Intravital Microscopy

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Liver

In vivo intravital imaging of the liver offers a powerful approach to studying dynamic cellular and molecular processes within this vital organ. By leveraging intravital imaging technologies, researchers can gain valuable insights into the complex mechanisms underlying liver physiology and pathology, paving the way for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for liver diseases. Here are some key applications:

Real-time In Vivo Imaging of Cellular-level Dynamic Phenotype Inside the Living Body

  • IVIM Technology’s contract R&D service provides high-quality observations of cellular-level dynamics in various animal models.
  • Dynamic 3D imaging of various cellular-level dynamics such as cell trafficking, cell-cell interaction, and cell-microenvironment interaction inside the living body in vivo will provide you with new insight in the processes of human disease development.

Liver

Nanoparticle

Vessel

Intravascular Movement of Target Cells & Materials

Real-time imaging of various cell dynamics in vessels/lymphatics

  • Immune cells : Leukocyte, lymphocyte, granulocyte, neutrophil, macrophage, monocyte, dendritic cells, T cell, B cell, NK cell, microglial cell, etc.
  • Tissue cells : Vascular endothelial cells, lymphatic endothelial cell, hepatocyte, kidney cell, astrocyte, pericyte, etc.
  • Fluorescently labeled tumor cells (Mouse & human cell lines) : Brain/breast/lung/pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, melanoma, etc.

Longitudinal In Vivo Imaging of Cellular-level Dynamic Phenotype Changes Inside the Living Body

  • IVIM Technology’s contract R&D service provides high-quality repetitive observations using imaging chambers.
  • Repetitive intravital imaging of cellular-level dynamics & tissue remodeling inside the living body in vivo will provide you with new insight in the processes of human disease development.

Liver

Reperfusion 0 h

Neutrophil/Kupffer cell

Hepatocyte

liver

Reperfusion 6 h

liver

Reperfusion 12 h

liver

Dynamic Changes in Acute Injury ModelsImmune cell dynamics in LPS

induced sepsis

  • Immune cell dynamics in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome
  • Immune cell sequestration in acute respiratory distress syndrome

Dynamic Changes in Chronic Disease Models

Phenotype changes in MCD (methionine and choline deficient)-diet induced NAFLD/NASH (nonalcoholic fatty liver/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis)

  • Hepatic lipid droplet accumulation
  • Immune cell recruitment, hepatocyte necrosis/apoptosis

Liver

Normal diet

Lipid droplet

Vessel

liver

MCD Day 2

liver

MCD Day 21

liver

Phenotype changes in liver/lung fibrosis model

  • Excessive collagen deposition
  • Fibrotic stage (number of septa, etc.)
  • Immune cell recruitment, hepatocyte/alveolar epithelial cell death

Liver

Fibrotic collagen

Hepatocyte

liver

Fibrotic collagen

Hepatocyte

liver

Fibrotic collagen

Hepatocyte

liver
liver

In Vivo Imaging of Drug Delivery & Clearance at Target Cells & Tissues

IVIM Technology’s contract R&D service provides a direct imaging analysis of delivery to target tissue and cells, efficacy, and mode of action (MOA) of new therapeutic candidates in microscopic cellular-level in various preclinical model of human disease.

Liver

Liposomal ICG

Dendritric cell

liver

Liver

Liposomal ICG

Dendritric cell/Macrophage

liver

Liver

Small vesicle

Microglial cell

liver

Liver

0 min

Exosome

LysM

Ly6G

liver

10 min

liver

30 min

liver

Cellular Uptake of Therapeutic Candidates

Cellular uptake of new therapeutic candidates by target cells

  • Vascular endothelial cells, lymphatic endothelial cell, hepatocyte, kidney cell, astrocyte, etc.
  • Macrophage, neutrophil, dendritic cell, monocyte, microglial cell, etc.

In Vivo Imaging of Drug Delivery & Clearance at Target Cells & Tissues

IVIM Technology’s contract R&D service provides a direct imaging analysis of delivery to target tissue and cells, efficacy, and mode of action (MOA) of new therapeutic candidates in microscopic cellular-level in various preclinical model of human disease.

Liver

Liposomal ICG

Dendritric cell

Liver

Liposomal ICG

Dendritric cell/Macrophage

liver

Liver

Small vesicle

Microglial cell

liver

Liver

Liposomal ICG

Dendritric cell

Liver

Liposomal ICG

Dendritric cell/Macrophage

liver

Liver

Small vesicle

Microglial cell

liver

Liver

0 min

Exosome

LysM

Ly6G

liver
liver

Real-time Intravital Imaging of Drug Delivery & Clearance in Metabolic & Digestive Organs Drug delivery & clearance in metabolic organs

  • Target organs : Liver, kidney, lung, spleen, etc.

IVM Imaging for Liver Research

  1. Hepatic Microcirculation
  2. Hepatocyte Function
  3. Kupffer Cell Dynamics
  4. Hepatic Fibrosis and Inflammation
  5. Drug Metabolism and Hepatotoxicity
  6. Liver Regeneration
  7. Tumor Microenvironment (TME)

Liver

In vivo intravital imaging of the liver offers a powerful approach to studying dynamic cellular and molecular processes within this vital organ. By leveraging intravital imaging technologies, researchers can gain valuable insights into the complex mechanisms underlying liver physiology and pathology, paving the way for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for liver diseases.

Here are some key applications:

1. Hepatic Microcirculation

Intravital imaging enables real-time visualization of blood flow dynamics, vascular permeability, and microvascular architecture within the hepatic microcirculation. Researchers can study the regulation of hepatic blood flow, sinusoidal perfusion, and vascular responses to physiological and pathological stimuli.

2. Hepatocyte Function

Imaging techniques allow for the direct observation of hepatocyte structure and function, including hepatocellular transport, bile secretion, and metabolic activities. This provides insights into the mechanisms of liver diseases such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.

3. Kupffer Cell Dynamics

Intravital imaging facilitates the study of Kupffer cell behavior, phagocytic activity, and interactions with circulating immune cells within the liver sinusoids. Researchers can investigate the role of Kupffer cells in liver inflammation, immune responses, and clearance of pathogens or toxins.

4. Hepatic Fibrosis and Inflammation

Our imaging techniques allow for the visualization of hepatic fibrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and tissue remodeling within the liver parenchyma. This provides insights into the pathogenesis of liver diseases such as fibrosis, hepatitis, and autoimmune liver disorders.

5. Drug Metabolism and Hepatotoxicity

Intravital imaging can be used to evaluate drug metabolism, distribution, and hepatotoxic effects within the liver in real-time. Researchers can assess drug-induced liver injury, metabolic activation of prodrugs, and drug-drug interactions, guiding the development of safer and more effective therapeutics.

6. Liver Regeneration

Our imaging techniques enable the tracking of hepatocyte proliferation, liver regeneration, and tissue repair processes following injury or partial hepatectomy. Researchers can study the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying liver regeneration and develop strategies to enhance hepatic recovery and function.

7. Tumor Microenvironment (TME)

Intravital imaging of liver tumors allows for the visualization of tumor-stroma interactions, angiogenesis, and immune cell infiltration within the tumor microenvironment. Researchers can study the dynamics of tumor growth, metastasis, and response to anti-cancer therapies, informing the development of novel treatment strategies for liver cancer.