PUBLICATION

Computerized image analysis for quantitative neuronal phenotyping in zebrafish

Authors
Liu, T., Lu, J., Wang, Y., Campbell, W.A., Huang, L., Zhu, J., Xia, W., and Wong, S.T.C.
ID
ZDB-PUB-051221-6
Date
2006
Source
Journal of Neuroscience Methods   153(2): 190-202 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Liu, Tianming, Wong, Stephen T.C., Zhu, Jinmin
Keywords
Zebrafish, Alzheimer's disease, Image processing, Segmentation, Gene expression, Neuron, Somitogenesis, Modeling
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Cell Count/methods
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Gene Expression/physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*
  • Immunohistochemistry/methods
  • In Situ Hybridization/methods
  • Neurons/classification
  • Neurons/cytology*
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • RNA/administration & dosage
  • Zebrafish/anatomy & histology*
  • Zebrafish/embryology
  • Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
PubMed
16364449 Full text @ J. Neurosci. Methods
Abstract
An integrated microscope image analysis pipeline is developed for automatic analysis and quantification of phenotypes in zebrafish with altered expression of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-linked genes. We hypothesize that a slight impairment of neuronal integrity in a large number of zebrafish carrying the mutant genotype can be detected through the computerized image analysis method. Key functionalities of our zebrafish image processing pipeline include quantification of neuron loss in zebrafish embryos due to knockdown of AD-linked genes, automatic detection of defective somites, and quantitative measurement of gene expression levels in zebrafish with altered expression of AD-linked genes or treatment with a chemical compound. These quantitative measurements enable the archival of analyzed results and relevant meta-data. The structured database is organized for statistical analysis and data modeling to better understand neuronal integrity and phenotypic changes of zebrafish under different perturbations. Our results show that the computerized analysis is comparable to manual counting with equivalent accuracy and improved efficacy and consistency. Development of such an automated data analysis pipeline represents a significant step forward to achieve accurate and reproducible quantification of neuronal phenotypes in large scale or high-throughput zebrafish imaging studies.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Show all Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping