Endoscopy 2007; 39(4): 350-356
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-966262
Original article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

In-vivo confocal real-time mini-microscopy in animal models of human inflammatory and neoplastic diseases

M.  Goetz1 [*] , C.  Fottner1 [*] , E.  Schirrmacher2 , P.  Delaney3 , S.  Gregor1 , C.  Schneider1 , D.  Strand1 , S.  Kanzler1 , B.  Memadathil1 , E.  Weyand1 , M.  Holtmann1 , R.  Schirrmacher2 , M.  M.  Weber1 , M.  Anlauf4 , G.  Klöppel4 , M.  Vieth5 , P.  R.  Galle1 , P.  Bartenstein2 , M.  F.  Neurath1 [#] , R.  Kiesslich1 [#]
  • 1Medical Clinic I, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
  • 2Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
  • 3Optiscan Pty Ltd., Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia
  • 4Institute of Pathology, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
  • 5Institute of Pathology, Bayreuth, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

submitted 21 September 2006

accepted after revision 21 November 2006

Publication Date:
11 April 2007 (online)

Background and study aims: Although various improvements in tissue imaging modalities have recently been achieved, in-vivo molecular and subsurface imaging in the field of gastroenterology remains a technical challenge. In this study we evaluated a newly developed, handheld, miniaturized confocal laser microscopy probe for real-time in-vivo molecular and subsurface imaging in rodent models of human disease.

Materials and methods: The minimicroscope uses a 488-nm, single line laser for fluorophore excitation. The optical slice thickness is 7 μm, the lateral resolution 0.7 μm. The range of the z-axis is 0 - 250 μm below the tissue surface. Imaging was performed using different fluorescent staining protocols; 5-carboxyfluorescein-labeled octreotate was synthesized for targeted molecular imaging.

Results: Cellular and subcellular details of the gastrointestinal tract could be visualized in vivo at high resolution. Confocal real-time microscopy allowed in-vivo identification of tumor vessels and liver metastases, as well as diagnosis of focal hepatic inflammation, necrosis, and associated perfusion anomalies. Somatostatin-receptor targeting permitted in-vivo molecular staining of AR42-J-induced carcinoma and pancreatic islet cells.

Conclusions: Confocal mini-microscopy allows rapid in-vivo molecular and subsurface imaging of normal and pathological tissue in the gastrointestinal tract at high resolution. Because this technology is applicable to humans, it might impact on future in-vivo microsocpic and molecular diagnosis of diseases such as cancer and inflammation.

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1 * The first two authors contributed equally to this paper.

2 # These authors share senior authorship.

M. Goetz, MD

Medizinische Klinik I

Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

Langenbeckstr. 1

55131 Mainz

Germany

Fax: +49-6131-17-6416

Email: mgoetz@mail.uni-mainz.de