Correlative Fluorescence and Scanning Electron Microscopy to Study Lymphovenous Valve Development

Methods Mol Biol. 2018:1846:85-96. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8712-2_6.

Abstract

Lymph collected from throughout the body is exclusively returned to blood circulation via two pairs of bilaterally located lymphovenous valves. Lymphovenous valves share numerous similarities with lymphatic and venous valves and are defective in multiple mouse models of lymphedema or lymphatic dysfunction. Here we describe a protocol that combines the strengths of fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to precisely locate and analyze the topography of developing lymphovenous valves at high resolution.

Keywords: Confocal microscopy; Correlative microscopy; Lymphatic vasculature; Lymphovenous valves; Scanning electron microscopy; Venous valves.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Lymphangiogenesis*
  • Lymphatic Vessels / embryology
  • Lymphatic Vessels / metabolism*
  • Lymphatic Vessels / ultrastructure*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning* / methods
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence* / methods
  • Venous Valves / embryology
  • Venous Valves / metabolism*
  • Venous Valves / ultrastructure*