Fibered confocal fluorescence microscopy (cell-viZio) facilitates extended imaging in the field of microcirculation. A comparison with intravital microscopy

• Published in: Journal of vascular research Vol. 41; no. 5; pp. 400 - 411
• Main Authors: LAEMMEL, Elisabeth, GENET, Magalie, LE GOUALHER, Georges, PERCHANT, Aymeric, LE GARGASSON, Jean-Francois, VICAUT, Eric
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Freiburg Karger 01.09.2004; Basel S. Karger AG; Paris
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Blood vessels and receptors; Capillaries - physiology; Capillary Permeability - physiology; Conjunctiva - blood supply; Dermatitis, Phototoxic; Erythrocytes - physiology; Fiber Optic Technology - instrumentation; Fiber Optic Technology - methods; Fiber Optic Technology - standards; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Kidney - blood supply; Liver - blood supply; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microscopy, Confocal - instrumentation; Microscopy, Confocal - methods; Microscopy, Confocal - standards; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; Muscle, Skeletal - blood supply; Platelet Aggregation - physiology; Reproducibility of Results; Splanchnic Circulation - physiology; Vertebrates: cardiovascular system; Intravital microscopy; Microcirculation; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Investigation method; Imaging; Confocal microscopy; Circulatory system; Fibered confocal microscopy; Fluorescence microscopy; Micro-invasiveness
• ISSN: 1018-1172; 1423-0135
• DOI: 10.1159/000081209

This study investigated the capability of fibered confocal fluorescence microscopy (FCFM) to provide in vivo microvascular observations. FCFM is specifically designed for in vivo in situ observation thanks to a probe composed of a fiber bundle and micro-optics having a diameter as small as 650 microm. In the first part of the study, we compared the main characteristics of FCFM with those of intravital fluorescence microscopy (IFM). A mouse cremaster preparation was used as a common basis to allow for imaging with both modalities. We discussed the feasibility of obtaining quantitative measurements usually provided by IFM in the context of FCFM: morphometry, capillary permeability, functional capillary density, vasoconstriction and dilation effects. In addition, the possibility to visualize fluorescent red blood cells or leukocytes was also evaluated. Phototoxicity issues and limitations of FCFM were also discussed. We showed that FCFM allows observations and measurements usually provided by IFM and that the real-time capability of the system, as well as the flexibility and small diameter of the optical probe enable micro-invasiveness and can extend imaging capabilities for in vivo in situ observations when compared to IFM.