Intravital microscopy: Imaging host-parasite interactions in the brain.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microscopy
• Parasitology

Background:

• Intravital fluorescence microscopy (IVM) allows in situ visualization of cellular processes in live animals.
• Technological advancements in microscopy and data analysis have enhanced IVM capabilities.
• IVM provides a dynamic view of biological processes, surpassing limitations of in vitro methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review brain-specific IVM techniques and their advantages/limitations.
• To explore the application of IVM in the field of neuroparasitology.
• To discuss IVM's contribution to understanding protozoan infections affecting the brain.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on brain IVM techniques.
• Discussion of thinned skull windows, open skull cortical windows, and microendoscopic probes.
• Analysis of IVM's utility in studying Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, and Trypanosoma infections.

Main Results:

• IVM enables direct visualization of cellular dynamics within the brain.
• Various cranial window preparations and microendoscopic approaches are suitable for brain IVM.
• IVM has yielded significant insights into the neurobiology of parasitic infections.

Conclusions:

• Brain IVM is a valuable tool for studying neurological processes and infections in vivo.
• The reviewed techniques offer different advantages for accessing and imaging the brain.
• IVM plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of neuroparasitology.