Fluorescence microscopic techniques in intravital microvascular studies: plasma proteins and cells

Microcirculation research preferentially uses fluorescent microscopic techniques. This applies in particular to experimental investigations. In the example of the everted rat mesentery, our own results obtained with the following vital microscopic methods are presented: fluorescent labelling of proteins, in particular of the components of blood plasma, detection with the image amplifier TV technique, quantitative detection by microfluorometry with rapid scanning facilities, image analysis techniques with computer control. The results on the relationships between plasma proteins and the vessel wall, accumulation of individual proteins on the endothelium (fibrinogen, fibronectin, polypeptide from factor VIII, annexin PP4), their permeation through the vessel wall and its experimental modification by blood clotting and by the vessel wall collagen are described. Finally, results on fluorochroming of cells (endothelium, leukocytes) and microspheres with which phenomena of adherence on the endothelium can be demonstrated are reported.