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Quantitative evaluation of leukocyte dynamics in retinal microcirculation
H Nishiwaki1, Y Ogura, H Kimura
1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Researchers developed a new vital staining method to track leukocyte movement in primate retinal microcirculation. This technique reveals leukocyte behavior in capillaries and suggests their role in retinal vascular disturbances.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microcirculation Research
- Cellular Rheology
Background:
- Leukocyte rheology is crucial in microcirculation due to unique cellular properties like large volume and low deformability.
- Limited methods exist for studying leukocyte dynamics specifically within the retinal microcirculation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel method for directly analyzing leukocyte movements in primate retinal vessels.
- To investigate the in vivo rheologic behavior of leukocytes in the retinal microcirculation.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous injection of acridine orange for vital staining of leukocytes in cynomolgus monkeys.
- Fundus imaging using argon blue laser and scanning laser ophthalmoscope.
- Image analysis of recorded data via a personal computer-based system.
Main Results:
- Individual leukocytes visualized as fluorescent dots, enabling analysis of spatial and temporal dynamics in retinal capillaries.
- Observed transient capillary plugging and potential leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium.
- Leukocytes showed displacement towards vessel walls in postcapillary vessels; mean flow velocity in perifoveal capillaries was 0.92 ± 0.32 mm/sec.
Conclusions:
- Vital staining with acridine orange allows in vivo study of leukocyte rheologic behaviors in retinal microcirculation.
- Leukocyte behavior may contribute to retinal vascular flow disturbances.
- This method facilitates future investigations into leukocyte hemodynamics in the retinal microcirculation.