Two-photon excitation and emission spectra of the green fluorescent protein variants ECFP, EGFP and EYFP.

Summary Two-photon (TP) excitation (820-1150 nm) and emission (280-700 nm) spectra for the fluorescent proteins (FPs) ECFP3, EGFP3 and EYFP3 produced in human tumour cells were recorded. TP excitation spectra of pure and highly enriched samples were found to be more differentiated in comparison with their one-photon (OP) spectra. They exhibited more pronounced main and local maxima, which coincided among different purity grades within small limits. TP and OP emission spectra of pure and enriched samples were identical. However, in crude samples, excitation was slightly blue-shifted and emission red-shifted. The data indicate that both OP and TP excitation routes led to the same excited states of these molecules. The emission intensity is dependent on the pH of the environment for both types of excitation; the emission intensity maximum can be recorded in the alkaline range. Reconstitution of emission intensity after pH quenching was incomplete, albeit that the respective spectral profiles were identical to those prequenching. When emission data were averaged over the whole range of excitation, the resulting emission profile and maximum coincided with the data generated by optimal excitation. Therefore, out-of-maximum excitation, common practice in TP excitation microscopy, can be used for routine application.

Two-photon fluorescence absorption and emission spectra of dyes relevant for cell imaging.

Two-photon absorption and emission spectra for fluorophores relevant in cell imaging were measured using a 45 fs Ti:sapphire laser, a continuously tuneable optical parametric amplifier for the excitation range 580-1150 nm and an optical multichannel analyser. The measurements included DNA stains, fluorescent dyes coupled to antibodies as well as organelle trackers, e.g. Alexa and Bodipy dyes, Cy2, Cy3, DAPI, Hoechst 33342, propidium iodide, FITC and rhodamine. In accordance with the two-photon excitation theory, the majority of the investigated fluorochromes did not reveal significant discrepancies between the two-photon and the one-photon emission spectra. However, a blue-shift of the absorption maxima ranging from a few nanometres up to considerably differing courses of the spectrum was found for most fluorochromes. The potential of non-linear laser scanning fluorescence microscopy is demonstrated here by visualizing multiple intracellular structures in living cells. Combined with 3D reconstruction techniques, this approach gives a deeper insight into the spatial relationships of subcellular organelles.

Tissue oxygen sensor function of NADPH oxidase isoforms, an unusual cytochrome aa3 and reactive oxygen species.

NADPH oxidase isoforms with different gp91phox subunits as well as an unusual cytochrome aa3 with a heme a/a3 relationship of 9:91 are discussed as putative oxygen sensor proteins influencing gene expression and ion channel conductivity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important second messengers of the oxygen sensing signal cascade determining the stability of transcription factors or the gating of ion channels. The formation of ROS by a perinuclear Fenton reaction is imaged by 1 and 2 photon confocal microscopy revealing mitochondrial and non-mitochondrial generation.

Bromelain reversibly inhibits invasive properties of glioma cells.

Bromelain is an aqueous extract from pineapple stem that contains proteinases and exhibits pleiotropic therapeutic effects, i.e., antiedematous, antiinflammatory, antimetastatic, antithrombotic, and fibrinolytic activities. In this study, we tested bromelain's effects on glioma cells to assess whether bromelain could be a potential contributor to new antiinvasive strategies for gliomas. Several complementary assays demonstrated that bromelain significantly and reversibly reduced glioma cell adhesion, migration, and invasion without affecting cell viability, even after treatment periods extending over several months. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting experiments demonstrated that alpha3 and beta1 integrin subunits and hyaluronan receptor CD44 protein levels were reduced within 24 hours of bromelain treatment. These effects were not reflected at the RNA level because RNA profiling did not show any significant effects on gene expression. Interestingly, metabolic labelling with 35-S methionine demonstrated that de novo protein synthesis was greatly attenuated by bromelain, in a reversible manner. By using a transactivating signaling assay, we found that CRE-mediated signaling processes were suppressed. These results indicate that bromelain exerts its antiinvasive effects by proteolysis, signaling cascades, and translational attenuation.

Three-dimensional organization of microtubules in tumor cells studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy and computer-assisted deconvolution and image reconstruction.

Confocal microscopy, image deconvolution and computer-assisted methods have been used to reconstruct the three-dimensional (3-D) distribution of tubulin in cells. The techniques were applied to tumor cells growing under regular culture conditions (planar cultivation) and those penetrating into reconstituted collagen matrices (spatial cultivation). As expected the application of deconvolution algorithms enhanced the resolution of results. The deconvolution using the maximum likelihood estimation included the measurement of the point spread function of the optical setup. The data visualization of the resulting data sets uses volume as well as surface rendering approaches. The 3-D reconstruction gives a clear image of the spatial arrangement of tubulin fibers in relation to cell shape and position of other cellular organelles, particularly the nucleus. The tubulin forms an intricate network of fibers of variable thickness. The highest tubulin concentrations appear in the cell periphery and particularly in pseudopodia/invadopodia. This is indicative of an enhanced transport of intracellular material facilitating cell movement and lysis of the extracellular matrix. The investigation is assumed to stimulate further experiments using a variety of techniques leading to the complete understanding of the spatial architecture of living cells.

[3-dimensional reconstruction in dermatology. Prospects for new possibilities in routine histological diagnosis]. / Dreidimensionale Rekonstruktion in der Dermatologie. Ein Ausblick auf neue Möglichkeiten der histologischen Routinediagnostik.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The combination of digital image-analysis and computer-reconstruction of the three-dimensional architecture of the human skin can make this method usable on an acceptable time scale. PATIENTS/METHODS: We used biopsies of different diseases (malignant melanoma, lichen planus, psoriasis) and of normal skin. Immunohistologically stained sections were digitized and adjusted with respect to features of interest using the interlaced mode of an commercial image analysis system (Lucia G, Nikon GmbH, Düsseldorf). The sections have been segmented and the resulting three dimensional data sets were visualized on a UNIX based work station. RESULTS: Three dimensional reconstruction provides a different view into the architecture of normal and diseased skin: for example, the course of the duct of sweat glands or the perforation of a malignant melanoma through the underlying infiltrate. CONCLUSIONS: A new rapid reconstruction method is presented producing multidimensional histological images of the skin within a few hours. This automation is of interest in basic research and should find its way into routine histological diagnosis.

Laminin expression by glial fibrillary acidic protein positive cells in human gliomas.

Extracellular matrix components are regarded as important substrates for invasive tumor cells. The present work focuses on the expression of laminin in the brain in response to invading brain tumors. Biopsies obtained from tissue macroscopically evaluated as the border zone between tumor and normal brain, in 5 patients undergoing surgery for glioblastoma multiforme, were examined by immunocytochemistry and scanning confocal microscopy for the expression of laminin and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Laminin was mainly found in all the specimens associated with the basal lamina of blood vessels, but a variable degree of punctate laminin deposits were also observed in the parenchyma not associated with blood vessels. In the specimens with substantial deposits, scanning confocal microscopy showed that some of the laminin co-localized with intracellular glial fibrillary acidic protein. Punctate deposits of laminin were also seen in an intracranial BT4C rat glioma model, where it was particularly abundant in the brain/tumor confrontation zone. Previous in vitro studies have shown that laminin, among several extracellular matrix components, represent a highly permissive substrate for glioma cell migration. The presented results indicate that laminin can be produced by glial fibrillary acidic protein positive cells during glioma cell invasion in humans. This glycoprotein may thus represent one important substrate among many, which contribute to the invasive phenotype of gliomas.

Oxygen tension modulates beta-globin switching in embryoid bodies.

Little is known about the factors influencing the hemoglobin switch in vertebrates during development. Inasmuch as the mammalian conceptus is exposed to changing oxygen tensions in utero, we examined the effect of different oxygen concentrations on beta-globin switching. We used an in vitro model of mouse embryogenesis based on the differentiation of blastocyst-derived embryonic stem cells to embryoid bodies (EBs). Cultivation of EBs at increasing oxygen concentrations (starting at 1% O2) did not influence the temporal expression pattern of embryonic (betaH1) globin compared to the normoxic controls (20% O2). In contrast, when compared to normoxically grown EBs, expression of fetal/adult (betamaj) globin in EBs cultured at varying oxygen concentrations was delayed by about 2 days and persisted throughout differentiation. Quantitation of hemoglobin in EBs using a 2,7-diaminofluorene-based colorimetric assay revealed the appearence of hemoglobin in two waves, an early and a late one. This observation was verified by spectrophotometric analysis of hemoglobin within single EBs. These two waves might reflect the switch of erythropoiesis from yolk sac to fetal liver. Reduced oxygenation is known to activate the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), which in turn specifically induces expression of a variety of genes among them erythropoietin (EPO). Although EBs increased EPO expression upon hypoxic exposure, the altered beta-globin appearance was not related to EPO levels as determined in EBs overexpressing EPO. Since mRNA from both mouse HIF-1alpha isoforms was detected in all EBs tested at different differentiation stages, we propose that HIF-1 modulates beta-globin expression during development.

Cytochromes and oxygen radicals as putative members of the oxygen sensing pathway.

This study applies biophysical methods like light absorption spectrophotometry of cytochromes, determination of NAD(P)H-dependent superoxide anion (O2-) formation and localisation of hydroxyl radicals (*OH) by 3-dimensional (3D) confocal laser scanning microscopy to reveal in human cells putative members of the oxygen sensing signal pathway leading to enhanced gene expression under hypoxia. A cell membrane localised non-mitochondrial cytochrome b558 seems to be involved as an oxygen sensor in the hepatoma cell line HepG2 in cooperation with the mitochondrial cytochrome b563 probably probing additionally metabolic changes. *OH the putative second messenger of the oxygen sensing pathway generated by a Fenton reaction could be visualized in the perinuclear space of the three human cell lines used. Substances like cobalt or the iron chelator desferrioxamine, which have been applied in HepG2 cells to mimic hypoxia induced gene expression, interact on various sides of the oxygen sensing pathway confirming the importance of b-type cytochromes and the Fenton reaction.

Involvement of a local fenton reaction in the reciprocal modulation by O2 of the glucagon-dependent activation of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene and the insulin-dependent activation of the glucokinase gene in rat hepatocytes.

H2O2 mimicked the action of periportal pO2 in the modulation by O2 of the glucagon-dependent activation of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK) gene and the insulin-dependent activation of the glucokinase (GK) gene. H2O2 can be converted in the presence of Fe2+ in a Fenton reaction into hydroxyl anions and hydroxyl radicals (.OH). The hydroxyl radicals are highly reactive and might interfere locally with transcription factors. It was the aim of the present study to investigate the role of and to localize such a Fenton reaction. Hepatocytes cultured for 24 h were treated under conditions mimicking periportal or perivenous pO2 with glucagon or insulin plus the iron chelator desferrioxamine (DSF) or the hydroxyl radical scavenger dimethylthiourea (DMTU) to inhibit the Fenton reaction. PCK mRNA was induced by glucagon maximally under conditions of periportal pO2 and half-maximally under venous pO2. GK mRNA was induced by insulin with reciprocal modulation by O2. DSF and DMTU reduced the induction of PCK mRNA to about half-maximal and increased the induction of GK mRNA to maximal under both O2 tensions. Hydroxyl radical formation was maximal under arterial pO2. Perivenous pO2, DSF and DMTU each decreased the formation of .OH to about 70% of control. The Fenton reaction could be localized in a perinuclear space by confocal laser microscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction techniques. In the same compartment, iron could be detected by electron-probe X-ray microanalysis. Thus a local Fenton reaction is involved in the O2 signalling, which modulated the glucagon- and insulin-dependent PCK gene and GK gene activation.

The influence of nickel and cobalt on putative members of the oxygen-sensing pathway of erythropoietin-producing HepG2 cells.

Cobalt and nickel stimulate, as does hypoxia, the production of erythropoietin (EPO) in HepG2 cells. Under hypoxic conditions, a decrease in the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) is thought to stimulate EPO expression. Cobalt and nickel may interact with the putative oxygen sensor by changing the redox state of the central iron atom of heme proteins, similar to the effects of hypoxia. It was investigated, therefore, whether cobalt and nickel interact with hemeproteins or ROS scavenging systems in the control of intracellular ROS level. Cobalt chloride (100 microM, 24 h) oxidized non respiratory as well respiratory hemeproteins and increased the oxygen consumption. In contrast, nickel chloride (300 microM, 24 h) primarily reduced respiratory hemeproteins and decreased the oxygen consumption. In HepG2 cells treated with CoCl2, iron and cobalt were localized in cytosolic granules close to the cell nucleus and in mitochondria at concentrations up to 12 mM or 41 mM, respectively. Intracellular nickel was not measurable. Three-dimensional reconstruction of confocal laser microscopy images revealed hot spots of hydroxyl radical generation by a Fenton reaction at the sites of cytosolic iron accumulation. The .OH levels decreased in cobalt-treated (to 81%) as well as in nickel-treated (to 67%) HepG2 cells, accompanied by an increase of EPO expression to 167% and 150%, respectively. Our results underline the importance of .OH formed by a Fenton reaction for triggerimg EPO production. Identification of the primary hemeprotein being the oxygen sensor was not possible due to the antagonistic effects of cobalt and nickel on the redox state of detectable hemeproteins.

The influence of phenobarbital on cytochromes and reactive oxygen species in erythropoietin producing HepG2 cells.

Light absorption photometry of HepG2 cells treated with phenobarbital for enhancing the content of cytochrome P-450 and the synthesis of erythropoietin revealed an influence on all cytochromes detectable in the wavelength range between 400 and 620 nm. No correlation was found between specific changes of cytochrome P-450 absorption and increased EPO synthesis as proposed earlier by Fandrey et al. (Life Sci. (1990) 47, 127-134). In the present study, however, the increased erythropoietin synthesis could be related to a decreased intracellular hydroxyl radical level described as crucial for the oxygen regulated gene expression (Kietzmann et al., Biochem. J. (1998) 335, 425-432; Porwol et al., Eur. J. Biochem. (1998) 256, 16-23).

Tomography of cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy and computer-assisted three-dimensional image reconstruction: localization of cathepsin B in tumor cells penetrating collagen gels in vitro.

We used the nondestructive procedures of confocal laser scanning microscopy in combination with computer-assisted methods to visualize tumor cells in the process of penetrating collagen gels. Three independent sets of images were collected. The image information of all data sets was combined into one image, giving a three-dimensional (3D) impression at high light microscopic resolution and sensitivity. We collected information about the extracellular matrix using the reflection mode, the cell surface/morphology by staining with the fluorescent dye DiOC6(3), and the distribution of cathepsin B by Cy-3-labeled immunolocalization. The specific aim of our study was visualization of the spatial relationship of cell organelles as far as they contain the enzyme cathepsin B to cell morphology and motility in a 3D model of extracellular matrix. The majority of the enzyme was localized pericellularly, with no visible relationship to the direction of movement. However, substantial amounts also appeared in intramatrix pseudopodia and associated with the extracellular face of the plasma membrane, which may be indicative either of secretion and/or epicellular activity. Our approach has general applicability to study of the spatial relationships of cell compartments and their possible reorganization over time. This could open new horizons in understanding cell structure and function.

Cobalt and desferrioxamine reveal crucial members of the oxygen sensing pathway in HepG2 cells.

Cobalt and desferrioxamine, like hypoxia, stimulate the production of erythropoietin in HepG2 cells. It is believed that cobalt as well as desferrioxamine interact with the central iron atom of heme proteins by changing their redox state similar to hypoxia. A subsequent decrease of the intracellular H2O2 levels under hypoxia was presumed to be the key event for stimulating erythropoietin production. We therefore investigated whether cobalt and desferrioxamine control the intracellular H2O2 levels that regulate gene expression by interacting with hemeproteins. Deconvolution of light absorption spectra revealed respiratory heme proteins such as cytochrome c, b558 and cytochrome aa3, as well as cytochrome b558, which is a nonrespiratory heme protein found in HepG2 cells. Whereas respiratory heme proteins are located in mitochondria, cytochrome b558 similar to the one described for the neutrophil NADPH oxidase can be visualized in the cell membrane of HepG2 cells by immunohistochemistry. Incubation with cobalt (100 microM/24 hr) interacts predominantly with cytochrome b558 and cytochrome b558. The interaction of cobalt with the respiratory chain results in an increased oxygen consumption of HepG2 cells as revealed by PO2 microelectrode measurements. Desferrioxamine (130 microM/24 hr), however has no influence on the cytochromes. In response to an external application of NADH (1 mM), the membrane bound cytochrome b558 produces two times more O2- than to the external NADPH (1 mM) application. Neither desferrioxamine not cobalt has any influence on the NADH stimulated O2- generation. Incubation with cobalt or with desferrioxamine, however, leads to a decrease of the intracellular H2O2 level as revealed by the dihydrorhodamine 123 technique, perhaps causing the well-known enhanced erythropoietin production. The cobalt-induced H2O2 decrease seems to be caused by an increased activity of the glutathion peroxidase that is also induced under hypoxia. Desferrioxamine, however, leads to an apparent H2O2 decrease only because it seems to inhibit the iron catalyzed reaction of H2O2 with dihydrorhodamine 123, hinting at the occurrence of the Fenton reaction in HepG2 cells. Therefore, it must be determined whether or not degradation products of H2O2 by the Fenton reaction suppress erythropoietin production under normoxia.

Cobalt chloride and desferrioxamine antagonize the inhibition of erythropoietin production by reactive oxygen species.

We have recently proposed a H2O2-generating b-type cytochrome as part of the cellular oxygen sensor that controls O2-dependent erythropoietin (Epo) production in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. H2O2 could act as an intracellular signaling molecule because its production in HepG2 cells is strictly dependent on the pericellular PO2. High cellular levels of H2O2 inhibit hypoxia-induced Epo production while low levels-as under hypoxic conditions-allow full expression of the Epo gene. Since cobalt chloride (CoCl2) and the iron chelator desferrioxamine (DSF) both mimic the hypoxic induction of Epo production we studied the influence of CoCl2 and DSF on the formation and on the action of reactive O2-species with respect to Epo production. Both chemicals reduced the H2O2-dependent 123-dihydrorhodamine fluorescence in HepG2 cells. The inhibition of Epo production by exogenous H2O2 was completely antagonized by DSF. This might indicate that H2O2 exerts its inhibition through a Fenton type reaction. On the other hand, NADPH and pyrogallol which stimulate the production of O2- inhibited Epo production. CoCl2 antagonized their effects. From our results we propose different sites of interaction with the putative signaling chain for DSF and CoCl2. While DSF appears to reduce the action of the H2O2 molecule, CoCl2 might act further upstream through the induction of H2O2-scavenger systems or by interfering with its production.

Three-dimensional imaging of rhodamine 123 fluorescence distribution in human melanoma cells by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging of intracellular rhodamine 123 fluorescence distribution was performed by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Human IGR melanoma cells grown in monolayer or multicellular spheroid culture were studied for elucidating mitochondrial membrane potential characteristics, and cell and nucleus volume dimensions. Microspheres 6 microns in diameter loaded with rhodamine B were used to calibrate our instruments for performing 3D imaging of optical sections as obtained by CLSM. Accurate optical slicing is only possible taking into consideration the physical characteristics of the objectives used like chromatic and spherical aberrations, depth discrimination or cover slip correction and the temperature dependence of the immersion medium. While 3D imaging of optical slices can be carried out showing the original shape of the object being tested without physical distortion, 3D images of microspheres show well-reproducible structures of rhodamine B fluorescence. These can be explained by a superposition of two effects, namely scattering of the fluorescence light and a gradient of the electromagnetic field strength of the laser beam due to the shape of the object. 3D imaging of optical slices of IGR cells in monolayer or multicellular spheroid culture, which have been loaded with rhodamine 123, show the location of the dye predominantly within the cytoplasm of the cells with a remarkable heterogeneity of fluorescence intensity within and between single cells, indicating differences in the mitochondrial membrane potential and thus in the metabolic activity. Due to the heterogeneity of the cell shape the cell nucleus occupies between 4 and 14% of the total cell volume. These data reveal calibrated 3D imaging as a valuable noninvasive tool to visualize the heterogeneity of cell parameters under different cell culture conditions.