Fibre Optic Confocal Imaging of Keratinocytes, Blood Vessels, and Nerves in Hairless Mouse Skin In Vivo

The study demonstrated the use of fibre optic confocal imaging (FOCI) for subsurface fluorescence microscopy of hairless mouse skin in vivo. By applying acridine orange, the researchers visualized various skin layers, including corneocytes and keratinocytes, at depths over 100 μm. The study also used FITC-dextran to reveal a network of blood vessels and observed blood cell movement, while 4-di-2-ASP highlighted nerve fibers around hair follicles. FOCI was compared with in vitro methods, showing its potential to study dynamic in vivo events like blood flow and nerve regeneration, offering insights not previously possible.