Figure 1

Multiphoton images of CD1 mouse hind-limb extensor digitorum longus (EDL) skeletal muscle microcirculation. After blunt dissection of the EDL, mice were injected with fluorescent nanoparticles via the tail vein. Images were acquired by exciting tissue at 900 nm using a titanium sapphire laser and collecting the fluorescent signal using a Leica SP2 microscope (Lecia, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada). Images were pseudo colored for depth: brown represents the surface, green 75 μm depth and blue 150 μm depth. (a) The normal homogeneous appearance in control mice is disrupted (b) in mice 5 hours after endotoxin-treatment. Solid lines indicate perfused capillaries, whereas broken lines indicate stopped capillary flow.