Title
High-speed digital imaging of ependymal cilia in the murine brain
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Cell Biology; Department of Physiology
Date
1-1-2009
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Animals; Brain; *Cilia; Ependyma; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Mice; Movement
Disciplines
Cell Biology
Abstract
The development and health of mammals requires proper ciliary motility. Ciliated epithelia are found in the airways, the uterus and Fallopian tubes, the efferent ducts of the testes, and the ventricular system of the brain. A technique is described for the motion analysis of ependymal cilia in the murine brain. Vibratome sections of the brain are imaged by differential interference contrast microscopy and recorded by high-speed digital imaging. Side views of individual cilia are traced to establish their bending pattern. Tracking of individual cilia recorded in top view allows determination of bend planarity and beat direction. Ciliary beat frequency is determined from line scans of image sequences. The capacity of the epithelium to move fluid and objects is revealed by analyzing the velocity of polystyrene beads added to brain sections. The technique is useful for detailed assessment of how various conditions or mutations affect the fidelity of ciliary motility at the ependyma. The methods are also applicable to other ciliated epithelia, for example, in airways.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Methods Cell Biol. 2009;91:255-64. Epub 2009 Dec 1. Link to article on publisher's site