PUBLICATION

In Vivo Imaging of Radiation-Induced Apoptosis at Single-Cell Resolution in Transgenic Zebrafish Embryos

Authors
Sun, L.W.H., Marican, H.T.A., Shen, H.
ID
ZDB-PUB-230207-23
Date
2023
Source
Radiation Research   199(3): 229-239 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Shen, Hongyuan
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis*/genetics
  • Apoptosis*/radiation effects
  • Brain
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/radiation effects
  • Microglia
  • Zebrafish*/genetics
PubMed
36745564 Full text @ Radiat. Res.
Abstract
Among the various types of cell death induced by ionizing radiation, apoptosis is a highly regulated and well-characterized form. Investigating radiation-induced apoptosis in an intact organism offers advantages in capturing the dynamics of apoptosis under preserved physiology, although high resolution imaging remains challenging. Owing to their optical transparency and genetic amenability, zebrafish is an ideal animal model for research into this aspect. In this study, we present a secA5 transgenic zebrafish expressing genetically encoded secreted ANNEXIN V fused with mVenus, a yellow fluorescent protein that enables reporting of radiation-induced apoptosis. Using in vivo imaging approach, we show that after 2 Gy total-body irradiation, apoptosis could be visualized at single-cell resolution in different cell types throughout the embryo. Elevated apoptosis could be imaged and quantified in the neuroepithelium of the embryonic brain, as well as the proliferative zone and parenchyma of the larval brain. In addition, clearance of apoptotic cells by microglia, the professional phagocytes residing in the brain, could be imaged at single-cell resolution in irradiated larvae. These results establish transgenic secA5 zebrafish as a useful and versatile in vivo system for investigating the dynamic process of radiation-induced apoptosis.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping