This research was supported by the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program under award number (A.S.H, W81XWH-13-1-0010), NIH CA100324, &#160;PPG CA100324,&#160;and the Integrated Imaging Program.

All procedures described must be performed in accordance with guidelines and regulations for the use of vertebrate animals, including prior approval by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
1. Generating Fluorescently Labeled Tumors and Tumor-associated Macrophages
<ol>
	<li>Generate fluorescently labeled tumor cells by crossing the spontaneous, autochthonous, genetically engineered mouse mammary cancer model where the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat drives the polyoma middle T antigen (MMTV-PyMT) with transgenic mice with fluorescent reporters [i.e., enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), enhanced cyan fluorescent protein (ECFP) or Dendra2]8,9.</li>
	<li>Fluorescently label macrophages in PyMT animals with fluorescently labeled tumor cells by crossing genetically engineered mouse models with myeloid- and macrophage- specific fluorescent reporters [i.e., MacGreen15 or MacBlue mice Csf1r-GAL4VP16/UAS-ECFP16] .</li>
	<li>Alternatively, generate fluorescently labeled tumors through orthotopic transplantation of fluorescently labeled PyMT tumor cells (syngeneic), human breast cancer cell lines or primary human patient derived tumors (xenografts)11,17.
	<ol>
		<li>Implant fluorescently labeled PyMT tumor cells into syngeneic mice with fluorescent protein-labeled myeloid cells to generate animals with fluorescently labeled tumor cells and myeloid cells13.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Inject 100 &#181;l of 10 mg/kg fluorescent 70 kDa dextran by intravenous (i.v.) tail vein into severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice with xenograft tumors of human cell lines or patient-derived primary tumors to fluorescently label macrophages 2 hr prior to the start of intravital imaging.</li>
</ol>
2. Microscope Setup and Imaging Preparation
Note: This procedure describes the set-up for intravital imaging on a multiphoton microscope8.
<ol>
	<li>Turn on all microscope and laser components including two-photon lasers and the detectors.</li>
	<li>Turn on the heating box to 30 &#176;C to pre-warm the stage. This step is critical for maintaining the physiological temperature of the animal.</li>
	<li>For use on an inverted microscope place the custom-made stage insert on the microscope stage. The custom insert is a sheet of 1/8&#34; thick aluminum machined to fit in the stage insert space and with a 1&#34; diameter through-hole in the center for imaging.
	<ol>
		<li>Wipe the microscope stage and stage insert with 70% ethanol and air dry.</li>
		<li>Place a large drop of water on the 20X, 1.05&#160;NA microscope objective to maintain optical contact with the cover glass.</li>
		<li>Place cover glass (#1.5 thickness) over the imaging port on the microscope stage insert. Secure in place with lab tape.</li>
		<li>Use a hole punch to punch a 2 cm x 2 cm hole in a flexible rubber pad and place the rubber pad on the microscope stage with the hole in the pad aligned with the hole in the custom stage insert.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
3. Preparation of Tail Vein Catheter and Reagents for Injection during Imaging
<ol>
	<li>Cut a 30 cm length of polyethylene (PE) tubing.</li>
	<li>Using forceps, move the metal needle of a 31 G needle back and forth until it breaks off of the plastic fitting.</li>
	<li>Using forceps, insert the blunt end of the detached needle into the PE tubing.</li>
	<li>Insert a 31 G needle into the other end of the PE tubing.</li>
	<li>Fill a 1 cc syringe with sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and insert it into the 31 G needle and flush all air out of the tubing and needle with PBS. PBS is used for maintaining hydration and blood osmolarity9,18, however isotonic saline may also be used.</li>
	<li>Fill a 1 cc syringe with 200 &#181;l of 3 mg/kg 155 kDa dextran-tetramethylrhodamine (TMR) or quantum dots for vascular labeling.</li>
	<li>Prepare any other injectable proteins such as a 165 amino acid isoform of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA165) in a 1 cc syringe and place on ice. Inject 0.2 mg/kg VEGFA16519 at a concentration of 0.05 mg/ml.</li>
</ol>
4. Insertion of the Indwelling Tail Vein Catheter
<ol>
	<li>Place the animal under anesthesia using an induction chamber with 5% isoflurane with O2 as the carrier gas.</li>
	<li>Transfer the mouse to the surgical platform once it is fully anesthetized and does not respond to a toe pinch.</li>
	<li>Open isoflurane anesthesia line to the surgical platform, close the anesthesia line to the induction chamber and place the nose cone over the animal&#39;s snout. Reduce the isoflurane from 5% to 2.5%.</li>
	<li>Apply ophthalmic ointment to the eyes of the mouse to prevent dryness during anesthesia.</li>
	<li>Heat the animal under the heating lamp for an additional 2 min to increase circulation in the tail as circulation slows with deep anesthesia.</li>
	<li>Sterilize the mouse tail vein with 70% ethanol.</li>
	<li>Insert the tip of the 31 G needle from the catheter constructed in Section 3 into the lateral tail vein of the animal and push the needle in 2-3 mm.</li>
	<li>Pull back on the syringe to see blood, ensuring the catheter is placed in the tail vein.</li>
	<li>Use a 1 cm length of lab tape placed over the needle to hold the needle in place parallel to the vein along the length of the tail.</li>
</ol>
5. Skin Flap Surgical Procedure to Expose the Mammary Tumor
<ol>
	<li>With the animal on the surgical platform swab the tumor and the ventral surface with 70% ethanol.&#160;Note: As described, this procedure is not performed completely aseptically.&#160; For long imaging sessions where infection can become a confounding factor, it is recommended to use proper aseptic technique.</li>
	<li>Using sterile forceps, lift the ventral skin and with sterile scissors make a subcutaneous incision along the ventral midline approximately 1 cm in length. Avoid puncturing the peritoneum during the incision.</li>
	<li>Gently cut the connective tissue attaching the mammary gland and tumor away from the peritoneum to expose the mammary tumor.</li>
	<li>Using scissors and forceps, gently remove and cut away the fascia and fat from the exposed surface of the tumor while maintaining the integrity of the tumor vasculature and minimizing bleeding. This step is critical in maintaining the tumor architecture and vasculature supply of the tumor.</li>
</ol>
6. Animal Preparation for Microscopy
<ol>
	<li>Transfer the animal to the pre-warmed imaging stage with the exposed tumor placed on the coverslip on the stage insert over the microscope objective for imaging. Take care to transfer the tail vein catheter gently with the animal so as not to dislodge the needle.</li>
	<li>Place the anesthesia nose cone over the animal&#39;s snout to maintain anesthesia set to 3% isoflurane.</li>
	<li>Position the animal so that the tumor rests in the hole of the rubber pad and makes contact with the glass coverslip.</li>
	<li>Use two rubber pads to gently hold the tumor in place and fix them to the microscope stage with lab tape to reduce movement during image acquisition.</li>
	<li>Fill the chamber from the rubber pad with PBS to keep the tissue hydrated and maintain optical contact with the coverslip.</li>
	<li>Start monitoring the animal&#39;s vital signs with a pulse oximeter probe. Attach a clip sensor to the thigh of the animal. Alternatively a collar that is configured to fit around the neck can be used.</li>
	<li>Place the heating box over the animal to maintain 30 &#176;C 20.</li>
	<li>Slowly reduce the level of isoflurane to 0.5-1% to maintain anesthesia and maintain blood flow.</li>
</ol>
7. Image Acquisition and Injection of Fluorescent Dyes and Injectable Proteins
<ol>
	<li>Using the microscope eyepiece focus on the fluorescent tumor cells on the surface of the tumor.</li>
	<li>Select an area of interest by finding areas with flowing blood vessels. The selection of an area of interest with flowing blood vessels is critical for assessing tumor vasculature.</li>
	<li>Once a region of interest has been selected switch the microscope into multiphoton imaging mode.</li>
	<li>Set the upper and lower limits of a z-series. Set the upper limit of the z-series by using the focus adjuster to move the objective to the desired start location and clicking on the Z position &#34;Top&#34; button. Determine the upper limit of the z-series by visualizing the collagen fiber network at the surface of the tumor in the second harmonic generation (SHG) channel and observing when no cells but only collagen fibers are visible.
	<ol>
		<li>Set the lower limit of the z-series by moving the objective to the desired imaging depth (typically 50 - 150 &#181;m) and clicking the Z position &#34;Bottom&#34; button.</li>
		<li>Set the step size by typing the desired value into the step size field. Determine step size based on considerations for resolution and acquisition time (typically 2 &#181;m is used for high-resolution 3D reconstruction and 5 &#181;m otherwise).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Set the time-lapse interval by switching to the Time-Lapse panel and entering the desired lapse time into the Time-Lapse field. For optimal temporal resolution set the time interval to 0 sec for continuous imaging. Note: For long time-lapse imaging it is recommended to set the time interval to 10 sec between acquisitions to replenish the objective immersion liquid.</li>
	<li>Once the parameters for imaging have been determined, slowly inject 155 kDa dextran-TMR.
	<ol>
		<li>Remove the syringe with PBS in the tail vein catheter and replace with the syringe containing 155 kDa dextran-TMR taking care not to introduce any bubbles into the line.</li>
		<li>Slowly inject 155 kDa dextran-TMR into the mouse, with a maximum volume of 200 &#181;l, and replace the syringe with syringe containing PBS. CRITICAL STEP: Perform the injection slowly and take precautions to avoid getting solution outside of the vein.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Start the acquisition of the Z-stack time-lapse imaging by clicking on the Z-Stack and Time-Lapse buttons to depress them and then clicking on the record button.</li>
	<li>If other fluorescent dextrans, i.e., 10 kDa dextran-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), or proteins, i.e., VEGFA165, have been prepared in advance, inject them after the start of image acquisition for a t = 0 min start.
	<ol>
		<li>Remove the syringe with PBS in the tail vein catheter and replace with the syringe containing 10 kDa dextran-FITC or VEGFA165 taking care not to introduce any bubbles into the line.</li>
		<li>Slowly inject injectables into the mouse through the tail vein catheter and replace the syringe with a syringe containing PBS.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Every 30-45 min, slowly inject 50 &#181;l of PBS or saline to maintain hydration of the animal.</li>
</ol>
8. Euthanasia
<ol>
	<li>At the termination of image acquisition, euthanize the animal.
	<ol>
		<li>Increase the isoflurane to 5%.</li>
		<li>Keep the animal under 5% isoflurane until 30 sec after it ceases to breathe and remove the animal from the stage.</li>
		<li>Perform cervical dislocation to ensure complete euthanasia.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
9. Image Processing
<ol>
	<li>Acquire images at 16-bit TIFF files for each individual channel at each time point and save sequentially.</li>
	<li>Perform separation of spectral overlap (i.e., GFP and CFP), elimination of x-y drift and the generation of movies from time-lapse sequences using established methods in ImageJ9. Perform 3D surface reconstructions of high-resolution images13.</li>
</ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

Cellular interactions that occur spontaneously in the tumor microenvironment can lead to changes in tumor cell motility and intravasation. High-resolution intravital imaging of live tumor tissue permits the visualization of multi-cellular dynamics that can be highly transient10,13,24. End-point in vivo assays or time-lapse images acquired with discrete time points can provide essential information on molecular mechanisms of processes in the tumor microenvironment. Intravital imaging studies have been ...

Dissemination of tumor cells from the primary mammary tumor has been shown to involve not only tumor cells, but host stromal cells including macrophages and endothelial cells. Furthermore, tumor vasculature is abnormal with increased permeability1. Thus, determining how tumor cells, macrophages and endothelial cells interact to mediate vascular permeability and tumor cell intravasation in the primary tumor microenvironment is important for understanding metastasis. Understanding the kinetics of vascular permeability, tumor cell intravasation and the underlying signaling mechanism of multicellular interactions in the tumor microenvironment can provide crucial information in the development and administration of anti-cancer therapies.
The primary means of studying tumor vascular permeability in vivo has been the measurement of extravascular dyes such as Evans blue2, high molecular weight dextrans (155 kDa)3 and fluorophore or radiotracer-conjugated proteins (including albumin)4 at fixed time points after injection of the dye. Advancements in microscopy, animal models and fluorescent dyes have enabled the visualization of cellular processes and vascular permeability in live animals through intravital microscopy5.
Live animal imaging with the acquisition of static images, or short time-lapse sequences over several time points does not allow for the complete understanding of dynamic events in the tumor microenvironment6,7. Indeed, static image acquisition over the course of 24 hr demonstrated that tumor vasculature is leaky, however the dynamics of vascular permeability was not observed6. Thus, extended continuous time-lapse imaging up to 12 hours captures the kinetics of dynamic events in the tumor microenvironment.
This protocol describes the use of extended time-lapse multiphoton intravital microscopy to study dynamic multicellular events in the tumor microenvironment. Multiple cell types in the tumor microenvironment are labeled with injectable dyes or by using transgenic animals expressing fluorescent proteins. Using a tail vein catheter vascular dyes or proteins can be injected after the start of imaging to acquire kinetic data of multicellular events in the tumor microenvironment. For live cell imaging the mammary tumor is exposed through the surgical preparation of a skin flap. Images are acquired for up to 12 hours using a multiphoton microscope equipped with multiple photomultiplier tubes (PMT) detectors8. By using appropriate filters, a subtraction algorithm enables 4 PMT detectors to acquire 5 fluorescent signals in the tumor microenvironment simultaneously9. High-resolution multiphoton intravital microscopy captures single cell resolution imaging of tumor-stroma interactions in the tumor microenvironment, leading to a better understanding of vascular permeability and tumor cell intravasation10-13. Specifically, extended intravital imaging revealed highly localized, transient vascular permeability events that occur selectively at sites of interaction between a tumor cell, a macrophage and an endothelial cell (defined as the Tumor MicroEnvironment of Metastasis, TMEM14)13. Furthermore, tumor cell intravasation occurs only at TMEM and is spatially and temporally correlated with vascular permeability13. Single cell resolution of the dynamics of these events was made possible through the use of extended time-lapse multiphoton microscopy of fluorescently labeled cells in the tumor microenvironment.

<table><tbody><tr><td>155 kDa dextran-tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>T1287</td><td>reconstitute at 20 mg/ml in 1x PBS</td></tr><tr><td>70 kDa dextran-Texas Red</td><td>Life Technologies</td><td>D-1830</td><td>reconstitute at 10 mg/ml in 1x PBS</td></tr><tr><td>10 kDa dextran-fluorescein isothyocyanate</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>FD10S</td><td>reconstitute at 20 mg/ml in 1x PBS</td></tr><tr><td>Qdot 705 ITK Amino (PEG) Quantum Dots</td><td>Life Technologies</td><td>Q21561MP</td><td>Dilute 25 &amp;#956;l in 175 &amp;#956;l of 1x PBS for injection</td></tr><tr><td>MMTV-PyMT mice</td><td>Jackson Laboratory</td><td>2374</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Csf1r-ECFP mice (Csf1r-Gal4/VP16,UAS-ECFP)</td><td>Jackson Laboratory</td><td>26051</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Csf1r-EGFP mice</td><td>Jackson Laboratory</td><td>18549</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1x PBS</td><td>Life Technologies</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Isoethesia (isoflurane)</td><td>Henry Schein Animal Health</td><td>50033</td><td>250 ml</td></tr><tr><td>Oxygen</td><td>AirTech</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>1 ml syringe, tuberculin slip tip</td><td>BD</td><td>309659</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>30 G x 1 (0.3 mm x 25&amp;nbsp;mm) needle</td><td>BD</td><td>305128</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Polyethylene micro medical tubing&amp;nbsp;</td><td>Scientific Commodities Inc</td><td>BB31695-PE/1</td><td>0.28 mm I.D. x 0.64 mm O.D.</td></tr><tr><td>Microscope coverglass</td><td>Corning</td><td>2980-225</td><td>thickness 1.5, 22 x 50&amp;nbsp;mm</td></tr><tr><td>PhysioSuite MouseSTAT pulse oximeter, software and sensors</td><td>Kent Scientific</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Laboratory tape</td><td>Fisher Scientific</td><td>159015R</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>soft rubber pad</td><td>McMaster-Carr</td><td>8514K62</td><td>Ultra-Soft Polyurethane Film, 3/16&amp;rdquo; Thick, 12&quot; x 12&quot;, 40 Oo Durometer, Plain Back</td></tr><tr><td>hard rubber pad</td><td>McMaster-Carr</td><td>8568K615</td><td>High-Strength Neoprene Rubber Sheet 1/4&quot; Thick, 12&quot; x 12&quot;, 50&amp;nbsp;A Durometer</td></tr><tr><td>Microscope</td><td>Olympus</td><td></td><td>The microscope is a custom built two laser multiphoton microscope based on an Olympus IX-71 stand utilizing a 20X 1.05NA objective lens.</td></tr><tr><td>7-Punch set</td><td>McMaster-Carr</td><td>3429A12</td><td>1/4&quot; to 1&quot; Hole Diameter, for Hammer-Driven Hole Punch</td></tr></tbody></table>

extended time-lapse intravital imaging of real-time multicellular dynamics in the tumor microenvironment

In the tumor microenvironment, host stromal cells interact with tumor cells to promote tumor progression, angiogenesis, tumor cell dissemination and metastasis. Multicellular interactions in the tumor microenvironment can lead to transient events including directional tumor cell motility and vascular permeability. Quantification of tumor vascular permeability has frequently used end-point experiments to measure extravasation of vascular dyes. However, due to the transient nature of multicellular interactions and vascular permeability, the kinetics of these dynamic events cannot be discerned. By labeling cells and vasculature with injectable dyes or fluorescent proteins, high-resolution time-lapse intravital microscopy has allowed the direct, real-time visualization of transient events in the tumor microenvironment. Here we describe a method for using multiphoton microscopy to perform extended intravital imaging in live mice to directly visualize multicellular dynamics in the tumor microenvironment. This method details cellular labeling strategies, the surgical preparation of a mammary skin flap, the administration of injectable dyes or proteins by tail vein catheter and the acquisition of time-lapse images. The time-lapse sequences obtained from this method facilitate the visualization and quantitation of the kinetics of cellular events of motility and vascular permeability in the tumor microenvironment.

Extended time-lapse intravital microscopy enables single cell resolution imaging of multicellular processes in the tumor microenvironment. By fluorescently labeling tumor cells, macrophages, the vascular space, and visualizing the collagen fiber network using the second harmonic generation signal, multiple compartments in the tumor microenvironment are simultaneously tracked during imaging. Tumor cells labeled with fluorescent proteins can be generated in transgenic mice as has been done ...

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Extended Time-lapse Intravital Imaging of Real-time Multicellular Dynamics in the Tumor Microenvironment

This protocol describes the use of multiphoton microscopy to perform extended time-lapse imaging of multicellular interactions in real time, in vivo at single cell resolution.

In the tumor microenvironment, host stromal cells interact with tumor cells to promote tumor progression, angiogenesis, tumor cell dissemination and ...

extended-time-lapse-intravital-imaging-real-time-multicellular

Universidad de Cartagena UDEC

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

8.0K Views.  Albert Einstein College of Medicine. This protocol describes the use of multiphoton microscopy to perform extended time-lapse imaging of multicellular interactions in real time, in vivo at single cell resolution.

Video: Extended Time-lapse Intravital Imaging of Real-time Multicellular Dynamics in the Tumor Microenvironment

Long-term High-Resolution Intravital Microscopy in the Lung with a Vacuum Stabilized Imaging Window

Metastasis to secondary sites such as the lung, liver and bone is a traumatic event with a mortality rate of approximately 90% 1. Of these sites, the lung is the most difficult to assess using intravital optical imaging due to its enclosed position within the body, delicate nature and vital role in sustaining proper physiology. While clinical modalities (positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT)) are capable of providing noninvasive images of this tissue, they lack the resolution necessary to visualize the earliest seeding events, with a single pixel consisting of nearly a thousand cells. Current models of metastatic lung seeding postulate that events just after a tumor cell&#39;s arrival are deterministic for survival and subsequent growth. This means that real-time intravital imaging tools with single cell resolution 2 are required in order to define the phenotypes of the seeding cells and test these models. While high resolution optical imaging of the lung has been performed using various ex vivo preparations, these experiments are typically single time-point assays and are susceptible to artifacts and possible erroneous conclusions due to the dramatically altered environment (temperature, profusion, cytokines, etc.) resulting from removal from the chest cavity and circulatory system 3. Recent work has shown that time-lapse intravital optical imaging of the intact lung is possible using a vacuum stabilized imaging window 2,4,5 however, typical imaging times have been limited to approximately 6 hr. Here we describe a protocol for performing long-term intravital time-lapse imaging of the lung utilizing such a window over a period of 12 hr. The time-lapse image sequences obtained using this method enable visualization and quantitation of cell-cell interactions, membrane dynamics and vascular perfusion in the lung. We further describe an image processing technique that gives an unprecedentedly clear view of the lung microvasculature.

This protocol describes the use of multiphoton microscopy to perform long-term high-resolution, single cell imaging of the intact lung in real time using a vacuum stabilized imaging window.

Metastasis to secondary sites such as the lung, liver and bone is a traumatic event with a mortality rate of approximately 90% 1. Of these sites, the lung ...

Cancer Research

Longitudinal Intravital Imaging of Brain Tumor Cell Behavior in Response to an Invasive Surgical Biopsy

Biopsies are standard of care for cancer treatment and are clinically beneficial as they allow solid tumor diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized treatment determination. However, perturbation of the tumor architecture by biopsy and other invasive procedures has been associated with undesired effects on tumor progression, which need to be studied in depth to further improve the clinical benefit of these procedures. Conventional static approaches, which only provide a snapshot of the tumor, are limited in their ability to reveal the impact of biopsy on tumor cell behavior such as migration, a process closely related to tumor malignancy. In particular, tumor cell migration is the key in highly aggressive brain tumors, where local tumor dissemination makes total tumor resection virtually impossible. The development of multiphoton imaging and chronic imaging windows allows scientists to study this dynamic process in living animals over time. Here, we describe a method for the high-resolution longitudinal imaging of brain tumor cells before and after a biopsy in the same living animal. This approach makes it possible to study the impact of this procedure on tumor cell behavior (migration, invasion, and proliferation). Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and limitations of this technique, as well as the ability of this methodology to study changes in the cancer cell behavior for other surgical interventions, including tumor resection or the implantation of chemotherapy wafers.

Here we describe a method for high-resolution time-lapse multiphoton imaging of brain tumor cells before and after invasive surgical intervention (e.g., biopsy) within the same living animal. This method allows studying the impact of these invasive surgical procedures on tumor cells&#39; migratory, invasive, and proliferative behavior at a single cell level.

Biopsies are standard of care for cancer treatment and are clinically beneficial as they allow solid tumor diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized ...

Assessing Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis Doorway-Mediated Vascular Permeability Associated with Cancer Cell Dissemination using Intravital Imaging and Fixed Tissue Analysis

The most common cause of cancer related mortality is metastasis, a process that requires dissemination of cancer cells from the primary tumor to secondary sites. Recently, we established that cancer cell dissemination in primary breast cancer and at metastatic sites in the lung occurs only at doorways called Tumor MicroEnvironment of Metastasis (TMEM). TMEM doorway number is prognostic for distant recurrence of metastatic disease in breast cancer patients. TMEM doorways are composed of a cancer cell which over-expresses the actin regulatory protein Mena in direct contact with a perivascular, proangiogenic macrophage which expresses high levels of TIE2 and VEGF, where both of these cells are tightly bound to a blood vessel endothelial cell. Cancer cells can intravasate through TMEM doorways due to transient vascular permeability orchestrated by the joint activity of the TMEM-associated macrophage and the TMEM-associated Mena-expressing cancer cell. In this manuscript, we describe two methods for assessment of TMEM-mediated transient vascular permeability: intravital imaging and fixed tissue immunofluorescence. Although both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, combining the two may provide the most complete analyses of TMEM-mediated vascular permeability as well as microenvironmental prerequisites for TMEM function. Since the metastatic process in breast cancer, and possibly other types of cancer, involves cancer cell dissemination via TMEM doorways, it is essential to employ well established methods for the analysis of the TMEM doorway activity. The two methods described here provide a comprehensive approach to the analysis of TMEM doorway activity, either in na&#239;ve or pharmacologically treated animals, which is of paramount importance for pre-clinical trials of agents that prevent cancer cell dissemination via TMEM.

We describe two methods for assessing transient vascular permeability associated with tumor microenvironment of metastasis (TMEM) doorway function and cancer cell intravasation using intravenous injection of high-molecular weight (155 kDa) dextran in mice. The methods include intravital imaging in live animals and fixed tissue analysis using immunofluorescence.

The most common cause of cancer related mortality is metastasis, a process that requires dissemination of cancer cells from the primary tumor to secondary ...

Live Imaging of Drug Responses in the Tumor Microenvironment in Mouse Models of Breast Cancer

The tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and the response to anti-cancer therapies. Three-dimensional co-culture systems are frequently used to explicate tumor-stroma interactions, including their role in drug responses. However, many of the interactions that occur in vivo in the intact microenvironment cannot be completely replicated in these in vitro settings. Thus, direct visualization of these processes in real-time has become an important tool in understanding tumor responses to therapies and identifying the interactions between cancer cells and the stroma that can influence these responses. Here we provide a method for using spinning disk confocal microscopy of live, anesthetized mice to directly observe drug distribution, cancer cell responses and changes in tumor-stroma interactions following administration of systemic therapy in breast cancer models. We describe procedures for labeling different tumor components, treatment of animals for observing therapeutic responses, and the surgical procedure for exposing tumor tissues for imaging up to 40 hours. The results obtained from this protocol are time-lapse movies, in which such processes as drug infiltration, cancer cell death and stromal cell migration can be evaluated using image analysis software.

We describe a method for imaging response to anti-cancer treatment in vivo and at single cell resolution.

The tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and the response to anti-cancer therapies. Three-dimensional ...

Long-term Intravital Immunofluorescence Imaging of Tissue Matrix Components with Epifluorescence and Two-photon Microscopy

Besides being a physical scaffold to maintain tissue morphology, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is actively involved in regulating cell and tissue function during development and organ homeostasis. It does so by acting via biochemical, biomechanical, and biophysical signaling pathways, such as through the release of bioactive ECM protein fragments, regulating tissue tension, and providing pathways for cell migration. The extracellular matrix of the tumor microenvironment undergoes substantial remodeling, characterized by the degradation, deposition and organization of fibrillar and non-fibrillar matrix proteins. Stromal stiffening of the tumor microenvironment can promote tumor growth and invasion, and cause remodeling of blood and lymphatic vessels. Live imaging of matrix proteins, however, to this point is limited to fibrillar collagens that can be detected by second harmonic generation using multi-photon microscopy, leaving the majority of matrix components largely invisible. Here we describe procedures for tumor inoculation in the thin dorsal ear skin, immunolabeling of extracellular matrix proteins and intravital imaging of the exposed tissue in live mice using epifluorescence and two-photon microscopy. Our intravital imaging method allows for the direct detection of both fibrillar and non-fibrillar matrix proteins in the context of a growing dermal tumor. We show examples of vessel remodeling caused by local matrix contraction. We also found that fibrillar matrix of the tumor detected with the second harmonic generation is spatially distinct from newly deposited matrix components such as tenascin C. We also showed long-term (12 hours) imaging of T-cell interaction with tumor cells and tumor cells migration along the collagen IV of basement membrane. Taken together, this method uniquely allows for the simultaneous detection of tumor cells, their physical microenvironment and the endogenous tissue immune response over time, which may provide important insights into the mechanisms underlying tumor progression and ultimate success or resistance to therapy.

The extracellular matrix undergoes substantial remodeling during wound healing, inflammation and tumorigenesis. We present a novel intravital immunofluorescence microscopy approach to visualize the dynamics of fibrillar as well as mesh-like matrix components with high spatial and temporal resolution using epifluorescence or two-photon microscopy.

Besides being a physical scaffold to maintain tissue morphology, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is actively involved in regulating cell and tissue ...

Bioengineering

A Permanent Window for Investigating Cancer Metastasis to the Lung

Metastasis, accounting for ~90% of cancer-related mortality, involves the systemic spread of cancer cells from primary tumors to secondary sites such as the bone, brain, and lung. Although extensively studied, the mechanistic details of this process remain poorly understood. While common imaging modalities, including computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), offer varying degrees of gross visualization, each lacks the temporal and spatial resolution necessary to detect the dynamics of individual tumor cells. To address this, numerous techniques have been described for intravital imaging of common metastatic sites. Of these sites, the lung has proven especially challenging to access for intravital imaging owing to its delicacy and critical role in sustaining life. Although several approaches have previously been described for single-cell intravital imaging of the intact lung, all involve highly invasive and terminal procedures, limiting the maximum possible imaging duration to 6-12 h. Described here is an improved technique for the permanent implantation of a minimally invasive thoracic optical Window for High-Resolution Imaging of the Lung (WHRIL). Combined with an adapted approach to microcartography, the innovative optical window facilitates serial intravital imaging of the intact lung at single-cell resolution across multiple imaging sessions and spanning multiple weeks. Given the unprecedented duration of time over which imaging data can be gathered, the WHRIL can facilitate the accelerated discovery of the dynamic mechanisms underlying metastatic progression and numerous additional biologic processes within the lung.

Here, we present a protocol for the surgical implantation of a permanently indwelling optical window for the murine thorax, which enables high-resolution, intravital imaging of the lung. The permanence of the window makes it well-suited to the study of dynamic cellular processes in the lung, especially those that are slowly evolving, such as metastatic progression of disseminated tumor cells.

Metastasis, accounting for ~90% of cancer-related mortality, involves the systemic spread of cancer cells from primary tumors to secondary sites such as ...

A Label-Free Segmentation Approach for Intravital Imaging of Mammary Tumor Microenvironment

The ability to visualize complex and dynamic physiological interactions between numerous cell types and the extracellular matrix (ECM) within a live tumor microenvironment is an important step toward understanding mechanisms that regulate tumor progression. While this can be accomplished through current intravital imaging techniques, it remains challenging due to the heterogeneous nature of tissues and the need for spatial context within the experimental observation. To this end, we have developed an intravital imaging workflow that pairs collagen second harmonic generation imaging, endogenous fluorescence from the metabolic co-factor NAD(P)H, and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) as a means to non-invasively compartmentalize the tumor microenvironment into basic domains of the tumor nest, the surrounding stroma or ECM, and the vasculature. This non-invasive protocol details the step-by-step process ranging from the acquisition of time-lapse images of mammary tumor models to post-processing analysis and image segmentation. The primary advantage of this workflow is that it exploits metabolic signatures to contextualize the dynamically changing live tumor microenvironment without the use of exogenous fluorescent labels, making it advantageous for human patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models and future clinical use where extrinsic fluorophores are not readily applicable.

The intravital imaging method described here utilizes collagen second harmonic generation and endogenous fluorescence from the metabolic co-factor NAD(P)H to non-invasively segment an unlabeled tumor microenvironment into tumor, stromal, and vascular compartments for in-depth analysis of 4D intravital images.

The ability to visualize complex and dynamic physiological interactions between numerous cell types and the extracellular matrix (ECM) within a live tumor ...

Real-time Imaging of Myeloid Cells Dynamics in ApcMin/+ Intestinal Tumors by Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy

Myeloid cells are the most abundant immune cells within tumors and have been shown to promote tumor progression. Modern intravital imaging techniques enable the observation of live cellular behavior inside the organ but can be challenging in some types of cancer due to organ and tumor accessibility such as intestine. Direct observation of intestinal tumors has not been previously reported. A surgical procedure described here allows direct observation of myeloid cell dynamics within the intestinal tumors in live mice by using transgenic fluorescent reporter mice and injectable tracers or antibodies. For this purpose, a four-color, multi-region, micro-lensed spinning disk confocal microscope that allows long-term continuous imaging with rapid image acquisition has been used. ApcMin/+ mice that develop multiple adenomas in the small intestine are crossed with c-fms-EGFP mice to visualize myeloid cells and with ACTB-ECFP mice to visualize intestinal epithelial cells of the crypts. Procedures for labeling different tumor components, such as blood vessels and neutrophils, and the procedure for positioning the tumor for imaging through the serosal surface are also described. Time-lapse movies compiled from several hours of imaging allow the analysis of myeloid cell behavior in situ in the intestinal microenvironment.

Real-time Imaging of Myeloid Cells Dynamics in ApcMin/+ Intestinal Tumors by Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy

By using transgenic reporter mice and injectable fluorescent labels, long-term intravital spinning disk confocal microscopy enables direct visualization of myeloid cell behavior into intestinal adenoma in the ApcMin/+ colorectal cancer model.

Myeloid cells are the most abundant immune cells within tumors and have been shown to promote tumor progression. Modern intravital imaging techniques ...

Immunology and Infection

Ex vivo Live Imaging of Lung Metastasis and Their Microenvironment

Metastasis is a major cause for cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Metastasis is a multistep process and due to its complexity, the exact cellular and molecular processes that govern metastatic dissemination and growth are still elusive. Live imaging allows visualization of the dynamic and spatial interactions of cells and their microenvironment. Solid tumors commonly metastasize to the lungs. However, the anatomical location of the lungs poses a challenge to intravital imaging. This protocol provides a relatively simple and quick method for ex vivo live imaging of the dynamic interactions between tumor cells and their surrounding stroma within lung metastasis. Using this method, the motility of cancer cells as well as interactions between cancer cells and stromal cells in their microenvironment can be visualized in real time for several hours. By using transgenic fluorescent reporter mice, a fluorescent cell line, injectable fluorescently labeled molecules and/or antibodies, multiple components of the lung microenvironment can be visualized, such as blood vessels and immune cells. To image the different cell types, a spinning disk confocal microscope that allows long-term continuous imaging with rapid, four-color image acquisition has been used. Time-lapse movies compiled from images collected over multiple positions and focal planes show interactions between live metastatic and immune cells for at least 4 hr. This technique can be further used to test chemotherapy or targeted therapy. Moreover, this method could be adapted for the study of other lung-related pathologies that may affect the lung microenvironment.

Ex vivo Live Imaging of Lung Metastasis and Their Microenvironment

We describe a relatively simple method for ex vivo live imaging of the tumor cell-stroma interactions within lung metastasis, utilizing fluorescent reporters in mice. Using spinning-disk confocal microscopy, this technique enables visualization of live cells for at least 4 hr and could be adapted to study other inflammatory lung conditions.

Metastasis is a major cause for cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Metastasis is a multistep process and due to its complexity, the exact cellular ...

Intravital Microscopy of Tumor-associated Vasculature Using Advanced Dorsal Skinfold Window Chambers on Transgenic Fluorescent Mice

Tumor and tumor vessel development, as well as tumor response to therapeutics, are highly dynamic biological processes. Histology provides static information and is often not sufficient for a correct interpretation. Intravital evaluation, in which a process is followed in time, provides extra and often unexpected information. With the creation of transgenic animals expressing cell-specific markers and live cell tracers, improvements to imaging equipment, and the development of several imaging chambers, intravital microscopy has become an important tool to better understand biological processes. This paper describes an experimental design for the investigation of tumor vessel development and of therapeutic effects in a spatial and temporal manner. Using this setup, the stage of vessel development, tip cell and lumen formation, blood flow, extravasation, an established vascular bed, and vascular destruction can be visualized and followed. Furthermore, therapeutic effects, intratumoral fate, and the localization of chemotherapeutic compounds can also be followed.

This protocol describes the intravital imaging of transgenic mice expressing cell-specific fluorescent markers. Intravital imaging provides a non-invasive method for high-resolution observations in living animals using implantable windows through which the microscopic visualization of processes is possible. This method is especially useful to study longitudinal processes.

Extended Time-lapse Intravital Imaging of Real-time Multicellular Dynamics in the Tumor Microenvironment

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Long-term High-Resolution Intravital Microscopy in the Lung with a Vacuum Stabilized Imaging Window

Longitudinal Intravital Imaging of Brain Tumor Cell Behavior in Response to an Invasive Surgical Biopsy

Assessing Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis Doorway-Mediated Vascular Permeability Associated with Cancer Cell Dissemination using Intravital Imaging and Fixed Tissue Analysis

Live Imaging of Drug Responses in the Tumor Microenvironment in Mouse Models of Breast Cancer

Long-term Intravital Immunofluorescence Imaging of Tissue Matrix Components with Epifluorescence and Two-photon Microscopy

A Permanent Window for Investigating Cancer Metastasis to the Lung

A Label-Free Segmentation Approach for Intravital Imaging of Mammary Tumor Microenvironment

Real-time Imaging of Myeloid Cells Dynamics in Apc^Min/+ Intestinal Tumors by Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy

Ex vivo Live Imaging of Lung Metastasis and Their Microenvironment

Intravital Microscopy of Tumor-associated Vasculature Using Advanced Dorsal Skinfold Window Chambers on Transgenic Fluorescent Mice