AANS Online Scientific Sessions: Tumor-Protein Decrowding ExM For Discovery Of Previously Unidentified Structures And Cell Populations In Gliomas

Protein Decrowding ExM For Discovery Of Previously Unidentified Structures And Cell Populations In Gliomas

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Video Summary

Pablo Valdez, a neurosurgery resident and research scientist at MIT, introduces a new technology called protein-decoding expansion microscopy (DEXM). DEXM chemically modifies tissues to separate proteins and allow antibodies to stain previously inaccessible protein epitopes. This technology addresses the protein crowding problem of immunostaining, particularly at nanoscale super-resolution scales. By expanding tissues after conventional immunostaining, DEXM enables nanoscale imaging using standard microscopes. Valdez presents a novel epitope preservation tissue expansion protocol called decrowding EXM, which preserves proteins and allows post-decrowding immunostaining. The technique is validated with clinical samples and demonstrates improved visualization of neuronal structures, astrocyte processes, and other cell populations. Multiple rounds of immunostaining and multiplexed imaging are also successfully performed using DEXM. The technology reveals new structures and cell populations in human low- and high-grade gliomas, potentially indicating more aggressive phenotypes.

Asset Subtitle

Pablo Valdes Quevedo, MD

Keywords

Pablo Valdez

protein-decoding expansion microscopy

DEXM

nanoscale imaging

decrowding EXM