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Updated: Feb 27, 2026
Intravital Imaging of the Mouse Popliteal Lymph Node
Published on: February 8, 2012
Murine chronic lymph node window for longitudinal intravital lymph node imaging
Eelco F J Meijer1, Han-Sin Jeong2, Ethel R Pereira1
1Edwin L. Steele Laboratories, Department of Radiation Oncology, and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
Researchers developed a chronic lymph node window (CLNW) for long-term intravital microscopy in mice. This innovation enables detailed study of immune responses and cancer metastasis within lymph nodes over 14 days.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Chronic imaging windows are crucial for studying organ function and disease in mice.
- Long-term intravital imaging of lymph nodes is needed to understand immune responses and cancer metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel chronic lymph node window (CLNW) surgical preparation for intravital microscopy of the murine inguinal lymph node.
- To enable stable, longitudinal imaging of lymph node dynamics without repeated surgeries.
Main Methods:
- Custom-made titanium CLNW incorporating a coverslip.
- Surgical procedure allowing imaging for up to 14 days.
- Development of a specialized imaging stage to minimize movement artifacts.
Main Results:
- The CLNW allows stable, longitudinal intravital imaging of lymph nodes for up to 14 days.
- The preparation preserves essential lymph node blood and lymph flow.
- The procedure is efficient, taking approximately 30 minutes per mouse.
Conclusions:
- The CLNW is a valuable tool for studying cellular behavior in lymph nodes during immune responses and cancer progression.
- This technique facilitates long-term intravital imaging, advancing research in immunology and oncology.
- Requires small-animal surgery expertise for successful implementation.
Abstract:
Chronic imaging windows in mice have been developed to allow intravital microscopy of many different organs and have proven to be of paramount importance in advancing our knowledge of normal and disease processes. A model system that allows long-term intravital imaging of lymph nodes would facilitate the study of cell behavior in lymph nodes during the generation of immune responses in a variety of disease settings and during the formation of metastatic lesions in cancer-bearing mice. We describe a chronic lymph node window (CLNW) surgical preparation that allows intravital imaging of the inguinal lymph node in mice. The CLNW is custom-made from titanium and incorporates a standard coverslip. It allows stable longitudinal imaging without the need for serial surgeries while preserving lymph node blood and lymph flow. We also describe how to build and use an imaging stage specifically designed for the CLNW to prevent (large) rotational changes as well as respiratory movement during imaging. The entire procedure takes approximately half an hour per mouse, and subsequently allows for longitudinal intravital imaging of the murine lymph node and surrounding structures for up to 14 d. Small-animal surgery experience is required to successfully carry out the protocol.
