Fluorescein derivatives in intravital fluorescence imaging.
Intravital fluorescence microscopy enables the direct imaging of fluorophores in vivo and advanced techniques such as fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) enable the simultaneous detection of multiple fluorophores. Consequently, it is now possible to record distribution and metabolism of a chemical in vivo and to optimise the delivery of fluorophores in vivo. Recent clinical applications with fluorescein and other intravital fluorescent stains have occurred in neurosurgery, dermatology [including photodynamic therapy (PDT)] and endomicroscopy. Potential uses have been identified in periodontal disease, skin graft and cancer surgery. Animal studies have demonstrated that diseased tissue can be specifically stained with fluorophore conjugates. This review focuses on the fluorescein derived fluorophores in common clinical use and provides examples of novel applications from studies in tissue samples.
Therapeutics Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia and Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia. tom.robertson@unisa.edu.au.
Thomas A
TA
Robertson
Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus Plaine CP205, Boulevard du Triomphe, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium.
Florestan
F
Bunel
Therapeutics Research Centre, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia and Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia.
Michael S
MS
Roberts