Quantitative Analysis of Immunofluorescent Retinal Images

Recent advances in bio-molecular imaging have afforded biologists a more thorough understanding of cellular functions in complex tissue structures. For example, high resolution fluorescence images of the retina reveal details about tissue restructuring during detachment experiments. Time sequence imagery of microtubules provides insight into subcellular dynamics in response to cancer treatment drugs. However, technological progress is accompanied by a rapid proliferation of image data. Traditional analysis methods, namely manual measurements and qualitative assessments, become time consuming and are often nonreproducible. Computer vision tools can efficiently analyze these vast amounts of data with promising results. This paper provides an overview of several challenges faced in bioimage processing and our recent progress in addressing these issues.

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The Effects of Transient Retinal Detachment on Cavity Size and Glial and Neural Remodeling in a Mouse Model of X-Linked Retinoschisis

Luna

Kjellström

Verardo

et al. 2009

Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci.

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Purpose To determine the cellular consequences of retinal detachment in retinoschisin knockout (Rs1-KO) mice, a model for retinoschisin in humans. Methods Experimental retinal detachments (RDs) were induced in the right eyes of both Rs1-KO and wild-type (wt) control mice. Immunocytochemistry was performed on retinal tissue at 1, 7, or 28 days after RD with antibodies to anti-GFAP, -neurofilament, and -rod opsin to examine cellular changes after detachment. Images of the immunostained tissue were captured by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Quantitative analysis was performed to measure the number of Hoechst-stained photoreceptor nuclei and their density, number, and size of inner retinal cavities, as well as the number of subretinal glial scars. Results Since detachments were created with balanced salt solution, by examination, all retinas had spontaneously reattached by 1 day. Cellular responses common to many photoreceptor degenerations occurred in the nondetached retinas of Rs1-KO mice, and, of importance, RD did not appear to significantly accentuate these responses. The number of schisis cavities was not changed after detachment, but their size was reduced. Conclusions These data indicate that large short-term RD in Rs1-KO mice, followed by a period of reattachment may cause a slight increase in photoreceptor cell death, but detachments do not accentuate the gliosis and neurite sprouting already present and may in fact reduce the size of existing retinal cavities. This finding suggests that performing subretinal injections to deliver therapeutic agents may be a viable option in the treatment of patients with retinoschisis without causing significant cellular damage to the retina.

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Quantitative Analysis of Immunofluorescent Retinal Images

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

Optimal Live Cell Tracking for Cell Cycle Study Using Time-Lapse Fluorescent Microscopy Images

Optimal Live Cell Tracking for Cell Cycle Study Using Time-Lapse Fluorescent Microscopy Images

Towards Automated Bioimage Analysis: From Features to Semantics

The Effects of Transient Retinal Detachment on Cavity Size and Glial and Neural Remodeling in a Mouse Model of X-Linked Retinoschisis

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