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TUNEL Staining in Sections of Paraffin-Enabled Planarians
Maria Rossello1,2,3, Teresa Adell4,5
1Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics and Institute of Biomedicine, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|July 10, 2023
Summary
This study presents a refined protocol for quantifying apoptosis in planarians using paraffin sections. This method offers superior cellular visualization and accuracy for studying regeneration and homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Planarian biology
- Regenerative medicine
- Cellular homeostasis
Background:
- Planarians are key model organisms for studying regeneration and cellular balance.
- Understanding cellular plasticity requires accurate quantification of cell death and proliferation.
- Current methods for analyzing apoptosis in whole mount planarians have limitations in cellular visualization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail a protocol for analyzing apoptotic cells in planarian paraffin sections.
- To provide a more accurate method for cellular visualization and quantification of apoptosis.
- To enhance the study of regeneration and homeostasis in planarians.
Main Methods:
- Protocol development for paraffin-embedded planarian sections.
- Application of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay on sections.
- Microscopic analysis and quantification of apoptotic cells in tissue sections.
Main Results:
- The paraffin section protocol allows for detailed cellular visualization of apoptosis.
- Quantification of apoptotic cells is more accurate compared to whole mount analysis.
- The method is effective for studying cell death in the context of planarian regeneration.
Conclusions:
- Paraffin sectioning provides an improved approach for studying apoptosis in planarians.
- This protocol enhances the ability to investigate cellular mechanisms underlying regeneration and homeostasis.
- Accurate apoptosis quantification is crucial for understanding planarian plasticity.
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