Intubation-free in vivo imaging of the tracheal mucosa using two-photon microscopy
NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
Pysyvä osoite
Verkkojulkaisu
Tiivistelmä
The mucosal layer of conducting airways is the primary tissue exposed to inhaled microorganisms, allergens and pollutants. We developed an in vivo two-photon microscopic approach that allows performing dynamic imaging studies in the mouse trachea, which is a commonly used in vivo model of human small-diameter bronchi. By providing stabilized access to the tracheal mucosa without intubation, our setup uniquely allows dynamic in vivo imaging of mucociliary clearance and steady-state immune cell behavior within the complex airway mucosal tissue.