Two-Photon Microscopy for In Vivo Imaging of Mouse Brain Microvasculature

Abstract

Source: Nishimura, C. et al. Quantification of Cerebral Vascular Architecture using Two-photon Microscopy in a Mouse Model of HIV-induced Neuroinflammation. J. Vis. Exp. (2016).

This video demonstrates the in vivo visualization of cortical capillaries in the mouse brain using two-photon microscopy. It outlines the steps for injecting a fluorescent dye into an anesthetized mouse with a thin-skull cortical window, preparing the setup for imaging, and acquiring detailed images of brain microvascular structures for analysis.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
T/PUMP	Gaymar Industries, Inc.	TP-500
TEC-4 Isoflurane Vaporizer	Datex Ohmeda	447
Extra Fine Bonn Scissors	Fine Science Tools	14084-08
Dumot #5 Forceps	Fine Science Tools	11295-10
Texas Red-dextran (70,000 MW, 10 mg/kg dissolved in saline)	Invitrogen	D-1830
Olympus Fluoview 1000 AOM-MPM Multiphoton Microscope	Olypmus	FV-1000 MPE
MaiTai HP DeepSee Ti:Sa laser	Spectra-Physics
Amira Software	Visage Imaging