# Intravital microscopy for nanomedicine: investigating nanoparticle–tissue interactions in the native state

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how intravital microscopy helps study nanoparticle behavior in living organisms, improving understanding of drug delivery and interactions.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of intravital microscopy applications in nanomedicine, emphasizing real-time NP–cell interaction studies.

## Key findings

- Intravital microscopy allows real-time visualization of nanoparticle dynamics in living organisms.
- Traditional histological methods have limitations in capturing NP behavior and tissue interactions.
- IVM aids in understanding NP biodistribution and improving targeted therapies.

## Abstract

Nanomedicine is an evolving field that employs nanoparticles (NPs) for drug delivery systems, molecular imaging, and therapeutic interventions. However, characterizing NP–cell interactions poses significant challenges, mainly due to the limitations of traditional postmortem histological methods, such as immunofluorescence staining. These techniques yield a single time-point analysis and include lengthy preprocessing steps that can induce artifacts and alter tissue architecture. They result in the clearance of blood components, preventing the evaluation of circulating NPs. Moreover, the rapid sequestration of NPs by organs, particularly the liver and spleen, limits the understanding of their biodistribution and pharmacokinetic profiles. In this context, intravital microscopy (IVM) has emerged as a unique imaging technology that allows real-time visualization of NP behavior within living organisms. By maintaining the physiological context, IVM enables the investigation of NP circulation, tissue accumulation, and cellular interactions at the microscopic scale. This review focuses on the recent uses of IVM to investigate NP–cell interactions in nanomedicine, highlighting its impact on advancing knowledge of NP dynamics, uptake, and the development of more targeted NP-based therapies.

This review provides an overview of surgical procedures, nanoparticle design considerations, and imaging strategies for intravital microscopy in nanomedicine.