Intravital multiphoton microscopy as a tool for studying renal physiology and pathophysiology

• Published in: Methods (San Diego, Calif.) Vol. 128; pp. 20 - 32
• Main Authors: Sandoval, Ruben M., Molitoris, Bruce A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.2017
• Subjects: Endocytosis; Glomerular filtration; Kidney; Microvasculature; Structure-function relationship; Endocytosis; Microvasculature; Glomerular filtration; Kidney; Structure-function relationship
• ISSN: 1046-2023; 1095-9130
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.07.014

•To observe structure function relationships directly in with 4D (time) imaging.•To quantify physiologic parameters like capillary RBC and WBC flow and velocity directly in.acute and chronic diseases.•To quantify glomerular permeability under physiologic and disease states.•To quantify proximal tubule cell endocytosis and transcytosis.•The ability to quantify apoptosis and necrosis and relate this to capillary flow. The kidney is a complex and dynamic organ with over 40 cell types, and tremendous structural and functional diversity. Intravital multi-photon microscopy, development of fluorescent probes and innovative software, have rapidly advanced the study of intracellular and intercellular processes within the kidney. Researchers can quantify the distribution, behavior, and dynamic interactions of up to four labeled chemical probes and proteins simultaneously and repeatedly in four dimensions (time), with subcellular resolution in near real time. Thus, multi-photon microscopy has greatly extended our ability to investigate cell biology intravitally, at cellular and subcellular resolutions. Therefore, the purpose of the chapter is to demonstrate how the use in intravital multi-photon microscopy has advanced the understanding of both the physiology and pathophysiology of the kidney.