Two-photon excitation fuorescence lifetime imaging microscopy:A promising diagnostic tool for digestive tract tumors

Digestive tract tumors acount for 15%and 19.3%of the cancer incidence and deaths,respec-tively.Early detection of digestive tract tumors is crucial to the reduction of global cancer burden.Two-photon excitation fuorescence lifetime imaging microscopy(TP-FLIM)allows non-invasive,label free,three-dimensional,high-resolution imaging of living tisues with not only histological but also biochemical characterization ability in both qualitative and quantitative way.Benefiting from these advantages,this technology is protmising for clinical diagnosis of digestive tract tumors.In recent years,many efforts have'been made in this field and some remarkable progress has been achieved.In this paper,we overview the recent progress of TP-FLIM-based researches on digestive tract tumor detection.Among them,our latest results on the gastric cancer and esophageal cancer are elaborately depicted.Finally,we outlook and discuss the potential advantages and challenges of TP-FLIM in future clinical applications.

Monitoring microenvironment of Hep G2 cell apoptosis using two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy

Apoptosis is very important for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and is closely related to the occurrence and treatment of many diseases.Mitochondria in cells play a crucial role in programmed cell death and redox processes.Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide(NAD(P)H)is the primary producer of energy in mitochondria,changing NAD(P)H can directly reflect the physiological state of mitochondria.Therefore,NAD(P)H can be used to evaluate metabolic response.In this paper,we propose a noninvasive detection method that uses two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy(TP-FLIM)to characterize apoptosis by observing the binding kinetics of cellular endogenous NAD(P)H.The result shows that the average fluorescence lifetime of NAD(P)H and the fluorescence lifetime of protein-bound NAD(P)H will be affected by the changing pH,serum content,and oxygen concentration in the cell culture environment,and by the treatment with reagents such as H2O2 and paclitaxel.Taxol(PTX).This noninvasive detection method realized the dynamic detection of cellular endogenous substances and the assessment of apoptosis.

Label-free imaging immune cells and collagen in atherosclerosis with two-photon and second harmonic generation microscopy

Atherosclerosis has been recognized as a chronic inflammation disease,in which many types of cells participate in this process,including lymphocytes,macrophages,dendritic cells(DCs),mast cells,vascular smooth muscle cells(SMCs).Developments in imaging technology provide the capability to observe cellular and tissue components and their interactions.The knowledge of the functions of immune cells and their interactions with other cell and tissue components will facilitate our discovery of biomarkers in atherosclerosis and prediction of the risk factor of rupture-prone plaques.Nonlinear optical microscopy based on two-photon excited autofluorescence and second harmonic generation(SHG)were developed to image mast cells,SMCs and collagen in plaque ex vivo using endogenous optical signals.Mast cells were imaged with two-photon tryptophan autofluorescence,SMCs were imaged with two-photon NADH auto fluorescence,and collagen were imaged with SHG.This development paves the way for further study of mast cell degranulation,and the effects of mast cell derived mediators such as induced synthesis and activation of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs)which participate in the degradation of collagen.

Multidither coherent optical adaptive technique for deep tissue two-photon microscopy

Two-photon microscopy normally suffers from the scattering of the tissue in biological imaging.Multidither coberent optical adaptive technique(COAT)can correct the scattered wavefront in parallel.However,the determination of the corrective phases may not be completely accurate using conventional method,which undermines the performance of this technique.In this paper,we theoretically demonstrate a method that can obtain more accurate corrective phases by determining the phase values from the square root of the fuorescence signal.A numnerical simulation model is established to study the performance of adaptive optics in two-photon micros-copy by combining scalar diffraction theory with vector diffraction theory.The results show that the distortion of the wavefront can be corrected more thoroughly with our method in two-photon imaging.In our simulation,with the scattering from a 450-mn-thick mouse brain tissue,excitation focal spots with higher peak-to background ratio(PBR)and images with higher contrast can be obtained.Hence,further enhancement of the multidither COAT correction performance in two-photon imaging can be expected.

MULTIPHOTON MICROSCOPIC IMAGING OF MOUSE INTESTINAL MUCOSA BASED ON TWO-PHOTON EXCITED FLUORESCENCE AND SECOND HARMONIC GENERATION

Multiphoton microscopy(MPM),based on two-photon excited fuorescence and second harmonic generation,enables direct noninvasive visualization of tissue architecture and cell morphology in live tissues without the administration of exogenous contrast agents.In this paper,we used MPM to image the microstructures of the mucosa in fresh,unfixed,and unstained intestinal tissue of mouse.The morphology and distribution of the main components in mucosa layer such as columnar cells,goblet cells,intestinal glands,and a little collagen fibers were clearly observed in MPM images,and then compared with standard H&:E images from paired specimens.Our results indicate that MPM combined with endoscopy and miniaturization probes has the potential application in the clinical diagnosis and in vivo monitoring of early intestinal cancer.

Intravital imaging of adriamycin-induced renal pathology using two-photon microscopy and optical coherence tomography

Adriamycin(doxorubicin),a common cancer chemotherapeutic drug,can be used to induce a model of chronic progressive glomerular disease in rodents.In our studies,we evahuated renal changes in a rat model after Adriamydin injection using two photon microscopy(TPM),optical coherence tomography(OCT)and Doppler OCT(DOCT).Taking advantage of deep penetra-tion and fast scanning speed for three dimensional(3D)label-free imaging,OCT/DOCT system was able to reveal glomerular and tubular pathology noninvasively and in real time.By imaging renal pathology following the infusion of fAuorophore-labeled dextrans of different molecular weights,TPM can provide direct views of glomerular and tubular flow dynamics with the onset and progression of renal disease.Specifically,glomerular permeability and filtration,proximal and distal tubular flow dynamics can be revealed.6-8 weeks after injection of Adriamycin,TPM and OCT/DOCT imaging revealed glomerular sclerosis,compromised flow across the glomerular wall,tubular atrophy,tubular dilation,and variable intra-tubular flow dynamics.Our results indicate that TPM and OCT/DOCT provide real-time imaging of renal pathology in vivo that has not been previously available using conventional microscopic procedures.

Highly sensitive miniature needle PVDF-TrFE ultrasound sensor for optoacoustic microscopy

A wideband sensitive needle ultrasound sensor based on a polarized PVDF-TrFE copolymer piezoelectric film has been developed,which is capable of providing a noise equivalent pressure of 14 Pa and a uniform frequency response ranging from 1 to 25 MHz.Its high sensitivity(1.6μV∕Pa)and compact size were achieved by capitalizing on the large electromechanical coupling coefficient of PVDF-TrFE and minimizing parasitic capacitance in a two-stage amplifier structure.The detection sensitivity of the newly designed sensor outperformed commercially available hydrophones with an equivalent sensing element area by a factor of 9.The sensor has been successfully integrated into a light scanning optoacoustic microscopy(OAM)system with a limited working space.Submicrometer resolution images were subsequently attained from living mice without employing signal averaging.The miniature sensor design can readily be integrated into various OAM systems and further facilitate multimodal imaging system implementations.

From static to dynamic:live observation of the support system after ischemic stroke by two photon-excited fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy

Ischemic stroke is one of the most common causes of mortality and disability worldwide.However,treatment efficacy and the progress of research remain unsatisfactory.As the critical support system and essential components in neurovascular units,glial cells and blood vessels(including the bloodbrain barrier)together maintain an optimal microenvironment for neuronal function.They provide nutrients,regulate neuronal excitability,and prevent harmful substances from entering brain tissue.The highly dynamic networks of this support system play an essential role in ischemic stroke through processes including brain homeostasis,supporting neuronal function,and reacting to injuries.However,most studies have focused on postmortem animals,which inevitably lack critical information about the dynamic changes that occur after ischemic stroke.Therefore,a high-precision technique for research in living animals is urgently needed.Two-photon fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy is a powerful imaging technique that can facilitate live imaging at high spatiotemporal resolutions.Twophoton fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy can provide images of the whole-cortex vascular 3D structure,information on multicellular component interactions,and provide images of structure and function in the cranial window.This technique shifts the existing research paradigm from static to dynamic,from flat to stereoscopic,and from single-cell function to multicellular intercommunication,thus providing direct and reliable evidence to identify the pathophysiological mechanisms following ischemic stroke in an intact brain.In this review,we discuss exciting findings from research on the support system after ischemic stroke using two-photon fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy,highlighting the importance of dynamic observations of cellular behavior and interactions in the networks of the brain’s support systems.We show the excellent application prospects and advantages of two-photon fluorescence laser-scanning microscopy and predict future research developments and directions in the study of ischemic stroke.

A simple Bessel module with tunable focal depth and constant resolution for commercial two-photon microscope

The volumetric imaging of two-photon microscopy expands the focal depth and improves the throughput,which has unparalleled superiority for three-dimension samples,especially in neuroscience.However,emerging in volumetric imaging is still largely customized,which limits the integration with commercial two-photon systems.Here,we analyzed the key parameters that modulate the focal depth and lateral resolution of polarized annular imaging and proposed a volumetric imaging module that can be directly integrated into commercial two-photon systems using conventional optical elements.This design incorporates the beam diameter adjustment settings of commercial two-photon systems,allowing flexibility to adjust the depth of focus while maintaining the same lateral resolution.Further,the depth range and lateral resolution of the design were verified,and the imaging throughput was demonstrated by an increase in the number of imaging neurons in the awake mouse cerebral cortex.

OBSERVING NEURONAL ACTIVITIES WITH RANDOM ACCESS TWO-PHOTON MICROSCOPE

As a second messenger in signal transduction,calcium ion plays a very important role in neuronal information processing and integrating.Limited by the imaging technique,it is difficult to simultaneously perform deep tissue imaging and measure intracellular free calcium concentration([Ca^(2+)]i)in different compartments of neurons in brain slice noncollinearly.By means of random access two-photon microscopy,which provides high optical penetration into tissues and low photo damage,we successfully measured[Ca^(2+)]i of different parts of pyramidal neurons in neocortical layer V in rat brain slices with high spatial and temporal resolution.Combining the patch clamp technique,we stimulated the soma with depolarizing current and explored the dynamics of calcium in pyramidal neurons.

DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATION OF MULTIPHOTON MICROSCOPY IN EPITHELIAL TISSUES

Epithelial cancer comprises more than 85%of human cancers.The detection and treatment at the early stage has been demonstrated to apparently improve patient survival.In this review,we summarize our recent research works on the diagnostic application of epithelial tissue based on multiphoton microscopy(MPM),including identification of the layered structures of esophagus,oral cavity,skin and bronchus tissues,establishment of the diagnostic features for distinguishing gastric normal tissue from cancerous tissue,linking collagen alteration and ectocervical epithelial tumor progression for evaluating epithelial tumor progression,and differentiating normal,inflammatory,and dysplastic ectocervical epithelial tissues.These results provide the groundwork for developing MPM into clinical multiphoton endoscopy.

Miniature Fluorescence Microscopy for Imaging Brain Activity in Freely-Behaving Animals

An ultimate goal of neuroscience is to decipher the principles underlying neuronal information processing at the molecular,cellular,circuit,and system levels.The advent of miniature fluorescence microscopy has furthered the quest by visualizing brain activities and structural dynamics in animals engaged in self-determined behaviors.In this brief review,we summarize recent advances in miniature fluorescence microscopy for neuroscience,focusing mostly on two mainstream solutions-miniature single-photon microscopy,and miniature two-photon microscopy.We discuss their technical advantages and limitations as well as unmet challenges for future improvement.Examples of preliminary applications are also presented to reflect on a new trend of brain imaging in experimental paradigms involving body movements,long and complex protocols,and even disease progression and aging.

In vivo imaging of the neuronal response to spinal cord injury:a narrative review

Deciphering the neuronal response to injury in the spinal cord is essential for exploring treatment strategies for spinal cord injury(SCI).However,this subject has been neglected in part because appropriate tools are lacking.Emerging in vivo imaging and labeling methods offer great potential for observing dynamic neural processes in the central nervous system in conditions of health and disease.This review first discusses in vivo imaging of the mouse spinal cord with a focus on the latest imaging techniques,and then analyzes the dynamic biological response of spinal cord sensory and motor neurons to SCI.We then summarize and compare the techniques behind these studies and clarify the advantages of in vivo imaging compared with traditional neuroscience examinations.Finally,we identify the challenges and possible solutions for spinal cord neuron imaging.

雄激素性秃发的反射式共聚焦显微镜征象及意义

目的观察雄激素性秃发(AGA)患者皮损区反射式共聚焦显微镜(RCM)特征性变化,并测量毛囊口大小,寻找该病特异性影像学征象。方法收集30例早期AGA患者(AGA组),26例健康对照者(对照组)的RCM征象及相关临床资料,并进行比较分析。结果使用毛囊口的周长和直径作为其大小的衡量指标,对照组毛囊口周长(521.01±144.55)μm,直径(165.84±46.01)μm,AGA组毛囊口周长(410.09±167.68)μm,直径(130.54±53.37)μm,2组比较差异具有统计学意义(P=0.000)。AGA组患者的毛囊RCM下征象按照出现频率由高到低依次为:规则的外轮廓(92.2%)、模糊的内轮廓(59.4%)、非反射性边界(76.6%)、毛囊角栓(38.9%)、洋葱圈样边界(7.8%);RCM下毛囊及周围组织征象按照出现频率由高到低依次为明亮的真皮乳头边界(76.7%)、毛囊周围和真皮浅层炎性细胞浸润(73.3%)、真皮以及附属器周围纤维组织硬化(46.7%)、真皮乳头血管扩张(33.3%)。结论RCM在早期诊断AGA具有重要的临床意义。

幼年期小型猪髁突骨折后咀嚼肌的变化

目的：探讨髁突横断骨折对幼年小型猪咀嚼肌的影响。方法：应用幼年小型猪行髁突横断骨折，术后６个月应用磁共振显像（ＭＲＩ）观察，然后切取双侧咀嚼肌及翼外肌标本进行光镜及透射电镜检查。结果：ＭＲＩ可见双侧咀嚼肌、翼内肌及翼外肌呈中等强度信号，信号均匀，肌间隙层次清晰，双侧对称，无异常信号。光镜观察咀嚼肌和翼外肌横截面切片在不同时间均未显示任何破坏现象，透射电镜下髁突横断骨折后６个月组与正常对照组比较无明显变化，只显示线粒体数目减少、糖原颗粒较多、肌节各带清晰，无异常形态线粒体及脂肪变性。结论：幼年期小型猪髁突横断骨折后６个月咀嚼肌及翼外肌ＭＲＩ、光镜。

双色荧光成像在体微型显微镜

目前微型显微镜光学系统大都采用梯度折射率透镜作为物镜,受其色差限制,双色荧光成像效果较差。首先设计了微型消色差镜头代替梯度折射率透镜,分别以大脑皮层和深层成像为应用方向设计了两套光学系统,视场为1.10 mm×1.10 mm和0.77 mm×0.77 mm,分辨率都达到3.47μm;其次,设计了数据采集电路,实现10帧/s的双色荧光同时成像,并将视频数据存储于内置存储卡中,去除了线缆对动物行动的限制;最后,通过优化结构设计形成了双色荧光成像微型显微镜样机,整体重量为6.2 g,方便动物随身佩戴。通过双色荧光微球仿体成像实验验证了该设备的技术指标及可靠性,预期在脑科学研究中具有较好应用价值。

新型多光子成像技术研究进展

相比于传统的光学成像技术,近年来获得快速发展的新型多光子成像技术具有穿透深度大,组织光损伤小,信噪比高,且可方便进行光学层析成像的特点,故而被广泛应用于包括脑、肿瘤、胚胎在内的多种活体组织成像中。本综述回顾了新型多光子成像技术的诞生与发展历程,包括微型化双光子成像技术、双光子内窥技术和三光子成像技术,概括分析了其基本原理与成像特点,讨论了这一领域具有代表性的最新研究成果,重点总结了其在生物学基础研究领域和临床医学诊断中的主要应用,并展望了其未来的应用与发展前景。可以预见,随着激光器和光探测技术的不断进步,多光子成像技术将会得到更大的发展与更加广泛的应用。

Simultaneous multi-parameter observation of Harring-tonine-treating HL-60 cells with both two-photon and confocal laser scanning microscopy

Harringtonine (HT), a kind of anticancer drug isolated from Chinese herb-Cephalotaxus hainanensis Li, can induce apoptosis in promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. With both two-photon laser scanning microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy in combination with the fluores-cent probe Hoechst 33342, tetramethyrhodamine ethyl ester (TMRE) and Fluo 3-AM, we simulta-neously observed HT-induced changes in nuclear morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in HL-60 cells, and developed a real-time, sensitive and invasive method for simultaneous multi-parameter observation of drug- treating living cells at the level of single cell.

Hemodynamic changes in hepatic sinusoids of hepatic steatosis mice

BACKGROUND Fatty liver(FL) is now a worldwide disease. For decades, researchers have been kept trying to elucidate the mechanism of FL at the molecular level, but rarely involve the study of morphology and medical physics. Traditionally, it was believed that hemodynamic changes occur only when fibrosis occurs, but it has been proved that these changes already show in steatosis stage, which may help to reveal the pathogenesis and its progress. Because the pseudolobules are not formed during the steatosis stage, this phenomenon may be caused by the compression of the liver microcirculation and changes in the hemodynamics.AIM To understand the pathogenesis of hepatic steatosis and to study the hemodynamic changes associated with hepatic steatosis.METHODS Eight-week-old male C57 BL/6 mice were divided into three groups randomly(control group, 2-wk group, and 4-wk group), with 16 mice per group. A hepatic steatosis model was established by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride in mice. After establishing the model, liver tissue from mice was stained with hematoxylin and eosin(HE), and oil red O stains. Blood was collected from the angular vein, and hemorheological parameters were estimated. A two-photon fluorescence microscope was used to examine the flow properties of red blood cells in the hepatic sinusoids.RESULTS Oil red O staining indicated lipid accumulation in the liver after CCl_4 treatment.HE staining indicated narrowing of the hepatic sinusoidal vessels. No significant difference was observed between the 2-wk and 4-wk groups of mice onmorphological examination. Hemorheological tests included whole blood viscosity(mPas, γ = 10 s-1/γ = 100 s-1)(8.83 ± 2.22/4.69 ± 1.16, 7.73 ± 2.46/4.22 ±1.32, and 8.06 ± 2.88/4.22 ± 1.50), red blood cell volume(%)(51.00 ± 4.00, 42.00 ±5.00, and 40.00 ± 3.00), the content of plasma fibrinase(g/L)(3.80 ± 0.50, 2.90 ±0.80, and 2.30 ± 0.70), erythrocyte deformation index(%)(44.49 ± 5.81, 48.00 ±15.29, and 44.36 ± 15.01), erythrocyte electrophoresis rate(mm/s per V/m)(0.55 ±0.11, 0.50 ± 0.11, and 0.60 ± 0.20), revealing pathological changes in plasma components and red blood cells of hepatic steatosis. Assessment of blood flow velocity in the hepatic sinusoids with a laser Doppler flowmeter(mL/min per100 g)(94.43 ± 14.64, 80.00 ± 12.12, and 67.26 ± 5.92) and two-photon laser scanning microscope(μm/s)(325.68 ± 112.66, 213.53 ± 65.33, and 173.26 ± 44.02)revealed that as the modeling time increased, the blood flow velocity in the hepatic sinusoids decreased gradually, and the diameter of the hepatic sinusoids became smaller(μm)(10.28 ± 1.40, 6.84 ± 0.93, and 5.82 ± 0.79).CONCLUSION The inner diameter of the hepatic sinusoids decreases along with the decrease in the blood flow velocity within the sinusoids and the changes in the systemic hemorheology.

Imaging theory and resolution improvement of two-photon confocal microscopy

The nonlinear effect of two-photon excitation on the imaging property of two-photonconfocal microscopy has been analyzed by the two-photon fluorescence intensity transfer functionderived in this paper. The two-photon fluorescence intensity transfer function in a confocal micros-copy is given. Furthermore the three-dimensional point spread function (3D-PSF) and thethree-dimensional optical transfer function (3D-OTF) of two-photon confocal microscopy are de-rived based on the nonlinear effect of two-photon excitation. The imaging property of two-photonconfocal microscopy is discussed in detail based on 3D-OTF. Finally the spatial resolution limit oftwo-photon confocal microscopy is discussed according to the uncertainty principle.