Ex vivo live cell tracking in kidney organoids using light sheet fluorescence microscopy



Held, Marie ORCID: 0000-0003-0118-5898, Santeramo, Ilaria, Wilm, Bettina ORCID: 0000-0002-9245-993X, Murray, Patricia ORCID: 0000-0003-1316-148X and Lévy, Raphaël
(2018) Ex vivo live cell tracking in kidney organoids using light sheet fluorescence microscopy. PLoS One. 233114-.

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Abstract

Screening cells for their differentiation potential requires a combination of tissue culture models and imaging methods that allow for long-term tracking of the location and function of cells. Embryonic kidney re-aggregation in vitro assays have been established which allow for the monitoring of organotypic cell behaviour in re-aggregated and chimeric renal organoids. However, evaluation of cell integration is hampered by the high photonic load of standard fluorescence microscopy which poses challenges for imaging three-dimensional systems in real-time over a time course. Therefore, we employed light sheet microscopy, a technique that vastly reduces photobleaching and phototoxic effects. We have also developed a new method for culturing the re-aggregates which involves immersed culture, generating organoids which more closely reflect development in vivo. To facilitate imaging from various angles, we embedded the organoids in a freely rotatable hydrogel cylinder. Endpoint fixing and staining were performed to provide additional biomolecular information. We succeeded in imaging labelled cells within re-aggregated kidney organoids over 15 hours and tracking their fate while simultaneously monitoring the development of organotypic morphological structures. Our results show that Wt1-expressing embryonic kidney cells obtained from transgenic mice could integrate into re-aggregated chimeric kidney organoids and contribute to developing nephrons. Furthermore, the nascent proximal tubules that formed in the re-aggregated tissues using the new culture method displayed secretory function, as evidenced by their ability to secrete an organic anion mimic into the tubular lumen.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Biotechnology, Kidney Disease, 1 Underpinning research, 1.1 Normal biological development and functioning, Renal and urogenital
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 14 Sep 2018 13:30
Last Modified: 14 Mar 2024 20:10
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199918
Open Access URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.13...
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3026212