Two-Photon Microscopy for Intracutaneous Imaging of Stem Cell Activity in Mice

The document from February 20, 2017, discusses the application of two-photon microscopy for observing stem cell activity in the skin and hair follicles of live mice. This technique allows for real-time, long-term visualization of stem cells in their natural environment with minimal invasiveness and high-resolution imaging. The authors explain how this method is advantageous over traditional histology and immunohistochemistry, particularly when combined with genetically modified mice expressing fluorescent proteins. This enables the study of stem cell dynamics during processes like skin homeostasis and wound healing. The review also addresses practical considerations for live imaging and the potential for future research developments, including the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology and the adaptation of the technique for human skin studies. The research was funded by the American Skin Association and involved the use of K14-H2BGFP mice provided by Elaine Fuchs.