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Published on: September 25, 2016
Targeted photothrombotic subcortical small vessel occlusion using in vivo real-time fiber bundle endomicroscopy in
Min-Kyung Kim1, Wonseok Choi1,2, Hyuk-June Moon1
1Bionics Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
The development of an accurate subcortical small vessel occlusion model for pathophysiological studies of subcortical ischemic stroke is still insignificant. In this study, in vivo real-time fiber bundle endomicroscopy (FBEµ) was applied to develop subcortical photothrombotic small vessel occlusion model in mice with minimal invasiveness. Our FBFµ system made it possible to precisely target specific blood vessels in deep brain and simultaneously observe the clot formation and blood flow blockage inside the target blood vessel during photochemical reactions. A fiber bundle probe was directly inserted into the anterior pretectal nucleus of the thalamus in brain of live mice to induce a targeted occlusion in small vessels. Then, targeted photothrombosis was performed using a patterned laser, observing the process through the dual-color fluorescence imaging. On day one post occlusion, infarct lesions are measured using TTC staining and post hoc histology. The results show that FBEµ applied to targeted photothrombosis can successfully generate a subcortical small vessel occlusion model for lacunar stroke.
Insights
Researchers developed a minimally invasive mouse model for subcortical ischemic stroke using fiber bundle endomicroscopy. This technique precisely targets deep brain vessels to study lacunar stroke pathophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Stroke Research
Background:
- Accurate subcortical small vessel occlusion models are crucial for studying subcortical ischemic stroke.
- Existing models often lack precision or are highly invasive, limiting pathophysiological investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a minimally invasive subcortical photothrombotic small vessel occlusion model in mice.
- To utilize in vivo real-time fiber bundle endomicroscopy (FBEµ) for precise vessel targeting and real-time observation of clot formation.
Main Methods:
- A fiber bundle probe was inserted into the anterior pretectal nucleus of the thalamus in live mice.
- Targeted photothrombosis was induced using a patterned laser with dual-color fluorescence imaging.
- Infarct lesions were assessed using TTC staining and post hoc histology on day one post occlusion.
Main Results:
- The FBEµ system enabled precise targeting of deep brain blood vessels.
- Simultaneous observation of clot formation and blood flow blockage within the target vessel was achieved.
- Successful generation of a subcortical small vessel occlusion model for lacunar stroke was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Fiber bundle endomicroscopy-guided targeted photothrombosis is an effective method for creating subcortical small vessel occlusion models.
- This minimally invasive approach facilitates the study of subcortical ischemic stroke pathophysiology.
- The developed model offers a valuable tool for lacunar stroke research.
