Novel in vivo imaging techniques for the liver microvasculature

Abstract

Intravital microscopy is a valuable tool in studying the liver, a complex organ with a unique sinusoidal microcirculation and both metabolic and immune functions. The liver is also subject to a large variety of diseases including viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. We developed novel recording techniques to visualize dynamic events in the hepatic microvasculature without the need of fluorescent markers. In combination with cellular and molecular probes, reporter mice and Plasmodium as a hepatotropic model microorganism, we demonstrate the power of these techniques in monitoring the development of the malaria parasite and the response of the hepatic microenvironment to infection.