Oxygen Assessment in Tumors In Vivo Using Phosphorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy

The oxygen level in a tumor is a crucial factor for its development and response to therapies. Phosphorescence lifetime imaging (PLIM) with the use of phosphorescent oxygen probes is a highly sensitive, noninvasive optical technique for the assessment of molecular oxygen in living cells and tissues. Here, we present a protocol for microscopic mapping of oxygen distribution in a mouse tumor model in vivo. We demonstrate that PLIM microscopy, in combination with an Ir(III)-based probe, enables visualization of cellular-level heterogeneity of tumor oxygenation.