Stable intracranial imaging of dura mater-engrafted pancreatic islet cells in awake mice.

ABSTRACT: By transplanting pancreatic islets onto the dura mater of the mouse brain, we establish a microscopy platform that enables longitudinal intravital imaging of otherwise optically inaccessible tissue. The system combines a cranial window with an air-cushioned floating arena and stable head fixation, providing high mechanical stability for repeated single-cell Ca²⁺ imaging sessions of up to 90 min in awake mice. We show that dura mater-engrafted islets integrate with host vascular and neural networks, and that human islet grafts secrete C-peptide in response to glucose stimulation, indicating metabolic integration. With this platform, we monitor anesthesia-induced changes in capillary blood flow and islet Ca²⁺ dynamics. In awake mice, following subcutaneous glucose injec

SUBMITTER: Troster P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12627478 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature