Microtome-free 3-dimensional confocal imaging method for visualization of mouse intestine with subcellular-level resolution.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

The intrinsic opacity of mouse intestinal tissue prevents its evaluation by high-resolution, in-depth optical microscopy. Instead, intestinal tissue is usually sectioned to expose the interior domains of the mucosa and submucosa for microscopic examination. However, microtome sectioning can cause distortions and artifacts that prevent acquisition of an accurate view of the sample. We therefore attempted to develop a microtome-free 3-dimensional (3D) confocal imaging method for characterization of mouse intestine.

Methods

We applied an optical-clearing solution, FocusClear, to permeate and reduce the opacity of mouse colon and ileum. Tissues were labeled with fluorescent probes and examined by confocal microscopy with efficient fluorescence excitation and em

SUBMITTER: Fu YY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2894712 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature