Automated fluorescence intensity and gradient analysis enables detection of rare fluorescent mutant cells deep within the tissue of RaDR mice.
Dushan N WadduwageJennifer E KayVijay Raj SinghOrsolya KiralyMichelle R Sukup-JacksonJagath RajapakseBevin P EngelwardPeter T C SoPublished in: Scientific reports (2018)
Homologous recombination (HR) events are key drivers of cancer-promoting mutations, and the ability to visualize these events in situ provides important information regarding mutant cell type, location, and clonal expansion. We have previously created the Rosa26 Direct Repeat (RaDR) mouse model wherein HR at an integrated substrate gives rise to a fluorescent cell. To fully leverage this in situ approach, we need better ways to quantify rare fluorescent cells deep within tissues. Here, we present a robust, automated event quantification algorithm that uses image intensity and gradient features to detect fluorescent cells in deep tissue specimens. To analyze the performance of our algorithm, we simulate fluorescence behavior in tissue using Monte Carlo methods. Importantly, this approach reduces the potential for bias in manual counting and enables quantification of samples with highly dense HR events. Using this approach, we measured the relative frequency of HR within a chromosome and between chromosomes and found that HR within a chromosome is more frequent, which is consistent with the close proximity of sister chromatids. Our approach is both objective and highly rapid, providing a powerful tool, not only to researchers interested in HR, but also to many other researchers who are similarly using fluorescence as a marker for understanding mammalian biology in tissues.
Keyphrases
- induced apoptosis
- deep learning
- quantum dots
- machine learning
- cell cycle arrest
- living cells
- label free
- mouse model
- single molecule
- gene expression
- high throughput
- dna damage
- endoplasmic reticulum stress
- copy number
- cell death
- healthcare
- cell proliferation
- single cell
- metabolic syndrome
- young adults
- mesenchymal stem cells
- cell therapy
- health information
- adipose tissue
- fluorescent probe
- squamous cell
- lymph node metastasis
- high fat diet induced
- data analysis