Photoacoustic imaging of cells in a three-dimensional microenvironment

• Published in: Journal of biomedical science Vol. 27; no. 1; p. 3
• Main Authors: Liu, Wei-Wen, Li, Pai-Chi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 17.01.2020; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Acoustics; Angiogenesis; Biomedical imaging; Breast cancer; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell culture; Characterization; Comparative analysis; Contrast agents; Contrast Media - chemistry; Diagnostic Tests, Routine - instrumentation; Diagnostic Tests, Routine - methods; Hydrogels; Image contrast; Image resolution; Information systems; Lasers; Light effects; Microscopy; Optical Imaging - instrumentation; Optical Imaging - methods; Photoacoustic imaging; Photoacoustic Techniques - instrumentation; Photoacoustic Techniques - methods; Physiology; Review; Therapeutics; Three-dimensional cell culture; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tumor microenvironment; Tumors; Visualization; Three-dimensional cell culture; Photoacoustic imaging; Tumor microenvironment; Biomedical imaging
• ISSN: 1423-0127; 1021-7770; 1423-0127
• DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0594-x

Imaging live cells in a three-dimensional (3D) culture system yields more accurate information and spatial visualization of the interplay of cells and the surrounding matrix components compared to using a two-dimensional (2D) cell culture system. However, the thickness of 3D cultures results in a high degree of scattering that makes it difficult for the light to penetrate deeply to allow clear optical imaging. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is a powerful imaging modality that relies on a PA effect generated when light is absorbed by exogenous contrast agents or endogenous molecules in a medium. It combines a high optical contrast with a high acoustic spatiotemporal resolution, allowing the noninvasive visualization of 3D cellular scaffolds at considerable depths with a high resolution and no image distortion. Moreover, advances in targeted contrast agents have also made PA imaging capable of molecular and cellular characterization for use in preclinical personalized diagnostics or PA imaging-guided therapeutics. Here we review the applications and challenges of PA imaging in a 3D cellular microenvironment. Potential future developments of PA imaging in preclinical applications are also discussed.