Ki-67 Membranous Staining: Biologically Relevant or an Artifact of Multiplexed Immunofluorescent Staining.

In the process of developing a multiplex of 8 common breast cancer biomarkers (Her2/neu, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Ki-67, aldehyde dehydrogenase-1, NaK-ATPase, cytokeratin 8/18, and myosin smooth muscle) on a single formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded slide using a sequential staining, imaging, and dye bleaching technology developed by General Electric Company, membranous Ki-67 staining was observed and colocalized with Her2/neu staining. Using immunohistochemistry as gold standards, we discovered that membranous Ki-67 was an artifact caused by the binding of cyanine 5-conjugated rabbit polyclonal Ki-67 antibody to a secondary cyanine 3-conjugated donkey anti-rabbit antibody which was previously applied and bound to rabbit Her2/neu antibody in our multiplexing experiment. After blocking with rabbit serum, a successful protocol for 8 biomarker multiplexing without cross-reactivity of antibodies from the same species was developed.

X-ray micromodulated luminescence tomography in dual-cone geometry.

We propose a scanning method utilizing dual-cone beams of x-rays to induce luminescence from nanophosphors and reconstruct the three-dimensional distribution of these particles in a biological sample or a small animal. For this purpose, x-rays are focused through a polycapillary lens onto a spot of a few micrometers in size. Such x-ray scanning can be point-wise performed to acquire photon emission data on an object surface. The x-ray-induced luminescence data allow for reliable image reconstruction with high spatial resolution and large imaging depth. We describe several numerical simulation studies to demonstrate the feasibility and merits of the proposed approach.

A novel, automated technology for multiplex biomarker imaging and application to breast cancer.

AIMS: Multiplexed immunofluorescence is a powerful tool for validating multigene assays and understanding the complex interplay of proteins implicated in breast cancer within a morphological context. We describe a novel technology for imaging an extended panel of biomarkers on a single, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast sample and evaluating biomarker interaction at a single-cell level, and demonstrate proof-of-concept on a small set of breast tumours, including those which co-express hormone receptors with Her2/neu and Ki-67. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a microfluidic flow cell, reagent exchange was automated and consisted of serial rounds of staining with dye-conjugated antibodies, imaging and chemical deactivation. A two-step antigen retrieval process was developed to satisfy all epitopes simultaneously, and key parameters were optimized. The imaging sequence was applied to seven breast tumours, and compared with conventional immunohistochemistry. Single-cell correlation analysis was performed with automated image processing. CONCLUSIONS: We have described a novel platform for evaluating biomarker co-localization. Expression in multiplexed images is consistent with conventional immunohistochemistry. Automation reduces inconsistencies in staining and positional shifts, while the fluorescent dye cycling approach dramatically expands the number of biomarkers which can be visualized and quantified on a single tissue section.

Relationship between magnification and resolution in digital pathology systems.

Many pathology laboratories are implementing digital pathology systems. The image resolution and scanning (digitization) magnification can vary greatly between these digital pathology systems. In addition, when digital images are compared with viewing images using a microscope, the cellular features can vary in size. This article highlights differences in magnification and resolution between the conventional microscopes and the digital pathology systems. As more pathologists adopt digital pathology, it is important that they understand these differences and how they ultimately translate into what the pathologist can see and how this may impact their overall viewing experience.

Highly multiplexed single-cell analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cancer tissue.

Limitations on the number of unique protein and DNA molecules that can be characterized microscopically in a single tissue specimen impede advances in understanding the biological basis of health and disease. Here we present a multiplexed fluorescence microscopy method (MxIF) for quantitative, single-cell, and subcellular characterization of multiple analytes in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. Chemical inactivation of fluorescent dyes after each image acquisition round allows reuse of common dyes in iterative staining and imaging cycles. The mild inactivation chemistry is compatible with total and phosphoprotein detection, as well as DNA FISH. Accurate computational registration of sequential images is achieved by aligning nuclear counterstain-derived fiducial points. Individual cells, plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, tumor, and stromal regions are segmented to achieve cellular and subcellular quantification of multiplexed targets. In a comparison of pathologist scoring of diaminobenzidine staining of serial sections and automated MxIF scoring of a single section, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, estrogen receptor, p53, and androgen receptor staining by diaminobenzidine and MxIF methods yielded similar results. Single-cell staining patterns of 61 protein antigens by MxIF in 747 colorectal cancer subjects reveals extensive tumor heterogeneity, and cluster analysis of divergent signaling through ERK1/2, S6 kinase 1, and 4E binding protein 1 provides insights into the spatial organization of mechanistic target of rapamycin and MAPK signal transduction. Our results suggest MxIF should be broadly applicable to problems in the fields of basic biological research, drug discovery and development, and clinical diagnostics.

Autofocus methods of whole slide imaging systems and the introduction of a second-generation independent dual sensor scanning method.

Accurate focusing is a critical challenge of whole slide imaging, primarily due to inherent tissue topography variability. Traditional line scanning and tile-based scanning systems are limited in their ability to acquire a high degree of focus points while still maintaining high throughput. This review examines limitations with first-generation whole slide scanning systems and explores a novel approach that employs continuous autofocus, referred to as independent dual sensor scanning. This "second-generation" concept decouples image acquisition from focusing, allowing for rapid scanning while maintaining continuous accurate focus. The technical concepts, merits, and limitations of this method are explained and compared to that of a traditional whole slide scanning system.

The relative distribution of membranous and cytoplasmic met is a prognostic indicator in stage I and II colon cancer.

PURPOSE: The association hepatocyte growth factor receptor (Met) tyrosine kinase with prognosis and survival in colon cancer is unclear, due in part to the limitation of detection methods used. In particular, conventional chromagenic immunohistochemistry (IHC) has several limitations including the inability to separate compartmental measurements. Measurement of membrane, cytoplasm, and nuclear levels of Met could offer a superior approach to traditional IHC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Fluorescent-based IHC for Met was done in 583 colon cancer patients in a tissue microarray format. Using curvature and intensity-based image analysis, the membrane, nuclear, and cytoplasm were segmented. Probability distributions of Met within each compartment were determined, and an automated scoring algorithm was generated. An optimal score cutpoint was calculated using 500-fold crossvalidation of a training and test data set. For comparison with conventional IHC, a second array from the same tissue microarray block was 3,3'-diaminobenzidine immunostained for Met. RESULTS: In crossvalidated and univariate Cox analysis, the membrane relative to cytoplasm Met score was a significant predictor of survival in stage I (hazard ratio, 0.16; P = 0.006) and in stage II patients (hazard ratio, 0.34; P < or = 0.0005). Similar results were found with multivariate analysis. Met in the membrane alone was not a significant predictor of outcome in all patients or within stage. In the 3,3'-diaminobenzidine-stained array, no associations were found with Met expression and survival. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the relative subcellular distribution of Met, as measured by novel automated image analysis, may be a valuable biomarker for estimating colon cancer prognosis.

Simple and robust image-based autofocusing for digital microscopy.

A simple image-based autofocusing scheme for digital microscopy is demonstrated that uses as few as two intermediate images to bring the sample into focus. The algorithm is adapted to a commercial inverted microscope and used to automate brightfield and fluorescence imaging of histopathology tissue sections.

A low-cost, linear, DC - 35 MHz, high-power LED driver for continuous wave (CW) and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM).

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence has the potential to provide surgeons with real-time intraoperative image-guidance. Increasing the signal-to-background ratio of fluorescent agents involves delivering a controllable excitation fluence rate of proper wavelength and/or using complementary imaging techniques such as FLIM. In this study we describe a low-cost linear driver circuit capable of driving Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) from DC to 35 MHz, at high power, and which permit fluorescence CW and lifetime measurements. The electronic circuit Gerber files described in this article and the list of components are available online at www.frangionilab.org.