Intravital multi-photon microscopy reveals several levels of heterogeneity in endocytic uptake by mouse renal proximal tubules: Images in Cellular/Molecular Medicine

Abstract

Understanding renal function requires one to integrate the structural complexity of kidney nephrons and the dynamic nature of their cellular processes. Multi-photon fluorescence microscopy is a state-of-the-art imaging technique for in vivo analysis of kidney tubules structure and function in real time. This study presents visual evidence for several levels of heterogeneity of proximal tubular endocytic uptake in the superficial renal mouse cortex and illustrates the potential of multi-photon microscopy for providing a comprehensive and dynamic portrayal of renal function. © 2008 Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine/Blackwell Publishing Ltd.