We would like to thank the Stanford Wu Tsai Neuroscience Microscopy Service, the Stanford Center for Innovations in In Vivo Imaging (SCi3) - small animal imaging center, NIH S10 Shared Instrumentation Grant (S10RR026917-01, PI Michael Moseley, Ph.D.), and Stanford Preclinical Imaging Facility at Porter Drive for providing the equipment and infrastructure for this project. This work was supported by a grant from the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, grant number R01HD103638. We would like to thank the Schnitzer Group, Stanford University; the Zuo lab, University of Santa Cruz; and the Neurovascular Imaging Laboratory, Boston Photonic Center, University of Boston, for educational discussions on two-photon imaging and cranial window models.

The animal procedure described in this protocol is in accordance with the requirements of the Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care (APLAC).
1. Cell culture
<ol>
	<li>Preparation of hood
	<ol>
		<li>Wash hands, wear gloves and a lab coat. Turn on the biological safety cabinet and set the sash level to an appropriate opening height. Let the hood purge for 3-5 min. Spray the hood area with 70% ethanol and wipe it down with tissue paper.</li>
		<li>Spray all reagents w...

Real-Time Tracking of Nanoparticles in Brain Tumors Using 2P-IVM in Mice

<ol>
	<li>Denk, W., Strickler, J. H., Webb, W. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two-photon+laser+scanning+fluorescence+microscopy.">Two-photon laser scanning fluorescence microscopy.</a> Science. 248 (4951), 73-76 (1990).</li><li>Wang, Z., McCracken, S., Williams, P. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transpupillary+two-photon+in+vivo+imaging+of+the+mouse+retina.">Transpupillary two-photon in vivo imaging of the mouse retina.</a> J Vis Exp. 168, 61970 (2021).</li><li>Zhang, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+two-photon+microscopy+reveals+the+contribution+of+Sox9++to+kidney+regeneration+in+a+mouse+model+with+extracellular+vesicle+treatment.">In vivo two-photon microscopy reveals the contribution of Sox9+ to kidney regeneration in a mouse model with extracellular vesicle treatment.</a> J Biol Chem. 295 (34), 12203 (2020).</li><li>Jang, W. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two-photon+microscopy+of+Paneth+cells+in+the+small+intestine+of+live+mice.">Two-photon microscopy of Paneth cells in the small intestine of live mice.</a> Sci Rep. 8 (1), 14174 (2018).</li><li>Ihler, F., Bertlich, M., Weiss, B., Dietzel, S., Canis, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two-photon+microscopy+allows+imaging+and+characterization+of+cochlear+microvasculature+in+vivo.">Two-photon microscopy allows imaging and characterization of cochlear microvasculature in vivo.</a> Biomed Res Int. 2015, 154272 (2015).</li><li>Matsuura, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intravital+imaging+with+two-photon+microscopy+reveals+cellular+dynamics+in+the+ischeamia-reperfused+rat+heart.">Intravital imaging with two-photon microscopy reveals cellular dynamics in the ischeamia-reperfused rat heart.</a> Sci Rep. 8 (1), 15991 (2018).</li><li>Veres, T. Z., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intubation-free+in+vivo+imaging+of+the+tracheal+mucosa+using+two-photon+microscopy.">Intubation-free in vivo imaging of the tracheal mucosa using two-photon microscopy.</a> Sci Rep. 7 (1), 694 (2017).</li><li>Zong, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Large-scale+two-photon+calcium+imaging+in+freely+moving+mice.">Large-scale two-photon calcium imaging in freely moving mice.</a> Cell. 185 (7), 1240-1256.e30 (2022).</li><li>Takasaki, K., Abbasi-Asl, R., Waters, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Superficial+bound+of+the+depth+limit+of+two-photon+imaging+in+mouse+brain.">Superficial bound of the depth limit of two-photon imaging in mouse brain.</a> eNeuro. 17 (1), (2019).</li><li>Birkner, A., Konnerth, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Deep+two-photon+imaging+in+vivo+with+a+red-shifted+calcium+indicator.">Deep two-photon imaging in vivo with a red-shifted calcium indicator.</a> Methods Mol Biol. 1929, 15-26 (1929).</li><li>Busche, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+two-photon+calcium+imaging+of+hippocampal+neurons+in+Alzheimer+mouse+models.">In vivo two-photon calcium imaging of hippocampal neurons in Alzheimer mouse models.</a> Methods Mol Biol. 1750, 341-351 (2018).</li><li>Li, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+sensitive+two-photon+probe+to+selectively+detect+monoamine+oxidase+B+activity+in+Parkinson's+disease+models.">A sensitive two-photon probe to selectively detect monoamine oxidase B activity in Parkinson's disease models.</a> Nat Commun. 5, 3276 (2014).</li><li>Madden, K. S., Zettel, M. L., Majewska, A. K., Brown, E. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Brain+tumor+imaging:+live+imaging+of+glioma+by+two-photon+microscopy.">Brain tumor imaging: live imaging of glioma by two-photon microscopy.</a> Cold Spring Harb Protoc. 2013 (3), (2013).</li><li>Ricard, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Phenotypic+dynamics+of+microglial+and+monocyte-derived+cells+in+glioblastoma-bearing+mice.">Phenotypic dynamics of microglial and monocyte-derived cells in glioblastoma-bearing mice.</a> Sci Rep. 6, 26381 (2016).</li><li>Soub&#233;ran, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+VEGF+blockade+on+the+dynamics+of+the+inflammatory+landscape+in+glioblastoma-bearing+mice.">Effects of VEGF blockade on the dynamics of the inflammatory landscape in glioblastoma-bearing mice.</a> J Neuroinflammation. 16 (1), 191 (2019).</li><li>Zhang, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Real-time+vivo+reveals+specific+nanoparticle+target+binding+in+a+syngeneic+glioma+mouse+model.">Real-time vivo reveals specific nanoparticle target binding in a syngeneic glioma mouse model.</a> Nanoscale. 14 (15), 5678-5688 (2022).</li><li>Wartchow, K. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Treatment+with+cyclic+AMP+activators+reduces+glioblastoma+growth+and+invasion+as+assessed+by+two-photon+microscopy.">Treatment with cyclic AMP activators reduces glioblastoma growth and invasion as assessed by two-photon microscopy.</a> Cells. 10 (3), 556 (2021).</li><li>Jiang, L. W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Label-free+detection+of+fibrillar+collagen+deposition+associated+with+vascular+elements+in+glioblastoma+multiforme+by+using+multiphoton+microscopy.">Label-free detection of fibrillar collagen deposition associated with vascular elements in glioblastoma multiforme by using multiphoton microscopy.</a> J Microsc. 265 (2), 207-213 (2017).</li><li>Chen, Z., Ross, J. 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S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Labeling+human+mesenchymal+stem+cells+with+gold+nanocages+for+in+vitro+and+in+vivo+tracking+by+two-photon+microscopy+and+photoacoustic+microscopy.">Labeling human mesenchymal stem cells with gold nanocages for in vitro and in vivo tracking by two-photon microscopy and photoacoustic microscopy.</a> Theranostics. 3 (8), 532-543 (2013).</li><li>Schindelin, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fiji:+an+open-source+platform+for+biological-image+analysis.">Fiji: an open-source platform for biological-image analysis.</a> Nat Methods. 9 (7), 676-682 (2012).</li><li>Hoeferlin, G. F., Menendez, D. M., Krebs, O. K., Capadona, J. R., Shoffstall, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Assessment+of+thermal+damage+from+robot-drilled+craniotomy+for+cranial+window+surgery+in+mice.">Assessment of thermal damage from robot-drilled craniotomy for cranial window surgery in mice.</a> J Vis Exp. 189, 64188 (2022).</li><li>Holtmaat, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=high-resolution+imaging+in+the+mouse+neocortex+through+a+chronic+cranial+window.">high-resolution imaging in the mouse neocortex through a chronic cranial window.</a> Nat Protoc. 4 (8), 1128-1144 (2009).</li><li>Heo, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+soft,+transparent,+freely+accessible+cranial+window+for+chronic+imaging+and+electrophysiology.">A soft, transparent, freely accessible cranial window for chronic imaging and electrophysiology.</a> Sci Rep. 6, 27818 (2016).</li><li>Kim, T. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Long-term+optical+access+to+an+estimated+one+million+neurons+in+the+live+mouse+cortex.">Long-term optical access to an estimated one million neurons in the live mouse cortex.</a> Cell Rep. 17 (12), 3385-3394 (2016).</li><li>K&#305;l&#305;&#231;, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chronic+cranial+windows+for+long+term+multimodal+neurovascular+imaging+in+mice.">Chronic cranial windows for long term multimodal neurovascular imaging in mice.</a> Front Physiol. 11, 612678 (2021).</li><li>Helm, P. J., Ottersen, O. P., Nase, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+of+optical+properties+of+the+mouse+cranium-implications+for+in+vivo+multi+photon+laser+scanning+microscopy.">Analysis of optical properties of the mouse cranium-implications for in vivo multi photon laser scanning microscopy.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 178 (2), 316-322 (2009).</li><li>Lu, W., Sun, Q., Wan, J., She, Z., Jiang, X. 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We present a method for real-time in vivo NP tracking using 2P-IVM through a cranial window to evaluate the tumor delivery of fluorescent-labeled iron oxide NPs. The surgical technique for this procedure requires a steady hand and advanced experimental surgical skills. It is advisable to practice using carcasses or phantoms before moving forward to live animal experience. As an alternative, Hoeferlin et al. implemented a robotic drill to reduce thermal damage, minimize surgical technique variability, and standar...

Two-photon intravital microscopy (2P-IVM) is a fluorescence imaging technique that allows the visualization of living tissue1.
First developed in the 1990s, 2P-IVM has been used for in vivo analysis of the retina2, kidney3, small intestine4, cochlea5, heart6, trachea7, and the brain in various preclinical models8,9. In the field of neuroscience, 2P-IVM has gained importance as a technique for real-time imaging of the healthy brain in awake animals10, as well as studying diseases of the nervous system such as Alzheimer&#39;s11, Parkinson&#39;s12 and glioblastoma (GBM)13,14,15,16.
2P-IVM offers an elegant solution for studying the tumor microenvironment during the development of GBM. While some previous studies focused on in vitro17 and ex vivo models18, others implemented orthotopic19 and xenotropic20&#160;in vivo models for examining GBM. Madden et al. performed native imaging of CNS-1 rat glioma cell line in a mouse model13. Using an orthotopic GL261-DsRed murine model, Ricard et al. performed an intravenous administration of a fluorophore to enhance the blood vessels in the tumor region in 2P-IVM14.
Here, we apply 2P-IVM for tracking the tumor delivery of fluorescent-labeled iron oxide nanoparticles (NP) in an orthotopic mouse model of GBM. Using a cranial window, this method allows us to study the real-time spatiotemporal distribution of NPs in the brain in detail.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>0.9% sodium chloride infusion solution</td>
			<td>Baxter Corp</td>
			<td>533-JB1301P</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td> 
			Dulbecco&#39;s Modified Eagle Medium</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>11965-092</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1 mL syringes</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>Luer-Lok syringe, REF309628</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10%&#160;FBS</td>
			<td>Thermo fisher</td>
			<td>Cytiva SH30910.03HI</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10% DMSO</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>D8418-50ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2-photon microscope</td>
			<td>Prairie Technologies, Bruker</td>
			<td>Prairie Ultima IV</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alcohol applicators, 70%</td>
			<td>Medline Industries, LP</td>
			<td>MDS093810</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alcohol, spray bottle</td>
			<td>Decon Labs Inc</td>
			<td>Decon SaniHol, 04-355-122</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Aluminum foil</td>
			<td>Reynold Brands</td>
			<td>Reynold Wrap non-stick aluminum foil</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anesthesia machine</td>
			<td>Patterson Scientific</td>
			<td>SAS3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anesthesia monitoring&#160;</td>
			<td>Kent Scientific&#160;</td>
			<td>MouseSTAT Jr. Rodent Pulsoxymeter</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Antibiotic-Antimycotic (100x), liquid</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15240-096</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Betadine applicators</td>
			<td>Professional Disposables International, Inc</td>
			<td>S41125</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biopsy punch, 5 mm&#160;</td>
			<td>Miltex</td>
			<td>Size 5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Buprenorphine sustained release</td>
			<td>Zoo Pharm</td>
			<td>Bup SR Lab, 1.0 mg/mL</td>
			<td>A generic drug can be used instead.&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>C6 rat glioma cell line</td>
			<td>ATCC (American Tissue Culture Collection)</td>
			<td>CCL-107</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cannulas</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td>16 G, 1.1/2&#8221;, 30 G, 1&#8221;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Carprofen</td>
			<td>Pfizer&#160;</td>
			<td>Rimadyl, 50 mg/ml</td>
			<td>A generic drug can be used instead.&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cefazoline</td>
			<td>Sagent Pharmaceuticals</td>
			<td>25021-101-10, 1 g/vial</td>
			<td>A generic drug can be used instead.&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell strainer, 40 &#181;m</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>87711</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cotton tip applicators, 6&#8221;&#160;</td>
			<td>Dyad Medical Sourcing, LLC</td>
			<td>HCS1005</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dental cement</td>
			<td>Stoelting Co</td>
			<td>51459</td>
			<td>Dental cement kit, clear, 2 components</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dexamethasone</td>
			<td>Bimeda</td>
			<td>138RX, 2 mg/mL</td>
			<td>A generic drug can be used instead.&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DietGel</td>
			<td>ClearH2O</td>
			<td>Recovery, 72-06-502</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Drape&#160;</td>
			<td>Cardinal Health</td>
			<td>Bio Shield Wrap</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Drill</td>
			<td>Saeyang Microtech</td>
			<td>Escort Pro, B08350</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Drill tips&#160;</td>
			<td>Hager &#38; Meissinger GmbH</td>
			<td>REF310104001001005</td>
			<td>Size 005, US 1/4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FIJI imaging analysis software</td>
			<td>National Institute of Health</td>
			<td>https://imagej.net/software/fiji/</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Forceps</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>13-812-41</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gauze</td>
			<td>Fisher HealthCare</td>
			<td>Sterile Cotton Gauze Pad, 4 x 4&#8221;, 22-415-469</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gelfoam&#160;</td>
			<td>Ethicon Inc.&#160;</td>
			<td>Surgifoam absorbable gelatin sponge, Ref. 1972</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Germinator&#160;</td>
			<td>Cellpoint Scientific&#160;</td>
			<td>Germinator 500, No. 11688</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass coverslips, 5 mm diameter</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Menzel Cover glass&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gloves, non-sterile</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>Nitrile powder-free medical examination gloves</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gloves, sterile</td>
			<td>Medline Industries, LP</td>
			<td>MDS104070</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hair removal cream</td>
			<td>Church &#38; Dwight</td>
			<td>Nair Hair remover lotion&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hamilton syringe</td>
			<td>Hamilton Company Inc</td>
			<td>Gastight #1701, 10 &#181;L</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HBSS without Ca, Mg</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>PI88284</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Head bar</td>
			<td>Hongway</td>
			<td>5 mm inner diameter O-rings</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Heating pad</td>
			<td>Stoelting Co.&#160;</td>
			<td>Rodent warmer X2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Insulin syringes</td>
			<td>Exel International Medical Products&#160;</td>
			<td>29G x 1/2&#8243;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Iron oxide nanoparticles</td>
			<td>Covis Pharma GmbH</td>
			<td>Feraheme ferumoxytol injection, 510 mg/17 mL, 59338077501</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane</td>
			<td>Dechra</td>
			<td>26675-46-7</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mice</td>
			<td>Jackson Laboratories</td>
			<td>NSG, Strain 005557</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope (surgery)</td>
			<td>Seiler Medical</td>
			<td>Seiler IQ Q-100-220</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nanoparticles</td>
			<td>Custom</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Iron oxide nanoparticles (Ferumoxytol) labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ophtalmic ointment</td>
			<td>Major pharmaceuticals</td>
			<td>Lubrifresh P.M. nighttime ointment, 203964</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Oxygen</td>
			<td>Linde Gas &#38; Equipment Inc.&#160;</td>
			<td>High Pressure Steel K Style Cylinder, 249CF, 2000PSIG, CGA 540</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plastic cups</td>
			<td>Georgia-Pacirif Consumer Products</td>
			<td>Dixie Portion Cup, 2 oz., Plastic, Clear, PK2400</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Polyethylene tubing</td>
			<td>Braintree Scientific</td>
			<td>50-195-5494</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scale</td>
			<td>Ohaus Corp</td>
			<td>CR2200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scalpel</td>
			<td>Integra Life Sciences Production Corp</td>
			<td>Integra Miltex Stainless steel disposable scalpel</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scissors</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>13-804-18</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sealant</td>
			<td>Henkel Corp</td>
			<td>Loctite 4014</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Single use lab gown</td>
			<td>High Tech Conversions</td>
			<td>17-444-081</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stereotactic frame</td>
			<td>Stoelting Co.&#160;</td>
			<td>Stoelting New Standard TM</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile Vacuum Bottle Top Filtration Systems</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>S2GPU05RE, MilliporeSigma NO.:S2GPU05RE</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Styrofoam box</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical gloves</td>
			<td>Cardinal Health</td>
			<td>19-163-108</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical glue, 3M Vetbond tissues adhesive</td>
			<td>3M Animal Care Prodcuts</td>
			<td>1469SB</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tail vein cathether</td>
			<td>Custom</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Consists of two 30 G cannulas connected with sillicone tubing&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TrypLE Express (1x), no phenol red</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>12604-039</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultraviolett torch</td>
			<td>Spring sunshine technology</td>
			<td>Consciot</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

two-photon intravital microscopy of glioblastoma in a murine model

The delivery of intravenously administered cancer therapeutics to brain tumors is limited by the blood-brain barrier. A method to directly image the accumulation and distribution of macromolecules in brain tumors in vivo would greatly enhance our ability to understand and optimize drug delivery in preclinical models. This protocol describes a method for real-time in vivo tracking of intravenously administered fluorescent-labeled nanoparticles with two-photon intravital microscopy (2P-IVM) in a mouse model of glioblastoma (GBM).
The protocol contains a multi-step description of the procedure, including anesthesia and analgesia of experimental animals, creating a cranial window, GBM cell implantation, placing a head bar, conducting 2P-IVM studies, and post-surgical care for long-term follow-up studies. We show representative 2P-IVM imaging sessions and image analysis, examine the advantages and disadvantages of this technology, and discuss potential applications.
This method can be easily modified and adapted for different research questions in the field of in vivo preclinical brain imaging.

Author Spotlight: Multimodal Imaging Strategies for Optimizing Drug Delivery and Early Detection in Glioblastoma Treatment

Two-Photon Intravital Microscopy of Glioblastoma in a Murine Model

Glioblastoma is one of the most common primary brain cancer and is associated with fast growth and poor life expectancy. Developing effective therapies for glioblastoma remains a major challenge since the delivery of therapeutics is limited by the blood brain barrier. A method to directly image the accumulation and distribution of macromolecules in the brain would greatly enhance our ability to understand and optimize drug delivery.Two-photon microscopy offers an elegant solution for studying the real-time distribution of nanoparticles in the preclinical model of glioblastoma. By modifying the nanoparticle used in this study, it's possible to investigate the delivery of different drug candidates and combination therapies on a cellular and molecular level. In addition to two-photon intravital microscopy, the iron oxide component of these nanoparticles allow for multimodal imaging with MRI or MPI.For the future, imaging facilities could serve in the realization of early detection to cancer, thereby leading to more effective therapies against malignant neoplasia. One path to achieve this is to merge two-photon intravital microscopy with other imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography and photoacoustic ultrasound.

Here, we performed cranial window surgery and engrafted C6 cells in an NSG mouse model of GBM (n = 5). A proper seal between all components involved in the creation of the window (Figure 1A) will ensure the windows&#39; durability for long-term imaging and, additionally, reduce morbidity. Using the stage adapted for in vivo 2P-IVM (Figure 2), we could image animals under anesthesia for up to 2 h without any major motion artifacts. Approximately 10 min a...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Two-Photon Intravital Microscopy of Glioblastoma in a Murine Model at JoVE.com

We present a novel approach for two-photon microscopy of the tumor delivery of fluorescent-labeled iron oxide nanoparticles to glioblastoma in a mouse model.

The delivery of intravenously administered cancer therapeutics to brain tumors is limited by the blood-brain barrier. A method to directly image the ...

two-photon-intravital-microscopy-of-glioblastoma-in-a-murine-model