Figure 3
From: Novel multimodal molecular imaging of Vitamin H (Biotin) transporter activity in the murine placenta
Biotin-transporter mediated internalization of b-BSA-GdDTPA instigates formation of aggregates within labyrinth complex. (a–f) Fluorescent images of placental histological sections harvested from E14.5 pregnant mice at different time points following tail-vein administration of b-BSA-GdDTPA: (a,d) 3.5 min, (b,e) 15 min and (c,f) 45 min, representing signal elevation (Eleva.), reduction (Reduc.), and recovery (Recov.) phases respectively. Aggregates were automatically labeled by a Fiji-based algorithm and segmented as a yellow mask. Blue, nuclear staining with DAPI. Green, contrast agent (b-BSA-GdDTPA) labeling with Avidin-FITC. (g–i): Quantitative analysis of aggregate morphology corresponding to the three kinetic phases. (g) Total number of aggregates. (h) Mean aggregate size. (i) ICPMS analysis of Gd concentration in placentas and embryos harvested from each kinetic phase. Mean ± S.E.M. are shown, ** = p < 0.01; *** = p < 0.001 (p value based on t test).
