Stabilized two-photon intravital imaging using dexmedetomidine

Abstract

Two-photon microscopy provides subcellular-resolution imaging deep into animal tissues, and is frequently used for the study of biological and disease processes. However, its applicability in vivo is complicated by physiological movement. We demonstrate treatment with dexmedetomidine (DEX), an already FDA-approved alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, to reduce tissue oscillation frequency and amplitude in the livers of anesthetized mice. Fluorescence intensity and focal quality fluctuations were found to improve for 30 minutes after administration, indicating that dexmedetomidine may be used to improve imaging quality in two-photon intravital microscopy studies. These results will likely generalize to other imaging modalities, target tissues, and animal models.