specimen centered around the focal plane (referred to as an optical section) is generated by performing a raster sweep of the specimen at that focal plane. As the laser scans across the specimen, the analog light signal, detected by the photomultiplier, is converted into a digital signal, contributing to a pixel-based image displayed on a computer monitor attached to the LSCM. The relative intensity of the fluorescent light, emitted from the laser-hit point, corresponds to the intensity of the resulting pixel in the image (typically 8-bit greyscale). The plane of focus (Z-plane) is selected by a computer-controlled fine-stepping motor which moves the microscope stage up and down. Typical focus motors can adjust the focal plane in as little as 0.1 micron increments. A 3-D reconstruction of a specimen can be generated by stacking 2-D optical sections collected in series. The general setup of an entire LSCM system is shown below. It should be noted that most laser scanning confocal microscopes consist of a confocal unit attached to a conventional fluorescence microscope. Electron Beam Scanning An older scanning technique uses an electron beam instead of a laser, and hence produces much higher resolution images, while sacrificing some simplicity. A scanning electron micrograph of ECM below shows strands of collagen (yellow) and elastin (blue). Image Enhancement After an image has been acquired it may be preprocessed to improve image quality. The preprocessing usually involves application of image filters (mathematical algorithms implimented in software) to the entire data set to remove noise and artifacts, smooth or sharpen the images, or to correct for problems with contrast and/or brightness. While these filters are generally performed as preprocessing steps, they can also be carried out after a 3-D model has been reconstructed from the image. Median and Gaussian filters have the general affect of smoothing images. These are used to eliminate noise and background artifacts and to smooth sharp edges, but also tend to remove some of the detail in small objects. Sharpening filters can be used to emphazise details in the image stack, but also have the effect of highlighting noise and other small artifacts. The application of sharpening filters is most useful when the image consists of fine structural components of a specimen, or when edge enhancement is desired. The contrast and brightness of the image can be adjusted to enhance perception of the sampled specimen. This is usually done by changing the ramping of the grey scale values for the dataset. Histogram equilization can be used to improve contrast by a non-linear mapping of the grey levels in an image. This technique is most commonly used when the grey levels are concentrated in a small portion of the range of possible values. It is important to realise that the application of filters to the data set can ultimately affect quantitative measurements of 3-D reconstructions produced from it. As such, the application of filters in some instances are only used for display purposes, and quantitative measurements are made on the unprocessed data. Segmentation refers to the process of extracting the desired object (or objects) of interest from the background in an image or data volume. There are a variety of techniques that are used to do this, ranging from the simple (such as thresholding and masking) to the complex (such as edge/boundary detection, region growing and clustering algorithms.) Segmentation can be aided through manual intervention or handled automatically through software algorithms. Examples of simple forms of segmentation that can be used with confocal data include thresholding and masking. Thresholding involves limiting the intensity values within an individual image or the entire image stack to a certain bounded range (or ranges). For example, since each pixel in an 8-bit greyscale confocal image (with values 0 [black] to 255 [white]) corresponds to fluorescence intensity at a point within the specimen, the pixels with lower values represent areas with lower fluorescence while the pixels with higher values represent brighter regions. It may be decided that all pixels below a certain value do not contribute significantly to the object(s) of interest and hence can be eliminated. This can be done by scanning the image(s) one pixel at a time, and keeping that pixel if it is above the selected intensity value, or setting it to 0 (black) if it is below that value. In a similar manner, thresholding can also be used to eliminate non-consecutive ranges of intensities while preserving the regions containing the intensities of interest. Masking is a procedure whereby an enclosed region(s) of an image (or of the image stack) are defined for processing. This can be done either by manually tracing around the regions of interest (e.g. with a mouse in a graphics application) or by an automated routine. An easy (and useful) application of this is to use a 2-D stacked projection of an image to define the image mask. The stacked projection of the image stack is a single image that represents the sum of all of the images in the image stack (these images can usually be provided automatically from software supplied with the LSCM.) If the object of interest has a closed, continuous surface (such as that of a neuron) the stacked projection defines the absolute boundaries of the object in 2-D. A mask can be formed by either manually tracing around the boundaries of the object(s) of interest in the stacked projection or by absolute thresholding (making all intensities above a certain value white and all below this value black.) The mask can now be applied to the entire image stack, such that regions falling within the mask selection area are preserved, whereas areas outside this region are eliminated (e.g. set to 0 [black].) After the mask has been applied, thresholding and image filtering methods can be used to aid in removing the remaining undesired regions. 4. Flow Cytometry Some applications in cytomechanics require high throughput analysis of cells and their content. FC can analyze aspects of cell structure and mechanical makeup at the rate of 10,000 cells per minute. Figure 5.11 shows scatter plots for ECs exposed to isotonic and 50% hypotonic saline for 1 minute and more than an hour. The scatter plots show a dot for each cell event, with coordinates representing forward and side scatter of light as labeled. Approximately 10,000 cells are represented in each series. The side and forward scatter results seen at one minute for the isotonic control and 50% hypotonic controls were essentially unchanged when retested after more than an hour incubation in either set of control conditions. Hypotonic saline exposure for one minute increased side scatter. Figure 5.11: Testing effects of drugs on mechanical response of endothelial cells. 5. Exercises 1. How can the excitation light be separated from fluorescence in a microscope? 2. From what you know of physiology, what mechanical role could a Ca++ wave play in the cell? 3. Explain how confocal optics can “see” through thick objects. 6. References Principles of Fluorescence Detection Albani, J.R., Absorption et fluorescence: Principes et applications, Lavoisier (2001). 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