Biological applications of backscattered electron imaging of scanning electron microscopy

Soligo, Davide; Lambertenghi‐Deliliers, G.

doi:10.1002/sca.4950090302

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…In some specific cases, BSE detector could also be useful, particularly with heavy-metal labelled surfaces [53]. It collects electrons that come from the greater depths under the sample surface than SEs and give information about the composition and topography [54].…”

Section: Scanning Electron Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspectives of Microscopy Methods for Morphology Characterisation of Extracellular Vesicles from Human Biofluids

et al. 2021

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Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanometric membranous structures secreted from almost every cell and present in biofluids. Because EV composition reflects the state of its parental tissue, EVs possess an enormous diagnostic/prognostic potential to reveal pathophysiological conditions. However, a prerequisite for such usage of EVs is their detailed characterisation, including visualisation which is mainly achieved by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron microscopy (EM). Here we summarise the EV preparation protocols for AFM and EM bringing out the main challenges in the imaging of EVs, both in their natural environment as biofluid constituents and in a saline solution after EV isolation. In addition, we discuss approaches for EV imaging and identify the potential benefits and disadvantages when different AFM and EM methods are applied, including numerous factors that influence the morphological characterisation, standardisation, or formation of artefacts. We also demonstrate the effects of some of these factors by using cerebrospinal fluid as an example of human biofluid with a simpler composition. Here presented comparison of approaches to EV imaging should help to estimate the current state in morphology research of EVs from human biofluids and to identify the most efficient pathways towards the standardisation of sample preparation and microscopy modes.

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Section: Scanning Electron Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspectives of Microscopy Methods for Morphology Characterisation of Extracellular Vesicles from Human Biofluids

et al. 2021

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“…With modifications in technique, other tissue components, such as basal lamina and reticulin, can be stained with silver (10). Furthermore, BE1 can detect other metallic stains with different specificities and has been used for immunohistochemistry with gold-labelled antibodies (27,28). For these reasons, we believe the BE1 offers a powerful tool for study of many different aspects of the joint surface.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cell patterns in the surface of rabbit articular cartilage revealed by the backscatter mode of scanning electron microscopy

Clark

Rudd

1991

Journal Orthopaedic Research

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To study the distribution of cells in the surface layer of articular cartilage, rabbit hip and knee specimens were stained with silver and studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cartilage was treated en bloc using the Gomori methenamine silver technique, which stains the nuclei of exposed cells with reduced silver. The intact surface was then studied with a binocular microscope and SEM in the backscatter mode Only those cells within 30 microns of the surface stained, permitting that population to be imaged selectively. Depressions in the surface were related to groups of cells in clusters or rows bounded by collagen fibers. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of backscatter imaging in the study of chondrocytes. The relationship between surface contours and underlying cells is more complex than previously described.

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“…Thus, SEM provides information regarding exosome surface characteristics comprising size, shape and morphology. In a few cases, backscattered electrons (BSE) detector could also be helpful, especially for exosomes containing surfaces labeled with heavy metal [ 103 ]. It gathers electrons from more depths below the sample’s surface than scattered electrons and gives information about the composition and topography [ 104 ].…”

Section: Characterization Of Exosomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exosomes as New Generation Vehicles for Drug Delivery: Biomedical Applications and Future Perspectives

Rajput

Varshney²,

Bajaj³

et al. 2022

Molecules

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Currently, particular interest among the scientific community is focused on exploring the use of exosomes for several pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. This is due to the identification of the role of exosomes as an excellent intercellular communicator by delivering the requisite cargo comprising of functional proteins, metabolites and nucleic acids. Exosomes are the smallest extracellular vesicles (EV) with sizes ranging from 30–100 nm and are derived from endosomes. Exosomes have similar surface morphology to cells and act as a signal transduction channel between cells. They encompass different biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids and lipids, thus rendering them naturally as an attractive drug delivery vehicle. Like the other advanced drug delivery systems, such as polymeric nanoparticles and liposomes to encapsulate drug substances, exosomes also gained much attention in enhancing therapeutic activity. Exosomes present many advantages, such as compatibility with living tissues, low toxicity, extended blood circulation, capability to pass contents from one cell to another, non-immunogenic and special targeting of various cells, making them an excellent therapeutic carrier. Exosome-based molecules for drug delivery are still in the early stages of research and clinical trials. The problems and clinical transition issues related to exosome-based drugs need to be overcome using advanced tools for better understanding and systemic evaluation of exosomes. In this current review, we summarize the most up-to-date knowledge about the complex biological journey of exosomes from biogenesis and secretion, isolation techniques, characterization, loading methods, pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications, challenges and future perspectives of exosomes.

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Biological applications of backscattered electron imaging of scanning electron microscopy

Cited by 5 publications

References 6 publications

Perspectives of Microscopy Methods for Morphology Characterisation of Extracellular Vesicles from Human Biofluids

Perspectives of Microscopy Methods for Morphology Characterisation of Extracellular Vesicles from Human Biofluids

Cell patterns in the surface of rabbit articular cartilage revealed by the backscatter mode of scanning electron microscopy

Exosomes as New Generation Vehicles for Drug Delivery: Biomedical Applications and Future Perspectives

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