Differential Lectin Binding and Coronary Angiography in a Danio and non‐Model Fish Species

Abstract

Lectins are carbohydrate‐binding proteins commonly used in the study of mammalian cells and tissues. However lectins have received little use in fish models and non‐models species. Here, we determine the binding patterns of commonly used lectins, including wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA lectin), Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin (BS lectin), Concanavalin A (Con A), Ricinus communis (RCA), and Lycopersicon esculentum lectin (tomato lectin) in zebrafish and giant danio hearts. Our results show that WGA stained fish cardiac myocyte borders in patterns similar to that seen in mammalian hearts, with staining markedly stronger in the fish compact hearts. Con A showed broad and strong staining in fish ventricles. Interestingly, BS lectin reacted poorly to a number of fish species including zebrafish, pearl danio, common koi, goldfish, and Buenos Aires tetra. By contrast BS lectin strongly stained coronary vessels of giant danio, and several pleco and gourami species. Importantly, enhanced BS lectin binding to vascular endothelium compared to endocardium allowed for 3D coronary angiography in the giant danio by confocal and lightsheet microscopy, and for quantitation of vascular reconstruction during regeneration. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that lectins are simple but important tools for studies in models and non‐models fish species, and in adult and regenerating giant danio heart.Support or Funding InformationR15 HD084262‐01, FDC‐PDF‐DePauw University