Quantum Dot-Based Approaches for Labeling Epithelial Damage in Living and Fixed Zebrafish Embryos

Quantum dots (QDs) have been widely used in vivo for long-term monitoring in mammals and, more recently, for labeling zebrafish at early developmental stages. Here, it is described two protocols using carboxyl-coated QDs, which exhibit different labeling patterns depending on whether incubation is performed in vivo or after fixation of zebrafish embryos. Both protocols are presented in the context of an epithelial disruption model of the epidermis using EGTA (ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid), highlighting differences between damaged and undamaged epithelial tissues based on the distribution and labeling patterns of QDs.