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X-ray Fluorescence Microscopy to Develop Elemental Classifiers and Investigate Elemental Signatures in BALB/c Mouse
Anthony Smith1, Katrina Dobinda1, Si Chen2
1Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|October 16, 2024
Summary
X-ray fluorescence microscopy mapped iron redistribution in mouse intestines after radiation exposure. Iron hot spots formed between cells near crypts, aiding future toxicant and radiation effect studies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical imaging
- Radiation biology
- Materials science
Background:
- Iron redistribution in the intestine is known after total body irradiation.
- X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) has not been used to map iron in irradiated mouse intestine sections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map elemental iron distribution in the mouse small intestine after gamma irradiation using XFM.
- To explore the potential of elemental cell classifiers for automated analysis of XFM data.
Main Methods:
- X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) was used to analyze small intestine tissue sections from mice exposed to 8 Gray of gamma rays.
- Elemental mapping included iron, phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, copper, and zinc.
- Mice were analyzed seven days after irradiation.
Main Results:
- Iron was predominantly localized in intercellular "hot spots" surrounding crypts and extending to villi surfaces.
- Elemental mapping revealed distribution patterns for other elements like phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, copper, and zinc.
- Development of elemental cell classifiers for automated region of interest generation was initiated.
Conclusions:
- XFM provides detailed 2D maps of iron redistribution in the irradiated mouse intestine.
- Elemental mapping reveals specific iron localization patterns post-gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome (GI-ARS).
- Automated analysis tools are crucial for future studies on radiation and toxicant effects on elemental tissue content.
