This work was supported by a Marie Curie Reintegration Grant (IRG249084). We thank all members of the Kurant laboratory. We also thank E. Suss-Toby at the Interdepartmental Bioimaging facility for excellent technical support.

To follow the dynamics of apoptotic cell clearance in vivo two populations of cells must be labeled: phagocytic cells and apoptotic cells.
To mark phagocytic cell populations we use a Drosophila line containing the simu-cytGFP marker, which labels exclusively phagocytic cells in the embryo: macrophages, glia and ectoderm8. One can use different markers for phagocytic cells, including lines containing a hemocyte-specific Gal4 driver (crq-Gal4) or glia-specific Gal4 driver (repo-Gal4) and a genetically encoded fluorescent reporter under UAS control (uas-GFP).
To monitor apoptotic cells during apoptotic cell clearance we use different apoptosis/phagocytosis markers. Annexin V (Molecular Probes) serves as an early marker for apoptotic cells 10; Phiphilux (OncoImmunin) is a fluorogenic caspase-3 substrate, which is used as a later apoptosis marker, and LysoTracker (Molecular Probes) works as a phagosome marker. We inject these reagents using the microinjection system PicoPump PV 820.
1. Getting Ready
<ol>
	<li>Heptane glue: 
	Unroll double sided tape and put as much as you can in a scintillation vial, fill with heptane, seal the vial with Parafilm, and rock for 24 hr. Add heptane if the glue is too thick.</li>
	<li>We allow the flies to lay on a pre-warmed grape juice agar plate + yeast paste for 2 hr, and then transfer the plate to 25 &deg;C for 10-12 hr (depends on the desired stage) prior to microinjection and time lapse recordings of injected embryos. We collect embryos from the agar plates maintained at 25 &deg;C, thus providing embryos from stage 15 or 16 of development.</li>
	<li>Needle preparation: 
	To prepare needles for injection, we use a 'Sutter instrument' needle puller and thin walled glass filaments (FHC Capillary tubing). The tip of the pooled capillary is broken to a diameter of 0.5-2 &mu;m.</li>
	<li>Coverslip with glue: 
	Using a pipette tip disperse a drop of the heptane glue in one line in the middle of the coverslip. Let it dry for a few seconds. Prepare a few of these coverslips.</li>
</ol>
2. Embryo Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Collect embryos from agar plates and transfer them to a cell strainer (SPL Life Sciences) using a clean paint brush and running water. The strainer is held over a beaker to collect waste water.</li>
	<li>Wash embryos in the cell strainer using water until all the yeast paste is removed.</li>
	<li>Dry out the excess water by wiping the outside of the strainer using Kimwipes.</li>
	<li>Place the cell strainer in a clean Petri dish and add enough 50% bleach to cover embryos in the cell strainer. Dechorionate the embryos for 2 min occasionally (2-3 times) stirring them.</li>
	<li>Rinse with water extensively until embryos loose the bleach odor.</li>
	<li>Place the cell strainer into a clean Petri dish and cover the embryos with water to prevent drying up.</li>
	<li>Before starting embryos setting, load 1 &mu;l of the desired reagent into two needles (sometimes a needle can be clogged). It takes about 5 min for the liquid to reach the tip of the needle.</li>
	<li>Cut a rectangular piece of grape juice agar and place it on a microscope slide. Transfer dechorionated embryos from the Petri dish to the agar piece using a clean paint brush.</li>
	<li>Under a fluorescent dissection microscope select properly staged embryos expressing the GFP marker using a wet paint brush and place each embryo close to the edge of the agar piece in a row one after another (Figure 1A). The embryos should be placed with their ventral side up for imaging phagocytosis by glia in the Central Nervous System (CNS).</li>
	<li>Set up about 10 embryos in one row.</li>
	<li>Attach the embryos to a coverslip coated in the middle with a strip of the heptane glue (Figure 1B, C).</li>
	<li>Place the coverslip in the dehydration chamber for about 5 min (this depends on the humidity of the room and the amount to be injected).</li>
	<li>After drying up cover the embryos with halocarbon oil 700 (Sigma) to avoid further dehydration.</li>
	<li>Place the coverslip on a microscope slide with the embryos facing up. You may put a drop of water on the slide to prevent moving of the coverslip. Embryos are now ready for injection. Injection location is typically on the lateral side in the middle of the embryo.</li>
</ol>
3. Embryo Injection
<ol>
	<li>Attach the needle to a micromanipulator.</li>
	<li>To break the needle tip put the edge of the coverslip in the field of view and adjust the needle to the same focal plane. Very carefully move the coverslip until it hits the needle tip and breaks it.</li>
	<li>Focusing on the embryos, place the needle into the oil and make sure you get a liquid drop from the needle. It means the needle tip has been broken well.</li>
	<li>Without touching the needle holder move the embryo into the needle and inject a drop into the embryo. Move the embryo away and proceed to the next one until all the embryos are injected.</li>
</ol>
4. Imaging
We image the embryos on an inverted confocal microscope with a 40X or 100X objective. We look for a nicely positioned embryo with the CNS in the middle, which shows strong GFP expression and a good labeling of apoptotic cells following injection.
For time lapse recordings of live embryos we usually choose 5 or 6 confocal slices (2 &mu;m thick each). Afterwards, we make a projection of 3 slices (6 &mu;m thickness) in order to observe whole cells.
We use markers for apoptotic cells which are stable and do not bleach easily. To avoid GFP bleaching we make recordings in intervals of 60 sec.
In some cases embryos may start rolling during the time of video recording. Therefore, we take a look once in a while at the recording in order to stop and start over if necessary.

<ol>
	<li>Kinchen, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+model+to+die+for:+signaling+to+apoptotic+cell+removal+in+worm,+fly+and+mouse.">A model to die for: signaling to apoptotic cell removal in worm, fly and mouse.</a> Apoptosis. 15, 998-1006 (2010).</li><li>Kinchen, J. M., Ravichandran, K. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phagosome+maturation:+going+through+the+acid+test.">Phagosome maturation: going through the acid test.</a> Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 9, 781-795 (2008).</li><li>Kinchen, J. M., Ravichandran, K. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phagocytic+signaling:+you+can+touch,+but+you+can't+eat.">Phagocytic signaling: you can touch, but you can't eat.</a> Curr. Biol. 18, 521-524 (2008).</li><li>Stuart, L. M., Ezekowitz, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phagocytosis:+elegant+complexity.">Phagocytosis: elegant complexity.</a> Immunity. 22, 539-550 (2005).</li><li>Lauber, K., Blumenthal, S. G., Waibel, M., Wesselborg, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Clearance+of+apoptotic+cells:+getting+rid+of+the+corpses.">Clearance of apoptotic cells: getting rid of the corpses.</a> Mol. Cell. 14, 277-287 (2004).</li><li>Henson, P. M., Hume, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Apoptotic+cell+removal+in+development+and+tissue+homeostasis.">Apoptotic cell removal in development and tissue homeostasis.</a> Trends Immunol. 27, 244-250 (2006).</li><li>Kurant, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Keeping+the+CNS+clear:+glial+phagocytic+functions+in+Drosophila.">Keeping the CNS clear: glial phagocytic functions in Drosophila.</a> Glia. 59, 1304-1311 (2011).</li><li>Kurant, E., Axelrod, S., Leaman, D., Gaul, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Six-microns-under+acts+upstream+of+Draper+in+the+glial+phagocytosis+of+apoptotic+neurons.">Six-microns-under acts upstream of Draper in the glial phagocytosis of apoptotic neurons.</a> Cell. 133, 498-509 (2008).</li><li>Mergliano, J., Minden, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Caspase-independent+cell+engulfment+mirrors+cell+death+pattern+in+Drosophila+embryos.">Caspase-independent cell engulfment mirrors cell death pattern in Drosophila embryos.</a> Development. 130, 5779-5789 (2003).</li><li>van den Eijnde, S. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+surface+exposure+of+phosphatidylserine+during+apoptosis+is+phylogenetically+conserved.">Cell surface exposure of phosphatidylserine during apoptosis is phylogenetically conserved.</a> Apoptosis. 3, 9-16 (1998).</li></ol>

The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests.

Apoptotic cell clearance is a critical last stage of apoptosis, which is highly dynamic. Therefore real time studies of the process are of utmost importance. Here we describe a protocol that enables monitoring of apoptotic cell clearance in living developing Drosophila embryos. In this procedure, two populations of cells must be marked using specific markers: apoptotic cells and phagocytes. The simu-cytGFP reporter is suitable for monitoring phagocytic macrophages, glia and ectoderm simultaneously ...

The proper elimination of unwanted or aberrant cells through apoptosis and subsequent phagocytosis is crucial for embryonic development as well as for tissue homeostasis in the adult. Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells or apoptotic cell clearance is a highly dynamic process which proceeds in four steps: (1) recruitment of phagocytes to the apoptotic cell ('find-me'), (2) recognition of the cell as a target for phagocytosis ('eat-me') and (3) engulfment, followed by (4) phagosome maturation and degradation of the apoptotic particle1-5. There are two types of phagocytes: 'professional' macrophages and immature dendritic cells, and the 'non-professional' tissue-resident neighboring cells, which are crucial for apoptotic cell clearance during metazoan development6,7 .
In Drosophila development, the elimination of superfluous cells through apoptosis occurs in three main phases, first in the mid to late embryo, then in the mid pupa, and again in the early adult. During embryogenesis apoptotic particles are removed by 'professional' phagocytes, macrophages, and by the 'non-professional' ectoderm and glia8,9 .
In our previous work we have identified a phagocytic receptor, Six-microns-under (SIMU), which is expressed exclusively in phagocytic cells during embryogenesis. Using the simu promoter we generated a specific marker for phagocytic cell populations (simu-cytGFP) which enables us to monitor macrophages, ectoderm and glia simultaneously in a live developing embryo8. In addition, by using specific markers for apoptotic cells in different stages of apoptosis, we are able to follow the dynamics of apoptotic cell clearance in vivo.

<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Reagent</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Annexin V </td>
 <td>Molecular Probes</td>
 <td>A35108</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>PhiPhiLux G2D2</td>
 <td>OncoImmunin</td>
 <td>A304R2G-5</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>LysoTracker</td>
 <td>Molecular Probes</td>
 <td>L-7528</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Halocarbon oil 700</td>
 <td>Sigma</td>
 <td>H8898</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Material</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Capillary tubing</td>
 <td>FHC </td>
 <td>30-30-0</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Cell Strainer</td>
 <td>SPL</td>
 <td>93100</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Paintbrush</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

live imaging of apoptotic cell clearance during drosophila embryogenesis

The proper elimination of unwanted or aberrant cells through apoptosis and subsequent phagocytosis (apoptotic cell clearance) is crucial for normal development in all metazoan organisms. Apoptotic cell clearance is a highly dynamic process intimately associated with cell death; unengulfed apoptotic cells are barely seen in vivo under normal conditions. In order to understand the different steps of apoptotic cell clearance and to compare 'professional' phagocytes - macrophages and dendritic cells to 'non-professional' - tissue-resident neighboring cells, in vivo live imaging of the process is extremely valuable. Here we describe a protocol for studying apoptotic cell clearance in live Drosophila embryos. To follow the dynamics of different steps in phagocytosis we use specific markers for apoptotic cells and phagocytes. In addition, we can monitor two phagocyte systems in parallel: 'professional' macrophages and 'semi-professional' glia in the developing central nervous system (CNS). The method described here employs the Drosophila embryo as an excellent model for real time studies of apoptotic cell clearance.

Representative frames from a movie in which apoptotic cells are labeled with Annexin V, and glia, ectoderm and macrophages are labeled with simu-cytGFP are shown in Figure 2. Each frame is a projection of 3 slices 2 &mu;m each.
The embryo of stage 15 is properly positioned showing the embryonic CNS in the middle with well labeled glia (g). Macrophages (m), which are mostly outside the CNS, show strong cytoplasmic GFP expression. Ectodermal cells are also labeled...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Live Imaging of Apoptotic Cell Clearance during Drosophila Embryogenesis at JoVE.com

Live Imaging of Apoptotic Cell Clearance during Drosophila Embryogenesis

Here we describe an effective method for studying dynamics of apoptotic cell clearance in vivo. This method employs live Drosophila embryos as a powerful model for monitoring phagocytosis of apoptotic cells using specific labeling of apoptotic cells and phagocytes.

Live Imaging of Apoptotic Cell Clearance during Drosophila Embryogenesis

The  proper elimination of unwanted or aberrant cells through apoptosis and  subsequent phagocytosis (apoptotic cell clearance) is crucial for normal  ...

live-imaging-apoptotic-cell-clearance-during-drosophila

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

13.4K Views.  Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Здесь мы опишем эффективным методом исследования динамики апоптоза клетки оформление В естественных условиях. Этот метод использует жить Drosophila Эмбрионов в качестве мощного модель для мониторинга фагоцитоз апоптотических клеток с использов...

Video: Live Imaging of Apoptotic Cell Clearance during Drosophila Embryogenesis

Live-imaging of the Drosophila Pupal Eye

Inherent processes of Drosophila pupal development can shift and distort the eye epithelium in ways that make individual cell behavior difficult to track during live cell imaging. These processes include: retinal rotation, cell growth and organismal movement. Additionally, irregularities in the topology of the epithelium, including subtle bumps and folds often introduced as the pupa is prepared for imaging, make it challenging to acquire in-focus images of more than a few ommatidia in a single focal plane. The workflow outlined here remedies these issues, allowing easy analysis of cellular processes during Drosophila pupal eye development. Appropriately-staged pupae are arranged in an imaging rig that can be easily assembled in most laboratories. Ubiquitin-DE-Cadherin:GFP and GMR-GAL4&#8211;driven UAS-&#945;-catenin:GFP are used to visualize cell boundaries in the eye epithelium 1-3. After deconvolution is applied to fluorescent images captured at multiple focal planes, maximum projection images are generated for each time point and enhanced using image editing software. Alignment algorithms are used to quickly stabilize superfluous motion, making individual cell behavior easier to track.

Live-imaging of the Drosophila Pupal Eye

This protocol presents an efficient method for imaging the live Drosophila pupal eye neuroepithelium. This method compensates for tissue movement and uneven topology, enhances visualization of cell boundaries through the use of multiple GFP-tagged junction proteins, and uses an easily-assembled imaging rig.

Inherent processes of Drosophila pupal development can shift and distort the eye epithelium in ways that make individual cell behavior difficult to track ...

Developmental Biology

Live Imaging Of Drosophila melanogaster Embryonic Hemocyte Migrations

Many studies address cell migration using in vitro methods, whereas the physiologically relevant environment is that of the organism itself. Here we present a protocol for the mounting of Drosophila melanogaster embryos and subsequent live imaging of fluorescently labeled hemocytes, the embryonic macrophages of this organism. Using the Gal4-uas system1 we drive the expression of a variety of genetically encoded, fluorescently tagged markers in hemocytes to follow their developmental dispersal throughout the embryo. Following collection of embryos at the desired stage of development, the outer chorion is removed and the embryos are then mounted in halocarbon oil between a hydrophobic, gas-permeable membrane and a glass coverslip for live imaging. In addition to gross migratory parameters such as speed and directionality, higher resolution imaging coupled with the use of fluorescent reporters of F-actin and microtubules can provide more detailed information concerning the dynamics of these cytoskeletal components.

Live Imaging Of Drosophila melanogaster Embryonic Hemocyte Migrations

Drosophila hemocytes disperse over the entirety of the developing embryo. This protocol demonstrates how to mount and image these migrations using embryos with fluorescently labelled hemocytes.

Many studies address cell migration using in vitro methods, whereas the physiologically relevant environment is that of the organism itself. Here we ...

Imaging and Analysis of Tissue Orientation and Growth Dynamics in the Developing Drosophila Epithelia During Pupal Stages

Within multicellular organisms, mature tissues and organs display high degrees of order in the spatial arrangements of their constituent cells. A remarkable example is given by sensory epithelia, where cells of the same or distinct identities are brought together via cell-cell adhesion showing highly organized planar patterns. Cells align to one another in the same direction and display equivalent polarity over large distances. This organization of the mature epithelia is established over the course of morphogenesis. To understand how the planar arrangement of the mature epithelia is achieved, it is crucial to track cell orientation and growth dynamics with high spatiotemporal fidelity during development in vivo. Robust analytical tools are also essential to identify and characterize local-to-global transitions. The Drosophila pupa is an ideal system to evaluate oriented cell shape changes underlying epithelial morphogenesis. The pupal developing epithelium constitutes the external surface of the immobile body, allowing long-term imaging of intact animals. The protocol described here is designed to image and analyze cell behaviors at both global and local levels in the pupal abdominal epidermis as it grows. The methodology described can be easily adapted to the imaging of cell behaviors at other developmental stages, tissues, subcellular structures, or model organisms.

Imaging and Analysis of Tissue Orientation and Growth Dynamics in the Developing Drosophila Epithelia During Pupal Stages

This protocol is designed for the imaging and analysis of the dynamics of cell orientation and tissue growth in the Drosophila abdominal epithelia as the fruit fly undergoes metamorphosis. The methodology described here can be applied to the study of different developmental stages, tissues, and subcellular structures in Drosophila or other model organisms.

Within multicellular organisms, mature tissues and organs display high degrees of order in the spatial arrangements of their constituent cells. A ...

Live Imaging of Drosophila Larval Neuroblasts

Stem cells divide asymmetrically to generate two progeny cells with unequal fate potential: a self-renewing stem cell and a differentiating cell. Given their relevance to development and disease, understanding the mechanisms that govern asymmetric stem cell division has been a robust area of study. Because they are genetically tractable and undergo successive rounds of cell division about once every hour, the stem cells of the Drosophila central nervous system, or neuroblasts, are indispensable models for the study of stem cell division. About 100 neural stem cells are located near the surface of each of the two larval brain lobes, making this model system particularly useful for live imaging microscopy studies. In this work, we review several approaches widely used to visualize stem cell divisions, and we address the relative advantages and disadvantages of those techniques that employ dissociated versus intact brain tissues. We also detail our simplified protocol used to explant whole brains from third instar larvae for live cell imaging and fixed analysis applications.

Live Imaging of Drosophila Larval Neuroblasts

This protocol details a streamlined method used to conduct live cell imaging in the context of an intact larval brain. Live cell imaging approaches are invaluable for the study of asymmetric neural stem cell divisions as well as other neurogenic and developmental processes, consistently uncovering mechanisms that were previously overlooked.

Stem cells divide asymmetrically to generate two progeny cells with unequal fate potential: a self-renewing stem cell and a differentiating cell. Given ...

Neuroscience

Drosophila Embryo Preparation and Microinjection for Live Cell Microscopy Performed using an Automated High Content Analyzer

Modern approaches in quantitative live cell imaging have become an essential tool for exploring cell biology, by enabling the use of statistics and computational modeling to classify and compare biological processes. Although cell culture model systems are great for high content imaging, high throughput studies of cell morphology suggest that ex vivo cultures are limited in recapitulating the morphological complexity found in cells within living organisms. As such, there is a need for a scalable high throughput model system to image living cells within an intact organism. Described here is a protocol for using a high content image analyzer to simultaneously acquire multiple time-lapse videos of embryonic Drosophila melanogaster development during the syncytial blastoderm stage. The syncytial blastoderm has traditionally served as a great in vivo model for imaging biological events; however, obtaining a significant number of experimental replicates for quantitative and high-throughput approaches has been labor intensive and limited by the imaging of a single embryo per experimental repeat. Presented here is a method to adapt imaging and microinjection approaches to suit a high content imaging system, or any inverted microscope capable of automated multipoint acquisition. This approach enables the simultaneous acquisition of 6-12 embryos, depending on desired acquisition factors, within a single imaging session.

Presented here is a protocol to microinject and simultaneously image multiple Drosophila embryos during embryonic development using a plate-based, high content imager.

Modern approaches in quantitative live cell imaging have become an essential tool for exploring cell biology, by enabling the use of statistics and ...

Imaging Cell Shape Change in Living Drosophila Embryos

The developing Drosophila melanogaster embryo undergoes a number of cell shape changes that are highly amenable to live confocal imaging. Cell shape changes in the fly are analogous to those in higher organisms, and they drive tissue morphogenesis. So, in many cases, their study has direct implications for understanding human disease (Table 1)1-5. On the sub-cellular scale, these cell shape changes are the product of activities ranging from gene expression to signal transduction, cell polarity, cytoskeletal remodeling and membrane trafficking. Thus, the Drosophila embryo provides not only the context to evaluate cell shape changes as they relate to tissue morphogenesis, but also offers a completely physiological environment to study the sub-cellular activities that shape cells.
The protocol described here is designed to image a specific cell shape change called cellularization. Cellularization is a process of dramatic plasma membrane growth, and it ultimately converts the syncytial embryo into the cellular blastoderm. That is, at interphase of mitotic cycle 14, the plasma membrane simultaneously invaginates around each of ~6000 cortically anchored nuclei to generate a sheet of primary epithelial cells. Counter to previous suggestions, cellularization is not driven by Myosin-2 contractility6, but is instead fueled largely by exocytosis of membrane from internal stores7. Thus, cellularization is an excellent system for studying membrane trafficking during cell shape changes that require plasma membrane invagination or expansion, such as cytokinesis or transverse-tubule (T-tubule) morphogenesis in muscle.
Note that this protocol is easily applied to the imaging of other cell shape changes in the fly embryo, and only requires slight adaptations such as changing the stage of embryo collection, or using "embryo glue" to mount the embryo in a specific orientation (Table 1)8-19. In all cases, the workflow is basically the same (Figure 1). Standard methods for cloning and Drosophila transgenesis are used to prepare stable fly stocks that express a protein of interest, fused to Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) or its variants, and these flies provide a renewable source of embryos. Alternatively, fluorescent proteins/probes are directly introduced into fly embryos via straightforward micro-injection techniques9-10. Then, depending on the developmental event and cell shape change to be imaged, embryos are collected and staged by morphology on a dissecting microscope, and finally positioned and mounted for time-lapse imaging on a confocal microscope.

Imaging Cell Shape Change in Living Drosophila Embryos

Early development of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is characterized by a number of cell shape changes that are well suited for imaging approaches. This article will describe basic tools and methods required for live confocal imaging of Drosophila embryos, and will focus on a cell shape change called cellularization.

The developing Drosophila melanogaster embryo undergoes a number of cell shape changes that are highly amenable to live confocal imaging.  Cell shape ...

Phagocytosis Assay for Apoptotic Cells in Drosophila Embryos

The molecular mechanisms underlying the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells need to be elucidated in more detail because of its role in immune and inflammatory intractable diseases. We herein developed an experimental method to investigate phagocytosis quantitatively using the fruit fly Drosophila, in which the gene network controlling engulfment reactions is evolutionally conserved from mammals. In order to accurately detect and count engulfing and un-engulfing phagocytes using whole animals, Drosophila embryos were homogenized to obtain dispersed cells including phagocytes and apoptotic cells. The use of dispersed embryonic cells enables us to measure in vivo phagocytosis levels as if we performed an in vitro phagocytosis assay in which it is possible to observe all phagocytes and apoptotic cells in whole embryos and precisely quantify the level of phagocytosis. We confirmed that this method reproduces those of previous studies that identified the genes required for the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. This method allows the engulfment of dead cells to be analyzed, and when combined with the powerful genetics of Drosophila, will reveal the complex phagocytic reactions comprised of the migration, recognition, engulfment, and degradation of apoptotic cells by phagocytes.

Phagocytosis Assay for Apoptotic Cells in Drosophila Embryos

We herein describe a phagocytosis assay using the dispersed embryonic cells of Drosophila. It enables us to easily and precisely quantify in vivo phagocytosis levels, and to identify new molecules required for the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells.

The molecular mechanisms underlying the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells need to be elucidated in more detail because of its role in immune and ...

Immunology and Infection

Imaging Through the Pupal Case of Drosophila melanogaster

The longstanding use of Drosophila as a model for cell and developmental biology has yielded an array of tools. Together, these techniques have enabled analysis of cell and developmental biology from a variety of methodological angles. Live imaging is an emerging method for observing dynamic cell processes, such as cell division or cell motility. Having isolated mutations in uncharacterized putative cell cycle proteins it became essential to observe mitosis in situ using live imaging. Most live imaging studies in Drosophila have focused on the embryonic stages that are accessible to manipulation and observation because of their small size and optical clarity. However, in these stages the cell cycle is unusual in that it lacks one or both of the gap phases. By contrast, cells of the pupal wing of Drosophila have a typical cell cycle and undergo a period of rapid mitosis spanning about 20 hr of pupal development. It is easy to identify and isolate pupae of the appropriate stage to catch mitosis in situ. Mounting intact pupae provided the best combination of tractability and durability during imaging, allowing experiments to run for several hours with minimal impact on cell and animal viability. The method allows observation of features as small as, or smaller than, fly chromosomes. Adjustment of microscope settings and the details of mounting, allowed extension of the preparation to visualize membrane dynamics of adjacent cells and fluorescently labeled proteins such as tubulin. This method works for all tested fluorescent proteins and can capture submicron scale features over a variety of time scales. While limited to the outer 20 &#181;m of the pupa with a conventional confocal microscope, this approach to observing protein and cellular dynamics in pupal tissues in vivo may be generally useful in the study of cell and developmental biology in these tissues.

Imaging Through the Pupal Case of Drosophila melanogaster

This paper demonstrates the use of a fast scanning confocal microscope to image cell behavior directly through the puparium. By leaving the pupal case intact, this method allows observation and measurement of dynamic cell processes at a stage of Drosophila development that is difficult to study directly.

The longstanding use of Drosophila as a model for cell and developmental biology has yielded an array of tools. Together, these techniques have enabled ...

In Vivo Biosensor Tracks Non-apoptotic Caspase Activity in Drosophila

Caspases are the key mediators of apoptotic cell death via their proteolytic activity. When caspases are activated in cells to levels detectable by available technologies, apoptosis is generally assumed to occur shortly thereafter. Caspases can cleave many functional and structural components to cause rapid and complete cell destruction within a few minutes. However, accumulating evidence indicates that in normal healthy cells the same caspases have other functions, presumably at lower enzymatic levels. Studies of non-apoptotic caspase activity have been hampered by difficulties with detecting low levels of caspase activity and with tracking ultimate cell fate in vivo. Here, we illustrate the use of an ultrasensitive caspase reporter, CaspaseTracker, which permanently labels cells that have experienced caspase activity in whole animals. This in vivo dual color CaspaseTracker biosensor for Drosophila melanogaster transiently expresses red fluorescent protein (RFP) to indicate recent or on-going caspase activity, and permanently expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) in cells that have experienced caspase activity at any time in the past yet did not die. Importantly, this caspase-dependent in vivo biosensor readily reveals the presence of non-apoptotic caspase activity in the tissues of organ systems throughout the adult fly. This is demonstrated using whole mount dissections of individual flies to detect biosensor activity in healthy cells throughout the brain, gut, malpighian tubules, cardia, ovary ducts and other tissues. CaspaseTracker detects non-apoptotic caspase activity in long-lived cells, as biosensor activity is detected in adult neurons and in other tissues at least 10 days after caspase activation. This biosensor serves as an important tool to uncover the roles and molecular mechanisms of non-apoptotic caspase activity in live animals.

In Vivo Biosensor Tracks Non-apoptotic Caspase Activity in Drosophila

To detect healthy cells in whole animals that contain low levels of caspase activity, the highly sensitive biosensor designated CaspaseTracker was generated for Drosophila. Caspase-dependent biosensor activity is detected in long-lived healthy cells throughout the internal organs of adult animals reared under optimized conditions in the absence of death stimuli.

Caspases are the key mediators of apoptotic cell death via their proteolytic activity. When caspases are activated in cells to levels detectable by ...

The Phagocytosis Assay: An Immunostaining Technique to Visualize Apoptotic Cell Engulfment in the Embryonic Cells of Drosophila melanogaster

Source: Nonaka, S. et al. <a href="https://app.jove.com/v/56352">Phagocytosis Assay for Apoptotic Cells in Drosophila Embryos.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (2017).
This video demonstrates an immunostaining technique to visualize apoptotic cell engulfment in the homogenized embryonic cells of Drosophila melanogaster. This method provides insights into cellular physiology by determining the extent of apoptotic cell engulfment.

Source: Nonaka, S. et al. Phagocytosis Assay for Apoptotic Cells in Drosophila Embryos. J. Vis. Exp. (2017).
This video demonstrates an immunostaining ...