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Updated: Mar 19, 2026
Quantification of Monocyte Transmigration and Foam Cell Formation from Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
Published on: October 17, 2017
Live cell imaging to understand monocyte, macrophage, and dendritic cell function in atherosclerosis
Sara McArdle1, Zbigniew Mikulski1, Klaus Ley2
1Division of Inflammation Biology and Microscopy Core, La Jolla Institute of Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037.
Insights
Intravital imaging reveals dynamic cellular processes in tissues. Combining it with other methods like flow cytometry is crucial for a complete understanding of myeloid cell function in atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Immunology
- Medical imaging
Background:
- Intravital imaging offers real-time visualization of cellular dynamics in living tissues.
- Understanding myeloid cell behavior is critical in both health and diseases like atherosclerosis.
- Current limitations exist in fully characterizing cells solely through intravital imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review techniques for labeling and imaging myeloid cells using intravital microscopy.
- To highlight the application and challenges of intravital imaging in atherosclerotic arteries.
- To emphasize the necessity of integrating intravital imaging with other omics and flow cytometry techniques.
Main Methods:
- Review of established and emerging intravital imaging modalities.
- Discussion of fluorescent and non-fluorescent labeling strategies for myeloid cells.
- Analysis of data integration from intravital imaging, flow cytometry, and transcriptomics.
Main Results:
- Intravital imaging provides unparalleled insights into myeloid cell migration, interaction, and function in vivo.
- Specific labeling techniques offer advantages and disadvantages depending on the biological question and tissue context.
- Atherosclerotic arteries present unique challenges for high-resolution intravital imaging due to complex microenvironments.
Conclusions:
- Intravital imaging is a powerful, yet incomplete, tool for studying myeloid cell biology.
- Complementary techniques are essential for comprehensive phenotyping and functional analysis of myeloid cells.
- Integrated approaches will advance our understanding of myeloid cell roles in atherosclerosis and other diseases.
Abstract:
Intravital imaging is an invaluable tool for understanding the function of cells in healthy and diseased tissues. It provides a window into dynamic processes that cannot be studied by other techniques. This review will cover the benefits and limitations of various techniques for labeling and imaging myeloid cells, with a special focus on imaging cells in atherosclerotic arteries. Although intravital imaging is a powerful tool for understanding cell function, it alone does not provide a complete picture of the cell. Other techniques, such as flow cytometry and transcriptomics, must be combined with intravital imaging to fully understand a cell's phenotype, lineage, and function.
