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Direct Observation of Phagocytosis and NET-formation by Neutrophils in Infected Lungs using 2-photon Microscopy
Published on: June 2, 2011
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Activated neutrophil fluorescent imaging technique for human lungs
Thomas H Craven1,2, Tashfeen Walton3, Ahsan R Akram4
1Translational Healthcare Technologies Group, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, UK. thomas.craven@ed.ac.uk.
Scientific Reports
|January 14, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a novel molecular imaging probe to detect neutrophil activation in real-time within the lungs. This tool visualizes neutrophil activity, aiding in patient stratification for inflammatory conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical imaging
- Molecular probe development
- Inflammation research
Background:
- Neutrophil activation is crucial in acute inflammation and linked to poor clinical outcomes.
- Current methods lack real-time lung neutrophil activation detection in patients.
- Heterogeneous patient cohorts defined by clinical criteria hinder targeted treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a molecular imaging probe for real-time neutrophil activation detection in the lungs.
- To assess the probe's utility in differentiating neutrophil activity across patient groups.
- To enable biological stratification of patients based on neutrophil activation status.
Main Methods:
- Designed a molecular imaging probe targeting pinocytosis, phagosomal alkalinisation, and human neutrophil elastase (HNE) activity.
- Validated probe performance in vitro and ex vivo.
- Utilized optical endomicroscopy for real-time in vivo imaging in healthy volunteers and patients.
Main Results:
- The probe demonstrated successful function in vitro and ex vivo.
- Real-time optical endomicroscopy detected varied neutrophil activity in vivo.
- Imaging responses correlated with patient condition and severity, confirming probe specificity.
Conclusions:
- A novel molecular imaging probe successfully visualizes neutrophil activation in real-time in the lungs.
- The probe facilitates the detection of neutrophil activation heterogeneity in diverse patient populations.
- This technology holds potential for biological stratification and personalized treatment of inflammatory diseases.
