Figure 1.

Schematic of the in vivo molecular imaging approach to quantitate endothelial injury in the iridal microcirculation. Carboxylated fluorescent microspheres are conjugated with protein G, using a carbodiimide reaction and subsequently coated with “FC” coupled rPSGL-1. To reduce nonspecific interaction, the free regions are blocked with albumin. The rPSGL-1-conjugated microspheres are then injected systemically in live animals. The iridal microcirculation is then imaged in live animals using epifluorescence intravital microscopy.