Super-Resolution Imaging in Collagen-Abundant Thick Tissues
Journal
Small Structures
Journal Issue
2400231
ISSN
2688-4062
Date Issued
2024-08-14
Author(s)
Ya‐Han Chuang
Yueh‐Feng Wu
Ya‐Hui Lin
Yin‐Hsu Chen
Yu‐Xian Zhou
Shao‐Chun Hsu
Hsin‐Mei Lee
Ann‐Shyn Chiang
Yunching Chen
DOI
10.1002/sstr.202400231
Abstract
Expansion microscopy (ExM) has gained increasing popularity for 3D ultrastructural imaging of cultured cells and tissue slices at nanoscale resolution using conventional microscopes via physical expansion of biological tissues. However, its application to collagen-abundant thick tissues is still challenging. Herein, a new method, collagen ExM (ColExM), optimized for expanding tissues containing more than 70% collagen, is demonstrated. ColExM succeeds in 4.5-fold linear expansion with minimal structural distortion of corneal and skin tissues. It is compatible with immunostaining, allowing super-resolution visualization of 3D neural structures innervating hair follicles, corneas, and pancreatic tumors with high stromal collagen content. The method succeeds in identifying individual mitochondria and previously unrecognized dendritic spinelike structures of corneal nerves. It also enables fine mapping of structural rearrangement of tight junctions and actin cytoskeletons. Therefore, ColExM can facilitate the exploration of 3D nanoscale structures in collagen-rich tissues.
Subjects
collagen
cornea
expansion microscopy
nerves
tight junctions
SDGs
Publisher
Wiley
Description
Online Version of Record before inclusion in an issue 2400231
Type
journal article