An explant technique for high-resolution imaging and manipulation of mycobacterial granulomas.

ABSTRACT: A central and critical structure in tuberculosis, the mycobacterial granuloma consists of highly organized immune cells, including macrophages that drive granuloma formation through a characteristic epithelioid transformation. Difficulties in imaging within intact animals and caveats associated with in vitro assembly models have severely limited the study and experimental manipulation of mature granulomas. Here we describe a new ex vivo culture technique, wherein mature, fully organized zebrafish granulomas are microdissected and maintained in three-dimensional (3D) culture. This approach enables high-resolution microscopy of granuloma macrophage dynamics, including epithelioid macrophage motility and granuloma consolidation, while retaining key bacterial and host characteristics. Using ma

SUBMITTER: Cronan MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6312189 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature