Tracking extended mucociliary transport activity of individual deposited particles: longitudinal synchrotron X-ray imaging in live mice

Synchrotron phase-contrast X-ray imaging is well suited to non-invasive live imaging in small-animal models such as mice. However, due to the radiation dose delivered, the use of longitudinal studies has not previously been reported. In this report the post-deposition mucociliary transit behaviour of deposited particulates in the trachea of live mice is examined using a longitudinal study design incorporating repeat imaging at periods of 3, 9 or 25 h.