A semi-automatic method for extracting mitochondrial cristae characteristics from 3D focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy data

TY - JOUR

T1 - A semi-automatic method for extracting mitochondrial cristae characteristics from 3D focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy data

AU - Wang, Chenhao

AU - Østergaard, Leif

AU - Hasselholt, Stine

AU - Sporring, Jon

PY - 2024/12

Y1 - 2024/12

N2 - Mitochondria are the main suppliers of energy for cells and their bioenergetic function is regulated by mitochondrial dynamics: the constant changes in mitochondria size, shape, and cristae morphology to secure cell homeostasis. Although changes in mitochondrial function are implicated in a wide range of diseases, our understanding is challenged by a lack of reliable ways to extract spatial features from the cristae, the detailed visualization of which requires electron microscopy (EM). Here, we present a semi-automatic method for the segmentation, 3D reconstruction, and shape analysis of mitochondria, cristae, and intracristal spaces based on 2D EM images of the murine hippocampus. We show that our method provides a more accurate characterization of mitochondrial ultrastructure in 3D than common 2D approaches and propose an operational index of mitochondria’s internal organization. With an improved consistency of 3D shape analysis and a decrease in the workload needed for large-scale analysis, we speculate that this tool will help increase our understanding of mitochondrial dynamics in health and disease.

AB - Mitochondria are the main suppliers of energy for cells and their bioenergetic function is regulated by mitochondrial dynamics: the constant changes in mitochondria size, shape, and cristae morphology to secure cell homeostasis. Although changes in mitochondrial function are implicated in a wide range of diseases, our understanding is challenged by a lack of reliable ways to extract spatial features from the cristae, the detailed visualization of which requires electron microscopy (EM). Here, we present a semi-automatic method for the segmentation, 3D reconstruction, and shape analysis of mitochondria, cristae, and intracristal spaces based on 2D EM images of the murine hippocampus. We show that our method provides a more accurate characterization of mitochondrial ultrastructure in 3D than common 2D approaches and propose an operational index of mitochondria’s internal organization. With an improved consistency of 3D shape analysis and a decrease in the workload needed for large-scale analysis, we speculate that this tool will help increase our understanding of mitochondrial dynamics in health and disease.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85188828852&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1038/s42003-024-06045-4

DO - 10.1038/s42003-024-06045-4

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 38548849

SN - 2399-3642

VL - 7

JO - Communications Biology

JF - Communications Biology

IS - 1

M1 - 377

ER -