Visualization of hepatobiliary excretory function by intravital multiphoton microscopy

J Biomed Opt. 2007 Jan-Feb;12(1):014014. doi: 10.1117/1.2710237.

Abstract

Intravital imaging of hepatobiliary excretion is vital for elucidating liver metabolism. In this work, we describe a novel method to observe the intravital dynamics of the uptake, processing, and excretion of an organic anion, 6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (6-CFDA) in the hepatobiliary system. This is achieved by the use of multiphoton microscopy and an intravital hepatic imaging chamber. The high-quality images show sequential uptake and processing of 6-CFDA from the hepatocytes and the subsequent excretion into bile canaliculi within approximately 50 min. This is a promising technique to study intravital hepatic physiology and metabolism.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biliary Tract / metabolism*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Fluoresceins / metabolism*
  • Image Enhancement / instrumentation*
  • Image Enhancement / methods
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton / instrumentation*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton / methods
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Fluoresceins
  • 6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate