Real-time imaging of apoptotic cell-membrane changes at the single-cell level in the beating murine heart

Applications

Apoptotic cell-membrane changes (0.57 MB)   Real-time imaging (0,06 MB)   Leica MZ FLIII

Report of a novel real-time imaging model to visualize apoptotic membrane changes of single cardiomyocytes in the injured heart of the living mouse, using fluorescent labelled annexin-V. This technology to study cell biology in the natural environment will enhance knowledge of intracellular signalling pathways relevant for cell-death regulation and strategies to manipulate these pathways for therapeutic effect. Real-time imaging of apoptotic plasma membrane changes at the single-cell level in the beating heart of a living animal is presented. This should accelerate screening of potential inhibitors of cell death in the heart, which would be beneficial for patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction. In addition, the data provide novel insights into the kinetics of activation of the cell-death program in the heart following injury. Surgery and imaging was performed using a Leica MZ FLIII Fluorescence Stereomicroscope