title: Intravital Microscopy for Atherosclerosis Research.
abstract: Recruitment of leukocytes into arteries is a hallmark event throughout all stages of atherosclerosis and hence stands out as a primary therapeutic target. To understand the molecular mechanisms of arterial leukocyte subset infiltration, real-time visualization of recruitment processes of leukocyte subsets at high resolution is a prerequisite. In this review we provide a balanced overview of optical imaging modalities in the more commonly used experimental models for atherosclerosis (e.g., mouse models) allowing for in vivo display of recruitment processes in large arteries and further detail strategies to overcome hurdles inherent to arterial imaging. We further provide a synopsis of techniques allowing for non-toxic, photostable labeling of target structures. Finally, we deliver a short summary of ongoing developments including the emergence of novel labeling approaches, the use of superresolution microscopy, and the potentials of opto-acoustic microscopy and intravascular 2-dimensional near-infrared fluorescence microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 9, 80336, Munich, Germany. remco.megens@med.uni-muenchen.de.|Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. remco.megens@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Remco T A
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Megens
authors.affiliation: Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 9, 80336, Munich, Germany. oliver.soehnlein@gmail.com.|Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. oliver.soehnlein@gmail.com.|DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany. oliver.soehnlein@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Soehnlein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D000069416:Intravital Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D061848:Optical Imaging; D061088:Photoacoustic Techniques; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes
keywords: Arterial cell recruitment; Atherosclerosis; In vivo labeling strategies; Intravital microscopy; Optical imaging