Multicolor two-photon imaging of in vivo cellular pathophysiology upon influenza virus infection using the two-photon IMPRESS

Nat Protoc. 2020 Mar;15(3):1041-1065. doi: 10.1038/s41596-019-0275-y. Epub 2020 Jan 29.

Abstract

In vivo two-photon imaging is a valuable technique for studies of viral pathogenesis and host responses to infection in vivo. In this protocol, we describe a methodology for analyzing influenza virus-infected lung in vivo by two-photon imaging microscopy. We describe the surgical procedure, how to stabilize the lung, and an approach to analyzing the data. Further, we provide a database of fluorescent dyes, antibodies, and reporter mouse lines that can be used in combination with a reporter influenza virus (Color-flu) for multicolor analysis. Setup of this model typically takes ~30 min and enables the observation of influenza virus-infected lungs for >4 h during the acute phase of the inflammation and at least 1 h in the lethal phase. This imaging system, which we termed two-photon IMPRESS (imaging pathophysiology research system), is broadly applicable to analyses of other respiratory pathogens and reveals disease progression at the cellular level in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dogs
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Influenza A virus / genetics*
  • Luminescent Proteins / chemistry
  • Luminescent Proteins / metabolism*
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Lung / virology
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Mice
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / physiopathology*
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology*

Substances

  • Luminescent Proteins