Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Histology of the Small Intestine

Histology of the Small Intestine

The small intestine exhibits a unique histological structure that significantly enhances its function in digestion and nutrient absorption. These structures include circular folds, villi, and various specialized cells that collectively facilitate the digestion of food.
The intestinal lining features transverse folds called circular folds, each housing fingerlike projections known as intestinal villi. These villi are covered by a layer of simple columnar epithelium, also referred to as...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Dual activation of NLRP3 and pyrin inflammasomes mediates host responses to the human fungal pathogen Coccidioides.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

IFNγ-producing iNKTs restrict a live-attenuated chlamydia oral vaccine in the large intestine.

Frontiers in immunology·2026

Same author

Dietary sulfur amino acids enhance anti-tumor immunity in colon cancer via an NKT cell-XCL1-cDC1 circuit.

Immunity·2026

Same author

The metabolic reprogramming of T cells controls airway remodeling in severe asthma.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Integrated histopathology of the human pancreas throughout stages of type 1 diabetes progression.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Unmasking early microglial remodeling in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model.

Frontiers in cellular neuroscience·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 21, 2025

Intravital Imaging of Intraepithelial Lymphocytes in Murine Small Intestine

Intravital Imaging of Intraepithelial Lymphocytes in Murine Small Intestine

Published on: June 24, 2019

Intravital Imaging of Intestinal Intraepithelial Lymphocytes.

Sara McArdle¹, Goo-Young Seo¹, Mitchell Kronenberg^1,2

¹La Jolla Institute for Immunology; La Jolla, CA, USA.

|July 27, 2023

Summary

Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) patrol the small intestine. This study details intravital imaging to track CD8α+ IEL movement, aiding understanding of their role in gut health.

Keywords:

Cell labeling Confocal reflection Intestine Intraepithelial lymphocyte Intravital microscopy Suction ring Tracking

More Related Videos

An Intravital Microscopy-Based Approach to Assess Intestinal Permeability and Epithelial Cell Shedding Performance

An Intravital Microscopy-Based Approach to Assess Intestinal Permeability and Epithelial Cell Shedding Performance

Published on: December 3, 2020

Laser Ablation and Intravital Microscopy to Study Intestinal Remodeling

Laser Ablation and Intravital Microscopy to Study Intestinal Remodeling

Published on: June 9, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 21, 2025

Intravital Imaging of Intraepithelial Lymphocytes in Murine Small Intestine

Intravital Imaging of Intraepithelial Lymphocytes in Murine Small Intestine

Published on: June 24, 2019

An Intravital Microscopy-Based Approach to Assess Intestinal Permeability and Epithelial Cell Shedding Performance

An Intravital Microscopy-Based Approach to Assess Intestinal Permeability and Epithelial Cell Shedding Performance

Published on: December 3, 2020

Laser Ablation and Intravital Microscopy to Study Intestinal Remodeling

Laser Ablation and Intravital Microscopy to Study Intestinal Remodeling

Published on: June 9, 2023

Area of Science:

Immunology
Gastroenterology
Microscopy

Background:

Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) are abundant T cells in the gut epithelium, crucial for tissue surveillance.
Understanding IEL behavior in vivo is vital for comprehending intestinal homeostasis and immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe a protocol for intravital imaging of CD8α+ IEL in the mouse small intestine.
To enable quantification of IEL movement metrics for in vivo analysis.

Main Methods:

Utilized intravital microscopy to visualize lymphocyte activity in live mice.
Developed a protocol to track CD8α+ IEL using specific monoclonal antibody labeling.
Employed available software for data acquisition and movement analysis (speed, track length, displacement).

Main Results:

Established a reproducible method for imaging and quantifying CD8α+ IEL dynamics.
Provided detailed metrics of IEL patrolling behavior within the small intestine epithelium.

Conclusions:

Intravital imaging offers a powerful tool to study IEL function in real-time.
This technique will enhance understanding of IEL roles in maintaining gut homeostasis and responding to injury or infection.