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Col‐F, a fluorescent probe for ex vivo confocal imaging of collagen and elastin in animal tissues
Author(s) -
Biela Ewa,
Galas Jerzy,
Lee Brian,
Johnson Gary L.,
Darzynkiewicz Zbigniew,
Dobrucki Jurek W.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
cytometry part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.316
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1552-4930
pISSN - 1552-4922
DOI - 10.1002/cyto.a.22264
Subject(s) - elastin , extracellular matrix , ex vivo , connective tissue , confocal , chemistry , biophysics , fluorescence , confocal microscopy , anatomy , fibrillin , biomaterial , matrix (chemical analysis) , in vivo , pathology , in vitro , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biochemistry , medicine , physics , geometry , mathematics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , chromatography
A new low‐molecular‐weight fluorescent probe, Col‐F, that exhibits affinity to collagen and elastin, was used successfully in imaging of extracellular matrix in freshly excised animal tissues. Col‐F readily penetrates between live cells into tissues and binds to fibers of collagen and elastin by a noncovalent mechanism. Fibers of collagen and elastin have been stained in a variety of tissues, including tendon, skeletal muscle, connective tissue, and arteries. Cells migrating in a Col‐F‐stained collagenous biomaterial were also imaged. No phototoxic effects were detected when live keratocytes were imaged in the in vitro culture in the presence of Col‐F. In conclusion, Col‐F provides a simple and convenient tool for fluorescence three‐dimensional imaging of intricate collagenous and elastic structures in live and fixed animal tissues, as well as in collagen‐containing biomaterials. © 2013 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry