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Use of an Optical Trap for Study of Host-Pathogen Interactions for Dynamic Live Cell Imaging
Published on: July 28, 2011
Two-photon microscopy of host-pathogen interactions: acquiring a dynamic picture of infection in vivo
Vjollca Konjufca1, Mark J Miller
1Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, St. Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA.
Insights
Two-photon microscopy offers high-resolution insights into host-pathogen interactions during infection. This advanced imaging technique analyzes cell dynamics and infection outcomes in vivo, advancing immunological research.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Two-photon (2P) microscopy is increasingly utilized by immunologists for single-cell dynamics analysis in tissues.
- Current research extends 2P microscopy beyond model antigen systems to in vivo infection studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of 2P microscopy in studying infection models.
- To highlight the potential of 2P microscopy for investigating host-pathogen interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing fluorescent probes for high-resolution, spatio-temporal imaging of cell behavior and function.
- Employing transgenic and knockout mice to investigate host response mechanisms.
- Imaging genetically engineered pathogen strains to study virulence factors in pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- 2P microscopy provides detailed insights into cellular dynamics during infection.
- The technique allows assessment of infection outcomes like apoptosis and pathogen proliferation.
- Imaging facilitates the study of molecular mechanisms in host-pathogen interactions.
Conclusions:
- 2P microscopy is a powerful tool for in vivo infection research.
- This approach significantly enhances the understanding of host-pathogen interactions.
- Future applications hold great potential for infectious disease research.
Abstract:
Two-photon (2P) microscopy has become increasingly popular among immunologists for analysing single-cell dynamics in tissues. Researchers are now taking 2P microscopy beyond the study of model antigen systems (e.g. ovalbumin immunization) and are applying the technique to examine infection in vivo. With the appropriate fluorescent probes, 2P imaging can provide high-resolution spatio-temporal information regarding cell behaviour, monitor cell functions and assess various outcomes of infection, such as host cell apoptosis or pathogen proliferation. Imaging of transgenic and knockout mice can be used to probe molecular mechanisms governing the host response to infection. From the microbe side, imaging genetically engineered mutant strains of a pathogen can test the roles of specific virulence factors in pathogenesis. Here, we discuss recent work that has applied 2P microscopy to study models of infection and highlight the tremendous potential that this approach has for investigating host-pathogen interactions.
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