title: In-vivo confocal real-time mini-microscopy in animal models of human inflammatory and neoplastic diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although various improvements in tissue imaging modalities have recently been achieved, in-vivo molecular and subsurface imaging in the field of gastroenterology remains a technical challenge. In this study we evaluated a newly developed, handheld, miniaturized confocal laser microscopy probe for real-time in-vivo molecular and subsurface imaging in rodent models of human disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The minimicroscope uses a 488-nm, single line laser for fluorophore excitation. The optical slice thickness is 7 microm, the lateral resolution 0.7 microm. The range of the z-axis is 0-250 microm below the tissue surface. Imaging was performed using different fluorescent staining protocols; 5-carboxyfluorescein-labeled octreotate was synthesized for targeted molecular imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cellular and subcellular details of the gastrointestinal tract could be visualized in vivo at high resolution. Confocal real-time microscopy allowed in-vivo identification of tumor vessels and liver metastases, as well as diagnosis of focal hepatic inflammation, necrosis, and associated perfusion anomalies. Somatostatin-receptor targeting permitted in-vivo molecular staining of AR42-J-induced carcinoma and pancreatic islet cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Confocal mini-microscopy allows rapid in-vivo molecular and subsurface imaging of normal and pathological tissue in the gastrointestinal tract at high resolution. Because this technology is applicable to humans, it might impact on future in-vivo microsocpic and molecular diagnosis of diseases such as cancer and inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Medical Clinic I, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany. mgoetz@mail.uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goetz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fottner
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schirrmacher
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delaney
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gregor
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Strand
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kanzler
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Memadathil
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weyand
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holtmann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schirrmacher
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anlauf
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Klöppel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vieth
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Galle
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bartenstein
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Neurath
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kiesslich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000473:pathology; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008904:Miniaturization; D015282:Octreotide; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin
chemical_list: D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin; C045132:4-carboxyfluorescein; D015282:Octreotide