In vivo Imaging of the Cellular Pathophysiology in Influenza Virus-infected Mouse Lung

Abstract

Influenza virus is a respiratory pathogen that causes pandemics and seasonal epidemics. The pathophysiological changes and in vivo dynamics of immune cells in influenza virus-infected lungs are poorly understood. Here, we established an in vivo imaging system that combines two-photon excitation microscopy and fluorescent influenza viruses of different pathogenicity. This approach allowed us to monitor and correlate several parameters and pathophysiological changes in the lungs of live mice. Our findings demonstrate the potential of this in vivo imaging system, which we termed two-photon IMPRESS (IMaging Pathophysiology RESearch System), to provide novel information about the pathophysiological consequences of influenza virus infection.