147683 - an automated approach to improve.pdf (2.27 MB)
An automated approach to improve the quantification of pericytes and microglia in whole mouse brain sections
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-21, 04:02 authored by Jo-Maree CourtneyJo-Maree Courtney, Gary MorrisGary Morris, Elise ClearyElise Cleary, David Howells, Brad SutherlandBrad SutherlandWhole slide scanning technology has enabled the generation of high-resolution images from complete tissue sections. However, commonly used analysis software is often unable to handle the large data files produced. Here, we present a method using the open-source software QuPath to detect, classify and quantify fluorescently-labeled cells (microglia and pericytes) in whole coronal brain tissue sections. Whole-brain sections from both male and female NG2DsRed x CX3CR1+/GFP mice were analyzed. Small regions of interest were selected and manual counts were compared with counts generated from an automated approach, across a range of detection parameters. The optimal parameters for detecting cells and classifying them as microglia or pericytes in each brain region were determined and applied to annotations corresponding to the entire somatosensory and motor cortices, hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus in each section. 3.74% of all detected cells were classified as pericytes; however, this proportion was significantly higher in the thalamus (6.20%) than in other regions. In contrast, microglia (4.51% of total cells) were more abundant in the cortex (5.54%). No differences were detected between male and female mice. In conclusion, QuPath offers a user-friendly solution to whole-slide image analysis which could lead to important new discoveries in both health and disease.
Funding
National Health & Medical Research Council
History
Publication title
eNeuroVolume
8Issue
6Pagination
1-11ISSN
2373-2822Department/School
Tasmanian School of MedicinePublisher
Society for NeurosciencePlace of publication
United StatesRights statement
Copyright © 2021 by the Society for Neuroscience.Repository Status
- Open