Evaluation of various tissue-clearing techniques for the three-dimensional visualization of liposome distribution in mouse lungs at the alveolar scale.

Purpose: To develop a three-dimensional visualization method for evaluating the distribution of pulmonary drug delivery systems and compare four tissue-clearing techniques (Clear, CUBIC, ScaleS, and SeeDB2) using intrapulmonary liposomes as drug carriers.

Methods: Rhodamine B-labeled liposomes were administered intrapulmonarily to mice using a MicroSprayer, and then fluorescent-labeled tomato lectin was administered intravenously to visualize the general lung structure. Tissue-clearing treatment of the mouse lungs was performed using the standard protocols of the Clear, CUBIC, ScaleS, and SeeDB2 techniques. Lung clearing was clarified using laser-scanning confocal microscopy, and three-dimensional images were reconstructed.

Results: Fluorescent-labeled tomato lectin was preserved using Clear and SeeDB2 but not using CUBIC and ScaleS. In addition, the liposomes were stable in Clear reagent, but they were mostly degraded in other reagents by surface-active agents. Clear treatment enabled the three-dimensional visualization of intrapulmonary rhodamine B-labeled liposomes at the alveolar scale.

Conclusions: These results suggest that the Clear tissue-clearing technique was appropriate for the three-dimensional visualization of intrapulmonary liposomes at the alveolar scale. This study provides important information for selecting and optimizing suitable optical tissue-clearing techniques in lungs for evaluating the distribution of pulmonary drug delivery systems.