Intravital Confocal Microscopy Research Articles

Targeted Nanoparticles for Imaging Incipient Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

BackgroundPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) carries an extremely poor prognosis, typically presenting with metastasis at the time of diagnosis and exhibiting profound resistance to existing therapies. The development of molecular markers and imaging probes for incipient PDAC would enable earlier detection and guide the development of interventive therapies. Here we sought to identify novel molecular markers and to test their potential as targeted imaging agents.Methods and FindingsHere, a phage display approach was used in a mouse model of PDAC to screen for peptides that specifically bind to cell surface antigens on PDAC cells. These screens yielded a motif that distinguishes PDAC cells from normal pancreatic duct cells in vitro, which, upon proteomics analysis, identified plectin-1 as a novel biomarker of PDAC. To assess their utility for in vivo imaging, the plectin-1 targeted peptides (PTP) were conjugated to magnetofluorescent nanoparticles. In conjunction with intravital confocal microscopy and MRI, these nanoparticles enabled detection of small PDAC and precursor lesions in engineered mouse models.ConclusionsOur approach exploited a well-defined model of PDAC, enabling rapid identification and validation of PTP. The developed specific imaging probe, along with the discovery of plectin-1 as a novel biomarker, may have clinical utility in the diagnosis and management of PDAC in humans.

Microvascular Endothelial Cells Exhibit Optimal Aspect Ratio for Minimizing Flow Resistance

A recent analytical solution of the three-dimensional Stokes flow through a bumpy tube predicts that for a given bump area, there exists an optimal circumferential wavenumber which minimizes flow resistance. This study uses measurements of microvessel endothelial cell morphology to test whether this prediction holds in the microvasculature. Endothelial cell (EC) morphology was measured in blood perfused in situ microvessels in anesthetized mice using confocal intravital microscopy. EC borders were identified by immunofluorescently labeling the EC surface molecule ICAM-1 which is expressed on the surface but not in the EC border regions. Comparison of this theory with extensive in situ measurements of microvascular EC geometry in mouse cremaster muscle using intravital microscopy reveals that the spacing of EC nuclei in venules ranging from 27 to 106 μm in diameter indeed lies quite close to this predicted optimal configuration. Interestingly, arteriolar ECs are configured to minimize flow resistance not in the resting state, but at the dilated vessel diameter. These results raise the question of whether less organized circulatory systems, such as that found in newly formed solid tumors or in the developing embryo, may deviate from the optimal bump spacing predicted to minimize flow resistance.

Characterization of the hepatic endothelial glycocalyx of sialidase deficient mice in response to TNFα

Evidence exists that components of the venular glycocalyx are shed and sialic acid is cleaved during inflammation. The objective of this study was to examine the role of sialidase in altering the hepatic glycocalyx. Female C57Bl/6 (WT) or sialidase deficient (B6Sm−/−) mice were injected with 500 ng of TNFα or saline and the hepatic microcirculation examined by intravital confocal microscopy at 4h. Sugars present on the vasculature were detected by IV injection of FITC‐labeled Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BS‐1) (detects α‐N‐acetylgalactosamine and α‐galactose residues) or Texas‐Red‐labeled Lycopersicon esculentum (TL) (detects N‐acetylglucosamine residues). Both lectins labeled the sinusoidal endothelium with no significant difference between the groups in the mean fluorescence intensity of the BS‐1 or TLlabeled glycocalyx. However, the saline treated WT mice had a thicker glycocalyx as compared to the saline treated B6Sm−/− mice (876 ±37 nm and 777 ± 18 nm, respectively) and TNFα stimulation resulted in a decrease of the glycocalyx thickness (772 ± 45 nm and 658 ± 23 nm, respectively). Our data supports the idea that components of the glycocalyx are shed during inflammation resulting in loss of glycocalyx height. Surprisingly, these sugars were expressed primarily on the sinusoids rather than venules and in contrast to other vascular beds, were not removed during TNFα‐induced hepatic inflammation.

Normal saline resuscitation induces increased sinusoidal MIP‐2 expression in early sepsis

Fluid resuscitation is an integral part of the treatment of patients with severe sepsis. Common fluids administered within the first 6 hours of diagnosis include normal saline and Ringer's lactate, however, currently there is no clear evidence that support the use of one resuscitation fluid over another. Previous work in our lab demonstrated that normal saline increases leukocyte‐endothelial cell interactions. The objective in this study was to determine the mechanisms for saline‐induced hepatic leukocyte recruitment.Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and perforation in C57Bl/6 mice. Septic, sham‐operated or naïve mice received an IV bolus (20mL/kg) of Ringer's lactate or normal saline (0.9% NaCl). Six hours later the hepatic microcirculation was examined by confocal intravital microscopy to visualize the neutrophil chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein‐2 (MIP‐2) expression using an Alexafluor conjugated monoclonal antibody.MIP‐2 expression, as measured by mean fluorescent intensity, was significantly higher in the hepatic sinusoids of septic mice treated with normal saline compare to septic mice given Ringer's lactate. The use of normal saline as an intravenous resuscitation fluid was associated with increased chemokine expression in the both sinusoids and post‐sinusoidal venules.These data suggest that saline treatment in early sepsis augments neutrophil recruitment by increasing endothelial cell chemokine expression.

TARGETED NANOPARTICLES FOR IMAGING INCIPIENT PANCREATIC DUCTAL ADENOCARINOMA

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the United States and shows a rapid clinical course, with a median survival of 6 months and a 5-year survival rate of only 3%. As chemotherapy and radiotherapy have only modest benefits and surgery is only possible in 20% of patients, earliest detection that allows surgical resection offers the best hope for longer survival. The identification of novel molecular markers and the development of imaging probes for pre-neoplastic/early invasive lesions is thus a high priority. We used phage display to identify peptides that distinguish mouse and human PDAC cells from normal pancreatic duct cells in vitro. We subsequently conjugated 2 peptides with the highest affinities and specificities to magnetofluorescent nanoparticles (CLIO-VT680) and demonstrate that these agents can effectively detect emerging tumors and pre-neoplastic lesions in a relevant transgenic mouse model via intravital confocal microscopy (Olympus IV100) and optical/MR imaging (OV-100, Bruker Pharmascan). Correlative histology confirmed the specific tumoral localization of the PDAC targeted agents. Additionally, the peptide-binding partners identified from this approach represent a snapshot of the proteome in aberrant cells and also potential PDAC biomarkers. Using affinity chromatography, we identified the binding partners for several peptides and demonstrate their validity as biomarkers. These specific and sensitive probes may have clinical utility in the diagnosis and management of PDAC in humans.

A Near-Infrared Cell Tracker Reagent for Multiscopic In Vivo Imaging and Quantification of Leukocyte Immune Responses

The complexity of the tumor microenvironment necessitates that cell behavior is studied in a broad, multi-scale context. Although tomographic and microscopy-based far and near infrared fluorescence (NIRF, >650 nm) imaging methods offer high resolution, sensitivity, and depth penetration, there has been a lack of optimized NIRF agents to label and track cells in their native environments at different scales. In this study we labeled mammalian leukocytes with VivoTag 680 (VT680), an amine reactive N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester of a (benz) indolium-derived far red fluorescent probe. We show that VT680 diffuses into leukocytes within minutes, covalently binds to cellular components, remains internalized for days in vitro and in vivo, and does not transfer fluorescence to adjacent cells. It is biocompatible, keeps cells fully functional, and fluoresces at high intensities. In a tumor model of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immunotherapy, we track and quantify VT680-labeled cells longitudinally at the whole-body level with fluorescence-mediated molecular tomography (FMT), within tissues at single cell resolutions by multiphoton and confocal intravital microscopy, and ex vivo by flow cytometry. Thus, this approach is suitable to monitor cells at multiple resolutions in real time in their native environments by NIR-based fluorescence imaging.

Intravital Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy for Drug Carrier Imaging in Solid Tumors

Intravital Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy for Drug Carrier Imaging in Solid Tumors

Thermal Cycling Enhances the Accumulation of a Temperature-Sensitive Biopolymer in Solid Tumors

The delivery of anticancer therapeutics to solid tumors remains a critical problem in the treatment of cancer. This study reports a new methodology to target a temperature-responsive macromolecular drug carrier, an elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) to solid tumors. Using a dorsal skin fold window chamber model and intravital laser scanning confocal microscopy, we show that the ELP forms micron-sized aggregates that adhere to the tumor vasculature only when tumors are heated to 41.5 degrees C. Upon return to normothermia, the vascular particles dissolve into the plasma, increasing the vascular concentration, which drives more ELPs across the tumor blood vessel and significantly increases its extravascular accumulation. These observations suggested that thermal cycling of tumors would increase the exposure of tumor cells to ELP drug carriers. We investigated this hypothesis in this study by thermally cycling an implanted tumor in nude mice from body temperature to 41.5 degrees C thrice within 1.5 h, and showed the repeated formation of adherent microparticles of ELP in the heated tumor vasculature in each thermal cycle. These results suggest that thermal cycling of tumors can be repeated multiple times to further increase the accumulation of a thermally responsive polymeric drug carrier in solid tumors over a single heat-cool cycle. More broadly, this study shows a new approach--tumor thermal cycling--to exploit stimuli-responsive polymers in vivo to target the tumor vasculature or extravascular compartment with high specificity.

Imaging the living inner ear using intravital confocal microscopy

Confocal laser scanning microscopy permits detailed visualization of structures deep within thick fluorescently labeled specimen. This makes it possible to investigate living cells inside intact tissue without prior chemical sample fixation and sectioning. Isolated guinea pig temporal bones have previously been used for confocal experiments in vitro, but tissue deterioration limits their use to a few hours after the death of the animal. In order to preserve the cochlea in an optimal functional and physiological condition, we have developed an in vivo model based on a confocal microscopy approach. Using a ventral surgical approach, the inner ear is exposed in deeply anaesthetized, tracheotomized, living guinea pigs. To label the inner ear structures, scala tympani is perfused via an opening in the basal turn, delivering tissue culture medium with fluorescent vital dyes (RH 795 and calcein AM). An apical opening is made in the bony shell of cochlea to enable visualization using a custom-built objective lens. Intravital confocal microscopy, with preserved blood and nerve supply, may offer an important tool for studying auditory physiology and the pathology of hearing loss. After acoustic overstimulation, shortening and swelling of the sensory hair cells were observed.

Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Protects Transplanted Mouse Livers Against Storage/Reperfusion Injury: Role of Vasodilatory and Innate Immunity Pathways

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays a role in microcirculatory and immunomodulatory responses after warm ischemia/reperfusion. We hypothesized that eNOS is essential to maintain microcirculation, attenuate macrophage infiltration and decrease graft injury after liver transplantation. Liver transplantation was performed after 18 hours of cold storage in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution from wildtype and eNOS-deficient (B6.129P2- Nos3 tm/Unc /J) donor mice into wildtype mice. Serum ALT, necrosis by histology, apoptosis by TUNEL, and macrophage infiltration by immunostaining against F4/80 antigen were determined 2 to 8 hours after implantation. Hepatic microcirculation was investigated after 4 hours by intravital confocal microscopy following injection of fluorescein-labeled erythrocytes. After sham operation, livers of wildtype and eNOS-deficient mice were not different in ALT, necrosis, apoptosis, macrophage infiltration, and microcirculation. After transplantation, ALT increased >3 times more after transplantation of eNOS-deficient livers than wildtype livers. Necrosis was >4 times greater, and TUNEL and F4/80 immunostaining in nonnecrotic areas were 2 and 1.5 times greater in eNOS-deficient donor livers, respectively. Compared with wildtype and eNOS sham-operated mice, sinusoidal blood flow velocity increased 1.6-fold after wildtype transplantation, but sinusoidal diameter was not changed. After transplantation of eNOS-deficient livers, blood flow velocity and sinusoidal diameter decreased compared with transplanted wildtype livers. These results indicate that donor eNOS attenuates storage/reperfusion injury after mouse liver transplantation. Protection is associated with improved microcirculation and decreased macrophage infiltration. Thus, eNOS-dependent graft protection may involve both vasodilatory and innate immunity pathways.

Intraluminal crawling of neutrophils to emigration sites: a molecularly distinct process from adhesion in the recruitment cascade

The prevailing view is that the β2-integrins Mac-1 (αMβ2, CD11b/CD18) and LFA-1 (αLβ2, CD11a/CD18) serve similar biological functions, namely adhesion, in the leukocyte recruitment cascade. Using real-time and time-lapse intravital video-microscopy and confocal microscopy within inflamed microvessels, we systematically evaluated the function of Mac-1 and LFA-1 in the recruitment paradigm. The chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-2 induced equivalent amounts of adhesion in wild-type and Mac-1−/− mice but very little adhesion in LFA-1−/− mice. Time-lapse video-microscopy within the postcapillary venules revealed that immediately upon adhesion, there is significant intraluminal crawling of all neutrophils to distant emigration sites in wild-type mice. In dramatic contrast, very few Mac-1−/− neutrophils crawled with a 10-fold decrease in displacement and a 95% reduction in velocity. Therefore, Mac-1−/− neutrophils initiated transmigration closer to the initial site of adhesion, which in turn led to delayed transmigration due to movement through nonoptimal emigration sites. Interestingly, the few LFA-1−/− cells that did adhere crawled similarly to wild-type neutrophils. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 but not intercellular adhesion molecule-2 mediated the Mac-1–dependent crawling. These in vivo results clearly delineate two fundamentally different molecular mechanisms for LFA-1 and Mac-1 in vivo, i.e., LFA-1–dependent adhesion followed by Mac-1–dependent crawling, and both steps ultimately contribute to efficient emigration out of the vasculature.

TNF-α activation of arterioles and venules alters distribution and levels of ICAM-1 and affects leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions

The observation that leukocyte-endothelial cell (EC) interactions are localized to specific regions on the microvessel wall suggests that adhesion molecule distribution is not uniform. We investigated ICAM-1 distribution and leukocyte-EC interactions in blood-perfused microvessels (<80 mum) in cremaster muscle of anesthetized mice, using intravital confocal microscopy and immunofluorescent labeling. Variability of ICAM-1 expression directly determines leukocyte adhesion distribution within the venular microcirculation and contributes to leukocyte rolling in arterioles during inflammation. The number of rolling interactions increased with ICAM-1 intensity (r(2) = 0.69, P < 0.05), and rolling velocity was lower in regions of higher ICAM-1 intensity. In controls, venular ICAM-1 expression was approximately twofold higher than in arterioles. After TNF-alpha treatment, ICAM-1 expression was significantly increased, 2.8 +/- 0.2-fold in arterioles and 1.7 +/- 0.2-fold in venules (P < 0.05). ICAM-1 expression on activated arteriolar ECs only reached the level of control venular ICAM-1. Arteriolar but not venular ECs underwent redistribution of ICAM-1 among cells; some cells increased and some decreased ICAM-1 expression, magnifying the variability of ICAM-1. TNF-alpha treatment increased the length of bright fluorescent regions per unit vessel length (42%, control; 70%, TNF-alpha) along the arteriolar wall, whereas no significant change was observed in venules (60%, control; 63%, TNF-alpha). The spatial distribution and expression levels of adhesion molecules in the microcirculation determine the timing and placement of leukocyte interactions and hence significantly impact the inflammatory response. That arteriolar ECs respond to TNF-alpha by upregulation of ICAM-1, although in a different way compared with venules, suggests an explicit role for arterioles in inflammatory responses.

Tumor Vascular Permeability, Accumulation, and Penetration of Macromolecular Drug Carriers

Delivery of anticancer therapeutic agents to solid tumors is problematic. Macromolecular drug carriers are an attractive alternative drug delivery method because they appear to target tumors and have limited toxicity in normal tissues. We investigated how molecular weight influences the accumulation of a model macromolecular drug carrier, dextran covalently linked to a fluorophore, in tumors. We used dextrans with molecular weights from 3.3 kDa to 2 MDa. Vascular permeability, accumulation, and three-dimensional penetration of these dextrans were simultaneously measured in solid tumors via a dorsal skin fold window chamber, intravital laser-scanning confocal microscopy, and custom image analysis. Increasing the molecular weight of dextran statistically significantly reduced its vascular permeability by approximately two orders of magnitude (i.e., from 154 x 10(-7) cm/s, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 134 to 174 x 10(-7) cm/s, for 3.3-kDa dextran to 1.7 x 10(-7) cm/s, 95% CI = 0.7 to 2.6 x 10(-7) cm/s for 2-MDa dextran; P < .001, two-sided Kruskal-Wallis test) but increased its plasma half-life, which provided ample time for extravasation (i.e., to enter tumor tissue from the vasculature). Tumor accumulation was maximal for dextrans with molecular weights between 40 and 70 kDa. Dextrans of 3.3 and 10 kDa penetrated deeply (greater than 35 microm) and homogeneously into tumor tissue from the vessel wall. After a 30-minute period, a high concentration was observed only approximately 15 microm from the vessel wall for 40- to 70-kDa dextrans and only 5 microm for 2-MDa dextrans. Increasing the molecular weight of dextran statistically significantly reduced its tumor vascular permeability. Dextrans of 40 and 70 kDa had the highest accumulation in solid tumors but were largely concentrated near the vascular surface.

TNF‐α induced variability of ICAM‐1 expression in skeletal muscle microvasculature

The observation that leukocyte-endothelial cell (EC) interactions are localized to specific regions on the vessel wall suggests that adhesion molecule distribution on the endothelium is not uniform. We used intravital confocal microscopy to compare the expression of ICAM-1 in arterioles vs venules in control and TNF-α (500 ng, intrascrotally) induced inflammation. ICAM-1 expression levels were indicated by normalized intensity of fluorescently labeled surface ICAM-1 in blood perfused cremaster muscle microvessels of anesthetized mice (Nembutal, 74 mg/ml) and were found to be not uniform. Under normal conditions venular ICAM-1 expression was approximately two fold higher than the expression in arterioles. Following TNF-α treatment ICAM-1 expression was significantly increased, 2.8±0.2 fold in arterioles and 1.7±0.2 in venules (n=4, p-value <0.05). However, ICAM-1 expression on activated arteriolar ECs only reached the level of venular ICAM-1 expression observed under control conditions. Additionally, arteriolar but not venular ECs underwent redistribution of ICAM-1 among cells, where some cells increased and some decreased the ICAM-1 expression, magnifying the variability of ICAM-1. Also, TNF-α treatment resulted in longer bright regions per unit length of the vessel (42% in control, 70% in TNF-α) along the arteriolar wall, but no significant change was observed in venules. The fact that arteriolar ECs respond to TNF-α by upregulation of ICAM-1 expression, although in a different way compared to venules, suggests an explicit role for arterioles in inflammation. (Supported by NIH HL18208 and HL75186)

Differences between leukocyte‐EC interactions in arterioles vs. venules may be related to ICAM‐1.

The observation that an inflammatory stimulus upregulates adhesion molecule expression in arterioles suggests an explicit role for arterioles in inflammation. We used intravital confocal microscopy to study the connection between ICAM-1 expression levels and leukocyte-EC interactions in cremaster muscle arterioles and venules of anesthetized mice (Nembutal, 74 mg/ml). To compare normal and inflammatory conditions we used control and TNF-α (500ng, intrascrotally) treated mice. We observed ICAM-1 dependent rolling in arterioles and ICAM-1 dependent adhesion in venules. Interestingly, ICAM-1 expression levels increased 2-3 fold following TNF-α treatment in both arterioles and venules, but leukocyte adhesion events were rarely found in arterioles compared to venules (0.6 vs 5.5/100μm). Note that the potential for an adhesion event was similar in both arterioles and venules since the delivered flux of leukocytes to the vessel wall was the same (10 leukocyte/40 sec). On the other hand, the number of rolling leukocytes was significantly higher at the regions of higher ICAM-1 density (r2=0.56) in arterioles but not in venules (r2=0.11). We also found that the number of firmly adhered leukocytes in venules linearly increased with ICAM-1 expression levels (r2=0.59). Although an inflammatory stimulus did not induce leukocyte adhesion in arterioles as it did in venules, elevated ICAM-1 levels were found to correlate with the increased number of rolling leukocytes in arterioles, suggesting that ICAM-1 and arterioles play an important role in inflammation. (Supported by NIH HL18208 and HL75186)

Fibrinogen and von Willebrand Factor-Independent Platelet Aggregation: The Essential Roles of β3 Integrin, Thrombin, and Divalent Ca2+ Cations.

It has been documented that fibrinogen (Fg) is required for platelet aggregation. However, we recently found that platelet rich thrombi still formed in mice lacking either Fg (Fg−/−) or both Fg and vWF (Fg/vWF−/−) (Ni et al, JCI 106:385–392, 2000). To explore the potential mechanisms of Fg/vWF-independent platelet aggregation, we studied platelet aggregation in vitro in platelet rich plasma (PRP). We found no platelet aggregation in Fg−/− or Fg/vWF−/− PRP induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in the presence of anticoagulant reagents including divalent cation chelators (ACD, sodium citrate, and EDTA), and thrombin inhibitors (heparin, hirudin, PPACK). Since no fibrin formation occurs in Fg/vWF−/− plasma, we then induced Fg/vWF−/− platelet aggregation in non-anticoagulated platelet poor plasma (PPP). Surprisingly, robust aggregation occurred after ADP treatment. We further demonstrated that directly triggering the thrombin receptor PAR4 with thrombin receptor activation peptide (TRAP, AYPGKF-NH2) induced platelet aggregation in thrombin-inhibitor treated Fg/vWF−/− PRP and gel-filtered Fg/vWF-platelets in 1mM Ca2+ PIPES buffer. Thus Fg/vWF-independent aggregation can be induced in vitro and both divalent cations and thrombin are required for this novel platelet aggregation pathway. It is likely that ADP induced thrombin generation in Fg/vWF-/- PRP. Considering platelet aggregation has been observed in type I Glanzmann Thrombasthenic patients lacking αIIbβ3 protein, we hypothesized that Fg/vWF−/− platelet aggregation may occur in either a β3 integrin-dependent or β3 integrin independent manners. To test this hypothesis, β3 integrin deficient (β3−/−) platelets were added into the same non-anticoagulated Fg/vWF−/− plasma and no aggregation was observed after ADP treatment. β3−/− platelets also did not co-aggregate with Fg/vWF−/− platelets in vitro in aggregation assays, which were analyzed by flow cytometry with an anti-CD61 (anti-β3 integrin) antibody. Furthermore, when fluorescently labeled β3−/− platelets were injected into Fg/vWF−/− mice, β3−/− platelets did not significantly incorporate into Fg/vWF−/− thrombi under confocal intravital microscopy. The inability of β3−/− platelets to aggregate is not due to a deficiency in other adhesive receptors, since no reduction of GPIbα, β1 integrins, and P-selectin was observed on β3−/− platelets. Thus, although the GPIb complex, P-selectin, and β1 integrins may be involved in platelet aggregation, β3 integrin is essential for this Fg/vWF-independent platelet aggregation pathway. This also indicates that other alternative ligands of β3 integrin from either the plasma or platelet granules are capable of mediating platelet aggregation independent of both Fg and vWF under more physiologically relevant conditions (i.e. non anti-coagulated blood) where divalent cations and thrombin are present.

Leukocyte-versus microparticle-mediated tissue factor transfer during arteriolar thrombus development

Circulating tissue factor accumulates in the developing thrombus and contributes to fibrin clot formation. To determine whether tissue factor derived from hematopoietic cells is delivered to the thrombus via tissue factor-bearing microparticles or circulating leukocytes expressing tissue factor on the plasma membrane, we compared the kinetics of tissue factor accumulation in the developing arteriolar thrombus with the time course of leukocyte-thrombus interaction and microparticle-thrombus interaction in the microcirculation of a living mouse using intravital high-speed widefield and confocal microscopy. Tissue factor rapidly accumulated in the developing thrombus, appearing immediately following vessel wall injury, reaching a first peak in approximately 100 s. In contrast, leukocyte-thrombus interaction was not observed until after 2-3 min following vessel wall injury. Maximal leukocyte rolling and firm leukocyte adherence on thrombi in wild-type mice were observed after approximately 8 min and were dependent on P-selectin and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1. This delay in P-selectin-dependent leukocyte rolling is a result of time-dependent platelet activation and P-selectin expression on the luminal surface of the thrombus. In contrast, microparticle accumulation in the developing arteriolar thrombus was rapid, and peak accumulation was within 60 s. The accumulation of hematopoietic cell-derived tissue factor in the developing thrombus correlates to the kinetics of microparticle accumulation and does not correlate temporally with leukocyte-thrombus interaction. These results indicate that tissue factor derived from hematopoietic cells is delivered by microparticles during the initial phase of thrombus development in vivo.

Macromolecule permeability of in situ and excised rodent skeletal muscle arterioles and venules

In microvessels, acute inflammation is typified by an increase in leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions, culminating in leukocyte transmigration into the tissue, and increased permeability to water and solutes, resulting in tissue edema. The goal of this study was to establish a method to quantify solute permeability (P(s)) changes in microvessels in intact predominantly blood-perfused networks in which leukocyte transmigratory behavior could be precisely described using established paradigms. We used intravital confocal microscopy to measure solute (BSA) flux across microvessel walls, hence P(s). A quantitative fluorescence approach (Huxley VH, Curry FE, and Adamson RH. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 252: H188-H197, 1987) was adapted to the imaged confocal tissue slice in which the fluorescent source volume and source surface area of the microvessel were restricted to the region of vessel that was contained within the imaged confocal tissue section. P(s) measurements were made in intact cremaster muscle microvasculature of anesthetized mice and compared with measurements of P(s) made in isolated rat skeletal muscle microvessels. Mouse arteriolar P(s) was 9.9 +/- 1.1 x 10(-7) cm/s (n = 16), which was not different from 8.4 +/- 1.3 x 10(-7) cm/s (n = 6) in rat arterioles. Values in venules were significantly (P < 0.05) higher: 44.4 +/- 7.9 x 10(-7) cm/s (n = 14) in mice and 25.0 +/- 3.7 x 10(-7) cm/s in rats. Convective coupling was estimated to contribute <10% to the measured P(s) in both microvessel types and both animal models. We conclude that this approach provides an appropriate quantification of P(s) in the intact microvasculature and that arteriolar P(s), while lower than in venules, is nevertheless consistent with arterioles being a significant source of interstitial protein.

Role of shear forces and adhesion molecule distribution on P-selectin-mediated leukocyte rolling in postcapillary venules.

Rolling on the venular endothelium is a critical step in the recruitment of leukocytes during the inflammatory response. P-selectin is a key mediator of leukocyte rolling, which is an early event in the inflammatory cascade; this rolling is likely to be directly regulated by both local fluid shear forces and P-selectin site densities in the microvasculature. However, neither the spatial pattern of P-selectin expression in postcapillary venules nor the effect of local expression patterns on rolling behavior in intact functional venules is known. We investigated the influence of local shear forces and the spatial distribution of endothelial P-selectin in intact blood perfused post capillary venules in anesthetized mice using intravital confocal microscopy, high temporal resolution particle tracking, and immunofluorescent labeling. We demonstrated a shear-dependent increase in average leukocyte rolling velocity that was attributable to a shear-dependent increase in the occurrence of transient leukocyte detachments from the endothelial surface: translational velocity during leukocyte contact with the vessel wall remained constant. P-selectin expression was not different in venules with characteristically different shear rates or diameters but varied significantly within individual venules. In postcapillary venules, regions of high P-selectin expression correlated with regions of slow leukocyte rolling. Thus the characteristically variable leukocyte rolling in vivo is a function of the spatial heterogeneity in P-selectin expression. The study shows how the local hydrodynamic forces and the nonuniform pattern of P-selectin expression affect the behavior of interacting leukocytes, providing direct evidence for the local variation of adhesion molecule expression as a mechanism for the regulation of leukocyte recruitment.

Enhanced green fluorescent protein-transfection of murine colon carcinoma cells: key for early tumor detection and quantification.

Many animal models for metastatic colorectal cancer represent clinical manifestations just inaccurately. We introduce a novel mouse model for metastastatic colorectal cancer. In order to remain close to the clinical disease a syngenic murine colon carcinoma cell line (colon 26 cells) was transfected with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). The transfected cells maintain the highly malignant attributes of the wild-type cells. Following injection into the portal circulation of Balb/c-mice, liver metastases occur in the same time span. Using the fluorescent attributes of the transfected cells, an approximation of the tumor load in liver tissue can be achieved by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and fluoroscan analysis. Tumor cell load in liver tissue can be accurately measured by Northern blot and Western blot analysis of liver tissue containing EGFP-transfected colon cancer metastases (1250 cells/mg liver tissue and 1000 cells/mg liver tissue) respectively. Confocal microscopy and intravital microscopy confirmed the growth of tumor metastases, originating from the intravascular compartments. The presented animal model using EGFP-transfected colon 26 cells allows the detecting of tumor growth in vivo and post mortem, as well as an accurate quantification of the tumor load in the liver tissue.