Detection and Quantitation of Label-Retaining Cells in Mouse Incisors using a 3D Reconstruction Approach after Tissue Clearing

Summary

The mouse incisor contains valuable label-retaining cells in its stem cell niche. We have a novel way to unbiasedly detect and quantify the label-retaining cells; our study used EdU labeling and a 3D reconstruction approach after PEGASOS tissue clearing of the mandible.

Abstract

The murine incisor is an organ that grows continuously throughout the lifespan of the mouse. The epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells residing in the proximal tissues of incisors give rise to progeny that will differentiate into ameloblasts, odontoblasts, and pulp fibroblasts. These cells are crucial in supporting the sustained turnover of incisor tissues, making the murine incisor an excellent model for studying the homeostasis of adult stem cells. Stem cells are believed to contain long-living quiescent cells that can be labeled by nucleotide analogs such as 5-ethynyl-2´-deoxyuridine (EdU). The cells retain this label over time and are accordingly named label-retaining cells (LRCs). Approaches for visualizing LRCs in vivo provide a robust tool for monitoring stem cell homeostasis. In this study, we described a method for visualizing and analyzing LRCs. Our innovative approach features LRCs in mouse incisors after tissue clearing and whole-mount EdU staining followed by confocal microscopy and a 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction with the imaging software. This method enables 3D imaging acquisition and non-biased quantitation compared to traditional LRCs analysis on sectioned slides.

Introduction

The continuously growing mouse incisor is an excellent model for studying adult stem cells¹. The epithelial (labial and lingual cervical loop) and mesenchymal stem cells (between the labial and lingual cervical loop) that reside on the proximal side of the incisor differentiate into ameloblasts, odontoblasts, and dental pulp cells. This unique process provides a source of cells for compensation of tissue loss and turnover². Though several stem cell markers such as Sox2, Gli1, Thy1/CD90, Bmi1, etc. have been identified in vivo for the subsets of adult stem cells in mouse incisors, they are inadequate in represent....

Protocol

All methods described here have been approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) for Texas A&M University College of Dentistry.

1. Preparation of the EdU labeling cocktail

1. Prepare the cocktail stock solutions as described in Table 1.
2. Prepare the EdU labeling cocktail as described in Table 1.

2. Preparation of the mice and EdU solution

1. Prepare the EdU solution. Dissolve EdU in DMSO at 20 mg/mL and store in a -20 °C freezer.
   CAUTION: EdU is a mutagen. Users should wear....

Results

After EdU labeling and the PEGASOS tissue clearing process (Figure 2), the transparent mandible was obtained as shown in our image (Figure 3B). We compared the modified sample to a normal mandible without a tissue clearing process (Figure 3A). The transparent mandible (Figure 3B) with EdU labeling was subjected to confocal imaging. We focused on the incisor apex showing the stem cell niche as shown in (.......

Discussion

Multiple doses of injections (BrdU, EdU) are usually used on growing neonatal mice to label proliferating cells as much as possible^1,6,13. The chasing period is considered a critical step regarding the renewal rate of tissues^6,13. The mouse incisor renews itself around every month. This trait allows researchers to set the chasing period to 4 weeks or longer

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
0.5 M EDTA	Sigma Aldrcih	E9884
20 × Objective/NA 0.9	Leica	507702
50 mL Falcon Centrifuge Tubes	Falcon	352070
BD PrecisionGlide Needle	BD	REF 305111
Bezyl benzoate (BB)	Sigma Aldrcih	409529
Bitplane 9.0.1	Imaris
BRAND cavity slides	Millipore Sigma	BR475505
C57BL/6J mice	Jackson Laboratory	Strain #:000664
Circulation Pump	VWR	23609-170
CuSO4	Sigma Aldrcih	451657
DMSO	Sigma Aldrcih	D8418
EdU	Carboynth	NE08701
Heparin	Miiilipore Sigma	H3149
Imaging System	Olympus	DP27
LAS X Software	Leica
Olympus Stereo Microscope	Olympus	SZX16
Paraformaldehye	Sigma Aldrich	P6148
PBS	Sigma Aldrich	P4417
PEGMMA500	Sigma Aldrich	447943
Quadrol	Sigma Aldrich	122262
Sodium Ascorbate	Sigma Aldrich	11140
Sulfa-Cyanine 3 Azide	Lumiprobe	D1330
TBS-10X	Cell Signaling Technology	12498
TCS SP8 Confocal Microscope	Leica
tert-butanol (tB)	Sigma Aldrich	360538
Triton X-100	Sigma Aldrich	X100