Modeling Mucosal Candidiasis in Larval Zebrafish by Swimbladder Injection

Remi L. Gratacap; Audrey C. Bergeron; Robert T. Wheeler

doi:10.3791/52182

Modélisation des muqueuses candidose larves de poisson zèbre par injection vessie natatoire

JoVE Journal
Immunology and Infection

A subscription to JoVE is required to view this content. Sign in or start your free trial.

JoVE Journal Immunology and Infection

Modeling Mucosal Candidiasis in Larval Zebrafish by Swimbladder Injection

Modélisation des muqueuses candidose larves de poisson zèbre par injection vessie natatoire

Full Text

10,664 Views

06:28 min

November 27, 2014

DOI: 10.3791/52182-v

Remi L. Gratacap¹, Audrey C. Bergeron¹, Robert T. Wheeler^1,2

¹Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences,University of Maine, ²Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering,University of Maine

Please note that some of the translations on this page are AI generated. Click here for the English version.

Overview

This study presents a method for modeling mucosal candidiasis using juvenile zebrafish. The swimbladder serves as an infection site, allowing for real-time imaging of pathogen-immune interactions.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

Neuroscience
Immunology
Infectious Diseases

Background

Mucosal candidiasis is challenging to study in live vertebrates.
Juvenile zebrafish provide a transparent model for imaging.
Understanding pathogen interactions at the mucosal level is crucial for developing treatments.
Confocal microscopy allows for detailed observation of immune responses.

Purpose of Study

To develop a platform for studying mucosal candidiasis in live zebrafish.
To visualize the dynamic interactions between the pathogen and the immune system.
To enhance understanding of immune responses to fungal infections.

Methods Used

Loading a solution containing live Candida albicans into a microneedle.
Injecting yeast cells into the swim bladder of juvenile zebrafish.
Screening fish for a homogenous inoculum and incubating them.
Using confocal microscopy to observe pathogen-immune interactions.

Main Results

Successful modeling of mucosal candidiasis in zebrafish.
Real-time imaging of immune responses to the pathogen.
Higher resolution images obtained through micros dissection of the swim bladder.
Insights into the spatio-temporal dynamics of infection.

Conclusions

The zebrafish model is effective for studying mucosal candidiasis.
Confocal microscopy provides valuable insights into pathogen interactions.
This method can be applied to other mucosal infections for further research.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mucosal candidiasis?

Mucosal candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida species, affecting mucosal surfaces.

Why use zebrafish for this study?

Zebrafish are transparent and allow for real-time imaging of immune responses during infection.

What imaging technique is used?

Confocal microscopy is used to visualize the interactions between the pathogen and the immune system.

How are the yeast cells introduced to the zebrafish?

Yeast cells are injected into the swim bladder using a microneedle.

What are the benefits of this method?

This method allows for detailed observation of immune responses in a live model, enhancing our understanding of infections.

Les interactions spatio-temporelles in vivo des défenses pathogènes et immunitaires au niveau de la muqueuse ne sont pas facilement imagées chez les hôtes vertébrés existants. La méthode présentée ici décrit une plate-forme polyvalente pour étudier la candidose muqueuse chez les vertébrés vivants en utilisant la vessie natatoire du poisson-zèbre juvénile comme site d’infection.

L’objectif global de cette procédure est de modéliser la candidose muqueuse à l’aide du poisson zèbre juvénile. Pour ce faire, on charge d’abord une solution contenant des albicans vivants dans une micro-aiguille. Dans la deuxième étape, un volume défini de cellules de levure est injecté dans la vessie natatoire d’un poisson zèbre juvénile.

Ensuite, les poissons sont criblés pour un inoculum homogène et incubés pendant la durée souhaitée. Dans la dernière étape, la microscopie confocale est utilisée pour suivre l’interaction dynamique de l’agent pathogène avec le système immunitaire du poisson-zèbre. De plus, la vessie natatoire peut être microscopique disséquée pour obtenir des images confocales à plus haute résolution.

View the full transcript and gain access to thousands of scientific videos

Explore More Videos

Immunologie Numéro 93 poisson zèbre candidose muqueuse l'infection de la muqueuse barrière épithéliale cellules épithéliales l'immunité innée la vessie natatoire Candida albicans In vivo.