Time-resolved Fluorescence Imaging Research Articles

THE FOCAL SURFACE OF THE EUSO TELESCOPE

The Extreme Universe Space Observatory (EUSO) is a space mission to study extremely high-energy cosmic rays. The EUSO instrument is a wide-angle refractive telescope in near-ultraviolet wavelength region to observe time-resolved atmospheric fluorescence images of the extensive air showers from the International Space Station. The Focal surface is an aspherical curved surface, and its area amounts to about 4.5 m2. The focal surface detector is designed as a mosaic of multianode photomultipliers (MAPMT) for the single photoelectron counting capability. The strongest requirement for the focal surface detector is the maximization of the photon detection efficiency together with the uniformity over the focal surface. We have developed a new type of MAPMT. It is modified from the ordinary one and has a grid between the photocathode and the first dynode to electrostatically demagnify the photoelectron image on the dynode. We are also developing the HV supply system for a great number of MAPMTs. EUSO experiments the day-time and night-time every 90 minutes. The heat flow must be considered to stabilize the PMT characteristics, in parallel with the heat dissipation of the electronics attached on the focal surface supporting structure.

Picosecond time-resolved imaging by nonscanning fluorescence Kerr gate microscope

A nonscanning picosecond fluorescence Kerr gate microscope has been developed. By applying the optical Kerr gate technique to the fluorescence imaging of microscopic samples, picosecond time-resolved fluorescence images were obtained with 1.4-ps time resolutions and 1-μm space resolutions, without XY scanning of the sample or the excitation light. A demonstrational measurement on an organic microcrystal, perylene, is presented.

Time-resolved fluorescence imaging of solvent interactions in microfluidic devices

We present the application of wide-field time-resolved fluorescence imaging methods for the study of solvent interactions and mixing in microfluidic devices. Time-resolved imaging of fluorescence polarization anisotropy allows us to image the local viscosity of fluorescence in three dimensions in order to directly monitor solvent mixing within a microfluidic channel. This provides a viscosity image acquisition time of the order of minutes, and has been applied to a steady-state laminar flow configuration. To image dynamic fluid mixing in real-time, we demonstrate high-speed fluorescence lifetime imaging at 12.3 Hz applied to DASPI, which directly exhibits a solvent viscosity-dependant fluorescence lifetime. These two methods facilitate a high degree of quantification of microfluidic flow in 3-D and/or at high speed, providing a tool for studying fluid dynamics and for developing enhanced microfluidic assays.

Shape relaxations in a fluid supported membrane during hydrolysis by phospholipase A 2

The behavior of a fluid supported membrane during hydrolysis by phospholipase A 2 is for the first time visualized by time-resolved fluorescence imaging. After a lag phase, hydrolysis proceeds from the boundary of existing holes and via nucleation of new holes. During subsequent hydrolysis, the shape of the membrane boundary is determined both by hydrolysis and by shape relaxations due to the action of line tension. This is manifested by the appearance of Rayleigh instabilities in membrane rims and by an effect analogous to domain coarsening in phase transitions in which membrane holes decay when they are within a certain distance from larger and expanding holes.

Ligand-Receptor and Receptor-Receptor Interactions Act in Concert to Activate Signaling in the Drosophila Toll Pathway

In Drosophila, the signaling pathway mediated by the Toll receptor is critical for the establishment of embryonic dorso-ventral pattern and for innate immune responses to bacterial and fungal pathogens. Toll is activated by high affinity binding of the cytokine Spätzle, a dimeric ligand of the cystine knot family. In vertebrates, a related family of Toll-like receptors play a critical role in innate immune responses. Despite the importance of this family of receptors, little is known about the biochemical events that lead to receptor activation and signaling. Here, we show that Spätzle binds to the N-terminal region of Toll and, using biophysical methods, that the binding is complex. The two binding events that cause formation of the cross-linked complex are non-equivalent: the first Toll ectodomain binds Spätzle with an affinity 3-fold higher than the second molecule suggesting that pathway activation involves negative cooperativity. We further show that the Toll ectodomains are able to form low affinity dimers in solution and that juxtamembrane sequences of Toll are critical for the activation or derepression of the pathway. These results, taken together, suggest a mechanism of signal transduction that requires both ligand-receptor and receptor-receptor interactions.

Cryogenic Laser Induced U(VI) Fluorescence Studies of a U(VI) Substituted Natural Calcite: Implications to U(VI) Speciation in Contaminated Hanford Sediments

Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) and imaging spectromicroscopy (TRLFISM) were used to examine the chemical speciation of uranyl in contaminated subsurface sediments from the U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) Hanford Site, Washington. Spectroscopic measurements for contaminant U(VI) were compared to those from a natural, uranyl-bearing calcite (NUC) that had been found via X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to include uranyl in the same coordination environment as calcium. Spectral deconvolution of TRLFS measurements on the NUC revealed the unexpected presence of two distinct chemical environments consistent with published spectra of U(VI)-substituted synthetic calcite and aragonite. Apparently, some U(VI) substitution sites in calcite distorted to exhibit a local, more energetically favorable aragonite structure. TRLFS measurements of the Hanford sediments NP4-1 and NP1-6 were similar to the NUC in terms of peak positions and intensity, despite a small CaCO3 content (1.0 to 3.2 mass %). Spectral deconvolution of the sediments revealed the presence of U(VI) in calcite and aragonite structural environments. A third, unidentified U(VI) species was also present in the NP1-6 sediment. TRLFISM measurements at multiple locations in the different sediments displayed only minor variation, indicating a uniform speciation pattern. Collectively, the measurements implied that waste U(VI), long-resident beneath the sampled disposal pond (32 y), had coprecipitated within carbonates. These findings have major implications for the solubility and fate of contaminant U(VI).

Imaging Activation of Two Ras Isoforms Simultaneously in a Single Cell

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy approaches have been used to study protein interactions in living cells. Up to now, due to the spectral requirements for FRET detection, this has been limited to the measurement of single protein interactions. Here we present a novel time-resolved fluorescence imaging method for simultaneously monitoring the activation state of two proteins in a single cell. A Ras sensor, consisting of fluorescently labelled Ras and a fluorescently labelled Ras binding domain (RBD) of Raf, which reads out Ras activation by its interaction with RBD as a FRET signal, has been adapted for this purpose. By using yellow (YFP) and cyan (CFP) versions of the green fluorescent protein from Aquorea victoria as donors and a tandem construct of Heteractis crispa Red (tHcRed) as acceptor for both donors, two independent FRET signals can be measured at the same time. Measuring the YFP and CFP donor lifetimes by fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) allows us to distinguish the two different FRET signals in a single cell. Using this approach, we show that different Ras isoforms and mutants that localize to the plasma membrane, to the Golgi or to both compartments display distinct activation profiles upon growth-factor stimulation; this indicates that there is a differential regulation in cellular compartments. The method presented here is especially useful when studying spatiotemporal aspects of protein regulation as part of larger cellular signalling networks.

The use of time-resolved fluorescence imaging in the study of protein kinase C localisation in cells

BackgroundTwo-photon-excitation fluorescence lifetime imaging (2P-FLIM) was used to investigate the association of protein kinase C alpha (PKCα) with caveolin in CHO cells. PKCα is found widely in the cytoplasm and nucleus in most cells. Upon activation, as a result of increased intracellular Ca2+ and production of DAG, through G-protein coupled-phospholipase C signalling, PKC translocates to a variety of regions in the cell where it phosphorylates and interacts with many signalling pathways. Due to its wide distribution, discerning a particular interaction from others within the cell is extremely difficultResultsFluorescence energy transfer (FRET), between GFP-PKCα and DsRed-caveolin, was used to investigate the interaction between caveolin and PKC, an aspect of signalling that is poorly understood. Using 2P-FLIM measurements, the lifetime of GFP was found to decrease (quench) in certain regions of the cell from ~2.2 ns to ~1.5 ns when the GFP and DsRed were sufficiently close for FRET to occur. This only occurred when intracellular Ca2+ increased or in the presence of phorbol ester, and was an indication of PKC and caveolin co-localisation under these conditions. In the case of phorbol ester stimulated PKC translocation, as commonly used to model PKC activation, three PKC areas could be delineated. These included PKCα that was not associated with caveolin in the nucleus and cytoplasm, PKCα associated with caveolin in the cytoplasm/perinuclear regions and probably in endosomes, and PKC in the peripheral regions of the cell, possibly indirectly interacting with caveolin.ConclusionBased on the extent of lifetime quenching observed, the results are consistent with a direct interaction between PKCα and caveolin in the endosomes, and possibly an indirect interaction in the peripheral regions of the cell. The results show that 2P-FLIM-FRET imaging offers an approach that can provide information not only confirming the occurrence of specific protein-protein interactions but where they occur within the cell.

Time-Resolved Fluorescent Imaging of Glucose

A method for the fluorescent imaging of glucose is described that is based on the detection of enzymatically produced hydrogen peroxide, using the europium(III) tetracycline complex as the fluorescent probe incorporated into a hydrophilic polymer layer. Coadsorption of glucose oxidase (GOx) makes these sensor layers respond to the hydrogen peroxide produced by the GOx-assisted oxidation of glucose. The hydrogel layers are integrated into a 96-microwell plate for a parallel and simultaneous detection of various samples. Glucose is visualized by means of time resolved luminescence lifetime imaging. Unlike in previous methods, the determination of H2O2 does not require the addition of peroxidase or a catalyst to form a fluorescent product. The lifetime-based images obtained are compared with conventional fluorescence intensity-based methods with respect to sensitivity and the dynamic range of the sensor layer. The main advantages provided by this sensing scheme for H2O2 include reversibility, applicability at neutral pH, and the straightforwardness of the transducer system and the imaging device.

Longitudinal Diffusion in Retinal Rod and Cone Outer Segment Cytoplasm: The Consequence of Cell Structure

Excitation signals spread along photoreceptor outer segments away from the site of photon capture because of longitudinal diffusion of cGMP, a cytoplasmic second messenger. The quantitative features of longitudinal diffusion reflect the anatomical structure of the outer segment, known to be profoundly different in rod and cone photoreceptors. To explore how structural differences affect cytoplasmic diffusion and to assess whether longitudinal diffusion may contribute to the difference in signal transduction between photoreceptor types, we investigated, both theoretically and experimentally, the longitudinal diffusion of small, hydrophilic molecules in outer segments. We developed a new theoretical analysis to explicitly compute the longitudinal diffusion constant, D l, in terms of outer segment structure. Using time-resolved fluorescence imaging we measured D l of Alexa488 and lucifer yellow in intact, single cones and validated the theoretical analysis. We used numerical simulations of the theoretical model to investigate cGMP diffusion in outer segments of various species. At a given time interval, cGMP spreads further in rod than in cone outer segments of the same dimensions. Across all species, the spatial spread of cGMP at the peak of the dim light photocurrent is 3–5 μm in rod outer segments, regardless of their absolute size. Similarly the cGMP spatial spread is 0.7–1 μm in cone outer segments, independently of their dimensions.

Fully time-resolved near-field scanning optical microscopy fluorescence imaging

Time-correlated single photon counting has been coupled with near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) to record complete fluorescence lifetime decays at each pixel in an NSOM image. The resulting three-dimensional data sets can be binned in the time dimension to create images of photons at particular time delays or images of the fluorescence lifetime. Alternatively, regions of interest identified in the topography and fluorescence images can be used to bin the data in the spatial dimensions resulting in high signal to noise fluorescence decays of particular regions of the sample. The technique has been demonstrated on films of poly(vinylalcohol), doped with the fluorescent dye, cascade blue (CB). The CB segregates into small circular regions of high concentration within the films during the drying process. The lifetime imaging shows that the spots have slightly faster excited state decays due to quenching of the luminescence as a result of the higher concentration. The technique is also used to image the fluorescence lifetime of an annealed film of poly(dihexylfluorene). The samples show high contrast in the total intensity fluorescence image, but the lifetime image reveals the sample to be extremely uniform.

Watching molecules reorient in liquid crystal droplets with multiphoton-excited fluorescence microscopy

A new form of time-resolved multiphoton-excited fluorescence imaging is described and used to study electric-field-induced reorientation dynamics in polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (LC) films. This method provides information on the static and dynamic LC orientation via polarization-dependent three-photon excitation of the nematic ultraviolet chromophores in these materials. Static fluorescence images are obtained with ≈235 nm resolution in all three dimensions. In dynamics studies, the three-photon-excited fluorescence is recorded as a function of time and position over individual LC droplets, as an applied electric field is switched on and off. Time-resolved images with ≈235 nm spatial resolution and 200 μs time resolution are obtained. Movies depicting the local reorientation dynamics are prepared from these data and are presented for common ellipsoidal LC droplets and for novel toroidal droplets. The field-induced reorientation dynamics within the ellipsoidal droplets are shown to be more complex (i.e., spatially variable) than in the toroidal droplets. Dynamical complexity is concluded to arise from LC organizational complexity in the droplets. The bipolar configuration found in ellipsoidal droplets incorporates bend and splay deformations of the nematic phase and two disclination points. In contrast, toroidal droplets incorporate a simpler toroidal configuration in which only bend deformations occur.

Time-resolved fluorescence imaging of photosensitiser distributions in mammalian cells using a picosecond laser line-scanning microscope

A fluorescence microscope using line-excitation generated from a pulsed picosecond dye laser source has been combined with a gated sub-nanosecond high repetition rate (800 kHz) image intensifier to enable time-gated fluorescence lifetime imaging. Using this system, several potential photosensitisers for photodynamic therapy (PDT) have been studied. The fluorescence of the anionic disulphonated aluminium phthalocyanine (AlPcS 2) and cationic pyridinium zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPPC) has been imaged in hamster V79-4 fibroblasts and compared with AlPcS 2 and meta-tetra(hydroxyphenyl) chlorin ( m-THPC) in murine macrophages (J774A.1). Lifetime images were obtained from nanosecond delay sequences of fluorescence images with detector gate widths of 700 ps by fitting the data to single lifetime decays. AlPcS 2 and ZnPPC fluorescence appeared to be localised predominantly in perinuclear sites and absent from the nucleus. Similar regional average lifetime ranges in both cell lines for AlPcS 2 were observed, varying between 4 and 5 ns at the most intense sites of fluorescence. ZnPPC exhibited more uniform lifetime maps with average lifetimes of 2.5–3.0 ns. The chlorin m-THPC fluorescence was also extranuclear and appeared more homogeneously distributed, but was strongly affected by photobleaching. This study demonstrates the utility of the laser line-scanning technique for rapid acquisition of time-gated fluorescence lifetime images.

Quantitative vapour-liquid visualization using laser-induced exciplex fluorescence

We describe an optical technique for quantitative evaluation of the concentrations of coexisting vapour and liquid phases in a spray. A laser-induced exciplex fluorescence visualization system allows time-resolved two-dimensional fluorescence images of vapour and liquid distributions to be acquired simultaneously using two-colour emission. The method is based on the exciplex formers DMA (N,N-dimethylaniline) and 1,4,6-TMN (trimethylnaphthalene) in a non-polar solvent. We report here methods for quantitatively calibrating the liquid and vapour phases of a solution containing 90% isooctane, 5% DMA and 5% 1,4,6-TMN. The evaluation of fluorescence intensities yields quantitative two-dimensional concentration maps of liquid and vapour phases. This technique is expected to find applications in studying mixture formation in diesel or spark ignition engines with spectrally well-separated fluorescence images obtained from the monomer and exciplex constituents dissolved in a fuel.

Time-resolved fluorescence imaging of slab gels for lifetime base-calling in DNA sequencing applications.

A compact time-resolved near-IR fluorescence imager was constructed to obtain lifetime and intensity images of DNA sequencing slab gels. The scanner consisted of a microscope body with f/1.2 relay optics onto which was mounted a pulsed diode laser (repetition rate 80 MHz, lasing wavelength 680 nm, average power 5 mW), filtering optics, and a large photoactive area (diameter 500 microns) single-photon avalanche diode that was actively quenched to provide a large dynamic operating range. The time-resolved data were processed using electronics configured in a conventional time-correlated single-photon-counting format with all of the counting hardware situated on a PC card resident on the computer bus. The microscope head produced a timing response of 450 ps (fwhm) in a scanning mode, allowing the measurement of subnano-second lifetimes. The time-resolved microscope head was placed in an automated DNA sequencer and translated across a 21-cm-wide gel plate in approximately 6 s (scan rate 3.5 cm/s) with an accumulation time per pixel of 10 ms. The sampling frequency was 0.17 Hz (duty cycle 0.0017), sufficient to prevent signal aliasing during the electrophoresis separation. Software (written in Visual Basic) allowed acquisition of both the intensity image and lifetime analysis of DNA bands migrating through the gel in real time. Using a dual-labeling (IRD700 and Cy5.5 labeling dyes)/two-lane sequencing strategy, we successfully read 670 bases of a control M13mp18 ssDNA template using lifetime identification. Comparison of the reconstructed sequence with the known sequence of the phage indicated the number of miscalls was only 2, producing an error rate of approximately 0.3% (identification accuracy 99.7%). The lifetimes were calculated using maximum likelihood estimators and allowed on-line determinations with high precision, even when short integration times were used to construct the decay profiles. Comparison of the lifetime base calling to a single-dye/four-lane sequencing strategy indicated similar results in terms of miscalls, but reduced insertion and deletion errors using lifetime identification methods, improving the overall read accuracy.

Time-resolved fluorescence imaging for specific and quantitative immunodetection of human kallikrein 2 and prostate-specific antigen in prostatic tissue sections

Objectives. To design protocols for specific and quantitative immunohistochemical detection of human kallikrein 2 (hK2) using lanthanide chelate-labeled monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) and time-resolved fluorescence imaging. Methods. Anti–prostate-specific antigen (PSA) Mabs were tested in microtiterplate assays for their ability to prevent PSA from cross-reacting with the anti-hK2 Mab 6H10. Europium-labeled 6H10 and terbium-labeled anti-PSA Mab 2E9, selected as the best blocker antibody, were used for dual-label immunodetection in routinely fixed benign (n = 7) and malignant (n = 5) prostate specimens. The amounts of IgG bound in tissue were calculated from drops containing known Mab concentrations. Results. The use of anti-PSA Mab 2E9 for blocking diminished the cross-reaction from 5% to 0.3%. In the analyzed tissues, there was considerable variation in staining intensity for both proteins; PSA signals varied from 0.1 to 36.6 times that of hK2, with on average 10-fold more bound anti-PSA Mab than anti-hK2 Mab. In malignant tissue, the amounts of bound IgGs were lower and more variable than in benign tissue using both the anti-PSA Mab and the anti-hK2 Mab. The variation in signal intensities for PSA and hK2 correlated significantly in benign tissue ( P >0.05), but not in benign hyperplastic and malignant specimens ( P <0.05). Conclusions. Quantification of two lanthanide chelate-labeled antibodies bound in the same tissue section enabled comparison of PSA and hK2 content in individual cells. The average cellular content of hK2 relative to that of PSA was consistent with previous mRNA studies. The time-resolved fluorescence imaging-based quantification method has universal applicability in fixed tissue specimens.

Time-resolved fluorescence imaging for quantitative histochemistry using lanthanide chelates in nanoparticles and conjugated to monoclonal antibodies.

Tissue and cell examinations have a potential to produce extremely valuable information about antigen quantities in samples. Using currently available methods, a truly quantitative analysis is nearly impossible. We have previously shown that immunohistochemical (IHC) detection of prostate-specific antigen and human glandular kallikrein from prostatic tissue, together with time-resolved fluorescence imaging (TRFI), is a suitable method for obtaining quantitative data from biological samples and that the signal response is linear. In this paper we show that Eu-chelate containing particles in the nanometer range are suitable labels for quantitative IHC. Even single nanoparticle molecules can be detected by TRFI and the signals measured can be readily quantitated. The signal intensity correlates very well with the amount of bound label, and the use of nanoparticles could markedly improve the sensitivity of quantitative IHC methods. TRFI provides a powerful tool for providing quantitative data about antigens or transcripts in tissue sections or cultured cells. It is also of major importance in standardization and optimization of protocols for fixation and tissue preparation, including antigen retrieval methods.

Time-resolved fluorescence imaging (TRFI) for direct immunofluorescence of PSA and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin in prostatic tissue sections.

We have developed a direct immunofluorescence technique utilising chelates of the lanthanide ions europium and terbium conjugated to monoclonal IgGs (Mabs) against prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) for the detection and quantification on the same tissue section. Strong signals without disturbance from tissue autofluorescence were demonstrated in paraffin sections of ten benign and six malignant prostate tissue specimens. The signal intensity increased linearly with the amount of labelled Mab until epitope saturation began. The highest concentrations of bound IgG in tissue sections were 27.3 fmol/pixel for ACT and 7.2 for PSA. Time-resolved fluorescence imaging (TRFI) offers an attractive method for histochemical studies based on specific and quantitative detection of fluorescent lanthanide chelates.

Time-resolved fluorescence in immunocytochemical detection of prostate-specific antigen in prostatic tissue sections.

Chelates with fluorescent lanthanides such as europium and terbium are widely used in immunofluorometric assays, e.g. for the measurement of different molecular forms of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in serum for detection and monitoring of prostate cancer. These chelates have also been introduced as non-radioactive labels in immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. In the present study, sections of non-malignant prostate were investigated using monoclonal IgGs against PSA. Detection of specific immunostaining employing time-resolved fluorescence with europium-labeled streptavidin was compared with conventional detection by streptavidin conjugated to horse-radish peroxidase. The high PSA concentration in the tissue produced high intensity, specific time-resolved fluorescence signals in the epithelial cells of the prostate gland without disturbance from non-specific tissue autofluorescense. This allowed short exposure times to be used which resulted in insignificant photobleaching. Two of the three europium-chelates evaluated yielded high signal intensities. Counterstaining was found to be optimal with Gill No. 1-Haematoxylin solution and Merckoglas was the best mounting medium for the europium chelates tested. In conclusion, time-resolved fluorescence imaging is an attractive alternative to conventional detection of streptavidin conjugated to horse-radish peroxidase, as it provides linear, high intensity, specific signals subsequent to the decay of non-specific tissue autofluorescence.

Time-resolved fluorescence imaging in islet cell autoantibody quantitation

The prodromal period of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is characterized by circulating islet cell autoantibodies (ICA) and other beta cell specific autoantibodies. Despite biochemical characterization of the major beta cell autoantigens insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase and protein tyrosine phosphatase and development of the respective antibody assays, ICA has remained the standard in IDDM prediction. Conventional ICA quantitation using classic fluorochromes is prone to errors since fluorescence intensity is estimated subjectively using the human eye, which is also unable to differentiate specific signals from non-specific signals and autofluorescence. Using Eu 3+-chelate labelled anti-human polyclonal IgG (decay time 1000 μs) as the secondary antibody in time-resolved fluorescence imaging (TRFI), the chelate and autofluorescence signals (typical decay time<100 ns) are fully separated. The image is recorded using an optically gated cooled digital CCD camera. The specificity of the ICA signal is further improved by interactive analysis of the image. Signal detection is objective, the signal-to-background ratio improves, and ICA quantitation is possible using undiluted serum. Of 57 consecutive new-onset IDDM patients, 55 (96.5%) were ICA positive in the new assay while 51 (89.5%) were positive in the conventional assay suggesting that the sensitivity of TRFI exceeds that of the IAA, GAD 65 and IA-2 autoantibody assays combined. For later comparisons, the stained slides may be stored in the light for years without any decrease in specific fluorescence.