Imaging cell biology in living organisms

Author: giorgi mosidze
Keywords: Cell Imaging, intravital microscopy
Annotation:

The discovery of GFP combined with the ability to engineer its expression in living cells has revolutionized mammalian cell biology. Since its introduction, several light microscopy–based techniques have become invaluable tools to investigate intracellular events. In a live organism, cells exhibit a 3D organization, interact with different cell types, and are constantly exposed to a multitude of signals originated from the vasculature, the central nervous system, and the extracellular environment. For this reason, scientists have been attracted by the possibility of imaging biological processes in live multicellular organisms i.e., intravital microscopy [IVM]) The main strength of IVM is to provide information on the dynamics of biological processes that otherwise cannot be reconstituted in vitro or ex vivo. Indeed, IVM has been instrumental in studying several aspects of tissue physiopathology. A clear example is the response of the vasculature to physiological and pathological stimuli. Although other approaches such as classical immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and indirect immunofluorescence may provide detailed structural and quantitative information on blood vessels, IVM enables measuring events such as variations of blood flow at the level of the capillaries or local changes in blood vessel permeability. IVM has become a powerful tool to study biological processes in live animals that is destined to have an enormous impact on cell biology. The examples described here give a clear picture of the broad applicability of this approach. In essence, we foresee that IVM is going to be the obligatory choice to study highly dynamic subcellular processes that cannot be reconstituted in vitro or ex vivo, or when a link between cellular events and tissue physiopathology is being pursued. In addition, IVM will provide the opportunity to complement and confirm data generated from in vitro studies.