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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Time-lapse Imaging of Neuroblast Migration in Acute Slices of the Adult Mouse Forebrain
Published on: September 12, 2012
[Targeting and imaging of brain-specific cell migration]
Makoto Sawada1, Kenji Ono, Hiromi Suzuki
1Department of Brain Function, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University.
Abstract:
We found that microglia and a small part of bone marrow derived progenitor cells had a specific affinity and migrating activity to the brain. The migration seemed to occur without breakage of blood brain barrier. To demonstrate the specific migration by in vivo micro imaging, we assembled a high-speed laser confocal microscope and applied it to investigate the flowing cells injected in blood stream as a funduscopy. For in vivo macro imaging we successfully observed the cell migration by MRI with an iron oxide particle cell labeling technique. We also tried to investigate such cell migration by in vivo fluorescent imaging system and detected the cells labeled with Qdot800.
Insights
Microglia and progenitor cells can migrate to the brain without damaging the blood-brain barrier. Advanced imaging techniques visualized this specific cell migration in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Context:
- Investigating cellular mechanisms of brain infiltration.
- Understanding the role of immune cells in neurological processes.
- Exploring non-invasive methods for tracking cell movement.
Purpose:
- To demonstrate the specific migration of microglia and bone marrow-derived progenitor cells to the brain.
- To investigate the integrity of the blood-brain barrier during cell migration.
- To validate advanced in vivo imaging techniques for observing cell trafficking.
Summary:
- Microglia and a subset of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells exhibit specific affinity and migratory activity towards the brain, seemingly without compromising the blood-brain barrier.
- High-speed laser confocal microscopy was employed for in vivo micro-imaging, visualizing flowing cells introduced into the bloodstream.
- In vivo macro-imaging using MRI with iron oxide particle cell labeling and in vivo fluorescent imaging with Qdot800-labeled cells successfully detected and confirmed this cell migration.
Impact:
- Provides novel insights into the natural trafficking of specific cell populations into the central nervous system.
- Highlights the potential of advanced in vivo imaging modalities for studying cellular dynamics across the blood-brain barrier.
- Opens avenues for therapeutic strategies involving targeted cell delivery or modulation of immune cell migration in neurological diseases.
