title: Rapid method of quantification of tight-junction organization using image analysis.
abstract: The spatial organization of proteins in a cell population or in tissues is an important parameter to study the functionality of biological specimens. In this article, we have focused on tight junctions which form network-like features in immunofluorescence microscopy images. Usually, the organization or disorganization of tight junctions is noticed qualitatively. The aim of this article is to present a simple method to quantify the organization level of tight junction network using image analysis with a dedicated macro developed with Image J software. The method has been validated with simulated images displaying regular decrease of network organization. Then, the macro has been applied to immunofluorescence microscopy images of cells in culture and of tissue sections.
authors.affiliation: Plateforme Imagerie Cellulaire et Tissulaire, Université de Reims Champagne Ardenne, Reims, France. christine.terryn@univ-reims.fr
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Terryn
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sellami
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fichel
authors.forename: Marie-Danielle
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Diebold
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gangloff
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Le Naour
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Polette
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zahm
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D055370:Lung Injury / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D019108:Tight Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C569042:TJP1 protein, human; D062826:Zonula Occludens-1 Protein; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase