3D and 4D imaging of immune cells in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Analyzing the dynamics of cellular immune responses, although performed for decades in immunologic research, has seen an enormous increase in the number of studies using this approach since the development of intravital 2-photon microscopy. Meanwhile, new insights into the dynamics of cellular immunity are being published on a daily basis. This review gives a short overview of the currently most widely used techniques, both on the microscopy side as well as on the experimental part. Difficulties and promises will be discussed. Finally, a personal selection of the most interesting findings of the first 6 years of intravital 2-photon microscopy for immunological questions will be given. The overall aim is to get the reader interested into this fascinating way of investigating the immune response by means of "dynamic histology". This already has and will continue to broaden our view on how immune cells work in real life. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.