Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 18
Imaging of Myelin by Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman
Scattering Microscopy
Yan Fu and Ji-Xin Cheng
Abstract
Demyelination is the hallmark of some neurodegenerative autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis
and Guillain-Barrè syndrome. To understand the mechanism of myelin degradation and monitor the out-
come of remyelinating therapies, real-time visualization of myelin changes under certain condition at the
resolution of single cell level is desired. This chapter introduces coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering
(CARS) microscopy which allows label-free molecular imaging of myelin in its natural state at the submi-
cron resolution. The principle of CARS and the key components of a CARS microscope are described.
Step-by-step procedures for CARS imaging of myelin in fresh tissues, fi xed slices, cryosections, and live
animals are provided. Finally, new fi ndings of demyelination mechanism revealed by CARS microscopy are
discussed.
Key words:
Coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microscopy, Myelin, Imaging, Demyelination
1. Introduction
Myelin sheath is a multiple-layer membrane wrapping axons which
is formed by oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system or
Schwann cells in the periphery nervous system. The main function
of myelin sheath is to protect the axons as well as to increase the
transmission speed along the axons. Loss of myelin sheath, the so-
called demyelination, impairs the conduction of signals along the
nerve. Demyelination is the hallmark of some neurodegenerative
autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barrè
syndrome, and is involved in some other nervous system disorders,
such as spinal cord injury and stroke. Imaging tools are essential
to understand the mechanism of demyelination and evaluate the
outcome of myelin repair therapies.
Traditional imaging tool for myelin detection includes
electron microscopy, histology, and immunohistochemistry. Electron
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