A comparison of the detection sensitivity of lymphocyte membrane antigens using fluorescein and phosphor immunoconjugates.

In this study we compared the sensitivity of immunocytochemical procedures, using conventional and time-resolved fluorescent dyes, in a model system consisting of paraformaldehyde-fixed human lymphocytes. The lymphocytes were stained for the presence of the CD4 epitope by indirect immunofluorescence using FITC as label or by using time-resolved luminescent immunophosphors. These immunophosphors were primarily developed for use under time-resolved fluorescence conditions, but they are also very well suited for use in conventional fluorescence microscopes. The differently labeled cells were first examined visually with a conventional fluorescence microscope in a double-blind study. The fluorescence was also measured with a CCD camera mounted on a specially constructed time-resolved fluorescence microscope which allows the suppression of the fast decaying fluorescence, thereby permitting visualization of the specific, slowing decaying luminescence of the phosphor label. With this microscope FITC and immunophosphor labeled lymphocytes were compared under normal conditions (i.e., continuous excitation) and under conditions of time-resolved registration. Conventional fluorescence microscopy revealed a better sensitivity in favor of the phosphor conjugates. This difference became more prominent when the preparations were quantitatively assessed with the CCD-time-resolved microscope. Time-resolved microscopy permitted a suppression of fast decaying fluorescence better than 1 to 10(6).

The use of peroxidase-mediated deposition of biotin-tyramide in combination with time-resolved fluorescence imaging of europium chelate label in immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

The application of europium chelates as delayed fluorescent labels in FISH and immunocytochemistry is hampered by their relatively low quantum yield. To increase the intensity of the delayed fluorescence, we have used a recently introduced peroxidase-mediated amplification system. This system results in a large accumulation of biotin-tyramide, which is detected using streptavidin-europium chelate as label. Optimal staining conditions were evaluated for the immunocytochemical detection of vimentin in cryosections of rat liver, for DNA in situ hybridization (alphoid type probes and 40-KB cosmid probes), and for RNA in situ hybridization (detection of 28S ribosomal RNA, human elongation factor mRNA, and luciferase mRNA). Using a time-resolved fluorescence microscope, intense europium fluorescence was obtained in all these applications when the tyramide amplification system was applied. The signals were strong enough to be observed by eye using the microscope in the time-delayed mode. The routine application of this technique for localization and quantization of antigens or nucleic acid sequences in tissue exhibiting strong autofluorescence is discussed.

Platinum porphyrins as phosphorescent label for time-resolved microscopy.

We investigated phosphorescent metalloporphyrins as potential labels for time-resolved microscopy. On the basis of spectroscopic analysis of their physicochemical properties (quantum yield, molar absorption coefficient, decay times) the best candidates were selected. Next, we synthesized antibody and avidin metalloporphyrin conjugates. The optimal F/P ratio with respect to quantum yield, decay time, and retention of biological activity of these immunoreagents was determined. The reagents were then evaluated by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical procedures for demonstration of hapten-labeled DNA probes, membrane antigens (CD type), and 28S rRNA. All stained samples exhibited bright phosphorescence that could be selectively detected using time-resolved microscopy, especially when glucose/glucose oxidase was added to the embedding medium to deplete oxygen. Applications of time-resolved detection of phosphorescent porphyrins in strongly autofluorescent material (histological sections) are discussed.

Phosphorescent platinum/palladium coproporphyrins for time-resolved luminescence microscopy.

Streptavidin and antibodies were labeled with phosphorescent platinum and palladium coproporphyrin. The optimal conjugates were selected on the basis of spectroscopic analysis (molar extinction coefficient, quantum yield, lifetime) and using ELISA assays to determine the retention of biological activity and immunospecificity. They were subsequently tested for the detection of prostate-specific antigen, glucagon, human androgen receptor, p53, and glutathione transferase in strongly autofluorescent tissues. Furthermore, platinum and palladium coproporphyrin-labeled dUTPs were synthesized for the enzymatic labeling of DNA probes. Porphyrin-labeled DNA probes and porphyrin-labeled streptavidin conjugates were evaluated for DNA in situ hybridization on metaphase spreads, using direct and indirect methods, respectively. The developed in situ detection technology is shown to be applicable not only in mammals but also in plants. A modular- based time-resolved microscope was constructed and used for the evaluation of porphyrin-stained samples. The time-resolved module was found suitable for detection of antigens and DNA targets in an autofluorescent environment. Higher image contrasts were generally obtained in comparison with conventional detection systems (e.g., fourfold improvement in detection of glutathione transferase).

Applicability of a noncooled video-rated CCD camera for detection of fluorescence in situ hybridization signals.

Cooled CCD cameras provide good sensitivity and linearity with a high dynamic range and are therefore well suited for quantification of fluorescence in situ hybridization signals. However, for a fraction of the cost, conventional noncooled, video-rated CCD cameras can also be applied for most applications in the field of fluorescence in situ hybridization, provided that they allow for longer integration times. This paper describes the use of the Sony camera, model XC-77RR-CE, for this purpose. Tests were carried out to compare the dark current, linearity, and signal-to-noise ratio of this camera with a Photometrics cooled CCD camera model KAF 1400, and the suitability for quantitative measurements was investigated on a model system of fluorescent beads. It is shown that if the dark current of the video-rated camera is internally corrected, integration times of up to 30 s can be used; under such conditions good linearity is maintained. The camera was found suitable for the detection of in situ hybridization spots in interphase nuclei using centromere-specific probes. The fast readout rate of the camera offers interesting facilities for quickly locating objects with relatively strong fluorescence, such as counterstained metaphases. The less intense probe signals may then be analyzed at higher magnification.

Evaluation of a time-resolved fluorescence microscope using a phosphorescent Pt-porphine model system.

A time-resolved fluorescence microscope is presented that allows the sensitive detection of delayed luminescent labels with decay times from one microsecond to several milliseconds. The microscope utilizes an argon ion laser chopped with an acoustooptical modulator as excitation light source in combination with a gated multichannel plate image intensifier in the image plane. A theoretical model for the detection efficiency of practically any time-resolved fluorescence microscope is verified using phosphorescent Pt-porphine-stained Sephadex beads. The detection efficiency of the presented setup was shown to be 42%, which is near the theoretical limit of 50% for non-saturated luminescent dyes. The suppression of prompt fluorescence signals was found to be 1:5,500. The Pt-porphine beads proved to be an excellent model system for time-resolved fluorescence microscopy, showing a high extinction coefficient and high phosphorescence quantum yield in aqueous environment under room temperature conditions. Furthermore, for the microscope described the decay time of the Pt-porphine beads of 47 microseconds is long enough to enable efficient suppression of the prompt fluorescence while maintaining a high excitation and emission duty cycle. This is considered to be of vital importance in order not to saturate the luminescence with the excitation intensities commonly used in fluorescence microscopy.

Comparison of lavaged and intrapulmonary alveolar macrophages in respect to lysozyme content and size in the rat.

Lavaged and in situ rat alveolar macrophages were compared with respect to lysozyme content and size in order to assess the extent to which macrophages from pulmonary lavages reflect the in situ cell population. This relationship was studied in normal rats and in rats with pulmonary granulomas induced by glucan stimulation (10 mg/kg given intravenously on Days 5, 3, and 1 before being killed). Alveolar macrophages in pulmonary lavages and histologic sections were stained for lysozyme by the immunoperoxidase method using rabbit antiserum to rat lysozyme. Enzyme content and cell size were measured with a conventional scanning cytospectrophotometer and an automated image analysis system (LEYTAS). Scanning cytospectrophotometry measurements showed that 26% of in situ alveolar macrophages from glucan-treated rats contained more lysozyme than did control cells and that 31% possessed larger areas. Fewer large alveolar macrophages containing increased amounts of lysozyme were detected in lavages of glucan-treated rats. Frequency histograms of lysozyme content and cell size were similar for lavaged and in situ macrophages from control rats. Measurements with LEYTAS confirmed the results. These experiments demonstrate that alveolar macrophages obtained by lavage are representative of their in situ counterparts in normal but not in glucan-treated rats.

Quantification of fluorescence in situ hybridization signals by image cytometry.

In this study we aimed at the development of a cytometric system for quantification of specific DNA sequences using fluorescence in situ hybridization (ISH) and digital imaging microscopy. The cytochemical and cytometric aspects of a quantitative ISH procedure were investigated, using human peripheral blood lymphocyte interphase nuclei and probes detecting high copy number target sequences as a model system. These chromosome-specific probes were labeled with biotin, digoxigenin, or fluorescein. The instrumentation requirements are evaluated. Quantification of the fluorescence ISH signals was performed using an epi-fluorescence microscope with a multi-wavelength illuminator, equipped with a cooled charge couple device (CCD) camera. The performance of the system was evaluated using fluorescing beads and a homogeneously fluorescing specimen. Specific image analysis programs were developed for the automated segmentation and analysis of the images provided by ISH. Non-uniform background fluorescence of the nuclei introduces problems in the image analysis segmentation procedures. Different procedures were tested. Up to 95% of the hybridization signals could be correctly segmented using digital filtering techniques (min-max filter) to estimate local background intensities. The choice of the objective lens used for the collection of images was found to be extremely important. High magnification objectives with high numerical aperture, which are frequently used for visualization of fluorescence, are not optimal, since they do not have a sufficient depth of field. The system described was used for quantification of ISH signals and allowed accurate measurement of fluorescence spot intensities, as well as of fluorescence ratios obtained with double-labeled probes.

Use of ferro-electric liquid crystal shutters for time-resolved fluorescence microscopy.

A technique is described to modify a standard fluorescence microscope for time-resolved visualization of delayed luminescing substances with decay times from 50 microseconds to several milliseconds. The modification consists of synchronized operation of a mechanical shutter, positioned in an aperture plane in the excitation pathway, simultaneously with a ferro-electric liquid crystal (FLC) shutter on the emission side. Operation of the microscope is through a microprocessor interfaced keypad by which all timing parameters can be adjusted for optimal suppression of fast decaying luminescence. Accuracy of the timing was within 1 microsecond. Prompt fluorescence was suppressed up to 10(6) times, as determined for bright prompt fluorescing microspheres. The use of the FLC shutter resulted in a reduction in emission intensity by a factor of 8 (due to the use of polarizers, the lower transmission of the FLC devices, and IR blocking filters). No significant image degradation due to shutter operations was observed. The modified microscope was successfully used for the visualization of delayed luminescing immunolabels, such as inorganic phosphor particles and lanthanide chelates, as well as naturally phosphorescing materials.

Preparation and microscopic visualization of multicolor luminescent immunophosphors.

The preparation of charge-stabilized suspensions of small phosphor particles (0.1-0.3 micron) and their coupling with antibodies to immunoreactive conjugates is described. Phosphor particles consisting of yttriumoxisulfide activated with europium served as a model system in the evaluation of the stabilizing properties of several polycarboxylic acids. The optimal reagents were then applied to other phosphors which differ in spectral characteristics as well as in luminescence lifetime. These phosphors were ground to a size of 0.1-0.3 micron and proteins or other macromolecules were adsorbed to the phosphor particles to prepare conjugates of different physico-chemical properties. A time-resolved microscope, suitable for real time visualization of the time-delayed luminescence of the immunophosphors by the human eye, is described in detail. Since most phosphors require excitation with far UV light, a special fluorescence microscope allowing far UV excitation was developed for conventional visualization of the luminescence emitted by the phosphor. The possibility of multiple color labeling using various phosphor conjugates was demonstrated in a model system consisting of haptenized latex beads.

Heterogeneity in telomere length of human chromosomes.

Vertebrate chromosomes terminate in variable numbers of T2AG3 nucleotide repeats. In order to study telomere repeats at individual chromosomes, we developed novel, quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization procedures using labeled (C3TA2)3 peptide nucleic acid and digital imaging microscopy. Telomere fluorescence intensity values from metaphase chromosomes of cultured human hematopoietic cells decreased with the replication history of the cells, varied up to six-fold within a metaphase, and were similar between sister chromatid telomeres. Surprisingly, telomere fluorescence intensity values within normal adult bone marrow metaphases did not show a normal distribution, suggesting that a minimum number of repeats at each telomere is required and/or maintained during normal hematopoiesis.

Assessment of telomere length in hematopoietic interphase cells using in situ hybridization and digital fluorescence microscopy.

Telomeres are G/C-rich repetitive DNA sequences at the end of all eukaryotic chromosomes. The loss of telomeric repeat sequences during cell divisions has been proposed as a possible mechanism for cell senescence. The standard procedure for measurement of telomere length is Southern blot (SB) hybridization with a telomere-specific probe. However, in using this technique no information can be obtained on variation in telomeric fragments due to interchromosomal, intrachromosomal, and intercellular differences. Lansdorp et al. (Hum Mol Genet 5:685-691, 1996) developed a method to measure individual telomeres, using in situ hybridization on metaphase chromosomes, employing peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes and digital fluorescence microscopy. In this paper we describe a method that can be used to assess telomeric length in interphase cells. An algorithm was developed to measure the total intranuclear fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) signal, which features accurate correction for the local autofluorescence. Application of this methodology to samples of fetal liver, umbilical cord blood, and adult bone marrow cells showed a gradual decrease of average telomeric length. Southern blot analysis and PNA FISH measurements on chromosomes in the same samples showed similar results. Advantages of interphase measurements include the possibility of studying nonproliferating cells, thus avoiding selection and cell culturing.

Image analysis combined with quantitative cytochemistry. Results and instrumental developments for cancer diagnosis.

This paper describes the application of image analysis combined with a quantitative staining method for the analysis of cervical specimens. The image analysis is carried out with the Leyden Television Analysis System, LEYTAS, of which two versions are described. LEYTAS-1 as well as LEYTAS-2 have both been designed with a high degree of flexibility and interaction facilities. A much wider range of image analysis programs is however, possible with LEYTAS-2, enabling many applications. LEYTAS-1, the earlier version, consists of a Leitz microscope with automated functions, a TV camera, the Texture Analysis System (TAS, Leitz), a four-bit grey value memory and a minicomputer (PDP 11/23). Using this instrumentation 1,500 cervical smears prepared from cell suspensions and stained with acriflavin-Feulgen-Sits have been analysed in a completely automated procedure. Image transformations working in parallel on entire fields, have been used for cell selection and artefact rejection. Resulting alarms, consisting of selected single cells and non-rejected artefacts are stored in the grey value memory, which is displayed on a TV monitor. This option allows visual interaction after the machine diagnosis has been made. The machine diagnosis was correct in 320 out 321 specimens with a severe dysplasia or more serious lesion. The false positive rate in 561 morphologically negative specimens (normal and inflammation) was 16% (machine diagnosis). Visual interaction by subtracting the visually recognized false alarms from the total number of alarms reduces the false positive rate to 11%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)