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Updated: Jul 31, 2025
In Vivo Fiber-Coupled Pre-Clinical Confocal Laser-scanning Endomicroscopy pCLE of Hippocampal Capillaries in Awake Mice
Published on: April 21, 2023
Single-microvessel occlusion produces lamina-specific microvascular flow vasodynamics and signs of neurodegenerative
Liang Zhu1, Mengqi Wang2, Yin Liu2
1Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology (ZIINT), The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310020, China; Interdisciplinary Institute of Neuroscience and Technology (ZIINT), College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Abstract:
Recent studies have highlighted the importance of understanding the architecture and function of microvasculature, and dysfunction of these microvessels may underlie neurodegenerative disease. Here, we utilize a high-precision ultrafast laser-induced photothrombosis (PLP) method to occlude single capillaries and then quantitatively study the effects on vasodynamics and surrounding neurons. Analysis of the microvascular architecture and hemodynamics after single-capillary occlusion reveals distinct changes upstream vs. downstream branches, which shows rapid regional flow redistribution and local downstream blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage. Focal ischemia via capillary occlusions surrounding labeled target neurons induces dramatic and rapid lamina-specific changes in neuronal dendritic architecture. Further, we find that micro-occlusion at two different depths within the same vascular arbor results in distinct effects on flow profiles in layers 2/3 vs layer 4. The current results reveal laminar-scale regulation distinctions in microinfarct response and raise the possibility that relatively greater impacts on microvascular function contribute to cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disease.
