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Use of labeled tomato lectin for imaging vasculature structures
Richard T Robertson1, Samantha T Levine, Sherry M Haynes
1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697-1280, USA, rtrobert@uci.edu.
Histochemistry and Cell Biology
|December 24, 2014
Summary
Tomato lectin, a plant agglutinin, effectively labels vascular structures in mice. This method visualizes blood vessels in various tissues and is compatible with other staining techniques for detailed analysis.
Area of Science:
- Vascular biology
- Histology
- Biomedical imaging
Background:
- Studying the intricate vascular network is crucial for understanding tissue development, structure, and function.
- Accurate visualization of microvasculature, particularly capillaries, presents a technical challenge in biological research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Lycopersicon esculentum agglutinin (tomato lectin) for labeling vascular elements in laboratory mice.
- To determine the optimal method and timing for intravascular lectin injection and subsequent tissue analysis.
Main Methods:
- Intravascular administration of fluorescent or biotinylated tomato lectin via tail vein, jugular vein cannula, or cardiac puncture in mice.
- Analysis of labeled tissues using fluorescence, bright field, and electron microscopy on cryostat and vibratome sections.
- Assessment of lectin clearance from circulation and duration of vascular labeling in various organs and experimental tumors.
Main Results:
- Intravascular tomato lectin injections successfully labeled vascular structures across diverse tissues, including brain, kidney, liver, and tumors.
- Capillary labeling was observed within 1 minute, peaked at 1 hour, and diminished by 12 hours post-injection.
- Microscopy confirmed lectin binding to endothelial cells, visualizing the luminal surfaces of capillaries and larger vessels.
Conclusions:
- Intravascular tomato lectin is a sensitive and versatile tool for visualizing vascular patterns in mice.
- This method complements existing histochemical and immunocytochemical techniques, aiding in the study of vascular relationships with tissue development and function.
