Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
Non-invasive Optical Imaging of the Lymphatic Vasculature of a Mouse
Published on: March 8, 2013
In vivo real-time lymphatic draining using quantum-dot optical imaging in mice
Nobuyuki Kosaka1, Makoto Mitsunaga, Peter L Choyke
1Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1088, USA.
Insights
Researchers developed a new real-time optical imaging method using quantum dots to track lymphatic system fluid flow in vivo. This breakthrough allows visualization of microscopic lymphatic movement and lymph node dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Lymphatic System Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- The lymphatic system is crucial for fluid balance and immune function.
- Current methods lack real-time in vivo tracking capabilities for lymphatic flow.
- Developing advanced imaging techniques is essential for understanding lymphatic dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an in vivo real-time optical lymphatic imaging method.
- To track lymph flow through lymphatic channels and into lymph nodes.
- To visualize microscopic lymphatic flow and lymph node structures.
Main Methods:
- Combined macro-zoom fluorescence microscopy with quantum-dot (Qdot) optical imaging.
- Administered interstitial injection of Qdots in a mouse model.
- Performed real-time monitoring and multiplexed two-color imaging.
Main Results:
- Achieved rapid visualization of cervical lymphatics and lymph nodes.
- Observed real-time Qdot enhancement in the node cortex and medullary sinuses.
- Corresponded enhanced regions to subcapsular and medullary sinuses via histology.
- Successfully tracked microscopic lymphatic flow in vivo using two-color imaging.
Conclusions:
- The developed Qdot-based imaging method enables real-time in vivo tracking of lymphatic flow.
- This technique provides detailed visualization of lymph transport within lymphatic channels and lymph nodes.
- Potential applications in researching normal and abnormal lymphatic functions.
Abstract:
The lymphatic system is essential for fluid regulation and for the maintenance of host immunity. However, in vivo lymph flow is difficult to track in real time, because of the lack of an appropriate imaging method. In this study, we combined macro-zoom fluorescence microscopy with quantum-dot (Qdot) optical lymphatic imaging to develop an in vivo real-time optical lymphatic imaging method that allows the tracking of lymph through lymphatic channels and into lymph nodes. After interstitial injection of Qdots in a mouse, rapid visualization of the cervical lymphatics and cervical lymph nodes was achieved. Real-time monitoring of the injected Qdots revealed that the cortex of the node enhanced first followed by a net-like pattern in the central portion of the node. Histology revealed that the rim and net-like enhancing regions corresponded to the subcapsular sinuses and medullary sinuses respectively. Additionally, multiplexed two-color real-time lymphatic tracking was performed with two different Qdots. With this real-time imaging system, we successfully tracked microscopic lymphatic flow in vivo. This method could have a potential impact for lymphatic research in visualizing normal or abnormal functional lymphatic flows.
