Immunocytochemistry of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labelled oligonucleotide probes. A novel technique for in situ hybridization

A synthetic oligonucleotide probe, complementary to oxytocin m-RNA was labelled enzymatically with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (5-BrdU) and with [gamma-32P]-ATP. The labelled probes were used for in situ hybridization of histological sections of the mouse hypothalamus. A monoclonal antibody to 5-BrdU and the streptavidine-peroxidase technique were used in order to visualize hybridization with the 5-BrdU labelled probe. In situ hybridization with [32P] labelling was detected autoradiographically. With both methods hybridized neurons were visible in the magnocellular hypothalamic nuclei. While immunostaining and radio-labelling provided similar localization of oxytocin m-RNA, only the immunocytochemical technique showed clear cellular resolution of the reaction product. In situ hybridization with 5-BrdU labelled probes followed by 5-brdU immunocytochemistry seems to be a powerful alternative to common autoradiographic techniques.     

Immunocytochemistry of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine labelled oligonucleotide probes

Summary A synthetic oligonucleotide probe, complementary to oxytocin m-RNA was labelled enzymatically with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (5-BrdU) and, with [-³²P]-ATP. The labelled probes were used for in situ, hybridization of histological sections of the mouse hypothalamus. A monoclonal antibody to 5-BrdU and the streptavidine-peroxidase technique were used in order to visualize hybridization with the 5-BrdU labelled probe. In situ hybridization with [³²P] labelling was detected autoradiographically. With both methods hybridized neurons were visible in the magnocellular hypothalamic nuclei. While immunostaining and radio-labelling provided similar localization of oxytocin m-RNA, only the immunocytochemical technique showed clear cellular resolution of the reaction product. In situ hybridization with 5-BrdU labelled probes followed by 5-BrdU immunocytochemistry seems to be a powerful alternative to common autoradiographic techniques.     

In situ hybridization of atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA in the endothelial cells of human umbilical vessels

The localization of mRNA encoding preproatrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was investigated in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and tissue preparations of umbilical vein and artery. The techniques used were in situ hybridization and in situ hybridization combined with immunocytochemistry, using ³²P-radiolabelled and non-radioactive digoxigenin labelled complementary RNA probes. Human ANP mRNAs are mainly localized in the endothelial cells of the umbilical vein and, to a lesser extent, in the endothelial cells of the umbilical artery. The autoradiographic labelling and the intensity of digoxigenin staining were significantly reduced by treatment with RNase before in situ hybridization. This study provides unequivocal evidence for the expression of the ANP gene in the endothelial cells of human umbilical vessels, confirming that these endothelial cells have the ability to synthesize this peptide. The functional significance of the presence of the ANP mRNA in the endothelial cells of human umbilical vessels is discussed.     

In situ hybridization using 32P labelled oligodeoxyribonucleotides for the cellular localisation of mRNA in neuronal and endocrine tissue. An analysis of procedural variables

Methodological variables for in situ hybridization using 32P labelled oligodeoxyribonucleotides (oligomers) have been examined. Four different oligomers directed against proglucagon messenger RNA (mRNA) and two different oligomers against prosomatostatin mRNA have been used. Specific hybridization was obtained in adult rat brain, stomach and pancreas and in neonatal rat ileum. Tissue was perfusion fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde 0.2% glutaraldehyde and hybridization was carried out in 50% formamide for 72 h at 42 degrees C. Using hybridization conditions of lower stringency (33% formamide) labelling was also obtained in guinea pig tissue. Other variables which affected hybridization signal intensity were the inclusion of a prehybridization dehydration stage, the probe concentration, the inclusion of ammonium acetate in the posthybridization dehydrating ethanols and in the autoradiographic emulsion, and the exposure time. The localisation of proglucagon mRNA in rat pancreas using a 20mer was used as a model tissue for testing these methodological variables and the results were found generally also to apply to the other probes and tissues tested. The methods described provide single cell resolution and show that 32P labelled oligomers may be used to localise neuropeptide and endocrine mRNAs in different types of tissue and in different mammalian species.     

In situ localization of amylase mRNA and protein. An investigation of amylase gene activity in normal human parotid gland

The distribution of human salivary amylase mRNA was studied by in situ hybridization to a [32P]-labeled amylase cDNA probe. Amylase mRNA was localized to the apical portion of acinar cells in frozen sections of human parotid salivary gland. No hybridization was noted in ductal cells, skeletal muscle, or in connective tissue. These results were consistent with immunohistochemical localization of amylase. The technique of in situ hybridization was modified to permit localization of amylase mRNA in variously fixed, paraffin-embedded parotid glands. Although the hybridization signal decreased with all fixatives, the pattern of localization paralleled that obtained with frozen sections. No advantage was noted in fixation with ethanol-acetic acid or Bouin solution over routine fixation with formalin. These results have important implications for researchers interested in studies of gene expression. We have demonstrated that routinely fixed paraffin blocks of human tissue can be used for cellular localization of specific mRNA. In coordination with immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization offers a powerful tool for studies of mRNA and protein expression in individual cells.     

In situ hybridization using 32P labelled oligodeoxyribonucleotides for the cellular localisation of mRNA in neuronal and endocrine tissue

Summary Methodological variables for in situ hybridization using ³²P labelled oligodeoxyribonucleotides (oligomers) have been examined. Four different oligomers directed against proglucagon messenger RNA (mRNA) and two different oligomers against prosomatostatin mRNA have been used. Specific hybridization was obtained in adult rat brain, stomach and pancreas and in neonatal rat ileum. Tissue was perfusion fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde 0.2% glutaraldehyde and hybridization was carried out in 50% formamide for 72 h at 42° C. Using hybridization conditions of lower stringency (33% formamide) labelling was also obtained in guinea pig tissue. Other variables which affected hybridization signal intensity were the inclusion of a prehybridization dehydration stage, the probe concentration, the inclusion of ammonium acetate in the posthybridization dehydrating ethanols and in the autoradiographic emulsion, and the exposure time. The localisation of proglucagon mRNA in rat pancreas using a 20mer was used as a model tissue for testing these methodological variables and the results were found generally also to apply to the other probes and tissues tested. The methods described provide single cell resolution and show that ³²P labelled oligomers may be used to localise neuropeptide and endocrine mRNAs in different types of tissue and in different mammalian species.     

Detection of proopiomelanocortin mRNA by in situ hybridization, using a biotinylated oligodeoxynucleotide probe and avidin-alkaline phosphatase histochemistry

A synthetic 24-mer oligodeoxynucleotide complementary to the region of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA that codes for the MSH core sequence (alpha MSH/ACTH[4-11]), was synthesized and labelled in the 3'-end by use of terminal transferase. Probes tailed with either [3H]- or biotin-labelled nucleotides could be used for in situ hybridization studies. Biotinylated probes, hybridized to mouse and rat pituitary sections, were detected by avidin-alkaline phosphatase or streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase procedures and development in 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate (BCIP)-nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT). Proteinase K pretreatment of sections produced a drastic enhancement of the signal obtained, particularly in strongly fixed, paraffin-embedded material. The non-radioactive in situ hybridization technique compared favourably to radioactive in situ hybridization in terms of rapidity and precision of the localization. Controls involved deletion of the probe to prove that other components of the reaction sequence did not yield stain, digestion with RNase to prove that tissue RNA was necessary to bind the probe, prehybridization (blocking) with unlabelled probe to prove that the biotinylated probe reacted with its anti-sense region and not its tail and Northern blotting to show that the probe reacted with only one species of pituitary RNA, having the size of mouse pituitary POMC mRNA. In addition, adrenalectomy, known to increase anterior lobe POMC levels, resulted in both increased numbers and increased intensity of positive corticotroph-like cells. Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides labelled with biotin appear to constitute attractive reagents for in situ hybridization studies when supported by appropriate control procedures.     

Localization of vasopressin-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-, peptide histidine isoleucine-and somatostatin-mRNA in rat suprachiasmatic nucleus

Summary Messenger RNAs (mRNA) coding for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), somatostatin and vasopressin were localized in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the rat hypothalamus using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Specific mRNA coding for each of these peptides was distributed in areas coextensive with the immunohistochemical localization of the appropriate peptide. The autoradiographic signal produced with probes to VIP and PHI created dense concentrations of silver grains over neuronal perikarya in the ventrolateral SCN, and the coextensive distribution of both VIP-and PHI-mRNAs suggests that both peptides are synthesized within the same neurons. The distribution of somatostatin-mRNA was distinct from that of VIP and PHI. Labeled neurons are observed at the interface of the two SCN subdivisions and the distribution of these neurons is identical to those shown to contain somatostatin immunoreactivity. Vasopressin-mRNA is also differentially concentrated within neurons in the dorsomedial subdivision of the SCN in an area that is coextensive with vasopressin-immunoreactive perikarya. The discrete pattern of hybridization for each of these mRNAs indicates that each of these peptides are synthesized in SCN neurons and reaffirms the differential distribution of each of these chemically defined cell populations within cytoarchitecturally distinct subdivisions of the nucleus.     

秋水仙素对大鼠前脑生长抑素mRNA表达的影响

本实验用地高辛标记生长抑素（ＳＯＭ）反意。ＲＮＡ探针原位杂交组织化学研究了秋水仙素对大鼠前脑ＳＯＭｍＲＮＡ表达的影响。结果表明秋水仙素对前脑各核区ＳＯＭｍＲＮＡ的表达有明显的影响。结果表明秋水仙素对前脑各核区ＳＤＭｍＲＮＡ的表达有明显的核区特异性：大脑新皮质各区,隔核和脚内核中ＳＯＭｍＲＮＡ阳性神经元数目及含量增加;海马复合体和下丘脑室周核和弓状核中ＳＯＭｍＲＮＡ阳性神经元数目及含量下降;嗅脑,尾壳核和丘脑等核区的则无明显变化、秋水仙素对ＳＯＭｍＲＮＡ表达的核区特异性对正确分析秋水仙素条件下获得的神经肽或神经递质的定位资料具有重要的指导意义。     

地高辛标记反意RNA探针检测脑组织切片生长抑素mRNA

本实验采用含大鼠生长抑素基因的ｐＳＰ６５ｃＤＮＡ质位通过转化至噬菌体内大量扩增,经提取,纯化后,用限制性内切酶进行酶切使质枝线性化,并将其作为模板,用地高辛（ＤｉｇｏｘｉｇｅｎｉｎＤｉｇ）作为标记物,体外转录合成生长抑素反意ＲＮＡ（ｃＲＮＡ）探针。实验动物选用ｗｉｓｔａｒ新生大鼠。冰冻切片,端、间脑切片经杂交前用Ｄｉｇ－ＵＴＰ标记的ｃＲＮＡ探针杂交,杂交后用抗Ｄｉｇ－碱性磷酸酶复合物进行酶联免疫反应。Ｘ－磷酸盐－ＮＢＴ显色。结果显示新生大鼠脑内生长抑素ｍＲＮＡ神经元着紫蓝色。杂交反应物集中于核周的胞浆及短小的突起内。胞核不着色。胞体轮廓清晰,周围背底浅淡。结果表明Ｄｉｇ标记ｃＲＮＡ探针不仅具备非同位素标记探针的优点而且能快速和准确检测组织细胞内ｍＲＮＡ的表达。     

Quantitative analysis of in situ hybridization methods for the detection of actin gene expression.

We have implemented an efficient, quantitative approach for the optimization of in situ hybridization using double-stranded recombinant DNA probes. The model system studied was actin mRNA expression in chicken embryonic muscle cultures. Actin and control (pBR322) probes were nick-translated with p32 labeled nucleotides, hybridized to cells grown on coverslips, and quantitated in a scintillation counter. Cellular RNA retention was monitored via the incorporation of H3-Uridine into RNA prior to cell fixation. Over a thousand samples were analyzed, and among the technical variables examined were the fixation protocol, proteolytic cell pretreatment, the time course of hybridization, saturation kinetics, hybridization efficiency, and effect of probe size on hybridization and network formation. Results have allowed us to develop a reproducible in situ hybridization methodology which is simpler and less destructive to cellular RNA and morphology than other protocols. Moreover, this technique is highly sensitive and efficient in detection of cellular RNAs. Lastly, the rapid quantitative approach used for this analysis is valuable in itself as a potential alternative to filter or solution hybridizations.     

Combined non-radioactive detection of peptide hormones and their mRNAs in stomach somatostatin cells

Non-radioactive in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunocytochemistry (ICC) have been used to detect somatostatin (SS) messenger RNA (mRNA) and peptide in antropyloric mucosa of the stomach in the rats. We have applied a method of non-radioactive in situ hybridization histochemistry using digoxigenin labelled oligonucleotide probes to detect somatostatin gene expression in the stomach. In prehybridization stage we used proteinase K (PK) in various concentrations (from 1 to 10 micrograms/ml) and periods (from 10 min to 1 h) but we maintained high background. However it was possible to detect the somatostatin mRNAs in the stomach mucosa making use of either background preventing solutions during the prehybridization, or of levamisole (20 microliters/mg) added into the hybridization buffer or of pepsin. Somatostatin mRNA and peptide signals were scattered all through the mucosa especially localized particularly at the base of the pyloric glands. SS peptide shown by ICC and SS mRNA shown by ISH were observed in different cells.     

Detection of rare mRNA species in a complex RNA population by blot hybridization techniques: a comparative survey

The detection of very rare mRNA species in a complex RNA preparation by current RNA blotting techniques is not straightforward. To be able to determine the size of mRNA molecules representing 10(-6) to 10(-7) of the total mass of an RNA preparation, a quantitative comparison of the level of detection of denatured mRNA species electrophoretically separated on agarose gels, followed by transfer to either nitrocellulose or diazobenzyloxymethyl (DBM) paper and hybridization to specific cDNA probes was carried out. Different transfer procedures were analyzed. Optimal conditions have been found which allowed the detection of RNA bands containing as little as 5 pg of a specific sequence within a few days of autoradiography following hybridization with highly labeled [32P]cDNA probes. Using this procedure it was shown that the low amounts of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) mRNA sequences present in adult rat liver are mature AFP mRNA molecules.     

Detection of albumin mRNAs in rat liver by in situ hybridization: usefulness of paraffin embedding and comparison of various fixation procedures

Our aim was to define optimal conditions for efficient and reproducible albumin mRNA detection in rat liver by in situ hybridization. We used an albumin-specific [3H]-labeled cDNA probe with a specific activity of 6-8.10(6) cpm/microgram DNA. In situ hybridization is as efficient on paraffin sections as on cryostat sections for detecting albumin mRNAs. Perfusion fixation with a 4% paraformaldehyde solution results in homogeneous RNA retention within tissue blocks, in contrast with immersion fixation, which yields heterogeneous RNA preservation. Comparison of immersion fixation with three different fixatives (paraformaldehyde, ethanol-acetic acid, and Bouin's fixative) shows that the highest level of hybridization signal is obtained with paraformaldehyde. Ethanol-acetic acid and Bouin's fixative appear less efficient for albumin mRNA detection. Loss of mRNAs within liver tissue blocks over time is largely although not completely prevented by paraffin embedding.     

Detection of proopiomelanocortin mRNA by in situ hybridization,using a biotinylated oligodeoxynucleotide probe and avidin-alkaline phosphatase histochemistry

Summary A synthetic 24-mer oligodeoxynucleotide complementary to the region of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA that codes for the MSH core sequence (MSH/ACTH[4-11]), ws synthesized and labelled in the 3-end by use of terminal transferase. Probes tailed with either [³H]- or biotin-labelled nucleotides could be used for in situ hydridization studies. Biotinylated probes, hybridized to mouse and rat pituitary sections, were detected by avidinalkaline phosphatase or streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase procedures and development in 5-brome-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate (BCIP)-nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT). Proteinase K pretreatment of sections produced a drastic enhancement of the signal obtained, particularly in strongly fixed, paraffin-embedded material. The non-radioactive in situ hybridization technique compared favourably to radioactive in situ hybridization in terms of rapidity and precision of the localization. Controls involved deletion of the probe to prove that other components of the reaction sequence did not yield stain, digestion with RNase to prove that tissue RNA was necessary to bind the probe, prehybridazation (blocking) with unlabelled probe to prove that the biotinylated probe reacted with its anti-sense region and not its tail and Northern blotting to show that the probe reacted with only one species of pituitary RNA, having the size of mouse pituitary POMC mRNA. In addition, adrenalectomy, known to increase anterior lobe POMC, levels, resulted in both increased numbers and increased intensity of positive corticotroph-like cells. Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides labelled with biotin appear to constitute attractive reagents for in situ hybridization studies when supported by appropriate control procedures.