Micropipet-Based Navigation in a Microvascular Model for Imaging Endothelial Cell Topography Using Scanning Ion...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cell Biology
• Microscopy

Background:

• Scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) offers high-resolution, low-invasiveness cell surface imaging.
• Hydrogels are crucial scaffolds for 3D cell culture but pose imaging challenges.
• SICM has not been previously applied to imaging cells within hydrogel environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and apply SICM for visualizing cell surfaces within hydrogel-based microvascular models.
• To develop a navigation technique for precise SICM targeting within 3D hydrogel structures.

Main Methods:

• Development of a micropipet navigation technique utilizing ionic current detection.
• Integration of the navigation technique with SICM for high-resolution imaging.
• Application to imaging endothelial cells and blebs within a reconstructed microvascular lumen in a hydrogel.

Main Results:

• Successful visualization of endothelial cell surfaces at the single-cell level within a hydrogel microvascular model.
• Demonstration of bleb visualization on endothelial cells in this 3D environment.
• Establishment of SICM as a viable technique for imaging within hydrogels.

Conclusions:

• This study presents the first successful application of SICM for imaging cell surfaces within hydrogels.
• The developed technique enables detailed visualization of cellular structures in 3D microvascular models.
• This advancement holds significant potential for understanding intravascular disease mechanisms.