Employing an open-source tool to assess astrocyte tridimensional structure.
Employing an open-source tool to assess astrocyte tridimensional structure.
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DOI：
10.1007/s00429-016-1316-8
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发表时间：
2017-05
影响因子：
3.1
通讯作者：
Oliveira JF
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Tavares G;Martins M;Correia JS;Sardinha VM;Guerra-Gomes S;das Neves SP;Marques F;Sousa N;Oliveira JF
星形胶质细胞显示出重要的特征，使它们能够与神经元保持密切的对话，最终影响大脑功能。星形胶质细胞复杂的形态结构对星形胶质细胞在脑网络中的作用至关重要。因此，评估星形胶质细胞的形态学特征将有助于深入了解它们在健康和病理条件下的生理相关性。目前可用的允许星形胶质细胞三维重建的工具存在许多缺点，包括需要先进的计算技能和强大的硬件，并且耗时或昂贵。在这项研究中，我们优化和验证了FIJI-ImageJ，简单的神经元示踪剂（SNT）插件，这是一个开源软件，有助于重建星形胶质细胞的GFAP染色结构。我们描述了（1）共聚焦显微镜Z-堆栈的加载，（2）选择标准，（3）重建过程，以及（4）形态特征（过程长度，数量，厚度和乔木复杂性）的重建后分析。SNT允许以简单、有效和半自动化的方式定量星形胶质细胞形态学参数。虽然SNT易于学习，并且不需要高级计算技能，但它在不同的大脑区域或病理生理状态下提供了可重复的结果。
Astrocytes display important features that allow them to maintain a close dialog with neurons, ultimately impacting brain function. The complex morphological structure of astrocytes is crucial to the role of astrocytes in brain networks. Therefore, assessing morphologic features of astrocytes will help provide insights into their physiological relevance in healthy and pathological conditions. Currently available tools that allow the tridimensional reconstruction of astrocytes present a number of disadvantages, including the need for advanced computational skills and powerful hardware, and are either time-consuming or costly. In this study, we optimized and validated the FIJI-ImageJ, Simple Neurite Tracer (SNT) plugin, an open-source software that aids in the reconstruction of GFAP-stained structure of astrocytes. We describe (1) the loading of confocal microscopy Z-stacks, (2) the selection criteria, (3) the reconstruction process, and (4) the post-reconstruction analysis of morphological features (process length, number, thickness, and arbor complexity). SNT allows the quantification of astrocyte morphometric parameters in a simple, efficient, and semi-automated manner. While SNT is simple to learn, and does not require advanced computational skills, it provides reproducible results, in different brain regions or pathophysiological states.