Live Imaging of Skin Immunity Using Two-Photon Microscopy: A Short Review

    January 2026 in “ Inflammation and Regeneration ”
    Gyohei Egawa
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    Studysummary This review highlights that two-photon excitation microscopy is a valuable tool for visualizing live skin structures and immune responses at high resolution, though its clinical use is hindered by safety and cost issues. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
    Two-photon excitation microscopy is a significant advancement in dermatologic research, providing high-resolution, real-time imaging of living skin and its immune responses. This technique allows for the observation of dynamic processes such as immune cell migration and vascular changes with reduced phototoxicity and deeper tissue penetration. It has been used to study immune interactions, inflammation, wound healing, and barrier homeostasis, and has challenged traditional views on antigen presentation. Despite its potential, clinical application is limited by safety concerns and equipment costs. The review suggests that future advancements in imaging hardware and safe fluorescent probes could enhance its clinical utility, potentially reducing the need for traditional skin biopsies.
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