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Anatomopathology

The Histopathology and Embryology facility provides comprehensive histopathological analyses of mutant or treated mice and rats. Our platform heads are experts in mouse developmental biology able to provide conclusive interpretation of anatomical and cellular changes in your model. Various histological procedures are applied to detect and systematically analyze organ defects and tissue alterations in mice and rats at precise stages of their development as well as in adult and ageing animals. The facility also performs analyses of cell proliferation, apoptosis and immunohistochemical assays using commercially available antibodies.

Anapath_Titre_Standard Pathology

  • Necropsy
  • Histopathological evaluation of organs
  • Strategy of systematic analysis

Anapath_Titre_Histology

  • Fixation
  • Tissue processing, embedding, sectioning
  • Staining
  • Immunostaining

Anapath_Titre_Cell proliferation

  • Cell proliferation
  • Apoptosis
  • Wound Healing

Anapath_Titre_Gene expression

  • Pattern of β-galactosidase expression

Anapath_Titre_Embryology

  • Lethality window determination
  • Embryonic and perinatal defects
  • Gene expression pattern

Our necropsy organ panel analysis

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

Heart, Aorta

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Trachea, Lungs

DIGESTIVE ORGANS

Liver, Pancreas (exocrine), Salivary glands

DIGESTIVE TRACT

Esophagus, Stomach, Duodenum, Ileum, Colon

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Brain

SENSORY ORGANS

Eye and Adnexia, Tongue

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Pituitary, Thyroid and Adrenal glands, Pancreas (endocrine)

IMMUNE and HAEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEMS

Thymus, Spleen, Lymph nodes, Bone marrow

URINARY SYSTEM

Urinary bladder, Kidney

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Testis, Epididymis, Prostate, Seminal vesicles, Preputial glands

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Ovaries, Oviducts, Uterus, Vagina

MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

Striated muscles, Knee joints

SUPPORTING and CONNECTIVE TISSUES

White and Brown adipose tissues

INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM and MAMMARY GLAND

Skin and appendages, Mammary gland

                                                                                   .

Our standardized systematic post-mortem analysis flow scheme

 
Group A
3 mutant males
3 mutant females
1 wild type male
1 wild type female
Z trait horizontal
Age groups
Young ~ 4 months
Old > 12 months
N = 24
Z trait horizontal
Group B
3 mutant males
3 mutant females
5 wild type males
5 wild type females
Z flèche bas 3       Z flèche bas 3
Systematic macroscopy
Systematic histology
Z flèche droite
Report
Z flèche gauche
Systematic macroscopy
Targeted histology
Z flèche bas 3   Z flèche verticale double   Z flèche bas 3
Paraffin tissue bank
 
Targeted histology
Z flèche gauche
Transient collection of mummies

 

Have a look at our listing of prestations

Purpose

Cell death by apoptosis can be investigated in ex vivo sections by TUNEL staining (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling) and/or cleaved caspase 3 immunohistochemistry.  TUNEL represents the standard assay for detecting apoptotic cells on histological sections.

Anapth_apoptosis_1.pngApoptotic granulosa cells (green dots) in atretic ovarian follicles

Recommendations

When comparing apoptosis between different tissues, all samples are fixed and processed under the same conditions. At least, 3 mutant mice versus 3 littermate control mice are required for relevant results.

Purpose

The lacZ reporter is an effective tool for visualizing gene expression patterns, particularly in development. We offer a full range of services from full-mount embryos to adult sections to examine lacZ expression.

Anapht_betaGal.pngwhole mount Lac Z staining of an adult brain

Anapht_betaGal_2.pngWhole mount Lac Z staining of an E12.5 stage embryo

Purpose

Tissue cell proliferation markers provide information on cell cycle progression with BrdU as an indicator of cells having passed through S-phase, phospho-H3 for cells in M-phase, and Ki67 for actively cycling cells.

  • BrdU incorporation detects cells in S phase 
  • anti-Ki 67 immunohistochemistry detects cells which are in the cell cycle and distinguishes them from quiescent cells 
  • phosphorylated histone H3 marks mitotic cells and is detectable by immunohistochemistry.

Anapath_CellProliferation_1Detection of BrdU incorporation in seminiferous tubules: positive cells are confined to the periphery of the tubules and correspond to spermatogonia and preleptotene spermatocytes close

Anapath_CellProliferation_2.pngImmunoperoxidase staining for detection of phosphorylated histone H3. Ventral prostate. Negative image obtained by Photoshop® processing of the original, dark-field, pictures. The labeled cell is in metaphase.

Anapath_CellProliferation_3.pngImmunoperoxydase staining for detection of the Ki67 (left panels) and DAPI counterstain (right panels). Stages VII (top two panels) and X (bottom panels) of the seminiferous epithelium cycle.

 

Purpose

To better characterize the primary defects of the mutants, vascular (PECAM), neural (neruofilament), endodermal (HNF3b) markers are proposed. Other marker stainings can be developed on demand.

Purpose

Wound healing is a complex process requiring cell proliferation, extracellular matrix synthesis, inflammation, and contraction. The biological processes involved can reveal defects in immune response, nutrition, metabolism, or cell division. Wound healing analyses are performed on skin, which is a large and accessible organ, using full thickness excision method.

Recommendations

At least, 15 mutant mice versus 15 littermate control mice are required for relevant results.

Deliverables

Gross evaluation (healing rate and wound aspect evaluation) 

At each time point

  • Wound size and shape
  • Wound aspect
  • Edema formation and evolution
  • Presence of re-epithelialization
  • Curves of wounds surface along the time.

Anapath_Ratio_wound_surface_reference_curve_1.pngReference curve for ratio wound surface

Histological evaluations

  • H & E staining (standard evaluation and fibroblast morphology)
  • Anti-neutrophil/granulocyte IHC staining
  • Anti-macrophage IHC staining
  • Anti-vascular endothelial IHC staining
  • Masson’s trichrome staining for fibroses

Anapath_Wound_Anti_neutrophil_staining.pngAnti-neutrophil staining (red) after wound healing.

Purpose

We can provide numerous validated immunohistochemical stains or we can customize protocols to get the best results possible with your antibody of interest.  

Example of available immunohistochemical protocols :

  • Immunodetection of KI67, BRDU and anti-phosphohistone H3 on organ sections to evaluate proliferation (see proliferation and apoptosis)
  • Double immunostaining with insulin and glucagon on mouse pancreas sections to evaluate the islets of Langerhans
  • Triple immunodetection of glucagon, insulin and somatostatine on pancreas sections to evaluate the islets of Langerhans
  • Immunodetection of collagen 1 on heart sections to evaluate fibrosis
  • Immunodetection of ANP and BNP on heart sections to evaluate cardiac diseases
  • Immunodetection of adipophilin on organ sections to evaluate the presence of lipid droplets
  • Immunodetection of tryptase on organ sections to evaluate mast cells.
  • Immunodetection of Anti-neutrophil granulocytes (NIMP-R14) on mouse tissues
  • Immunodetection of Anti-CD31 (blood vessels) on mouse tissues

Anapath_ImmunoStaining_pancreas_450px.pngAnti-insulin (green) and anti-glucagon (red) immunostaining on mouse pancreas.

Purpose

Nucleic acid localization by standard techniques or high-sensitivity branching strategies (RNAscope® by ACDBio) can provide critical gene expression information.

Embryo analysis

Purpose

HREM is an effective and powerful tool for assessing structural abnormalities in embryos. Three dimensional reconstruction of embryo slices provides the definition of histological staining with the completeness of 3-D imaging.

Equipment

HREM imaging is operated with a home made system (developed with the IGBMC Imaging Center)

Anapath_EmbryoAnalysis_HREM equipment.png

 

Sample processing

1-The sample is fixed in Bouin’s solution  

2-JB4 Resin embedding :

  • Ethanol dehydration
  • Resin infiltration
  • Resin polymerisation
  • Bloc drying
  • Bloc storage

3-Samples limitations: the size must not exceed 1.5 cm3

Sample results

Imaging_HREM Embryos.png

Imaging-HREM-Embryos Organs.png

Recommendation

It is recommended to use at least 3 experimental and 3 control samples for analyse.

Purpose

Rapid three dimensional imaging of density-contrasted tissues (soft tissues) and non-contrasted tissues (skeletal elements) in the embryo using X-ray transmission and computed tomography.

Equipment

Anapath-MicroCT-800.png

Sample results :

  • MicroCT imaging of E18.5 fetuses

The phenotyping of fetuses at later stages (E18.5) can use micron-scale X-rays Computed Tomography (μCT), which achieves a resolution of 10μm (isotropic voxel size) and allows the morphological analysis of organs in situ without dissection. To achieve sufficient contrast, formalin-fixed fetuses will be stained in Lugol’s iodine as a contrast agent. The impregnation of iodine in tissues will increase X-rays absorption due to iodine’s high atomic number and therefore enhance contrast in the resulting images. Obtained raw data have to be processed to facilitate direct comparison between samples.

Imaging-EmbryoAnalysisbyMicroCT.png

Recommendation

It is recommended to use at least 3 experimental embryos and one control embryo for analyse.

Purpose

Sampling of embryos for viability at times throughout pregnancy with focus on development of particular organs between E9.5 and E18.5.

Anapath_EmbryoViability.pngDetermination of the window of lethality

Purpose

Nice topographical staining permitting to differentiate bone, blood and mesenchymal structures of the fetuses. Facilitates the analyze.

Purpose

Embryonic growth restriction can be indicative of placental abnormalities. Macroscopical and routine histological analysis (hematoxylin & eosin) are performed to evaluate placental defects. 

Gross anatomapathology

Purpose

Digital imaging of necropsies provides a useful system of post-hoc examination and distribution of macroscopic abnormalities. This is a valuable resource for generation of figures for publication. 

Purpose

The test is performed to examine morphological abnormalities with respect to general physical appearance and body shape on mice:  weight, length, and obvious dysmorphologies in the physical appearance,i.e. tail kinks, shape of ears, eyes, head, teethes, limbs, number and shape of digit, irregularities and variation in coat color, hair distribution and development, irregularities in the genitals.

Purpose

Quantitative measurement of organ sizes for post-hoc determination of potential pathological conditions. Particularly useful in combination with organ storage for post-hoc examinations.

Stainings

Purpose

Concurrent staining of bone (alizarin red S) and cartilage (alcian blue) is an excellent strategy for visualizing bone development, particularly in fetuses.  

Purpose

Whole mount mammary glands can be stained with carmine-alum to visualize branching as well as neoplasias.

Purpose

The gold-standard stain for amyloidosis. It may be viewed without polarization for total amyloid deposits or with polarized light to identify amyloid fibrils. 

Purpose

A one-step stain used to distinguish muscle and collagen fibers in fixed sections.

Purpose

Haemotoxylin and Eosin is a standard staining technique.

Eosin stains basic structures (including most proteins) in pink and Haemotoxylin stains acidic structures (such as nucleic acids in purple-blue.

Purpose

Staining of myelin and Nissl substances can be useful for examining neuronal injury or degenerative conditions such as Alzheimers.

Purpose

This staining is dedicated to distinguish collagen from muscles. Hence, it stains collagens in blue / green and muscles in red.

Purpose

The diaphorase enzymes present in frozen sections of muscles can be used for enzymatic transfer of hydrogen to a recipient dye for visualization of muscles.

Purpose

Fat deposits in tissues may be visualized in frozen sections using Oil Red O dye staining.

Purpose

Orcein is a nature dye that binds non-covalently with elastin and is useful for visualizing elastic fibers in tissues.

Purpose

Periodic acid oxidation cleaves polysaccharides resulting in aldehydes that can then be covalently bonded to Schiff reagent for visualization. Oxidation reactions must be tightly controlled for quality staining. 

Purpose

Simultaneous discrimination of collagen, elastin, muscle, mucin, and fibrin provides a powerful technique particularly when visualizing heart or vascular abnormalities in fixed tissues.  

Purpose

This staining is often considered as Gold Standard for collagen demonstration. Fibrous proteins are stained in red above a pale orange background. Upon polarized light, collagens are specifically discriminated.

Purpose

Mast cells will metachromatically stain in violet whereas all other cells will be stained in green/blue (orthochromatic staining). 

Purpose

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase stains for osteoclasts that demonstrates some staining of macrophages.

Purpose

For detection of calcified tissues deposits, metallic silver is visualized at sites of calcium phosphate deposits.

Models and Challenges