Fluorescent Water-Soluble Polycationic Chitosan Polymers as Markers for Biological 3D Imaging.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Optical Imaging
• Materials Science

Background:

• Tissue-clearing techniques enable 3D imaging of biological structures.
• Fluorescent markers are crucial for visualizing vascular networks and their role in disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a novel method for 3D visualization of tissue vasculature using fluorescent chitosans and optical tissue clearing.
• To highlight the potential of fluorescent chitosans for imaging capillaries and advancing diagnostic capabilities.

Main Methods:

• Modified water-soluble chitosan linked to cyanine dyes was used for vascular staining.
• Ethyl cinnamate-based optical tissue clearing was employed for deep tissue visualization.
• The fluorescent chitosans were evaluated for labeling vessels and capillaries ex vivo.

Main Results:

• Fluorescent chitosans demonstrated optimal properties for labeling vessels and capillaries, including high water solubility and photostability.
• The near-infrared optical properties of the markers were suitable for deep tissue imaging.
• The nontoxicity of the markers suggests potential for in vitro and in vivo applications.

Conclusions:

• Fluorescent chitosans combined with optical tissue clearing offer a powerful tool for high-resolution 3D vascular imaging, particularly at the capillary level.
• This approach presents a cost-effective and less complex alternative to existing diagnostic methods.
• The study opens new avenues for diagnostic advancements in vascular research.