Cellular Level In Vivo Dynamic Organ Imaging IVIM TECHNOLOGY
NEWSLETTER
Volume 5, August 2024 |
About IVIM Technology, Inc.
IVIM Technology, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge intravital confocal and two-photon microscopy systems, offering comprehensive preclinical in vivo imaging services, training, and consulting. Renowned for its state-of-the-art technology, IVIM has garnered acclaim from prestigious institutions worldwide, including Harvard University, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Sanofi, ILIAS Biologics, Curacle, ABL Bio, University of Massachusetts, Seoul National University Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Peking University Medical Science Center, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences Basic Medical Cancer Institute. With over 30 units sold globally, IVIM continues to innovate and provide advanced solutions for research and medical imaging needs. |
Make Possible Dynamic Live Organ Imaging
with Tissue Motion Stabilizer (TMS) by IVIM Technology |
Overcoming Challenges in Intravital Imaging
Intravital imaging is essential for cellular-level studies in live animal research, but capturing high-resolution images of deep tissues is challenging due to organ pulsation and animal movement, which can displace imaging areas. This newsletter shares insights from our customers conducting real-time in vivo experiments on live mice. It highlights the difficulties encountered when imaging highly dynamic organs such as the heart, lungs, thymus, and uterus. It also explains how IVIM Technology's Tissue Motion Stabilizer (TMS) and advanced imaging chamber systems, along with user-friendly imaging techniques, effectively address these challenges.
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Figure 1: Live animal imaging set-up with Tissue Motion Stabilizer (IVM-TMS) |
Minimizing Subtle Micron-level Movements
The primary challenge in imaging dynamic organs is minimizing subtle micron-level movements that can obstruct clear observation. As a pioneering inovative solution, to overcome the difficulties associated with tissue motion, we have developed a tissue motion stabilizer (TMS) uses negative pressure to securely hold pumping organs in place, ensuring stable imaging conditions and minimizing motion artifacts. By applying suction to the tissue, the TMS system restrains motion, allowing for high-quality imaging even in dynamic environments. It features a circular metal fixture and a suction pump that work together to stabilize the observation site and mitigate the impact of pulsations (Fig. 1). |
Applications of TMS Utilization for Dynamic Organs Imaging In Vivo |
Figure 2: Live animal real imaging setup using TMS |
The TMS system is essential in intravital imaging, addressing the challenges of tissue motion in highly dynamic organs such as the heart, lungs, thymus, and uterus. The heart, which is deeper within the body, requires a specialized approach with stronger negative pressure to effectively visualize it, unlike the more flexible lung tissue. Similarly, the rhythmic contractions of the uterus and thymus complicate the capture of clear intravital images using conventional methods. To address these challenges, our vacuum-suction chamber for imaging the uterus, thymus, lung and heart incorporates several innovative modifications designed to overcome these obstacles. |
In Vivo Lung Imaging of Live Mouse Utilizing TMS |
Lung Imaging Chamber with IVM-TMS marks a significant advancement in preclinical research, particularly for studying live mouse. The imaging chamber features fine adjustment controls for precise tissue sample positioning, optimizing conditions for accurate imaging. This setup enables detailed observation of blood flow and immune cell mobility in live lung imaging. |
Figure 3: Immune cell mobility imaging in the lung of live mouse |
Connectivity between the chamber and the IVM-TMS system, via tubing, allows for adjustable airflow and negative pressure, effectively stabilizing the tissues. |
By employing IVM-TMS in conjunction with intravital microscopy, users can detect distortions in pulmonary microcirculation resulting from sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI). This technique allows for the exploration of underlying cellular pathophysiological mechanisms and enables visualization of both pulmonary microcirculation and circulating cells in vivo within the anesthetized live mouse lung. |
Figure 4: Neutrophil microcirculation in the lung of live mouse |
In Vivo Heart Imaging of Live Mouse Utilizing TMS |
Figure 5: Real-time imaging of immune cell dynamics in the heart of live mouse |
Unlike the relatively soft and deformable lung tissue, the heart, being deeper in the body, requires stronger negative pressure for effective visualization. In this example, LysM-eGFP transgenic mice were used to visualize immune cell dynamics, with vascular labeling achieved through intravenous injection of anti-CD31 antibody and DiD-labeled red blood cells (RBCs). After a chest incision exposed the cardiac tissue, an imaging window chamber with a vacuum-based tissue motion stabilizer set to 890–920 mbar was used to stabilize the tissue and enable high-quality heart imaging.
Ref: European Heart Journal - Imaging Methods and Practice (2024) 2, qyae062 |
In Vivo Thymus Imaging of Live Mouse Utilizing TMS |
Figure 6: Real-time imaging of immune cell behavior and thymic vasculature dynamics in live mice |
Challenges arise from the delicate nature of thymic tissue and its proximity to the heart. To address these issues and capture detailed images, we employed TMS, which provides the necessary negative pressure to stabilize the tissue during imaging. This study focuses on dynamically monitoring immune cell behavior within its microenvironment using IVM-TMS. It has shed light on the complex interactions between dietary factors, immune cell behavior, and thymic vasculature dynamics. By combining Second-Harmonic Generation (SHG) imaging with GFP expression in immune cells, we gained a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between immune cell behavior and thymic structure.
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In Vivo Uterus Imaging of Live Mouse Utilizing TMS |
Figure 7: Animal mounting for uterus imaging in live mice |
The natural rhythmic contractions of the uterus have historically posed significant challenges for capturing high-quality intravital images, often resulting in blurry or unclear images with traditional methods. Our Uterus Imaging System addresses these issues with a specially designed vacuum-suction chamber (Fig. 1) that incorporates several innovative modifications to stabilize the uterus during imaging. This advanced chamber effectively mitigates the effects of uterine contractions, enabling researchers to achieve clear, high-resolution, and consistent imaging at the same location.
The uterus is composed of muscular tissue, enabling it to sustain pregnancy and facilitate childbirth. Throughout these processes, it is crucial for the uterus to receive an adequate blood supply. By observing the muscular tissue and blood vessels (Fig. 7) in the uterus of mice before and during pregnancy, we obtained results that enhance our understanding of the structural changes in the uterus due to pregnancy and the diseases that may occur during pregnancy. |
Figure 8: Uterine wall of imaging results of live mice |
In conclusion, the introduction of vacuum-suction chambers with IVM-TMS marks a significant advancement in intravital imaging technology. By overcoming inherent challenges in visualizing dynamic organs in vivo, this innovation opens new frontiers in physiological research and biomedical imaging, promising groundbreaking discoveries. |
IVIM Technology`s Worldwide Presence |
IVIM Technology specializes in advanced intravital in vivo imaging with licensed equipment and cutting-edge facilities. Our expertise includes intravital microscopy, imaging accessories like chambers and tissue motion stabilizers, and in vivo labels. |
Over the past five years, we have distributed over 30 units globally through international partners, reflecting our commitment to high-quality imaging solutions. We offer ongoing support and collaboration to enhance your research. For more information, contact us at information@ivimtech.com. |
Previous Events
Mar 28-30 Annual Meeting of the Physiological Society of Japan – Exhibition
Apr 5-10 AACR (American Association of Cancer Research) 2024 – Exhibition
May 7-11 ASGCT (American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy) 2024
Jun 1-3 China Life Science Conference 2024 and China Guangzhou International Life Science Expo
July 2-5 IVBM (International Vascular Biology Meeting 2024) |
Upcoming Events
Sep 1-4 ECI (European Congress of Immunology) 2024 - Exhibition
Sep 26-29 Chinese Neuroscience Society - Exhibition
Oct 5-9 SfN (Society for Neuroscience) 2024 - Exhibition
Oct 9-11 Bio Japan 2024 - Partnering
Nov 13-14 4th Day of Mouse IntraVital Microscopy - Workshop and Exhibtion |
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