A fully automated robotic system for microinjection of zebrafish embryos

As an important embodiment of biomanipulation, injection of foreign materials (e.g., DNA, RNAi, sperm, protein, and drug compounds) into individual cells has significant implications in genetics, transgenics, assisted reproduction, and drug discovery. This paper presents a microrobotic system for fully automated zebrafish embryo injection, which overcomes the problems inherent in manual operation, such as human fatigue and large variations in success rates due to poor reproducibility. Based on computer vision and motion control, the microrobotic system performs injection at a speed of 15 zebrafish embryos (chorion unremoved) per minute, with a survival rate of 98% (n = 350 embryos), a success rate of 99% (n = 350 embryos), and a phenotypic rate of 98.5% (n = 210 embryos). The sample immobilization technique and microrobotic control method are applicable to other biological injection applications such as the injection of mouse oocytes/embryos and Drosophila embryos to enable high-throughput biological and pharmaceutical research.     

用改进的细胞核移植方法构建重构胚

为了能够找出一种既容易操作,又不需要特殊设备的核移植方法,对以前的操作进行了改进。首先以预先吸有细胞核或细胞的注射针在固定于持卵针上的卵母细胞透明带上穿刺两个孔,然后一边缓慢地将注射针回拔至卵周隙中,一边逐渐增加持卵针中的负压,直至极体与目标核质被完整吸入持卵针中而完成去核,最后在不拔出注射针的情况下直接注射细胞核或完整细胞进而完成重构胚的构建。用此方法对200个卵母细胞进行注核和注细胞操作,平均完成一个重构胚的构建各自耗时约40s和30s,成功率分别为62.6%和86.0%。用核染料Hoechst 33342 对卵母细胞的去核效率进行验证,去核成功率达到73.3%。实验证明,用此方法可以在只有倒置显微镜和显微操作仪的条件下一次性快速完成去核和注核,大大提高了细胞核移植的效率和重构胚成活率;更重要的是该方法操作简单,新手可以很快掌握该技术,易于在实际工作中推广应用。     

用改进的细胞核移植方法构建重构胚

为了能够找出一种既容易操作,又不需要特殊设备的核移植方法,对以前的操作进行了改进。首先以预先吸有细胞核或细胞的注射针在固定于持卵针上的卵母细胞透明带上穿刺两个孔,然后一边缓慢地将注射针回拔至卵周隙中,一边逐渐增加持卵针中的负压,直至极体与目标核质被完整吸入持卵针中而完成去核,最后在不拔出注射针的情况下直接注射细胞核或完整细胞进而完成重构胚的构建。用此方法对200个卵母细胞进行注核和注细胞操作,平均完成一个重构胚的构建各自耗时约40s和30s,成功率分别为62·6%和86·0%。用核染料Hoechst33342对卵母细胞的去核效率进行验证,去核成功率达到73·3%。实验证明,用此方法可以在只有倒置显微镜和显微操作仪的条件下一次性快速完成去核和注核,大大提高了细胞核移植的效率和重构胚成活率;更重要的是该方法操作简单,新手可以很快掌握该技术,易于在实际工作中推广应用。     

Microinjection of living adherent cells by using a semi-automatic microinjection system

Testing in vitro is an alternative to animal experimentation. The capillary pressure microinjection technique is a supporting technology for efficient in vitro testing. The main benefit of the technique is the possibility of injecting large molecules into a single living cell. The ultimate goal of the research discussed in this paper is to increase the cell survival rate in capillary pressure microinjection. A method to reliably evaluate cell survival rate is therefore needed. A three-phase evaluation process is presented in this paper. The first phase determines the success rate of the injection capillary to penetrate the cell membrane. The second phase studies the success rate of delivering the injection substance inside the cell, while the third phase studies cell survival after the microinjection. In addition to the three-phase evaluation process, this paper describes the initial results of penetration and injection tests performed by using a semi-automatic capillary pressure microinjection system developed by the research group. Three adherent cell lines, namely, retinal pigment epithelial cells, MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, were used in the experiments. The results of the penetration tests show that the average success rate of penetrating the cell membrane using the micromanipulator was 87%. The goal of the injection tests was to demonstrate the successful microinjection of living cells and to study the injection success rate. Fluorescein dextran was injected into MCF-7 cells, and preliminary results showed an injection success rate of 49%. In the survival tests, the neuronal cells were microinjected with KCl. During long-term observation after the microinjection, the microinjected cells first decreased their adhesion to the plate, but later adhered to the bottom of the plate and even grew some dendrites. In the next phase of the study, more tests will be performed in order to obtain a statistically reliable value for the survival rate.     

蜜环菌菌种分离新法——天麻组织分离法

报道了一蜜环菌菌种分离方法——天麻组织分离法,并对此法与常用分离法——菌索分离法进行比较试验。结果发现,天麻组织分离法分离成功率高（78％）,远高于常用的菌索分离法（16％）,且前者操作简便、难度低,所得菌种生活活力、生长形态均优于后法。     

两种方式接种肝癌模型的比较

目的观察直接注入法和瘤块种植法制作Wistar大鼠肝癌模型的差异。方法采用大鼠含有Walker-256肿瘤细胞的腹水离心洗涤后接种于另一组大鼠的后腿后外侧皮下,待肿瘤长到直径约为1．0em,取下肿瘤并切成1．0-2．0mm^3大小。然后将瘤块接种于15只大鼠的肝叶上;另一组（15只）按上述方式将癌性腹水接种于正常大鼠的肝叶上;两组均在第7天后采用CT和开腹后游标卡尺分别测量种植性肝癌的直径。结果腹水直接注射法与瘤块种植法的肿瘤成瘤率分别为：86．7％和80％,两者并不具有统计学意义（P〉0．05）。第7天时,直接注射法所形成肿瘤的直径大于瘤块种植法的肿瘤（P〈0．05）。但瘤块法所引起的腹腔转移的可能性要少于腹水直接种法。结论直接注射法和瘤块种植法制作大鼠肝癌模型均可以满足临床实验研究的需要,但直接注射法的成瘤时间短,腹腔转移可能性也大;瘤块种植法成瘤时间略长,但腹腔转移可能性少于直接法。     

Remote biopsy darting and marking of polar bears

Remote biopsy darting of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) is less invasive and time intensive than physical capture and is therefore useful when capture is challenging or unsafe. We worked with two manufacturers to develop a combination biopsy and marking dart for use on polar bears. We had an 80% success rate of collecting a tissue sample with a single biopsy dart and collected tissue samples from 143 polar bears on land, in water, and on sea ice. Dye marks ensured that 96% of the bears were not resampled during the same sampling period, and we recovered 96% of the darts fired. Biopsy heads with 5 mm diameters collected an average of 0.12 g of fur, tissue, and subcutaneous adipose tissue, while biopsy heads with 7 mm diameters collected an average of 0.32 g. Tissue samples were 99.3% successful (142 of 143 samples) in providing a genetic and sex identification of individuals. We had a 64% success rate collecting adipose tissue and we successfully examined fatty acid signatures in all adipose samples. Adipose lipid content values were lower compared to values from immobilized or harvested polar bears, indicating that our method was not suitable for quantifying adipose lipid content.     

硫酸镁对脑源性肺损伤综合征的影响

目的探讨不同剂量的硫酸镁(MgSO4)对大鼠脑源性肺损伤后神经源性肺水肿、血浆炎性因子TNF-α及肺组织病理形态学变化的影响。方法将30只SD雄性大鼠按随机数字法分为假手术组(A组)、模型组(B组)及硫酸镁50mg/kg干预组(C组)、硫酸镁100mg/kg干预组(D组)、硫酸镁200mg/kg干预组(E组),每组6只。建立大鼠颅脑损伤模型后,硫酸镁干预组即刻按50mg/kg 25%MgSO4腹腔注射,C组注射1次、D组注射2次、E组注射4次,每8h注射1次。A组及B组的大鼠注射相同剂量生理盐水作对照,C组大鼠注射1次及D组大鼠注射2次MgSO4后给予注射相同剂量的生理盐水作对照,注射方法及间隔时间同E组。伤后48h测定大鼠肺组织含水量、血浆TNF-α浓度,肺组织常规HE染色,光镜观察肺组织病理形态学变化。结果大鼠颅脑创伤后肺组织含水量均高于假手术组,以C组最明显(P0.05),差异有统计学意义。B、C、D、E组大鼠之间肺组织含水量比较差异无统计学意义。B、C、D、E组大鼠TNF-α浓度均明显高于假手术组(P0.05),D组血浆TNF-α浓度明显低于B组(P0.05),E组血浆TNF-α浓度明显低于B组(P0.01),其他各组间差异无统计学意义。假手术组肺组织形态正常,肺血管无扩张,无炎症细胞浸润;B、C、D、E组与假手术组比较均可见终末支气管腔内充满炎症细胞,周围肺组织的肺泡腔内可见炎细胞浸润,肺血管扩张、充血。B、C、D、E组在炎症细胞浸润及肺毛细血管扩张方面无明显差异。结论脑外伤可导致脑源性肺损伤综合征,可导致神经源性肺水肿;硫酸镁可降低大鼠脑损伤后血浆TNF-α浓度,对肺水肿无明显影响。     

注射法制作ICR小鼠肝癌模型及其改进

应用直接注射法制作ICR小鼠原发肝癌模型并成功地进行方法改进。对模型小鼠进行了体重监测、原位移植成功率统计和病理检查,结果表明改进后的直接注射法制作小鼠原发肝癌模型的成功率显著提高,并成功模拟出肿瘤的多器官转移及人类肝癌常见的临床症状、体征。模型可以很好的满足抗肿瘤药物开发、肝癌发生发展机制研究的需要。同时,直接注射法改进方案和理念解决了直接注入细胞产生返漏的技术难题,为进一步建立其他脏器的原发或继发性癌症移植模型打下了基础。     

Maintaining viability and characteristics of cholangiocarcinoma tissue by vitrification-based cryopreservation

Tumor tissue has great clinical and scientific value which relies highly on the proper preservation of primary materials. Conventional tumor tissue cryopreservation using slow-freezing method has yielded limited success, leading to significant cell loss and morphological damage. Here we report a standardized vitrification-based cryopreservation method, by which we have successfully vitrified and warmed 35 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) tissues with up to 80% viability of the fresh tumor tissues. Cryopreserved ICC tissue could generate patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) with take rates of 68.2% compared to 72.7% using fresh tumor tissues. Histological and genetic analyses showed that no significant alterations in morphology and gene expression were introduced by this cryopreservation method. Our procedure may facilitate collection, long-time storage and propagation of cholangiocarcinoma or other tumor specimens for (pre)clinical studies of novel therapies or for basic research.     

A radioiodinated, intracellularly trapped ligand for determining the sites of plasma protein degradation in vivo.

We recently developed a general method for determining tissue sites of degradation of plasma proteins in vivo that made use of covalently attached radioactive sucrose. On degradation of the protein, the sucrose remained trapped in the cells as a cumulative marker of protein degradation. The method described here depends on the same principles, but uses an adduct of cellobiose and tyramine that is radioiodinated to high specific radioactivity and then covalently attached to protein. Use of the radioiodinated ligand increases the sensitivity of the method at least 100-fold and allows simplified tissue analysis. Proteins derivatized with the radioiodinated ligand were recognized as underivatized proteins both in vitro and in vivo. On degradation of derivatized low-density lipoprotein, the rate of leakage from cultured fibroblasts was only 5% during 24 h. Similarly, on injection of labelled proteins into rats and rabbits, urinary excretion of the label was in all cases less than 10% of total labelled catabolic products recovered 24 h after injection. Examination of the tissue contents of label at two times after injection of labelled asialofetuin or apolipoprotein A1 in rats, and asialotransferrin in rabbits showed that the label did not detectably redistribute between tissues after initial uptake and catabolism; a significant leakage from liver was quantitatively accounted for by label appearing in gut contents and faeces. A simple double-label method was devised to provide a correction for intact protein in trapped plasma, the extravascular spaces, and within cells. By using this method it becomes unnecessary to fractionate tissue samples.     

Microinjection of cre recombinase RNA induces site-specific recombination of a transgene in mouse oocytes.

We have developed a strategy for producing single copy transgenic mouse lines using Cre-loxP site specific recombination. The method is based on transient expression of the recombinase after injection of in vitro transcribed mRNA into the cytoplasm of fertilised eggs containing multiple copies of the transgene. The success rate of the recombination event is 100% (15 out of 15).     

High-quality genomic DNA extraction from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples deparaffinized using mineral oil

Extracting DNA from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue remains a challenge, despite numerous attempts to develop a more effective method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) success rates with DNA extracted using current methods remain low. We extracted DNA from 140 long-term archived FFPE samples using a simple but effective deparaffinization method, removing the wax with mineral oil, and a commercially available DNA extraction kit. DNA quality was subsequently tested in a genotyping experiment with 14 microsatellite markers. High-quality DNA was obtained with a mean PCR success rate of 97% (range: 88–100%) across markers. The results suggested that DNA extracted using this novel method is likely to be suitable for genetic studies involving DNA fragments <200 bp.     

Evaluation of a reliable and cost-effective method of DNA isolation for mouse genotyping

Genotyping is commonly used to define specific gene alterations or the presence of transgenes in mice. This procedure is typically done using DNA isolated from mouse tail tissue. Although there are commercially available kits for tail DNA isolation, they can be time consuming and costly for routine genotyping. In this study, we describe a rapid, “crude” DNA isolation method using mouse tail tissue and compare it to a frequently used, commercially available kit in the genotyping of over 1,000 total mice from 8 genetic lines. Our genotyping results were obtained faster and less expensively but with the same success rate (Crude method: 97.7 %, Kit method: 98.4 %). To our knowledge, this is the first systematic study to compare the reliability of this crude DNA isolation method for mouse genotyping compared to a commercially available kit.     

Repeat cDNA synthesis and RT-PCR with the same source of RNA

A simple method has been developed that enables reextraction of RNA from an RNA-cDNA mixture. The reextracted RNA was converted to cDNA followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thus, cDNA synthesis (followed by PCR) was carried out two times on the same source of RNA. The method has been applied to 40 RNA samples of diverse tissue origin with a success rate of 100%. Thus, the method offers more versatile use of small but valuable RNA sources than currently possible.     

Development of a model of complete heart block in rats

Atrioventricular(AV) block is a useful substrate for the study of cardiacphysiology. The objective of this investigation was todevelop a straightforward and reproducible model of permanent AV blockin rats. Working through a sternotomy, we used an epicardial fat padbetween the aortic root and the right atrial wall of the rat as alandmark for the site for injection of 70% ethanol (5-10 µl)into the myocardium 3 mm below the epicardial surface. Stable, completeheart block was produced in 23 of 28 rats (82%) with a success rate of100% in the last 16 rats of the series. Saline injection produced noheart block in 15 rats. A separate group of 14 animals was allowed torecover. Chronic heart block was achieved in all ethanol-injectedanimals for up to 7 days before death. The survival rate in therecovered rats was 90% in the ethanol-injected group and 100% in thesaline-injected control group. Acute hemodynamic changes following theproduction of heart block consisted of an increase in central venouspressure, a decrease in systolic blood pressure, a decrease in leftventricular pressure, and a decrease in change in pressure overtime. Chronic hemodynamic changes demonstrated a return tobaseline of the central venous pressure, a persistent decrease insystolic blood pressure, and a decrease in left ventricular pressure.After the rats were killed and the hearts were dissected, discreteareas of myocardial damage were identified histologically in the atrialseptum near the AV conduction axis tissue in the ethanol-injectedhearts. Complete heart block was associated only with lesions extendinginto the specialized muscle of the AV node or His bundle. Focal mildhemorrhage, inflammation, and damaged myocardial fibers were observedin the acute stage, whereas healing lesions were characterized bygranulation tissue and fibrosis replacing conduction tissue. The simpletechnique described provides a reproducible model for permanent,complete heart block and the study of cardiac function.

     

Gene transfer to skeletal muscle using hydrodynamic limb vein injection: current applications,hurdles and possible optimizations

Hydrodynamic limb vein injection is an in vivo locoregional gene delivery method. It consists of administrating a large volume of solution containing nucleic acid constructs in a limb with both blood inflow and outflow temporarily blocked using a tourniquet. The fast, high pressure delivery allows the musculature of the whole limb to be reached. The skeletal muscle is a tissue of choice for a variety of gene transfer applications, including gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy or other myopathies, as well as for the production of antibodies or other proteins with broad therapeutic effects. Hydrodynamic limb vein delivery has been evaluated with success in a large range of animal models. It has also proven to be safe and well‐tolerated in muscular dystrophy patients, thus supporting its translation to the clinic. However, some possible limitations may occur at different steps of the delivery process. Here, we have highlighted the interests, bottlenecks and potential improvements that could further optimize non‐viral gene transfer following hydrodynamic limb vein injection.     

Analysis of immediate stress mechanisms upon injection of polymeric micelles and related colloidal drug carriers: implications on drug targeting

Polymeric micelles are ideal carriers for solubilization and targeting applications using hydrophobic drugs. Stability of colloidal aggregates upon injection into the bloodstream is mandatory to maintain the drugs' targeting potential and to influence pharmacokinetics. In this review we analyzed and discussed the most relevant stress mechanisms that polymeric micelles and related colloidal carriers encounter upon injection, including (1) dilution, (2) interactions with blood components, and (3) immunological responses of the body. In detail we analyzed the opsonin-dysopsonin hypothesis that points at a connection between a particles' protein-corona and its tissue accumulation by the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. In the established theory, size is seen as a necessary condition to reach nanoparticle accumulation in disease modified tissue. There is, however, mounting evidence of other sufficient conditions (e.g., particle charge, receptor recognition of proteins adsorbed onto particle surfaces) triggering nanoparticle extravasation by active mechanisms. In conclusion, the analyzed stress mechanisms are directly responsible for in vivo success or failure of the site-specific delivery with colloidal carrier systems.     

High volume hydrodynamic injection of plasmid DNA via the hepatic artery results in a high level of gene expression in rat hepatocellular carcinoma induced by diethylnitrosamine

BACKGROUND: Hydrodynamic injection of naked plasmid DNA (pDNA) via the tail vein is a safe and effective method of gene transfer to the liver. However, successful gene transfer has yet to be shown for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); therefore, we investigated the feasibility and efficacy of hydrodynamic injection via the tail vein and hepatic artery in a diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC model in rats. METHODS: HCC was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by 100 ppm DEN in drinking water. pCMV-SPORT-beta-galactosidase (beta-gal, 400 microg) was injected (i) via the tail vein in a volume of 0.1 ml/g in 30 s or (ii) via the hepatic artery in a volume of 5 or 10 ml at 1 ml/s, either with or without temporary occlusion of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and portal vein (PV). The liver was harvested 24 h after administration, and beta-gal expression was evaluated with X-gal staining and measurement of enzymatic activity in tissue homogenates. RESULTS: Hydrodynamic injection via the tail vein achieved transgene expression only in non-cancerous tissue (tumor: 0.16 +/- 0.04%, non-tumor: 5.07 +/- 1.66%). Hydrodynamic injection via the hepatic artery was tolerated, but failed to produce efficient transgene expression in tumor and non-tumor cells. On the other hand, concomitant use of temporary IVC/PV occlusion with hydrodynamic injection via the hepatic artery dramatically increased transgene expression in cancer cells, but tumor-selective gene transfer was not achieved with this procedure (tumor: 7.38 +/- 3.66%, non-tumor: 7.77 +/- 1.06%). CONCLUSIONS: High-volume hydrodynamic injection of a pDNA solution via the hepatic artery with IVC/PV occlusion achieved a high level of gene expression in a HCC rat model. This gene transfer technique may have potential in clinical gene therapy for HCC.     

Wistar大鼠胶原诱导的关节炎造模因素的分析

目的通过比较不同的造模方法,分析影响胶原诱导关节炎（collagen-induced arthritis,CIA）大鼠模型建立的因素。方法选用Wistar大鼠造模,通过改变性别、剂量、年龄、注射部位及免疫方式,来比较造模成功率。结果不同性别、剂量、年龄及免疫方式造模成功率不同。结论4～5周龄Wistar雌性大鼠,初次免疫注射乳剂4点共0.20 mL,加强免疫在14 d之后3点共0.15 mL的造模成功率最高。