Dynamic imaging and quantitative analysis of cranial neural tube closure in the mouse embryo using optical coherence tomography.

摘要: Neural tube closure is a critical feature of central nervous system morphogenesis during embryonic development. Failure this process leads to neural defects, one the most common forms human congenital defects. Although molecular and genetic studies in model organisms have provided insights into genes proteins that are required for normal development, complications associated with live imaging mammals limit efficient morphological analyses. Here, we report use optical coherence tomography (OCT) dynamic quantitative assessment cranial mouse embryos culture. Through time-lapse imaging, captured two mechanisms different regions, zipper-like hindbrain region button-like midbrain region. We also used OCT phenotypic characterization defect mutant. These results suggest described approach useful tool analysis defects model.