Use of bovine serum albumin might impair immunofluorescence signal in thick tissue samples

Abstract Significant progress in microscopic imaging techniques allowed transition from predominantly qualitative methods to a powerful tool for quantitative research, driven by improved instrumentation and computational power. Furthermore, previously limited to thin, laser-permeable tissue sections...

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Main Authors: Anna Chwastowicz, Artur Wolny, Magdalena Sobień, Marcin Barański, Jacek Tomczuk, Michał Szatkowski, Aleksandra Szredzka, Jakub Gołąb, Leszek Kaczmarek, Marzena Stefaniuk, Paweł Matryba
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06876-z
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author Anna Chwastowicz
Artur Wolny
Magdalena Sobień
Marcin Barański
Jacek Tomczuk
Michał Szatkowski
Aleksandra Szredzka
Jakub Gołąb
Leszek Kaczmarek
Marzena Stefaniuk
Paweł Matryba
author_facet Anna Chwastowicz
Artur Wolny
Magdalena Sobień
Marcin Barański
Jacek Tomczuk
Michał Szatkowski
Aleksandra Szredzka
Jakub Gołąb
Leszek Kaczmarek
Marzena Stefaniuk
Paweł Matryba
author_sort Anna Chwastowicz
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Significant progress in microscopic imaging techniques allowed transition from predominantly qualitative methods to a powerful tool for quantitative research, driven by improved instrumentation and computational power. Furthermore, previously limited to thin, laser-permeable tissue sections, imaging techniques have been revolutionized by the advent of tissue optical clearing. This innovation enables the visualization and quantitative analysis of entire organs and even whole bodies at cellular resolution. However, achieving high-quality imaging depends not only on the transparency of the tissue preparation but also on precise immunofluorescence labeling to ensure accurate signal detection and reliable study outcomes. In this study, we evaluated whether various reagents that are typically applied during the tissue blocking step prior to immunofluorescence staining affect the quality of the obtained image in thick and optically cleared samples. We demonstrate that the commonly employed tissue blocking step does not improve imaging conditions and even can substantially degrade fluorescence signal quality, particularly in large, optically cleared tissues such as whole mouse brain hemispheres.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-d2a748293fec4d69b59657d8cdca0d002025-08-20T03:37:24ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-06876-zUse of bovine serum albumin might impair immunofluorescence signal in thick tissue samplesAnna Chwastowicz0Artur Wolny1Magdalena Sobień2Marcin Barański3Jacek Tomczuk4Michał Szatkowski5Aleksandra Szredzka6Jakub Gołąb7Leszek Kaczmarek8Marzena Stefaniuk9Paweł Matryba10Department of Immunology, Medical University of WarsawLaboratory of Imaging Tissue Structure and Function, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of SciencesLaboratory of Neurobiology, BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of SciencesLaboratory of Neurobiology, BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of SciencesDepartment of Immunology, Medical University of WarsawDepartment of Immunology, Medical University of WarsawDepartment of Immunology, Medical University of WarsawDepartment of Immunology, Medical University of WarsawLaboratory of Neurobiology, BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of SciencesLaboratory of Neurobiology, BRAINCITY, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of SciencesDepartment of Immunology, Medical University of WarsawAbstract Significant progress in microscopic imaging techniques allowed transition from predominantly qualitative methods to a powerful tool for quantitative research, driven by improved instrumentation and computational power. Furthermore, previously limited to thin, laser-permeable tissue sections, imaging techniques have been revolutionized by the advent of tissue optical clearing. This innovation enables the visualization and quantitative analysis of entire organs and even whole bodies at cellular resolution. However, achieving high-quality imaging depends not only on the transparency of the tissue preparation but also on precise immunofluorescence labeling to ensure accurate signal detection and reliable study outcomes. In this study, we evaluated whether various reagents that are typically applied during the tissue blocking step prior to immunofluorescence staining affect the quality of the obtained image in thick and optically cleared samples. We demonstrate that the commonly employed tissue blocking step does not improve imaging conditions and even can substantially degrade fluorescence signal quality, particularly in large, optically cleared tissues such as whole mouse brain hemispheres.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06876-zTissue clearingConfocal microscopyBSABovine serum albuminImmunofluorescence
spellingShingle Anna Chwastowicz
Artur Wolny
Magdalena Sobień
Marcin Barański
Jacek Tomczuk
Michał Szatkowski
Aleksandra Szredzka
Jakub Gołąb
Leszek Kaczmarek
Marzena Stefaniuk
Paweł Matryba
Use of bovine serum albumin might impair immunofluorescence signal in thick tissue samples
Scientific Reports
Tissue clearing
Confocal microscopy
BSA
Bovine serum albumin
Immunofluorescence
title Use of bovine serum albumin might impair immunofluorescence signal in thick tissue samples
title_full Use of bovine serum albumin might impair immunofluorescence signal in thick tissue samples
title_fullStr Use of bovine serum albumin might impair immunofluorescence signal in thick tissue samples
title_full_unstemmed Use of bovine serum albumin might impair immunofluorescence signal in thick tissue samples
title_short Use of bovine serum albumin might impair immunofluorescence signal in thick tissue samples
title_sort use of bovine serum albumin might impair immunofluorescence signal in thick tissue samples
topic Tissue clearing
Confocal microscopy
BSA
Bovine serum albumin
Immunofluorescence
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-06876-z
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