title: Direct visualisation of microparticles in the living lung.
abstract: Microparticles (MP) and fibres can be inhaled and cause inflammatory lung diseases. So far MP and fibres have not observed directly in the lung of living animals. A direct visualisation of particles and fibres would be important to study interactions with local and immigration host cells. In this methodical report latex beads were used as model particles for, e.g. nanoparticles, dusts, pollen or bacteria and were investigated using intravital fluorescence microscopy. Intravital fluorescence microscopy of the lung periphery is challenging because of the constant movement of the lung tissue and the heart. Chest window techniques have been described for investigation of lung vessels. For investigation of MP in larger areas of the lung surface this study presents an open chest-technique. Fluorescent MP were instilled into the trachea and could be observed in the alveoli of the right lung. Abundant numbers of MP were found within alveolar macrophages indicating that they are actively engulfed. Using the same setup also fluorescence labelled bacteria and its phagocytosis could be observed as shown in preliminary experiments. In conclusion, we present a method to analyse MP/fibres and its interaction with local and immigrating host cells in the living lung.
authors: Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Medical Faculty, Kirrberger Strasse, D-66421 Homburg, Saar, Germany. Thomas.Tschernig@uks.eu
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Tschernig
authors: Nils T
authors: NT
authors: Veith
authors: René
authors: R
authors: Schramm
authors: Matthias W
authors: MW
authors: Laschke
authors: Jonas
authors: J
authors: Roller
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Rosenbruch
authors: Dirk
authors: D
authors: Theegarten
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Bischoff
authors: Carola
authors: C
authors: Meier
authors: Michael D
authors: MD
authors: Menger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D008863:Microspheres; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D061848:Optical Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes
keywords: Alveoli; BAL; Fibres; H&E; Intravital fluorescence microscopy; MP; Murine lung; Particles; Phagocytosis; bronchoalveolar lavage; haematoxylin and eosin; microparticles