Imaging immunometabolism in situ in live animals

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cellular Metabolism
• Biomedical Imaging

Background:

• Immunometabolism research has primarily relied on in vitro and ex vivo studies.
• Understanding immune cell function requires investigating metabolism within its native biological context.
• Studying cells in their microenvironment is crucial for uncovering cell-intrinsic mechanisms and intercellular communication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current imaging-based technologies for analyzing immunometabolism.
• To explore emerging imaging methods with potential in immunometabolism research.
• To highlight the importance of spatial and temporal resolution in studying dynamic intracellular metabolism.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing imaging technologies for cellular metabolism analysis.
• Exploration of Raman imaging microscopy.
• Exploration of autofluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.

Main Results:

• Current imaging technologies enable analysis of dynamic intracellular metabolism.
• Raman and autofluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy show significant potential for immunometabolism studies.
• These advanced techniques offer spatial and temporal resolution at the single-cell level.

Conclusions:

• Investigating immunometabolism in native microenvironments is essential.
• Emerging imaging techniques like Raman and autofluorescence lifetime microscopy are vital for future advancements.
• These methods will broaden applications in diagnostics and therapeutics for human diseases.