Intravital Two-Photon Imaging of Touch Sensory Axon Morphology in Mouse Skin

Sydney Kong; Emily Barnes; Gautham Chelliah; Shan Meltzer

doi:10.3791/69589

Intravital Two-Photon Imaging of Touch Sensory Axon Morphology in Mouse Skin

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Neuroscience

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JoVE Journal Neuroscience

Intravital Two-Photon Imaging of Touch Sensory Axon Morphology in Mouse Skin

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07:51 min

December 30, 2025

DOI: 10.3791/69589-v

Sydney Kong*¹, Emily Barnes*¹, Gautham Chelliah¹, Shan Meltzer¹

¹Department of Pharmacology,Vanderbilt University

This study presents an in vivo two-photon imaging approach for visualizing the structures of low-threshold mechanoreceptor (LTMR) axon terminals in the forepaw skin of mice. Using repeated, high-resolution imaging of individual axons, this method provides a new platform for studying the structure and function of the cutaneous sensory circuit during development and in adults.

We are investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the somatosensory circuit formation by in vivo imaging of the somatosensory axons in the mouse skin. Recent developments in mouse genetics for somato sensation research allowed us to study somatosensory axon development in vivo with subtype specificity. To begin, turn on the laser and allow sufficient time for it to warm up.

Then, turn on the two photon microscope and open the control and acquisition software on the connected computer. Turn on the heating pad and set the temperature to 37 degrees Celsius to prevent hypothermia during anesthesia. Now, transfer the anesthetized mouse to the heating pad on the imaging platform.

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