Raman microimaging of murine lungs: insight into the vitamin A content

The composition of the lung tissue of mice was investigated using Raman confocal microscopy at 532 nm excitation wavelength and was supported with various staining techniques as well as DFT calculations. This combination of experimental and theoretical techniques allows for the study of the distribution of lung lipofibroblasts (LIFs), rich in vitamin A, as well as the chemical structure of vitamin A. The comparison of the Raman spectra derived from LIFs with the experimental and theoretical spectra of standard retinoids showed the ability of LIFs to store all-trans retinol, which is partially oxidized to all-trans retinal and retinoic acid. Moreover, we were able to visualize the distribution of other lung tissue components including the surfactant and selected enzymes (lipoxygenase/glucose oxidase).