Biology subjects

Heusermann, W.

Publications and source records attributed to Heusermann, W..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Volumetric fluorescence microscopy-based quantitative comparison of murine tissue clearing using CUBIC protocols

A wide variety of protocols have been proposed for optical clearing of tissues, whole-mount organs, and other bulky specimens to enable their volumetric fluorescence imaging. However, quantitative comparisons of tissue clearing protocols that take into account the fluorescence of the final specimens remain rare. Here, we propose a volumetric fluorescence image-based workflow for evaluating tissue clearing and fluorescence staining protocols. The workflow calculates depth-dependent fluorescence attenuation coefficients using data from entire 3D images, thereby avoiding spatial sampling bias and eliminating reliance on simple readouts, such as light transmittance, to predict fluorescence image quality. By combining autofluorescence signal with the signal from a specific fluorescence label, we independently evaluated transparency and the quality of fluorescence staining in cleared specimens. Using the proposed workflow, we systematically compared clearing and staining performance of three CUBIC-based protocols in murine liver, kidney, spleen, thymus, and intestine, and revealed differences in final fluorescence image quality across protocol-organ combinations.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Adipose mTORC2 is essential for arborization of sensory neurons in white adipose tissue and whole-body energy homeostasis

Adipose tissue, via sympathetic and sensory neurons, communicates with the central nervous system (CNS) to mediate energy homeostasis. In contrast to the sympathetic nervous system, the morphology, role and regulation of the sensory nervous system in adipose tissue is poorly characterized. Taking advantage of recent progress in whole-mount three-dimensional imaging of adipose tissue, we identified a neuronal network of calcitonin gene-related protein (CGRP)-positive sensory neurons in white adipose tissue (WAT). Furthermore, we show that adipose mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2), a major component of the insulin signaling pathway, mediates sensory innervation in WAT. Based on visualization of neuronal networks, mTORC2-deficient WAT displayed reduced arborization of (CGRP)-positive sensory neurons, while sympathetic neurons were unaffected. This selective loss of sensory innervation followed reduced expression of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) in CGRP-positive sensory neurons. Finally, we found that loss of sensory innervation in WAT correlated with systemic insulin resistance. Our findings suggest that adipose mTORC2 is necessary for sensory innervation in WAT which likely contributes to WAT-to-CNS communication.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2018

Signal-to-Noise ratio made easy: A tool to assess your confocal performance

Confocal microscopy is used today on a daily basis in life science labs. This \"routine\" technique contributes to the progress of scientific projects across many fields by revealing structural details and molecular localization, but researchers need to be aware that detection efficiency and emission light path performance is of major influence in the confocal image quality. By design, a large portion of the signal is discarded in confocal imaging, leading to a decreased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) which in turn limits resolution. A well-aligned system and high performance detectors are needed in order to generate an image of best quality. However, a convenient method to address system status and performance on the emission side is still lacking. Here, we present a complete method to assess microscope and emission light path performance in terms of SNR, with a comprehensive protocol alongside NoiSee, an easy-to-use macro for Fiji (available via the corresponding update site). We used this method to compare several confocal systems in our facility on biological samples under typical imaging conditions. Our method reveals differences in microscope performance and highlights the various detector types used (multialkali photomultiplier tube (PMT), gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP) PMT, and Hybrid detector). Altogether, our method will provide useful information to research groups and facilities to diagnose their confocal microscopes.

biophysics↗