Three-dimensional imaging of intact isolated islets of Langerhans with confocal microscopy.
We present a new technique for analyzing the three-dimensional structure of intact isolated islets of Langerhans. Adult rat and human islets were stained with whole-mount immunofluorescence techniques and optically sectioned with a confocal microscope. This has several advantages over traditional methods: 1) the technical difficulties in serial sectioning and handling the large numbers of sections are avoided, 2) optical sectioning by confocal microscopy gives improved resolution and strongly suppresses light from out-of-focus structures, and 3) entire islets can be rapidly imaged for the presence of positive staining. This new technique should facilitate the study of the three-dimensional structure of islets of Langerhans.
Brelje
T C
TC
Department of Cell Biology and Neuroanatomy, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis 55455.
Scharp
D W
DW
Sorenson
R L
RL
D000818:Animals; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000032:analysis; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D011384:Proinsulin / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D007328:Insulin; D011384:Proinsulin